Looking for advice on joining National Guard?

Question

I'm currently 17 years old and thinking of enlisting in the California NG when I turn 18.

About 5 foot 11, not very athletic but in shape. No medical or psycological complications other then certain allergies to pollen (Damn summer).

Thinking of enlisting as a infantryman (11B), Infantry senior sergeant (11Z), or Psychological operations specialist (37F). I was told I could opt for something called "Officer Training" so that I could start as an officer, not sure if there is such a thing but if it is real I'm still not sure if I will take it.

I like the idea of defending on American soil but not so much the idea of fighting on foreign soil.

I don't need the tuition money, I just want to defend the US should it come under attack.

Graduated highschool two years ago, if that matters.

Well am I a good candidate for NG or should I forget about it and stick with the civilian life?

I Got most of my MOS knowledge from http://www.1800goguard.com/training/mos.php

Answer 1

I am ex-Army and I tell anyone asking me if they should join the military, etc... to go to college first. Trust me, if I could do it all over again, I would have gone to college first...

Answer 2

Ok coming from someone that is in the Infantry in the National Gaurd at this time there is no way that U would be able to go into an 11Z slot. The 11Z is for enlisted personal rank of E-7 and above that are MOS qualified in 11B with the designators of 11B10 and 11B20. You get these as you achieve rank and the designated training. Most people recieve 11Z as an E-8 or E-9.
Next U can enlist in the Gaurd at 17 and if you've already graduated HS then u could go to basic at this time.
The only way that you would be able to do "officer training" is if you are currently in college and then U could do ROTC on top of your monthly drills, more money, or if you already have your degree but in either case u hav to be atleast 18.

The NG is a good way to go no matter what you choose for an MOS, I cant really help ya with the PSY OPS stuff cause I dont know anyone in those fields but I know they sit in doors most of the time and go out in the Humvees blasting Metallica and stuff like that at 2am into towns, pretty cool if your not the one its directed at!!

Answer 3

I'm not sure you can be a 11B other than active duty, at least not starting out. A 11Z is a Sergeant Major; I know you can't enlist as that. It's what they make you if you make it to SGM in the infantry ranks. That's how it is for any MOS series.

Unless you have a bachelor's degree you can't come in as an officer.

Don't join the guard because you're trying to stay stateside. They deploy just like the reserve and active duty these days.

Answer 4

If you volunteer to be an infantryman, I can GUARANTEE you that you WILL be spending some quality time in Iraq - you'll probably also get to go to Afghanistan too.

You have to be an infantryman before you become an infantry senior sergeant, BTW - but if you get promoted to infantry senior sergeant, you'll get to visit Iraq and Afganistan again.

Psyops specialist - again, a combat MOS. You'll get to visit Baghdad and the Hindu Kush mountains with that military occupational specalty also.

And if you go to officer training and become an infantry officer - guess what? You'll be Middle East bound!

When you join the military, you don't get to decide where you get deployed. They make that decision for you.

Right now, it's unlikely that there will be a large scale infantry attack on American soil. So National Guardsmen who are in the infantry WILL get sent to the area where American troops are engaged in ground fighting - that is, Iraq and Afghanistan.

BTW, if America invades Iran, the infantry get to go in first - that will include you too!!!

Answer 5

When in the military (National Guard included) you go where they send you and do what they tell you, no questions or reservations, and no back talking superior officers or commanders. if you can't accept that, don't enlist. Because the President took heat for not responding faster to Katrina, and he pointed out the turf war over who was in command prevented federal assistance until the governeor declared a disaster and released control of the National Guard, they pased a law in response giving the President, no longer a state governor, control over National Guard units. If you want to become a serviceman, don't fart around with a "part timer" force, go direct into army, air force, marines, navy, first and consider staying in the reserves or guard afterwards. You'll be farther advanced career and training wise, and better positioned to go into civil service or law enforcement afterwards.

Answer 6

Go for it!

I've been in the Guard for 21 years and will serve for another 17 years if they'll keep me that long.

Go 11B. You won't get the "Z" designator until you are promoted to 1SG.

If you're going to college, anyway, you should join the Guard and become an SMP in ROTC. It's more money and you'll be an officer when you graduate.

I really think you'll enjoy it. I know I do.

Answer 7

Before you think about a merry adventure fighting the bad guy terrorists in iraq.

Consider the state of the health care for veterans that have been PERMANENTLY disabled in that war.

I can pretty much gurantee none of them thought it would happen to them.

Answer 8

Develop your physical capability coupled with knowledge of law enforcement so that you could join the National Guard.

Answer 9

The military need youngsters with lack of experience in politics. Enroll the military, and become a professional, not a soldier. ( just a suggestion )
do what ever you want.