I've been out since 2010, and a friend of mine is a recruiter for the GA ARNG. He says the reenlistment bonus for prior service vets is $30k. $15K up front, and the last $15k at year four. Its an 8 year contract. 6 regular, and 2 IRR. I asked if I could do something besides 11b, but he says you must by MOSQ, which I'm 11B. I was an E6 when I got out. I'm tempted to do it, but I'm hesitant. I miss being in, a lot. I miss being a squad leader, and shit like that, but then I think of the reasons that I got out. It seemed like it was very political on the officer side, and us enlisted people had to deal with a lot of bullshit because of it. I hated all of the stupid things that happen, like shit going missing and having to look for shit all the time, stupid meetings, mandatory fun, etc.

So I'm torn on the issue. I know if I go in, that I would probably volunteer for a deployment right off the bat.

Your time on active duty is credited for retirement from the Guard. Your employer must release you for drill and training. I retired from the Guard. I will not get a check intill I turn 60. Your time down range may reduce the time it takes for you to get a retirement check.


I retired in April of 2001 so I don't know anything about the way time deployed affects retirement.

I enjoyed my time in the Guard.

I dont know about GA but the unit im in here in TX does not do any of the bs i had to deal with on active. Since most of the guys in the guard are "part time army" they treat it like any regular job and skip the stupid. I got off active in 2013 and went guard in 2014.

Tag to respond later

Check out the unit first.  As detailed elsewhere, there is alot of variance among ARNG units.  Some are as good as any active unit, some are scary stupid.

Look into the "Try 1" enlistment.  You do one year drilling (time starts the moment you swear in), with zero obligations after that if you don't want them.  I did that when I went back in, and it was comforting to have that flexibility knowing that if things started sucking I could pop smoke in a matter of months.

How many years in do you have total?  The cutoff for bonuses is usually around 12 years total TIS.

ARNG has stupid stuff just like RA; some same, some different.  Thing is, you generally have to put up with it on the weekends and not so much rest of the month.  Some of the drills are going to be a waste of time such.  For example, having to do SHARP training every quarter and all the other mandatory training that you don't really have time to do.  Really eats into real training time.  One whole weekend will be spent qualifying.  It will definitely be different than RA but I don't think it's that bad.  Just don't go in thinking you're going to get to do all the high speed, low drag stuff you go to do on AD.  You won't, at least not very much.  You'll get to do it when you go to AT and maybe a handful of drill weekends, but RC just doesn't have enough time to do it like RA does.  You also have to remember that RC doesn't get training areas and ranges as often as RA and most units have to spend some of their available time traveling to a post for ranges and TA's.  

RC is definitely not like RA but if you have the mindset that you want to do the best you can and train Soldiers, you can bring a lot to the unit and really help them out.  Wade through the BS but don't show up and act like you're God's gift to the Infantry.  Keep your mouth shut for awhile and let your actions speak for you and the Guardsmen will be more likely to accept you.  Remember, RC is still a good ole boy system in a lot of ways.  Not nearly like it was before 9/11, but it's still there.  Don't expect to walk right into a squad leader position either.  A lot of times the leadership has been in the state Guard or even the unit for years.  They might have E5's and E6's that are at 20 years or more.  Not many, but there will be some.  It's not as bad as it used to be; post-9/11 operations have thinned the herd a lot but there are still some legacy Soldiers out there.  

Just like RA, RC units vary in quality and dedication.  Some are good, some aren't.  Hopefully you'll find a good one and contribute.  I know how you feel about being out, though.  I was in the IRR while I worked on my masters degree and I missed it.  I got back in the Army Reserve after 9/11 and have done a lot since then.  Been deployed, worked for GO's and taught ROTC.  I'm getting near retirement now and I'm ready to be done but I know I'll miss it just like I did before.  Give it a shot and see what you think.  If you can do a one year enlistment, try that and then go from there.  If you don't like it, at least you can say you tried it out.

Good luck!