Why did you chose National Guard over Reserve or Reserve over National Guard?

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 10 Oct 2019 15:23:18 -0400

Army Reserve Vs. National Guard

If you are in the Reserve Forces (Army Reserve in any state or National Guard in any state) tell me why you chose your branch. Tell me what benefits you found in your branch that you could not find in the other! Looking to put together a presentation about this! TIA. (DO NOT BASH OTHER BRANCHES! WE ARE ONE TEAM)

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 10 at 2019 3:32 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 10 Oct 2019 15:32:01 -0400

When I was joining in '93 as a Junior in High School, I knew back then that the Guard was not for me as I didn't want to compete for limited slots within the state. I wasn't able to go Active, so....Reserves it was.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 10 at 2019 3:35 PM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 10 Oct 2019 15:35:47 -0400

Mainly it was because my AOC was not available in the national guard, but even if it had been I would have went reserves anyways.

I wanted to go active duty, but my wife did not want to move away from home since we had just moved back to be near family after being away for several years.

I had no desire to be in the national guard because I’ve heard it’s harder to get promoted or transfer to different units. I also did not like the idea of being at the whim of my state governor who could call me out for state issues, but also call me out for federal deployments to get political points (I saw this happen with Iraq and Afghanistan).

I like the reserves. It’s easier to transfer to a different unit if I want to and I don’t have to worry about two budgets and two masters in charge of me. (state and federal)

I have the upmost respect for guard just as I do the reserves. I often feel like we are treated as being less than soldiers compared to the active duty folks.

Response by SPC David S. made Oct 10 at 2019 4:01 PM

SPC David S. — Thu, 10 Oct 2019 16:01:30 -0400

At the time it was all about combat arms vs service - as such I went into a Field Artillery unit in the reserves. When big Army restructured all support to the reserves I switched to NG to stay in a combat arms. I will say my reserve unit was ate up and my NG was squared away. However it was more regular Army due to it being HQ for Camp Shelby and we were activated due to Desert Storm.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 10 at 2019 4:09 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 10 Oct 2019 16:09:26 -0400

For me, long story short I was leaving active duty and didn't know what I wanted to do but I knew if I was leaving active I was leaving the 11 series. I basically jumped on the first options offered to me which was 12 series in the Reserves. My RCCC told me I'd have more schooling opportunities as the Reserves has better funding than the guard. That appears to be true as well as advancement opportunities overall. The other side of that coin is you might have to serve in an unit in another state if you promote out of your unit

The guard appeals to me however as from my understanding I cant get state education benefits in addition to federal TA. My window just opened and it's looking like I might go back to the guard. And the AGR process on the guard side is easier on some families in my opinion as if you do that for a while you'll only have to PCS around the state as opposed to globally.

On this deployment we fall under a guard BN and BDE and from what I hear is the guard can differ from state to state as far as funding and opportunities

Response by CPL Gary Pifer made Oct 10 at 2019 8:07 PM

CPL Gary Pifer — Thu, 10 Oct 2019 20:07:40 -0400

In 1973 I was a Junior in High School and was invited to be a guest of the NG 19D platoon on a weekend drill. I later joined the Marines in 1974 and joined the USMCR in 1976. I got tired of the Marine regs and switched to the NG 19D in 1979. Because of it's lax regs and hair length standards... always Party time. The Vietnam War Professional Guard was now a criminal gang member and prior Service force. The cons were given a choice to join the Guard or go to prison... in a few years the criminals were all kicked out..PLus the unit was 12 miles away.. Later I joined the USAFR in 1984 because a SSGT left and pulled others with him including me
Got offered OCS with the NG in 1985 and returned..got kicked out in 1987... Returned to the USAFR .. I went back into the NG in 1989 and got the boot in 1990 after the Gulf War. I rejoined the NG 19D at age 46 in 2002 due to 9-11 and went active Army in 2003 got the boot in 2004. 194% VA disability VA calculator. I actually had no business being in the military after my USMC TBI injury and should had been retired in 1976... I got in 16 good years in a span of 30... but could not get beyond E-4 due to undiagnosed Mental Injury.

