Thinking about joining the national guard
Served active duty army from 2003-2009. My advice would be go active or don't go. The training and promotion ladder is 1000x better active and more times than not you will end up sacrificing the same with both. Good luck with your decision.
Quote from shachmo >> I served Active Duty Navy for a bit , there are a few veterans/reservists/active duty/retired guys on here too. It's a big decision to serve. If I were in your shoes, gather most of the information you can, and figure out what kind of role you'd like to serve in.
Don't listen to people who haven't done it, they'll see it in a 3rd person's view at best. But frankly, since it's such a big decision, don't take any advice from people on Muthead about it. There are a few good forums/sub-reddits that are really helpful. And since the National Guard is primarily a reserve force, you can actually ask to visit a reserve station and talk to guys that are doing a drill weekend
Quote from VoodooToo >> If you were my kid, I'd talk you out of it. The pay is terrible. You're extremely likely to be deployed to the Middle East, you'll be poorly trained, come home with physical and/or psychological damage, for which you'll have access to extremely sub standard care...The "skills" you learn likely won't transfer to the corporate world and you'll be less hireable as a result. They'll tell you it's "one weekend a month" then ship your ass off to the desert. The recruiters will outright lie to you.
I’m active duty Army and you’re just spewing garbage and part of the reason why there is such a disconnect between the military and the civilian population. Less than 1% of this country serves or has served. That leaves a huge burden on those that sign up to defend our democracy and way of life.
Quote from eebron >> for those who have been through the process, would you recommend it? I’m a former college athlete, I work out 10 times a week, and I love fitness. I’m just trying to find myself in a right career and help out others as well
I’m not sure how being on your colleges club curling team qualifies you as a college athlete.
I served Active Duty Navy for a bit , there are a few veterans/reservists/active duty/retired guys on here too. It's a big decision to serve. If I were in your shoes, gather most of the information you can, and figure out what kind of role you'd like to serve in.
Don't listen to people who haven't done it, they'll see it in a 3rd person's view at best. But frankly, since it's such a big decision, don't take any advice from people on Muthead about it. There are a few good forums/sub-reddits that are really helpful. And since the National Guard is primarily a reserve force, you can actually ask to visit a reserve station and talk to guys that are doing a drill weekend. And yes, sometimes you will deploy.
Enlist fully but not the national guard. Plenty of jobs in all branches of the military that can help you later in life depending on your skill sets.
It's a big decision. Get all of your facts lined up so you can make as much of an informed choice as you can.
If you were my kid, I'd talk you out of it. The pay is terrible. You're extremely likely to be deployed to the Middle East, you'll be poorly trained, come home with physical and/or psychological damage, for which you'll have access to extremely sub standard care...The "skills" you learn likely won't transfer to the corporate world and you'll be less hireable as a result. They'll tell you it's "one weekend a month" then ship your ass off to the desert. The recruiters will outright lie to you.
Quote from eebron >> for those who have been through the process, would you recommend it? I’m a former college athlete, I work out 10 times a week, and I love fitness. I’m just trying to find myself in a right career and help out others as well
Just make sure you realize that even national guard guys see the front ... it's not like it use to be
I would suggest weighing your options ... there is plenty of service areas you could go into
for those who have been through the process, would you recommend it? I’m a former college athlete, I work out 10 times a week, and I love fitness. I’m just trying to find myself in a right career and help out others as well