THE ARMY is one of the oldest military branches in United States, but there are many differences between the Army Reserves and the National Guard. It’s important to understand how the National Guard serves differently from the other branches within the United States military.

Both groups serve courses for ten weeks in boot camp, the Army Reserves are the first group within the president’s arsenal, always ready to be deployed around the country and other nations worldwide.

In contrast, the National Guard is a unit only controlled by the state it is stationed in, but still takes orders from the president. The best example is the Utah Army National Guard, located just about anywhere in Utah.

Adrian Sandoval (12) enlisted and spent eleven weeks in boot camp at Fort Sill in Oklahoma last summer. Sandoval says that being in uniform on hot days during his training was super hectic, and a couple of his boot camp companions passed out from heat stroke.

Rather than focus on the rough patches of dirt he had to crawl through, he instead focused on the people he met and befriended during his time at boot camp. As for what it’s like behind the Utah National Guard, he described it as being in a brotherhood and holding honor with it, something that every fighting man and woman soldier within the United States Military, either currently enlisted or veterans of war can agree with.

As for what Adrian does in the National Guard, he is a 92 Yankee which is a unit supply specialist, but he wants to get a better job later. He is also part of the RSP Alpha unit, which means he and his unit review and remember everything they learned from boot camp once a month.

Sandoval’s pay vaires with his rank as Private First Class (E-3) thanks to the early training he received in Granger’s JROTC. During boot camp, his pay started at $980 twice a month. But back home and doing part-time, it’s more like $300 each month.

Sandoval recommends this career path to other Lancers. “Just, study as much as you can for your ASVAB, so you can get as many opportunities as you can,” he said. Something that many people may see as insignificant can open a door into a surprising future — it just takes time.

Granger has many visitors from recruiters in each branch of the United States military. Lancers with questions regarding the military or a specific branch can see the nearest requesting office to ask questions.