Streamed live on November 4, 2024
Lt. Colonel John J. McBrearty leads our Open Conversation with a discussion of his 32 years service, first in the Marine Corps and then as part of the California National Guard.
The discussion launched comments from our veterans about the differences between active and reserve duty and about what makes Guard service unique.
Active duty service members are full-time military personnel who dedicate the entirety of their professional lives to military service. This includes training, operational readiness, and assignments both at home and abroad. They often relocate frequently and are subject to deployment on short notice, a requirement that can be challenging but fosters a deep, continuous engagement with military culture and operations. Active duty service can involve being stationed on military bases for years at a time, with on-base housing, healthcare, and community services readily available. Service members on active duty enjoy benefits like full military pay, allowances, and comprehensive health care for themselves and their families.
In contrast, reserve duty is typically part-time, and reservists generally train one weekend a month, two weeks a year. While reservists can be called up for active duty, they are largely integrated into civilian life. They hold civilian jobs, live in civilian housing, and rely on civilian healthcare unless activated. This dual role allows them to maintain a career outside of the military while contributing to the armed forces when needed. Reserves are often called upon during times of increased military need, such as national emergencies or conflicts requiring additional manpower. This flexibility allows the military to scale its force effectively without the expense of keeping all members in full-time service.
Active duty involves a much more structured schedule and daily routine with others serving around you. Reservists try to balance a civilian career and lifestyle with their military responsibilities.
The National Guard operates as a state-based force that can serve both state and federal purposes, unlike the regular military branches (Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, Space Force, and Coast Guard), which are entirely federal entities. While National Guard members can be deployed internationally like regular military forces, they are also subject to state governor authority, enabling them to be activated for state emergencies, such as natural disasters or civil unrest.
Career progression in active duty is typically faster and more straightforward and accessible. Reservists progress more slowly due to the part-time nature of their service and the sporadic nature of training.
Active-duty service fosters a strong military identity, with a deep immersion in military culture, language, and traditions. This identity is reinforced by the full-time nature of the work and the close bonds formed through the shared experiences of deployments, relocations, and military lifestyle.
We’re grateful to UPMC for Life and Tobacco Free Adagio Health for sponsoring this event!
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We’re grateful to UPMC for Life and Tobacco Free Adagio Health for sponsoring this event!
