What are the many ways you can progress your career in the Army Reserves or National Guard?

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 29 May 2018 17:24:19 -0400

I'm an NCO about to transition into the reserves or national guard.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made May 29 at 2018 5:34 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 29 May 2018 17:34:52 -0400

SGT lol stay active! It’s a lot more difficult in the reserves! Promotions aren’t the same, awards aren’t as frequent....funding for schools aren’t as in abundance...

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made May 29 at 2018 5:55 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 29 May 2018 17:55:31 -0400

I don't know how it is in the Reserves, but in the Guard all you have to do is rack up some AD time, Pass your APFT and Weapons Qual, and stack the civilian and military education. Once a year they do a paper board and add up everyone's points. Then they start at the top of the list and offer the slots. The hard part can be getting the NCOES that you need. I've seen guys wait months and years between phases because a unit refuses to slot them for phase 2 before they pass phase 1. The other option, which can be quicker, is AGR. It's active duty without having to worry about moving but you're pretty much running a unit 28 days out of the month.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made May 29 at 2018 6:52 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Tue, 29 May 2018 18:52:43 -0400

Know someone in high places.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made May 29 at 2018 6:55 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 29 May 2018 18:55:02 -0400

Go to ROTC and commission ;)

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made May 29 at 2018 6:55 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 29 May 2018 18:55:46 -0400

Another idea or goal in the long term....be an O-1E to O-3E and beyond once you get your Bachelor's Degree. Those 4 years or more enlisted will make you have a much bigger pay years later compared to what I made as a Junior Officer. This also affects your drill pay and training pay in the Guard and Reserve. Max age in the USAR is 32 1/2 to get in and 1 short of your 35th B-day in the ARNG. I only did 2 years enlisted at age 31 and I became an Officer at 33 years, 9 months. Yes, you get a Federal age waiver. I am 55.

Response by SMSgt Thor Merich made May 29 at 2018 6:58 PM

SMSgt Thor Merich — Tue, 29 May 2018 18:58:24 -0400

In the Guard it’s pretty easy. Maintain all your PME requirements, get educated, stay in good physical condition. The biggest problem is promotions past E-6. You have to wait for someone to leave, die, or retire so that there is a available slot.

Response by SGT Eric Davis made May 29 at 2018 11:43 PM

SGT Eric Davis — Tue, 29 May 2018 23:43:05 -0400

Stay active cause you go reserves or Guard then you will be begging to go back active!

Response by SPC Edward Banning made May 30 at 2018 9:32 PM

SPC Edward Banning — Wed, 30 May 2018 21:32:28 -0400

First thing you need to do is pick a unit that has openings with higher rank. You will gain rank much faster this way. Thats what i did anyway

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made May 31 at 2018 8:29 AM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 31 May 2018 08:29:07 -0400

Keep your PT scores up, know people, try not to get bored to death

Response by SGT Dave Tracy made May 31 at 2018 9:35 AM

SGT Dave Tracy — Thu, 31 May 2018 09:35:27 -0400

SSG Private RallyPoint Member Guard & Reserve can be a bit tricky when it comes to career progression. Other than the normal PT, weapons qual, etc., one way is being MOS flexible. I met a 1SG at my 88M reclass, and I asked him how he got to where he was; his reply was that he had qualified on something like 11 MOSs(!), and all that training and experience opened doors of opportunity and helped him move up.
Good luck!