hello

[Dj cide]

Not sure if this belongs here, so if it doesn't feel free to move it, thanks.

First, some basic information, I am 17 and still enrolled in school (of course)
I have been thinking about joining the military for my whole life knowing that I wanted to help in some way, but now that I think about it, the thought of being sent off to fight/die in a war I might not agree with, doesn’t sound good to me, so after talking to a recruiter at my high school today, I decided the National Guards would be perfect for me, so after doing a little more research after school today and talking with my parents, I decided to enlist in the National Guards (the recruiter is coming by tomorrow) I cant “officially” sign up for a couple more months, but I would rather get it all set up ASAP so soon as I’m officially a junior (11th grade) Its all ready. I'm also taking ROTC 11th-12th grade (will be starting at the beginning of the year) I am already signed up for the program.
Anyways, its been a long day, so good night, just wanted to say hello.

[DrillSgt]

Dj Cide,

I am replying to your posting because I believe that every young American that decides to join the service must be aware of what they are getting into. First let me say that joining the Army (and later the National Guard) was the best decision of my life.:D I've had so many unique and gratifying experiences and have traveled around the world three times (at least). Speaking of going off to missions you don't believe in... I have deployed to Somalia, Haiti, Kosovo, Afghanistan and Iraq!!! Yes each was dangerous and there was a slight chance of dying, but I didn't because I was well trained and had good leaders. I, like you, did not believe in many of the missions in which I participated. However, regardless of my political position, I can tell you that each of these missions afforded me opportunities to learn so much about the world while working with the indigenous populations of these countries. Even more so I learned how little the politics was relevant to the mission on the ground.
Of everything that I have to say listen to this... The National Guard is as much a part of the Army as any AND you are nearly as likely (if not as likely) to deploy to Iraq in the Guard as if you are in the active Army.
A Soldier is a Soldier is a Soldier... but as you get older you will cherish the days you spent as such for the rest of your life.
Good Luck! And let me know if you and your parents need any help with your recruiter!
Sincerely,

[XxAdriesseNHARNG892xX]

I am not yet 17, but I turn 17 in September of 2006. I am planning to enlist in September and I have already talked with a recruiter, and NCO, an officer, and a PVT. My recruiting NCO is named SGT. Robert Haynes and my Mentor is PVT Shaw. I am going to state this right now, anyone who plans to enlist, the national guard is still the army, when your unit gets deployed from antional guard to active, you are then continued to use your training tactics, but still always have the possibility depending on your MOS to get hurt or killed, because it is the army and it may only be national guard, but it is very much still the army because you need to do basic training, and MOS training, take the ASVAB, talk with a recruiter and enlist so you still get held to the responsibility as an active duty member. Having only been the age of 16, I found this amazing summer camp with the american cadet alliance for the army recruit training at Fort Bragg, NC and it is pretty much like boot camp there for new recruits which would be me, from the days of June 24th 2006 to July 17th 2006. I am so pumped and excited because I already know waht to expect with the army national guard because I already was a guest with the NHARNG up at the armory in Strafford, NH. I went last weekend and I was treated as an E-1 and was put in with first platoon for the day. We ate actaul MRE's and had the same training that we do in the regular military. This was to me an amazing and most special thing that was worthwile to do in a while...The training consisted of weighing in, patrolling the barracks, getting canteens, classroom based larning , drills, formation drill such as how to salute the flag properly, how to do a left face, a right face, and about face, and at ease, and tension standing, also we had map reading, camoflauge, black hawk orientations, humvee rides, more patrolling the barracks, and lunch, then we had shooting range with a simulated M-16a2 wepaon, a SAW, and a barrett 9mm rifle. It was so much fun that I honestly think that I am ready to enlist in September. Just to quote this "the army national guard is alot of fun, but also requires alot of work with the right person, if you do not have the strenth to do PT at 0300am, and have the upper body strenthg than the national guard may not be for you. The national guard has the repsect of the govener, and the president of the US, and you must be ready for deployment at all times" As the motto says we are an army of one, and we have each others backs at all times, and like my RTC company motto states "motivated motivated downright motivayted HOOAH" you must be motivated and learn your stuff. I already know military time, the company motto, the core values LDRSHIP, and the phonetic alpahbet as well as background on weapons. You may think i am overzealous, but I am just ready for what ever is to come, and I am ready for a challenge.
-April M Driesse a future national guard member-:)

