Considering joining the National Guard... any help?

[ChanteRae]

OK! So I'm 17 years old and I've been seriously considering joining the National Guard. But the thing is, how do I know if I'm cut out for it? I don't know anyone who has ever been in the guard and I don't know what kind of things to ask or what to expect. I really want to make an educated decision on this since it is such a serious committment, so anybody with any information or advice is greatly appreciated!



Please help me!

[Gforces]

Might want to start here,and if you have any other questions,ask away.

http://www.1800goguard.com/faq/#nomilitaryexperience

[SPC Ski]

You will be tested, given a physcial, and have a security background. If you can pass all of that, then YOU CAN handle being in the Guard. As far as having questions, you can not ask the question I have not heard before.

[Jmiranda_Cav]

Dont be afraid to ask questions. Only way you can make an educated decision is to ask and to research what you need. Im sure any of the recruiters or ole salts on this board wouldnt mind answering.

[ChanteRae]

It's not that I'm afraid to ask questions, I just don't know what to ask! I want to know what its like to be in the guard and what kind of things would I be doing if I joined. And how do I know if joining the guard is the right thing for me to do? [for my life that is] How did you know that it was what you wanted for your life?

[WO1 Quinones]

Many people have served and never had any relatives or friends in the service. Might give you an advantage since you wont have biased opinions. Best thing in my opinion is to talk to a recruiter face to face for answers. Also at 17, you will need your parents permission to enlist. Good luck.

[Recruiter yosis]

how do I know if joining the guard is the right thing for me to do? [for my life that is] How did you know that it was what you wanted for your life?



At first, I was going to join at 17 the british royal marines like my father.That didn't go too well.I got in contact with them at the embassy and blew me off.

So,I joined Active Duty Army for 5yrs.(basically to get college money)after that I was in the guard until now.

The military in general is what you make of it.If you just go to drill to do nothing that is what your career is going to end up .

There is many programs that the guard has to offer.Schools (military &cilivan),
College, there's too many to write down.Plus employers love the military.

I used the military as a stepping stone to get what I want.
I got to go to recruiting school,retention school and got a few more other schools that were geared around recruiting.

Now, I work with cilivanjobs.com as a veteran recruiter.It's the best job I ever had. I thank the army everyday for this job.


You are the only one that knows what is best for you at this point.

[SteveLord]

The military in general is what you make of it.If you just go to drill to do nothing that is what your career is going to end up .

Plus employers love the military.



Not all employers like the military. We've seen many stories of that here already about new recruits butting heads with their employers.

As far as it being what you make of it. In a sense yes, but your mileage will vary depending on your unit. Not all guard units have a check list of schools they pass around to their soldiers just like that. And promotional opportunities can really vary with some units with the most slots being hours from the closest one.

[Recruiter yosis]

butting heads with thier employers...My question to you is, was the solider was given a class of some sort to understand the law about informing the employer. Thier ARE certain documents you are supposed to give.
What about thier work ethic. Maybe this solider in question told the boss "I have drill this weekend" and wasn't one.I've seen that one.Or the best one soliders not giving the boss a copy of the drill dates.


All armories have a school list that given out during the start of the FY.Your Readness NCO has the list. You just never asked.Or never cared about it.
Thier are many classes out thier for the taking.For example in MD we have two appointments for west point per year same with other states most of the time it's send to other states.

Granted sometimes to get a promotion you might drive few hours. if not take a bus ,train The MAN will pay you back in gas and give you a place if you live over 50 miles.I don't mine that type of stuff I join to get the most out of it not retire at E-4 with 30 years in.

[SteveLord]

butting heads with thier employers...My question to you is, was the solider was given a class of some sort to understand the law about informing the employer. Thier ARE certain documents you are supposed to give.
What about thier work ethic. Maybe this solider in question told the boss "I have drill this weekend" and wasn't one.I've seen that one.Or the best one soliders not giving the boss a copy of the drill dates.

I guess you'll have to do thread searching to find out. We've seen our share of it.



All armories have a school list that given out during the start of the FY.Your Readness NCO has the list. You just never asked.Or never cared about it.
Thier are many classes out thier for the taking.For example in MD we have two appointments for west point per year same with other states most of the time it's send to other states.

My RNCO must be a crooked weasel then...shucks. Maybe he is even keeping all of them for himself. Like that "Employer Relations" class especially. :rolleyes:

[Recruiter yosis]

LOL got a point those employer relations are hard class to get into plus the points for your stap

[Recruiter yosis]

I did take a look at it.
the few that I did look at the employers are not keeping up thier end.
When I was a manager at a small after market shop. My Boss (Even though I was military) sent me to a Federal law and ***ual harassment class so I knew what right and wrong.


Yeah some of those threads are jacked up.Forced to choose the Army or thier work.
I don't know if they still give out the guard books every year...thier is a secton that deals with employers.Also had a example of a general letter informing about AT, drill, and active duty.

If we still have them (i haven't seen one in my armory) we should be giving those out to the new joes.

[LoneStarSoldier]

OK! So I'm 17 years old and I've been seriously considering joining the National Guard. But the thing is, how do I know if I'm cut out for it? I don't know anyone who has ever been in the guard and I don't know what kind of things to ask or what to expect. I really want to make an educated decision on this since it is such a serious committment, so anybody with any information or advice is greatly appreciated!



Please help me!

What do you want out of life? Where do you see yourself in five to ten years? What kind of jobs are you inerested in? The Military is a great and honorable way to go, but it's not your only option. Also, ask yourself why you want to go into the National Guard. Is it because of the adventure, benefits, or service to country? What's your reason? The National Guard is part of the US Army. If you want to know what to expect, go to the US Army website to see what Basic Training is like and how they do things. (www.goarmy.com) The best way to make an educated decision is to do your research. Make sure you check out ALL of the facts and BOTH sides of the story before you decide anything. In regards to knowing if you're cut out for it, that's something nobody can answer but you. You're the one who's going to have to get through the training (if you join) and you're the one who's going to have to push yourself that extra mile. ;D

[Recruiter yosis]

Lone Star such a recruiter

[LoneStarSoldier]

Lone Star such a recruiter

It's my calling ;P

[Recruiter yosis]

:D what a stud