Wether to join or not

[Gvasa]

Hello,

For about a year now, i've been going back and forth about wether to join the service or not. I've recently thought about the Natioanl Guard and had a few questions. WHat is the difference between the Guard and the Army. Is the risk the same? What are the possibilities of being sent to fight? Also, if enlisted, do you still get to take time as a civilian often? And last question, is it possible to sign up for a maximum of a certian about of years, and that when that time is up, they cannot take you back. Thanks

[cspafford]

Hello,

For about a year now, i've been going back and forth about wether to join the service or not. I've recently thought about the Natioanl Guard and had a few questions. WHat is the difference between the Guard and the Army. Is the risk the same? What are the possibilities of being sent to fight? Also, if enlisted, do you still get to take time as a civilian often? And last question, is it possible to sign up for a maximum of a certian about of years, and that when that time is up, they cannot take you back. Thanks

I commend your decision to serve your country. I, too, have made the decision to enlist after researching all the branches. Most of my family is either active, reserve, or retired from one branch or another.

I chose the Army National Guard for a few reasons, but these are the top few:

1. I can serve while still remaining at home.

2. The Guard has unbelievable bonuses and other state college benefits that I wanted as an incentive to enlist.

3. The College First, Montgomer G.I. Bill, and 100% state tuition assistance were very high on my "needs" list.

As far as differences between regular Army and Army National Guard, it's more of a defensive/offensive thing. The Guard is more defensive, and more state-side than regular Army or Army Reserve. I'm not saying that the Guard never gets deployed overseas in combat, but they perform more humanitarian missions than combat missions. Will you be deployed to combat in the Guard? I'm sure at some point in time you will. Will you be on the front lines? Depends on your job.

I've chosen Military Police, and from the MP's that I've spoken to, none of them have taken enemy fire in the 10+ years they've been in the Guard. Most were deployed to protect the Pentagon on Sept. 11, and some went to Afganistan to guard the EPW (Enemy Prisoner of War) camps. They all returned safe and sound with no injuries and no casualties.

As far as enlistment times, you can enlist on a 8x2 enlistment, for example, which is 8 years active in the Guard (it's only part-time), then 2 years inactive. After which you are not deployable and cannot be forced back into military service.

If I were you, I would research the Army and Guard web sites to gather as much information as you can before making your decision. There is a web site with loads of information at http://www.mdang.net which covers the Army National Guard. I think some of the sites on the web almost have too much information, and it's hard to track it all down when you want. This site is a little more concise in it's information display.

Let me know if I can be of any further assistance....


-- Chuck

[SFC Harlan]

Chuck,
Just a heads up. There is no such thing as an 8X2. Everyone who enlist in any branch of military gets an 8 years Military Service Obligation(MSO) Most contracts through the Guard are 6X2. Other options might be 3X5 or 8X0 but in any instance the numbers never exceed 8 years. You have some very good input but I thought this info may help you help others better.

[cspafford]

Oops!! Sorry about that. I wanted to write 6x2, but for some reason the number "8" stuck in my head so much I wrote 8x2... :-)

Enlistments in the Guard are 3x5, 4x4, 6x2, and 8x0.