Should I join the Army National Guard? Just wanting others' opinions...?

Monica K

Look into the Air Force. Those are really high scores. You can go into the reserves or the guard. Make sure you look at all options that will be best for you and your family..
The Air Force has been my job for almost 17 years active duty and I don't regret it one bit. They also treat there people the best to...

Kats C

I wouldn't tell you what to do, but I will point out a few things you need to know to make a GOOD decision. The military is a good life & career but.... see below please.
1) The National Guard is not full time. Unless you're going to fill a full time slot (they are available after you have job qualifications)
2) Training is longer than basic. You will receive your job training right after. You will likely end up in the warzone for over a year at some point. Can you live with that?
3) If you want a full time job with medical benefits see #5. Also, you need to check with a recruiter - single parents have special rules in the service. (Active duty, Guard or Reserve)
4) In the Army, being a medic is second to being a soldier. - You will do things you may not be able to live with.
5) If you want to be a medic, look at the Navy or the Air Force. In those services you will do the job you were trained to do first.
6) Most important - talk to a recruiter more than once before you make a decision like that. Also, get a job guarantee in writing before you sign a contract.

graygurl26

Obviously this is something you want. I am in the guard, so please let me clear some things up for you. First, with scores like that you could be anything! You say you want to be a medic because you dont want to kill anyone. Remember that before you are a medic, an admin person, a rocket launcher, or whatever else, you are a soldier and you will have to defend the country no matter what. Also, just because you go to combat doesn't mean that you will have to kill anyone. As for having a steady job for 6-8 years, that is not exactly true. You will only be working one weekend a month with the Guard unless you can get into the AGR (Active Guard Reserve) field, which can be hard to do. Basically that means that you would be a full time guard member, just like your recruiter is. Employers look at a soldier as a good person to hire because they are dedicated, trainable, punctual, and generally take direction well. Your military training may be able to help you find a job on the civilan side. The money from training would be nice, but you still have to maintain your bills while you are at training so it may not be what you expect. On the insurance note, Tricare just started offering insurance to guard soldiers. And, its not free. For a single person its $83/ month and for a family is $253/ month. Honestly, this is a decision that you should discuss with your family first. It sounds to me that you are passionate about it and you have great potential. If it were me, I would do it. I have a child, and a fiance and I wouldn't change it ever. The military is a great oppurtunity and I have never regretted my decision. If you have more questions, please feel free to email me. Good luck!

Marine

Listen. Don't join the military unless you are prepared for combat. Think about this, If you are a medic and you are send to rescue someone, and the enemy fires upon you, you either have to returen fire or let yourself and you fellow soldier die. Also, I don't have a kid but if I did, I wouldn't join anything that is going to send me away from them for 15 months. Think about how much older you kid would be. He wouldn't even be raised by you and wouldn't understand. Don't join for the money, it isn't worth that. If you join, you need to count on the fact that you WILL be deployed.

Jsjco

If you think that you really want to go out and help save our freedom then go and be a hero!

The kid will be fine as long as he's around family members...

mike16903

its your personal choice what you want to do but as far as the nightwolf guy hes full of smart people join all branches of the military and guess what the air force is in iraq too

Julie

No way. Your family is most important. Stay with your son. There are always other jobs. I worked as a hotel clerk for four years while going to college. The hotel clerk job is easy to get and you can move up fast ----- ALL WITHOUT RISKING YOUR LIFE--- I wouldn't do it. Jesus loves you, and your son. He will provide a way other than risking that just for the money.

