should I join the national guard?

Question

today in school a recruiter for the national guard came and talked to us about all the benefits pf joining the national guard and it got be interested but is there anything about the national guard that they're not telling me? I'm afraid he just suger coated everything so thats'd ppl would join. is there a way top join and stay in the u.s? I DO NOT want to go to iraq. any info is greatly appriciated

Answer 1

There is a good (very very very good) chance you would be sent to Iraq, also, do you really want to join a combat unit where you may be forced to do something you do not agree with?

That's my take

Answer 2

I myself just joined the National Guard and don't regret it. I joined to become a helicopter pilot so I know I will end up in Iraq before long. Yes the bennies are good especially if you want to further your education. There is no way, however to join any military service and not be called up in time of war. You will have to go to boot camp and then mos school before you will have to go on any deployment. Your best bet would be to pick an mos that would keep you in the safe zone. Good luck and think real hard about your future...

Answer 3

I'm in the National Guard, my Dad's a guard recruiter and we've both been to Iraq. If you want to be SURE not to go over, wait till '08. I'm sure the new president will try to find a way to end the war. Or you could join the Guard and go to college and while there join ROTC. Reserve Officer Training Corps. You cannot be deployed until you graduate. That's a guaranteed 4yrs, and you'll get to be an officer. Officers are like managers. The lowest ranking officer is in charge of 30 or so people (a platoon), the mid to high level officers are in charge of hundreds maybe a few thousand (Company - Brigade), the highest ranking officers are in charge of hundreds of thousands (the ARMY). Basic training sucks, but its only for 9 weeks and then you go to MOS school and then you go to your unit. There are also opportunities for full time National Guardsmen. People who do paperwork for soldiers, take care of supplies, and people who plan events. You could be a medic doing physicals for the soldiers deploying, or you could work with law enforcement agencies to help reduce drug use. Lots of opportunities. Don't let the possibility of deploying discourage you.

Answer 4

Joining the National Guard is a BIG decision. It will affect the rest of your life. Forget the old " one-weekend-a-month-and-two-weeks-in -the-summer-deal" . You WILL be put on active duty and you WILL go overseas. I spent 19 years in the Texas Army National Guard and my wife spent 17. The Texas Guard has sent people to Haiti,Hungry,Bosnia, Egypt, Duby, UAR, Iraq, And Afganistan. You DO NOT have the option of picking and choosing your assignment. You WILL go where you are sent and when. If you don't you will probably 1. be sent to Federal Prison for at least 10 years,2. be kicked out of the military,3. have all pay confiscated for the duration of your sentence in the form of a forfiture, Every single person I know from my Guard days is either on activie duty now, has come off active duty less that 6 months ago, or is getting ready to go on active duty.
I know people who have been on active duty almost continusiously since 9/11 for one thing or another. Being in the Guard is dirty brutal and dangerous. BUT if you do it, honey you are a hellova woman! just ask my wife.

Answer 5

If you don't want to go to Iraq, don't join the Guard.

I am sure they told you about the 2yr NON-deployment thing after you finish training though.

But if you're too scared to go to war, don't even join the military. You'll just be a freeloader.

Despite what the girl above me said, National Guard recruiters are probably the most honest recruiters you'll ever find. You'll have to spend the next 3-4yrs with them at least if they lied to you.

But......... some of them still lie. More honest than an Active recruiter who will never again see you though.

My Recruiter is now my ROTC instructor.

Answer 6

Well, as it says the national guard serves every where. It serves where it is needed the most.
My friend served in the Navy reserve as an Unter-officer. She loved traveling with the Navy. It was a big part in her life.
I feel that National guard would suit you fine. It's probably part-time service. And you can still go on with going to college. Remember, being in the armed forces gives you ton's of benefits and perks. Gives you the chance to collect some educational benefits us well. I hope you decide to go. Ask other recruiters from different military areas. There are many jobs out there. It all depends for which you want to fit into. Good luck and thanks for taking the stand to serve our country.

Answer 7

looks like im in kinda the same boat as you... im 17 1/2... and ive been thinking seriously about joining the national guard to go to basic training this summer... i want to be a helicopter pilot or if i cant get that MOS i want to be some sort of engineer. i also would prefer not to go to iraq but i figure thats what the military is for right?... to serve our country... im gonna go for it i think... i know it will be a life changing experience and will do nothing but benefit me...

hey maybe ill see ya in BCT,

good luck with your decision

Answer 8

Military life is great. Always a chance for deployment though but as along as you stay away from Combat Jobs. Which most are closed to women anyways....www.goarmy.com click on jobs and look around National Guard offers most.

Answer 9

This has long bothered me, though no one else ever mentions it.

The POINT of the Guard is to be here (the idea, originally, was to defend us if we were attacked, but that morphed into helping people during emergencies).

That contract was broken by Bush the Elder.

If you join, you WILL be sent to Iraq.

There aren't enough soldiers who signed up for fighting foreign wars to send there.

Yes, there's something they aren't telling you. You WON'T be signing up to help America; you will be sent (without leave, pay, or life-saving equipment) for the glory of Bush, to try to subjugate the people of Iraq.

Yes, they are sugar-coating everything.

Do NOT believe them.

Answer 10

Those recruiters are the biggest bunch of liars!!! Don't trust them. I was in the Army and I don't regret it, but it was not what I expected at all. I hear that the national guard is pretty laid back, but you still have to go through basic training. Are you up for that? I'm not sure if the national guard is going to Iraq, but it seems like sooner or later all of us are going to end up over there!