Looking to possibly join NG

[Clinton]

Recently I have had a feeling that I want to help my country. So, I'm doing my due dillegence now. Here's a little bit about my situation. I'm 35 and married with three kids (4, 2 and a new born). My wife, if I decide to join, is very supportive and would be very proud. I live in Utah, just south of Provo. I have a job in a local city as a Software Engineer. I graduated from Utah State University in May 2000 with BA in Business Information Systems. My current job is great and I like it a lot; I'm treated well by my employers. I have but one debt, a mortgage and will probably incurr a vehicle debt next spring. Now for some of my questions and concerns:

1) I know that there is ~20K signing bonus. What kind of pay can I expect on my weekend camps, yearly missions, BCT, AIT or deployment? I would like to know this so I can know what to expect financially for my family. I need to feel confident that I can meet my debt(s) and still provide for my family.

2) If I were to do one term (8 years), are there any retirement benefits that I would receive later in life?

3) I would definatly want an MOS in the IT field. Hopefully doing some programming of some kind. I'm willing to learn other specifics in IT too. May I get a list of MOS's in the IT field please?

4) I've talked to a friend that has recently completed his 8 year obligation. He mentioned that after he had signed up, it was two years before he went to BCT. If I were to sign up with in the next month or so, how long would it take for me to begin my BCT, and what location would it be?

Any help from a recruiter would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

[sgtdavis]

Go here and select your State to find a recruiter in your area

military agr jobs (http://www.militaryagrjobs.com)

[Jemmons]

Not a recruiter, but I have found a few of these answers on my "travels" here . . .

1) As you'll probably quickly hear (if you haven't already), not every MOS is eligible for the $20k bonus. Only those that are designated "critical" needs (defined by both the federal government and your state) are eligible to receive the full bonus; other positions may still give you a bonus, just not for the maximum amount. In those cases, however, you have other options (quick ship, etc.) that you might be able to tack on . . .

As for the drilling pay, there is a chart on the main NG website that shows pay ranges for each rank for a typical drill weekend (which counts as 4 days of pay). Alternatively, you can look up military pay charts and work backwards to get specifics (figure out, based on time in service and your rank what your daily pay is, then multiply times four).

3) In addition to the link already provided, I've found the www.goarmy.com website particularly helpful in researching jobs (the job description and training is the same in the Army as it is in the National Guard, but not all Army positions will be available in your state).

4) You'll get to choose a BCT date when you go to MEPS to sign your contract. You won't know what dates are available until you go, but if you come armed with some idea of when you want to go you can try to pick an available slot that works for you. You can put off your BCT ship date for up to a year after you sign your contract (but will need to pick a date that day). Where you go will depend somewhat on what's available, and somewhat on your MOS. For example, I am going to enlist 11B, which will send me to Ft. Benning, GA for OSUT (One Station Unit Training: BCT + AIT rolled into one). Some sites are co-ed, some are men-only (not sure that there are any women-only, but I might be wrong).

This doesn't answer all of your questions, I'm sure, but it's what I've picked up on - hopefully you'll find this useful. :)

[matthew.ritchie]

1. On Annual Training (two weeks per year), active duty for training, or active duty missions, you'll get the active duty pay scale for your pay grade and years of service. Check out this calculator (http://www.defenselink.mil/militarypay/pay/calc/index.html).
2. You'll need a minimum of 20 years of creditable service for retirement pay.
3. The 25-series jobs are what you're looking for. See the list of MOS (http://www.1800goguard.com/training/mos.php). Don't cast your net too shallow, however, because there may be other considerations (e.g., lack of bonus, inconvenient AIT dates, inconvenient unit location). Be willing to talk to your Recruiter about alternate options.
4. If a school seat is available, you could ship as soon as you're enlisted -- if a school seat is available. Realistically, your earliest date will probably be no sooner than 30 days. Summer is the worst time to get a school seat, and winter the easiest in general.

I have a bit of career advice for you, which you may not have considered. Please contact me directly on email or private message, so we can exchange phone numbers and talk.

[Clinton]

Thanks to all for taking time to answer my questions. They were very informative! :)

[jwbodine]

I think what the Major is getting at is, with your degree, you may be very wise to consider becoming an officer. If I were younger and had it to do over that is what I would have done. Good Luck