So im gonna be going in to talk to a recruiter soon but im just wanting to know from people on here. Im going cuz I need money and i cant live off of min wage. Can anyone tell me about the National Guard should?? Just any info would help.

Thnks guys
Matt

Unless there is something in particular that is keeping you at home, you might want to also talk to the regular Army recruiter. Enlistment bonuses and such aren't what they were at the height of the war, but they're still out there if you qualify for certain fields - or have a specail ability such as being able to learn a language. The regular Army will have programs that would allow you to enlist as high as an E-5 (on a six year contract where you learn Urdu or some such). That's will actually provide a decent living wage once you figure in BAH et al.

Guard units vary widely. For many years the complaint was that some units functioned along the lines of the old boy network. That's less true since the GWOT, but you might find promotions and advancement much more limited than in the regular Army or the reserves.

Given the current global situation, the main thing to be aware of with the Reserves and Guard is that you are likely to be called up and deployed anyway - which has made just enlisting somewhat more of a good deal.

If you have a four year degree, you can take the test and get OCS either in the regulars or via your state's OCS program.

Texas also has their own defense force, not subject to Federal jurisdiction. There was talk of them starting to pay guys for going to drills, but I don't know if that happened.

Your choice of assignment in the Guard will be limited by not only your ASVAB scores and such, but also by what units are near to you - gas is expensive these days thus driving a long distance to drill with a different unit might not be practical.

If you lack college credits or a degree, many states do have programs that allow you to go to certain state colleges tuition free while serving in the Guard.

If you don't have college and don't qualify for any enlistment bonuses for whatever reason, you can also talk to the USMC recruiter about active and reserve openings. Promotions are slower in the Marines, and there are less bonuses. But... well you get to be a Marine. That's the major selling point and there's a fair amount of truth to it.

If you do the latter, try to avoid coming to Parris Island in the summer. I live here, and summer is awful, though on really hot days you'd go to the all weather training facility.

If your having a hard time making it with what your making now you won't find much easier being in the Guard. Your best bet is to go full time.

After spending three years in the Army I joined the Alaska National Guard, had some of the best experiences in my life. Retired in '92, only regret is retiring when I did.

My son is in the WY NG, and I am envious every time he goes to drill.

You write your own ticket in the Guard. You can go as far as you want.

I was at AT one year when we got a new Rep 63. Great guy, he was telling me he was hired out with the Anchorage Fire Department. Being with the Police Dept I talked him into changing to APD, he did and retired as a Capt. He stayed in the guard. I was one of those responsible for sending him to OCS.

He's still in the Guard, but had a bit more ambition then I did, he's now a Major Gen. The AG for the State of Alaska.

My last few years I ran the AK NG Marksmanship Program. Spent a lot of time traveling around the country shooting.

Yeap, the NG is well worth your time. Join and stay.

Like I said, I retired in '92, my regret is I pulled the pin. If I had stayed until I retired from APD (18 years ago today), I could have transfered to the WY NG. Wyoming wont kick you out until you turn 70. I could still be in.

I have a son, (as mentioned) in the WY NG, one in the OR NG, and a step son in the AK ANG. My wife also retired from the NG.

Spent 33 years and 3 months and loved most of it. Got to go to a lot of places and have friends all over the state. If I was 18 again with the present situation I would look at full time and probaly in the Air Force.

Danny Kizer
LTC TNARNG Ret

Here's some info you should consider:

As an E-1, you'd make about $200 a month at drill.
E-2 : $223
E-3 : $234 to $264 depending on years in service
E-4 : $260 to $315 depending on years in service.

Guard pay wont add too much on top of a minimum wage job. You'd have a temporary fix to your monetary issues when in basic training and your job training, but after that it's not much. Even going into the Reserve as a Staff Sergeant after active duty, I wouldn't call the pay for my monthly unit training assembly substantial.

Back when I was tossing around the idea of enlisting, I talked to a ANG recruiter and was in a similar boat. He flat out told me if I was looking for money I should go active duty.

Another thing: In the Air Force, even if you were to enlist as an Airman First Class (E-3), you would still be an E-1 during basic training, E-2 after BMT, and finally an E-3 when you graduate Tech School or 20(?) months after BMT, which ever comes first. So , as a Guard member, during the longest stretch of when you'd be getting paid, you'd be getting paid at lower rates. Again, that's how the USAF works, I can't speak for the other branches, but I would assume it's the same.

