Hi,

I'm currently looking at joining the ANG or AFR. My concern is that I currently live in Louisiana and at some point may want to look at getting home to Texas after my wife completes a few years of school here. I'd like to know which branch is easier to transfer with. Also, if I speak with a recruiter here in Louisiana, take the ASVAB, and complete MEPS, can they place me in a unit outside of Louisiana or is placement state specific as far as dealing with recruiters in that area?

Thanks...

This message has been edited. Last edited by: 18641153,

Guard and Reserves are a little different. With either you choose where you go (as long as that unit has an opening and will accept you). To transfer to a different unit in another state is not a big deal in the Reserves. I don't know about the Guard but it probably isn't too difficult.

As far as which branch is easier to transfer with that depends on the area you want to move to. Not all areas have Guard/Reserve units for each branch. Generally speaking you will have the most luck with the Army since they have larger units in more places. Also you can transfer from Guard to Reserve and vice versa.

Much appreciated. I'm meeting with ANG recruiter tomorrow and have already spoken to reserves recruiter. Will hopefully be able to finalize my decision tomorrow.

We've had people in my ANG unit transfer out of state. It depends on the manning level at the base you want to transfer to (if they have openings) and generally involves a lot of paperwork, but you get used to that anyway.

Remember, the Guard and Reserves are very similar with a few key differences.

1. Both can be called up by the Federal Government.
2. Guard units can also be called up by the state governor (civil unrest, natural disasters, etc).
3. Education benefits are generally better for the Guard. Depending on the state you can go to college for free.
4. Promotions are a little quicker in the Guard (less time in grade / time in serve).

You'll know what base your going to long before BMT, ANG/R employment works a little more like a civilian corporation would. There has to be an opening, some may even require an interview.

I have looked at transferring before to another base. It's certainly possible, and should be relatively easy if it weren't for the massive amount of paperwork involved.

Where in Texas do you plan on living eventually? Reserve contracts are 6 years, you may be able to stick out driving to your base from Texas (depending on whether your in N.O. or Shreveport).

I'm originally from Shreveport but my wife and I live in Lafayette right now. If I join the guard, I'll probably join up with the fighter wing in Belle Chase or the unit in Alexandria. We lived the last 7 years of our life in McKinney Texas prior to moving back here for my wife's school 2 years ago so it would probably be the DFW area if we went back. They have units in Fort Worth and Garland.
I took the ASVAB yesterday and had a 93 AFQT score and go for my physical next week. Crunch time on the decisions.

FYI the 926th Fight Wing out of Belle Chase is no longer there after Hurricane Katrina and the BRAC 2005 list. They relocated to Shreveport with us ... some of them went to Whiteman AFB I believe.

Not sure if the 142d Fighter Wing is still there (ANG unit), but that whole base was on the BRAC list so if they aren't gone now, they will be soon.

Alexandria I believe is just an ATC Squadron, very small. They have some TAC-P positions open though. Same goes for the Hammond unit, I think just TAC-P guys there. I could be very wrong though.

Barksdale AFB in Shreveport is really where it is at for AFR/ANG in Louisiana. They'll have the most variety of jobs available there, supporting both the B-52 and A-10.

I can tell you that we have MANY people at the 917th who commute from Lafayette. I personally drive from Lake Charles every month. It's really not that bad, and rumor has it that we have additional benefits coming down the line for us out-of-towners.