Army National Guard questions?

16 months ago, I was in your exact position, and now, I'm in the position of which you are going for. So let me explain what has gone on in my life in the last year that's both changed me for the better, and made me a better person.

Joining the military probably won't help you get INTO college, but it will definitely help you out WITH your college. Every university is different as far as military sponsorship and support, but mine happens to be one of the most supportive. The school I'm going to has a Service to Country scholarship that covers 15 credits/school expenses. Being in the National Guard, I get a $356/month GI Bill (which is guaranteed, across all branches, and does not vary no matter what. If you're going to college and went through AIT, you get the GI Bill) and of course, drill pay which is around $220 as a private. The Guard also provides $4,500 of tuition assistance per fiscal year. I'm also in the ROTC program here, which provides a book stipend for each term, $1,300 for housing, and a stipend starting at $300/month. I'm pretty much getting PAID to go to college at this point.

If you join the military, there's always a chance you'll be deployed. But a common misconception is that you DO NOT HAVE TO JOIN A COMBAT SPECIALTY. There are plenty of low-grade specialty jobs that *might* have some risk (even a diesel fueler can get attacked by random chance, you know) but if you play your cards right, and are willing to travel (which I will cover later) then even if you get deployed, you have a low chance of seeing combat. Me? I'm a 19k tank crewman. I can't WAIT to see combat. But everyone's different.

If you don't want to fight and don't want to die, please, for the sake of all service members, DO NOT SHOW OFF YOU'RE IN THE MILITARY. People pay deep respects to all service members for either having served their country, having died in combat, or being willing to do so. If you're not willing to sacrifice yourself for the greater good, you had better keep yourself on the down-low. And if you don't, just know that you flat out don't deserve the attention.

If a war breaks out you are more likely to be deployed. But the president has to ask permission from your governor to deploy you because your governor is your commander in chief (the president is also, but as a state-run organization like the Guard, if your governor is against the war, you have a less chance of going)

Just so you know, I'm not 100% sure if the above statement is completely correct. It is my understanding but don't take my word for it, I'm just sharing what I know.

If they don't want you to join, then you can't join. That is, until you turn 18. You should listen to your parents, but explain that being in the Guard is both the safest, AND most reasonable choice because at least you get to knock out college while you're also playing Army once a month. Alas, my parents supported me completely so I don't know what to say here, frankly.

What I said before about where you drill....you need to realize that there are several drilling stations all over the state. I drive tanks in one county, but my Battalion Headquarters are in a different county altogether, and Alpha company is almost on the other side of the state. That being said, if you REALLY want a certain MOS, you need to be willing to drive across the state to get the training each month. Also remember, your recruiters at each armory are going to be recruiting for what their company has available. Doesn't make them evil, it's just their job. Find out what it is you want to do, figure out where you need to go, and talk to the recruiter there. Oh and there's a chance they'll be full ;) Just so you know.

Hope this helps.

All soldiers, including those in the National Guard, are trained to fight and kill the enemy. The National Guard deploys to war zones just like the Regular Army.

If that is objectionable to you, you shouldn't enlist.

The National Guard has excellent programs for college, but to get them, you must serve and be prepared to deploy whenever your unit is called up.

Keep in mind that you have a higher likelihood of getting killed on US highways than in war. We lost only 2238 personnel in the entire 11 years of combat in Afghanistan (see first link). We lost 32,367 in 2011 (just one year) on US highways (see second link).

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RE:

Army National Guard questions?

im 17 and female. i am going to be a senior in high school and am thinking about joining the guard after high school. will it help me get in college? Do i have to go and fight in wars? i dont really want to fight, i dont want to die. could i just stay in the US? If i join and a war brakes out in...

There are national guard programs in the National Guard for college if you want more info ask a recruiter. Now, you will be trained to fight but you can pick a supportive role I.E. desk jobs again ask a recruiter. You will only be required to fight if your job has those terms. All in all ask a recruiter.

If you have the mentality of not wanting to do the 'dirty' work, I suggest joining the Air Force.

http://www.airforce.com/

The quality of life in that branch is much greater than all the other branches and you'll find it for being a much smoother lifestyle.

matthew- NG only does the military thing 2 days a month, quality of living is a completely moot point- they dont have barracks.

will it help you get into college? no. will it help pay for college? yes.

do you have to go to war? probably not. with afghan coming to a close, unless we enter a new war you will not deploy to a war zone as NG (and even if we do get into a new war unless we need large numbers for long periods of occupation you will not deploy).

will you have to fight in war? no, theres several MOSs (jobs) where you will never fight.

if another war breaks out will you be required to fight? no, we have a professional, well trained military that doesn't need to pull desk jockeys from the nasty guard to fight (no offense)