Should I Join the National Guard?

Question

After I earn my Associates degree I'll still have 2 years before I earn my Bachelors, and I was thinking about joining the national guard. I want the experience and I think that becoming a solider would allow me to gain a different perspective on life. As a communications design major I feel that gaining any experience in a media or journalism position in the army will improve my chances of acquiring a decent position in the private sector. Does Army experience translate into better civilian opportunities, for those with Bachelors degrees? Are media and journalism soldiers deployed often?

Answer 1

I have read many of the replies to your post. I have done the Navy thing for 13 years and will be retiring from active duty National Guard in a few months. I have seen many truths posted to your question as well as many things said that are a bit off. Do your research online, talk to people that are in before you make a decision. I just happen to be a recruiter myself and it makes me laugh to see what other "recruiters" have answered to your question. NO, the National Guard does not deploy more than other services - I challenge any recruiter of any branch on that one. As my colonel says, there are two types of people that join the Army Reserves - you are just stupid, or you don't know what the National Guard has to offer. Don't be suckered in by a Reserve recruiter telling you they have more money because they are federal - Many states offer their National Guard soldiers quite a few more dollars for college than the Reserves do. Every state offers different benefits to their National Guard. Good old boy training of the past (who you know, no good training) are over - they went away about 6 years ago. Talk to any National Guard soldier that has deployed - they will tell you if they were prepared or not. Check into all branches though and see what fits for you. With a high enough ASVAB Score you could probably come in with an Officer Candidate School Guarantee with most of the remainder of your education paid for - at least that's how Pennsylvania would do it - Good luck in your decision.

Answer 2

Joining the National Guard would give your some good perspectves, but be aware that the Nation Guard Soldiers are deployed more often then other soldiers, and they usually have less training. I believe that the experience does help you in the private sector with jobs. Most people feel that hiring a soldier is a great benefit because of the discipline and responsibility that they have learned as a soldier. You might want to think about just going in the Army or another branch and just sign up for four years. You can get your schooling paid for that way! Good luck!

Answer 3

Joining the Guard is not a full time job. It is a part time job. If you have taken the ASVAB, only a recruiter can tell you what MOSes are available to you -because the MOSes are subject to availability within the Guard Unit. Pros: -Part-Time Job -Serve the U.S. -Qualified Soldier. -Live at home. -Doesn't take up too much time. -You can have a full-time job on the side -Can still be sent to Air Assault/Ranger/Airborne school (depending on your MOS of course) -Educational benefits (Tuition Assistance) while in the Guard -Base access. Medical, MWR, Commissary, NEX, BX.. you name it. w/CAC Cons: -Can be deployed. -Pay isn't that great for E-1s, 2s, or 3s. -It's not active duty pay, it's drill pay. -2 weeks a year of annual training (active duty pay) -1 weekend a month, your time will be dedicated to drilling with your unit. Also note that if you could get a Title32/AGR (or "full-time") position within the Guard- you will receive active pay. However, this is not usually available for most lower enlisted. Especially infantry (like Uncle Sam's gonna pay an infantryman active duty pay to be an infantryman at a desk?) It depends on how much your unit needs your skill-set.

Answer 4

No, I joined the national guard for a try one enlistment, which was just for one year. I have prior service in the Marine Corps so I was already trained. I was supposed to be a 96-B, military intelligence soldier, but they would never send me to school. Every month I would just go to drill, drive a humvee to our drill location, set up a comm station and just sit there. A complete waste of time. No real training. The only good thing that came out of my enlistment in the guard was that they would help pay for college. They paid a good bit too. But as for experience that would look good in the civilian world, none. I was a Sgt. and all I got to do was set up comm and eat MREs all day. WASTE!

Answer 5

The National Guard has a decent program, but why not go into the Reserves instead. You don't need a release to move in the Reserves to another state and your funding is federal vs state with the Guard. (Just a few ie's)

877-211-0653

Answer 6

NO!! The national gaurd, unlike the Active Army, is all about who you know.

I am in the Active Army and I talk to national gaurd guys all the time and the honest ones really hate it. Your drill weekends are a huge waste of time because you never do any real training.

If you want to serve go Active Duty, they are WAY more professional and conduct serious training.

Answer 7

Well, if you don't mind being enlisted with a bachelors degree, sure it's fine. The degree actually qualifies you to become an officer but you would have to go through ROTC or a service academy to walk in as an officer.

Answer 8

If you are joining up to go to Iraq why not join the Marines rather than the Guard? You'll probably get more advantages. Definitely more respect.

Answer 9

this is an excellent choice, i wish more young men did this. it will
give you a MUCH better look at what life is about, it will streghten you
for many things in life you'll come up against and it can be helpful as
a career booster...iw oudl reccomend that you try to enlist as an officer
VS enlisted though...

Answer 10

i have been in the Guard for 21 yrs and it has a made a great life for me i say yes, but just one thing become a warrant officer its the best place to be, no lie