When my husband, Jim, and I first got married, he was in the active duty. After two military moves together, we agreed that the nomadic life was not for us. Jim said he was going to look into continuing his military career with the National Guard. I wondered how the National Guard differed from the Reserves, and how the two differed from Active Duty, so I decided to do some research. Here’s what I found out.
A person who serves in Active Duty works with the United States military full time. They can be deployed at any time, and generally have to change duty stations every 2-3 years. This means they have to move around a lot. National Guard members and Reservists serve as a part-time extension of Active Duty. They work side-by-side with their active-duty counterparts on missions throughout the world. As a part-time force, they generally work one weekend a month and two weeks a year; therefore, they typically have a full-time civilian job, and do not have to move around a lot.
Want to know more about how these branches are the same and how they are different? Let’s take a look.
What is the Active Duty Military?
Active Duty is what most people think about when they consider a military career. Active duty members are available to duty 24/7, except during leave (vacation) or pass (authorized time off). The president of the United States is the commander-in-chief of the Active Duty forces. There are six branches of service within Active Duty:
- Army
- Air Force
- Navy
- Marine Corps
- Coast Guard
- Space Force
Each branch has its own mission and unique eligibility requirements. When you join one of the branches, you sign a legally-binding contract for an agreed-upon service commitment. After that, you will attend an initial boot camp, or training, where you will learn about military standards and discipline, and are taught to meet the physical requirements needed for the job.
As an Active Duty member, you will serve full-time and can be deployed anywhere in the world. Once you pass your initial training, you are eligible for the full range of great benefits, which include:
- Free Education (GI Bill)
- TRICARE Health Coverage
- VA Home Loan Benefits
- Retirement Benefits
- Spouse Education Assistance
- Service Members Life Insurance
…among others.
To learn how to join the Active Duty, click on this site by USA.gov. If you want to serve in the military, but would prefer to serve part-time, then you have a choice between two “reserve components:” the National Guard and the Reserves.
What Is The National Guard?
The National Guard is a group of mostly part-time military members. They generally work full-time civilian jobs, and serve in the National Guard one weekend a month, two weeks a year, and during unit deployments or activations.
The National Guard has its roots in the early militias that assembled during the formation of our nation. Every state, territory, and the District of Columbia has its own National Guard (e.g., the Florida National Guard). While federally funded, the National Guard is organized and controlled by the state. They recognize their state’s governor as their commander-in-chief, except for when they are called to federal service.
Today, these “citizen soldiers” serve in one of two branches: the Army National Guard or the Air National Guard. Both branches serve two missions: state and federal. During state emergencies, like storms, fires, floods, etc, Guard members are activated by the governor to help rebuild communities, distribute food and water, and provide rescue and medical services. During federal deployments, National Guard members are called by the Secretary of Defense to serve side-by-side with their active duty partners around the globe.
When you join the National Guard, your length of service depends on the branch you join, and the requirements for your specific job. Some members join and serve part-time for their whole military career, while others join after having served on Active Duty. Each member undergoes training “drills” one weekend a month, and at least two weeks a year.
While you are in the National Guard, you may be eligible for the following benefits:
- health care (e.g., Tricare Reserve Select)
- education benefits (e.g., Tuition Assistance and Montgomery GI Bill)
- career training
- retirement plan
- commissary and exchange privileges
- access to Morale Welfare and Recreation (MWR) sites and activities
What Are The Reserves?
Like the National Guard, the Reserves are made up of citizen soldiers who serve part-time in their military roles and hold full-time civilian jobs. Like the National Guard, the Reserves have their roots in the early militias that assembled during the formation of our nation. Whereas the National Guard has only two branches of service, the Reserves have six, like the Active Duty military:
- Army
- Air Force
- Navy
- Marine Corps
- Coast Guard
- Space Force
Reserve units fall under the command of their respective branch of the military. They are federally funded and consider the President of the United States as their commander-in-chief. The reason military branches have reserve units is to have qualified and trained personnel ready to enter Active Duty if needed. This may be in times of war, in a national emergency, or as the need occurs based on threats to national security.
Members of the Reserve are required to participate in training drills one weekend a month and two weeks per year. When you join the Reserves your length of service depends on the branch you join, and the requirements for your specific job. Some members join and serve part-time for their whole military career, while others join after having served on Active Duty. Each member undergoes training “drills” one weekend a month, and at least two weeks a year.
While you are in the Reserves, you are eligible for the following benefits:
- health care (e.g., Tricare Reserve Select)
- education benefits (e.g., Tuition Assistance and Montgomery GI Bill)
- career training
- retirement plan
- commissary and exchange privileges
- access to Morale Welfare and Recreation (MWR) sites and activities
To learn more about the benefits that you may qualify for as a member of the Reserves or the National Guard, check out this informative link from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.