Why I decided To Join The Army Reserves | and Not Active or National Guard 

Army reserve is the beeeeeeeesssssssst of both world hands down and cant wait to join. In my perspective you have a 90 percent chance to be successful in LIFE, the respect in the civilian world is huge.

That's crazy!! My fiancé is now at basic , signed up reserves and the reason why he did it is to finish college and become an officer! This is amazing information

I did 34 years total in active, National Guard, and Army Reserves. Never regretted it...would do it again. I was originally going to make the Army a career, but in those days with Nam going on...I was with my wife and baby a total of 11 months in a three year period. Went in as an E1,at Ft. Polk, went to regular army OCS at Ft Benning, and retired a full Colonel. So, I was a Mustang, and I have always believed every officer should spend time as enlisted, in a line unit, to see what its like to serve under good people, incompetent people, and dangerous people. I enjoy watching your videos. My Grand son is at Benning 19D MOS.

If you have a good job and or are attending college and want a degree in life then reserves is for you if you have nothing and or want to serve your country for the whole then active is the way to go just remember if you join try to stay for 20 years the retirement is awesome.

Thank you for your information about Reserve. I'm in the same boat deciding on Active or Reserve, but I'm for sure going in Army Reserve now.

I think you just convinced me man! I wasn't quite sure on what I wanted to do because I am a programmer as well and never knew you could be a soldier and a programmer! I'm going to set up a meeting with a recruiter soon. Thanks man!

So I was low key terrified but supper excited to do national guard reserves... But watching your videos and learning So much helps a TON...

Matt I know this vid is a little old but you've just cleared up so much for me man thank you I was gonna go guard but now all the points you made about army reserve made so much sense for me and the MOS I want is available in reserves 31B

Thank you for this information! I really needed to hear it from an actual person in reserve instead of a recruiter!

So I have had the luxury of doing all three, NG, Active Duty, and I am now a Reservist so with that being said I will say the Reserves has been the best so far because it has given me the best job opportunities to take advantage of-I got a DOD civilian job thru the Army Reserves and it's been great. Also he is right about the schooling while on AD, it took me 6 years to obtain a 2 year Automotive Tech degree and that included multiple re-enlistments just to get the full-time school options to do it, if you try an do school while on AD you'll drive yourself crazy depending on what your job is. CONUS (stateside) mobilizations are great too if you can volunteer for them, you'll get BAH and BAS regardless of your rank and even more depending on what your mission is.

Your backstory is spot on very similar to my experience in deciding to join the Reserves.

Thank you for posting all your videos. They have helped me decide and also figure out I am capable. I will follow your advice to train and I will give an update when I can.

Matt this video was really helpful to me. I'm meeting with a recruiter about a potential 2 year scholarship for my junior and senior year of college. I was a little stressed becuase although I see myself as an officer in the military, Idk what being in the army reserve was like. Hearing the reasons why you joined army reserves matches the reasons why I want to. God bless and wish you luck!

Thanks Matt, you're the only one worth listening too about the army love your vids man

For people who have hard time deciding between Active or Reservist, ask your recruiter about being an Active Guard Reserve (AGR)

Changing from reserves/National Guard to active is the same. It is not changing branches, it requires a DD 368 which is a conditional release. My brother switched from NG to active within 30 days. Active Duty, Reserves, and NG all have the same opportunity to attend ROTC, Airborne, Air Assault, Path Finder, Best Warrior Competition, All Army Shooting competition, etc. Difference between Reserve/NG attending ROTC (SMP) is that the NG gets tuition and room and board paid for. NG can also compete for a scholarship and go active just like the reserves. Reserves: Federal National Guard: Federal and State (duel mission) Reserves and National Guard can volunteer to be deployed. Hope this helps!

I was called yesterday from a recruiter and he asked me if I wanted to join the reserves. I was iffy about it because of school and all of those responsibilities but now that saw someone who is going through it and how it works for them im starting to think its for me. Thanks great vid

Thank you so much for this video Have a meeting with the recruiter on Monday ✌🏾✌🏾😉😉

🙂✌🏻Thank you! I appreciate the videos. God bless.

