A question for ANG Infantryman.

[Dan]

When I enlist, I want my MOS to be 11b direct fire infantryman. I understand being in the infantry that sooner or later combat is inevitable. (espicially with a war going on.) I am confidant that I will be trained, motivated and ready when that day comes.

But will others in my unit? Having joined the National Gaurd will they be expected less of than their active grunt counterparts? Will they be any less motivated or gung-ho since they are Gaurd?

Some people tell me that if im so concerned about this then I should join the Marines or somthing. I like the Gaurd and the way it works, and I want to enlist Infantry, but I am somewhat concerned about this.

Can any of you gunts out there help me out?

[AbnMtn]

When I enlist, I want my MOS to be 11b direct fire infantryman. I understand being in the infantry that sooner or later combat is inevitable. (espicially with a war going on.) I am confidant that I will be trained, motivated and ready when that day comes.

But will others in my unit? Having joined the National Gaurd will they be expected less of than their active grunt counterparts? Will they be any less motivated or gung-ho since they are Gaurd?

Some people tell me that if im so concerned about this then I should join the Marines or somthing. I like the Gaurd and the way it works, and I want to enlist Infantry, but I am somewhat concerned about this.

Can any of you gunts out there help me out?

The best way to address your concerns is to get with a local recruiter and ask him/her to take you to some of the infantry units within your state. It's all a matter of looking at the standards the chain of command in the unit upholds. The markers you're looking for are the following: they conduct physical training on every weekend assembly they have, they conduct road marches on a regular basis (a minimum of a 12 mile road march once a year), soldiers are motivated and move with a purpose, infantry-related training is conducted to standards, the chain of command is involved and participates in training activities, morale across the rank spectrum is good, and the unit itself has a good re****tion among other units in the state. Like in any of the active components, you'll find units that are outstading and others that are ok.

[VTguard]

I had the same concern when I came from Active Duty infantry to National Guard. I had heard the stories of a bunch of out-of-shape old men in the National Guard, but what I found was a much different story. I was assigned to the 3/172 INF (MTN), and that unit was more high-speed than the unit that I came from. The infantry units in the National Guard are a cut above many other units. I agree with ABNMTN when he says to check out the unit you're being assigned to. If you really want to get an idea of how well trained and motivated the soldiers in your unit are, ask your recruiter to take you to a drill weekend when they are conducting training. If they are a high-speed infantry unit, I guarantee you will be impressed and will have confidence that you could trust any one of the soldiers in the unit with your life, and guarantee they would expect the same from you.

[Dan]

Thanks for the help guys!

[Joeyhawaii]

I've been thinking about joining the National Gaurd again too. However, I'm really skeptical because of my previous experience.
I served 3 years active duty with the 25th ID Air Assault infantry unit based out of Schofield Barracks. My contract ended right before September 11th and was reactivated with the California National. I reported to my unit soon after the attack and was amazed with the difference between my old unit and the gaurd unit. I felt like a soldier being attached to a circus. Our commander was trying to activate every soldier possible so he could try and get our unit deployable.
To make a long story short I ended up the the base gun squad leader for the 120 mortar platoon with an E-8 and an E-7 who were ready to retire under my command. Thank god I did not have to go to battle with that unit.
I've been debating about joining again, but I sure wouldn't want to end up in that situation again for another year.

[AbnMtn]

Joey,

You may want to check some of the units in your area if you're looking at joining again. The attitude of business as usual and the status quo have changed in the Guard. You were activated right after 9/11 and Guard units were still working under the asumption that everyone else would be deployed before they would even consider deploying a Guard unit. That's no longer the case and attitudes have been significantly adjusted since then. This is coming from a 15 year active duty who deployed with a Guard infantry unit to Afghanistan.

Even in active duty you'll find units that are considerably better than others. The same goes for the Guard and if you don't mind the traveling, you may find the one that is a good fit for you by visiting a few within your state.

[Alaska2]

As a future ANG infantryman, we can only hope that the people that we serve with understand the severity of what they have agreed to do. I would think that most will and for the ones that do not understand, the Drill Sergeants will explain it to them.

As far as I am concerned;

It is not a matter of if I am going to see combat, but when.

It is not a matter of if I will be asked to **** an enemy of the USA, but when.

It is not a matter of if I am going to put my life on the line for this country and it’s policy, but when.

It is not a matter of if I will be asked to accomplish a mission that did not take my personal comfort into consideration, but when.

The FACTS above will be enough for me to stay in shape and keep my edge. I hope it will be enough for my fellow infantrymen as well.