info.....

[nobody_R_us]

I was wondering if anyone could tell me what a person's rights are when wanted to not join the guard if already inrolled and hasn't gone to basic yet.... thanks?

[VTguard]

If you're saying that you enlisted in the National Guard, and haven't shipped to basic training yet, and want to get out, here's the process:

You need to write a statement to your RSP coordinator explaining the situation. You need to have a good reason that you want to get out. (ie: family emergency, hardship, personal reasons, etc.) You can delay your ship date if necessary or if you just want to get out altogether, you will receive a general discharge. If after a year, you decide you want to get back in any branch of service, you will need a waiver to do so. This practice is frowned upon and they may try to talk you out of it, but if you really don't want to ship for basic training, nobody is going to force you.

[nobody_R_us]

How would i find out who my RSP coordinator is? I've tried to get ahold of both my recruiter and my comanding officer for drills and no one will contact me about anything so, i thought i would go to another source. I have my reason for not wanting to but when i did bring it up to them before they told me that reason wasn't good enough and kept pushing me into staying in. It made me uncofortable.

[VTguard]

You need to get ahold of the state headquarters and ask for the number for the RSP coordinator. They will not make the process easy. Can I ask why you want to get out?

[nobody_R_us]

Well, i don't know how well this would sound, considering that its over a computer but i can do my best. Last year i moved from my dad's house to my mom's because i was having a lot of problems with how my dad was treating me. Well lets just say that he was never exactly proud of me for any thing, and i was put down a lot by him. When ever i moved i put all of the anger that i had towards him into school, for awile that worked. until i let my emotions over what happened with him ruin what friends i had made. I was in a happy relationship and i had some decent friends for once, but since i was always so emotional about that or i would get too self concience on what other people would think of me not only did i loose a lot of those friends who were so important to me but i lost the man i loved over my father. Then after that i wanted to get myself together and told myself that i wasn't going to let what he did ruin my life so i made other friends and i started thinking about joining the Guard. I started dating another guy, and he was already in the Guard. but then everything started going down hill again. I started seeing my dad a little more and more. well anyway, i didn't need a remake of the last time that happened so i decided to join not becasue i thought it would make my friends more likely not to desert me but because i thought that maybe if i could do something to make my dad proud of me then maybe he wouldn't have treated me the way he did. I've gone to a couple drill weekends(i think four) and the more i go the more i realize that it was wrong for me to join for him, considering one he still hasn't changed and i think it made him mad more than anything, and two,i shouldve never let how he treated me make me decide how to live the rest of my life. Now when i have to do something to do with the Guard and i get dressed in my BDU's its almost like i have to force myself to go out of the house because i feel so uncomfortable in them. Its not that whereing them embarasses me or anything like that. Its just that i don't feel comfortable in this setting, with the people that i'm with at drills. Sure i have friends but their opinions are the same and mine is always different. I want to be able to go to school by next spring but with me going to basic i can't. i wanted to get married and have kids. sooner rather than when i'm 30. I've just now, after not having so much luck with the last boyfriend either, gotten to the point where my friends want to hang out with me again, i've lost so much time with them i don't want to loose anymore. i'm graduating from high school in 8 days, i don't have that much. My family doesn't have a lot of money and if i could get a full time job around where i live then i could make life at home so much better. Running away from what i'm afraid of isn't going to solve anything. I'm sorry that it was such a long message to expalin this and i know you may not understand how strongly i feel about this. but i do. I may want to come back and join later when i'm ready and i would have to do it for me not for anyone else. Again, i'm sorry it took so much to explain this. You've been a lot of help for me. Do you think that this would be an adequate reason to get out? What i mean to say is Do you think that they will think that this is an adequate reason to get out? Thanks

[LRSU_Dog]

I would like to pass this on to you, if anything else then it is only my 2 cents...

It sounds like you are at a point in your life that everyone gets to, and with issues that may not be so disimilar to many other people in regards to family and friends. Ultimately you have to do what you believe is best for you. In that regard my question to you is this - Are you sure that your choice to go into the ARNG was the wrong one to make?

In life, and especially now that you are going from one phase of life to another, you see many uncertainties - especially when it comes to family and friends (and any issues that reside there also). Perhaps joining the ARNG was the correct step for you. I say this because once to attend and complete BCT and AIT you will have learned how strong you really are, and in the process you will do things you never thought possible - all causing you to be proud of "yourself" which is the most important. I have found in life that personal pride and accomplishment causes friends and family to be proud of you and your accomplishments.

The road from dependance to independance is not easy, but nothing that cannot be accomplished. Another issue you need to contend with is that of commitment... you mention commitments to family, friends or boyfreinds... but you never mention commitments to yourself, and seeing through your responsibilites such as signing in with the ARNG. These things, and the choices you make in life define who you are; do not let other people make that definition for you.