Christine M

they have great medics in the navy, and nowhere in the navy oath does a person say the words, "to williingly die for my country." :) Sorry, but it's true. I am very pro military, regardless of our current situations in Iraq...and here is my take on things: The military, whatever branch you choose, is great. However, there are things required of you in the military that are not required of you in jobs elsewhere...ie, if you join the navy, and you are attached to a ship, you have to go out on a pac for at least 6 months every other year, and this does not include all the time spent afloat training for that pac. in the military, you move around... A LOT. (i think this is a bonus, but i have been called a gypsy.) There are great sources of education, military and financial assistance for active duty, on top of GI bill when you get out, the medical benefits, dental, etc. However, just like any other career, you are only going to get out of it what you put into it. If you happen to stay in long enough, I firmly believe your child can benefit too...your entire family can. However the bottom line is this...if you are joining for the 'superficial' reasons, then don't join. Joining the reserves for example, just because you want money for school, and then complaining when we go to war and your company gets called to active duty is just wrong--it is fully explained to everyone what is expected and required...you don't just get to go to school and play pretend soldier every now and then a few weeks out of the year! The choice is yours, and you should not consider it lightly...if you are still undecided or have more direct questions, give me an email and i will be more than happy to help you out or send you to where you can get the information, and yes, I will give you the negative side of things, too...just too much to write here ;)

edited: i agree with monica...the airforce is most definitely the best at being 'family orientated.' being the youngest, they were able to learn from the other branches' mistakes :)

Mac

OK, after reading alot of responses to your question (some of them were INSANELY idiotic), I can offer you a little advice. YES, you will be away from your kid for basic training and tech school. BUT, at the same time you will be making a smart move toward a better future for all involved here. I have been active duty Air Force for over 17 years, and I am currently on my first deployment to the desert. You won't even be able to come over here in the AF until you have finished your upgrade training after basic and tech school. I think Monica was dead on with her response on here. Just make sure you research ALL your facts before deciding on what branch of service to join.

butzlerchad

If there wasn't a child involved then yes. However, with a child involved don't be selfish. I did four years in the marine corps and if I would have had kids before joining I never would have joined. It is not a good family life at all.

Mr. Killigan

I wouldnt go. A mother's love is so important for the baby's early life.

Im sure you could find another job just as fitting as a medic in the army.

free_beer_tonite

Here's the deal, dude, straight up...

First of all, great scores. You can have any job you want in the Guard. Medic is a good choice, but there are also good choices in electronics, computers, and mechanical that will get you the skills to get a great civilian job in your real life.

If you are going to be a medic, how do you feel about the sight of trauma, needles, getting called out to fix our broken fighters? Get ready for it, cuz it's gonna be there.

You will need a Family Care Plan before you can deploy, or you will most likely get discharged for hardship reasons. Marriage = more money on active duty.

Deployment will net you a lot of mad cash. Get your college done, and get into ROTC or OCS for leadership opportunities. Again, if you have mad scores like that, your possibilities are limited by your imagination.

mac1hull

The 'Guard' is not a job corp. I think you already made your decision by having a child, take care of your baby first.

If the Guard sends you to Iraq you have a chance of ending up like Jessica Lynch, ganged raped and tortured after capture.

Please read the book: I'M A SOLDIER TOO by Jessica Lynch.

Jeremy

For one you could save others lives, but you need to think of your baby also(not saying that your'e not because god knows you are)and how he grows up. I don't think you want this "nana" to take your pyschological place in his mind(by nature). So you can save lives or help one grow along a bright path. I would recommend staying home.

Vane

i think u should stay with ur baby he needs u the most cherish this moments now or later u will regret not sharing them :(

princesslatina4life8

its your chose

mushroom

I would say no, but can you handle being told what to do all the time. not bing ask told working for *** holes, I spent tweenty years in the military and hated every min of it. but ti did put food on my table and roof over the heads of my family

toocan

normally i would join (hey, i joined the navy in 1983), but right now, no. wait till you have a new commander in chief, then join.

Ryan

nightwolf

Dont go army, go air force trust me that where the smart people go and you probably wont go to iraq

vote_usa_first

Only if you want to go to Iraq. When you get there, you will be passing out candy, and pretending you are a police officer. You will also be guarding their borders while we leave ours open.

It is a very Noble occupation, but so is staying home with your children. I cannot tell you what is best, it is something you will need to take risk in, and plan on long term, repeated separation.

Old Fat Bald Guy

You will be on the next plane out to Iraq if you do that.
Then you'll be in a body bag coming home.

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