I’m actually about to start my programming courses.. I’ve considered enlisting years ago but wanted to wait until my son is older. Now he’s a little older and I’m considering the reserves! This just helped my decision.

the process switching from guard to active is the exact same as reserves, also depending on what state you drill in, you will get better benefits for school while in the guard, i’m in illinois and i have 100% free tuition because of the guard and also get my gi bill, reserve units in illinois don’t get the 100%. just wanted to point that out because in some cases for college students guard would be the better option for your state. also the guard has more units in states than reserves with a ton of more mos’ to choose from.

Thank you for all the information!

super informative in me weighing National Guard vs. Army Reserves! thanks!

This helped it definitely help get a better paid armed security as well so cheers for me

Even though this isn't a new video it's my first time coming across it, and I appreciate the info. Thanks Ward.

My younger brother just left. 💪😳

To each their own deciding with ANY components. Kudos to ALL who raised their right hand, timing and circumstances are different for everyone. My time in the Army National Guard had its ups and downs. My initial decision factor was availability of both federal and state benefits especially for school...

Love the videos man keep up the good work I'm planning on joining soon and your bids motivate the hell out of me

You have no idea how much this video just helped me.. I really appreciate it!! I was between the 2, active and reserve.. I work for the postal service already and many were wondering why I would leave this job for active when I could just go Reserve and continue.. and I agree.. i also want to get into other things out side of work... but thanks!

You heard wrong, you need to be in the guard for over a year and you just request to go active. Also, the NG gets deployed just as much as the reserves if not more, they arent just "state", they are federal and state and you get both benefits, which is why I joined the NG. you get both benefits.

I love the video, I gave me more confidence about my decision

Dude honestly thank you I’m in the same place right now my self and you have helped me a ton!!

Thank you so much for all your videos they are amazing. They're very helpful.

Thank you for making this video, I'm deciding on joining the Reserves while I go to a University.

I’m late to this video but it was super helpful and I think you just helped me choose weather to go reserve or active

im about to head to MEPS for possibly the last time before officially signing on and this was one video i needed to watch, thank you

Better bet is Air Force reserves for deployment with a family- 6mo Army is most likely 1yr or more

This video helped me so much to make my decision thank you !

Are we twins 😂 your situation is exactly where I am rn I graduated Clemson University this past May and was about to sign for active. Thanks so much brodie!!🤝

thanks for the info, I didn't know reserves was this beneficial

I Always Watch Your Videos. Thank You You Made My Mind Up Reserves It Is 👏🏾

Helped me alot thanks 💯

this was really helpful i've been considering going to the army for school, but don't know if i should go for a national guard, or reserve.

Extremely helpful, thank you sir

I respect you so g d much for being insightful and unbiased. Your channel has helped me decide to join the army reserves. Ship out for basic in about 3 months

No matter what rank you are someone is higher so there is no getting away with not being told what to do.

Thank you for your service Matt! I'm starting an Army Reserve career as an E-4. I was also initially considering a special women's special forces team after scoring a 70 and 115 line on ASVAB.

2 years later and this video is steel usefull for someone like me. Thks you guys for the comments... I want to join but at 34years I have alredy so many things in my life, wife kids...and professional life so that I see that reserve then may be active gonna feet more my current state

Your one of my favs because your straight up with the shut

Another aspect he didn't mention is the mos selection. Reserve is suport MOS, Active and National Guard have all MOS available. Learned this after going back and forth from a National Guard and Army Reserve recruiters

You joined the reserves for school benefits? Wrong move man. National guard has federal AND state tuition assistance. For example, Minnesota National Guard pays 100% tuition up to U of M. Thousands and thousands of dollars.

Thank you for the insight! I was going to do active but now I’m doing reserves.

