National Guard vs Reserves? Which way should I go?

Joseph Fleet — Mon, 19 Mar 2018 14:57:57 -0400

I'm having trouble deciding between the Reserves or the National Guard. I'm 26. I have 33 college credits but no degree. Married with 3 kids. ( I've already talked to a Reserves recruiter about the dependants waiver). I want to attempt ROTC after basic and AIT. (also talked to a Reserves recruiter about it. The SMP program). So I've got the details down pretty good. Now I'm just having trouble deciding between the two. Reserves or National Guard?

Response by 1stSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 19 at 2018 3:05 PM

1stSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 19 Mar 2018 15:05:55 -0400

You said you have talked to the Reserve recruiters, but have you spoken with the National Guard yet? There are a lot of similarities between the two components, but there are also quite a few differences. Also, keep in mind, the National Guard can differ between each and every state as well. Usually the differences are slight, but if you are looking for specific benefits it is definitely worth your time to get into the recruiting office and ask questions.

If you have spoken to both already, what other questions do you have that will help you make this decision?

Response by LCDR Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 19 at 2018 3:44 PM

LCDR Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 19 Mar 2018 15:44:11 -0400

Joseph, I'll give you my "two cents".

1. You're facing an uphill challenge already-which I trust you know. With a spouse and three children, not to mention being in your mid-20s, this would be nothing short of a life-altering decision. Have you served before?

2. Your later comments indicate that financial and other benefits are of key concern. Brother, let me tell you...both come at a high potential cost, and there may be other more manageable, more rewarding ways to solve both problems. It's hard for me to deny that once "in", your family will see some immediate benefits, but they'll also be losing you to months of training, and possible deployments.

3. If you don't mind me asking, what's your current profession/experience? This is important to know because you might be a tactical officer with a police dept. and understand all of the above VERY well...then again, you may be facing some pretty significant changes to your overall routine/habits that a family will have to adjust to.

4. You mentioned officer programs. There's lots of ways to earn a commission, and not all are equal. Some people direct commission due to professional ability (think Doctors/Lawyers), others come to the NG/Reserves holding commissions from federal academies (think West Point, Annapolis, Colorado Springs, Kings Point), while others earn them in college ROTC or via OCS. There are few commonalities though. First, I'd speak to an officer programs recruiter...not suggesting others won't tell you good information, but bear in mind they "may" have different targets for manning, and may or may not "steer" things the way you want. Second, being an officer usually incorporates a longer minimum service commitment...look into details. Finally, if what attracts you about being commissioned is only the higher pay...please save yourself the time, agony and trouble.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 20 at 2018 8:49 AM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 20 Mar 2018 08:49:54 -0400

The primary difference between the two services is how they are paid, promotions, and to whom they belong.

The majority of the time, National Guardsman belong to the state is which they serve. They are title 32 and the governor can assign them duty based on state requirements such as emergencies or other events. If a state runs low on funding training may be effected. Additionally, promotions, especially as you move up the ranks, are dependent on available slots with the state of service. In other words, if you are up for promotion to Captain, there has to be an available Captain position, nobody currently sitting in it, within the state. As you move up ranks, there are less positions available, therefore, more people are competing for the same position. Sometimes, depending on states and position, you have to wait for a service member to retire or die before you get promoted.

Reservists are title 10, same as active duty, and belong to the federal government. While there are times a Reservist can be activated for federal emergencies, that is an exception rather than a rule. Reservists are not active duty, far from it, but are often treated as such in terms of deployments and training. There are also money issues in the Reserves but because it is a federal-managed organization rather than state-owned, budget has a little more give to it. When promotable in the Reserves, a Soldier competes for all positions across the entire Army Reserves rather than positions local to the state. In the example referenced above, if you are promotable to Captain and reside in Oklahoma and there is an available Captain slot in Texas, you may get promoted into it. Reservists can cross state lines for promotion and training.

Response by SGT Lee Jamison made Mar 31 at 2018 12:05 AM

SGT Lee Jamison — Sat, 31 Mar 2018 00:05:22 -0400

There are only a couple main differences in my opinion that affect me. National Guard will be activated for stateside emergencies as reserves will not, for example the hurricane that toppled NC a year ago as well as the ones that hit Puerto Rico and Florida, I like being in the Guard for this. The Guard is state funded, Reserves are federally funded. Which plays a part when requesting schools, the Guard gets the last pick of slots and has a limited budget to send people to school. For me I want to go to DS school but in the Guard it’s not happening where as in the reserves they want people for it. You have more advancement opportunities in the reserves as well as deployment opportunities or full time employment opportunities. If I had to do it again I would go active but between the Reserves and Guard, for me personally I would choose the Reserves.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 15 at 2021 9:12 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 15 Mar 2021 21:12:38 -0400

Im in the Reserves and my friends are NG. So once the election scare came up he was pulled to DC from New York. As a reserve I have a bit more flexibility as to where I want to be for my drills. If you're trying to ROTC, though, I would go straight to ROTC instead of being enlisted first. I am doing that, and I got hit with a deployment when the fall semester starts this year, prolonging my timeline.

Response by SFC Melvin Brandenburg made Mar 15 at 2021 11:27 PM

SFC Melvin Brandenburg — Mon, 15 Mar 2021 23:27:37 -0400

Better benefits in the guard