I want to join/make a career out of the military, more info?

Question

Hey all, first of all i'm interested in joining the Air National Guard. But I don't know a thing about it- what do they do? what is different about them compared to all other branches? is it a lot of flying, or what?

I'm thinking the military is going to be right for me... not like close combat but other aspects of it... i've always wanted to travel, to have good job security and benefits... this looks like just it. Is it that simple?

Most importantly, i am in college. Am I at risk for being deployed if i'm in school? I dont want to have to leave halfway through my schooling, i want to get it done first. Also I was thinking about majoring in GIS in school. This would probably undoubtedly help me with a military career. However if I choose to do something else and major in something completely different that won't apply directly to the military, can I get a great paying job in the military with just the military training? I know people who are aircraft mechanics that make good money...did they have to go to college for it or was it all hands on military training?

I know you don't necessarily need to be a soldier to work for the military but joining the guards I assume you would need to go through basic, etc, weekend training. What's the minimum amount of time you need to be in to get benefits? Is it hard being in the guards? How about non-combat careers in the military, are they at risk for being deployed as well, and how fun are those jobs? sorry for the question but i seriously don't know a thing.

Thanks a lot for the help and any advice you can give me would be great.

Answer 1

Hmmm, the guards ayy...thats a good choice if your in school. About being deployed , its very different from any other branch. each state has there own guard units and the governor is the only person who can deploy them, unless there a big mass catastrophic war or emergency going on the guards can be federalized , meaning they can be deployed by the president or some one high in the ranks in washington. Flying depends whether you are a pilot or air crew. In the guard you only go to base one weekend a month. If your still in school while in the guard and you get deployed your college will work with you leaving. You have as much chance as being deployed as anyone else. Once your in after all the basic and ait you can start using your benefits. NON combat careers will probably have the same rate as combat mos , unless you have a job like filing papers or a desk job,\

GOOD LUCK