One option for those who wish to join the U.S. Marine Corps is enrolling as a reservist. When not called to serve full duty, marine reserves receive drill pay according to their rank and the amount of years they have served in the military.

Enlisted Reserve Pay Range

As of 2014, the minimum pay for enlisted reserve Marines ranges from $47.21 per drill for a private to $91.75 per drill for sergeants first class with less than two years of experience. Master sergeants and first sergeants make a minimum of $131.98 per drill, while master gunnery sergeants and sergeant majors earn a minimum of $161.23 per drill.

The maximum pay ranges from $57.23 for each drill for privates first class, to $250.32 per drill for sergeant majors and master gunnery sergeants with 38 or more years of service.

Reserve Warrant Officer Pay Range

Minimum pay for reserve warrant officers ranges from $94.66 per drill for warrant officer 1 to $133.45 for chief warrant officer 4 with two years or less of experience.

The maximum pay for warrant officer 1 is $163.56 per drill, $179.99 for chief warrant officer 2, $213.77 for chief warrant officer 3 and $248.57 for chief warrant officer 4.

The pay range for chief warrant officer 5 ranges from $237.28 per drill for those with 20 years experience, to $310.50 per drill for those with 38 or more years experience.

Reserve Commissioned Officer Pay Range

The pay range for enlisted commissioned officers starts at $96.84 per drill for second lieutenants to $275.48 per drill for brigadier generals with two years of service or less.

Maximum pay ranges from $121.85 for second lieutenants to $411.59 per drill for brigadier generals with 30 or more years of experience.

First lieutenants receive the maximum pay of $154.41 per drill after six years of service; captains earn a maximum of $210.08 per drill after 14 years; majors make $245.22 after 18 years; lieutenant colonels earn $289.19 after 22 years; and colonels receive a maximum of $361.47 per drill after 30 years of service.

Marine Reserves Requirements

When Marine reserves finish the Marine Corps recruit training and military occupational specialty training, they begin to fulfill their duties by engaging in continuous exercises called drills. For two weeks every summer, reserves enter full-drill mode. Otherwise, Marine reserves commit to one drill weekend per month.

According to the U.S. Marines website, requirements to join the Marine reserves are nearly the same as those for joining regular service: enlisted members have to be between 17 and 29 years old, while officers must be between 20 and 27 years old.

The minimum education for enlisted members is a high school diploma or its equivalent, while officers need a bachelor's degree. Enlisted reserve members need proof of residency, and officers need to be citizens of the United States.