Making the decision to join the National Guard

[chainmailleman]

Cochava

chainmailleman

Cochava

I've always wanted to be a part of a military branch but I honestly have always feared going overseas (don't judge me on that). I want to be able to serve people during natural disasters and other such instances within the United States with some type of medical career while also being with my family at home. I did some research and I feel the National Guard may be my best choice.

Discuss:
Have you been or do you know someone in the National Guard?
If you are in the National Guard, how has it affected your life in a good or bad way?
What is your personal opinion on the National Guard in general?
How would you tell your parents you wanted to join the National Guard?

The last question is basically there to give me ideas on how to approach telling my father. I'm his little girl, I just barely got him to be okay with me going into the Firefighter Academy. sweatdrop

NG get deployed just as the "Weekend Warriors" (lol) do.

68W will probably be your MOS. That was mine. Just remember to clear your mind, take a deep breath, and assess the victim.

The Army isn't as fun as people say it is. It's hard, strenuous work that pays very little and the benefits slowly disappear year by year, decade by decade (ask any vet getting VA benefits, they'll tell you). You will see some of your friends deploy and not come back. You will see others that do, missing body parts sometimes, most with scars from shrapnel from IED and mortar attacks.

This s**t will change you. You will not be the same after you go in. You will be a cold-blooded, motivated individual that will complete the task. All your friends playing Xbox all day won't be able to do what you will be able to.

I remember reading something about MOS… not too sure exactly what it is though.
I know it's hard work but it's great to have the experience. I feel like I would have much better training through the National Guard than just going to school.

Military Occupational Specialty

68W is healthcare specialist......nice way for saying your the b***h medic.

They should have a M6 addition to the 68W course. Ask your recruiter. M6 is the LPN course. You'll be performing field surgery, lol. And not the "Hey I clamped the artery and re-inflated his lung" type surgery either......

[chainmailleman]

Capitalist Gynecologist

Cochava

Capitalist Gynecologist

Cochava

Capitalist Gynecologist

National guard does go overseas, some National Guard is in Afghanistan.
Somebody didn't do all their research.

I never said they didn't go overseas, its just less likely.

I updated that post.
And if you want a good medical career, I recommend the Navy.

I just like the fact that I can be stationed in my state and live at home, only going to base one weekend a month for training and 2 weeks each year. It will give me the opportunity to still have a job and go to school as well.
My uncle was a Marine and the Navy actually came to him and recruited him to train pilots. Maybe I'll talk to him… I just like the idea of being at home near my family unless I am needed elsewhere.

Just saying, your recruiter is supposed to lie to you. His job is to leave out information as it takes to get you to join. If he says "you're for sure going to stay home", he's lying. Especially now since women ARE allowed to go to combat and the National Guard IS a branch of the Army. Going to work one weekend a month is called reserves, and every military branch has that. Being honest, you're probably going to be deployed or stationed somewhere away from home in every branch of the military especially if you want a medical career, especially since the National Guard is small, meaning you may have to go out of state for your training.

If you want a decent medical career, okay training, and s**t talking NCO's everywhere, join the NG. If you want a medical career, better medical training, better food, and a nicer place to sleep (I'm serious about the food and bed), join the Navy.

Listen to this dude. He's right 100%

[Cochava]

Capitalist Gynecologist

Cochava

Capitalist Gynecologist

Cochava

Capitalist Gynecologist

National guard does go overseas, some National Guard is in Afghanistan.
Somebody didn't do all their research.

I never said they didn't go overseas, its just less likely.

I updated that post.
And if you want a good medical career, I recommend the Navy.

I just like the fact that I can be stationed in my state and live at home, only going to base one weekend a month for training and 2 weeks each year. It will give me the opportunity to still have a job and go to school as well.
My uncle was a Marine and the Navy actually came to him and recruited him to train pilots. Maybe I'll talk to him… I just like the idea of being at home near my family unless I am needed elsewhere.

Just saying, your recruiter is supposed to lie to you. His job is to leave out information as it takes to get you to join. If he says "you're for sure going to stay home", he's lying. Especially now since women ARE allowed to go to combat and the National Guard IS a branch of the Army. Going to work one weekend a month is called reserves, and every military branch has that. Being honest, you're probably going to be deployed or stationed somewhere away from home in every branch of the military especially if you want a medical career, especially since the National Guard is small, meaning you may have to go out of state for your training.

