Does promotion in the Guard come slow?

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 09 Feb 2017 19:46:26 -0500

I'm considering switching to the National Guard but I was told that promotion in the Guard comes slow. Any truth to this?

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 9 at 2017 8:38 PM

MSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 09 Feb 2017 20:38:29 -0500

It does or less you are in the right place at the right time

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 9 at 2017 10:25 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 09 Feb 2017 22:25:03 -0500

I've been told it does depending on the MOS and that also depends on the State you're in. For example guys in Supply in my area tend to go up fast if they work for it.

Response by CPT Jacob Swartout made Feb 10 at 2017 12:24 AM

CPT Jacob Swartout — Fri, 10 Feb 2017 00:24:11 -0500

SSG Private RallyPoint Member I have friends who couldn't get promoted in the Guard and it was frustrating for them. Either it took way too long or they either left to go AD or ETS. For some of them, they had to have the person in the position leave or retire before they could get that same position to get promoted. One of my friends was a E-4 for the longest time and his first line who had the E-5 spot was not going to go anywhere soon. So he went AD and later visited his old NG unit. His old first line was still there however, my friend was then a SSG. The Guard has it's pros/cons but so does the AD too. You need to weigh your options out first before you make a final decision. Once confident you can achieve your personal and career goals in the desired component, go and make the best of it. Sometimes the NG is the best option for many while AD is still best for others.

Response by SPC Erich Guenther made Feb 10 at 2017 1:11 AM

SPC Erich Guenther — Fri, 10 Feb 2017 01:11:34 -0500

Actually it is dependent on slots that are open in the unit. If they have slots open in your next rank and you are the best candiate you get the slot. My Nephew is in the Guard and made SSG in record time because he moved to units that had slots open for the next step up. He was able to do that being single and young. Now that he is getting married in a few months.....we'll see how fast he makes SFC or MSG or if the old ball and chain starts to slow his progression up in the ranks (heh-heh).

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 10 at 2017 2:40 AM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 10 Feb 2017 02:40:51 -0500

Depends on what you compare it to. The promotions are all local so regardless of your qualifications promotions only happen when there is a unit vacancy. So the more vacancies the more rapid the promotions, unfortunately in some states it's a no promotion until someone dies. Retirement for the senior ranks is typically much slower, when compared to AD. in AD half or more get out as soon as they have a 20 year letter, in the Reserve Component there is no financial incentive to retire at 20 as you don't collect retirement until 60 (-), so you need to wait longer for promotions. If you want a comparison between USAR and NG because it's a unit vacancy thing it totally depends on your State, MOS, and unit(s).

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 10 at 2017 8:16 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 10 Feb 2017 08:16:34 -0500

It does unless you catch it at the right time. Especially once you're E-5 and above. It took me 5 years to get my 5 and the only reason I did is because I reclassed at just the right time and ended up making the list the following year. Now there's nowhere to go until people start retiring. A lot of times all you can do is get as many points as you can and then wait until those slots open up.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 10 at 2017 9:06 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 10 Feb 2017 09:06:35 -0500

In my area, it seems people stay put more often in the guard so there is less movement and less opportunity for a slot to open up for promotion. In the reserves most just take the promotion to another unit that has an open slot and stay the required time. I know I was a 92L made the SFC list for promotion and unfortunately there are very few E-7 Lima slots. I just got back from a tour in Afghanistan and my unit had the only slot within 300 miles but was deploying in 3 months so HQ promoted me down the hall as a 92F, I decided to retire than stay the required time in a unit I did not like.

Response by SGT Dave Tracy made Feb 10 at 2017 9:22 AM

SGT Dave Tracy — Fri, 10 Feb 2017 09:22:59 -0500

Never been in the Guard myself, but a buddy from my Active Duty days is, and it's his observation that promotions come slowly.

Response by SMSgt Roger Horton made Feb 10 at 2017 9:57 AM

SMSgt Roger Horton — Fri, 10 Feb 2017 09:57:05 -0500

Are you in it serve your country or to get promoted. Time between promotions have variables, such as job classification, self education, desire, the rank structure of the job classification, number of billets and number of billets that are manned, time in grade, pft scores, marksmanship, dress and grooming, and a number of other things. If you want faster promotion in the Guard my advise would be to switch to the Air National Guard.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 10 at 2017 5:54 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 10 Feb 2017 17:54:29 -0500

I'm in a shortage MOS so I moved up fast as there was no E-6 or 7 above me. When I was in my old MOS someone would have to die for me to get to E-6. Combat arms Units are better as the fitness and training scares off most Guard guys looking for an easy job.

I would still be doing it as an E-5 as I like what I do and how it helps others.

Most of my promotion drive is focus on my civilian job when I'm there.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 10 at 2017 7:47 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 10 Feb 2017 19:47:26 -0500

From E-6 to E-7 it's pretty slow, as there are limited E-7 slots for each MOS in each state. Same with E-5 to E-6.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 11 at 2017 6:35 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 11 Feb 2017 18:35:54 -0500

It all depends on your MOS, state and number of slots for that rank.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 13 at 2017 12:47 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 13 Feb 2017 12:47:26 -0500

That depends on MOS

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 13 at 2017 7:06 PM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 13 Feb 2017 19:06:36 -0500

As others have said, a lot of it boils down to the MOS and how many slots that state has. Low density MOSs can be bad juju. They can also be great, if you happen to time it right.