What are the differences, pros and cons of the Army Reserves vs Florida or Georgia National Guard?

Daniel Palacio — Wed, 20 Dec 2017 13:26:18 -0500

I would like to know the differences between them as well as benefits for each. Trying to go in as an officer through ROTC.

Response by SGT Russell Wickham made Dec 20 at 2017 1:58 PM

SGT Russell Wickham — Wed, 20 Dec 2017 13:58:26 -0500

The National Guard is responsible to both the state governor and the national defense. The army reserves are also weekend warriors, but responsible only to the DA, so the state cannot call them up. National Guard takes part in more disaster relief and quelling civil disturbances, while the reserves are more likely to be called up in time of war. My impression of my three years in the Reserves is that you do a months worth of paperwork on your weekend a month, and train two or three times a year. I wasn't in the NG to see how they operate. I preferred active duty because I had some consistency, and the benefits were better.

Response by COL John McClellan made Dec 20 at 2017 3:24 PM

COL John McClellan — Wed, 20 Dec 2017 15:24:33 -0500

Do you have a school (college) in mind / that you are accepted at? If you are looking at being a SMP (simultaneous membership) Cadet and pursuing one of the reserve compinent scholarships - GRFD or the like, the best thing to do would be to engage the ROTC Dept. at that school - they can talk to you specifically about the RC units they have good relationships with - either NG or USAR, and make a recommendation on the best fit! Good Luck!!

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 20 at 2017 3:26 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 20 Dec 2017 15:26:44 -0500

I've known people who have jumped back and forth from the Reserves to the Guard chasing promotions and from what they've said, the Guard is a much better place. Judging from questions posed here, the Guard is a much better place. I think you also have more MOS options in the Guard. I could be wrong on that one. I know that the Reserves doesn't have combat arms. I think there are also fewer reserve units than Guard units, so you could be traveling farther to drill in the Reserves.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 20 at 2017 3:41 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 20 Dec 2017 15:41:50 -0500

For either one it is about MOS, take KY Guard, in my area they are mostly engineers and those who support that engineer company, but the closest reserve unit is a drill sgt unit. The only lower enlisted spots they would have are supply and paper pushers, not much room for advancement. But it is easier to move from unit to unit in the reserves for promotion, I have found here in KY and IN that in the guard it is much harder to get promoted. I have moved from a reserve center in IN to Owensboro, KY to Madisonville, KY to Ft. Knox and back to Evansville, IN for promotion and in some cases just to be in my preferred MOS, (note I have 3). Back when I first joined the KY guard was Cav scouts. Another note only the guard has much in the way of combat MOS's except pilots.

Response by COL Brad Welch made Dec 20 at 2017 6:19 PM

COL Brad Welch — Wed, 20 Dec 2017 18:19:26 -0500

Depends on what you want to branch. The ARNG is primarily made up of combat arms units. The USAR is primarily made up of combat support units.

Response by LTC John Mohor made Dec 20 at 2017 7:32 PM

LTC John Mohor — Wed, 20 Dec 2017 19:32:26 -0500

Daniel along with the answers given in general there's more "politics" in the guard then the Reserves. Having worked with a number of former guard officers that transitioned from guard to Reserves it's something to consider. Unlike active duty you have to learn how and where units are in order to promote into the next rank as well. Having started as combat arms on active duty it gives a good background. If you consider what your gonna do on the civilian side a reserve commission allows you to move from state to state without having to go thru the extra process of getting state recognition much less the extra hoops you have to go thru when transferring between states.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 20 at 2017 8:12 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 20 Dec 2017 20:12:14 -0500

Florida NG matches Active education benefits, bur we will pay 100% tuition to a state college or university, for 4 years or up to a Masters.

Response by CW5 Ranger Dave made Dec 20 at 2017 10:56 PM

CW5 Ranger Dave — Wed, 20 Dec 2017 22:56:56 -0500

Yoda says...Um, yes, Politics is strong in Georgia Army National Guard. Govenor's Neals former business partner's son a retired AD LTC made instant BG and Adjutant General.

Response by COL Carl Jensen made Aug 23 at 2021 9:13 AM

COL Carl Jensen — Mon, 23 Aug 2021 09:13:33 -0400

Been there, went from the Army into the Guard and then into the Reserves. The Guard had its own ARs, I never felt like it was the Army. I left and went into the Reserves, and became comfortable, it was like being back to what it was like when I was in the active army. I also tend to believe the Guard units were political, they are the Governors Army. (In NY at the time I was there, the head of the guard was the brother of a known Mafia member.) I always felt the Guard was mostly a haven for those who were trying to stay out of a 2 yr commitment. It was before 1973. Once the draft ended, it was obvious why most were in, the units disappeared for lack of new members. I actually found it easier to find a slot when needed via the Reserves. I had seen enough of its who you know in the Guard, it seemed to be too cliquish. IMO.