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Local Armed Services - Reserve Forces

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Can a person serving as an AGR(Active Guard Reserve) receive the Air Reserve Forces Meritorious Service Medal?

Can a person serving as an AGR (Active Guard Reserve) full time position, receive the Air Reserve Forces Meritorious Service Medal for a period of 3 years of service just as a traditional guardsmen or reservist would? Or would the AGR member receive the active duty version, the Air Force Good Conduct Medal? Thanks for the quick reply. So only traditional guardsmen and reservists can receive the Air Reserve Forces Meritorious Service Medal?

Mike

Question answered by Wine, wine U dirty skunk

They would get the GCM...yes...because it is for the same purpose Just like in the Army Guard...as AGR..I do not get the Armed Forces Reserve Medal.

Why are the armed forces treated as a profession rather than a vocation?

Professional soldiers are little different to mercenaries, except they work for the government, not a private company. They get paid and they get awarded benefits to get sent to any conflict or war around the world at the whim of the government. They have no interest vested in what they are fighting for, yet their work costs peoples lives (including their own). They are unwittingly used as 'tools' for politics who most people have no real say in, for imperialism, militarism, and illegal invasions. Think the Romans, the British, the Americans, etc. People who fight because of their calling (vocation), do it because they believe in a cause of some kind. Think of revolutionaries, resistance movements, the millions of men who joined the army in the Second World War to fight off the Nazis, and numerous other examples. Wouldn't it be better for a country to keep the capability of military force (defence budget, equipment and exercise), but not employ a full, professional military full time? Maybe a Reserve Force? Or if we're to have a full time military force then to create better laws over their use? Preferably something more democratic, so the likes of Blair and Bush can't create wars to satisfy their own personal egos?

Westy87

Question answered by chindit

A poor opening for an argument again Westy! This one has been trotted out here before, whether it's the 'hired killers' routine or the 'mercenary' one they are all based on the same false premises. Firstly English doesn't seem to be your strong point and I'm sorry If I seem like being pedantic, however when you present arguments it is crucial. Vocation:Noun (plural vocations) 1.an inclination to undertake a certain kind of work, especially a religious career; often in response to a perceived summons; a calling 2.an occupation for which a person is suited, trained or qualified/ Noun Professional (plural professionals) 1.A person who belongs to a profession 2.A person who earns his living from a specified activity 3.An expert. Professional in the context that you have described is used to describe volunteer soldiers who are not conscripted or pressed into service. Yes our government that is democratically elected by the people can send us off to war. Incidentally it has been a Labour Government who sent troops off to war the most (Blair Government). To say that soldiers have no vested interest in what they are fighting for is laughable. Firstly the main vested interest we have is to survive! Soldiers who fought during WWII had the vested interest in keeping Britain free from Nazi tyranny as you have mentioned. Soldiers who served during the Cold war had a vested interest in keeping Britain and Europe free from Communist tyranny. You go on to mention 'vocational' fighting and mention the French resistance and other 'resistance' movements but fail to mention any other 'resistance movements'. The French Macquis would not have succeeded without the backing of the Allies. If they fought in isolation they would not have brought down the Nazis on their own. An often trotted out glib phrase is that one man's freedom fighter in anothers terrorist. According to your argument the Provisional IRA, The Ulster Volunteer Force, FARC, The Nuclei Armati Rivoluzionari,Brüder Schweigen . The Red Brigade, Islamic Jihad, Al Quaeda are merely following their vocations and are just misunderstood? (I have deliberately included a spectrum of groupings some of which are right wing). As for moving to a more volunteer/part time force, you obviously don't keep up with UK politics. The British Army is about to be slashed to it's lowest for 200 years and will be augmented by 30,000 part time reservists. I might add that this folly is being instigated by a Tory led coalition and not a left wing government Your argument completely falls down in some of your illustrations. Soldiers who fought in WWII were conscripted, yes there are those who volunteered but by and large it was conscription and therefore by your rationale hardly vocational. I would draw you back to the dictionary definitions I mentioned earlier. Vocation means suited to particular job, e.g nursing is an excellent example. It is possible that this is the case for being a soldier. Although the etymology of the word soldier has its origins in Norman French, and literary means someone who fights for pay. The fundamental difference is that we are sworn, be it to a flag, crown, constitution or people to defend them. Our pay can be frozen or cut, our terms can be altered as the have been on numerous occasions over the last 20 years. mercenaryry would simply walk off and find another master. In your questions on the military board you focus on the negative aspects of the military and being a soldier. Deployment to places such as Afghanistan are on a small part of a soldiers lot. Over the last 20 odd years I have helped restore electricity after a hurricane in South West England, I have been a Fireman and a Prison warder, I have helped clear up the wreckage after Lockerbie, I have burned cattle during foot and mouth. I have helped in flood relief in Yorkshire. I have protected those returning to their homes in war torn Bosnia. I have helped deliver medical supplies and treatment to isolated villages deep in the Belizean jungle. I have patrolled peace lines and stopped two sides from tearing each other apart. Tell me who else is going to do this? I shall leave you as always with one last thought 'Those who beat their swords into ploughshares of till the fields for those who have not' Benedict Arnold

What is the difference between retiring and resigning your commission?

