US Army National Guard or Army Reserves?

The Guard and Reserves are very similar. Some of the differences are that the Guard is larger so it generally has more slots open for different MOS's and schools. Additionally, the Guard gets state benefits on top of the federal benefits. Finally, the Guard has combat arms MOS's.

The one benefit that I don't think reservist get that may greatly affect your choice is the State Tuition Reimbursement (covers up to 50% of tuition/fees, which may be necessary in addition to the other education programs depending on what school you go to). If reservist also get this, then your choice depends on which branch has slots open and more training opportunities.

If you join the MD Guard, you will be in the 29th ID (or a unit that falls under it). Its a fairly large unit and depending on your MOS they have many training opportunities including ones that go overseas. For example, there are slots open for the intelligence field to train in Germany and Japan.

Few good things about Maryland is that it is located near many government agencies so there are opportunities to work for them as full-time guard or as a civilian. Also, for the medical field you can possibly find full-time positions working at Walter Reid.

That particular MOS (68W) is found in both of those army components. However, 68W is actually a health care specialist and their assignments as far as dutys vary a little bit. If you want to be an actual line medic, or combat medic out their with the boys you don;t really have that option in the Army Reserves. The 100th Battalion, 442d Infantry is the ONLY combat unit left in the Army Reserves. They are a component that only has combat support jobs, where as the Army National Guard has combat units AND support units. As far as which one is better kinda depends on what unit you are going to. All of your initial training will be the same regardless becuase they are all Army schools. One thing to remember as far as benefits are concerened, depending on the state, the National Guard tends to get slighly better education benefits and bonuses due to the fact they are controlled by two levels of government (state, and federal) and they usually both chip in. The reserves are only in a federal status.

Hey friend, I suggest you go army reserve it is funded and backed by the federal government! I picked reserves aswell and I am glad I did. Because here in california, we are getting a budget cut so the Tuition Assistance for the National guard is going through problems. So its pretty bad. Army reserve has more opportunity than NG, however, NG offers big bonuses but in the end you would wish you joined the reserves. In terms of coolness, at basic ive heard them call the national guard the nasty guard hahah. If you got any more questions ask bud. Good luck, GO RESERVES and ask a recruiter about OCS in the ARMY good luck friend.

I don't see how one can say that the guard is larger? Its a statewide versus Army reserve nation wide? They have more slots because less people join so they have plenty of slots on the other hand reserves have a big flow of people coming and limited slots

If you have a degree and want to continue to gradutate school, all branches and their reserve and guard units have programs that will let you continue your education at their expense. However, there will be an obligation to serve a few years after you finish. You may want to talk to your local reserve and guard unit about going to OCS and becoming an MSC (Medical Service Corps) officer. Currently, the designation for Combat Medic is 91W. The Reserves will send you to the regular army medic training, where you will be able to take the EMT-B exam. I went through the same course, at the age of 49 as a guardsman, and even though I was considered an EMT-B, I got the same training as an EMT-I.