If moving out of state is a possibility in the future, would the Army Reserves or National Guard be easier to transfer to another state?

2019-11-17T12:04:29-05:00

Looking to join one or the other. Which is the better option should someone need to relocate down the road? All of my wife’s family lives in California and she’s worried about getting stuck drilling at one location if you had to move someday.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 17 at 2019 12:07 PM

2019-11-17T12:07:06-05:00

Well both would be relatively easy but the reserve would probably be easier, though not so much easier that i would use that as a basis to determine what unit to join.

Response by CAPT Kevin B. made Nov 17 at 2019 12:15 PM

2019-11-17T12:15:04-05:00

This is a classic "results will vary" situation. There has to be units and there has to be billets. Then I presume you want promotion opportunity vs. dead ended. Since you're in Idaho, you have to go to where the flagpoles are. NG cut a lot of them down over the past 6 years. Idaho is short on anything other than Air Force and that's at the south end of the state; 9 hour drive from Boundary County. In some ways, many other states will be an improvement. The other thing about NG in Idaho is the inability of the State to spend time and master contingency response (emergency management), especially in the rural areas. That means the resources, including NG, are not as wired in as they should be, nor exercised for what what will actually occur on a regular basis.

Response by CPT Lawrence Cable made Nov 17 at 2019 12:15 PM

2019-11-17T12:15:08-05:00

It's somewhat easier in the Reserves since you are controlled by a central authority. It's really not that big of a pain in the butt in the Guard and there is an Interstate Transfer specialist at every state headquarters to help you out with those transfers. I would base my decision on which type of unit will allow you to chose the Military Occupational Specialty that you want to try. Army National Guards are oriented towards Combat Arms, so if you want Infantry, Armor or Artillery, then the Guard is your best choice. If you are more interested in one of the Support or Combat Support jobs, like MP, the Reserve would work. Advancement in rank is generally faster in Combat Arms units up through E6 Staff Sergeant. However, since you can take positions easier outside of your location easier in the Reserves, the upper ranks or promotion in MOS's that aren't very large is probably better in the Reserves.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 17 at 2019 1:08 PM

2019-11-17T13:08:26-05:00

It really comes down to availability. Is there a spot available for her to fill.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 17 at 2019 2:53 PM

2019-11-17T14:53:55-05:00

Based off of personal experience and what I’ve witnessed from friends in the NG (all different states), I’d say Reserves. My transfer took two weeks from submitting my paperwork to my orders being cut. My friends averaged a year to two years since it’s up to the state to release you. Ultimately everyone’s experience will differ but I can confidently say the Reserves offer quite a bit more flexibility.

Response by CW2 Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 17 at 2019 9:19 PM

2019-11-17T21:19:39-05:00

Reserves for sure. The guard takes a lost when you transfer, but reserves numbers stay the same once you transfer.

Response by SGT Eric Davis made Nov 19 at 2019 11:25 AM

2019-11-19T11:25:44-05:00

To me the reserve since they are federal and sometime you unit let’s your drill with other reserve units if you receive approval