Posted on May 28, 2015
What does the National Guard offer that the Reserves doesn't and Vice-Versa?
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If you were a recruiter, what would your angle be?
Posted in these groups: 
Army National Guard
Army Reserve
Army National Guard Army Reserve
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 42
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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.
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.
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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.
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.
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1SG (Join to see)
It all depends on the MOS and state. I've spent 5 years in the ILARNG and have spent the majority of my drills training within my fields (91B & 13B) I have been all over the country for training as well. It is definitely a case by case basis.
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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.
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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.
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.
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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.
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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
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National Guard offers combat arms, Reserve does not. Single biggest difference that I know of
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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
As far as the lowly RC, remember we are a team. You ever wonder why I am still in the Army Reserve
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COL (Join to see)
Of late, I have started to refer to the RA as the 'Praetorian Guard.' Too often, they see themselves as superior to RC and NG in every manner. Yet, in every mission and operation, I have found that the RC members were more flexible, more responsive and more likely to support any unit, regardless of compo or service. However, nearly every Active Component, especially RA, took issue with having to serve with RC members, RC units or performing 'RC' missions (it was beneath them). If I had my way, there would be no AC and everyone would be a member of the RC with tours of active duty to meet our country's needs. No more 'early retirements', Reductions in Force (involuntary separation pay) and everyone would share the same dual career burden and same 'Age 60' RC pension. That way, we become ONE Team.
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SFC Kenneth Hunnell
Col. Scott Harrison, I like your label "Praetorian Guard". I looked up the meaning of the term, here is what I found-The term Praetorian derived from the hut of the commanding general or praetor of a Roman army in the field—the praetorium. They were an elite recruitment of Roman citizens and Latins. It was a habit of many Roman generals to choose from the ranks a private force of soldiers to act as guards of the tent or the person. They consisted of both infantry and cavalry. In time, this cohort came to be known as the cohors praetoria, and various notable figures possessed one, including Julius Caesar, Mark Antony and Augustus (Octavian). As Caesar discovered with the Legio X Equestris, a powerful unit more dangerous than its fellow legions was desirable in the field. When Augustus became the first ruler of the Roman Empire in 31 BC, he decided such a formation was useful not only on the battlefield but in politics also. Thus, from the ranks of the legions throughout the provinces, Augustus recruited the Praetorian Guard.
I looked at your profile, like you I served in the Regular Army, National Guard and the Army Reserve.
My first encounter with the National Guard was when I was in Hanau Germany, I was a young Private Regular Army. From what I saw was all the upper ranked Soldiers of the guard unit stayed in our Barracks , while the lower ranks stayed in tents, I guess Rank has its perks. The Ironic thing I saw was the unit spent more time touring the country than training to do their job. That was in 1980, isn't it amazing how memories come back.
Then fast track to 1985, I ets'd and went into the Army Reserve. My first AT was interesting, We went to Bluegrass Army Depot. From my training, when going to the field, four sets of uniforms and TA-50 that is all. But, when we got there, I saw more pogy Bait than you ever would believe. So, my thought on people other than Regular Army was not good. I was ready to get out of the Boy Scouts.
It took being deployed to know the value of the Non- Active Duty Service members.
I have come to the conclusion that the service is a reflection of the times." This is a Entitlements Generation", what is it in for me.
With all due respect, I never was a Guard for some General, I did my job. I never kissed up to gain favor. That is just me
I looked at your profile, like you I served in the Regular Army, National Guard and the Army Reserve.
My first encounter with the National Guard was when I was in Hanau Germany, I was a young Private Regular Army. From what I saw was all the upper ranked Soldiers of the guard unit stayed in our Barracks , while the lower ranks stayed in tents, I guess Rank has its perks. The Ironic thing I saw was the unit spent more time touring the country than training to do their job. That was in 1980, isn't it amazing how memories come back.
