Should I go active duty or stay in USAR/NG?

LT Mays, deciding on staying in the reserve or pursuing an active duty career is a big choice. I would like to offer you a view of my military career, that it may guide you on your path. I have had the honor to have served in the Army for over 30 yrs. I served 22 yrs active and 10 yrs reserve. I was commissioned in the USAR and applied for active duty and was accepted (this is what you have to do). I spent my first 5 yrs on active duty (AD) as a platoon leader and company XO. Then a huge RIF (reduction in force, 80’s), so I transferred back into the USAR. I continued to serve for 9 yrs while starting my civilian career in manufacturing and retail industries. I was mobilized and called back on AD in support of operation joint endeavor (OJE) and realized that I still could perform at a high level on AD. While mob’d, I was told of the Active Guard Reserve (AGR) program that is offered by the Reserves and National Guard. I applied for the USAR AGR program and was selected as a MAJ and continued with the program for next 15 years until my retirement. During that time span I completed an MBA, attended multiple military schools (CGSC, CAS3, Basic and Advance courses..Now known as BOLC, etc, and war college). I have gained experience in many different areas, deployed to foreign lands and even being assigned to a joint command HQ. AGR Soldiers are assigned to USAR units across the country and world. Where ever there is a reserve unit, it will have an AGR Soldier to assist with day to day operation of the unit in preparation for unit drill weekends and annual training. As an AGR commander, I have sent many of my Soldiers to Pathfinder, Airborne, and Air assault schools (Ranger school was a different story). So in closing, I hope to have given you a perspective and ultimately what you want out of your hard work. You have many choices, but like you, I also started as a USAR officer, take the next step and apply for an active duty appointment, knowing that you will gain experience and if you decided to leave active duty, you have an option to apply for an AGR position (normally as a CPT or MAJ, very few LT positions) and share/utilize your active duty experience with the Soldiers of the Guard or Reserves. Good luck as you plan and execute a great opportunity of serving this Great Country of ours. Thank you for your service. HOOAH!!! Regards, MEP

Sir, just go Regular Army and enjoy the ride. Officers have it much better than enlisted from a continuing education standpoint so you do not have to worry about your day job getting in the way of your educational pursuits when the time comes. If you stay USAR or NG I guarantee you will become complacent and likely bored. Life will also catch up to you on the civilian side and it may create conflicts with your military obligation.

All in.

This is from an enlisted point of view.
I did 6 years of active duty in the Navy and chose to leave active duty for my family. I regretted it for about 6 months because it was comfortable. I then joined the Air National Guard and have not looked back.

I have had the opportunity to attend Airborne and Air Assault schools. One of the guard officers I served with just went off to ranger school. I have far more control over my military career outlook than I ever had when I was active duty.

My civilian career has never suffered due to my service to my country. And since leaving Active duty my career has always been going upward.

One of my guard SNCO's tells people "You have active duty military for 4-30 years, your life is far longer." What do you want your life to be?