What is the Difference Between Army Reserve and National Guard?

The main difference between the Army Reserve and the National Guard lies in their missions and the level of governmental control. Here are the key differences:

• Mission: The National Guard serves a dual mission, meaning that its members can be called upon by their state governor or the federal government. Reserve soldiers, on the other hand, only serve at the federal level and do not have a state mission.
• Government Control: The National Guard is organized and controlled by the state, while the Army Reserve is part of the federal armed forces and is under the president's command.
• Service Opportunities: The U.S. Army Reserve allows individuals to pursue a civilian career or attend college full-time while still serving their country or community. The National Guard allows its members to serve at home, protecting their community, while continuing their service and education.
• Training: Both the Reserve and National Guard require training drills one weekend a month and two weeks per year.
• Deployment: Members of the Reserve and National Guard may be deployed when the need arises, with extended drill in preparation for deployment.
• Pay and Benefits: National Guard members and Reservists receive the same amount of money for each drill period and qualify for the same benefits when not activated. They also receive the same amount when deployed or activated on federal orders.

Comparative Table: Army Reserve vs National Guard

The Army Reserve and National Guard are both part-time military service options that augment the active-duty military services. However, there are some differences between the two:

Both the Army Reserve and National Guard offer part-time service options with the same pay and benefits. The primary difference lies in the command structure and the focus of their missions.