Thoughts on the National Guard ??

Question

I'm in a bit of a financial bind. and right now the ArmyNG is looking like a pretty good option with the way that they throw money at people and all, but its a last resort.

My parents are shoving it down my throat every chance they get, but i'm just not convinced yet

I've talked to a recruiter, looked over different MOS(es)

but i'm a punk at heart. I love this country. I love my friends

I don't want to support this ridiculous war...and i feel as if now i'd be giving up everything i believe in if I were to sign up...

is this the time for me to step up to my parents??

or are they completely right that it's "not what i think it is"

help.

<3

Answer 1

Money Bind Huh? Money for school? Money to take care of a big bill?

Listen, this is big decision. Yes, college for free, $20,000 enlistment bonus, $20000 student loan repayment program, up to $850 a month if you go to school full time, training, experience, adventure, money...But most important &quot;Service!&quot; The Guard is more than Iraq/Afghanistan. It&#039;s being there for your friends, family, and state during state emergencies (floods, forest fires, hurricanes, ect...). One weekend a month, 2 weeks a year. But yes, you can go to War. Deployments can be 15 months. Females are not allowed in combat MOS&#039;s. But it is a war zone...soooo...I tell my recruits if you want to pay your way through college for free and you want to serve, the Guard is the way to go. But your state and country will come 1st. It must come from the heart or not at all. Like anything else in life you will get back what you put into it. HOOOAAHH!

Answer 2

I agree with the first two answers. First, pressure from your parents tells me you won&#039;t be joining the military for the right reasons. It&#039;s something you have to decide is right for you. Enlisting doesn&#039;t have to be completetly about patriotism, it can be for your own independance, a means to pay for college or get job training you can take to the civilian sector when you get out.

Here is another big misunderstanding about the Gaurd and the reserves. I used to hear every day while I was recruiting about how guys and gals were going into the Gaurd or the reserves and they were going to get the same pay and benifits as active duty and never have to leave home. Excuse me? Think about this for just a moment, so the government is going to give the same pay and benifits to someone who drills one weekend a month and only does two weeks a year on active duty as they would the men and women who put thier *** on the line 24 hours a day seven days a week 365 days a year?? I think figuring out the answer to that is a no brainer. In MY opinion the Gaurd is for people who are already set in a good good job and maybe want a few extra bucks each month or want to do a little something to serve thier country or just want to learn a new skill or even just a reason to get out and do something cool one weekend a month. Please don&#039;t think I am dissing the reserves or the gaurd in any way because I&#039;m not. They are my brothers and sisters and are the first ones called upon to fight. My point is just that from what you are looking for, the outcome is different than active duty.

Anyway, off my soap box. I do think you should sit down with recruiters from the Gaurd, AND all of the active duty recruiters and make up your own mind if all the things the military has to offer are right for you.

Another note I would like to leave you with, the military is looking for smart, motivated, high tech oriented men and women. It&#039;s not like it used to be, there doing you a favor by accepting you. NOT the other way around.

Good luck to you.

Answer 3

    you love this country.well why is that.its the freedom you enjoy.but dont deserve.i mean i wouldent want you to go against every thing you believe in.god forbid if we have to depend on the likes of you.

Answer 4

The National Guard and/or Army Reserve will not help you get out of your current situation.  It will just postpone it for 6 months.

You need to join an active component to truly change your life.  You can do that for as little as 2 years.

If you can&#039;t stand the idea of joining leaving your friends little as two years (with 30 days of paid vacation each year); the military is not for you.

- One more thing - If your parents are &#039;shoving it down your throat&#039; to join the military during a extended, two-front land war in Asia; maybe it is time for you to get out of the house and pay your own bills.

Answer 5

I&#039;m very lucky ,my children have NO pressure to &quot;do the right thing&quot; my best advice is go , go out of your parents pressure , stand up and be counted. Your parents think that to join the military would make you a man, not ever considering that it would make you just another white cross at whatever cemetery.You like every other person have the right to decide your future.But, if you do not agree with your parents you must be prepared to understand their feeling.

Answer 6

Don&#039;t do it, if you are a &quot;punk&quot; as you say.  Join the Guard because you want to do something greater then yourself.  The military is not just about you but everyone to your left and your right.  IF you need stability then go active duty.  I love the Army and was in the NG, if you are in a bind then you need to get a job that allows you to pay off your debts.  The National Guard is only 1 weekend a month 2 weeks a year unless deployed OR they have money to put you on orders for temporary duty.  The military is a comittment that you should take very seriously and think about for a long time.