What does the National Guard offer that the Reserves doesn't and Vice-Versa?

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 28 May 2015 19:56:45 -0400

If you were a recruiter, what would your angle be?

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made May 28 at 2015 8:03 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 28 May 2015 20:03:19 -0400

First off, I am in the National Guard so that makes it pretty awesome. But there a lot of factors going on. Each state is different. I have looked at the Reserves too. Being how I am infantry there isn't a traditional infantry unit I could go too. But there are training and other duties that I could do as an infantry officer. You would really have too look at the surrounding units. I know promotion in the Reserves can be quicker and from I understand they can pay for travel. What really keeps me in the Guard is the combat arms side. I like infantry and want to try SF. I couldn't do that in the Reserves. Push in usually the state will offer more benefits to guard members also.

Response by Capt Private RallyPoint Member made May 28 at 2015 8:11 PM

Capt Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 28 May 2015 20:11:43 -0400

I served in the reserves. I knew several guard personnel. It seemed, and this is just an opinion, that there were more politics with the guard.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made May 28 at 2015 8:18 PM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 28 May 2015 20:18:05 -0400

As CPT Private RallyPoint Member stated, combat arms! I believe that the education benefits are better on the state side, as I can use state tuition reimbursement and GI bill if I choose, but combat arms is what makes the Guard better.

Response by SGT Anthony Bussing made May 28 at 2015 8:20 PM

SGT Anthony Bussing — Thu, 28 May 2015 20:20:25 -0400

not sure what other states are...but Indiana is a Infantry state with both the 38th ID and the 76 SIB (or whatever it is called now) we also have artillery...but no tanks (which sucks because I wouldve given up my 68W for my 19K in a heart beat)

Response by SFC Kenneth Hunnell made May 28 at 2015 8:56 PM

SFC Kenneth Hunnell — Thu, 28 May 2015 20:56:39 -0400

It really depends upon what you are looking for. I had the option of going guard or regular Army, from what I saw it was a no brainer. Regular Army! !!!!!!!!!
In the guard I saw civilians with tempory power that used the buddy system. At that time I never heard of the Reserves, what a reserve army.playing second team waiting to be called.
It really depends upon the state you are from, if you come from a poor state, go reserves

Like I tell my Soldiers, should have gone Regular Army, more options

Response by SFC Chris Mackesy made May 28 at 2015 9:01 PM

SFC Chris Mackesy — Thu, 28 May 2015 21:01:09 -0400

National guard can get called to duty for civil disturbances and natural disasters and under the direction of the governor. Reserves are federal and don't normally respond to the above situations.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made May 28 at 2015 9:19 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 28 May 2015 21:19:08 -0400

I'll tackle promotions only:
Reserves have more promotion available for all MOS depending on HRC-released slots. In the Guard, promotion is only within the state you belong to, which could take a lifetime to promote. Whereas in the Reserves you can get promoted across state lines to different Regional Support Commands. Had a Soldier transfer from NC to TX when he got promoted to E-7.

Response by COL Charles Williams made May 28 at 2015 11:10 PM

COL Charles Williams — Thu, 28 May 2015 23:10:12 -0400

While both are reserve components, and while both have been blurred since 911... ARNG is the state militia, and under the command of the governor in normal times... The guard belongs to the state, and routinely provides support to local, and state governments and law enforcement for a wide variety of contingencies. They can also be augmentation forces to the Regular Army, when needed. The Reserves are simply always just augmentation forces to the Active Army. The Guard seems much more exciting and relevant day in and day out.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made May 28 at 2015 11:22 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 28 May 2015 23:22:10 -0400

It's a state force, not federal. NG has combat arms. NG has a mission while stateside, so you actually may get to help people. NG partners with foreign countries so there are chances to go to other countries to train or train foreign soldiers here. For recruiting though...don't be pushy. They want to tell you why they want to join...let 'em talk and highlight opportunities within the organization that have a possibility to help them along their path.

