Joining National Guard (Yay or Nay)

[Hellfighter]

Everyone has they're opinions but as far as a job goes and effort to put in, i have a heart to work, can i find a job in this crap hole economy, "No" , My option i was thinking about joining the Guard, what do you guys think?
I Personally was in ROTC in Highschool and i know it is not the same thing, but still teaches you some respect, and also i love military and anything that has to do with it and what they do, my only scare is "Death" and i know it is for alot of people and alot of people join and never get sent to wars and just stay in land of US. And there can be huge discussions over this, but what is the pay like, how is it like in the Guard is it worth it, or should i just keep trying to search for a "Burger Flipping Job" *sarcasm about the burgers lol*.

[TOMS1SS]

Originally Posted by Hellfighter

Everyone has they're opinions but as far as a job goes and effort to put in, i have a heart to work, can i find a job in this crap hole economy, "No" , My option i was thinking about joining the Guard, what do you guys think?
I Personally was in ROTC in Highschool and i know it is not the same thing, but still teaches you some respect, and also i love military and anything that has to do with it and what they do, my only scare is "Death" and i know it is for alot of people and alot of people join and never get sent to wars and just stay in land of US. And there can be huge discussions over this, but what is the pay like, how is it like in the Guard is it worth it, or should i just keep trying to search for a "Burger Flipping Job" *sarcasm about the burgers lol*.

The military can open so many doors for you in a civilian career. Consider law enforcement and public sector jobs often give preference points to former military. Nothing like free meals (allowances I think are over $300 a month) and housing. Also don't forget about the G.I. Bill paying for your school instead of taking out student loans. I'd say go for it because you'll be way ahead of everyone else your age maturity wise and professionally when get out if can hack it.

[Hellfighter]

Originally Posted by TOMS1SS

The military can open so many doors for you in a civilian career. Consider law enforcement and public sector jobs often give preference points to former military. Nothing like free meals (allowances I think are over $300 a month) and housing. Also don't forget about the G.I. Bill paying for your school instead of taking out student loans. I'd say go for it because you'll be way ahead of everyone else your age maturity wise and professionally when get out if can hack it.

Well if i was to join, i want to know whats the hardest part about being in military because hense i love military stuff i was thinking of signing up for 2 years at first if i liked it, 4 more if continued to like make it a career maybe? But if you did no go to college i heard you can never surpass the rank of officer because you did not attend college.

[TOMS1SS]

Originally Posted by Hellfighter

Well if i was to join, i want to know whats the hardest part about being in military because hense i love military stuff i was thinking of signing up for 2 years at first if i liked it, 4 more if continued to like make it a career maybe? But if you did no go to college i heard you can never surpass the rank of officer because you did not attend college.

That is true, you do need a 4 year degree to be an officer. If you get somewhere around E4 pay grade you would make more than enough money for that 4 years. Like I said the G.I. bill would pay for your 4 year degree, really all you'd have to do is pass the classes and get a part-time gig. From there you can use that 4 year degree to go to Officer's school or go civilian job searching. Basic training is really the toughest thing for most people your age because they get taken out of their comfort zone immediately. Beyond that depending on the job you take in the military it shouldn't be too bad.

[Hellfighter]

Great Info, Thanks

[GunnyG]

Hellfighter, here's my two cents. If you have the desire, do it. Have a plan though. The guard won't be what you think it is. I've been in the Marine Corps for 21 years. Not what I expected at all. Lots of good times, some bad times, plenty of great times. Be prepared for a lot of time away from home. I wasn't at first. When all my buddies were partying it up in college, I was sweating my balls off in Saudi Arabia. When my family was celebrating holidays, I was ducking and dodging in Iraq. I've missed Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Years, birthdays, and anniversaries too many times to count. I've shot, been shot at, and seen more decapitated bodies than I care to remember. I've had to do things I would never be required to do at any "regular" job. But, after 20 years, I'll receive a nice retirement (pay, medical, etc) that no job can compete with. I've met some class-A people. And developed friendships that will continue for the rest of my life. The pay upon entry is very bad (E1 $1491/month + allowances depending on where you're stationed, O1 Commissioned Officer $3559 + allowances). If you can handle it, do it!

[WCoolBreeze]

You also need to understand one other thing, once you enlist/join the military, you are obligated for 6 years. It can either be all active duty, 2 years active duty/ 4 years reserve, 4 years active duty/ 2 years reserve. Also the Reseve can eith be active reserve or in-active reserve. Active Reserve you drill/muster one weekend every month and then two weeks every year, (which you get paid for). In-active Reserve, you do not do anythiing, (you do not get paid for). In my case, I never did any reserve time or National Gaurd time. I served in the U.S. Navy for 21 years, 7 mon ths, and 16 days.

Walt B.

[Brokinarrow]

If you want the GI bill you'll need to go active for at least 36 months to receive full benefits. And as others have said, if you join the military, no matter what branch, be of the mindset that you are there to serve your country first, all the other benefits are secondary. Once you sign that dotted line (repeatedly) uncle Sam owns your ass for however long the contract states, kiss your freedoms good bye for a while.

[Iroczlover]

Hellfire, My son is stepping up into his dads shoes, & joining the airforce.
One thing that he is having troubles with is the disrespect of many around us. when they are out drilling in public they are disrespected all the time.

