The Straight Poop on Army Guard Lifestyle
08-01-2008, 02:14 AM
#1
Nothing to write
Thread Starter
Joined APC: Oct 2006
Position: PA28 Flight Engineer
Posts: 151
The Straight Poop on Army Guard Lifestyle
I've mostly been lurking for a while--I do post occasionally, but resist my trigger finger for the most part because I feel I have little to contribute to the forum as a pilot with little experience.
The search button has been working out for me, however, I finally do have a question worth posting. I've read the million threads advising prospective AF pilot slot applicants to skip AD and claim the coveted Guard/Reserve slot, due to the QOL, lifestyle, and fraternity feeling of the Guard.
Copy that, but I've noticed quite a few threads lately pertaining to the Army Guard, and I've noticed that we have a few Army Aviators on board. I've noticed that they haven't really addressed the Guard QOL and culture on the boards.
My question, finally (I know, long fingered), is how does the ARNG/Reserve lifestyle compare to that of the Air Reserve Component (to include ANG)?
I ask this question as an active duty Air Force NCO in a career field whose primary customer is Army maneuver commanders. Although I'm in the Air Force, I spend most of my time around army dudes, mostly Field Arty and Infantry types. I've spent a lot of time around Army posts, and noticed the stark difference between Air Force corporate culture and that of the Army.
Although everybody puts the front away outside the wire and is pretty cool generally.
How does the Guard compare to the Active Duty Army? I know about the deployments, I've been there and am aware of that. No problems. Are Army Guard units as uptight as active duty (not picking at you guys, but from hanging out in the TOC it gets pretty tense in there)?
I'm pretty much done with my enlisted career, I need to move up, and I've been trying to make a decision.
I had a pretty good rapport with a certain Apache Guard unit near my last base, but unfortunately I'm in Korea at an AFB with no Army Aviation guys to hang out with, so any info anyone can give me would be appreciated.
The search button has been working out for me, however, I finally do have a question worth posting. I've read the million threads advising prospective AF pilot slot applicants to skip AD and claim the coveted Guard/Reserve slot, due to the QOL, lifestyle, and fraternity feeling of the Guard.
Copy that, but I've noticed quite a few threads lately pertaining to the Army Guard, and I've noticed that we have a few Army Aviators on board. I've noticed that they haven't really addressed the Guard QOL and culture on the boards.
My question, finally (I know, long fingered), is how does the ARNG/Reserve lifestyle compare to that of the Air Reserve Component (to include ANG)?
I ask this question as an active duty Air Force NCO in a career field whose primary customer is Army maneuver commanders. Although I'm in the Air Force, I spend most of my time around army dudes, mostly Field Arty and Infantry types. I've spent a lot of time around Army posts, and noticed the stark difference between Air Force corporate culture and that of the Army.
Although everybody puts the front away outside the wire and is pretty cool generally.
How does the Guard compare to the Active Duty Army? I know about the deployments, I've been there and am aware of that. No problems. Are Army Guard units as uptight as active duty (not picking at you guys, but from hanging out in the TOC it gets pretty tense in there)?
I'm pretty much done with my enlisted career, I need to move up, and I've been trying to make a decision.
I had a pretty good rapport with a certain Apache Guard unit near my last base, but unfortunately I'm in Korea at an AFB with no Army Aviation guys to hang out with, so any info anyone can give me would be appreciated.
08-01-2008, 01:37 PM
#2
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Jul 2007
Position: Left and Right of Whatever
Posts: 406
I was in an ASOS prior to making the jump back to the green. I love it, and i think you will too.
As a guard pilot, if that is what you want to be, you will be busy. You have to maintain the same readiness as our AD counterparts and, to be honest, will fly quite a bit more in garrison than they ever will.
Don't get me wrong, the life is tough, demanding, and sometimes can be a damned silly inconvenience. But, hell, if you picked up a Warrant commission I dare say you would kick yourself for not doing it earlier. As a (gasp) LT, you will fly just as much in the beginning of your career but as soon as that first staff job comes up, you are down to a FAC2 with reduced minimum flight time and readiness requirements. It is simply the nature of the beast.
Getting into the program can be tough and you will certainly need to be flexible. You will have to enlist first, then put your packet in. It is a big leap of faith, but one that we all had to make. Plus, if you don't get selected or botch your packet up, you have no one to blame but yourself.
I think you will find the "Army way of doing things" has its benefits to the overly-multi-tiered version of Air Force bureaucracy. However, each service has its snags and share of BS to deal with.
I hope this helped. Anything else, please let me know.
CD
As a guard pilot, if that is what you want to be, you will be busy. You have to maintain the same readiness as our AD counterparts and, to be honest, will fly quite a bit more in garrison than they ever will.
Don't get me wrong, the life is tough, demanding, and sometimes can be a damned silly inconvenience. But, hell, if you picked up a Warrant commission I dare say you would kick yourself for not doing it earlier. As a (gasp) LT, you will fly just as much in the beginning of your career but as soon as that first staff job comes up, you are down to a FAC2 with reduced minimum flight time and readiness requirements. It is simply the nature of the beast.
Getting into the program can be tough and you will certainly need to be flexible. You will have to enlist first, then put your packet in. It is a big leap of faith, but one that we all had to make. Plus, if you don't get selected or botch your packet up, you have no one to blame but yourself.
I think you will find the "Army way of doing things" has its benefits to the overly-multi-tiered version of Air Force bureaucracy. However, each service has its snags and share of BS to deal with.
I hope this helped. Anything else, please let me know.
CD
