What are the differences in reserve positions? Marine, Army, Navy, Guard, etc... What do you recommend?

Briana Chase — Tue, 18 May 2021 14:09:43 -0400

Response by SSgt Christophe Murphy made May 18 at 2021 3:15 PM

SSgt Christophe Murphy — Tue, 18 May 2021 15:15:35 -0400

You want us to break down the differences between each branch? That's a massively open ended question.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made May 18 at 2021 4:09 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 18 May 2021 16:09:43 -0400

We're going to need more information to work with.

The basics is that the Reserves belong to Federal and encompasses all branches of the armed forces. The National Guard belongs to the States and Federal when called upon, and encompasses only the Army and the Air Force.

A Space National Guard component is currently being debated.

Response by Lt Col Timothy Cassidy-Curtis made May 18 at 2021 5:34 PM

Lt Col Timothy Cassidy-Curtis — Tue, 18 May 2021 17:34:09 -0400

To respond to your question: The differences between the Marine, Army, Navy, Guard, etc. comes down to their mission areas. Land, Air, Sea, Cyberspace, etc., these are the broad areas that are the focus of each Service and their Reserve components. With that said, there is also considerable crossover. For example, some air-power mission areas are under Navy jurisdiction (for example, Carrier Operations), and other air-power missions are under Army jurisdiction (for example, Aviation and Air Cavalry units). At one point, the Air Force was going to have a sea-power mission: This was when we wanted to launch a Space Shuttle off the West Coast. There was going to be a boat, operated by the Air Force, that recovered the Space Shuttle Booster Rockets.

Response by SGT Don Schaffer made May 18 at 2021 7:51 PM

SGT Don Schaffer — Tue, 18 May 2021 19:51:22 -0400

If you want to look at things that way, I'd have to im now more about you, to answer it.

I have told people thinking about the military before, that it doesn't matter what color uniform you wear for 4 yrs. What matters is what you skills you obtain while placing your life on the line for your country.

Both points of view are equally valid.

Response by Capt Nate Le made May 19 at 2021 1:32 AM

Capt Nate Le — Wed, 19 May 2021 01:32:25 -0400

In Reserve positions, none. Whichever MOS/job you receive will largely dictate your role as a Reservist. There are many roles in which a reservist does one weekend a month and two weeks out of the year, typically in the summer. However some roles allow you to “drill out,” that is complete all your annual reserve time at once. Other Reserve positions allow you to complete several months of your annual drill days at specific time. It’s not a difference in branch, it’s a difference in career field chosen that dictates what reserve time will actually look like.

Response by SMSgt Bob W. made May 19 at 2021 1:47 PM

SMSgt Bob W. — Wed, 19 May 2021 13:47:34 -0400

Briana, your question is not answerable. What do you want? Not what branch, but what do you want--training, an experience, a job, someone to hang out with once a month, a very little money, etc?

Response by SGT Tomas Lopez made May 19 at 2021 3:10 PM

SGT Tomas Lopez — Wed, 19 May 2021 15:10:33 -0400

That depends on what you want to do, for example, if you want to be on the ground working or fighting, then choose between Army and Marines. But if you want to become a technician, pilot, or something of that nature, I would say look into Navy only if you do not mind being in the ocean for 6 months at a time, or Airforce who are spoiled in the sense that they get what they need for the job. Just remember, all branches have great jobs, but some are better equipped than others. For example, the Air Force looks out for their troops in the sense that they build sponge-feeling sidewalks for the troops to run on. I hope this gives you an idea of how to pick good luck on your choosing.

Response by PFC Chester Southworth made May 19 at 2021 7:04 PM

PFC Chester Southworth — Wed, 19 May 2021 19:04:22 -0400

Luck

Response by SPC Brian Mason made May 19 at 2021 10:02 PM

SPC Brian Mason — Wed, 19 May 2021 22:02:01 -0400

I was Army (Active) most of my time and ARNG for 18 months for the last of it.
Infantry Unit for most which was a great experience. As a Medic, a lot of "waiting" for someone to get hurt, giving classes, constant medical classes, and training.
In the ARNG, it was 1 weekend/month 2 weeks/year. Most of the time it was the same thing and that unit didn't have many who had deployed before. I was tasked with giving my Active Duty experience as well as training medics on how a deployment would be.
I'm glad I got out before the current 'admin' and woke "Army".