National Guard or the Army Reserves? I've been out for about 6 months after serving ten years. Any advice?

SSG Zachary Palmer — Tue, 15 Dec 2015 08:59:35 -0500

I've been contemplating joining the National Guard or the Army Reserves. I want to get to retirement. And I know I could save money on insurance.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 15 at 2015 9:06 AM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 15 Dec 2015 09:06:07 -0500

What are you looking at doing career wise? They offer different benefits and capabilities. So what are you looking for? That will help us help you.

Response by SGM Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 15 at 2015 9:15 AM

SGM Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 15 Dec 2015 09:15:24 -0500

Depends on the job you are interested in. Plus the state. Some states offer full state tuition. I would do the research on both. Find a job that you really want and location, this should be priority. You don't want to drive 3 hrs though.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 15 at 2015 9:35 AM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 15 Dec 2015 09:35:32 -0500

SSG Zachary Palmer , there are a couple things to consider:
Reserves are federally controlled and funded (mission set is only geared towards foreign deployments), more money for training, equipment, etc. More MOS options (all Reserve units are Combat Support or Admin/Healthcare). Plenty of locations to choose from for your monthly Battle Assembly.

Guard: Held to State and Federal mission sets (potential for Disaster Relief/Management missions). Because of being primarily funded by the local state it's a bit harder to come by school slots and other extended orders (with the exception of certain units like SF, etc.). All of the Guard units (i think?) are combat arms units so if you have a combat arms MOS you wouldn't have to reclass. Lots of drilling locations, but many are small detachments (think one company in this area of the state and one company in another, etc, etc.)

Keep in mind that there is a Retirement Points scale for the Reserve Components that you should look into to properly calculate your future time in service to get an idea of how long it would take to hit retirement (active duty retirement level, reserve retirement level). Good luck in your decisions! And if you look into the Reserves, check out the Civil Affairs or PsyOp branches- we've got a cool mission set that's non-conventional.

Response by SSG Todd Halverson made Dec 15 at 2015 10:05 AM

SSG Todd Halverson — Tue, 15 Dec 2015 10:05:23 -0500

Talk to both recruiters and see which one will be the best fit for you.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 15 at 2015 10:35 AM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 15 Dec 2015 10:35:36 -0500

If you wish to stay MI, you're likely to find much more promotion and mission potential in the USAR.
Guard MI positions are almost entirely in their battalion, brigade, and division HQs; the USAR has entire MI formations.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 15 at 2015 11:07 AM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 15 Dec 2015 11:07:37 -0500

I spent 11 years in the Guard. tornado relief duty every spring, hurricane relief duty every fall. I decided to transfer to the Reserves for promotion, at the time the Guard just wasn't promoting CPTs. I got picked up for O4 the first board in the Reserves. That was 2 1/2 years ago and there are guys in my year group who stayed with the Guard that just got picked up for O4. For enlisted, especially the higher you go, someone basically has to die before you can get promoted in the Guard. My daughter was a SPC, 35F, and there were only a handful of E5 slots in the entire state. She finally got promoted, had to transfer to a unit that was 50 miles further from home, and the 2nd month she was there the UMR changed and her E5 slot went away. They wanted her to reclass as an 88M in order to keep the stripe, so she said "to hell with it" and went into the IRR for her last 2 years.

That said, IMHO the Reserves have been much better for me. Not nearly as much "good ole boy" network, who you know, who your daddy/uncle is, stuff. And no more middle of July ATs at Camp Shelby.

Response by CMSgt James Nolan made Dec 15 at 2015 11:10 AM

CMSgt James Nolan — Tue, 15 Dec 2015 11:10:33 -0500

SSG Zachary Palmer Because you are actually considering it, you should follow through. I would say this though-not just for the pension (which will be a modest amount), or the savings on insurance.

Do it because you want to be part of something that stands for something good. To be a part of keeping us strong. For the opportunity to grow, take on challenge and adversity and overcome.

The benefits help out-no doubt. But, if the money is the only reason, you will be dissatisfied.

When looking, take a look at all of your options. Consider Air and Army Guard, as well as Reserves. Talk with them. You are no longer the idealistic 18 year old that knows nothing....do something that you WANT to do, and you will be much happier doing it.

Response by CAPT Kevin B. made Dec 15 at 2015 11:26 AM

CAPT Kevin B. — Tue, 15 Dec 2015 11:26:37 -0500

Either way you go, you'll likely lose a "good year" towards retirement unless you can acquire inactive points through correspondence courses, etc. That's secondary to picking the better path. Always keep in mind your anniversary date.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Dec 15 at 2015 11:44 AM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Tue, 15 Dec 2015 11:44:12 -0500

SRPs are a good place to get answers.

Response by SGM Mikel Dawson made Dec 15 at 2015 12:26 PM

SGM Mikel Dawson — Tue, 15 Dec 2015 12:26:59 -0500

I started out in the Guard, but switched over to the Reserves. When it comes to promotions, the Reserve has it better. Even though the Reserve is CS, CSS, there are many good slots, MOSs to choose from. IMHO, I don't think I would have made SGM in the Guard.

