To join a reserve component, should it be a required to serve X amount of active duty time first?

Most of the officers I served with in the Reserves had significant active duty service. I am also impressed with the professionalism of many of our younger reserve soldiers. Many have had multiple combat tours while deplyed to Iraq and Afghanistan. The difference is not as great as some would have us believe.

I've been in the Army National Guard for 14 years, 10 of those as ADOS/AGR/Deployed status. First of all, I don't see an issue of a 'different mentality' as mentioned. We all go through the same training, the same requirement, and same deployments. We have the same standards as well, the ONLY difference is full-time vs. Part-time. I know many Soldiers who have never been part of Active Army who lack nothing in comparison. I would actually argue that it takes an immense amount of responsibility, accountability and self control to lead the two lives Reservists lead.

"Immersed in the military lifestyle" is a fairly subjective phrase. Do Reserve component Soldiers have a more relaxed demeanor? Yes. Does this affect their performance during a deployment? I would argue that it does not.

My first question when receiving a new Soldier in the unit is whether she or he can do their job to or above standard. Proficiency is built at the unit level, whether Active, Guard, or Reserve. I have had excellent Soldiers who have spent their entire careers in the Guard and Soldiers just off Active duty that I wished I could give back, and vice-versa.

I agree. It will help give members some experience.

I think it's a great idea. Speaking from experience with over nine years in a Infantry Guard Unit. I think one year or two would be extremely beneficial. The experience and knowledge of AD soldiers could only benefit the unit. The way I understand this discussion it's not about the Guards ability to fight rather the professionalism and customs,appearance of the individual soldier. The Guard soldiers I served with all wanted to be the best at everything, and never be out classed by any unit Guard or Active. I think many Guardsmen would be willing to do a few years AD.

AD lifestyle has a huge safety net...RC does not. AD folks who don't thing the RC doesn't measure up need go be put on indefinite deployment without RC backing them up in their bubble of superiority .

For most individuals it always help to have some active duty experience, however some of the best member have came out of the reserves. There should be no requirement to serve anything other than the one week end a month and two weeks per year! Its not broken so dont fix it!

I spent 35 years Active, Reserve and National Guard before retiring in 2006. You are correct that there is a "different" mentality in the Reserves and more so in the Guard because the mission is different. They are not preparing for combat every day so priorities, training and attitudes change. It is not a lack of experience as it is a different way of looking at the mission.

Further thought on this, I'd guess that 50% of a reserve component unit is prior service anyways. Kind if a moot point...