What should I consider when deciding between becoming an Army National Guard officer or an Air Guard enlisted?

Connor Reese — Mon, 16 Nov 2020 21:48:26 -0500

I have several friends who are veterans. I myself am in the process of looking to join the Armed Forces, and have a question.

I have heard that the Air National Guard stands head and shoulders over the Army National Guard in almost every way. They give you more educational benefits, the food is better, the barracks are better, culture better... You get the picture. So the natural choice would be Air Guard, right?

But, the Army National Guard is offering an 09S MOS to guarantee a slot at OCS. So I would get to become an officer.

Now I am at a loss. I want to be an officer. But ideally want to do Air Guard. Is being commissioned in Army Guard better than Air Guard enlisted? I scored very high on the ASVAB and have decent PT (still improving running) so I feel like the sky is the limit.

I have a degree in the arts, so no major help with going to OTS on the ANG other than the fact that I have a degree....

What should I do? Which would you choose? Army Guard commission? Air Guard Enlisted with the possibility of officer in the future?

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 16 at 2020 10:32 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 16 Nov 2020 22:32:46 -0500

I always advocate for active duty over reserve or guard, but I've no experience with anything but active duty.

The benefits earned between the branches are more or less the same; a GI Bill earned by a Soldier or Airman is the same GI Bill. The exception is what bonuses are available at any given time. What level of degree do you have? It needs to be a bachelor's degree minimum to commission (unless you do Green to Gold or such).

I, too, had a high ASVAB score but still chose Infantry. As far as culture, every branch is different. Personally, I think the Army generally has a stronger esprit de corps than the Air Force.

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 16 at 2020 11:00 PM

Sgt Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 16 Nov 2020 23:00:41 -0500

Connor Reese Thank you!

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 16 at 2020 11:46 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 16 Nov 2020 23:46:36 -0500

Well considering you are looking at a weekend warrior thing those pros and cons you speak of only apply on the weekends and annual training.

Response by CPT Lawrence Cable made Nov 17 at 2020 12:31 AM

CPT Lawrence Cable — Tue, 17 Nov 2020 00:31:31 -0500

OK, I'll take a swing at this one.
The educational benefits in the Ohio Army National Guard and the Ohio Air National Guard will be essentially identical except for MOS/AFSC schools. So you get GI Bill and State Tuition Assistance which ever one you join. The Army Guard is much large, so there are more slots and jobs available, which also includes for Officers. These days, from my experience, the difference in quarters and facilities has gone away, you don't see the WWII barracks that were common in my day anymore and the Air Force mess is about the same as Army Mess Halls.
Air Force Basic Training is Easier that Army Basic Combat Training. How hard your advanced schools are just depends on what you choose. The big difference is that in the Army National Guard, if you enlist on an OCS contract, you will attend BCT before you attend OCS. The Air National Guard will send you straight to OTS. There are several choices of how you can attend OCS, depending on what you state will fund. You can go to the 12 week Federal OCS at Ft Benning, the "Traditional" NG OCS, which just takes place of your normal drill weekend and annual training over about 14 months, and there is an Accelerated OCS in the Guard that last 8 weeks. I don't know if there is similar choices in the Air National Guard.

Response by MSG John Duchesneau made Nov 17 at 2020 11:34 PM

MSG John Duchesneau — Tue, 17 Nov 2020 23:34:07 -0500

The basic question in deciding if you want to be an officer is are you willing to carry much more responsibility in exchange for more money and prestige.
As to the Army vs Air Guard question - you will have to decide for yourself. While a commissioning opportunity in the Air Guard may not be available now, there may be one in the future.

Response by CPL(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 1 at 2020 9:28 PM

CPL(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 01 Dec 2020 21:28:00 -0500

The National Guard itself doesn't really have barracks at most of its installations besides at school houses and some other places especially here in Oregon. Educational benefits differ between certain states. Most states add educational benefits on top of the federal benefits. Food is crappy when it comes to food portions anywhere. The culture is what you make of it. That is what I always tell my guys, what you make of it is what you get out of it. Check both sides out and see what the pros and cons are of each. Do your research well, because once you sign that paperwork, your in it whether you like it or not.