National Guard

[gicts]

I am an 18 year old freshman at Murray State. I've been thinking about joining the National Guard. Is there anyone who is, or has been in the Guard that will give some advise and insight? Thanks

[b1jeremy]

i was active for 3 yrs...contact 150p&y on here...he can help you he is currently in...Jeremy

[150PandY]

What are you wanting to know? I have been in for almost 12 years and work full time for the Guard in Frankfort.

[keith meador]

i am a veteran as well, my advise, stay in school, or join the military and let them pay for your school.....as for a branch of service, air force or navy would be a safe bet, army or marine corps if you are bulletproof, without drinking naturally....LOL

[trust me]

I went to school with some guys that were getting college paid for by Uncle Sam. I didn't serve, (blind, deaf) but it sounded like a sweet deal at the time.

[harpp]

PM Sent. retired after 20 years from the Army Recruiting Command. Still work for them as a civilian. Ask away

[gicts]

I guess mostly I’d like to know what all you have done in the Guard. I’m sure there are hundreds of different paths but how much time did it involve (as in per week/month) and did you enjoy it?

[XTREME TEAM]

I did a brief stint in the gaurd. My military occupation was 19th Delta, Cav. Scout. Loved it. But unless you want to see what a lot of sand looks like I probably wouldn't go that route. Plus not much of a sign on bonus. Pick a occupational skill that you can use in the future. Something that you can take with you to the civilian world. Not much use for a guy that can blow things up. Thank god they paid for college. Well keep an open mind and you will eventually decide what you want to do. Good Luck

[Deer Hunter]

gicts, I was a cannon crewman on a 8 inch howitzer for 6 years. My MOS was 13 Bravo. When i was in alot of people could'nt have been happier that they had joined up. But at the same time there was alot who could'nt wait until their last day of their contract was up. But when you sign a contract with the United States government. That is one contract you will not get out of. When you sign up. You become their property to do with as they see fit. The things i hated most about being in the gaurds was the boardism that goes along with the weekend drills. Most of the weekend drills seemed like they never would end. And the summer camps seem like they lasted for a Month at a time. The National Gaurd is not like work where you can call in sick. You might get out of an ocassional weekend drill but then you will more than likely have to make it up latter on in the year. Same way with Summer Camps. If there is some major emergency you might be allowed to take your Summer camp latter on with another unit. But you WILL take it. And you are required to take and pass a physical fitness test every year that you are in. If you are getting in for the money. If you was to put in the same amount of hours working at a Mcdonalds that you put in on drills and Summer Camps. I think you would come out way ahead money wise working at Micky Dee's. Now i know what i have told you so far sounds pretty negative. But i have offten wished that i have of joined a branch of the Military and made a career out of it. Simply because you can retire after 20 years of service with a good retirement. And i think the being full time in a branch would be alot different than part time in the gaurds. I think it would be more like a regular job. And to the goverment takes very good care of their property which you would be if you joined up. But if i was'nt the type of person who kept myself physically fit, was dependible, and could stick to my word. I would'nt get in any branch of the service.

[john4]

sent PM, was

[john4]

sent PM, was regular Army and National Guard

[REGULAR JOE]

[QUOTE=Deer Hunter]gicts, I was a cannon crewman on a 8 inch howitzer for 6 years. My MOS was 13 Bravo. When i was in alot of people could'nt have been happier that they had joined up. But at the same time there was alot who could'nt wait until their last day of their contract was up. But when you sign a contract with the United States government. That is one contract you will not get out of. When you sign up. You become their property to do with as they see fit. The things i hated most about being in the gaurds was the boardism that goes along with the weekend drills. Most of the weekend drills seemed like they never would end. And the summer camps seem like they lasted for a Month at a time. The National Gaurd is not like work where you can call in sick. You might get out of an ocassional weekend drill but then you will more than likely have to make it up latter on in the year. Same way with Summer Camps. If there is some major emergency you might be allowed to take your Summer camp latter on with another unit. But you WILL take it. And you are required to take and pass a physical fitness test every year that you are in. If you are getting in for the money. If you was to put in the same amount of hours working at a Mcdonalds that you put in on drills and Summer Camps. I think you would come out way ahead money wise working at Micky Dee's. QUOTE]