If you want a decent medical career, okay training, and s**t talking NCO's everywhere, join the NG. If you want a medical career, better medical training, better food, and a nicer place to sleep (I'm serious about the food and bed), join the Navy.

Yeah, I know they lie, trust me. Thats why I have my uncle for most of the questions. He will give me honest answers. I'm still not sure yet though either way. All I know is that being in the National Guard will give me a greater opportunity to help when there are Natural Disasters like hurricane sandy just a few months ago.
It infuriated me that I was unable to help much other than staying on call at the fire station. Nothing happened though in my area - not even a 'wires down or arching' call. I tired volunteering with the red cross but never heard back. Being able to help people with that kind of thing is something I would love to have the opportunity to do one day.

[Cochava]

chainmailleman

Cochava

chainmailleman

Cochava

I've always wanted to be a part of a military branch but I honestly have always feared going overseas (don't judge me on that). I want to be able to serve people during natural disasters and other such instances within the United States with some type of medical career while also being with my family at home. I did some research and I feel the National Guard may be my best choice.

Discuss:
Have you been or do you know someone in the National Guard?
If you are in the National Guard, how has it affected your life in a good or bad way?
What is your personal opinion on the National Guard in general?
How would you tell your parents you wanted to join the National Guard?

The last question is basically there to give me ideas on how to approach telling my father. I'm his little girl, I just barely got him to be okay with me going into the Firefighter Academy. sweatdrop

NG get deployed just as the "Weekend Warriors" (lol) do.

68W will probably be your MOS. That was mine. Just remember to clear your mind, take a deep breath, and assess the victim.

The Army isn't as fun as people say it is. It's hard, strenuous work that pays very little and the benefits slowly disappear year by year, decade by decade (ask any vet getting VA benefits, they'll tell you). You will see some of your friends deploy and not come back. You will see others that do, missing body parts sometimes, most with scars from shrapnel from IED and mortar attacks.

This s**t will change you. You will not be the same after you go in. You will be a cold-blooded, motivated individual that will complete the task. All your friends playing Xbox all day won't be able to do what you will be able to.

I remember reading something about MOS… not too sure exactly what it is though.
I know it's hard work but it's great to have the experience. I feel like I would have much better training through the National Guard than just going to school.

Military Occupational Specialty

68W is healthcare specialist......nice way for saying your the b***h medic.

They should have a M6 addition to the 68W course. Ask your recruiter. M6 is the LPN course. You'll be performing field surgery, lol. And not the "Hey I clamped the artery and re-inflated his lung" type surgery either......

Yeahh i know. I was looking into becoming a PA one day though… Im starting my BSN courses in the fall this year if I don't decide to join the NG though.

[Cochava]

Galileo Figaro Magnifico

Cochava

Galileo Figaro Magnifico

Cochava

Galileo Figaro Magnifico

My father was NG for a long time. It did put him overseas several times.

Yeah i know they do but it more or less depends on your specialty I guess. Like for me, if I were to become a Physician's Assistant, I would only go overseas for 180 days. That's not too bad. It's even less time if I become a full Physician.

That sounds cool. Dad was in Comm/Nav

Navigation and Communication right? That's pretty awesome. 3nodding

Correct. 3nodding
It was fun for him. Save the overseas stuff.

It seems like it would be fun. I'm happy your dad enjoyed his job. Overseas would scare me honestly though ahaha

[Capitalist Gynecologist]

chainmailleman

Capitalist Gynecologist

Cochava

Capitalist Gynecologist

Cochava

Capitalist Gynecologist

National guard does go overseas, some National Guard is in Afghanistan.
Somebody didn't do all their research.

I never said they didn't go overseas, its just less likely.

I updated that post.
And if you want a good medical career, I recommend the Navy.

I just like the fact that I can be stationed in my state and live at home, only going to base one weekend a month for training and 2 weeks each year. It will give me the opportunity to still have a job and go to school as well.
My uncle was a Marine and the Navy actually came to him and recruited him to train pilots. Maybe I'll talk to him… I just like the idea of being at home near my family unless I am needed elsewhere.