Debating between navy or Air Force .. I’m now watching this about reserves I’m 20 a bit confused lol I watched ur benefits video I’m impressed

✊🏽✊🏽✊🏽watching this video helps a whole lot because am a very social life person. I love being around my loved ones and associating with civilians way of life rather than being somewhere in Iraq 🇮🇶🤦🏽‍♂️

Plan on joining the guard just for the 11X contract. Sadly reserves doesnt have that Mos

So your telling me I can join the army reserves then go to active duty? Awesome.

Currently debating whether or not i want to do active duty or reserves. I'm not in college or anything right now, so I kind of want to go active duty.

I join as 92a army reserve, im about to swear in this thursday and ship on May 30

The army reserve you get promoted faster rather get stuck in the same rank in the national guard

Thinking about joining the reserves as well 👊

National guard is not just simply state based, that’s why they can still get deployed and have to swear in to both, the federal government and state. For my unit in the national guard we just had 3 people switch to active, not hard at all.

I have so many things I want to do on the civilian side.. that's the main reason I joined the NG. and personality I really like my freedom..

God. This is so helpful!

I'm so sick of seeing these blogs where people are dissing The National Guard like we're not part of the army what the fuck we're actually the oldest component of the military

Its crazy because ive watched almost all your videos and i joined the National guard as a 31B (Military Police) i also live in charlotte and stay around university area

I liked your video because you know what you want and you have planned your future, which what smart people do.

Hi Matt, my husband is active. Could you do a detailed video (as you always do, thank you) on what active looks like from A to Z. My husband is a tanker and currently in basic training. Maybe interview someone else who's is active...

You definitely turned me on to the idea of doing army reserves after completing rotc as I am getting ready for my first semester of rotc

Enlisted in the PA Army National Guard on 12-18. Was deciding between reserves and guard. I picked the guard because I'm trying to get in with the Pennsylvania State Police, and the National Guard assists with civil disturbance, which is good experience. 11Bravo infantry is my MOS. Headed to Ft Benning on 2-12. Regardless of Active Duty, Reserves, or National Guard, we are all one apart of the Army and all wear the same uniform.

I was going to go navy active duty but had the same thought process, then I switched to reserves and switched to the army to become an officer since I just graduated.

Thank you for this information, it actually helped me make up my mind to what I want to do.

I plan to join the reserve in another year hopefully and my plans of joining are for different reason but their are reasons

I want to join the army once I'm done with highschool

I work PART-TIME for a cell phone company, make 45k+ a year... as much as I would love to go active, I honestly don't think I could afford it. Credit card and loan payments are over 800 a month alone, not including child support. I feel like if I go active... I would be going backwards in the work force. I've been with the company for 3 years plus. I'm working on signing up now and chose active duty but I think I'm going to switch it to Reserves. Anyone found themselves in this same boat?

Im a 25u ( signal support systems specialist), reserve. I thought about the special forces too but, I'll just see what other options I have. I was thinking about being an officer myself, just don't like all of that taking orders but i like leading. I didn't know you could still travel without going active...that blew my mind. thanks for tips, and anyone being pulled on going reserve or active by others, just remember it's YOUR choice, respect their opinions, but in the end it's YOUR choice.

I planned on being in us army reserves so I can be a pediatrician at the future. the main problem is that my grandmother will freak out.

Only crappy thing about the reserves is that they have very few combat arms MOS's

Thanks for the info man greatly appreciated.! One question what are the benefits?

Which unit will teach you how to program if your an officer?

I'm on the same boat as you. However, I'm enlisting for the 2 year active duty because according to the army page, one of the Green to Gold program requirement is that you need to have a minimum of 2 year active duty. Could you elaborate on the route you're taking to become an officer in the reserve?

Is it at all possible to still get a degree in 4 years in the Active Army? I was kind of forced to go active due to some circumstances back home, but I know I don't wanna go Reserves unless I have to.

I decided to army reserve also!

