Really don't think one is better than the other. I spent some time in the Army Guard and am thinking about reenisting into the ANG or AFR. Which branch, Air Guard or Reserve, works closer with active duty? In your opinion which branch would give me better training?
This will really depend on the unit that you get assigned with. Both the Reserve and the Guard work closely with the active duty for different missions. As far as the initial training, by and large, the active force, reserve and guard all go to the same technical schools.
I was in the Army Guard and we had full time guys come down from Lewis who were assigned to us. I was wondering because it seems most Guard bases are not on active AF bases and, well for example, my Uncle is the wing commander for the 615th and he shares his planes with the reserve. It seems the reserve would have more interaction with the active side being that they are both in the same area at Travis AFB>
Because of the Associate concept (Sharing planes with the reserve and some cases vice versa) is a growing concept. If the reserve wing is an associate wing - then yes - much more interaction with the active duty. Before I became a recruiter, I was in an associate wing. It had both advantages and disadvantages.
I am in the ANG and work VERY close to active duty. So close that out of 10 or so people in the shop on my shift, 2 of us are guard. Advantages? Hmm. Not sure that there is any, outside of networking. I do enjoy working with the active duty guys in my shop because of who they are, but not because they are active duty. Disadvantages of working along side active duty is that their supervision may forget you are not active duty. I am a full-time technician, so unless it is drill weekend, I am in civilian status. I will leave when my shift is over, will not attend all the commander's calls, and will not deploy unless I get a wild hair.
Basically, you will be associated with the branch you decide to join, not whether or not you work with active duty.
An advantage to the reserve is that you will gain rank faster, while rank comes slower in the Air National Guard. The Air National Guard seems to be more laid back than the reserve.
Do your homework and good luck on which ever route you choose!
This message has been edited. Last edited by: kytraveler,
