I'll be the first to admit it's special circumstances, but even that isn't always the case. I've seen a few instances where even the number 1 reserve bidder got coverage while a junior reserve bidder didn't. It's pretty jacked up, but it happens. Our reserve coverage language could use some serious work, as could some reserve protections.

That said, if you live in base, reserve at DAL is pretty dang good. In some categories, being too junior to hold a reserve line is occasionally a thing. If your category is severely understaffed, then the GS game is a player. If GS aren't flowing, then you're likely not close to being used every day. I'm not going to go down the "days off/not worked" road, everyone has their views on that. But my life is relatively flexible and you live within SC range, the reserve life ain't that bad.