How do you make a National Guard experience more like active duty?

Honestly as a Guardsman it's all about being willing to jump at any ADOS opportunity that comes your way. Seek out those options with your unit and when you get them, impress who you work for. The Guard is a small entity and your reputation should be preceding you. The more your name is out there the better chance you'll have of being picked up on AGR. If you are PA Guard I encourage you to look up SSG Kimberly Fauth. She's the Honor Guard coordinator and she can get you an interview and try out if they are currently hiring. It's a great program and it was my last ADOS job before being picked up AGR.

I've used ADOS opportunities before as I was transitioning my career path in the civilian world.
A great resource to find these opportunities is Tour of Duty on the Army's MOBCOP site. Login to https://mobcop.army.mil and navigate to Tour of Duty if you are looking to augment your National Guard career with temporary active duty opportunities.

I volunteer for EVERYTHING, 4th of July Flag Ceremony, IL Combatives Tourney, Pistol/TAG Match, ASIST, Ammo Classes, SFAS. List goes on brother.

Volunteer for every and any school they offer you. On your 4100 packet, pick anywhere in your state. Volunteer for deployments, etc. Imy actually driving from Philadelphia to ft leonardwood as we speak. Noone wanted a slot for an asi school so guess who has two months tdy? Ask for what atrrs slots are available every unit has slots they need to fill, and people never want to take them.

Doing is really dependant on a few different things. Mainly your rank and experience. If you want to do more you have to be that guy that is always ready to go to a school at the drop of a hat. If you are looking for full time work you will really have to bring something to the table. Full time is very competitive.

I was the same way when I was an E4. I did the Fed Tech gig for a while. Then I took an AGR job. The ADOS money is harder to get now with cutbacks. Definitely put in for Honor Guard details. That's something I really enjoy training Soldiers to do, and yet it can be stressful if you take it seriously. Also, don't be afraid to apply for any AGR job. If you get it and you're not DMOSQ, you will have a year to become DMOSQ. If you don't get it, you are still putting your name out there and they will remember you the next time. Just study up on the position before the Board and you will look motivated and trainable. Good luck. FTIG positions can be hard to get, but if you really are giving 200% each weekend, then your reputation will proceed you.

Let me tell you brother, be proud and stay proud! Volunteer for anything that comes your way, but never mistake the fact that you STILL SERVE YOUR COUNTRY. At a given moment, your unit can be given a WARNO that they will be deploying in a short period of time. Stay focused, both mentally and physically. I understand how you feel; your a high-speed soldier looking to give 110% to the service, which is admirable. However, don't let this outweigh your career ambitions in the civilian world. Far too long I worried about going on ADOS tours and volunteering my time, which is great, though it got in the way of me going to school. Now I'm a proud Reservist about to go to BLC, I have a great, and highly respected chain of command and I'm a year away from my bachelors. Just stay the course but worry more about what will help you in the long-term rather than what's good for now. You signed the dotted line which is much more than others can say. Never forget that brother!

You can never compare AC and RC, your best option is to go active. You can do the Honor Guard detail as many are suggesting but really, are you applying your learned skill (MOS)? I would look for a unit deploying or go to the Active Component.

Take a look at your states website and look at jobs, there should be many opportunities for ADOS positions some even outside of your state that may afford you the opportunities for several schools and possibly some active duty opportunities as well also you will gain a ton of experience and knowledge, this all will then in turn help you reach your short time goal of earning the "stripes" of a Noncomissioned Officer. Secondly I would talk to your Training NCO and see if there are some schools that the unit needs to fill, also let them know that you are available in short notice.

If you have the opportunity do get ADOS orders being a member of the Honor Guard team I highly recommend it. I was a coordinator in Tennessee for 5 years and it was easily the best job I've had to date.