Does the National Guard get called to go out of the country often?

Question

I am planning to enlist in the Mass. state national guard. My specialty will prob be something around IT (Information Technology - computer science stuff). Does anyone know the possabilities of being called to go anywhere?

I know the Natl. Guard is to be on call for trips anywhere, but normally they stay in state. However, one of my second cousins got called to Iraq from the Virginia Natl. Guard. Anyone know how often that happens? What positions are most likely to be sent over, etc?

Any info would be great!

Thanks in advanced!

Answer 1

If they were sent outside the country, they would be called the 'International' Guard.

Answer 2

The answer is yes and no.

The guard was founded to protect the individual states. This thinking kept the guard at home throughout most of US history.

Many of the guard units were federalized under title 10 and transistioned to active duty status to support WWII and the current wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. Desert Storm (Gulf War I) started and finished faster than the guard could mobilize its masses to support, although there were select guard units deployed.

During Vietnam, President Johnson used the guard as a political tool when he refused to deploy it to SE Asia.  

Answer 3

Yes quite a lot recently. The active forces are so small that the guard is backing them up and standing in for units. Oregon's 41st Infantry Brigade served in Iraq and was repsonsible for a sector just like any regular army unit would be. The 116th ACR has also done plenty of tours in Iraq. Air Guard does shorter deployments but more often, my friend is deployed now on his third deployment I think.  

Answer 4

Yes, but in Iraq only.

Answer 5

The Guard does not deploy as much as active duty does, but they DO deploy often...and ALL positions in the Air Force get sent to Iraq, some are more common than others..but there is a job for every AFSC there.

Answer 6

its based on needs. if they need you over there, you will go. there are tons of reservists over there now, and i know that there are/ have been a lot of FL Natl Guard over there. when joining any military branch, you should be ok with going over there. its just a matter of time before it happens!

Answer 7

It is a very good possibility, i was a mass guard member for 10yrs at 1-104th, all feilds are always needed. But the likely hood of going is in the 30percent range. people less likely to go are admin, cooks

Answer 8

Im not in the NG, but I am Active Duty AF and I know for a fact there are a LOT of Nation Guard fighting next to the army in IRAQ and Afghanistan.  

Answer 9

The Army National Guard has taken over the Sinai mission which they are required to send one Task Force (Battalion +) every six months. They also took over the Bosnia / Kosovo peace keeping mission. And of course Iraq, Kuwait, and Afghanastan missions. Almost all deployable Guard units have been to Iraq or Afghanastan once and most brigade are now on schedule to go back a second time. The model now is for the guard to deploy 1 year for every 5 - 6 years. But due to demand its more like 1.5 years for every 3-4 years.

And then you have national disasters, border security missions, airport security, ect.

Air National Guard deploys world wide as well.