I am thinking about joining the National Guard.?

Question

I have been thinking about joining the National Guard. I need a way to start making my own money so I can pay for college myself instead of having my mom pay for everything and taking control of my life. I see joing the National Guard as a way out. I will be making my own money, have money for college, and I think it will help me become more independent and a stronger person. My friends tell me that it is a bad idea because I am black, a girl and gay. I do have a friend that is in the National Guard and she says that none of that matters because she is both black and a girl and says that I just don't say anything about being gay. I still am a little hesitant about joining. Do I have good reasons and will it help be become a stronger and more dependent person. If I do join, I will do it during the summer while school is out. When the summer is over, I think I might transfer to a school out of the city. Does anyone have any advice on what I should do or anything I need to be prepared for

The whole Iraq thing does bother me but if it happens I don't think I would mind too much. I think I would be ok with it in the end

Answer 1

Seriously, work for McDonald's instead... Don't join the National Guard unless you feel %100 sure about why we are in Iraq or your family has a strong military tradition.

We don't need another Mama 'hey people' running around crying and getting arrested for trespassing...

Answer 2

First thing that I have to say is: Don't let uneducated or uninformed people hold you back from anything. What I would suggest for you to do is call a local recruiter to help you out with any questions that you may have. Now, let's see if I can help you with anything. The National Guard is a great way to help pay for college and give you a little extra spending money. Don't fool yourself into thinking that you will receive enough to really survive on your own. In Florida, they do offer 100% tuition coverage and may cover for room & board. Each month you will receive about $300 from the GI Bill (and an extra $300 known as the 'Kicker' if you score higher than a 50 on your ASVAB), plus your drill pay which will be around $250. That's the great thing about the National Guard. You can get over $800/mo and really only 'work' two days a month when you go to drill. If you think about it, there are a lot of full-time students that also have part-time jobs. So, if you can find yourself a nice little job to work maybe Mon-Fri that could be an extra $250/ wk. Not bad for a college kid, right? BUT, yes, there is always the possibility of getting deployed overseas. However, the National Guard offers something called the "College First Program" which entitles you to go to school first and become undeployable for two years. After those two years, you might want to enroll into an ROTC program (if your college offers it) which will actually give you another two years of undeployability. After that, it's give or take. You might go, you might not. OH, and as far as the 'gay' thing goes, there's a policy called "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" which pretty much says "if you're gay and in the military as long as your not flamboyant about it or go around telling your entire brigade - we don't care," On top of that, Washington has been giving a lot of thought to lifting the 'Gay Ban in the Military'. No one gives a **** that you are black, no one cares that you're a female and no one cares that you're gay. You're not the first and you're not going to be the last. If no one asks then don't tell. If you still have a few questions, feel free to message or email me (I'm not sure how yahoo does it lol) and I'll do my best to answer them. Hope I could shed some light. Good luck.

Answer 3

I would keep your sexual orientation private, your sexual orientation has nothing to do with being in the Guard and if you bring it up some may hold it against you. In the military it is Don't Ask Don't Tell, but people are still kicked out. The Guard is a good idea because they help pay for school and doing one weekend a month and two weeks in the summer is really easy. I was in for five years. I am a female and I had no problems while I was in but I had spent four years in the Active Army before I went in to the reserves. I wish you luck with school as well.

Answer 4

I think you'd be making a mistake in some ways. What will/would your reaction be if you were called to Active Duty and sent overseas to Iraq or Afghanistan?

I think quite a few people were just relying on the money (there really isnt THAT much, by the way), and were angry when they were called to Active Service. Well, sorry, but that's what it's all about...

By the same token, I learned more about leadership, as well as information that I apply towards my current job, in the military.

Bottom Line: Dont go in just for the money. Being black or a woman has nothing to do with it...nor does being gay.

Answer 5

This country needs more people like you, make us proud in the armed forces. I would however not say anything about being Gay, first they have no right ot ask and you have no obligation to answer. Make sure you look around for the best deal on school and sign in bonuses in the different branches of the military as some offer more than others. Also looki into the coastguard, they always need people and have some good deals to join.

Good luck!

Answer 6

It will be a good way for you to pay for college. I have known some females, both on Active duty and in the Guard, who were regarded as being gay and it really wasn't an issue...it was kind of "don't ask don't tell" before that was policy. In any event keep that to yourself and don't tell anyone as it will be grounds for discharge.

Also, being black and female will have no bearing on your service. The military, even in some parts of the country regarded as overtly racists, if far beyond a lot of society.

Just keep your private business private and you will do fine.

Answer 7

I have been in the National Guard for 20 years. I have been deployed twice. The experience that you receive is priceless. The hardest thing is every time you have a drill weekend it seems that there is a family reunion or some kind of special event going on. There is so much that you can do to excel that the sky is the limit. The biggest thing is being physically fit for boot camp. But as far as education goes yes, the National Guard is a good option to consider.

Answer 8

Think also about the Air Force, Navy, Coast Guard
Merchant Marine
Plenty of opportunities!!!

Answer 9

hey. your friends don't have control over your life, too.
what's wrong with being black? don't you have legs?
what's wrong with being a girl? can't you run?
what's wrong with being gay? it's not like you're going to lose control overyourself or something.
it's gonna make you a better, stronger person. go for it.

Answer 10

What? So you can "guard" the nation of Iraq? Don't be a tard and don't listen to the recruiters/used car salesman there are plenty of ways to pay for college besides the military.