Response by SP5 Joseph Ascanio made Oct 11 at 2019 6:18 AM

SP5 Joseph Ascanio — Fri, 11 Oct 2019 06:18:02 -0400

I went Guard because the unit I was assigned was not to fare form home. and the guard gets called out far more then the reserve, I live in Florida and was called out for every disaster Florida had made lots of money.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 11 at 2019 1:22 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 11 Oct 2019 13:22:24 -0400

I had a 9 year break in service and wanted back in. There was an ADA guard unit in my hometown and the next closest unit was an hour drive away. Made the choice pretty easy. Then, less than a year after I got back from ADA OBC, they reclassed our entire BN to MPs. I transferred to the Reserves because I got tired of spending 6 weeks every spring and 6 weeks every fall on state active duty orders (read base salary and nothing else) doing tornado and hurricane relief duty.

Response by SGT Brad Baier made Oct 11 at 2019 4:57 PM

SGT Brad Baier — Fri, 11 Oct 2019 16:57:38 -0400

Mine was location. I chose to be a 12-B because it offered me the things that interested me at the time. My unit was located in Chanute, Kansas and I already knew some of the members that drilled there. My biggest regret to date is not actually going regular army for at least 3 years. My concern was if I didn't go directly to college after high school I would probably not go to college. I did go to college, but never got my Bachelors degree.

My unit was great. I was in the color guard and got to go places to march in parades. My color guard unit go to represent the State of Kansas at the dedication ceremony of the Medal of Honor Wall in Soldiers Grove, Wisconsin. I was activated twice by the states governor right after I got out of basic training. First for a tornado that hit the town of Iola, Kansas. That just so happened to be the location of our Headquarters Unit for the 891st Combat Engineers. The second was a flood assistance activation for the town of Erie, Kansas. I got to take a hop to Hawaii for the weekend. I flew on a KC135 Tanker out of Topeka, Kansas. Froze my ass off in the plane on the way over there. It gets damn cold at 43,500 feet. They told me to take a coat, but I thought they were just messing with me because I was a mosquito wing private. I figured out real quick they weren't. I saw people getting on the plane with heavy sleeping bags and parkas I knew it was going to be a cold ass flight. There was so much frost on the inside of the few windows on that jet you couldn't scratch it off with your fingernails.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 11 at 2019 11:13 PM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 11 Oct 2019 23:13:09 -0400

Reserve some gave me the option to transfer with moves (as an active duty spouse) without some of the constraints of the NG.

Response by CW2 Michael Bodnar made Feb 19 at 2021 1:13 PM

CW2 Michael Bodnar — Fri, 19 Feb 2021 13:13:01 -0500

I chose the National Guard because it allowed me the regional stability I was looking for at the time. It was also an easy inroad to becoming a Warrant. I also enjoyed the group of soldiers I'd come to know and respect. Most of my soldiers work in the beltway in their civilian capacity and they bring a different level of expertise to the formation. Looking back on the decision, I would have probably chosen to go with the Reserves largely due to the funding challenges we face in the Guard. There are many positives about the Guard but I think the most beneficial to me is being able to work in the industry as a contractor and influence the very systems my soldiers use at my unit. It's also refreshing being able to mentor all ranks and be the one they come to seeking advice or counsel.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 19 at 2021 1:38 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 19 Feb 2021 13:38:20 -0500

I joined the Guard at 17 because I wanted to be combat arms and it was also cool that they had additional college incentives.
After college I was commissioned regular army for 17 years. When leaving active duty I was actively recruited by an O6 into the guard to be on his team. When that individual left I ended up changing to the reserve to stay in my functional area.
The Guard is alot more like the regular Army in my experience managed by the state. The reserve is more of an "Army of one", as in they're a bunch of individuals floating around managing themselves.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 19 at 2021 3:15 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 19 Feb 2021 15:15:08 -0500

Nice share MSG Private RallyPoint Member … I have served in all 3 Components: Active Duty/Regular Army, National Guard, and Army Reserve. I served 4 years active duty & then got out to finish my degree. Got in the Kansas Army National Guard to continue service to my State/Nation for 12 years. Then after 9/11, I was activated twice for mobilizations for the Guard for Iraq & Egypt. So, I figured if I'm going to get activated every few years, I might as well go full time. So on my last deployment, I applied to the Army Reserve, as a member of the active guard reserve (AGR) force & was picked up in November 2010. And I've been on AGR duty for 10 years now. So, I've volunteered for service for all of the Army Components. They alll have their good points & bad points- for me it comes down to unit climate/integrity. If you like the people you work with & feel you are making a difference in the Army & our nation by serving: then keep on serving! Like my old Deputy Commander told me, "just stay in until they kick you out!"

