Thinking about transitioning from AD to NG/USAR. Which one is better, in terms of officer progression?

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 30 Oct 2016 21:47:16 -0400

Response by SFC George Smith made Oct 30 at 2016 10:03 PM

SFC George Smith — Sun, 30 Oct 2016 22:03:38 -0400

in the Guard there is a certain amount of Politics involved and especially the higher up you go...

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 30 at 2016 10:27 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 30 Oct 2016 22:27:00 -0400

As I understand it. In the Guard there is limited promotion potential and some political concerns. With USAR the promotion potential is across the country not just the state.

Response by SFC(P) Richard Warren made Oct 30 at 2016 11:10 PM

SFC(P) Richard Warren — Sun, 30 Oct 2016 23:10:03 -0400

Reserve is better in terms of ascension to officer ranks and enlisted promotions.

Also, it's still time towards a federal retirement vs state retirement.

Response by COL Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 31 at 2016 12:06 AM

COL Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 31 Oct 2016 00:06:30 -0400

It depends on your goals. If you want stability, slow promotions and predictability, then the Guard is your choice. You could speed up promotions by being involved politically or being related to others in the Guard. All of your units are located within the physical geography of your state's borders. Competence is often secondary to personal relationships.

If you want promotions, career opportunities, challenges, diversity and competence as the primary factor for school selection, promotions and assignments, then the Reserves is your best option. However, finding a slot may require you to travel great distances, use the IMA program, and plan for periods of IRR or schools to fill gaps. The geographic boundaries for your units of assignment are non-existent. For many years, prior to the authorization of travel funds for drilling reservists, I drove between 100-400 miles, each way and stayed in on-base quarters or hotels during drill weekends. At other times, I flew planes and stayed in hotels because of the distance. Too often, my net pay to perform drill was a negative sum. But, I didn't have to worry who I was related to, who I supported politically or whether someone's cousin was going to walk into my next projected promotion, while I waited for the next vacancy.

Finally, if you have no reason to transition from AD to RC, stay AD as long as you can. It still has a better retirement plan and given the shortages in the AC, projections are for more involuntary mobilizations of NG and RC personnel. Good luck

Response by LTC Leonard M. Manning, Sr made Oct 31 at 2016 12:48 AM

LTC Leonard M. Manning, Sr — Mon, 31 Oct 2016 00:48:45 -0400

I have been in both the National Guard and the Reserves. I will have to disagree with some of the comments about the Guard as I found that the Guard is concerned with professionalism as much as the Active Army is because they have had that stigma of being a family affair for so long. I was an ROTC graduate from college commissioned into an Engineer Battalion in Georgia. I served for 18 years in multiple assignments within the state and several construction missions overseas. I was selected for schools when it was appropriate and when I applied for education. I transferred to the Reserves and was promoted to O5. As for travel I traveled to most of my assignments in both the National Guard and the Reserves - I live in Augusta, Georgia and have drilled in Atlanta with the Guard and Charlotte, North Carolina while in the Reserves. I hope this helps.

Response by Capt Brandon Charters made Oct 31 at 2016 2:04 AM

Capt Brandon Charters — Mon, 31 Oct 2016 02:04:42 -0400

Valid question CPT Private RallyPoint Member. I know MAJ(P) Private RallyPoint Member might have some advice here.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 31 at 2016 7:00 AM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 31 Oct 2016 07:00:03 -0400

The Guard is 54 different animals. The generalities here aren't applicable to all places. I see your a Captain so if you drop yourself into the D.C. Guard you'll have a heck of time on promotions. (They have a battalion and some other overhead. If you drop yourself into the Pennsylvania/Texas/California /Alabama Guard there is a lot more force structure. The Guard is short on Majors (in general) as is the USAR (See AC to RC Bonuses for both Guard and Reserve to attract individuals like you; both are offering -I think- up to $10,000 right now depending on your skill set).

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 31 at 2016 9:56 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 31 Oct 2016 09:56:32 -0400

Not an officer, and as some one pointed out the guard differs from state to state, but I served with several Officers who transferred out of the Indiana Guard into the reserves because of better promotin opportunities. Best option would talk to some officers in your area. On the reserve side look at what units are in your area. I know the officers I served with had to do some extra training or whatever an officer does to switch branches since the reserve unit in the area did not have artillery slots.

Response by LTC Tim Ellis made Dec 22 at 2016 10:31 AM

LTC Tim Ellis — Thu, 22 Dec 2016 10:31:15 -0500

look at the Force Structure of each component in the area you want to settle if you want to stay decisively engaged in your branch.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made May 8 at 2018 6:45 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 08 May 2018 18:45:43 -0400

Reserves... The guard is too inbred, and if you are not in the "click" promos can be tricky as most guard members do not do too much moving as they are a state militia. Reserves on the other hand allow you to go to different states if there is a slot for you. Double edge sword though because you can get promoted out of the state up to 150 miles. Depends on just how bad you want the promo.

Response by CW5 Mark Smith made Jul 21 at 2020 2:27 PM

CW5 Mark Smith — Tue, 21 Jul 2020 14:27:26 -0400

USAR.