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I'm having trouble deciding between the Reserves or the National Guard. I'm 26. I have 33 college credits but no degree. Married with 3 kids. ( I've already talked to a Reserves recruiter about the dependants waiver). I want to attempt ROTC after basic and AIT. (also talked to a Reserves recruiter about it. The SMP program). So I've got the details down pretty good. Now I'm just having trouble deciding between the two. Reserves or National Guard?
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Bentonville
Bentonville
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 6
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The primary difference between the two services is how they are paid, promotions, and to whom they belong.
The majority of the time, National Guardsman belong to the state is which they serve. They are title 32 and the governor can assign them duty based on state requirements such as emergencies or other events. If a state runs low on funding training may be effected. Additionally, promotions, especially as you move up the ranks, are dependent on available slots with the state of service. In other words, if you are up for promotion to Captain, there has to be an available Captain position, nobody currently sitting in it, within the state. As you move up ranks, there are less positions available, therefore, more people are competing for the same position. Sometimes, depending on states and position, you have to wait for a service member to retire or die before you get promoted.
Reservists are title 10, same as active duty, and belong to the federal government. While there are times a Reservist can be activated for federal emergencies, that is an exception rather than a rule. Reservists are not active duty, far from it, but are often treated as such in terms of deployments and training. There are also money issues in the Reserves but because it is a federal-managed organization rather than state-owned, budget has a little more give to it. When promotable in the Reserves, a Soldier competes for all positions across the entire Army Reserves rather than positions local to the state. In the example referenced above, if you are promotable to Captain and reside in Oklahoma and there is an available Captain slot in Texas, you may get promoted into it. Reservists can cross state lines for promotion and training.
The majority of the time, National Guardsman belong to the state is which they serve. They are title 32 and the governor can assign them duty based on state requirements such as emergencies or other events. If a state runs low on funding training may be effected. Additionally, promotions, especially as you move up the ranks, are dependent on available slots with the state of service. In other words, if you are up for promotion to Captain, there has to be an available Captain position, nobody currently sitting in it, within the state. As you move up ranks, there are less positions available, therefore, more people are competing for the same position. Sometimes, depending on states and position, you have to wait for a service member to retire or die before you get promoted.
Reservists are title 10, same as active duty, and belong to the federal government. While there are times a Reservist can be activated for federal emergencies, that is an exception rather than a rule. Reservists are not active duty, far from it, but are often treated as such in terms of deployments and training. There are also money issues in the Reserves but because it is a federal-managed organization rather than state-owned, budget has a little more give to it. When promotable in the Reserves, a Soldier competes for all positions across the entire Army Reserves rather than positions local to the state. In the example referenced above, if you are promotable to Captain and reside in Oklahoma and there is an available Captain slot in Texas, you may get promoted into it. Reservists can cross state lines for promotion and training.
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Joseph, I'll give you my "two cents".
1. You're facing an uphill challenge already-which I trust you know. With a spouse and three children, not to mention being in your mid-20s, this would be nothing short of a life-altering decision. Have you served before?
2. Your later comments indicate that financial and other benefits are of key concern. Brother, let me tell you...both come at a high potential cost, and there may be other more manageable, more rewarding ways to solve both problems. It's hard for me to deny that once "in", your family will see some immediate benefits, but they'll also be losing you to months of training, and possible deployments.
3. If you don't mind me asking, what's your current profession/experience? This is important to know because you might be a tactical officer with a police dept. and understand all of the above VERY well...then again, you may be facing some pretty significant changes to your overall routine/habits that a family will have to adjust to.
4. You mentioned officer programs. There's lots of ways to earn a commission, and not all are equal. Some people direct commission due to professional ability (think Doctors/Lawyers), others come to the NG/Reserves holding commissions from federal academies (think West Point, Annapolis, Colorado Springs, Kings Point), while others earn them in college ROTC or via OCS. There are few commonalities though. First, I'd speak to an officer programs recruiter...not suggesting others won't tell you good information, but bear in mind they "may" have different targets for manning, and may or may not "steer" things the way you want. Second, being an officer usually incorporates a longer minimum service commitment...look into details. Finally, if what attracts you about being commissioned is only the higher pay...please save yourself the time, agony and trouble.
1. You're facing an uphill challenge already-which I trust you know. With a spouse and three children, not to mention being in your mid-20s, this would be nothing short of a life-altering decision. Have you served before?
2. Your later comments indicate that financial and other benefits are of key concern. Brother, let me tell you...both come at a high potential cost, and there may be other more manageable, more rewarding ways to solve both problems. It's hard for me to deny that once "in", your family will see some immediate benefits, but they'll also be losing you to months of training, and possible deployments.
3. If you don't mind me asking, what's your current profession/experience? This is important to know because you might be a tactical officer with a police dept. and understand all of the above VERY well...then again, you may be facing some pretty significant changes to your overall routine/habits that a family will have to adjust to.
