What's the difference between the National Guard and the Army Reserves?

[krwell]

I mean to me they seem the same, but there has to be a big difference.

 

[FoBoT]

NG are state entities, AR is federal, part of the army/dept of defense

each state has their own national guard units that the president or governors can utilize

the army reserve is at the disposal of the Army/Sec of Defense

something like that

 

[krwell]

Well it seems like you here about the National Guard and not much about the Reservists. Also checking out the site it seems like Reservists just play a support role while the National Guard does more fighting.

 

[Gooberlx2]

Originally posted by: krwell
Well it seems like you here about the National Guard and not much about the Reservists. Also checking out the site it seems like Reservists just play a support role while the National Guard does more fighting.

But that must be like Army Nat'l Guard right? Why would someone in the Texas/Wherever Nat'l Guard be sent overseas for fighting?

 

[krwell]

Sorry, I meant the Army National Guard

 

[Dissipate]

I think national guard can be sent to war just like the reservists, but their peace time duties are quite different.

 

[GreasyBurger]

National Guard belongs to their state. Can be activated for both federal and state's missions with the approval of governor, and the majority of their MOS's are combat armed


Army reserve belongs to federal government. Can only be activated by federal government for federal missions, and all their MOS's are combat supported armed.

 

[allisolm]

Why would someone in the Texas/Wherever Nat'l Guard be sent overseas for fighting?

Who do you think is currently and has been fighting in Iraq? Approximately 40% of our troops over there now are either reservists or Texas/Wherever Army National Guard.

Guard members are paid by the state they serve for while reservists are paid by the federal government.
Guard units are mostly combat oriented while Army Reserve units are mostly support orientated (MP, medical, postal, etc.) edit: According to TallBill, they are now totally support with no combat arms. They were working towards that a few years ago, but I didn't realize they had achieved it. Guard units can be activated for local state emergency service while reserve units can't.

 

[NikPreviousAcct]

Reserves get paid more and get called up before National Guard.

 

[TallBill]

National guard is on a state level and has varying benefits based on the state. It is intented for governor's use, but can be called up by the President in a time of need such as the last 3 years. The guard is mostly combat arms.


The Army Reserves are on a national level, and have the same benefits throughout. They are entirely combat support, with zero combat arms.


Then theres active duty which is what I'm on We get much nicer toys.