What’s it like switching from National Guard to Active Army?

I can’t speak for the guard but you will go to the field about 60 days worth within an 18 month period and then deploy. An average day is in the motor-pool doing maintenance and if not that doing some detail. Expect more discipline on active duty and higher standards. Being an E-5 it shouldn’t be any different than the guard, you do monthly counseling statements for your loader/driver and run CQ at the barracks that’s about the biggest responsibility you will have. Expect to run PT for your platoon some days and VCE for other companies when they shoot gunnery. That’s about all I can think of it’s easy being a buck sergeant.

I have been in all 3 components. My NG and AD time were as a 19k. I was NG first so I can probably give you some good info on this. It was a culture change, I hadn’t been on a tank in years due to a break in service and time in the Reserves. For me it was relearning how to tank, plus learning the M1a2, I had only ever been on a1’s. So that may or may not be an issue. If you are good at your job and tactically proficient you will do ok. You may have to deal with the ribbing about being in the guard, but shoot a good table vi and they will slack off. Also make sure your in good shape, ad pt standards are a lot tougher. Most units expect a high pt test score and keeping up in pt everyday.

No difference just a lot more field time and a whole lot of tanking..