Which should I join? Army active duty? or Reserve/national guard?

Question

I'm 26 years old. And a bartender. I actually make pretty good money, being I work in Washington D.C! And I live in a nice condo With my friends. I have lived here my whole life. But I also would love to join the army.  My brother is active duty and loves it. But what I have going in my head is, yeah I have a pretty good paying job and I'm really good at it, and Love where I live and all my friends, and so National Guard or reserves would sound perfect, but this economy nothing is guaranteed. I could loose my job any day now. And I'm afraid if I do reserves or Guard that I could loose my job and be unemployed. Also I heard form my brother that active duty isn't taking any reserve/guard soldiers this time or anytime soon. So it's not like I could just Switch. But IDK, I really do love being home and would miss my friends a lot, if I went active duty, but on the other hand, being a bartender isn't exactly a secure job, there a dime a dozen around here and I'm afraid I'm going to get laid off any time soon. If someone walks in and applies for a job here and ask for a lot less, I'm out on my feet. Any advice? What's active duty like?

Sandra M · Accepted Answer

The problem with going reserve would be your work schedule.  Your job does have to let you have time for drills and for your two week annual training.  However, I am willing to be that you make most of your money on Fridays and Saturdays.  Going enlisted will not pay that much for a drill weekend.  This is something that you will have to consider.  Going active may not be a bad idea and if you are stationed state-side, you may even be able to work part time at a local bar as long as your military work schedule does not conflict.

I drunk that i&#39;m not swear · Answer

Well unless your brother is a recruiter, he doesn't know anything about what the army can and cannot take in at this moment of time. (no offense) In my opinion, I would go in active duty, so it will be a full time job instead of part time. Army Reserve and National guard, in my own opinion, is for people who are in college, just cause of the time schedule. I mean c'mon, one weekend a month for a year of DRILLS, what's the point of joining if you're not going to be fighting full time. (unless you're a college student)

Anonymous · Answer

When they weren't full staffed you could have gotten in with a GED. Now I am not so sure. You have to pass a test called an ASVAB which is vocabulary, math, general knowledge type of stuff. With your score on that they will see what jobs you qualify for. Of course you have to pass a drug test. One of many. You will be getting drug tested again and again. If that is a problem for you don't even bother trying to join. There are also weight / height standards and physical training standards.

chris10000 · Answer

Sandra gave you a great answer. The other guys are retards.

Edit: Shaun is a retard too. "fighting full time"??? lol You think the Active Duty military "fights" full time? Haha...90% of my Active time was spent doing police calls, vehicle maintenance, PT, and other bs. The "fighting" is done overseas- where both Reserve and NG are sent! If you think they get sent over to Afghanistan one weekend a month, you need a reality check!

Anonymous · Answer

If you're going to do something do it completely and do it well.  Don't half-*** it and choose the reserves.

? · Answer

Don't do it. If you join the army, you might get shot at.

Anonymous · Answer

Why would you go Army if you could go Marines? Do you realize they are sending the reservists to war? Regular Army stays stateside.

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Which should I join? Army active duty? or Reserve/national guard?

7 Answers