Posted on Nov 8, 2013
Tension between National Guard and Active Duty Army?
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I have served in both capacities and even on active duty while in the Guard. I constantly hear Active Duty gripe about the National Guard, and yet even worse I have also heard National Guard gripe about the National Guard. I am very pound of my unit's achievements in the past and while I have served with them. We have fought and lost great men just like our counterparts in the Active Duty Army. I make sure to crush it where I find it. We didn't get the name of Roosevelt's SS for nothing. We literally shredded the German's 1st SS in WWII and later deployed twice to OIF. <div><br></div><div>How do you approach this situation, whether you're in the National Guard or Regular Army? Or are you guilty of doing this? I was in the past. </div>
Army
Army National Guard
Army Reserve
Edited >1 y ago
Posted 12 y ago
Responses: 202
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I was in the National Guard 1984-1990. It was a drunken day party. Active Army 1990-2000.i understand why they called the NG nasty guard or no go. 2004 my old guard unit got called to OIF3. I got back in to go with them. After my tour I got an AGR job as a Recruiter finished my 20 and retired. As of Today the NG unit has deployed 2 more times and are currently in Romania training. The difference in the unit is day and night. 80 percent of the unit is combat vets. 278th ACR Tennessee Army National Guard.
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I think it is matter perspective , and some won,t like this pride is the by far the biggest factor . I was stationed in Iraq three times the Battalion (Active) I was under did not like I believe simply because we were a National Guard Unit . It was even even made us the only Unit wearing ball cap head gear. I was one the only troops in my Unit that was allowed to wear my booney hat. Because I had a very close call with skin cancer. The "Pride" of the parties involved caused that. The pride of those pary or parties involved could very well be the literal death of someone even yearz later. Skin cancer is the number one killer of cancer. That is undisputed. I would not want to stand before God himself with possibly the blood of those who could die . I personally would not want to answer to my Creator with their blood on my hands.
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SSG (Join to see)
A full bird kernel made my my national guard army wear the ball caps were not allowed to wear our hot weather boonie hat of which allowed the scorching sun to burn the exposed skin on our faces necks and throats it is a medical fact that the blood circulating to the head cannot cool down if the critical parts of the head and neck are not covered. This same ranking officer made us conduct our p.t. Test during a brownout and major sand storm stating many times our unit was a much of panty waste troops. One of my soldiers started coughing up blood during his test. I have been told by several lawyers that the troops that now suffering from skin cancer on their exposed skin due to instructions from our higher command not allowing head gear designed for extreme weather conditions. When my unit left Iraq the surface temperatures were officially recorded at 132 degrees Fahrenheit. What say you?:
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We have two Groups in the National Guard, and I keep being surprised about how much they bring to the table. It's fun to make fun of them like we do every other branch, but they are just as good as we "Active" folks are.
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Unspoken? I have heard it spoken often. The active component just loves to talk down the Guard. GEN Miley seems interested in changing it. Hope it sticks.
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There will always be tension between Reservist, Guard and AD components. They each have their specialties and shine in different ways. If it is anything technical I would take a Reservist, Guardsman any day over AD.
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I don't see why this is such a big deal. There is no difference. If the Army wanted it to be a difference then they'd send us to different BCT's, AIT's, and other schools. The intention is for us all to be the same no matter what component, we all have our roles. We are all soldiers 24/7. The only difference is that one wears the uniform more often than the other but when we are both off duty we are held to the same expectations. Doesn't change anything. I've been mobilized twice so far in the almost 4 years that I've been in and it all works the same way. I know my job just as well as the next Chaplain Assistant. We all learn different things from one another. That shouldn't be the focus. We should be focusing on how we can all work together to succeed in every situation.
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Know your mark and who you are dealing with and you can control them.
1. what is their level of education
2. what is their background
3. how long have they been in and why
4. why are they complaining
5. are they just passing info handed to them
6. are they an instigator
7. what is their race of origin and don't start the racist card here, (some nationalities love to complain and do nothing about it)
8. what is their rank
9. what is their lifestyle
10. who do they report too
1. what is their level of education
2. what is their background
3. how long have they been in and why
4. why are they complaining
5. are they just passing info handed to them
6. are they an instigator
7. what is their race of origin and don't start the racist card here, (some nationalities love to complain and do nothing about it)
8. what is their rank
9. what is their lifestyle
10. who do they report too
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CPT (Join to see)
Many reasons. I am in the Guard now. I was active but it has a drastic impact on my family life. I didn't think it was something that could be sustained. So I got out and joined the guard to serve. I enjoyed the benefits and the opportunities it has.
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Many active duty troops have had bad experiences with NG units. That's what gives us the bad name. I personally dislike the guard. Being in for almost three years... Trying to switch active and can't wait to
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CPT (Join to see)
I have been trying to go active for a long time. I am just glad I can get any active time I can.
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I can clarify this easily. Let me start by saying this is nothing personal. I respect every Soldier who has given their life for our great country. On the other hand, we carry those Heros and Unit accomplishments within our hearts and not on our Guide Ons. With that being said, people form impressions on what they see about a unit very early on.
They don't form their opinions after they read the history of the unit. I have worked with a few Guard Units. I will say that slightly more than half lacked the physical appearance of a disciplined Soldier and demonstrated the same lack of discipline to Senior Leaders.
I know this is not the case everywhere, and the active units have those douche bags too, but first appearances are very damaging. It my opinion, a few bad leaders who didn't enforce standards can take some of the blame while the alpha males looking to exalt themselves probably take the other half of the blame.
That is my opinion! Again not to knock on any units or accomplishments. I understand what you are saying, but people see the here and now.
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CPT (Join to see)
You make a good point. I had a 1SG in the guard that didn't do his job at all. He is there for the welfare of the soldier, in which we were suffering and he was standing by. He was later relieved. The new 1SG was awesome and changed the company. The problem is that we have too many weak NCOs in the Guard and we don't like to admit. I speak to my NCOs and challenge them. A lot are prior service and know better but they also know that they don't have to try as hard. When that happens their soldiers suffer.
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