Air National Guard Reviews

Pros

Ability to serve both state and country as a dual-status technician. The Air Guard provides the opportunity to be a citizen soldier.

Cons

As a technician, I would prefer wearing civilian attire during the work week, rather than a military uniform.

Advice to Senior Management

Ensure senior leaders have the necessary skills to both manage and lead prior to placing in supervisory positions.

Pros

Best reason to join the Air National Guard is they allow you to continue serving, especially if you're an aviator. You want to choose a unit that has your weapon system.

Cons

One of downsides is if you are looking for full time employment, you may have to wait until a slot opens up or if you are lucky, you'll slide into an open position.

Advice to Senior Management

Advice to management in the Air National Guard is to keep traditions alive and continue taking care of your people. Active Duty pressures it's ANG units to be like them, but they have NO CLUE what is the backbone of the ANG force.

Pros

It allows you to be part of the military and live in my home state.

Cons

Dealing with short notice obligations due to the ever changing conditions of the world.

Pros

Lots of great people that you will become life long friends with.
Education benefits
Opportunity to train in an area and then use that in a civilian field.
A way to break into the intelligence or flying career field and get your security clearance.

Cons

Dysfunctional leadership at the 0-5 and above level and E-9 level.
Lack of resources
Lack of coherent vision and strategy for future growth
Limited career progression
Despite being next door to DC, VaANG has one of the smallest state air components in the National Guard and has very little congressional support resulting in fewer resources flowing into the state

Advice to Senior Management

Focus on missions that will grow like intelligence, ISR operations, MC-12. Unfortunately, you made your bed betting on the F22 and that's proven to be a negative choice. Reapportion your full time resources including AGR away from that dead program and build on real missions with both a state and national focus. How many F-22s does the Govenor of Virgiana need to defend the state borders?

Pros

Opportunity to obtain many job skills and gain leadership abilities. You can obtain certifications and college degrees. Benefits are phenomenal.

Cons

military to civilian pay compensation is lacking

Advice to Senior Management

Be fair firm and consistent. Don't play favorites.

Pros

The money is good. The camaraderie and job satisfaction is excellent. The opportunity for travel is good. Training is also good.

Cons

The biggest downside to working for the air national guard is the additional time away from home that it mandates to be successful.

Advice to Senior Management

Management should maintain focus on the needs of the people. The motivators for the people get lost in the mission sometimes.

Pros

Extremely family oriented atmosphere
Opportunities are there for promotion
Unique opportunity to experience the NORAD Air Defense mission
Two operating crews and split days; each crew works 12 hr shifts; every other weekend is a 3-day break

Cons

Promotion opportunities can be a wait due to waiting for retirement or departure of members

Advice to Senior Management

N/A

Pros

Very motivated professionals, especially flight crews and maintenance, really work hard to serve the country and the state of Alaska.

Cons

Very poor senior leadership over the last couple of years has devastated morale. Recent new leadership will have a tough time turning this around.

Advice to Senior Management

Respect your people. Stop the political games and use the principals of centralized command and decentralized execution. Trust your subordinates to do their job and stop hovering over their shoulders micro-managing. Set realistic goals, focus on the mission and shield your subordinates from the extraneous BS.

Pros

Some of the best reasons to work here are the people, the time off, oppprotunity to travel to many coutries and the pay

Cons

There is a fit test that must be taking yearly that does not fit norms. The test is set for an 18 year old.

Pros

Great health benefits- relaxed atmosphere

Cons

Pay
opportunity for advancement
micro management sometimes

Advice to Senior Management

keep on doing wjat you're doing except micro manage