Just saying, your recruiter is supposed to lie to you. His job is to leave out information as it takes to get you to join. If he says "you're for sure going to stay home", he's lying. Especially now since women ARE allowed to go to combat and the National Guard IS a branch of the Army. Going to work one weekend a month is called reserves, and every military branch has that. Being honest, you're probably going to be deployed or stationed somewhere away from home in every branch of the military especially if you want a medical career, especially since the National Guard is small, meaning you may have to go out of state for your training.

If you want a decent medical career, okay training, and s**t talking NCO's everywhere, join the NG. If you want a medical career, better medical training, better food, and a nicer place to sleep (I'm serious about the food and bed), join the Navy.

Listen to this dude. He's right 100%

Thanks. I've noticed that more people think some branch of the military is going to get them set for life when it doesn't. You get out what you put into it, sometimes not even that. Especially in any branch of the army.

I'm not in the military (will be soon, signing papers for the marines in July) but my uncle was in the Special Forces in Vietnam. they ended up ripping him off and going back on their promises. He told our family the Army basically took him for a ride and played games with him, and after all that he refused to 'kiss a**' so he could be promoted past SSgt.

If you want to be an 'ordinary' person, practically still a civie and in need of a job, go National Guard.

If you want to travel and get knowledge, go Air Force or Navy.

The OP should really look into this stuff, IMO.

[Capitalist Gynecologist]

Cochava

Capitalist Gynecologist

Cochava

Capitalist Gynecologist

Cochava

Capitalist Gynecologist

National guard does go overseas, some National Guard is in Afghanistan.
Somebody didn't do all their research.

I never said they didn't go overseas, its just less likely.

I updated that post.
And if you want a good medical career, I recommend the Navy.

I just like the fact that I can be stationed in my state and live at home, only going to base one weekend a month for training and 2 weeks each year. It will give me the opportunity to still have a job and go to school as well.
My uncle was a Marine and the Navy actually came to him and recruited him to train pilots. Maybe I'll talk to him… I just like the idea of being at home near my family unless I am needed elsewhere.

Just saying, your recruiter is supposed to lie to you. His job is to leave out information as it takes to get you to join. If he says "you're for sure going to stay home", he's lying. Especially now since women ARE allowed to go to combat and the National Guard IS a branch of the Army. Going to work one weekend a month is called reserves, and every military branch has that. Being honest, you're probably going to be deployed or stationed somewhere away from home in every branch of the military especially if you want a medical career, especially since the National Guard is small, meaning you may have to go out of state for your training.

If you want a decent medical career, okay training, and s**t talking NCO's everywhere, join the NG. If you want a medical career, better medical training, better food, and a nicer place to sleep (I'm serious about the food and bed), join the Navy.

Yeah, I know they lie, trust me. Thats why I have my uncle for most of the questions. He will give me honest answers. I'm still not sure yet though either way. All I know is that being in the National Guard will give me a greater opportunity to help when there are Natural Disasters like hurricane sandy just a few months ago.
It infuriated me that I was unable to help much other than staying on call at the fire station. Nothing happened though in my area - not even a 'wires down or arching' call. I tired volunteering with the red cross but never heard back. Being able to help people with that kind of thing is something I would love to have the opportunity to do one day.

If your statement starts with 'all I know', then you don't know enough. What you want to do actually sounds like you'd enjoy the Air Force or Navy a lot better.

And don't give the National Guard all the credit for relief in Hurricane Sandy, because the Coast Guard and Air Force also bravely risk their lives in those emergencies.

Like I said...
You sound like you'd enjoy the Navy or Air Force better. Better uniforms, better housing, better bed, better food, better training, and the Corpsman (a term for a dignified Navy medic -- pretty much the job you want) told me he ******** loved his job.

[Cochava]

Capitalist Gynecologist

Cochava

Capitalist Gynecologist

Cochava

Capitalist Gynecologist

I updated that post.
And if you want a good medical career, I recommend the Navy.

I just like the fact that I can be stationed in my state and live at home, only going to base one weekend a month for training and 2 weeks each year. It will give me the opportunity to still have a job and go to school as well.
My uncle was a Marine and the Navy actually came to him and recruited him to train pilots. Maybe I'll talk to him… I just like the idea of being at home near my family unless I am needed elsewhere.

