Posted on Sep 9, 2015
Can a National Guard or Reserve soldier be considered a "Professional Soldier"?
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I have heard through my military service the term "professional Soldier" . If you serve 10 yrs plus in the Reserve or National Guard, or even put in the til age of 60, and retire does that give you the title of a professional soldier.
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As in profession not Professionalism.
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As in profession not Professionalism.
Military Career
Reserves
Army National Guard
Edited 9 y ago
Posted 9 y ago
Responses: 40
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SGT Bryon Sergent I served a total of 7 years active, 20 years in the National Guard, and 10 years in the Reserves and deployed to OIF 05-07. I've completed every military educational requirement up through the Army War College and served 9 years enlisted and 28 years as a commissioned officer. I've commanded at the Company level twice, the Battalion level for 4 years with missions to South America in National building tours, and 7 years as a Brigade Commander (deploying and building a new Brigade from the ground up). I think that qualifies me as a "Professional Soldier". I believe we have a lot of Professional soldiers in the Reserves and Guard. Keep in mind this country does not go to war with out individuals from all the communities going with the Active Component. It should be "One Team, One Fight" always from here on out! Just my opinion!
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SGT Bryon Sergent
Thank you for your comment Sir. Also I like the one branch Idea. No more national Guard no more Reserve Component All are just Army!
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Certainly every National Guard or Reserve Soldier who has sworn the oath of enlistment or commissioning as a US Army is a Soldier. Every AC, RC and USNG soldier who intends to make a career in the Army is a professional soldier. For those who only serve the minimum number of years they may or may not be professional soldiers. Professional Soldiers are both proud of the Service and they represent the Service through their duty, honor, and commitment to serve.
[Update] US Air National Guard swear a similar oath and are professional airmen. For those who only serve the minimum number of years they may or may not be professional airmen. Professional airmen are both proud of the Service and they represent the Service through their duty, honor, and commitment to serve.
[Update] US Air National Guard swear a similar oath and are professional airmen. For those who only serve the minimum number of years they may or may not be professional airmen. Professional airmen are both proud of the Service and they represent the Service through their duty, honor, and commitment to serve.
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SGT (Join to see)
Track back to the 90s: The Seamless Army doctrine, disseminated through the Reserves, at least to USACAPOC units first, presumably trickling down to all levels. Train as you fight. A Reserve soldier was expected to train to level, self-development, and qualify at standards set by TRADOC. Prepared to plug in as units or specialty into active components either as a volunteer for a tasking by specialty, or under unit deployment ords. The whole concept of "weekend warrior" became obsolete - in theory. Those of us who had previously served in active components- then referred to as "regular", had an advantage, both in performance of occupational specialties and from more frequent reinforcement training compared to Reserve and Guard elements that were largely composed of personnel who had no military experience beyond initial entry, schools, drills and annual qualification training. Hence affiliation bonuses for shortage specialties and prior service, in effort to provide better quality trainers. The momentum for OPTEMPO is lost when they promote out, retire or move on. Periodic structural reorganization serves to compound chaos when a large segment of trained personnel goes away while structural and policy changes are in motion. Once you are mission first oriented in life by reflex, you really never cease to be a soldier under your skin if you developed that far, and it colors how you view things for life. You answer the calls, you stay alert.
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LTC Stephen F.
SGT (Join to see) - Thanks for providing a well thought out response. There are so many comments under my response I wasn't sure if you were responding to my original post or somebody elses.
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1SG Michael Blount
LTC Stephen F. - absolutely. Anybody who says otherwise doesn't know what they're talking about
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Yes. By definition when you graduate BCT you are a trained professional.
"I am an expert and I am a professional." - Soldier's Creed
"No one is more professional than I" - NCO Creed
"I am an expert and I am a professional." - Soldier's Creed
"No one is more professional than I" - NCO Creed
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SFC Michael Hasbun
Oh my god no! BCT makes you a minimally trained, entry level worker. There is far more to being a Professional than just wearing a uniform. Being a professional takes a lifetime, it's not something you get called just for passing an easy, entry level course. Let's not water the phrase down now...
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SGT William Howell
SFC Michael Hasbun It is all a perspective. Professional compared to what? Next to ISIS or the Iraqi Army and those Boots look like Special SEAL Recon PJs. Next to an infantry SSG in the Marines, they are probably seen as lacking.
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