Response by SPC David S. made May 29 at 2015 12:59 AM

SPC David S. — Fri, 29 May 2015 00:59:13 -0400

Combat Arms vs Support - NG you more or less work for the state. This means slots are per state and it may require a interstate transfer to get promoted Also re-class could be difficult in NG.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made May 29 at 2015 6:33 AM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 29 May 2015 06:33:42 -0400

I'm not 100% sure but I think ARNG has all of the Aviation assets. I know that is the case in Arkansas and all of the other states I have visited.

Response by MSG Morgan Fiszel, CPCM, CFCM made May 29 at 2015 6:53 AM

MSG Morgan Fiszel, CPCM, CFCM — Fri, 29 May 2015 06:53:02 -0400

The guard offers jobs close to home with promotion opportunities close to home. The reserves cannot provide this. In the reserves the chances of having to travel hundreds of miles to drill is high. This makes leadership difficult also. In the guard most of your Soldiers will live in the immediate area.

Response by SSG Gerhard S. made May 29 at 2015 7:30 AM

SSG Gerhard S. — Fri, 29 May 2015 07:30:07 -0400

For one, in the Army anyway, the National Guard is more combat arms oriented while the reserves are more heavily invested in support activities. The National Guard is also a more cohesive entity, as there are fewer people coming and going, transferring between units. Much of this movement on the Reserve side may have to do with the IRR system where people don't attend monthly drills, but must still attend an Annual Training.
I was glad to have ended up in the National Guard, in a Long Range Reconnaissance Company which was very professional, liked to train, and performed in an excellent manner throughout our tours in Iraq. I credit this to unit cohesiveness, longevity of enlistments, and the mature and experienced nature of a group of men with professional careers that included Doctors, Engineers, computer programmers, TACOM employees, Police, Firefighters, Paramedics, Construction workers, business owners, et al. The combined knowledge, training and experiences of our Unit allowed us to adapt and overcome many hurdles and obstacles during our Deployments.
My observances, I hope they are helpful.

Response by WO1 Private RallyPoint Member made May 29 at 2015 9:45 AM

WO1 Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 29 May 2015 09:45:51 -0400

The Guard has Combat Arms, the Reserves has support MOS's.
The Guard you are in your state, the Reserves are more fluid. So depending on the size of your state, and where in it you live depends which can give you more units, and more opportunities closer to home. For me being in NYC, I can easily drill with units in NJ, PA, CT among others, while other parts of my own state are much further away. I can also waive the distance and be in any Reserve unit, which I really thinks helps more as you go up in Rank, especially as an Officer, more opportunities for Commands.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made May 29 at 2015 10:01 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 29 May 2015 10:01:08 -0400

Where the guard gets called for state missions the reserve doesn't. The guard also has infantry and SF units like a lot of people have brought up before. One thing I noticed. At least in my state where infantry has been over strengthed since I started, it's more difficult to get promoted. Between that and the struggle for federal funding rather than state funding; it makes things tough and limited for all the 11 bang bangs.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made May 29 at 2015 11:00 AM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 29 May 2015 11:00:25 -0400

SFC, As a soldier that has served in both components, that there a number of factors that determine which experience would be preferrable. Your MOS is a huge factor as well as which state you serve in.
My experience as a 68w in the National Guard in my state, was not all I had hoped it would be. We never left the area for training. I rarely trained in my actual MOS and it was unbelievably difficult to be promoted, because there were no slots available in the state. The unit I was in did have a great mission, however, and I learned a lot and most of my college education was paid in full by my state.
Since joining the reserves, I have been able to travel all over the country and actually train in my MOS. Multiple opportunities to train overseas and take part in humanitarian missions have been available to me. I was able to be promoted and become an NCO. I can move to any unit in any state that has a slot available very easily.
This has only been my experience, I can't speak for anyone else. As I said before there are a lot factors in play. I hope this helps you a little.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made May 29 at 2015 11:26 AM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 29 May 2015 11:26:15 -0400

Reserves provides an easier means of transferring from one place to another. I move when the Army PCSes my spouse, that could be anywhere. Instead of having to jump through hoops or spend a wasted year (that doesn't count to retirement) in the IRR the Reserves is everywhere there is an Active component (Germany, Korea, etc). There are some MOS differences as others have mentioned, the mission is different, and the funding is different (state vs. federal).

