What happens if I join the National guard?

Question

How long after I sign up with them are they going to put me into training?Also do I have to go through Basic Combat Training,Advanced Individual Training, and Ongoing training as a requirement?After the training what happens...how often are you called on duty and also do you have to relocate...I am not looking for a career in the army .Thanks in advance!!!

Answer 1

yes you will go through basic training and individual training just as the active duty is. however after advanced training you return yo your home state and guard unit. there is no relocation for national guard unless you want to move states then you just transfer. they will not transfer you without your request.  duty time is your normal 1 weekend a month and 2 weeks a year. however you are subject to active duty at any time your unit is mobilized. right now with afghanistan and iraq you will face a possibility of spending some time in one of those places. if you do not want a career in the army then do not join any branch or guard unit  

Answer 2

You can postpone your ship date to training for up to a year. Basic, and AIT is a requirement, basic is for your basic soldiering, break u down then build you back up as a soldier, your AIT, is like job training, after you complete basic you will go to AIT where you will learn the job you picked. No you don't have to relocate, after your basic and AIT you will go back home and report a weekend a month to where your unit is at.

Answer 3

I just spoke to a recruiter about joining the guard yesterday. It appears that there are two options to your avail:

1. You can be a citizen soldier and serve in your local area, they can also set you up in jobs (the MOS) based on your education etc. You can also act as a civilian and work wherever you want, you do not need to pursue an army career. You are just responsible for your local territory i.e. whoever mentioned Katrina etc.  if there were ever a natural disaster etc. you would most likely be called in to help out.

2. You can go in as an entry level active duty soldier and work your way up---the recruiter told me that those who do not have a college education etc generally take this avenue because it is a good way to gain experience and earn a degree--the only downfall of becoming an active duty solider is that you are sometimes locked into a 4 or 5 yr contract; but if you have a passion for serving your country and experiencing new things etc. then it is right for you. I think if you join in this way you will live the army lifestyle full on etc...

Regardless of which option you choose, all must attend 10 weeks of basic training.

I am considering option 1 because I have a Master's degree and I am certfied in Homeland Security...I also have a full time job with UPS/GE. I was also told that if you have a full time job and you leave for basic training, you can't be fired or repositioned, it is against the law. I also do not want to be a combat solider but am interested in serving my country in a different way, which is why I think the guard is a good way to go. Another benefit is if you're unhappy in you current career they can set you up in a new one and if you want to pursue any further education they will take care of it...sky's the limit.

Answer 4

Joining the National Guard was great for me. I joined a unit near my college at 18. After basic training and AIT, the only active duty you normally do is your 2 weeks. @ weeks is fun because you get to do training sometimes far from your state like Germany or in another state and you get to hang out with people more than a weekend a month which brings camaraderie (partying after duty hours). If you relocate is because you move to a different state and it is to much inconvenience to move or you have a promotion opportunity with a different unit. It is a great experience if your looking for a short career in military, but you may end up staying for the family atmosphere . Yes there is deployments to Iraq, I was deployed but it may not be a bad experience based on your  MOS and long term benefits as a vet.  

Answer 5

that all depends on the recruiter. They can possibly get you into basic right away, but more often than not, you will end up waiting some amount of time. The recruiter can tell you more on that. From basic you will continue on with follow on training. After all of the training is done, you will come back home to the unit you joined when you enlisted. The Guard is a lot like the reserves, but there is a state mission attached. You may be called up to handle an state emergency much like the Louisiana Guard was activated after Katrina. You can also be called up if your unit is tasked to deploy to Afghanistan or Iraq. think it through before you volunteer. There is nothing lower to me on the face of this planet than some one who volunteers to serve and then tries to weasel their way out of doing their duty. Think it through and good luck.