Thanks a ton ChrisReedRules, 50SeatsOfGrey and the others. Good info. The challenging balance between choosing a base where reserve will be short to very short but the commute not too much of a hassle and that base 2 hours from home where you might be on reserve for over a year, if I get that base at first, which is surely most improbable out of training.

I understand the best choice is the shortest time on reserve possible when you're a newbie.