Army Reserve Vs National Guard for ER nursing

Specialties Government

Published

I'm just starting talking to recruiters about commissioning in, I have a BSN and 3 years experience working ER in a level one trauma center. Can anyone explain to me the difference/benefits of Army Reserve Vs National Guard? I'm in IL and only interested in Reserves. Thanks!

Bluefalcon

10 Posts

I'm a little late, but they both are pretty much the same.

Same:

Both are part-time, meaning soldiers drill one weekend a month (normally the first Saturday and Sunday of each month) and two weeks (Annual Training (AT) in the summer) a year.

Just like Active Duty, both Guard and Reserve qualify for retirement after 20 years of service.

Both are deployable, even if your recruiter tells you no, YES you are going somewhere.

Both Direct Commission RN's go to BOLC with Active Duty, except it is shorter.

Pay is the same = Rank + Time in Service (for Healthcare Professional, civilian's BSN level and up + working time counts).

Same Army Physical Fitness Test and Weapon qualifications once a year (mainly during AT).

It is more difficult to get chapter out from the Guard and Reserve then for Active Duty (been with a few Guard and Reserve units in three different States, and there were soldiers who should have been chaptered out, but were still in for whatever reason(s).

Both Guard and Reserve have more older soldiers, and more flubby soldiers (hey I'm just speaking the truth).

Both can get bonus/incentives, depending on what is available during your commission/enlistment. You have to ask, and make sure it is ON PAPERS.

Differences:

Guard falls under the Governor as the Commander In Chief (Funding largely on STATE's budget). Reserve falls under the President of the U.S (Funding largely on FEDERAL's budget).

Guard involves in assisting natural disasters, such as hurricane and earthquake, and riots/crowds control during political events.

Guard units are within the State you enlisted/commissioned in. Reserve units can be anywhere (in your State, or the closer unit maybe in another State).

Guard has Combat Arms, such as INFANTRY. Reserve does not. Both = Mainly Combat Support.

Guard deploys with their home unit in their State. Reserve can deploy with soldiers from different states/units.

Reserve soldiers tend to make rank(s) quicker than Guard. Literally, someone has to croak in the Guard for you to get promoted.

There are more RN's positions in the Reserve then it is in the Guard. Guard mainly gets their healthcare from PA's and MD/DO, not so much from RN's.

+ Add a Comment