As for friends... I can tell you this, and it is true, with my HS reunion close - I have not had any contact with anyone from HS in about 10-15 years... but the friends I have made throughout my military career (from the 80's to today) are still right there (even if by telephone) - for the people you crawl through the dirt with will be the ones who stick with you through the best and the worst.

Even in light of your current uncertainties you may have put yourself on the right track, and just have not seen the big picture, which is not uncommon. What is your MOS, and where/when do you go to BCAT/AIT?

[nobody_R_us]

I am supossed to leave on July 19 and i got to FT.Jackson, South Carolina. Well i don't know how to write it out but its a medic. I wouldn't get back until early december. I understand where your coming from, and i thank you for your opinion, considering that your the only person i have gotten to talk to me about it. I know that there are some great people that join and make careers out of the ARNG. A lot of people that i'm proud to say that i've met. When i've gone to Drills and when i frist signed up i went in and i met a lot of people that i will still probably never forget, but I never seemed to fit in with them. Its not that i don't think i can do it. I know i can. I just don't feel comfortable in that setting, because of how i feel. Its kind of hard to explain. I've always been more of a loner. I learn better by myself and i work better by myself. In the ARNG you can't work alone because its about team work and mastering things as a group. Don't get me wrong thats great, but only if thats what is easiest for the individual. I'm not saying its supposed to be easy, I know its not. I also know that doing this would give me or any other person a sence of self accomplishment, but being in the ARNG isn't the only way to achieve that. I know the money that the ARNG gives in it's tuition assistance program would help me with college, but i also know that there are other ways i can get help. I was thinking about it, and maybe later in my life, once i get everything settled down and my life is in order then i could come back and be comfortable joining, but i would have to join for me, not for any other reason. Have you ever heard of any instances like mine where the person got out? If so, do you know what happened with their lives after?

[LRSU_Dog]

To be honest, what you are up against in your unit is common - as you are not yet qualified in your job, as an initial entry soldier, you - like everyone else like you - is kind of off to the side... Where you are being failed is that you should be in an RSP (Recruit Sustainment Program) where not only do you have your peers (IET Recruits) around you, but as well you get a better sense of preparation for your future training.

You should get with either your recruiter, unit, or both to find out why you are not in an RSP... These programs were developed because of situations like yours, which have affected many people in the past in a similar fashion. Prior to the RSP there were many recruits who felt like you - as a prior Career Counselor inthe ARNG, I have heard things like this before. Once you are qualified in your job you are then fully accepte as part of the unit and team. As well, although it is a team effort it is the "individuals" who make up the team.

As far as the medic training, all of that will be college creditable - setting you ahead of the game. The Military has a transcript service that you have sent to your school, and they apply transfer credits based on the college program you are in.

As far as previous IET soldiers who got out... I had one who failed to attain a High School Diploma or GED after almost one year of drills and prep training. He was released by the military. The honest truth of the last time I saw him was while driving past a bus stop... He was one of a few people at the stop, and looked away as I tried to offer him a ride... I know he had aspirations for better things, and from his look I could tell he fell far too short.

[TankerT]

I'll chime in here for a short one...

It's hard to fit in when you're not MOS qualified yet. Been there... done that myself. Trust me... it will change at the unit when you come back and you're qualified to do your job, and they involve you more. Plus, you'll get involved in some of the "war stories" about training, etc. You may also find that since you're back from training, and it is fresh in your head, you'll be one of the "go to" people for certain things.

I know many people that have been in a tough spot, and some got out... some did not. I can say that those that got out didn't turn out as well overall as those that stayed in.

BCT and AIT will change your outlook on a lot of things, and give you a lot of inner strength, which you may need. At one time, I needed it too. I'm glad I had been through the training that allowed me to believe in myself.

Yes, there are other ways to pay for college, etc. But, in the end, I think that you'll find that none of them offer the full "personnal development" package that the ARNG does.

My advice. Stick it out. You'll wonder why you did during BCT, but when you are done, it will start to click.

[nobody_R_us]

well to be honest with you i am with a lot of people like me. there is a very small group of people that i go to drills with that have actually gone to BCT, some may still have to go to AIT though. Theres a lot of people that i do talk to in like polite conversation that i met through my school. i even dated one. but there are also a lot of people that come from different schools and are older. they just have different personalities then i do. i mean i know thats normal.. it sounds kinda dumb to complain about that becuase everyone is different but you know just as well as me that some people are just too different. i don't know maybe its just me or something. i didn't think about the program, no one even offered it too me. but my situation would still be the same. i may be more likely to stay with it if they would of done that from the start but i know how strongly i feel about this and if i do then i know that i wouldve asked about it eventually. It just kind of frustrates me that after all of this none of the people i have tried talking to has explained anything to me. Everyone else that i know that joined and when i talked to them seemed to know so much more about all of it before they joined. I wasn't told anything other that i'd be going to drill weekends and then i would be gone longer than usual because of my MOS. If i wouldve known what i know now i wouldn't of joined. Like i said before though. i'm not saying that the ARNG is bad or anything like that. I'm proud of the people who want to get out there and do it, and i've met some people i probably will never forget. I may not be friends with them but they have defanatly put a good impact on how i should act and carry myself. Everyone that has replied to this has also helped me a lot. Without the replies i wouldn't have any information at all. So, Thanks.

