I am thinking about enlisting, any thoughts?

[Faith]

Hi!
I am new to the forums. I am an average college student just trying to live life normally. Well I have been thinking about enlisting into a military branch for the past few months, however it was always just pushed to the back of my mind, lately my feelings and thoughts of enlisting have been coming on strong. I am not jumping into anything right away i am taking a look at my options talking to some recruiters about it before i make a decision. So i would really like to hear your feedback on the national gaurd. How you guys first started and what i have to expect if I do enlist, any feedback is wanted. Thank you for taking the time to read this and respond. Have a good day and hope to speak with you all soon!!

-Faith

[Echo]

Hi Faith,

If you haven't already done so... I recommend that you read the following 14-part article... it's loaded with great information that will help you with your decision making:

What The Recruiter Never Told You

Best of luck to you on your journey...

[BoomerSooner]

Well, sounds like your doing the right thing, looking at all the options.

First thing I would do is determine do you want to go into the military for active duty (full time) or part time (1 weekend a month, 2 weeks a year {unless deployed}) The national guard is part of the reserve component and is part time.

The second thing would be to determine what service (or it's reserve component) you are interested in.

The third thing I would determine, since your are in college, do you want to be a commissioned officer, or do you want to enlist.

You might go to www.about.com and look up US military or joining the US military and do some research BEFORE talking to recruiters, so you have an idea of what you want to do. The articles there are excellent. I would also check out all the individual services websites.

[TRUEBLUE4LIFE]

Well Faith, it seems you and I are in the same boat. I am a college student athlete with alot going on in my life. In short life is good. I had the same feelings about enlisting into a military branch. I reserched every one and found for me the only way to go is Army national guard. I leave for bct Nov 8th. I then go to Ait. I live very close to my unit. Avaition. I can continue my college education and athletics at the same time. The best of both worlds. I learn.. I play, and I serve. The education I learn at Ait will help me in the civie world. The choise for me was easy. All the other military branches are cool. Sit back and see what the best fit is for you, and how the service in the military can work for the both of you. What do you like doing? what are you really good at? where would you like doing it? after time and a few discussions with your recruiter, your family and loved ones it will come to you. Ask if you can have a tour at the unit you might serve in and see where your (mos ) is and the soldiers you might be working with. I did the tour of my unit and can't wait to go back. Good luck..... it will work out.

[PvtHumphrey]

Let me bring this to you hard core style...Courage,motivation,derfeat,conquer,never give up,give it your all,don't stop...ok that's enough for now. Point is this...If the military is the path you decide on THEN YOU DO IT! Refer to the above words. These are words you need to abide to. I am not enlisted as of now, but my plans are moving forward. Just earlier I felt anxious about the whole thing, but I felt those words above, they are mine lol. I get pumped just thinking about it most of the time, and when I feel down, I tell myself that i've gone this far & it's something that's in my heart. You'll have to do what i've and many others have done, read read read ask ask ask! You wont know until then, and I see you are already in motion with this. This has been something i've wanted to do for a long time. I was jealous cause my man was in, and I put my foot down "I WANT TO JOIN" If it's in your heart & it feels right, move forward with it, but dont rush, take your time.There's more involved then I thought, especially with kids and so fourth. I know i'm completely off your subject now, but I never talked like this before. The thought of enlisting revs me & excites me so much. It's a job with so many rewards & respect. I have ran into 1 person that bashed the military, so I bashed them right back, other than that, everyone I speak to has some sort of thankfulness & respect for what our soldiers do. Imagine this country without a military?

[tanikir]

When I first started college I had a couple of friends in the guard and they were always trying to get me to join. I wish I had. I was always too busy though, maybe a few more months, or a few more years things would be better and I'd join then. But, life happened. Now I'm married with kids and trying to get in. I really wish I had done it earlier. JUST DO IT!