Posted on May 12, 2020
SPC Welder
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I recently got approved to go from NG to Active Duty ( I go to my first duty station in June ) I am also an MP and been in the NG 7 years. Any advice on the transition? And what to expect being a prior service Guard member?
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Responses: 14
MSG Preventive Medicine Specialist
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Culture shock. Be prepared for it. You may think you're prepared, but you're not. I wasn't when I went Active Duty. Some folks might take your years of experience into account, others probably not and won't give two shits about your 7 years. They are either going to expect you to fail or expect you to excel. Some will probably even hope to see you fail. Don't give them that opportunity. Just being real.
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SPC Welder
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Thank You SFC
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SPC Erich Guenther
SPC Erich Guenther
4 y
Yup totally agree with the SFC, this is how it was for me in 1984, again when I asked about 2007 and 2008 out of curiousity of the Soldiers in at that time. So even though those dates were long ago. See how long that BS has been going on? No excuse for it but my take is the attitude is supported by Army Generals at the highest levels in the Pentagon and that is why it persists.
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SSG Steven Borders
SSG Steven Borders
4 y
SPC (Join to see) Agreed, I thought it was weird coming from Active to the Reserves. It is a culture shock. What's even weirder is being a Civilian for a Medical Company, and TPU for a Transportation Company. Wow! Medical is another culture shock. But you will be fine, know that the Army is what you make of it. There are plenty of opportunities if you apply yourself and don't get drug into the "the Army sucks" crowd.
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SSgt Christophe Murphy
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Just understand that you will be tested constantly. People will be skeptical you can do the work. You will just need to prove them wrong. Due to your high time in service for an E4 the bar will be set high. Do the work and go above and beyond and you’ll be just fine.
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SPC Welder
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Thank You SSG!
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LTC Program Manager
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I did 5 years Guard before being commissioned Active. I was not impressed with my first Regular Army unit. Some things are better, some things are worse. Everything depends on the leadership and culture in the unit and what you make of the opportunity.

Having been in the Guard, Regular Army and now Reserve, the Guard is more like the Regular Army than the Reserve.

Good Luck
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