Response by SGT Eric Slade made Dec 15 at 2015 1:21 PM

SGT Eric Slade — Tue, 15 Dec 2015 13:21:42 -0500

The two things to pop into my mind right away the differences in units and responsibility. USAR is made up of support units (MI, Signal, PSYOPS and on) and National Guard has actual combat units. The National Guard responds to natural disasters. Since transitioning from active duty into the reserves, I have not worked with any combat units. I have supported MI, Signal and now a sustainment brigade. Just adding my two cents.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 15 at 2015 5:20 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 15 Dec 2015 17:20:47 -0500

Either or! For me it was the reserves!

Response by CW2 Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 15 at 2015 6:02 PM

CW2 Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 15 Dec 2015 18:02:50 -0500

I have served both and it really comes down to your MOS and where you want to be in 5 years. The biggest challenge one faces in the National Guard is funding and how each state manages funds for Soldiers to attend schools and NCOES. The Reserves are federally funded and having the ability to attend schools and develop is much easier. This in no way is picking one over the other, but instead giving my personal experience between the Arizona Army National Guard and Army Reserves. The Reserves had many more open doors and opportunities for myself than the Guard would have.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 16 at 2015 1:33 AM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 16 Dec 2015 01:33:52 -0500

Just remember that you won't be able to collect your retirement until you are 62 or 65. The part time side of the army is a lot more different than active duty. Sometime not for the best.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 16 at 2015 11:26 AM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 16 Dec 2015 11:26:53 -0500

I have served in both the Reserves and National Guard. But to pick between the two you have to ask yourself a few questions what do you want to get out of it and what kinds of missions do you want to do. The Guard has all branches to included combat MOSs where the Reserves is solely support, the Guard also does missions based on the needs of the state which you belong to. I know in my home state the Guard supports the border patrol. Where as the Reserves are only Federal support. Also Some states give large bonuses to its soldiers in either pay or in benefits. I know for myself though I have been able to get to a few more schools in the Reserves then when I was in the Guard. So you have to weigh your options and talk with the recruiter to see what fits for you.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 16 at 2015 6:06 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 16 Dec 2015 18:06:24 -0500

I would consider promotion opportunities as a big part of the decision. Thought about a switch to the reserves when I was approaching 7 years as a SPC as it was a high density MOS in the NG. Made it through and it thins out greatly because NCOES requirements after SSG.

Response by SSG Audwin Scott made Dec 17 at 2015 2:04 PM

SSG Audwin Scott — Thu, 17 Dec 2015 14:04:53 -0500

If you are looking to draw a retirement check and still serve your country I would suggest doing the Reserves. More opportunity for promotion.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 22 at 2015 12:00 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 22 Dec 2015 12:00:20 -0500

Depends on what you want to do. All the combat MOS's are National Guard. Reserves deal in CS and CSS. The Reserve also has Drill Sergeant units and Instructor units.

Response by 1SG David Spalding made Dec 23 at 2015 8:32 PM

1SG David Spalding — Wed, 23 Dec 2015 20:32:23 -0500

Both have their ups and downs. Depends a lot on which state and what your MOS is. I went into the Reserve after Active Duty, loved it. But, there are a lot of engineer units here in the area, so moving around to move up was pretty easy. On the other hand, my daughter is in the Guard. They have more money for school and there are a lot of MI spots within the state - good for her promotion possibilities. Get with some local who knows. Find out if your MOS is under or overstrength. See if reclass is easy to do. Etc.

Response by SFC Steven Wheeler made Dec 24 at 2015 2:29 PM

SFC Steven Wheeler — Thu, 24 Dec 2015 14:29:25 -0500

Compare NG and reserve units in your area and the number of positions available for your current grade (and up) to know your future promotion possibilities. I was a 35Y (now 94Y) and the only E6 in the State of Florida at the time for the HAWK missile (now there more E6 slots as Avenger and MLRS are in Florida). I knew that in order to get promoted to E7, I had to reclass. So research your options, completion for promotion gets tougher no matter your MOS because there are only so many slot available.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 2 at 2016 8:27 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 02 Jan 2016 20:27:39 -0500

Both are great in their own ways. It all depends on what your MOS is and whether you want to be activated to "State of Emergency" type situations. I have been in the reserves for almost 10 years and would never change it.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 13 at 2016 10:35 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 13 Aug 2016 22:35:56 -0400

As long as you had a good MOS to fall back on, it's a good plan to bring in a pretty good second income.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 6 at 2016 1:37 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 06 Sep 2016 13:37:01 -0400

I would say it depends on your location first, what types of units are in your area, guard or reserves. It is easier to move around in the reserves for promotions and such verses the guard. But the reserves have no combat slots. Check them both out and see what they have, plus are you open to reclass etc.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 20 at 2017 9:02 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 20 Jul 2017 21:02:19 -0400

Depends on career field you are looking for, if combat arms then the guard, support and shit like that either or

Response by SFC Kenneth Hunnell made Jul 9 at 2019 6:13 PM

SFC Kenneth Hunnell — Tue, 09 Jul 2019 18:13:30 -0400

It really depends on the state you live in. Rich state potential for education and promotions, if you decide on guard. Army Reserve potential for promotions even outside your state