Questions for some kids

[wannaknow]

I have a couple of questions...I'm a teacher and have some students interested in the guard or reserves.

1. What is the difference between guard and reserves?
2. Is one better than the other if active duty is the goal? (One student would like to go ahead and join, but has 2 years of high school left and would like to finish)
3. One was diagnosed as bipolar as a child, but is no longer on any medication or specific treatment for it. Will this affect his ability to join?
4. Is medical insurance coverage available while serving in the guard or reserves?

That's all for now. Thanks for the info!

[Pawtucket-RI SSG B]

Below I provided a short answered to your questions,. Hope, it helps.

1. What is the difference between guard and reserves? The National Guard has been around since 1636 and we serve two purposes. 1) The National Guard State mission involves helping communities during natural disasters (i.e. Katrina) and civil emergencies (prison riots/airport security) 2) Federal mission involves national emergencies, however, the President reserves the right to mobilize the National Guard, putting them in federal duty status (i.e Gulf War). The Army reserves mainly deals with the Federal Mission and are a backup to Active Duty is as so are the National Guard.

2. Is one better than the other if active duty is the goal? (One student would like to go ahead and join, but has 2 years of high school left and would like to finish) The training one receives either it be Guard or Reserves is exactly that of an Active Duty Soldier. There is no difference in training. If she/he joins the Guard or Reserve and enjoys it then she/he can upgrade later to Active Duty once they are in.

3. One was diagnosed as bipolar as a child, but is no longer on any medication or specific treatment for it. Will this affect his ability to join? Normally this done on a case by case basis. The prospective applicant would gather all of the pertinent documents from their doctor and submit a medical pre-evaluation (which is done through a recruiter). The Chief Medical Officer will review the documents and make a determination from the facts(i.e. Medical Documents) that are available at his disposal.

4. Is medical insurance coverage available while serving in the guard or reserves? While one is on a drilling status and basic training that person is fully covered if anything was to happen.

[wannaknow]

Your answers are very helpful. Thank you.

[guard61075]

If i join as a junior. does that start my duty. Do i get called during school. Or is it that i just do training and then start after i graduate.

[Specialist Purdue]

If you are 17 and a junior you can join the National Guard. Your parents also have to sign a waiver. You will not get deployed while you are in High school cause you will not have finished all of your training.

[AbnMtn]

If i join as a junior. does that start my duty. Do i get called during school. Or is it that i just do training and then start after i graduate.

As a junior, when you join, you'll complete your basic training during the summer vacation and will most likely be assigned to your state's RSP (Recruit Sustainment Program) where you will drill for one weekend a month to keep the skills you learned in Basic sharp. You'll continue with your senior year in HS and once done with it, you'll be sent to complete your AIT (job specialty training). As mentioned before, you will not be deployed while in high school. If you choose to continue with college immediately after HS, look into the ROTC program and the SMP enlistment option. If you mention these to your local recruiter when you contact him/her, they will go into detail on how these programs can benefit you while attending college.