How do you like the Guard?

2021-08-15T16:49:43-04:00

For those service members serving or have served in the National Guard, ESPECIALLY the CA National Guard, how do you like it? Technically I started off in the Guard, but had an active first contract so I never drilled with them after going to Basic.

I'm currently in the Reserves and I like it. However, I recently moved a few hours north and have about a 4-5 hour drive to Drill each month. It's definitely doable especially since I don't need LIK since my unit is in the area I grew up in. I would like a closer unit though, and the units that are closer to me are only like 30 minutes closer. There are Guard units nearby and I don't mind reclassing for the most part. I hear some good and some bad things about being Guard over Reserves and just looking for experience, advice, and all that jazz. I'm not set in a decision just looking to gather info.

Sorry this is a long post. Enjoy your weekend RP, be safe!

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 15 at 2021 6:09 PM

2021-08-15T18:09:35-04:00

They do have a duel mission and can be deployed by the Governor. Where as Reserve only have their Federal Mission. In the Guard I have been called out for fires.

Response by CSM Charles Hayden made Aug 15 at 2021 7:34 PM

2021-08-15T19:34:08-04:00

SSG Private RallyPoint Member CAARNG units vary due to the leadership. A Soldier of your experience can do a low key recon by chatting with members of any units you might consider. If you can possibly contact Soldiers of the unit in a neutral setting, they might disclose even more. An interview with the leaders of the unit might reveal their wants, dislikes, goals and training objectives. Ten years service is a lot of equity, don’t lose it by transferring before a thorough look-see.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 15 at 2021 8:42 PM

2021-08-15T20:42:34-04:00

I would stay reserves. Better promotion potential. Better options to transfer to another unit if you end up with a toxic commander, more options for transfers, and not worrying about the governor calling you out for every little thing or to gain political points in the state or on the federal level. I saw this happen first hand to many friends.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 15 at 2021 10:55 PM

2021-08-15T22:55:02-04:00

I loved it so much I left the Guard twice and went back to the Regular Army.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 16 at 2021 2:47 AM

2021-08-16T02:47:18-04:00

Guard is good. The state missions are really worrh it. Sometimes B. S. But take the bad with the good.
Also AGR is a possibility and full time tech jobs. Would probably require a reclass.
Something to look into.
1859th in Reno is always looking for 88m

Response by CPT Lawrence Cable made Aug 16 at 2021 8:34 AM

2021-08-16T08:34:48-04:00

Haven't served in California, but my experience East of the Mississippi.
If you are or want to be Combat Arms, the Guard is your only choice. My experience around Guard Infantry units was that the quality of the units can vary greatly by state, but most are pretty decent. Enlisted Promotion through E-7 is fairly fast, but not as fast as Active Duty. The overseas deployment rotation didn't exist for Combat units when I was around, but oddly enough did for the Engineers. State Active Duty wasn't much of a problem, even for natural disasters we seldom called up anyone involuntarily, we usually had a number of personnel that we knew liked the extra duty and/or needed the money.
You usually have a bit better control over your MOS joining the Guard, and Officers have a lot more control over their Branch than either Active or Army Reserve Officers. Downside for Officers is that once you hit Major, the only LTC slots are within the state. The same on the enlisted side at SFC and above (depending on how big the State, Texas and California have a damn big Guard.
Interstate transfers are painless if you just follow the procedures and follow up on your request. It's done hundreds of time each day and the Guard had a pretty good program to accomplish it. If you have problems, there is a section at Guard Bureau the will step in and help.
I will also point out that, at least around the Midwest and Southeast, there is a Company size Guard Unit in every county that has a decent sized town.
The Army Reserve has the advantage of promoting Nationwide, as long as you are willing to travel. Also, there is a lot more opportunity if you are in a support MOS or Branch.
My advice if you are looking at the Guard is to first look at the composition of the units in that State. As an example, where I live now is heavily Engineer, two full battalions in a state of just over 4 million, which is why my profile says Engineer. Some of the surrounding states, Pennsylvania and Ohio, are heavily Infantry.
Schools. I never had a problem picking up any required schools and I did a lot of extra schools as well. I have seen others say they had problems with NCO schools and MOS schools, but we were always able to get seats of the guys that needed it to promote. Certain extra schools were fairly available, Air Assault seats were available through Battalion, even though we were Mechanized Combat Engineers. The Sapper Leader Course was just coming out, but we could get seats for that also. YMMMV.

Response by SFC Eric Harmon made Aug 16 at 2021 9:11 AM

2021-08-16T09:11:29-04:00

Having been active duty, M-Day National Guard, and AGR I can say that the Guard is a great choice and they can hold their own against their active duty counterparts all day long. The Guard Soldiers, on average, are a little older and more mature and you don't find attitude problems quite as often.

Response by CW3 Kevin Storm made Aug 19 at 2021 11:37 AM

2021-08-19T11:37:58-04:00

I served 8 years with the CAARNG. My perspective overall was good. I was not a big fan of being flagged every year for medical spend the year getting off of it, only to go back on a few months later. As with any unit you will have good officers and some that, well I couldn't stand. You will go to Camp Roberts for most of your annual trainings, and rifle ranges. NCO promotions are based on where you rank on the promotion list, what your MOS is, and how far you elect to travel for that promotion. If you elect state wide, their could be a lot of promotion potential. It is what you make if it.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 25 at 2021 7:35 AM

2021-08-25T07:35:03-04:00

I would have to say the Guard is a good choice, yes the Guard has dual METL. Depending on your MOS promotions can be hard. what's your current MOS. Your MOS will greatly determine your promotion potential because of slots. Just like the active duty and reserves you will have to complete your schools, PT tests, rifle scores etc.