Ello. I'm currently a high school student, but I plan to do AFROTC in college, then do the required 4 years of active duty in the Air Force. I'm gonna work in HealthCare Administration/Management. After the 4 years, I want to switch to a part time branch such as AF National Guard or AF Reserves. Which is better and WHY?
2006-07-06 13:03:37 · 9 answers · asked by Ark 3 in Politics & Government ➔ Military
Oh yeah, Air National Guard is what I meant. Not Air Force National Guard. Heh
2006-07-06 13:15:32 · update #1
The Army Reserve is a federal program that is managed regionally, it has no combat arms, and it is used to fill the needs of the army. The Army Reserves provides many opportunities internationally for soldier to do training annually.
The Army National Guard has 2 chains of command: 1 to the nation via the president and 1 to the Governor of its respective state. The National Guard is authorized by the 2nd Amendment and has existed since the middle 1600's. The National Guard is subject to mobilization for war and subject to mobiliation for state active duty in case of a disater or emergenicies.
Each have there pros and cons. As a member of the my state's national guard, I beleive that it is better than being in the reserves.
As far as the AF is concerned, the Air Force Reserves and the Air Guard are almost identical. However, the average days air men serve is not 39 but rather 180 days per year.
2006-07-09 17:09:34 · answer #1 · answered by Chuck L 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There are subtle differences between the Air National Guard and the AF Reserves. The Air National Guard is primarily state funded and the governer of that state has the ability to mobolize members in the time of national emergency or disaster. The AF reserve does not serve the governer and can sometimes have more funding because it is a federally funded agency. You might find that you would get more educational benifits from joining the Air National Guard right out of high school and getting a 20,000 dollar signing bonus and reservist gi bill. That would get you an extra 492 a month gi bill and probably around 200 drill pay in addition to what you might be able to get in the ROTC. My advice would be to talk to a the addmisions OIC and ask about possible options.
2006-07-06 20:19:19 · answer #2 · answered by Chris 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Army Medical Corps offers pretty great bonuses to ROTC Cadets - check it out before you make a decision.
Also, Army (I'm not sure about AF or Navy) offers GRFD scholarships (Guaranteed Reserve Forces Duty). From what you said, it sounds like you'd prefer reserve duty over active, so GRFD might be a good fit. Basically, what happens with GRFD is they pay for schooling, and you agree to drill with a Guard/Reserve Unit as a Cadet. Provided you complete the program, you commission directly into the Guard or Reserves for a minimum of 6 years (instead of doing 4 years active).
I'd suggest contacting a Professor of Military Science at a University nearby and getting more info, as the information I have is limited.
2006-07-06 21:15:00 · answer #3 · answered by rsantos19 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you're going to do AFROTC and do a medical career field, FYI it's more then just four years. There is no Air Force National Guard either. I think what you're talking about is the Air National Guard. Do your 20 years active duty in the AF so you'll get benefits for the rest of your life.
2006-07-06 20:08:27 · answer #4 · answered by GK 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I suggest you consider more carefully the unit you would end up joining if you went into either Guard or Reserve. As mentioned in another answer, keep in mind that serving in the Guard entails being called upon by a Governor to do unpleasant (but important) work during times of crisis, such as cleaning up after a flood or hurricane. Either way, you can't lose in that you can usually change from one to the other if you are unhappy with your first choice.
2006-07-06 22:44:14 · answer #5 · answered by MJQ 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
For promotions the Reserves for College money National Guard.
National Guard is deployed more (for natural disasters as well as combat)
I was in the Army guard before I went Active, I would assume it is like any unit it all depends on the command. When in the reserves I looked for a unit in my area that I liked and it was more important that I liked the unit than if it was in the guard or reserves.
2006-07-07 08:42:53 · answer #6 · answered by MP US Army 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
National Guard is basically same as Reserves....both are Weekend Warriors...that will be called up for Active Duty when needed....
2006-07-06 20:07:30 · answer #7 · answered by celine8388 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It depends on your reasons why you want to join. I heard that the reserves is better, its more like a part-time thing. BUT, you really should ask people who are in each of them and form your own conclusion.
2006-07-06 20:07:51 · answer #8 · answered by greenguy415 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
National guard is better.Period.
2006-07-06 20:06:40 · answer #9 · answered by jdoom1992 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