Is the Army National Guard a good idea? I am engaged with a girl and i am 18 and a junior in high school...i want to do this to help us. do u think the benefits are good enough? i dont have a car yet and i am working on that too. what do you think?
2006-11-26 08:55:50 · 7 answers · asked by Justin L 1 in Politics & Government ➔ Military
If you need to ask us for our opinions than you are too young to make this commitment. Wait until you graduate from High School and see how you feel.
2006-11-26 08:59:36 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
The National Guard is always a good choice if you are considering joining the Military, but are unsure of what you actually want to do.
One major difference in the National Guard, is that your "job" will be determined by whatever the local units are. If your local units are Motor Transport or Maintenance, then those are your choices in job. And in the last 2 years, the "Combay Arms" (Infantry, artillary, armored) have all been removed from the Guard, leaving it mostly in a support role.
After your initial basic and advanced training (from 4-10 months), you will spend only 1 weekend a month and 2 weeks in the summer "on duty", unless your unit is called up. And depending on where you are stationed, your "recalls" will more then likely be involved in local disasters. I am in the ALabama Guard, and we are mostly called up for Hurricane relief.
If you are concerned about the war, you can easily check to see when your local unit was last called to active service. Unlike the Army Reserve, National Guardsmen can only be called up as a unit - not as individuals. So if your local unit recently completed a tour in Iraq, it is very unlikely they will be called back for another 2-3 years.
2006-11-26 13:51:03 · answer #2 · answered by dothan_mike 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I think it's a great idea! You do not receive the same benefits in the ANG as you would in the active duty Army, but it's a good way to serve your country and earn some extra cash. If you activate and go to Iraq then you will be making loads of tax-free cash PLUS your girl (if you marry her before that) would get your benefits too.
I would suggest going active duty if you're looking for the benefits, and let me tell you that they are great benefits! Any questions shoot them my way.
2006-11-26 09:01:46 · answer #3 · answered by ThatDude 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Just the fact you are asking this question tells me you are not ready to accept the responsibility for making this choice. The fact of the matter is, no matter if you join now, or in peace time, you are making a committment to defend your country when called to do so. Asking if you should join now that being called is a reality, tells me you want the benefits of joining without actually having to do your duty. Until you can say, "I'm joining no matter what to serve my country", then don't do it.
2006-11-26 09:09:42 · answer #4 · answered by SGT. D 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
In the same situation as you bud, but im pretty sure im going GM (Gunners Mate) in the Coast Guard. You come out of BT as E-2, and Ill get to spend more time w/ my fiance (well, wife by then). I thinnk you should at least look into the Coast Guard.
2006-11-26 09:00:04 · answer #5 · answered by I Hate Liberals 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I am an air force reqruiter if you would like more information about what the air force as to offer over the other branches give me a call 573-635-3519
2006-11-26 10:07:39 · answer #6 · answered by Robert K 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The benefits are great but you have to think that once you sign that dotted line you can end up in Iraq one way or another. Sooo think about it.
2006-11-26 09:14:10 · answer #7 · answered by charlies_angel 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