I have to agree with everything you said. I was in the Guard from 1992-1998. There were a few good times had but primarily, you are there to do trivial tasks during drill weekends for the sake of doing trivial tasks. I spent my 5 years in college:eek: and dreaded almost every drill weekend. You are not a normal college student by any stretch. You have to plan your entire month's activities around the one weekend a month. Usually, the drill weekend to me seemed to fall at the wrong time...muzzy season, modern firearms season opener, SEC tourney weekend, final four weekend, Bristol weekend. To me it was more of an inconvienence.
I joined because I was in ROTC and felt that the Guard would give me a good litmus test in determining whether I wanted to be in the regular Army. I can't say that I hated the Guard because I learned more there at times than I did in some of my college courses. But basically, it was more of an inconvienence, all things considered. If you are going to college, find other ways to get money (legal of course) instead of joining. You may gain some disciplinary techniques but you may also pick up some bad habits as well. I've been out since 1998 and don't miss it at all. My advice to you would be to take a long time to think about it. Don't talk to recruiters because it's their job to convince you to join. Talk to as many members as you can if they are willing to be candid.

[keith meador]

I guess mostly I’d like to know what all you have done in the Guard. I’m sure there are hundreds of different paths but how much time did it involve (as in per week/month) and did you enjoy it?

i was a flight engineer instructor on uh-60 blackhawk helicopters. if you have the time, it was a great job. there is some baggage that goes along with flying, along with the drill and summer camp requirement, you also have a flying hour requirement. this is filled by participation in the additional flight training program, or aftp....this is a 4 hour period, the same as the uta, or unit training assembly that you are paid for a day of training. aftp's vary, but you can get up to 48 per year. if your not looking for the type of job others describe, sitting around, or doing meaningless tasks, i suggest flying....beats cleaning toilets or sweeping the drillhall floor....and you pick up a lot of extra money that normal guard soldiers do not get..the flight pay, and the aftp...the mos, when i was in was 67T, and the school is in FT. Eustis Va. and lasts for approximately 13 weeks. only one hour from va beach, and plenty of seafood and other eats there....

[quackrstackr]

Go talk to my good buddy that heads up the ROTC dept. there at MSU, Richard Palmer. He's been active for years and took a full time job with them back about 5 or 6 years ago.

He can answer any question you could ever think of, including what you can be doing and receiving while in school.

Tell him Tim Daughrity sent you. ;) (Maybe don't tell him that, he may send you packing.. :D )

[Hallal]

It's funny how many different views you can hear about the guard. Remember to take them all in context. It's true a recruiter will only tell you the good stuff. Also remember that some of the nay sayers that are anit-military or just had a bad time in the military will only tell you the bad stuff.

Any service branch you may choose is a big choice. It is a contract that needs to be honored if you sign. Get all the information you can then think about it for a little while. Don't make any snap decisions. Think about what you want the guard to do for you. I was a 13M rocket artillery soldier for 3 years active then continued in the guard. It was a good way to have a little fun one weekend a month. I knew that I couldn't fire rockets for a living but that wasn't what I was looking for. I've since changed to a quatermaster job that allows me to work full time for the guard. It's a good carreer and they are paying for college.

[gicts]

wow thanks for all of the responses! I know there is information that I can't get out of recuiters and what you all have said is exactly what I'm looking for. I am from Louisville. In the summer or other cases, would I have to drive to Murray to serve? The weekends here are kind of boring, I wouldn't mind having something to do. I'm not too interested in shipping out though...I planned on majoring in geo-archaeology but I am backing out of that. I don't really have any interests and I figure at the very least I will have some training, as well as a job waiting.
keith meador- I have never flown an aircraft before, would that be a problem?

[quackrstackr]

The weekends here are kind of boring, I wouldn't mind having something to do.

Man, you're 20 minutes away from KY lake and 25 minutes away from LBL... not to mention all the gals I see running around campus... gotta be something there that an 18 year old can find to do. :D


Also.... you mentioned something about not being interested in shipping out... then... do not join the military. You will be in there for reasons besides just getting money for college.

Chaps my behind to hear of people just joining up for the money and balking if they're called up to serve... and in today's climate, it's not a matter of if... it's a matter of when.

[gicts]

Hehe, I'm at LBL a lot. It isn't about the money, I have worked nearly nonstop since I was 14, and all I did was save. My parents are paying for college, and compared to private high school, college is a bargain.

[quackrstackr]

If all you're wanting is something to do for no money, my yard is going to have a ton of leaves here shortly and the house could really stand to be pressure washed. :D :D :D