[Can I Join]

Hello chick, I can tell you really don't want to be in the National Guard. You did want to when your boyfriend at the time was in, I understand.. But when ya'll broke-up you changed your mind. Have you even swore in yet..? Your not even in till you swear in.. If you want out that bad I'd almost have to say do it, because if you go in there with the attitude you have you really wont have any friends. No one in there wants to hear someone complain all the time and put down what they love. I know your not putting it down, however, I can tell how bad you want out and I believe it is for the same reason you joined, not for your father but for a guy your dating. Now your dating someone you think you love and dont want to leave them behind. If that is the case, if he cant and wont wait, you dont need him. Sometimes you do whats right and not whats in your heart. I'm not even in any service at all. I would give anything to be in the National Guard right now but having a hard time getting in because I was in the Navy and nver got out of bootcamp due to asthma. Now im trying to get in the National Guard because I do not belive I any have it. I guess you must do what you have to do to please yourself but remember, it can be a career not just a full-time job to pay some bills. And will most definitly make you a better person. Do what you want but if you do have to stay in, Dont make everyone else mad by not wanting to do anything and only give 50%,, It wont work out to well.

-Drew

[nobody_R_us]

yea true being with who i was with did have a little to do with me getting in. but that was only because once i mentioned that i was thinking about it both him and one of his friends really pushed me into talking to a recruiter. When i talked to him then i geuss he just assumed that i knew something about it already, but i never got that much information from him other than talking about what i wanted my mos to be. yea i've been sworn in. I've been going to drills.... for lets see.. about 4 months now. its just i know that i did all of this for the wrong reasons and i just don't feel its right. i didn't mean to offend you or anything by the way i talked about it. The ARNG is a great thing and anyone who joins and goes through with it inspires me. but i'm not one of those people. i know quiete a few people like you who wanted to join and couldnt or the proccess took forever. i'm really sorry that it happened that way. i really hope everything works out for you and you get in. how far into basic were you before you had to leave?

[madcityscorp]

I hope this reaches you before you contact RSP. I felt the same way you did when I was 17. I joined the Navy to make my Dad proud. Well, just before I was to go to boot camp I had second thoughts. On Nov.17,1987 I made the biggest mistake in my life. I did not go to boot camp. And now at 36 I think about what might of been. I know this, You will regret getting out the rest of our life. I would give anything to go into the ARNG and fix the mistake I made almost 19 years ago. I know how you feel, I dealt with those emotions you are dealing with right now. Once you make the decision to get out and you do it, it will not be so easy to get in again. So please, take a bit of free advice from someone who has walked in your shoes. Your regret will feel worse than any feelings you are feeling right now. I know you can do this.

[nobody_R_us]

i appreiciate your advice. thank you. its really not that i don't think i can physically do it. i know i can. if i can pull 40 hours at work and still go to high school, and make decent grades on it. i'm sure i can do it. i dunno, its just emotionally i guess. i don't know if thats the best way to put it. but i really do appreciate all that you guys have done. i didn't expect that many people to reply back to it. to be honest i didn't expect anyone to after how the people at drills were and and the recruiters.

[LRSU_Dog]

Ultimately you need to make a decision, and that is the truth. Many people agree that your best route is to follow through with your enlistment and simply get through the tumultuous time you are having now... Emotions or no, things change over the course of time, and with High School ending for you, you are at a crossroads all have been when looking at the future, and how big it really is.

One thing you may want to consider - and you will need to sit down with your recruiter on this - look at the possibility of another unit, and job. If this possibility exists in reference to your situation, perhaps now is the time to crack down and get information on other jobs and units you could pursue. You state that you did not have all the info before you joined - well now that you are in you need to accelerate your learning curve on the ARNG and MOS.

If you know that you can physically complete what is in front of you, then you are farther ahead of the game - just get the mental in line and there is nothing you cannot accomplish. You are about to embark on the first step toward living your life on your own terms (someting many non-military people never accomplish), and at Basic Training you will be with a large group that may surprise you to be very similar to you in regards to hopes and dreams and fears and anxieties... Together you will all make yoursleves better, and trust that you will never look back at times like these.