Just saying, your recruiter is supposed to lie to you. His job is to leave out information as it takes to get you to join. If he says "you're for sure going to stay home", he's lying. Especially now since women ARE allowed to go to combat and the National Guard IS a branch of the Army. Going to work one weekend a month is called reserves, and every military branch has that. Being honest, you're probably going to be deployed or stationed somewhere away from home in every branch of the military especially if you want a medical career, especially since the National Guard is small, meaning you may have to go out of state for your training.

If you want a decent medical career, okay training, and s**t talking NCO's everywhere, join the NG. If you want a medical career, better medical training, better food, and a nicer place to sleep (I'm serious about the food and bed), join the Navy.

Yeah, I know they lie, trust me. Thats why I have my uncle for most of the questions. He will give me honest answers. I'm still not sure yet though either way. All I know is that being in the National Guard will give me a greater opportunity to help when there are Natural Disasters like hurricane sandy just a few months ago.
It infuriated me that I was unable to help much other than staying on call at the fire station. Nothing happened though in my area - not even a 'wires down or arching' call. I tired volunteering with the red cross but never heard back. Being able to help people with that kind of thing is something I would love to have the opportunity to do one day.

If your statement starts with 'all I know', then you don't know enough. What you want to do actually sounds like you'd enjoy the Air Force or Navy a lot better.

And don't give the National Guard all the credit for relief in Hurricane Sandy, because the Coast Guard and Air Force also bravely risk their lives in those emergencies.

Like I said...
You sound like you'd enjoy the Navy or Air Force better. Better uniforms, better housing, better bed, better food, better training, and the Corpsman (a term for a dignified Navy medic -- pretty much the job you want) told me he ******** loved his job.

Well what you said in a separate post describes my intentions completely..
"If you want to be an 'ordinary' person, practically still a civie and in need of a job, go National Guard."
Thats what I want. I've been in contact with my uncle though, so i will let you know what he feels when he replies back to me.
And one thing about the marines. My friend is a marine and he told me that the one thing he really was angry about with the marines is that they only payed for part of his schooling - about 60% I believe. So he is still in a lot of debt with school. He also said that he hates the national guard because they will pay for school completely for up to 6 years (which was said jokingly seeing that he still has to pay for part of his school).
**Edit
also I never gave full credit to the National Guard - I said I would have more of an opportunity to help by joining..

[Stop Touching My Fetus]

I know someone actively in the National Guard. She loves everything about it.

So far the only complaint she has is due to it being a reserve branch of military the contract is about eight years or so.

With any kind of military, you just have to take the good (structure and potential health benefits and personal benefits) with the bad (commanding officers jerking you around and sometimes flat out lying to your face).

Good luck!

[Capitalist Gynecologist]

Cochava

Capitalist Gynecologist

Cochava

Capitalist Gynecologist

Cochava

Capitalist Gynecologist

I updated that post.
And if you want a good medical career, I recommend the Navy.

I just like the fact that I can be stationed in my state and live at home, only going to base one weekend a month for training and 2 weeks each year. It will give me the opportunity to still have a job and go to school as well.
My uncle was a Marine and the Navy actually came to him and recruited him to train pilots. Maybe I'll talk to him… I just like the idea of being at home near my family unless I am needed elsewhere.

Just saying, your recruiter is supposed to lie to you. His job is to leave out information as it takes to get you to join. If he says "you're for sure going to stay home", he's lying. Especially now since women ARE allowed to go to combat and the National Guard IS a branch of the Army. Going to work one weekend a month is called reserves, and every military branch has that. Being honest, you're probably going to be deployed or stationed somewhere away from home in every branch of the military especially if you want a medical career, especially since the National Guard is small, meaning you may have to go out of state for your training.

If you want a decent medical career, okay training, and s**t talking NCO's everywhere, join the NG. If you want a medical career, better medical training, better food, and a nicer place to sleep (I'm serious about the food and bed), join the Navy.

Yeah, I know they lie, trust me. Thats why I have my uncle for most of the questions. He will give me honest answers. I'm still not sure yet though either way. All I know is that being in the National Guard will give me a greater opportunity to help when there are Natural Disasters like hurricane sandy just a few months ago.
It infuriated me that I was unable to help much other than staying on call at the fire station. Nothing happened though in my area - not even a 'wires down or arching' call. I tired volunteering with the red cross but never heard back. Being able to help people with that kind of thing is something I would love to have the opportunity to do one day.

If your statement starts with 'all I know', then you don't know enough. What you want to do actually sounds like you'd enjoy the Air Force or Navy a lot better.

