Active Duty != Combat Zone Duty
NG and Reserves do NOT, normally, get called to Active Duty. Basic Training and schooling does not count. Their (NG/Rsv) time is 1 weekend a month/2 weeks sometime during the year. The '64-'72 NG was a party time weekend for those who were able to get in. Shrub was one of those who got in. I personally knew a lot of them. I was in ROTC before I was declared "not student material" and lost my deferment. I enlisted and went Active Duty and was lucky enough to be sent to Germany instead of 'Nam.
Serving on Active Duty for 3 years (11 in my case) helps one to mature. The realization the you could be sent into a combat zone ('Nam in my case) makes the training more real, and provides the focus and drive.
There is a considerable difference from knowing that the training you are doing will prevent you from dying, prevent your buddy from dying, etc, etc, than learning business law, or politician, or lawyer.
Active Duty teaches you that the decisions you make, the shortcuts you take, could result in the loss of real life, someone you know, maybe even a friend.