In the United States Armed Forces, what is the difference between retiring and resigning your commission?

Robert Williams

Question answered by LarrySmile

Hello Vince, Well, first to be able to resign a commission you first have to be an officer in the US Armed Forces to even have a commission. A commission is a lifetime appointment as an officer in the Armed Forces of the United States. There are two kinds of officer commissions. Active and Reserve. People who graduate from the US military academies receive an active commission and serve in the active duty forces. People who are given a Reserve commission are those who receive their commissions through the ROTC programs at colleges. A Reserve officer serves for as long as the service needs them. Of course, both commissions as officers are lifetime commissions. And, if an officer "resigns" his/her commission that means that he/she gives it up and gets no further benefits of being an officer in the US Armed Forces. When a person retires whether he/she be an officer or enlisted person they will receive retired pay. This pay is actually called "retainer pay." That means that the service, according to the current rules, can recall a retired person back into active duty - enlisted or officer. If an officer resigns his/her commission they receive no retired - retainer pay or other benefits. Enlisted people do not resign. They serve for the term of the contract that they sign on for. Usually, an enlisted person who continues in the service will sign up every 4 or 6 years until they are eligible for retirement after 20 years. Then, they must actually submit a paper requesting approval to "retire" and begin to receive retired benefits. Best wishes, Larry Smith Senior Master Sergeant, USAF (Ret.) First Sergeant

How can a junior in High School prepare to become a Military Intelligence Officer in the Army?

Im planning on joining the armed forces out of HS, and want to be an MI Officer. How do i go about doing this, and what steps do i have to take to become an officer? There is no ROTC in my HS, and i will have an associates degree when i get out of HS. Thanks ahead of time!!

Little John

Question answered by Steph

Officer route, you need to be accepted by army ROTC, then they send you a list of schools who host ROTC. once you start attending you will have regular college classes PLUS army school PLUS physical training.. SINCE you said you have/will have an associates degree at graduataion (congrats, thats awesome) you will only be elligible for the 2 year program (if you decide on a scholarship) you will have to complete the training from the 2 years you missed (fresh and soph year of college) during your first summer before attending school, then after your junior year before your senior year Then you graduate and you will have a min of 8 years of service to complete (active) cannot do reserve until after ur term BTW... to get intel it has to be open and your G.P.A has to match the criteria IF you decide to enlist you will most likely go in as rank E4 (i knew a guy who enlisted with 60college credits and got that) which is higher than a jus a hs graduate (which usually go in as E1) I 30credits min to get promoted also youll have to study for the A.S.V.A.B and get a high enough score to become Intel Good luck

Can Civilians purchase gear at a military Cash Sales Store?

I've found good deals on socks for hiking at Cash Sales stores on military bases in the past, but I've always been with a member of the armed services. Can Civilians get on base and purchase gear in these types of stores? Thanks for all the responses. Looks like I found my answer.

John

Question answered by Pollywog

Sorry but no, you'll have to have a member of the forces with you. That goes for all active duty, reserves, IRR members and retirees. They do have great deals though eh.

Is there a difference between an officer and a commissioned officer?

In the US armed forces, is there a difference between a commissioned officer and a regular officer? (I'm not talking about non-coms).

Luke

Question answered by The Iceman

All officers in the United States military are commissioned. Warrant officers are ones who are enlisted and don't need to have attended university or college. Reserve officers, regular officers and general officers are ones who have graduated with a university or college degree, or, have graduated from a service academy (e.g. US Naval Academy or US Military Academy). Reserve officers have a lot more opportunities than warrant officers do.

What's the difference between the Army reserves and the national guard?

My little brother just joined the reserves. I always thought they were the same as the National guards, but apparently not. He isn't able to answer this question for me at this time.

Thirdegree

Question answered by raisedhyperion

Army Reserve is part of the Federal Army National Guard is concurrently State and Federal. National Guard has all the same jobs available as active duty, including special forces. Army Reserve only has the combat support (ex. Military Police) and service support jobs (ex. Quartermaster) and so no combat arms (ex. Infantry) It's also easier to move from one state to state to another if you are in Reserves, since its easier to transfer units, NG wants to hold on you to since its the state money paying for a lot of your training

What are the differences between the US Army Reserves and Army National Guard?

Specifically about the roles they play and service time, duties performed, etc. Which one is considered the 'weekend warrior'? Which allows you to also hold a normal career?

