Most guardsmen have outside life experience whereas most regular army do not.
That infantryman has always been an infantryman since highschool. In the guard he might also be an electrician, plumber, mechanic whatever. Regular army is also on a base most of their life, which are their own little micro cultures
Historically intelligence, mechanics, and other support roles are done much much better by a NG/reserve soldier when it counts. Provided the unit has adequate training prior to deployment. Because the individuals bring more than just army experience to the table.
I have taught both reserve and active soldiers. Reserves tend to have more outside the box solutions to problems. A good commander is one who can improvise and follow plans at the right times.
Part of the reason the military reassigns people so much is to reduce the potential for corruption. Sure there are "needs of the army" but even if you are a low demand job (meaning they have a ton of people with your skills) they will move you around every couple years. Generally speaking, army will get reassigned every 2 years sometimes 3. Sometimes people will get assignments and not move their whole career, but generally leadership will move more than Joe's. Again. It depends rule of thumb and all that.
This does a couple things...makes corruption and "good old boy" clubs less likely to form, and keeps everyone's values on the army and not on your friends. It's about serving the country, not making friendships/strong bonds.
If you are in the guard/reserves it's different. You don't get moved around much really unless there is a large organizational change, or you get promoted. You could in theory serve in the same unit for all 20+ years of service. Would never happen in active duty. This is also why the guard can be trusted a bit more in our current situation.
If your local national guard came knocking on your door, they know that you are their neighbor. Think about the mental differences between enforcing tyranny in your home town, vs another state or country.
I'm not saying "trust the plan" but what I am suggesting is the strategic differences in using the guard in certain environments/deployments vs active duty are interesting. Even when deciding deployment assignments in the Sandbox. Guard units performed better when allowed to act more autonomously than Active duty units of the same size. The phycology of war is fascinating
Please explain.
I'll explain.
Most guardsmen have outside life experience whereas most regular army do not.
That infantryman has always been an infantryman since highschool. In the guard he might also be an electrician, plumber, mechanic whatever. Regular army is also on a base most of their life, which are their own little micro cultures
Historically intelligence, mechanics, and other support roles are done much much better by a NG/reserve soldier when it counts. Provided the unit has adequate training prior to deployment. Because the individuals bring more than just army experience to the table.
I have taught both reserve and active soldiers. Reserves tend to have more outside the box solutions to problems. A good commander is one who can improvise and follow plans at the right times.
This is fascinating.
Want more? Forgot about ...
Part of the reason the military reassigns people so much is to reduce the potential for corruption. Sure there are "needs of the army" but even if you are a low demand job (meaning they have a ton of people with your skills) they will move you around every couple years. Generally speaking, army will get reassigned every 2 years sometimes 3. Sometimes people will get assignments and not move their whole career, but generally leadership will move more than Joe's. Again. It depends rule of thumb and all that.
This does a couple things...makes corruption and "good old boy" clubs less likely to form, and keeps everyone's values on the army and not on your friends. It's about serving the country, not making friendships/strong bonds.
If you are in the guard/reserves it's different. You don't get moved around much really unless there is a large organizational change, or you get promoted. You could in theory serve in the same unit for all 20+ years of service. Would never happen in active duty. This is also why the guard can be trusted a bit more in our current situation.
If your local national guard came knocking on your door, they know that you are their neighbor. Think about the mental differences between enforcing tyranny in your home town, vs another state or country.
I'm not saying "trust the plan" but what I am suggesting is the strategic differences in using the guard in certain environments/deployments vs active duty are interesting. Even when deciding deployment assignments in the Sandbox. Guard units performed better when allowed to act more autonomously than Active duty units of the same size. The phycology of war is fascinating
This provides great insight and value, so thanks. I did not consider most of this stuff.