I'm thinking about switching to Reserves with 16 years all Guard. What is the advantage for Officers in Reserve vs Guard for retirement?

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 06 Jul 2016 07:52:35 -0400

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 6 at 2016 7:54 AM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 06 Jul 2016 07:54:38 -0400

Email me sir.. MSG Woods .. [login to see]

Response by MAJ Anthony Henderson made Jul 6 at 2016 10:06 AM

MAJ Anthony Henderson — Wed, 06 Jul 2016 10:06:38 -0400

There is no advantage. Both are based on the same points system. I've been in both the Guard and the Reserves but my Guard time was as an Enlisted Soldier. I didn't look at your profile before posting this so I do not know what your branch. The Guard is more combat arms with some combat support and combat service support units. The Reserves is more combat support and combat service support with one combat arms unit based in Hawaii, Guam and American Samoa. If your branch is combat arms unless it is aviation then I would suggest that you stay Guard but if it is combat support or combat service support then switching to Reserve would be ok.

Response by LTC Stephen C. made Jul 6 at 2016 3:45 PM

LTC Stephen C. — Wed, 06 Jul 2016 15:45:47 -0400

CPT Private RallyPoint Member, I've been retired for some time, but I served in the Alabama Army National Guard but did most of my time in service and finished my career in the USAR. Everything that MAJ Anthony Henderson stated is correct.
However, there are a few more items that you might wish to consider as well. The most important difference to me was promotions. In the USAR, when I got promoted, I was able to accept my promotion. You may have to find another unit, or even go to the IRR, but you still take your promotion. In the guard, they determine if you're to be promoted or not, even though you've passed a Federal board. I know many officers that have left the guard for the USAR in order that they might accept their promotion.
Also, if your civilian occupation subjects you to relocation, transferring from one unit to another within the USAR is much easier than transferring from one state's guard to another. I went from captain to lieutenant colonel, living in Cincinnati, New Orleans, Oklahoma City and Nashville and never missed a drill.

Response by CPT Zachary Brooks made Jul 6 at 2016 9:11 PM

CPT Zachary Brooks — Wed, 06 Jul 2016 21:11:37 -0400

I considered this exact option from North Carolina guard in order to be promoted to MAJ. As an MI officer there are far more options for me. Something to consider is the availability of positions within your chosen MOS, so talk to a recruiter and ask.

Response by COL Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 19 at 2018 5:28 PM

COL Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 19 Mar 2018 17:28:28 -0400

More opportunities. I did it as an O5 with over 25 yrs AFS.

Response by CSM Thomas McGarry made Sep 1 at 2018 1:25 PM

CSM Thomas McGarry — Sat, 01 Sep 2018 13:25:56 -0400

I actually did the same thing in the 90s. I was a E-6 up for E-7 and because of the politics in the NYANG they wanted to bring someone in from outside my Unit to take the E-7 position I was up for. Don't get me wrong, there is a certain amount of politics in both the Guard and Reserve, but I transferred to the Reserves when my time was up in the Guard. Also went on more exciting assignments in the Reserves than I ever did in the Guard, also you need to remember that promotions are based on available slots in the particular State's Guard units whereas you have more opportunities in the Reserves though you may need to travel because of this.