Krioni

Question answered by Ray

They are both components of the US Army and they both have a minimum service requirement of completing Basic and AIT followed by a minimum service obligation of two days a month and a two week training cycle (usually in. Summer). They're different in that the Guard is about twice as large, has combat arms forces and has a state mission (disaster relief, civil disturbances, etc) in its role as state militia that the Reserves do not have. Both the Reserves and Guard have a federal mission that requires soldiers to mobilize for up to one year with 2-5 years off between mobilizations. Contrary to a common misconception, both are funded by the federal government (the guard through massive subsidies to the states). Both are generally part time jobs that leave room for pursuing your education or a civilian career full time.

How difficult is it to get into the Air Force?

I am currently getting my degree and want something to help take the financial stresses off after school. From what I have read, only the Army and Air Force offer loan repayment programs. I have ruled out the Army for personal reasons. I have seen a couple jobs in the Air Force that look extremely interesting and fun. My question is, how difficult is it to get into the Air Force? I have read it's hard to get in but would I be able to walk into the recruiters office and sign a contract or is it harder than that?

SHBearkat12

Question answered by LarrySmile

Hello "bear kat." Well, you offer scant information about your interests. You are only looking for the military to repay your college loans. Not going to happen. If you wanted to be in the military as an officer with a college degree you should have taken ROTC in college and applied for a scholarship. Now, you almost have a college degree and a slight chance of being selected for an officer's commission. The Air Force is very hard to get accepted into. Harder for the few officer slots that are reserved for Officer Training School. You can apply, of course; but, be prepared to wait up to a year and maybe two years to get a slot at Maxwell AFB, Alabama. Go Google, "Air Force OTS" and read all the requirement to apply. Yes, you can enlist into the Air Force. You won't be an officer. But, you will have a JOB and more training more important than any college degree you might have - save being a medical doctor! The only REAL reason to join the military is to SERVE YOUR COUNTRY. Remember, this, you don't always get what you want in the Air Force. We don't give out "jobs" ahead of time. You won't know your job until you are in basic training and when you graduate - then you will learn what school you will go to to learn and later to work in that field. The NEEDS of the Air Force come before the WANTS of the Individual. If you had taken out student loans you get 10 years to pay them back. So, you could pay back your student loans from military pay, over time. But, you are not going to enter any recruiter's office and sign up like in WWII and go on the first of the month. Today, everyone is placed into the Delayed Enlistment Program and they wait up to 8 or more months until the recruiter can get to them for "their turn" to go to basic training. If you want to prepare for "enlistment" in the Air Force (assuming you are medically qualified to join- and you won't know that until you get your medical exam at the MEPS (Military Enlistment Processing Station) and take the ASVAB (Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Batter) test. You must go to the book store and buy (under $20) a copy or the work book. There are 5 different publishers. All are OK. Study the book BEFORE you see a recruiter because he/she is going to want to give you a "practice exam" and make a decision if he is interested in processing you further. If you don't make a 50% on the AFQT (Armed Forces Qualification Test) the AF won't process you further until you go back and study and come back a month later and retest. You could "see" all the AF jobs that you think are "interesting" but that doesn't mean that you will get one of them. The AF doesn't assign jobs like you look in the Sunday Want Ads to find work. In the AF you enlist for one of 4 major job categories. Mechanical, Administrative, General, or Electronics. You enlist into one of these categories and the only jobs you can get are in that category. You can't jump between two categories. There are 30 jobs in the Electronics area; 36 jobs in the Mechanical area; 9 jobs in the Administrative area; and the rest are grouped into the General area (Why? because they don't fit into the other 3 areas - not because the jobs are "general" in nature. They are equally as important.) Now, I need you to e-mail me back and explain "JUST what are you trying to do." Are you willing to learn a job and be in basic training and follow on technical school for about 6 months? Are you willing to be assigned world-wide to Germany, England, Italy, Azores, Turkey, Okinawa, Korea, Guam, Mainland Japan, Hawaii, Alaska, Middle East or any US stateside base. Are you willing to be away from your "old-home town" for almost 4 years? You won't be going home to see parents and friends often. You know you will be living in the barracks for your first 4 year hitch. No - you are not going to be living in an apartment downtown. OK. I want to hear from you. What degree are you getting? What is your college GPA? What state did you grow up in? Did you think about the military service when you were in high school? You may e-mail me back. Best wishes, Larry Smith Senior Master Sergeant, USAF (Ret.) First Sergeant

Would it be possible to serve in multiple branches of the armed services as a reservist?

Let's say someone wanted to join the both the army and marine reserve, or navy and air force, or even national guard and coast guard. Is it possible to serve in more than one reserve unit at a time?

Unknown

Question answered by LTCgross

No. You can't be under multiple oaths of office at the same time. You can't take an oath committing yourself to the Army while in the Navy because the second oath would invalidate the first.