Posted on Feb 8, 2021
Jason Duey II
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Is anyone in or had experience with either the Maryland or Pennsylvania ARNG?

I’m extremely stuck in deciding whether to enlist in the Maryland or Pennsylvania national guard. Long story short my mother lives in PA and I’m going to college in Maryland at the moment. I’m open to transferring to PA, but I’m not sure whether I want to stay here or go there.

I’m curious if anyone has any recommendations of one state over there other as all states have different benefits and such. (Ex: PA pays 100% tuition and MD pays 50%)
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Responses: 12
SPC Erich Guenther
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So with the NG, the larger the state, the more slots and opportunities you have. The larger the state the more budget you have. Compare Texas with MD. Texas has Airborne, Special Forces, etc. MD cannot afford those. It's because Texas has a larger budget and much more population.
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Jason Duey II
Jason Duey II
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Pennsylvania is over double Maryland’s population, I just looked it up. Great point though, thank you! Definitely something to keep in mind.
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CPT Advisor
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SPC Erich Guenther Maryland literally has an Airborne and a Special Forces unit...
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SSG Trackperson
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Only cause its larger don't mean its the unit best to go even if it more funded. For example NY is well funded, upto date gear & school opportunities but PA have better state benefits for they guard also they hold 1 of 2 SBCT also some IBCT are better then other; better readiness mean higher chance of deployment
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SSG Richard Hackwith
SSG Richard Hackwith
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The majority of the NG funding comes from the federal government. The states only provide the armory buildings and pay for state active duty operations. The primary mission of the NG is to be a ready reserve component of the army so the provides the equipment and budget to provide that training. That is prescribed in Article 1, Section 8 of the US Constitution; "To provide for organizing, arming, and disciplining, the Militia, and for governing such Part of them as may be employed in the Service of the United States, reserving to the States respectively, the Appointment of the Officers, and the Authority of training the Militia according to the discipline prescribed by Congress;"
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SGT Carl Forsman
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Maryland used to have a LRS company, not sure they still do,but that is a fun infantry way to go in the NG
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SSG Patrick O'Flaherty
SSG Patrick O'Flaherty
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The PA Guard had one of the best LRS units in the States and MD does have an SF unit.
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SGT(P) Healthcare Specialist (Combat Medic)
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It depends on what you want to get out of the guard. Do you want free school? Go PAARNG. Do you want to stay in MD? Do MDARNG. Also which of the states has a slit available for you close enough to where you live that you're willing to make the drive? For me it's a 90 minute drive to my unit from where I live. You have to be aware of that as well
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Jason Duey II
Jason Duey II
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In Maryland it’s less than 5 minutes, in PA it’s about 30. Not a big deal either way. There’s pros and cons to both, just one of those you wish someone else could make for you
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SGT(P) Healthcare Specialist (Combat Medic)
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Jason Duey II Well, if you're gonna join the military, gotta act like an adult, make choices and live with the choices. Good luck
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SGT(P) Healthcare Specialist (Combat Medic)
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1SG Russell Scott when I get my way in running back to Alaska and leaving the whole east coast far behind
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SFC Chuck Martinez
SFC Chuck Martinez
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1SG Russell Scott - LMAO Top, I loved DC and this dude in only 15 minutes away.
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