ARNG vs. Reserves: which is a better component?

2015-05-18T21:56:34-04:00

I have a little over a year left in the ARNG and I am considering the Reserves as an option before I sign the dotted line for re-up. I'm currently a 92F and I'm looking to reclass to either a 35 series or 38B. In your opinion, which is a better component to serve in for these MOSs and overall? Why?

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made May 18 at 2015 10:31 PM

2015-05-18T22:31:46-04:00

Glad you clarified the question by narrowing it down to those MOSs. Wouldn't want to get drawn and quartered arguing whether the Guard or Reserve was better! As for your question, I don't even know what the MOSs you mentioned are, so I'll have to sit this one out. Good luck with whatever decision you make.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made May 19 at 2015 1:11 AM

2015-05-19T01:11:00-04:00

38B generally only exists in the Reserve. Some Guard units have formed Civil Affairs positions at the division level after their experiences in Iraq, but these are non-doctrinal positions and do not even have a METL. Sort of a glorified special staff.
So if you want to go CA, too easy, USAR.

As for MI, you'll find some opportunity in either component, so that choice will be more location and slot-dependent. MI organizations are more prevalent in the USAR, but there are plenty of unit-level billets in the Guard as well.

Response by PFC Tuan Trang made May 19 at 2015 1:12 AM

2015-05-19T01:12:21-04:00

reserve is better sgt.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made May 19 at 2015 4:19 AM

2015-05-19T04:19:44-04:00

Having served in both components, albeit briefly, I would say the Guard is better. There's more infrastructure, formations, and equipment available to choose from in the National Guard. However to be honest I have zero interest in an MOS outside of Combat Arms, so the Reserve has little to offer me. If you want to go Civil Affairs the Reserve is your only option.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made May 19 at 2015 6:46 AM

2015-05-19T06:46:01-04:00

"Better" doesn't seem the appropriate word here. They're just different. I try and avoid the artificial animosity that develops between components whenever possible.

First, and perhaps most important, the Guard has pretty much all the Combat Arms branches, while the Reserve has most of the Combat Support and Combat Service Support branches. Since you are in one of those logistical job fields, there will simply be more opportunities available on the Reserve side. (Edit: AOC 35 [Mil Intel] and 38 [Civ Affairs] have more of a Reserve presence as well.)

Second, the Guard can be called up by the state, while the Reserve cannot. Conversely, the Reserve can mobilize and deploy an individual easily while the Guard can only federalize the Guard at the unit level or through volunteers.

Third, while people will point to differences in support and training funds, this differs heavily by state (for guard) or by upper-echelon command (for Reserve) so you can't generalize that as well as many would like.

Fourth, if you're looking at funding for school, and plan to use Tuition Assistance (especially now that it cannot be combined with VA assistance such as the GI Bill) the states do often offer separate TA (which can sometimes be combined with other funding) and the Reserve is notoriously stingy with theirs.

Response by Capt Private RallyPoint Member made May 19 at 2015 8:01 AM

2015-05-19T08:01:29-04:00

I was in the Reserve for 8 1/2 years. My civilian job required me to move frequently. I served in 4 states. Never had a serious problem transferring or meeting my drill requirements.

Response by CPT Chris Loomis made May 19 at 2015 8:29 AM

2015-05-19T08:29:15-04:00

I think that from what I have seen the ARNG is the better choice generally.

There are more MOS to choose from. At least in the State of CA there is more fiscal support (although across the board everybody is poor these days).

The benefits are the kicker.... At least in CA you get the federal student financial aid and state educational benefits.

Also for me there is the fact that we are state troops, under U.S. Code title 32, and therefore the mission is often targeted at the community (DSCA/MSCA).

