Reserves vs National Guard?

[gypsy]

I was just reading that they are calling up 13,000 National Guard troops for Iraq. What is the difference between the National Guard and the Reserves? On American TV I see ads for join the Air Force Reserve and the Air National Guard. Until today though I never thought about what the difference is and how their roles differ? I know we have a lot of US military folks on this board so someone explain please.

gypsy

 

[TexasFJR]

Reserve component of the Armed Forces of the United States

 

[IndianaTom]

They are both part time military (one weekend a month, 2 weeks a year). The reserve is a Federal organization, just like the regular military. But the National Guard is a state (such as California, Texas, New York, etc) organization. The National Guard is typically called to help in natural disasters such as floods, earthquakes, tornadoes to help out.

 

[stryg8r]

They are both part time military (one weekend a month, 2 weeks a year). The reserve is a Federal organization, just like the regular military. But the National Guard is a state (such as California, Texas, New York, etc) organization. The National Guard is typically called to help in natural disasters such as floods, earthquakes, tornadoes to help out.

That's the major difference. I believe it takes an act of Congress to activate the National Guard to Federal service. But the reserves can be activated without such authority. It's one reason Rumsfeld doesn't like the National Guard. Like Tom said, the National Guard can be activated for state duty by the Govenor.

Another noteworthy distinction. While I was a member of the Air Force Reserves my Commander-in-Chief was President Bush. As a member of the Minnesota Air National Guard it was Jesse Ventura. :blink:

 

[evil_henchman]

Actually the only difference between the guard and reserve is who pays the bills, state or federal. The prez can and does activate the guard without any help from congress. When Rumsfeld says "the problem with the guard is that it takes an act of congress to activate them" what he really means is "when we activate the guard it takes an act of congress to make the states pay for it" :glare: :lol:

 

[huk finn]

could someone in the national guard get a state pension, or supplement their regular state job pension (or health insurance)?

 

[stryg8r]

Actually the only difference between the guard and reserve is who pays the bills, state or federal. The prez can and does activate the guard without any help from congress. When Rumsfeld says "the problem with the guard is that it takes an act of congress to activate them" what he really means is "when we activate the guard it takes an act of congress to make the states pay for it" :glare: :lol:

Your right. Prior to the John Warner National Defense Authorization Act of 2007 the president needed the approval of the govenor to activate National Guard units. Now he can activate them without the govenor's approval.

 

[evil_henchman]

Prior to the John Warner National Defense Authorization Act of 2007 the president needed the approval of the govenor to activate National Guard units. Now he can activate them without the govenor's approval.

So you think Kennedy had Governor Wallace's approval to activate (federalize) the Alabama Guard in 1963? I haven't read the John Warner National Defense Authorization Act of 2007 but I think it's safe to assume it's just another self important example of how irrelevent Congress has become.

CLUNK! (That's the sound of a thread being closed) :lol: