dcutting:

The Guard and Reserves, from the pilot's perspective, are almost identical. The money is Federal in the Reserves; it's state in the Guard. Whether active, Guard, or Reserve, the airplanes all say "U.S. Air Force" on the side.

In the Guard or Reserve, you sign up for one unit, and most hope to spend their whole career there. However, if your unit gets closed to save the budget, you might have more options in the Reserve...you have national options. In your state's Guard, your primary options are in that state; then you could try to get on with another state. This is an assumption on my part, as I was active-duty and am currently a Reservist...never been a Guardsman.

Pay is identical in the Guard or Reserve for the same pay status (and there are 4 different pay statuses). I don't understand the "Technician" positions, so I won't address that.

If you want part-time work, the Guard or Reserve is the way to go. It's difficult to get a full-time position (AGR) in the Guard or Reserve at most units. If you are a part-timer, your family doesn't get health-care unless you are on 32 days of orders or more.

In the Guard or Reserve, you don't get any retirement pay until you turn 60, although recent rule-changes may allow you to see it as "early" as 58 or 59. Regardless, you don't get retirement medical until you turn 60.

Active-duty: you'll move every three years, you may not fly for more than 10 years out of 20. Overall, I would say it is harder to make LtCol in the active AF than the Guard or Reserve. You will get 30 days of paid vacation a year (not necessarily all at once), and the day after you retire, you can get medical. You get a retirement check the beginning of the next month.

They're all good options. Pick the one that suits your life the best, and if not given multiple-choice, take the one offered.