4. You mentioned officer programs. There's lots of ways to earn a commission, and not all are equal. Some people direct commission due to professional ability (think Doctors/Lawyers), others come to the NG/Reserves holding commissions from federal academies (think West Point, Annapolis, Colorado Springs, Kings Point), while others earn them in college ROTC or via OCS. There are few commonalities though. First, I'd speak to an officer programs recruiter...not suggesting others won't tell you good information, but bear in mind they "may" have different targets for manning, and may or may not "steer" things the way you want. Second, being an officer usually incorporates a longer minimum service commitment...look into details. Finally, if what attracts you about being commissioned is only the higher pay...please save yourself the time, agony and trouble.
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Joseph Fleet
I appreciate your comment and advice on the situation. That is exactly what I'm looking for.
Honestly, finance isn't just what I'm looking for. I won't say it's not a benefit of course. I've never served. I was planning on going with my buddy who just went a few months back, he's currently in AIT now, but he decided he wanted to go active instead of reserves or guard like I was looking into. He only has one kid and a wife vs my situation of 3 kids so it was an easier go for him. I honestly just want to join because it's always been something I've wanted to do. Before I had kids and got married, I was looking into active air Force but since my family life has changed and I waited so long, so must my goals, I suppose. I was told the reserves and guard were my best options now because of kids and my age.
My work experience is mainly some administrative work and some hard labor jobs. I started as a desk worker and decided i didn't like sitting all day so I switched it up to more physical work.
ROTC wasn't even one of my ideas. It was the reserve recruiter who told me it's something I should shoot for and kind of explained what I would need to do and go through. I will look into speaking with an officer programs recruiter now that you've mentioned it though. The time frame of the commitment wouldn't be a problem though because really I'd want to stay in it for the long haul anyways. It's more of a personal goal than a, "I just want money and benefits" goal. Once I'm in, I'd want to stay in as long as I can.
Honestly, finance isn't just what I'm looking for. I won't say it's not a benefit of course. I've never served. I was planning on going with my buddy who just went a few months back, he's currently in AIT now, but he decided he wanted to go active instead of reserves or guard like I was looking into. He only has one kid and a wife vs my situation of 3 kids so it was an easier go for him. I honestly just want to join because it's always been something I've wanted to do. Before I had kids and got married, I was looking into active air Force but since my family life has changed and I waited so long, so must my goals, I suppose. I was told the reserves and guard were my best options now because of kids and my age.
My work experience is mainly some administrative work and some hard labor jobs. I started as a desk worker and decided i didn't like sitting all day so I switched it up to more physical work.
ROTC wasn't even one of my ideas. It was the reserve recruiter who told me it's something I should shoot for and kind of explained what I would need to do and go through. I will look into speaking with an officer programs recruiter now that you've mentioned it though. The time frame of the commitment wouldn't be a problem though because really I'd want to stay in it for the long haul anyways. It's more of a personal goal than a, "I just want money and benefits" goal. Once I'm in, I'd want to stay in as long as I can.
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LCDR (Join to see)
Great answer Joseph...I'm a father too; there's NO WAY I could've gone through the first five or six years of my military career holding down the responsibilities I have now...but many do, so don't let me dissuade you-just being honest.
Your spouse will have to be very independent and "deal" with your absences for training and deployment...because Guard or Reserve, it's likely you will, for as much as six months to a year, depending on service branch , job, etc. Is she (and you) can handle that-maybe it's doable. Mine wouldn't...again, just being honest.
You sound like you've got the right motivations, just be aware, "forewarned is forearmed"
Good luck, and best wishes
Your spouse will have to be very independent and "deal" with your absences for training and deployment...because Guard or Reserve, it's likely you will, for as much as six months to a year, depending on service branch , job, etc. Is she (and you) can handle that-maybe it's doable. Mine wouldn't...again, just being honest.
You sound like you've got the right motivations, just be aware, "forewarned is forearmed"
Good luck, and best wishes
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Joseph Fleet
Thanks so much for your honesty. I really appreciate it. I'll definitely discuss it a little more with her as well before making a final decision. We've talked about it once before but a second sit down definitely wouldn't hurt.
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There are only a couple main differences in my opinion that affect me. National Guard will be activated for stateside emergencies as reserves will not, for example the hurricane that toppled NC a year ago as well as the ones that hit Puerto Rico and Florida, I like being in the Guard for this. The Guard is state funded, Reserves are federally funded. Which plays a part when requesting schools, the Guard gets the last pick of slots and has a limited budget to send people to school. For me I want to go to DS school but in the Guard it’s not happening where as in the reserves they want people for it. You have more advancement opportunities in the reserves as well as deployment opportunities or full time employment opportunities. If I had to do it again I would go active but between the Reserves and Guard, for me personally I would choose the Reserves.
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