The National Guard serves under state governors and the federal government, while the Reserves belong to a federal branch of the military.
National Guard
- Dual role: governors command it for state emergencies. The President can federalize it.
- Handles disasters and civil unrest, and serves overseas.
Reserve
- Federal forces only, under the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines and Coast Guard.
- Backs up active duty forces.
Similarities
Both are part time, usually one weekend a month and two weeks a year.
Pay
Similar drill pay.
Command and mission differences
The Army National Guard and Air National Guard have a dual mission. They answer to the state governor for emergencies and to the President for federal missions. The Reserve components (Army Reserve, Navy Reserve, Marine Corps Reserve, Air Force Reserve, Space Force and Coast Guard Reserve) report only to the federal government. Guard members typically train one weekend a month and two weeks a year, a schedule often described as “drill”.
- The National Guard has about 430,000 members across the Army and Air Guard, based on figures published by the National Guard Bureau.
- Guard units are organized by state, territory and the District of Columbia.
- Governors can call Guard units for disasters, civil support and state emergencies under state active duty.
Benefits and the pay structure
Both Guard and Reserve members receive drill pay based on rank and years of service, usually equal to one day of basic pay for each drill period. Full-time active duty orders are paid at active-duty rates and carry housing allowance. Eligible members can use TRICARE Reserve Select, tuition assistance and the Post-9/11 GI Bill, which accrues based on active duty time.
Structure of the forces
The Army National Guard and Air National Guard serve both states and the federal government. Governors can activate them for emergencies, disasters and civil support, and the President can federalize them under Title 10. The Reserve components (Army Reserve, Navy Reserve, Marine Corps Reserve, Air Force Reserve and Coast Guard Reserve) report to the federal government and support active duty forces.
Commitment and pay
Typical service for both is one weekend a month and two weeks of annual training, with pay at a drill rate based on rank. Guard members can access state education benefits, and both can qualify for GI Bill benefits depending on service. Enlistment terms are typically 6 to 8 years including inactive time. Check with a recruiter for current bonuses and benefits.
Mission and deployment
The Army National Guard has about 325,000 soldiers and the Air National Guard about 108,000 airmen. Guard units respond to hurricanes, floods, wildfires and civil emergencies under state control, and also deploy overseas under federal orders. The Army Reserve has about 177,000 soldiers and reports only to federal command.
Pay and benefits
Reservists and Guard members earn drill pay based on rank for each drill period; a four drill weekend for an E-4 with 2 years of service yields roughly 600 USD or more. They qualify for TRICARE Reserve Select, the Montgomery or Post 9/11 GI Bill depending on service, and retirement points. Many Guard members also receive state tuition assistance. Obligations typically total 8 years including Individual Ready Reserve.
Based on data from the National Guard Bureau and the US Department of Defense
