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

SGT Chris Hill
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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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