National Guard? Should I join?

[ejmpnu92]

Communications, logistics, equipment maintenance would translate well in the civilian world. I was a TC(telecommunications specialist) in the USCG and when I got out, I had several offers from Satcom companies after I got out. Like an idiot I went into construction, will never forgive myself for screwing myself out of a decent future.

 

[idaho]

For what its worth, my opinion. Sorry if it repeats someone elses. Join the Reserves. Or better yet just go active duty. But avoid the National Guard. I am National Guard serving on active duty and regret not choosing another branch for these reasons:
National Guard is state run and paid for. Should you ever want to volunteer for a deployment, or volunteer to go active duty, it will be a battle. Unlike the reserves, which is federal level, where a simple signature is required to do either one of those things. Reserves gives you the same oppurtunities the guard does, buts allow you to expand your career should you fall in love it and get bored with the whole one weekend a month. And you will. I made the mistake, and now I have to ride out a 6 year obligation while I wait for my chance to go active. I pass the time by volunteering for deployments. Which is okay money, but makes me feel like I'm treading water. Plus, not so great for the rest of my family...

 

[clearconscience]

That's great info. And some of the things I read about the Nat Guard. I was also told for Nat Guard or Reserve the time you spend going to base and getting little things done off weekend isn't worth the money.
I'm having a tough time thinking about a career that will transfer and not just being a mechanic.
I was thinking about MP, But I was told they are few and far between right now. So I was thing about small arms/artillary repairer. I thought it would be fun and I could do something with firearms repair/gunsmithing after.
My recruiter even told me infantry was full! He said he's rarely ever seen it with less than 300 open positions. I didn't want to do it anyway. I heard it was the worst.

 

[idaho]

Well, I think Infantry is the way to go personally. But I'm biased. Besides the fact that there are more readily promotions within Infantry units, more training opportunities i.e. schools like small arms repairmen, mortar school, air assualt, airborne, (insert other high speed hooah hooah school)s, the first two being available as secondary MOS identifiers. Which, by the way, count for more promotion points. And in the guard, Promotion is a big deal. Its slot based, so highly competitive unless.....your infantry. But, this particular is only available in the Guard and Active components, as the federal Reserves did away with combat arms units. Basically, if you already have a civilian job lined out, then Guard might be an option. If you dont, you wont make enough money doing the Guard, and I would recommend active duty. The benefits are endless, and you can sign for (I believe) as little as two years at a time, so your not tied to a contract. Which reminds me, the Guard offers whats called "active first" which is one to two years of an active duty assignment, with a four-six year enlistment with the guard. Basically you are exposed to both worlds to see if you like active duty. If you do, you can opt to resign a contract and continue with active duty, if you dont you simply return home to a guard unit and finish your contract in a drill weekend status.

 

[Buddhalux]

Infantry does promote alot faster than all the others. I went from E1 to E4 in 14 months. I also ended up as a quad stack (EIB, Air crew wings, Airborne, and Air Assault) by the time I reenlisted. It was funny making REMF's and officers cry when I was in BDU's let alone Class A's.