What do you guys think about the National Guard?

Question

Thinking about joining a branch and my friend is in the guard. Just wanted to get another opinion.

Answer 1

I have been a Guardsman in CA for the last 7 years and just re-enlisted for another 6.

Personally, I LOVE the guard. I have a lot of pride in being a Guardsman as we are the nation’s oldest fighting force (formed from the Minutemen of the revolution).

The make-up of National Guard units is outstanding because you have people bringing all types of knowledge from different sectors of the civilian world.

We have police officers, who offer us insight and training on dealing with crowd control, questioning, emergency response and interacting with the public.

We have Medical Personnel (EMT’s, Paramedics, Nurses, etc) who offer us insight and training on how to care for our troops and civilians we encounter in an emergency.

We have contractor’s and construction personnel who offer us insight and training for building any number of things on the battlefield or in a Natural Disaster.

We also have Scientists, aerospace technicians, teachers, principals, all coming together with years of experience gained in the civilian world that assist us in accomplishing our mission.

The reason I joined the Guard as opposed to Active Duty Army is that I wanted to serve not just my country when called, but serve the community in which I live when they need me.
When your town is flooding and you are trapped...we are there for you

When you are snowed in and can’t get food or water...we are there for you

When an earthquake hits and you are trapped...we are there to pull you out

And when the country calls for us to fight...we are there for our nation.

“Semper Laborantes” (Always Working)




**EDIT

Kendra, you know absolutely NOTHING about the National Guard as evidenced by your response. Try to educate yourself on a subject before espousing your opinion.

Answer 2

I think the Guard is a very good experience. I have now been in the military for over 20 years, most of that has been in the Guard. I don't do it for the money I only do it for my country and all the lazy worthless people that are scared to defend and protect this country that we have. If we let our guard down for our state and our country, we will only end up complaining about how things are today and how much better it was when our families grew up. I think if you do this you will end up making a good choice.

Answer 3

If you still want to hold a civilian job while in the military the guard is a great choice to be in, other wise I would suggest joining the big army. I've been in the guard for just over 6 years and re-enlisted for another 6, I will stay in until they kick me out. It has been a great experience and helped me out in life.

Answer 4

The Guard is great... my husband was in it for years after finishing his active duty term. for us, it was never 1 weekend a month, 2 weeks a year. He was gone alot. His unit deployed frequently (before 9/11) and there were always schools, dark nights, paperwork, etc (he was in a high speed unit which is 5 hrs or so from our house then transferred to an out of state unit)
The first reply listed excellent reasons for joining. Like with him, my husband's unit was made up from a lot of prior service guys, police officers, paramedics, firemen, teachers, etc. They love serving their country and their community.
There are a lot of benefits that you are eligible for. There are also deductions on your taxes if you itemize. This really helped us when dh used to drive 9 hours to his unit. If you're employed, NG is considered a 2nd job and that has tax benefits.
Hooah!
Crim

Answer 5

I think the guard serves a good purpose. They fill the need of the regular Army, yet can have a civilian life too. They are soldiers, only under the governor of the state too, unlike the Reserves and Active Army. I think that they are just as important as the rest!!! Hooah!

Answer 6

It's a really great thing to do for your community and the country. But make sure you are doing it for the right reasons.

Don't believe lies about what your pay and benefits are. Guardsmen are not eligible for benefits unless they are on active duty and some benefits don't kick in until you've been on active status for a while.

If you are trying to do a great selfless act of service, go for it. But don't do it because you think it will be like "Military-lite" There's nothing light about the commitment you are considering.

Answer 7

Besides you get a really chilly (cool) trip to Iraq, all expenses paid. Join the U.S Air Force reserve. Check it out

Answer 8

keep alll guardsmen here at home for what they are meant for and start a huge draft for a military that can handle a really big job