Yes, I think the ANG will be hiring even more in the next 6 to 9 years. The AF Reserve and ANG are experiencing their own pilot shortage. The Reserve and Guard have a large amount of old pilots that are retirement eligible and many of them are retiring soon. Also, many Guard and Reserve units are having a terrible time keeping full-time pilots (every Guard and Reserve unit has several full-timers to do all the admin work), because everyone is jumping ship for the airlines.

Also, many Guard/Reserve units are seeing their pilots leave for 2-day a month, non-flying jobs (most Guard/Reserve units require their pilots to work 4 to 6 days a month). With the airline jobs paying so well these days, many pilots are tired of working 4 to 6 days a month for Uncle Sam and very sick of deploying. In the past year, I know of 6 AF reserve pilots that are also airline pilots, who have left part-time flying jobs for non-flying 2-day a month jobs.

With the airline retirement boom just getting started, the Guard/Reserve will continue to lose most of their full-time personnel, and a lot of their part-time pilots.

So, I think your chances of finding an ANG job are great.

Yes, earning your PPL and Instrument Rating is a great idea.

Another guy posted about Army aviation. If I were in your shoes, I would go no where near the Army. ANG or AF Reserve fixed-wing aviation is way better for future civilian employment prospects. Way better.

Good luck!