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made May 29 at 2015 3:08 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Fri, 29 May 2015 15:08:09 -0400

The NG has a lot of flexibility on promotions and movement to other units, especially in a large unit.

Response by CMSgt Mike Esser made May 29 at 2015 3:19 PM

CMSgt Mike Esser — Fri, 29 May 2015 15:19:07 -0400

Ability to respond to title 32 missions locally supporting your state, city and community And still perform title 10 missions world wide.....no brainer!

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made May 29 at 2015 5:06 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 29 May 2015 17:06:20 -0400

National Guard has state money and combat arms. Reserves does not have state missions and you can get promoted.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made May 29 at 2015 5:10 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 29 May 2015 17:10:32 -0400

NCOES is frozen in my state for the foreseeable future and the reserves get paid for SSD. Is Combat Arms and State (title 32) missions all that the NG can provide that the Reserves can't?

Response by SFC Kenneth Hunnell made May 29 at 2015 5:58 PM

SFC Kenneth Hunnell — Fri, 29 May 2015 17:58:25 -0400

SFC. Jeremy Layman, I find it ironic that I had "Past Tense" the same thought process when I got out of the Regular Army. You have lazy or inept people every where. I was wrong, by any chance do you think you might be wrong about the Regular Army as a whole. Forgive me, but at the time I entered the service I never heard of the Army Reserve.
As far as the lowly RC, remember we are a team. You ever wonder why I am still in the Army Reserve

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made May 29 at 2015 6:47 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 29 May 2015 18:47:55 -0400

National Guard offers combat arms, Reserve does not. Single biggest difference that I know of

Response by SGT John W Lugo made May 30 at 2015 2:39 AM

SGT John W Lugo — Sat, 30 May 2015 02:39:50 -0400

Faster promotion

Response by SPC Shay Walters made May 30 at 2015 9:32 AM

SPC Shay Walters — Sat, 30 May 2015 09:32:53 -0400

I was in guard and one of the reasons why I chose the guard was that they had combat jobs. The reserves to the best of my knowledge do not have combat specific jobs

Response by SMSgt Private RallyPoint Member made May 30 at 2015 12:01 PM

SMSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 30 May 2015 12:01:31 -0400

Promotability. I had to leave the Reserves to the Guard in order to get promoted. Every Guard SF unit has an AGR E-9 position. The Reserves highest AGR rank in a unit is an E-8 position.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made May 30 at 2015 1:03 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 30 May 2015 13:03:26 -0400

It's a state dependant subject. Ohio for example pays up to 4 years of undergrad college tuition.

Speak to a recruiter and see what opportunities your home state offers if any.

Response by SFC Kenneth Hunnell made May 30 at 2015 4:41 PM

SFC Kenneth Hunnell — Sat, 30 May 2015 16:41:19 -0400

Outside of being deployed to a foreign Country. The National Guard allows you to serve your State. It allows you to be with people from your general community, you may have gone to high school with some of the people you would be serving with. Unless you had prior active service or have been deployed. Your Veteran status is limited. Ex. No Active service other than Basic and AIT, which does not count. Your Opportunities are limited by what your state allocates to the Guard, after all the National Guard is controlled by the Governor of the given State until Activated into the Regular Army for a specific period of time.

The Army Reserve is controlled by the Federal Government, your MOS opportunities are limited by how far you are willing to travel to get the MOS you want, the veteran status is same as for the National Guard.

If the Question really wants to know which offers the best benefits, they are pretty much the same, unless you are from a State that offers free higher level education. If your goal is free education at a university or college then "Go Guard". Not all States offer this benefit. Not everyone could go to college even if they wanted to. It could be Financial or a particular circumstance that one may find themselves in that precludes them from taking advantage of the Benefit.

The National Guard and Army Reserve has two things in common, both have "U.S. Army on their shirt or ACU Coat and have a desire to serve and learn from others.

I for one have served in the Regular Army, National Guard and the Army Reserve, at no time have I ever looked at what the service could do for me, I looked at what I could do for my country

Response by MAJ Keira Brennan made May 30 at 2015 6:59 PM

MAJ Keira Brennan — Sat, 30 May 2015 18:59:25 -0400

I know in Colorado that there are good college tuition incentives and kickers. There is a Special Forces Battalion HQ and a TSOC Intel unit in-state, good for prospective highly motivated troops. But I was in the USAR and retired from an IMA-JRU.

Response by COL Jon Thompson made May 31 at 2015 11:12 AM

COL Jon Thompson — Sun, 31 May 2015 11:12:26 -0400

The National Guard has the RC combat units and that is huge. They also offer state educations benefits which are unmatched by the USAR. In Iowa, a NG Soldier who is AIT complete gets 100% tuition assistance to one of the 3 state schools. This does not affect G.I. Bill benefits so these Soldiers get considerably more college paid for. I think the USAR offers more opportunities for senior NCOs and officers because each state will stovepipe at the top and senior promotions will be based on a vacancy opened up when someone usually retires. As a Federal force, the USAR gives more flexibility in assignments since you are not tied to one state (that may require more travel). Also, I think there is less of the "good old boy" network in the USAR. Because many senior NG appointments are political, that opens the door for more corruption. Both will allow a person to serve the Nation in a great way while pursuing a civilian career.

Response by COL Private RallyPoint Member made May 31 at 2015 11:20 PM

COL Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 31 May 2015 23:20:30 -0400

The National Guard offers a geographic limitation in where a soldier or airman can serve whereas the Reserves is a global force. Unfortunately, this limitation in geography also comes with increased nepotism (friends and family units) and decreased promotion opportunities (sometimes overcome by political activism and support of governor). The Reserves have units throughout the US and OCONUS, which is necessary to ensure soldiers and airman can find promotion/unit assignments. Unfortunately, this usually means the soldier or airman must travel extensively to maintain unit affiliation and obtain promotions. This can lead to stress at home and limited civilian career opportunities.

Response by COL Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 1 at 2015 4:01 PM

COL Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 01 Jun 2015 16:01:37 -0400

As a recruiter, it would be as follows:

1. National Guard provides specific state benefits (College tuition, licensing, etc.) in addition to federal benefits (GI Bill, VA benefits, etc.).
2. National Guard enables you to support and serve in your state during natural disasters, civil unrest and training with civil authorities.
3. National Guard provides promotion opportunities (especially for Combat Arms and some limited Combat Support and Combat Service Support)
4. National Guard provides the same training and professional development opportunities as RC and AC.
5. National Guard provides opportunity to serve in the AGR program
6. National Guard provides an opportunity to serve with friends and family

1. Reserves provide GI Bill and VA benefits.
2. Reserves provide opportunity to compete for promotion and obtain assignments throughout the US and OCONUS (supporting individuals with career mobility demands).
3. Reserves provide professional development and training opportunities.
4. Reserves provide greater opportunities to train with AC throughout the world.
5. Reserves are activated for federal missions only while NG is activated for State and federal missions.

Response by BG Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 4 at 2015 3:53 PM

BG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 04 Jun 2015 15:53:56 -0400

Army Reserve Civil Affairs has the most airborne slots of any unit in the Guard or Reserves. Come jump with one of our six airborne battalions! Note that getting in to one of these units is not easy. Be prepared to sell your skills to the Commander.

Response by SGM Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 4 at 2015 9:44 PM

SGM Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 04 Jun 2015 21:44:37 -0400

Lots of good information, and lots of half-truths.

I spent 22 years in the Guard, 11 in the Reserve, and 5 on Active Duty.

There is more politics in the Guard, but then as a purely state force, this should be expected. In Texas, the Airborne Mafia was well known for getting the lion's share of funding, at least in the 80's.

In addition to the 2 Guard SF groups someone else mentioned, there were two Reserve groups, the 11th and 12th. The 12th was headquartered in Oklahoma City, with a detachment near Dallas, and my unit jumped with them regularly. But the real story on what is available is what you want and how much you are willing to suffer to get it.

I know paratroopers who commuted monthly from Texas to Mississippi to stay in an Airborne unit. I know of people who did 20 years and retired as a SP4 - because they wanted to jump more than get promoted.