My husband sees the same thing & hes currently a resevist.

[Hellfighter]

Originally Posted by Brokinarrow

If you want the GI bill you'll need to go active for at least 36 months to receive full benefits. And as others have said, if you join the military, no matter what branch, be of the mindset that you are there to serve your country first, all the other benefits are secondary. Once you sign that dotted line (repeatedly) uncle Sam owns your ass for however long the contract states, kiss your freedoms good bye for a while.

Im nor really that worried for Housing GI bill, i think i will live with my mom for couple years before that , other than that, my main concern was the pay, and activity that must be done. only 1500 a month is really low, compared to some 12 - 13$ jobs you can find, not that im denying its not great, but still.

Originally Posted by Iroczlover

Hellfire, My son is stepping up into his dads shoes, & joining the airforce.
One thing that he is having troubles with is the disrespect of many around us. when they are out drilling in public they are disrespected all the time.

My husband sees the same thing & hes currently a resevist.

I have never seen disrespect for the forces, atleast where i am , as far as training i am sure fort worth or somewhere around here is where the basic training will begin if i do sign that paper,

And as another user way above posted, i think you can just sign up for 2 years, either i heard wrong or he lied to me but friend and used to be neighbor here at my apartments said he joined ARMY for 2 years then another 2 after, then he got discharged for going crazy there =/

[Iroczlover]

Originally Posted by Hellfighter

Im nor really that worried for Housing GI bill, i think i will live with my mom for couple years before that , other than that, my main concern was the pay, and activity that must be done. only 1500 a month is really low, compared to some 12 - 13$ jobs you can find, not that im denying its not great, but still.

Remember some bases & some branches Require you to remain on base, for a while. If you are active duty. My husband gets like $500 a month, for reserve pay & hes an E6

[4DoorRocket]

It sounds as if, the only reason you want to join, is so you make a decent amount of money. Hopefully that's not the case, but if it is, you would be better off just going to college and picking a major and go from there. The only real time anyone in the military makes any good money, is when they have served for a while or if they are an officer. I will also say, it sounds as if you are unsure if you should join or not, so I say you shouldn't. I think if you really want to join the military, you would be 100% sure on it. You wouldn't need to ask others if you should or not. Just go to college. Get a degree in something you love. Problem solved.

-On a side note, not every branch requires you to have a college degree to be an officer. The last time I checked there is the OCS (officer candidate school) option. You have to be enlisted before you can apply to be an officer though. I will say, OCS is not necessarily easy to pass. I'm not sure on how long you have to be in the military before you can apply either.

[Camaro_Corvette]

Originally Posted by Hellfighter

Everyone has they're opinions but as far as a job goes and effort to put in, i have a heart to work, can i find a job in this crap hole economy, "No" , My option i was thinking about joining the Guard, what do you guys think?
I Personally was in ROTC in Highschool and i know it is not the same thing, but still teaches you some respect, and also i love military and anything that has to do with it and what they do, my only scare is "Death" and i know it is for alot of people and alot of people join and never get sent to wars and just stay in land of US. And there can be huge discussions over this, but what is the pay like, how is it like in the Guard is it worth it, or should i just keep trying to search for a "Burger Flipping Job" *sarcasm about the burgers lol*.

Don't ever expect to stay in the states. You need to accept the fact that you are most likely going to go overseas for some period of time.

[Ruin]

Take it from a current Guardsman:

If I could do it all over again, I wouldn't change a thing. That said, the reasons are personal... but any advice I give those wanting to join is simple.

It's an 8 year commitment. No matter what you think you're signing up for (unless things have changed since I enlisted in 07). It's broken into active time (drilling status) and Individual Ready Reserve (IRR) which is not drilling but can be recalled for service. We had about 30 guys in our unit alone in Iraq that were IRR guys.

If you want to enlist, the benefits usually come at six year contracts. I had to do that for my bonus. So be prepared for that. The GI Bill is NOT like the active duty one. My GIB is nice because I have some active duty time from my deployment. But a fresh drilling soldier will get a very small GIB. The tuition assistance is nice... if you can get it.

The Guard is full of red tape and hoops to jump through. Everything is a long drawn out process and they'll serve themselves before they serve you... at least in my experience. Yes, I'll admit to being a bit bitter towards the ARNG right now. I have a year and a half left and it can't go quick enough. If you want my detailed story, feel free to PM me. I just don't feel like typing it out right now haha.

My recommendation is to go to college, get your degree. Party, study, have fun. Do some growing and learning. Join ROTC at a university. See how you like it. Become an officer. Pay is better... everything is better. Taking orders can be a whole lot of "no fun." Especially if your NCOs are... questionable in their leadership skills.

If I could change the logistics, not the experience, I would have finished my degree, had my student loans paid off, saved my bonus, and had the Army pay for Grad School.

Guard deployments are slowing. The odds of being deployed now are a lot lower than they were when I joined. I came home from OSUT with an alert order waiting in my stack of mail. Ten months later, I started mobilization.

It's a HUGE decision. Don't let money be a factor... because the Guard doesn't pay. I haven't made money in drilling status since I joined. My situation is a bit different, but still... don't expect the Guard to make you financially secure. Join for the service and the experience. The benefits are hit or miss.