Thinking of joining the National Guard Reserve

[Garrett Szilard]

As you guys know, the economy *****. College is expensive and if your like me that have no idea what they want to do. Just spinning here in circles waiting for something to happen, you know what it is like then.

So.. Let me tell you a tad bit about myself.. I'm almost 20, I graduated at the Top 10% of my class in 2010 in High School. Currently I work at my old Elementary School as a Teacher's Assistance. Everyone there thinks I should pursue a teaching career, but something just tells me I can't do that, that's not it. Nothing has lured me in....

As far as what requirements go. I weigh only 166 pounds at about 6 feet tall. MY local doctor keeps telling me I'm perfectly healthy physically. I do feel there could be a physiological issue, but I'm probably paranoid about that as well.

So anyways. Joining the military is like the latest and greatest thing these days. You could even say, its Young American's #1 drug, everybody seems to be doing it. So I figured if I can't figure anything better to do, I might as well do this, right?

Reason I'd like to join the military:

-The Training (The military actually trains and teaches you, while Colleges doesn't train you, they don't even teach you. They are a scam)

-Weaponary (I've always loved handling weapons. I'd love to learn the best way to be effective while using them)

-Something to do (What I'm doing now, just doesn't make me feel I'm getting anywhere, at least in here, I'd be out of the house more often)

So, now here are my questions about the National Guard Reserve:

-Could I be stationed at a base in my home state? Familiar surroundings are always easier on me with changes like this. That and flying for me is terrifying.. Every time I fly, I'm more freaked out than the last time.

-What are the chances of becoming active and then having to go fight for another country's freedom? (I'm more of a defense kind of guy. I'm willing to fight and die in my own land, not on some foreign land)

-What are the main differences between National Guard and National Guard Reserves?

-What is the fail rate for the Reserves? Like how many fail to join for other reasons besides Physically or Mental abilities?

-What are all the actual benefits?

-Is there a way to get a taste of military life without having to actually sign up to see if you can actually take the stress? Something that is like optional of course?

This is all I can come up with right now..

[Black_Guard]

First there is only the Army Reserve and National Guard. No National Guard reserve. The National Guard is a reserve military force already.

Depending on the scale of the war, almost everyone would see some sand at least once. I believe its no more than one year for each five years of drills.

Benefits- http://www.nationalguard.com/benefits

And I will let those with more experience answer the rest for you and explain what I've said in more detail.

[Secret Squirrel]

Not willing to fight and die in a foreign land? Have you tried the Coast Guard? Sorry to be so blunt, but it chaps my **** when people join for benefits without willing to sacrifice.

[Garrett Szilard]

Not sure why I didn't think of the Coast Guard.. As for the not wanting to die on foreign land, its a matter of Nationalism, which I lack. However, I still think I'm patriotic enough to die defending my own country from invaders. Like I said before, I'm a defensive kind of guy. And its not completely our fault that people are thinking or wanting to join specifically for the benefits. The military makes those commercials explaining all that you'll get out of it and in a tough economy like this, its like their answer to all their problems. When I use to be depressed from not having a job, my original intent of joining the military was to go to the front lines and get killed. I like to think my new reason to join is more noble than that, don't you think? I do like the old days, where idealism was strong and made people proud, but it just doesn't work that way anymore. Its all about money, benefits and just having some sort of training experience on your belt. Its a sad new world we live in, many I know really did wish the world would come to an end in 2012 and as the days go on, the more I see the world falling apart, it just sounds like a plausible and reasonable request.

I don't know what else to do.

[LRSU_Dog]

there is only the Army Reserve and National Guard. No National Guard reserve. The National Guard is a reserve military force already.

The National Guard is made of of both the Army and Airn National Guard. So to be correct, and you can check many of my previous posts where I explain this in more detail, when you are referencing the "Reserve" and the "National Guard" you are referencing all the military branches reserve component - such as the US Army Reserve. And likewise for the NG - if you do not differentiate then you are referencing both Army and Air - so to be correct you would be calling it the Army National Guard... and yes, it is not OK to just make a general reference.

The ARNG is an Operational reserve force of the US Army - however, again to be correct it is also a force guaranteed to the states from its founding... again see my previous posts for a more detailed description...

To the original poster... your questions should be best focused to an actual Recruiter - as here they do sound a bit wishy-washy and non-committal... You an PM me if you want to know why...