__________________
- The Federalist #46 -

NJNG 1977-1981, NYNG 1981-1986, as a company grade officer.
My observations:
1. The National Guard (and Reserves) are NOT just a part-time job, they are a SERIOUS commitment. I was never activated but things are a LOT different today.
2. The Old Boy/OCS class/whatever network is STILL a problem.
3. I went through several "reorganizations", unit shufflings, consolidations and deactivations, etc. I suspect we'll see a lot more in the near future due to budget cutbacks, etc.
4. Finally, I am down on the Coed Military. They've been working on it for 40 years and they still can't get it to work.

thanks everyone for the responses..

first the only thing holding me back is my family but thats everyone that enlists.
im thinking ill be active.. its just getting to hard for me to do anything where im at right now and i think some change would do me some good in the end.. please if anyone else wants to throw there 2cents please be my guest


matt

Spent 15 years in two different Kansas National Guard units, one Field Artillery, the other was a Transportation company. I enjoyed my time with them both. I would recommend Air Guard if possible in your area. I worked with the flyboys at my DOD job, while I was spending my annual training at Fort Sill OK or Fort Riley KS, they were flying to Germany usually.

After 4 years of active duty, I spent 17 years in the Guard, retiring in 2003. Given your situation, as others have said, I would recommend going active duty.

The Guard and Reserve can be a lot of fun. My last three years I was part of the Texas combat pistol team. Got to travel and shoot a lot. Won some trophies and the Governor's Twenty tab too.

However, if I had it to do over again, I would have stayed on active duty.

Active duty in the Army, Air Force, Navy or Marines is what you need. After I left active duty, the only open officer slot I was able to find in a reserve unit was with a National Guard unit. I enjoyed the troops in my unit, but the hierarchy in the Guard is extremely political, with a very strong "good old boy" network. I was the only Federal officer in the Brigade, all the others were NG OCS graduates. Most were good officers, but the Brigade Commander and I couldn't work together, though I tried my best. He was a school teacher in real life, and didn't like that I had been in combat, and could command Federal troops (NG officers are State, not Federal). He got really upset when, USE his orders, I appeared at a Guard function wearing "all authorized awards and decorations," and apparently upstaged him, when a cute female TV reporter insisted on interviewing me, until I referred her to him. After his 5 minutes of fame, he asked me if all those were authorized, the answer was Yes Sir. Then, where did I her them? Combat, mostly, sir. Any of those from the Guard? One, sir. What for? Showing up ar drill, sir.

Sorry, I digress. Lots of good, dedicated people in the Guard, but you're not going to make any significant money by attending drill one weekend a month and two weeks of AT once a year. You will do much better financially by serving on active duty in the regular services, and the potential for being trained for a marketable skill, and gaining experience in that field, is better. You can always join a reserve or guard unit after regular service, if you desire. Good luck and best wishes to you, remember, military service is a duty and a privilege.

Agreed, The guard is not a full time career, with the few exceptions of HQ staff, aviation, and the SFG(A) units.

I did 3 active and 5 yrs NG. I would have stayed but broke my back jumping. My unit, Co C, 3rd Bn, 20th SFG(A) was a weekend & summer camp style in the 70t's. Now, the same unit is pushing multiple tours in OEF & OIF.

I went to lunch with some young studs last month. One had just returned from his 3rd deployment, his replacement was shipping out for his 4th. The SF guard is not what it used to be.

There is another aspect of the current AD vs Guard deal.

The budget crunch. All recruitment is getting very tight. Guys will be asked to leave AD for cause. They will probably try to transition to guard & reserve units to protect their retirements. This will put a lot of strain of anyone trying to get into a unit without AD time.

On the flip side, as an entry level troop, you will be competing for a limited number of AD slots. You will need to bring your best game to the table. In the case of those trying to get into SF and some of the highly request MOS's

• College is almost mandatory, GED's need not apply
• Very Very Good physical condition is required.
• No pre-exsisting medical conditions
• The ability to get a Secret security clearance, most have..
• NO PRIORS,, The old days where the judge encouraged some to join in stead of community service(or jail) is long over..

All this applies to all the services, some a little less than others.

As the pay scale is the same across all the services, don't discount any opportunities. Being hi-speed is nice when your in the bar sweet talking some young thing , but the services have thousands of really good people doing ordinary jobs very well..


Good Luck..

Honestly all I can say is go active. I joined at 23 and am still kicking myself for not coming in at 18. I have been in 3 and a half years and am on my second deployment. Don't get me wrong it is not fun leaving my family for a year at a time but I can't imagine doing anything else with my life. Maturity in the military will go a long way and separate you from the average new Private. Depending on what job you pick promotions can come quick if you work for them. Just what ever you do research your job options carefully, especially when it comes to career progression. Good luck!