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View Full Version : Joining the ARNG (Potential Recruits Concerns)



txarngct
August 22nd, 2006, 12:19 PM
Hello all,

I am one that don't post as much as I would like to but it seems like the recruiters are answering the same common questions and concerns over and over, 1. being what are the chances of being deployed, 2. what jobs are the best, and the most often 3. I want to get back in after I have been put out, 4. guard vs. reserves vs. active duty.

Let me give you my opinion on thoose maters, I am all in favor of the of the army as a whole, I completed over 7 1/2 years in the active duty and now im in the guard with a total of 12 1/2 years of servive between the both of them, I have to tell you there are differences and im sure no one out there who has went from active to guard or reserves will tell you that there isnt, but for all of you guy/gals who are interested in joining I will tell you to come join the guard first, not only will the guard give you the experiance it also alows you to go to school and continue to work in the civilian world(In my case, im in the guard, I attend Grantham Univ(correspondence), and I am also a technician for the guard). If you ask anyone in the active duty they will tell you that most of them want to go to school or they are encouraged to sign-up for school. To me you have a better chance of joining the guard where you can earn some rank, attend school, complete some correspondence courses, serve your state/country, and make some money (what better job than that). Now I am not saying that you can't do these things in the reserves or active duty, but you get paid a little more by your state if activated for a civil matter (reserves/active you can't).

What are your chances of being deployed, well its very simple no one knows, but once again this is the national guard and your 1st priority is serving your state. There may be times where you have to be deployed to another city or area in your state for days or weeks, trust me after its all said and done you feel good about what you were asked to do to help out in a time of need.

What jobs are the best, that question must be answered by yourself, if you are never going to go active duty then pick a job that will help you in the civilian world, remember its your career/life do your research.

I got put out and want back in. This is a hard one, the army as a whole is a job just like any other job, we would like to give some people new chances at life but if you have been put out after blowing that chance then maybe this wasn't the life for you and if you still believe it is for you then join your state guard if the national guard won't take you back. The state guard will still provide that military family love you once knew.

Remember folks the guard is a great way for those looking for a career, a fresh start on life, civilian training, and friendship, so stop looking at the board come on in and join the guard............................


Alright give me some feedback.

Ben
August 23rd, 2006, 01:00 PM
Thank you for this post. it helped me narrow down some MOS's I want to do, im down to MP. or infantry. But im on the fence about this. I want to get my degree but I also want to serve in the military. I know the guards will help with this. And this is most likely going to be the best thing to do. But my problem is my parents. im 20, going to school (for my Criminal Justice/Peace officer).
And they want me to get that degree first...but I want to get this going now. And get my degree at the same time.
One of my many questions is with the delaying my BCT.
Is it possible to get it delayed for 360 days (about 1year)? Or is it after MEPS do I go to BCT?
Iam working with a recruiter in my home town of Stillwater Minnesota but I want a reaction from different people here. So in turn please reply to this and tell me what you all think. Should I hold off on the guards or should I get in there and make the choice and get it going and advance my education and my military service.
Tall me what you think.

~Ben from Minnesota.

txarngct
August 23rd, 2006, 03:53 PM
Thank you for taking the time out to even read/respond to my post. You asked a good question, I can only give you my limited answer, but im sure anyone of the true recruiters that post in the forum will give you a better answer. I "believe" you will be able to go to basic and ait during the summer so that i will not mess up your schooling, so to me waiting 360 days will only cloud your judgement, tell your parents that if you choose to join the guard it will be a big lift off their shoulders money wise for college, that may clear up at least one of their concerns. No matter what you choose to do, continue to get that education. Alot of members want to join the service and not go to school but even in your early years in the service you have to think about life after the military. I hope that helps you in some way make a life changing decision. Take care.

WIBecky74
August 23rd, 2006, 11:58 PM
Some things are state specific or even area specific. I'm in central Wisconsin and my recruiter is allowing me up to 360 days for bct. I havent gone to MEPS yet so it is not in contract, however, it has been promised. I just have to decide before MEPS exactly when I want to go. By exactly I mean within about a month. You wouldnt be able to pick the date of course, but within about 30 days.

Also, you have options when you are attending school. Going to bct one summer and AIT the next. I dont know much about that but i'd talk to a recruiter about it. Of course it would likely mean no summer classes.

txarngct
August 24th, 2006, 11:48 AM
I thought I did a follow up to your reply but I guess not, send me an e-mail and I will be happy to give you my take.

calvin.thomas@tx.ngb.army.mil

Ben
August 28th, 2006, 12:51 PM
thank you everyone for your posts here. It has helped me a lot.
im going to talk to my dad again here tomorrow. the first time did not go so well. My recruiter told me that all of my family could sit down and talk to him. So im going to talk to my father about that. any suggestions about how to go about this would be helpful.


thank you
~Ben, From Minnesota.

Catracho
August 28th, 2006, 02:55 PM
Ben, all i can say that will really help you is, go about it slow, and if he still seems troubled by the idea, ask what his concerns are. Well that what helped with my family, and i told them that this is what i wanted to do, and if i didnt do it now i would have never of thought about doing it again in the future.

88MIoWaGuArD
August 30th, 2006, 09:31 PM
This is just a reminder to any and everyone signing a military or civilian contract, dont take a promise as it's in the contract, make sure it's in the contract. Recruiters aren't going to lie to you, but their humans and it's possible to forget certain things, before signing any contract, make sure everything is in there that needs to be.
By the way 88M shippin to Fort Leonard Wood on Sept 6th