Posted on Jul 8, 2016
Which is the best branch for reserve/guard duty?
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A 37 year old Friend wants to step up to the plate. What are his options?
Posted in these groups: 
Navy Reserve
Army Reserve Elements
Marine Corps Reserve
Reserves
Air Force Reserve
Navy Reserve Army Reserve Elements Marine Corps Reserve Reserves Air Force Reserve
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 35
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Don't forget the Air National Guard as well. Your friend has until 39 to enlist.
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The Army Guard will likely offer the most variety of opportunity across the country. You also get the chance to learn and execute domestic support operations. Its important to decide whether you want your follow on military job to reflect your civilian career or if you want it to offer a clean break from your routine.
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I came into the Air Guard as a late comer so I can provide a little insight but, in the end, it depends on what he wants.
My Air Guard experience has been great. I landed full-time AGR position 6 months after tech school which meant I got to keep half of my $20k bonus. 80% of my base is full-time between dual status techs and AGRs so there is still a chance to go full-time and be in the reserve force. Like others have said the Guard, both Army and Air, is state and federally funded. That means you can get all the federal benefits plus whatever extra state benefits are available. Many states will waive tuition for guardsmen. I believe you have to ship to basic by your 39th birthday for any branch of the Air Force. The enlistment process is slow so I wouldn't wait. The pay and trainings good and most will transfer to the outside world. If he's looking for that traditional military experience he might have to looks elsewhere though.
Most Army Guards will only have 1 or 2 full-time positions but I could be off on this. I just remember talking to my dad who retired trough the Army Guard.
Coast guard had a 2+ year wait to get in when I was shopping around.
Is he willing to relocate or is there a base nearby? I used to drive 4 hours to My UTAs and that gets old after awhile.
My Air Guard experience has been great. I landed full-time AGR position 6 months after tech school which meant I got to keep half of my $20k bonus. 80% of my base is full-time between dual status techs and AGRs so there is still a chance to go full-time and be in the reserve force. Like others have said the Guard, both Army and Air, is state and federally funded. That means you can get all the federal benefits plus whatever extra state benefits are available. Many states will waive tuition for guardsmen. I believe you have to ship to basic by your 39th birthday for any branch of the Air Force. The enlistment process is slow so I wouldn't wait. The pay and trainings good and most will transfer to the outside world. If he's looking for that traditional military experience he might have to looks elsewhere though.
Most Army Guards will only have 1 or 2 full-time positions but I could be off on this. I just remember talking to my dad who retired trough the Army Guard.
Coast guard had a 2+ year wait to get in when I was shopping around.
Is he willing to relocate or is there a base nearby? I used to drive 4 hours to My UTAs and that gets old after awhile.
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MAJ (Join to see)
He's saying the guy is too old- and he's right by military standards. The "Old Man" is a 26 year old CPT with bags under his eyes at the end of an 18 month command. The oldest guy you've ever seen is probably a COL who is 43.... But, the rest of the world knows that you're going to live to 85. 40 is 90 in army years.
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SFC Joseph Weber
CWO4 (Join to see) - You used a baseball analogy describing your buddies desire to serve. I used one to suggest he is too old and should forget about it. It's nice he wants to serve his country. He's just too late.
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CWO4 (Join to see)
Gentlemen I truly see your point.
His intent is combat arms. I should have mentioned that this childhood friend is:
-Beast when it comes to athletics.
-extremely intelligent
-CEO of a large company
So this is not for benefits, retirement, glory. It's simply for his love of the Unted States. He came to a realization that yes donations help, hiring Vetrans does help, but ultimately you have to step up to the plate yourself.
His intent is combat arms. I should have mentioned that this childhood friend is:
-Beast when it comes to athletics.
-extremely intelligent
-CEO of a large company
So this is not for benefits, retirement, glory. It's simply for his love of the Unted States. He came to a realization that yes donations help, hiring Vetrans does help, but ultimately you have to step up to the plate yourself.
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A 37 year old Friend wants to step up to the plate. What are his opinions.
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LTC John Mohor
GySgt Dennis Kramsky you've received some good advice. I hava a friend that joined at 42 years of age non prior service into the Army Reserve. If your friend has a four year college degree after he finished basic and his MOS training he could qualify for a direct commission in the Army Reserve. I've found that's probably the easiest way to get a direct appointment. My friend went from enlisted Civil Affairs to AG then Military Intelligence. If he goes Guard Army or Airforce and does qualify for a retirement he'll end up in the Reserves. Sometimes the paperwork and politics in the guard really gets screwed up. For what it's worth. Be sure that he checks out all his options! Good Luck and SEMPER FI thanks for your service too!
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CWO4 (Join to see)
He does not have a College Education.
And his intent is Combatarms. i also believe that the Army at this point is his best option. As a Marine it's hard to say that. But at the end of the day and at this point in my military service and exposure to the Army way of business it will work.
Thank you for your input. Semper Fi
And his intent is Combatarms. i also believe that the Army at this point is his best option. As a Marine it's hard to say that. But at the end of the day and at this point in my military service and exposure to the Army way of business it will work.
Thank you for your input. Semper Fi
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SSgt Ed Lewandowski
Air force res might catam might be a shortage. But most are also sp and and lesp
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