What is the Difference Between the Army Reserves and the National Guard?

To a causal observer it might be hard to tell the difference between the Reserves and the National Guard. They share the same uniform, fire the same weapons and seem to end up in combat zones just as frequently. There are significant differences, however. Each group has different roles in the U.S. military structure.

History

The Reserve was first formed in 1908 to supplement the medical corps of the Army, and later expanded into its current role. The National Guard has been around a bit longer, since the opening shots of the Revolutionary War.

Civilian Soldiers

Both the Reserves and the National Guard differ from the Army in that their soldiers are not full-time active duty. This means that they can and do have careers outside the military, though the Reserves can be called to active duty.

Supporting Role

The main job of the Reserves is to fill in the gaps in stateside service positions when the active duty forces ship overseas. The men and women in the Reserves supplement the ranks of the Army, whereas the National Guard operates in an independent support position.

Chain of Command

Reserve units are under the direct command of the Army. Although the soldiers are part time, their terms of service (eight years) are held by the Army. The National Guard is under both state and federal control, which is why Guard units are referred to by state.

In Harm's Way

Both the Reserves and the Guard have seen combat, especially in recent years as more active duty troops have deployed overseas. Reserve soldiers can be called up from "reserve" to "active" status, which changes the terms of their service, something that does not happen for the Guard.

References

• Overview of the National Guard
• Army Reserve Offical Website