What would it be like being in the National Guards..

Question

im a girl and im thinking about joining the National Guards but im curious on what it would be like

would you recommend joining the National Guards or a different branch in the military

thanx <3

Answer 1

It sort of depends on what National Guard you want to go in, be it the Army National Guard or the Air National Guard.  I am in the Indiana Army National Guard.

It&#039;s just being a soldier 1 week-end a month and 2 weeks in the summer.  You will attend the same Basic Training as the Active Army and the Army Reserve, and the same MOS training (your job in the Army).  Another thing is that you will probably be deployed (the National Guard deploys quite often) and most of the people I know have deployed within their first two years in (to Iraq or Afghanistan).  If you want to be a full-time soldier go active, if you want to go to school full-time or something, then the Guard is something to look in to.

The Guard offers great sign-on bonuses.  Also, we currently have a program called Active First, if you would rather go Active Army, then return to the Guard (if you want) in two to four years. With Active First, you can get up to $60,000 bonus if you qualify (you must have a high school diploma).  I have recently worked on a 2-week recruiting event and at that time we were told it was a $60,000 bonus offered, which is implemented in at least three different installments.  If you decide to stay active and not come into the Guard, then you can only receive up to $40,000 bonus.  Also, the beginning of the fiscal years will change and they may remove Active First.  Ask a recruiter and they will know what you can do and not.  

Think about what MOS you want seriously before you contract.  I am a 27D (Paralegal Specialist) which is a great MOS and has me in a promotable position within my unit, but I really want to be 68T (Animal Care Specialist) and I cannot reclass unless I find a unit with an opening and move.  Don&#039;t choose from the three jobs or so the recruiter will give you, look through different MOS online and ask around, where you can make an educated decision.

If you have more questions, feel free to ask me.

Answer 2

there are alot of variables, such as, will you be going to college at the same time, will you want to have a harder basic training, how motivated are you? those kinds of things determine what branch you should join. if you dont go to college, i would stick with airforce reserves or the air national guard. their deployments only last around 6 months, so you wouldnt have to be gone long, but if you do go to college, i would reccomend army reserves over ANG. while you are in college, you will not get called up, or called to serve, but in the ANG, if there is a natural disaster, you may get called to take a week go to and work there. if that is something you are interested in, then it would be perfect for you! they both give the same benefits for college and post college. if you want a harder basic, i would reccomend marine reserves. it will keep you in amazing shape, and give you a sense of pride you didnt think was possible. the best way to find out what basic is like is to go to the branch&#039;s website. but it really isnt as bad as people say it is, just dont volunteer for anything...

army - www.goarmy.com

ANG - www.1800goguard.com

Marines - www.marines.com

AF - www.airforce.com

BTW the most bonus money you can get is 40k. and that is for spec ops. it will probably be around 20k max. that is the base.