[Dj cide]

Just got done with my interview with the recruiter, I would really prefer to stay in the USA and help out here, but if called on to go fight for another country, I wont turn it down but that’s not my main goal.
In 2 weeks to a month, I will be taking the asvad test and in June, I become an official member of the National Guard, and yes I have put a lot of thought into this, and know I am ready
Thankfully, my parents are ok with all of this.

[=*JoNaThAn*=]

Hello my name is jon i am sixteen and am thinking about joing the national gaurd i was wondering if you could tell me a little about it so i can be sure on my dission on joing i was wondering if u could tell me what the training was like? Im going to this one day traing program with my football team so i can decide then if i would like it. what do u think the NG is like could u give me your opinon b/c it would mean alot thanks.

[=*JoNaThAn*=]

hey is there a way i can send u like a friends invite cause i would like to talk to u more and i new to this forum stuff i would like to see what u do in the NG mabye u can update me when u do stuff that involves the NG so i can get a grasp on wether i want to go or not. Its a hard dissision to make i just dont know.

[Dj cide]

hey is there a way i can send u like a friends invite cause i would like to talk to u more and i new to this forum stuff i would like to see what u do in the NG mabye u can update me when u do stuff that involves the NG so i can get a grasp on wether i want to go or not. Its a hard dissision to make i just dont know.

message sent jona

[rooserdo]

hello,
you all are about 17, how old were u when u became interested in the guard? and y r u all so interested in it?
i am 14 and the more i think about it the more i cant wait to contact a recruiter!
~katie~

[Dj cide]

I have always wanted to join the military ever since I was very little, because I thought if I joined, I could really help people, it changed between Army, Air force, Fire Fighter, or Coast Guard, that seems like a lot of changes but what do all of these have in common? In every career I listed/thought about joining the main goal is helping someone.
After seeing what happened in Iraq, I ruled out Air force and Army, so when I saw the National Guard recruiter standing outside my cafeteria at school, I decided to give up some of my eating time and talk with him, once he saw I was interested he gave me a bunch of stuff to take home and read, so I talked it over with my mother/father, and they agreed to let me join.
So I called the recruiter back, he came over to my house and talked with me and my mother, and now im scheduled to become a full member in June.
It's more then just the money, it’s the urge inside me to get out there and help when they need it, but the money does help.

Hope that helps, if anyone wants to talk further feel free to PM me on this site, and we'll go from there.

[countrygirl19]

I would have to agree with DrillSgt 100%. As I am not only a member of the guard but a female as well, I say that the best decision that I ever made was to join the guard!

[XxAdriesseNHARNG892xX]

hello,
you all are about 17, how old were u when u became interested in the guard? and y r u all so interested in it?
i am 14 and the more i think about it the more i cant wait to contact a recruiter!
~katie~
I was in the 6th grade..and 9/11/01 had a huge impact on me joining

[countrygirl19]

hello,
you all are about 17, how old were u when u became interested in the guard? and y r u all so interested in it?
i am 14 and the more i think about it the more i cant wait to contact a recruiter!
~katie~
I was in 5th grade when I stared to think about my options with the military.:D

[pvijlmgm06]

i think it's a great thing that you've decided to enlist. I enlisted in the middle of my senior year, and I don't regret it at all. I've met alot of people that i can trust my life to, and i've builty alot of strong relationships. Like you I'm only 17 but like i said it's not something i'll regret. You just must remeber what your doing it for, and that it's hard work. I've heard some people complain because they didn't expect it to be work, they thought it would vbe more fun, and it is if you keep your head on your shoulders and push yourself to become a better person. After I graduate this summer, I will leave in september for basic. If you need any help with anything let me know, i'd be glad to help you from the point of view of another soldier still n school. E-mail me sometime at jlmgm06@yahoo.com.