What Is the Difference Between National Guard & Reserves?
The nation's military force is comprised of active duty soldiers and National Guard and Reserve soldiers sometimes referred to as "weekend warriors." Service members typically serve one weekend per month and longer training periods during the summer.
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History
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The Dick Act created the National Guard in 1903, although its earliest origins date back to the English colonies. The Army Reserves were formed in 1908, the Navy Reserves in 1915, and the Air Force Reserves in 1948. The Reserves were called the Organized Reservists until 1952.
Numbers
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Forty-five percent of the military's total manpower is either Reserve or National Guard. Those soldiers are in one of seven branches: Navy, Army, Air Force, Marines and Coast Guard Reserves and Army National Guard and Air National Guard.
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Command
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Army Reservists are commanded by the federal government and the president. National Guard units are commanded by the state in which they reside.
Duties
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Reserve units can be called to deploy overseas to join active duty soldiers in times of conflict, and National Guard soldiers stay in the states to assist with homeland issues, such as natural disasters and terrorist attacks. However, during times of war or military conflict, even National Guard units may be sent overseas, as has happened during the war in Iraq.
Benefits
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Soldiers in the Reserves and the National Guard earn the same military benefits. Among those offered are life insurance, family support programs, legal help, memorial and burial, military education, the GI Bill (for college), special pay (depending on one's job and deployment location), TRICARE Reserve insurance programs, survivor benefits, VA loans for home purchase and retirement pay.
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References
Resources
- Photo Credit soldier in close up image by Alexey Klementiev from Fotolia.com