As you guys know, the economy... So anyways. Joining the military is like the latest and greatest thing these days. You could even say, its Young American's #1 drug, everybody seems to be doing it. So I figured if I can't figure anything better to do, I might as well do this, right?

No, this is not a reason to join...

[Fstbk272]

NO matter what the possibility is there to go over and die. You serve your country and you do it b/c your a patriot. Or you don't do it. You will still deploy. They aren't gonna excuse you b/c you wanna die on US land...lol. And if you had thaughts of joining just to die...you might wanna re-think this.

[ParalegalNCO1]

When I use to be depressed from not having a job, my original intent of joining the military was to go to the front lines and get killed......many I know really did wish the world would come to an end in 2012. I don't see what else to do.

Please look at the windows from the room where you are typing. They wouldn't happen to be welded shut with bars on them, would they??

[LRSU_Dog]

If you are thinking about seriously turning your life around and doing great things, then by all means go talk with a recruiter, be honest and straightforward, and see where it goes.

Be advised, depression, especially clinical, and those who are considered a suicide risk will not find this a viable avenue to pursue. If this is the case, please seek out a counselor who can help you with those areas and work to achieve a better life for yourself.

Nothing is easy, and nothing worth having is ever easy... Best of luck.

[Garrett Szilard]

Please look at the windows from the room where you are typing. They wouldn't happen to be welded shut with bars on them, would they??Haha.. Nice.. One issue with that. If my window had bars on it, I doubt I'd have internet access. I'm not a psycho, I don't have crazy thoughts of hurting anyone physically or mentally. Now, if someone came up to me with a weapon or starting beating the **** out of me, heck yeah I'd try to fight back or something.

[fmcityslicker]

Haha.. Nice.. One issue with that. If my window had bars on it, I doubt I'd have internet access. I'm not a psycho, I don't have crazy thoughts of hurting anyone physically or mentally. Now, if someone came up to me with a weapon or starting beating the **** out of me, heck yeah I'd try to fight back or something.

Not to get off-topic but there are some jails that have internet access paid by the taxpayer. Anyway, everybody has their own notion about the military before they decide to join. Once you in and get indoctrinated on what true military service is about; you will be enlightened with a robust awakening. :o

[7011USMC]

Not to get off-topic but there are some jails that have internet access paid by the taxpayer. Anyway, everybody has their own notion about the military before they decide to join. Once you in and get indoctrinated on what true military service is about; you will be enlightened with a robust awakening. :o

QFT! Robust is good; Very Good.

[IslanPl]

I Plan on joining the guard to get a lot of exp. and helP people that America has the power to help. Not really a patriot, but I admire people who devote their whole lives to bettering a worthy cause. As a 68 Whiskey I want to help patriots, and followers of Islam in the middle east as well. Trying to better the world is my main goal, and many times is America's goal as well, and I would die to support what I would believe in.

[Ex-Tanker]

I was in the Army National Guard for nine years. I was a 19kilo (Tanker). I got out in 2001 when my wife (fiance at the time) basically told me that if I was going to get married to her, I had to get out. If I would have stayed in, I would be a year away from retirement. I must say that I thoroughly enjoyed my years in the guard and would do it again in a heartbeat. I really wish I would have reenlisted and stayed in until retirement. At the same time, my old guard unit has now gone to both Iraq and Afghanistan. Some of my best friends in my old unit did not make it back home (IED). In my nine years in the guard, we were never deployed. Today things are different. If you sign up, you should expect and be prepared to be deployed and it should be an honor to do so. I did not want to die in combat, but I did want to fight for our country and for the freedom that we all enjoy. Regarding the benefits, there are many. The military made a man out of me. When I went to basic training I was lost. It literally and figuratively changed my life - for the better. I am who I am today because of the principals that the military taught me. Prospective employers also greatly value military experience. You, of course, have to be willing to accept those principals. Also, my college was paid for by the GI Bill. I now have a Bachelors in Mech Eng and a Masters in Business. If you have a desire to go to college, do it. Do not think twice about it. Make it happen. You'll wish you had if you do not. Long story short, I recommend the Army National Guard for many reasons, but you have to be willing to accept all of the risks that go along with it. Also, keep in mind that once you sign up, you can't just quit and go looking for a better job. Once you sign up, you are Uncle Sam's and you should consider that as an honor.