Then fast track to 1985, I ets'd and went into the Army Reserve. My first AT was interesting, We went to Bluegrass Army Depot. From my training, when going to the field, four sets of uniforms and TA-50 that is all. But, when we got there, I saw more pogy Bait than you ever would believe. So, my thought on people other than Regular Army was not good. I was ready to get out of the Boy Scouts.
It took being deployed to know the value of the Non- Active Duty Service members.
I have come to the conclusion that the service is a reflection of the times." This is a Entitlements Generation", what is it in for me.
With all due respect, I never was a Guard for some General, I did my job. I never kissed up to gain favor. That is just me
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CW5 (Join to see)
COL Harrison.....interesting concept and I like it. But I can just hear the ring knockers from the WPPA.
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COL (Join to see)
SFC Kenneth Hunnell - Yes, the PG was the elite of the military. However, if you continue to follow Roman history, you will find that over time the entitled Romans no longer had a desire or obligation to serve. So, the Romans chose to pay tribute to the Barbarians (foreign military aid and other funds) to avoid war. But, over time, the Barbarians demanded more tribute, until the Romans could no longer afford the ransom. Rome fell because it lacked the ability to defend itself.
One reason people stopped serving in the military is because of division in society and in the ranks. There is the privileged/elites and the rest. The elites found service beneath them while the rest had no desire to defend the privileges of the elites. We have this in our military. Many in the AC have no desire to defend, unless their privileges of a 20 year retirement, healthcare and other entitlements are provided. While many in the RC and general public have no desire to fight to retain benefits they do not enjoy. With a single 'fair and equitable' set of benefits for service, this distinction between AC and RC is reduced.
Like you, I remember the 'Summer Camp' days of the National Guard in the 80s. But, as I was in healthcare, we always had a mission to provide medical support of other units throughout the year. Once we added medical training to retain credentials and stay current on technology, we often had to ask for more days to train. We have been very busy for the past 20 years.
One reason people stopped serving in the military is because of division in society and in the ranks. There is the privileged/elites and the rest. The elites found service beneath them while the rest had no desire to defend the privileges of the elites. We have this in our military. Many in the AC have no desire to defend, unless their privileges of a 20 year retirement, healthcare and other entitlements are provided. While many in the RC and general public have no desire to fight to retain benefits they do not enjoy. With a single 'fair and equitable' set of benefits for service, this distinction between AC and RC is reduced.
Like you, I remember the 'Summer Camp' days of the National Guard in the 80s. But, as I was in healthcare, we always had a mission to provide medical support of other units throughout the year. Once we added medical training to retain credentials and stay current on technology, we often had to ask for more days to train. We have been very busy for the past 20 years.
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Ability to respond to title 32 missions locally supporting your state, city and community And still perform title 10 missions world wide.....no brainer!
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COL (Join to see)
Here is the challenge with the title 32 and title 10 argument. Say you are the Governor of Texas and as the Commander in Chief of the Texas National Guard, you have an obligation to protect Texans. Because you have your own air force and army, can you use F15s and Bombers to protect your borders by strafing and bombing lanes of infiltration used by illegal immigrants, human traffickers, drug traffickers and possible terrorists under title 32 or is internal defense of Texas a title 10 mission?
Given that infiltration is a military term for what is happening along our southern border and the federal government is not defending this border, do the governors along our southern border have the authority to use their military forces (National Guard) to protect their citizens from the social, economic and political costs fo illegal immigration? Also, as most Air National Guard aircraft cross state borders on a routine basis, are they performing title 10 missions (in disguise) and exceeding the authority of title 32 or does this matter? Just something to consider.
Given that infiltration is a military term for what is happening along our southern border and the federal government is not defending this border, do the governors along our southern border have the authority to use their military forces (National Guard) to protect their citizens from the social, economic and political costs fo illegal immigration? Also, as most Air National Guard aircraft cross state borders on a routine basis, are they performing title 10 missions (in disguise) and exceeding the authority of title 32 or does this matter? Just something to consider.
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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.
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.
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