How did it feel for you when you went from Active Duty to Reserves/National Guard? What was the biggest difference you noticed?

SPC Chris Early — Thu, 28 May 2015 13:51:45 -0400

Just a random question if you have served regular full-time service and reserve or National Guard how did you feel when you went from full-time service to part time service, and what was the difference that you really notice

Response by CPT Bob Moore made May 28 at 2015 2:01 PM

CPT Bob Moore — Thu, 28 May 2015 14:01:05 -0400

I was accustomed to a certain op-tempo and level of skill when I was on active duty. When I transitioned to the national guard, it was quite different. The unit obviously didn't have the same amount of training time, so skills weren't as sharp. There was also more time spent on administrative tasks that seemed more automatic on active duty.

When I went from the National Guard to the reserves, I went into a unit that deployed a lot, had soldiers activated a lot, and sent people to a lot of training. We were also gearing up for a 12 month deployment to Iraq. While I wasn't there all the time, like on active duty, I felt it was very similar. We had a lot of training time and skills were much sharper. I think that had a lot to do with the impending deployment.

Response by 1LT Jonathan Cowan made May 28 at 2015 2:26 PM

1LT Jonathan Cowan — Thu, 28 May 2015 14:26:52 -0400

I hated going from active to reserve... it was worse than going back to college. Discipline was non existent top to bottom. Maybe I just had a bad unit though...

Response by SPC Chris Early made May 28 at 2015 3:56 PM

SPC Chris Early — Thu, 28 May 2015 15:56:30 -0400

it was difficult, i thought i was the only person who felt that way. I thought if i transfered from active to the guard i would either go back active or it would help me transition back to civilian life easier.

Response by SPC Charles Brown made May 28 at 2015 4:19 PM

SPC Charles Brown — Thu, 28 May 2015 16:19:45 -0400

I would choose active duty over Reserves/NG. Training is better, and more consistent than that of the Reserves/NG. but that is my opinion and I have been in all three components.