And don't give the National Guard all the credit for relief in Hurricane Sandy, because the Coast Guard and Air Force also bravely risk their lives in those emergencies.

Like I said...
You sound like you'd enjoy the Navy or Air Force better. Better uniforms, better housing, better bed, better food, better training, and the Corpsman (a term for a dignified Navy medic -- pretty much the job you want) told me he ******** loved his job.

Well what you said in a separate post describes my intentions completely..
"If you want to be an 'ordinary' person, practically still a civie and in need of a job, go National Guard."
Thats what I want. I've been in contact with my uncle though, so i will let you know what he feels when he replies back to me.
And one thing about the marines. My friend is a marine and he told me that the one thing he really was angry about with the marines is that they only payed for part of his schooling - about 60% I believe. So he is still in a lot of debt with school. He also said that he hates the national guard because they will pay for school completely for up to 6 years (which was said jokingly seeing that he still has to pay for part of his school).
**Edit
also I never gave full credit to the National Guard - I said I would have more of an opportunity to help by joining..

Keep in mind, when I mean ordinary, I really mean you get little training. Very little. Like what the other guy said, they're Weekend Warriors. Meaning, little training. Possibility of getting deployed is high in the NG if you're a doctor because if you are in the reserves they can still pull you out. Don't think for one second that being under trained and inexperienced at the same time is the best choice because you want to be a 'military civilian'. If you're going to make the choice to go military, you may as well join a branch that will give you more benefits instead of taking them away yearly.



If you want to sleep in a hole -- I mean a literal hole, about 3-4 feet deep, about 6 feet long, and 6 feet wide, go Nat. Guard and be an inexperienced medic that doesn't know how to get a bullet out of a poor boy's chest and stomach cavity. And the average Nat Guard deployment is 15 months long. (Remember, that's just average. Could be shorter (rarely happens, Uncle Sam expects his money's worth out of his servicemen) or longer (way more likely to happen).

[nihilgrim]

Yeah no, there is actually a very likely chance you will be sent overseas, even in current conditions. Just think if we get involved with Iran or North Korea. It does not matter on your specialty, when you are assigned to your group, you go with them. Why would they send infantry and have support stay at home? Makes no sense. When I was talking to a recruiter about joining, he said I would likely see at least one tour, probably two. If you have any events planned, good luck. They don't work around you. It makes planning for a family or going to college difficult. They essentially own you.

If you want to help when disasters strike, join the Red Cross.

[nihilgrim]

Cochava

He also said that he hates the national guard because they will pay for school completely for up to 6 years (which was said jokingly seeing that he still has to pay for part of his school).

Every military branch is notorious for ******** people out of the education they were "promised". "Promised", because most people don't read the fine print. Wherever you heard the six year thing is a lie. Look on their website, they only cover four years, for only certain expenses, for only a certain amount per year. You can get other college benefits, but that involves being deployed a lot. If you think you are going to get a free ride, especially since you're a weekend warrior, you're wrong, and you are going to end up disappointed like your friend.

[Cochava]

Stop Touching My Fetus

I know someone actively in the National Guard. She loves everything about it.

So far the only complaint she has is due to it being a reserve branch of military the contract is about eight years or so.

With any kind of military, you just have to take the good (structure and potential health benefits and personal benefits) with the bad (commanding officers jerking you around and sometimes flat out lying to your face).

Good luck!

Yeah my friend said his marine contract is 8 years as well - that may bug me a bit too but I think it will be nice.

[Cochava]

nihilgrim

Yeah no, there is actually a very likely chance you will be sent overseas, even in current conditions. Just think if we get involved with Iran or North Korea. It does not matter on your specialty, when you are assigned to your group, you go with them. Why would they send infantry and have support stay at home? Makes no sense. When I was talking to a recruiter about joining, he said I would likely see at least one tour, probably two. If you have any events planned, good luck. They don't work around you. It makes planning for a family or going to college difficult. They essentially own you.

If you want to help when disasters strike, join the Red Cross.

tried red cross - they didn't need my help.

[Cochava]

I give up with this topic… all you guys are doing is trashing the National Guard. So what if its not the best division of the Military, I never said I wanted to be in the best of the best - I want to be somewhere I'm going to still feel comfortable (being stationed at home) but you guys are only listing cons of the NG instead of any pros. confused