to be or not to be, that is the question

[Kadydids]

so i have 4 weeks left of school before i graduate, and i still dont know what im going to do with myself
in the past i have considered joining the national guard, but just as quick i disreguarded it, saying that it wasnt for me.
but now that im coming to an end of a stage in my life, i have to start considering everything seriously
but im unsure if this is right for me. what is it that i can do. i have no real great experience in anything, and i dont like going into something not knowing anything about it before hand.
iv read through most of the forums, and i think, anyone can do anything if they just put their mind and body into it.
i can do this, but i dont know how or where to begin... i guess im still in the in-between land on adolescence and adulthood, not wanting to leave the safty of the darkness :\
but im running out of time
so basically im asking

what is it that ill be getting myself into if i do decide to join?

what do i have to do to get myself prepaird for it?
im in good shape, but not great shape.

being 5'6" and weighing in around 130lbs, i can run the mile in 9:30 (i have asthma though, but i can move past that), push ups i can do like 5 real ones (pathetic), sit ups like 140 in one min. pull ups im a complete failure in lol (no upper body strength)
for running, i know i can do better, but its hard to get the motivation if i am the only one doing it, and have no one there to push me to do better, to go farther.

im at a fork in the road, and i dont know which way to go
help!

my thanks
Katie

[Chris89]

Well what do you want to do with your life? Be a teacher be a football player be a computer programmer I don’t know but the National Guard Has it and so does the army. I look at the Army as an everyday thing. You just get more training and you get to your goals faster. It is like basic life you get up you go to work. You will be doing the same thing in the Army but you will be apart of a team not only a team you will be apart of a Success, Respected team that is your job in the Untied States Army. So you can just go find a job at Pizza Hut okay you’re a cook whoa! Guess what you can become a cook in the National Guard. I like driving and construction what will I be doing? Ether a Transportation driver or a Construction guy sure I can do that in regular life but I want to be apart of a team. I am forcing my self to get in shape going to bed at 22:00 and waking up at 5:45 every day to go run isn’t easy would I do it if I didn’t have a goal no you must be crazy! It depends on your self. Reach your goals just don’t jump at them and try to make it!

What should you do about getting in shape? I posted a lot of stuff ( Go to different topics and look at them) so has a couple of my bud’s one person I would recommend and is now helping me reach my goals is LRSU_Dog you should try talking to him. He’s going to play hard ball with you but if you can’t take him forget about joining the Army its 10x as worst I bet. He will only help you if your fully committed to reaching your goals if not don’t bother asking. I also will be glad to help you.

[Kadydids]

well you see thats the thing
i love to take things apart and try to put them back together, i like to fly, im good at electonics, climing things is a bad habit of mine..... i mean there are so many things that i can do, its just a matter of whats right for me.
but it doesnt help much when i dont know any of this.... i guess thats what calling a recruiter is for though :\

i can play hard ball, but its one thing to talk to someone about it on the comp than it is to actually have someone there with you
but thank you, i will keep your offer in mind

[LRSU_Dog]

Chris89 has brought up a lot of good points about joining; as to both future goals, and current goals, the National Guard can provide you many routes to go, and you always have the option to pursue other avenues, such as college or a civilian career in addition to the ARNG.

This forum is a tool for you to ask questions and try to get answers. Ultimately a professional recruiter has a lot of valuable information for you to look at in regards to your future. You can, for example, look at beginning a career field in the civilian world by going for a job where the training is top-notch. An example would be an Army Medic - which in the civilian world is an EMT.

One of the first things you need to do is get a determination (medically speaking) in regards to your asthma. Get with a professional recruiter to go over the issues with a medical determination on the subject to make sure you qualify. Only a professional recruiter can help you make this happen. As far as fitness and general help toward joining the National Guard, I would be more than happy to help you - likewise the many soldiers and recruiters who take the time to answer questions and provide information.

[LRSU_Dog]

Katie,

One of the things that the military has a knack of doing is helping you to learn about yourself, and showing you that you are capable of doing more than you ever imagined. I, and I am sure many other soldiers can attest to, have done things I thought were impossible for me to do. The sense of accomplishment you get helps to create a desire to succeed.

Working with a professional recruiter is a great starting pint - do not worry if you are unsure of a job at this time, you can get an idea of the jobs that are available - and after you take the ASVAB you will know what jobs you qualify for. If you desire you can pursue an MOS that fits your hobbies or likes, on the other hand you can try something that is interesting to you but a departure from things that you have done in the past and is completely new.

The options in front of you in looking at becoming a member of the Army National Guard are more numerous than they might appear at first glance. One of the great intangible benefits from service with the ARNG is that you have full access to tools to further yourself.

As far as worries about physical ability - I would not worry, with time and effort you can accomplish more and more pushups, pullups, etc. If you aspire to "be all you can be" then you will see that the ARNG can help in attaining the future you envison yourself making. Meeting with a recruiting professional is a good first step to learn about units and jobs, benefits and support, as well give you some things to think about as you start to look at your future.

[countrygirl19]

Katie when or if you join the guard or any military branch (I won't lie) you are getting into a bunch of things but from what I have experienced the majority of them will turn out for the best. The one thing that you will have to keep up on is your ability to stay fit this includes working out to get better at your miner flaws. As a girl in the guard I respect every day that I am in the guard as my way of saying thanks to the ones who served before me and are currently serving. I am also proud to say that I am not just a girl but I am someone who can help make a difference in tomorrow!