Contemplating guard or reserves after ETSing in December. Any advice?

2015-10-03T09:46:42-04:00

I am transitioning from active duty and have more than fulfilled my 8 years IRR time, I am contemplating going to guard or reserves when I move to Colorado in December. I would like to get advice from anyone, but even more specifically from someone who is guard or reserves in the Ft Carson area. Any pro's/cons and experiences compared to active duty would be appreciated!

Response by SMSgt Tony Barnes made Oct 3 at 2015 9:58 AM

2015-10-03T09:58:31-04:00

I work on Fort Carson...if there's anything I can do to help your transition look me up on the global.

Response by SCPO Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 3 at 2015 11:25 AM

2015-10-03T11:25:50-04:00

Whichever you choose, STAY IN UNTIL YOU QUALIFY FOR RETIREMENT!!! I know the whole scope of military retirement/pay is about to be completely changed, but whatever it takes in terms of years to get that all-important retirement letter, do it. You will never regret that decision.

Response by Capt Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 3 at 2015 12:10 PM

2015-10-03T12:10:04-04:00

Go for it. If you complete your 20 at age 60 you will have retirement benefits albeit at lessor pay. Still take it from me the medical benefits alone can be very worthwhile.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 3 at 2015 12:38 PM

2015-10-03T12:38:20-04:00

As you do your due diligence, make sure you ask the question (assuming you make SSG before you transition) will the Reserves drop you back down a pay grade or take you straight across.

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 3 at 2015 1:33 PM

2015-10-03T13:33:30-04:00

The best advice I can give is look to the future. Secure a retirement and do not discount the years you have devoted to your service. There will always be ups and downs even in the Guard and Reserves. But you will thank yourself that you continued the sacrifice. In todays environment there is much more asked of our reserve forces and it can be a challenge. But an individual can adapt and overcome any of these challenges. I wish you luck in what ever decision you make. And remember we are out here to offer advice and support.

Response by MAJ Keira Brennan made Oct 3 at 2015 4:45 PM

2015-10-03T16:45:53-04:00

Well WELCOME to Colorado when you get here!!! The CO ARNG and ANG do a heck of a job with tuition for in-state!

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 3 at 2015 8:20 PM

2015-10-03T20:20:13-04:00

Research units in the area, both Guard and Reserve. You have the power to choose. It would be a good idea to contact the units you're interested in directly. You may even be able attend a drill with them to see if it's a unit you would like to join. And don't limit your search to just that state. You may find a unit that fits your needs in an anointing one.

Response by SGT Beau Thomas made Oct 3 at 2015 9:48 PM

2015-10-03T21:48:23-04:00

There are a lot of positives and negatives. A positive is you can keep Tricare for $200 a month for a family and the coverage out trumps any civilian insurance. Also, if I am correct, I believe that you can draw retirement at age 60 minus all the years you spent on deployments past 2008. On the negative side, a lot of employers do discriminate against Guard members...so I don't even mention it while I'm applying for jobs. As almost all soldiers do, you will regret when you would have hit your 20 years if you get out. All in all, it had been worth it for me.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 4 at 2015 3:03 PM

2015-10-04T15:03:42-04:00

The National Guard and the Resrrves are only similar in the way they drill and dress. The Guard has a majority of the combat and combat service and support units while the reserves are mostly support units. Funding is very different as whell. The biggest difference is that the Guard is a State entity that can be called up for federal active service and domestic operations in case of man made or natural disasters. Visit units of both before deciding what you want to do.

Response by SSG Ed Mikus made Oct 5 at 2015 11:28 AM

2015-10-05T11:28:01-04:00

What is the mission and jobs available to you in both talk to people in the National Guard we are going and see if that's really something good to do. Some are great some are not.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 5 at 2015 2:09 PM

2015-10-05T14:09:15-04:00

SGT Hill,
If you are going to go to school after the military. May I suggest looking into the Guard there are a few benefits that the guard has over the reserve as well as a few disadvantages. Most states but not all offer tuition exemption if you are a member of the guard due to the fact for the majority of the time you are a "state employee". you must look into this by contacting a guard recruiter. reserves and guard both are eligible for Tricare reserve select. Insurance companys cannot compete with this. it runs around 50 or 60 for a single soldier and around 200 for a family. The only dis advantage between them is you can be called up to provide service to the state for emergencies. I am a member of the Louisiana National Guard and have been called up for 4 hurricanes. The state pay sucked but I was helping my state and received personal satisfaction that i was helping someone who cared about me instead of when i was in Iraq and they didnt give a damn about you and your battle buddies. I would look into the Guard. This is only my personal belief. Either way there are retirement benefits.

Response by SFC Mark Merino made Oct 5 at 2015 8:19 PM

2015-10-05T20:19:35-04:00

Unless something changed, the CO ARNG only has M109 Paladins. Just a side note from Uncle Mark.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 5 at 2015 11:02 PM

2015-10-05T23:02:14-04:00

I am AGR for the Washington National Guard. I have served in both the Reserves and the Guard. There are a couple differences.

1. In the Guard you will only deploy with your unit of assignment unless you volunteer to gonna in individual or with another unit. In the Reserves you can be subject to a mob as an individual and pulled to deploy with people you do not know and have never met

2. The States have unique opportunities for education. Some states have passed legislature that states in you are a Guard Soldier in good standing in the unit you can go to college for free. Iowa is a prime example of this. You should look at what Colorado offers its Guard Soldiers if you plan to go home and go to college
3. The Reserves are more lenient when it comes to your drill weekends and your two week obligation. They work very well with the Soldier.

Hope this helps

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 7 at 2015 9:31 PM

2015-10-07T21:31:39-04:00

I recommend examining which MOS has promotional opportunities when you choose either reserves or national guard. The national guard uses a unique promotion system which is based off vacant slots and competition against peers. There is no magic cutoff score in the national guard. National guard perform homeland response missions which give guardsman additional skills working joint interagency operations. Either way, guard or reserves, I encourage you to stay in until retirement.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 15 at 2017 4:19 AM

2017-04-15T04:19:56-04:00

I did it. Guard has been good to me. The Guard is starting to try and compete with AC right now so you still might get some good opportunities like schools and promotions.

Response by LTC Charles T Dalbec made Nov 4 at 2018 7:42 PM

2018-11-04T19:42:46-05:00

Your choice of Army Reserve is very admirable and recommended. Normally higher ranking enlisted and cadre type are in the Army Reserve whereas Combat Arms Soldiers and lowers ranks are predominant in the Army Guard. Recommend you seek out information by speaking to your major command’s Retention NCO!! Hooah?? And yes, you can retire from the Army Reserve with great benefits that you will have for the rest of your life. Seek out MSG Barnes at Fort Carson and let him do his job.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 23 at 2018 3:56 PM

2018-12-23T15:56:36-05:00

Don’t. But seriously those are two different animals. They both come with their BS. The guard has to deal with both state and federal issues. I’ve seen some really good NG units. But there’s also some really crappy NG units. Good luck on finding a good one. But I’d go NG over reserves.