Promotion in the Guard can be very difficult. You have to have an EMPTY slot (no double slotting), and you have to be fully MOSQ to be put into it BEFORE you can get a promotion. So you either go to schools to get MOSQed, or you wait for the guy above you to die or get promoted.

Personally, I looked for opportunities to get extra training, and qualified for slots that no one else wanted. I retired with MOSs in 5 career fields, 11B, C, and H, 19K, 25B, 37F, and 96B.

I made E-7 as an instructor in a Reserve school. It was a retirement home for broke people and the unit I was least proud to be associated with. But that's life - I got the promotion, I did the job, and I went back to a field unit as soon as I could manage it.

The Guard does specialize in combat units, especially Infantry. That doesn't means the Reserves don't deploy - just ask the PSYOP, Civil Affairs, and Water Purification units.

On active duty, you do your job, the Army rotates you regularly to other units, and you get promoted from a list. This is the significant difference between the Active and Reserve forces. You have more control over your career in the Reserves and Guard, but YOU have to take care of it yourself. If you don't push, you can stay in the same job for your entire career. And if the only unit within driving distance is a Laundry and Bath unit, you can either go with it, or you fly to drills. It's very much up to you, and how much it's worth to you.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 21 at 2015 1:08 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 21 Jun 2015 13:08:58 -0400

Don't forget about the Competitive Events Program. I have been shooting competitively for the Guard for more than 10 years now on the Marksmanship Team. We travel and attend many matches each year. There is also a Biathlon Team, a Marathon team and the Golden Knights (parachute team).
I'm pretty sure that the Reserves don't offer all of that...

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 30 at 2015 9:06 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 30 Jun 2015 21:06:37 -0400

Blab.. Bla... Bla in different states!!! Bye!

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 25 at 2015 12:11 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 25 Aug 2015 12:11:05 -0400

Combat Arms, which offers a bit more excitement. The Reserves primary mission is to provide support for the regular Army.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 25 at 2015 12:18 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 25 Aug 2015 12:18:52 -0400

What you feel is not uncommon. The Reserves usually aren't "enough" for people who want to serve actively. It's fun for college kids and older guys winding down. The Regular Army offers more with better career opportunities, job security, and more excitement. If you're still considering it, now would be the time to act before the cuts happen.

Response by SPC David S. made Sep 24 at 2015 10:23 PM

SPC David S. — Thu, 24 Sep 2015 22:23:37 -0400

Combat Arms vs. combat support and combat service support. If you want to make things go boom national guard - if loud noises scare you the reserves.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 29 at 2015 11:18 AM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 29 Sep 2015 11:18:47 -0400

The educational benefits are by far superior for national guard unless you've been 30 active duty non training time for Reseves there educational benefits do not exist. National Guard has in state tuition waiver to all state universities.

Response by MSG Michael Murphy made Oct 10 at 2015 8:47 PM

MSG Michael Murphy — Sat, 10 Oct 2015 20:47:00 -0400

Most of the time 4 years of College in that particular State MSG Murphy

Response by SFC Glen S. made Jul 2 at 2016 4:35 PM

SFC Glen S. — Sat, 02 Jul 2016 16:35:51 -0400

As a reserve recruiter, we are federally funded, have units throughout the US, easier to transfer, more promotion and education opportunities for officers and enlisted, won't run out of education or drill money, can only support state disaster when directed by the President. NG recruiter, you can serve and train here in your state, be with your friends, assist with state disasters, and receive state incentives.

Response by SFC Kenneth Hunnell made Feb 5 at 2018 6:22 PM

SFC Kenneth Hunnell — Mon, 05 Feb 2018 18:22:34 -0500

If someone wanted to enlist, I would say go active duty. Going Guard or Reserve you are limiting yourself to what is available in your area

Recruiter's in the Guard or Reserve push what their quotas are.
If someone really wants to serve, don't look at what's in it for me.
As far as angle goes, Don't.
Make the conversation about the individual.
Let the individual talk, give the asvab.
Then, according to their scores, offer what is available, whether it be Guard, Reserve or Active Duty
When I enlisted, i talked to people and got 10 people in, no promises or money.
Honesty always worked for me