You mentioned getting to volunteer for deployment; do you get to choose a combat pump vs a training deployment or is everything at the whim of the army? I'm prior service Marines, looking into reserves (I'm a grunt) and hoping for a trip to Afghanistan...

How do I go from reserves to active duty

How often would you get deployed in the Army Reserves?

Is the level of training that we get out of the AIT reserve enough to land a job in the related field on the civilian side of things????? How did your ait training help you in your current job

Army National Guard is usually better for the college student. You get all the same educational benefits as the Army Reserves plus additional state benefits that you don’t get in the Army Reserves. Once you get your degree, the Army Reserves might be better do to nationwide promotion potential rather than limitations from being bound by your state.

Dude we are in the same path i guess, when i just arrive here in the U.S two years ago i wanted to go as active But i can't just easily give up my job as Full-Stack web developer position. I think i just get lucky, Imagine within 6 months i get a job right away and english is my third language and that's keep reminding me because i see a lot of people who wants to get into I.T industry (Programming aspect) but they don't have the right experience. I will be joining the Air force as reserve

I’m looking at joining the Army Reserves at 31, lol. Going through the process now. High ASVAB/PiCAT scores, first chose 25H, for the financial security, but now am thinking 37F for the balance or badassery and training.

You can be both in the National Guard. My Mom was Active Duty and my Dad was Reserves but financially Active Duty in the National Guard is better.

You will be bossed around as an officer as well.

When did you go to basic training when you were in college? Did you miss and school?

Quick question, so i tried joining the air force about a year ago and ended up getting DQ'd, now I didn't get Dq'd at meps, i got dq'd by my recruiter calling me and saying "hey you cant join the air force anymore" so my question is, do you think if i went in to talk to an army recruiter would they see that I got dq'd? I'm pretty sure one question they ask is, if you've ever tried joining another branch in the military. Reason why i got DQ'd is because at the time i had headaches and was prescribed some medications for them. fast forward a year im now headache free, occasionally get a few a week but thats about it. Thanks for all of the awesome videos man, I'm leaning towards joining, keep it up!

5:12 Easily is definitely a word lol

You talked about different opportunities in the reserves people don't know about. Did you make that video? I want to know more about combat training in the reserves even tough there's no combat positions in thr reserves or so I was told. Also I want to know more about what reservists do when deployed, can you talk about that?

Question for anybody, how often to the reserves actually get deployed

Thanks for uploading. Have a question. I am in the reserve and I have a college degree. Due to many reasons I joined military after I graduate college. In this case what would be the option to become an officer from enlisted? Thanks in advance.

I graduated in 2015 with a bachelors degree in science and am in the process of joining and would love your opinion on active verses reserves. I do plan on OCS and then continuing my degree for PA school. Seems like you said it would be difficult to continue my schooling in a decent amount of time.

I finished my 3rd year in college and I have 3 quarters left till my Bachelors in Health Science. I wanted to finish one quarter (August-December) and go to active duty in Army in Jan because my recruiter said that I can finish my remaining two quarters while in active duty and come back in June and still walk the stage for my degree. It's only 2 quarters which will be left and I have no problem with not having a social life because my school comes first. I decided to do active duty because I want to know what's it's like to actually be a E-3 recruit. I think I will respect myself more if I actually go through training like everyone else. Not to disrespect you or anything, but I think I will respect myself more if I actually go through training like others. On the other hand, you are absolutely right. I don't like others bossing me around or yelling at me. I'm also a great leader and have the potential. So, it is a struggle but the con with the reserves is that you don't get to travel. It's only about 2 months of basic training, it really shouldn't be bad because from watching all your other videos, I am in good shape physically and mentally, I have no strings attached back home expect for my immediate family. Thank you for your videos though

I guess I wanna joined for the same reason college and to have a relationship life at the same time. And it said on the paper my recruiter gave me that my state GI bill will pay 100% of tuition for any state college in the state, for 8 semesters (4 years of college) so I was like that’s a steal