When did the Active Duty vs Reserve components beef become so serious?

2015-05-13T19:47:16-04:00

Often at my current deployed location the question is always being brought up on why so many "Guard people" here are in leadership positions over active duty individuals even though we all went to the same tech school and some even being prior active. It's very frustrating and offensive.

Response by LTC Stephen C. made May 13 at 2015 8:09 PM

2015-05-13T20:09:24-04:00

TSgt Marshall Cavit, it seems there have been always been issues between active and reserve components. Some of the issues have merit and some don't, and I don't think they'll ever really go away.

Response by CPT Bob Moore made May 13 at 2015 8:17 PM

2015-05-13T20:17:52-04:00

I saw it as early as my time in Basic Training. It was that way while I was on Active Duty in the 90s, it was that way all the way through my reserve service.

I'm not sure it will ever change.

Response by MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca made May 13 at 2015 8:26 PM

2015-05-13T20:26:26-04:00

It's only as serious as you choose to take or make it. The proof is in the actions. Show an AD unit you can cut the mustard and they will go away (hopefully with their tail between their legs) We had a Bn from the 82nd under us in Iraq. When my O-7 boss awarded them their combat patch (our unit patch - 43d MP Bde) They refused to wear it and against regs wore the 18th Airborne Corps patch that they wanted but were not authorized. Like our patch wasn't good enough for them.

Response by Capt Mark Strobl made May 13 at 2015 10:56 PM

2015-05-13T22:56:41-04:00

Just speaking to my experience here. Often times, reservists needed active duty time in specific billets. This was done for two reasons: 1.) Manpower needs at the time (filling needs that the active-duty component couldn't support), and 2.) "Active Duty" time required for the reservists to maintain their technical & tactical qualifications. Often times, we'd stuff a reservist into a chair, behind a desk, and tell them "don't touch anything." But sometimes, they found themselves in operational jobs. If the Guard-to-"Real" Army relationship is the same, expect the frustration to continue. It goes WAY above our pay-grades.

Response by MSgt Jim Wolverton made May 13 at 2015 11:59 PM

2015-05-13T23:59:06-04:00

Guard and Reserve units operate differently and like it or not, there is a cultural difference, that doesn't necessarily match up well with an active duty structure. That's the best way I can put it.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made May 14 at 2015 12:38 AM

2015-05-14T00:38:18-04:00

I've seen some pretty horrendous behavior because of this. During my time overseas our sister company had a gun truck go down on route Tampa near FOB Kalsu. The active duty mechanics on the FOB refused to work on the truck because we were National Guard. It took our Battalion Commander getting involved to straighten it out. One Soldier refusing to help another simply due to their component is reprehensible.

Response by SGT Jeremiah B. made May 14 at 2015 11:53 AM

2015-05-14T11:53:11-04:00

It was like this in the 90's. Every year, my unit in 25th ID would help train the guard on their summer drills. To us, it was a soup sandwich of lax standards, mediocre performance and mind boggling differences. Mostly it was us completely not getting how the guard worked (A 35 yo specialist with 10 years TIG?! First names?!). The AD mentality really doesn't leave a lot of room for part timers being acceptably different, no matter how many times they've proven themselves in the real world.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 29 at 2016 5:44 PM

2016-02-29T17:44:08-05:00

It's a lot better now than it used to be. In the early 80s, the active component had a large contingent of Vietnam vets who considered the guys who went into the guard little more than draft dodgers.

Desert Storm, OIF and OEF have eliminated a lot of that attitude, but there will always be a bit of attitude between components. Multi-compo units tend to have the least friction, as everyone wears the same patch, regardless of component.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Nov 5 at 2019 4:09 PM

2019-11-05T16:09:41-05:00

I went to Desert Storm with my reserve unit. It did not help that a couple soldiers were 5'8' weighing 300 lbs.