Just my $0.02 worth.... I'm happy where I'm at. Hope it helps.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made May 19 at 2015 9:07 AM

2015-05-19T09:07:18-04:00

I don't think anybody else has touched on it but when you are with a Guard unit and become promotable, you are competing for slots only available in the state you drill in. In the Reserves, you compete against the entire Army Reserves for slots in your MOS. In the lower ranks, this may not be an issue but as you promote higher in the Guard, you may actually have to wait for a Soldier to either retire or die before you can be promoted, even if you are the best out there and guaranteed the next open position. This can bog down a career.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made May 19 at 2015 10:18 AM

2015-05-19T10:18:08-04:00

It depends on where you live and what choices you have. My feelings are it's better to be in a good unit with an MOS you like. So see which option has a closer unit, certainly attend a BA with your top choices before you sign the line.

Reserves has the benefit of being more mobile in that you don't need a conditional release to move out of the state, if that is a possibility for you then the reserves should be bumped up on your choice list.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made May 19 at 2015 11:22 AM

2015-05-19T11:22:08-04:00

I am very impressed with the level of professionalism being maintained by all contributors on this discussion. I have spent 21 of my nearly 24 years in the USAR as an MP Officer. For the most part, I have been satisfied with my career, although if I were to do it over again, I think I might opt to spend my years as a Company-Grade Officer in the ARNG and transfer to the USAR post-Company Command. This is premised on the facts that the Guard can offer a diversity of missions based upon it's Title 32 status and the equipment the Guard has is in better condition than that found in the USAR. Because there are no MP BNs in the Minnesota or Wisconsin Guard structure, I would make my move to the USAR at that point.

Given the MOSs you have identified, unless Tuition Assistance is a driving force in your decision-making process, I would advise you to not delay your decision any further and find a home in the USAR. Shop around and be selective, however; this is an advantage that the USAR affords you. Go and visit a unit during a Battle Assembly weekend; meet with the unit leadership and talk to Soldiers already in the unit. Observe whats going on. Is the unit squared away? Are Soldiers engaged in relevant training or are they sitting around waiting for direction? Are Soldiers motivated and happy to be there, or do they look like they are all watching the clock, waiting for closing formation? If that's what you find, keep shopping! In the USAR, you are your own best career manager. If you can't visit a unit during a BA, a sign of a good unit is one that is willing to provide you with a list of several contacts within the unit that you could call with your questions about the unit. Weaker units are generally reluctant to do this.

In my current organization, we evaluate and observe training for units in both the ARNG and the USAR at the Brigade and Battalion level. I have no biases toward either one; they both present their advantages and their drawbacks, but these do not impact their capabilities or the quality of their individual Soldiers. For my final two cents, if you're looking for a diverse set of missions in an always evolving environment; and if the prospect for frequent deployments does not bother you, Civil Affairs is the place for you right now. Best of luck in your selection!

Response by SSG Paul Setterholm made May 19 at 2015 10:12 PM

2015-05-19T22:12:55-04:00

National guard. We served the community. Was activated to look for missing women that were killed, guarded Mount Rushmore when there was suspected terrorists attack. Trained for riots at state penitentiary etc.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made May 19 at 2015 10:36 PM

2015-05-19T22:36:10-04:00

It all depends on where you are in your career and what you want. The State force is more of a community and a closer knit culture which can be extremely rewarding. But there are some downsides to living in the State snow globe. The Guard can limit you...the State mission always has the potential to interfere with your civilian career. States tend to have tighter budgets across the board and depending on the State and your MOS, less possibilities for advancement...especially at the Senior grades. My best memories are with the Guard but for me, the Reserve was an appropriate career move given my own situation. Do your homework and see what's available. Make some calls to the Reserve units and decide whats best for you. Good luck!

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made May 19 at 2015 11:53 PM

2015-05-19T23:53:31-04:00

Not a whole lot of 35 opportunity in the NG as you progress and not much of a mission unless you deploy (think posse comitatus). Given the MOSs you've mentioned the Reserve would be the route with more career opportunities. That's the primary reason that I ended up switching components after active duty.