Response by SMSgt Michael Gleason made Feb 19 at 2021 5:13 PM

SMSgt Michael Gleason — Fri, 19 Feb 2021 17:13:54 -0500

My family has been in my state since 1635. The Guard - Air AND Army - have a STATE mission in addition to their FEDERAL missions. This provides an opportunity to directly benefit citizens of their own state, as well as serve the nation. There may also be STATE benefits provided to Guard Members (tuition assistance chief among them, but others as well, by state of territory). Also, in the Guard, you ARE where you JOIN (in whatever state or territory you choose to join). The reserves, being federal in scope, COULD cause you to have to drill in another state or location. If you end up moving to a different state, YOU initiate a transfer to a Guard unit in your new state or territory.

Response by SSG Samuel Kermon made Feb 19 at 2021 5:14 PM

SSG Samuel Kermon — Fri, 19 Feb 2021 17:14:37 -0500

Not going to bash because you are right, we are supposed to be one team with one mission, protecting this nation. Okay, now my thoughts: first you go and serve where you feel comfortable and are made to feel appreciated. Second, for too many years the Guard, and even Reserves, were looked down upon by the regular Army establishment. The equipment problems were part of that problem since the two "junior" services got leftovers and worn out equipment. This was not the only problem; others included training time availability, money, schools, and manpower. Fortunately, these problems are being addressed, although slowly. Perhaps things would change if a Guard/Reserve General sat on the JCS but really don't know (just my opinion).

Response by Maj Marty Hogan made Feb 19 at 2021 5:19 PM

Maj Marty Hogan — Fri, 19 Feb 2021 17:19:45 -0500

I have been AD, Reserve, and Guard- full timer in Guard and Reserve. The mission is the difference, but to be honest- since 9/11 the Guard is more operational than the Reserve. I did 12 Reserve years- the bennies were the same as the Guard. As a full-timer we do not get the educational benefits, nor can we tap Tri-Care as we are Federal workers and have to use the shoddily negotiated benefits there. The Guard has a State mission and you can respond to DOMOPs emergencies- we never did that in the Reserves. Reserve has a federal mission. Today's environment blurs many of the distinctive lines that separated the two in the past. I have traveled more and had more opportunity in the Guard than the Reserve. My two-cents- good luck

Response by Lt Col Timothy Cassidy-Curtis made Feb 19 at 2021 7:16 PM

Lt Col Timothy Cassidy-Curtis — Fri, 19 Feb 2021 19:16:36 -0500

When I joined the Reserves, it was just after being passed over twice and separated. I got a letter from three commanders, and they did a review of my records to determine that I would qualify for a promotion. It all worked out, and I was promoted twice in the Reserves (I was expecting only one). The reason I joined the Reserves was because it seemed the easiest transition (it was).

After I retired from the Reserves, I joined the State Guard. They promoted me.

Response by Wayne Soares made Feb 19 at 2021 9:23 PM

Wayne Soares — Fri, 19 Feb 2021 21:23:33 -0500

Thanks for the question Francesca

Response by SGT Greg Gold made Feb 20 at 2021 9:51 AM

SGT Greg Gold — Sat, 20 Feb 2021 09:51:27 -0500

Having served in both for different reasons here's my answer. I came off AD with an RA contract onto the TDRL, so when the PEB cleared me 18 months later I had no active reserve commitment. I was contacted by a reserve recruiter who was trying to get a USAR MP unit up to strength for REFORGER. My AD contract had an 18 month rotation to USAREUR which I was no longer going to be able to use, so I thought why not? Transfer, see the FRG, come home. I was already in the IRR so a transfer to a TPU unit cost me nothing in terms of commitment. I ended up staying, reenlisting, and called it quits right at the 10 year mark for all the wrong reasons.

Fast forward to 2006 and I want to serve, and to be able to retire. I looked into the NG and the USAR, and the guard let me keep my rank. The USAR would require me to enlist as an E4, which would put me at the very bottom of the promotion list, so it was guard here I come! It turned out to be a good choice for numerous reasons. I retired in 2013.