Tell me about the National Guard.

[Deano]

Thanks for at least considering serving man
Joining up is a big step in your life, and it'll change you forever...mostly for the better.I noticed while reading through the thread that you said you didn't want to be deployed for a year long tour.
At the time I got out (fall of 2005) reserves usually deployed for 12 months, national guard for up to 18, but active duty for only 6 months.So that may be something to think about.
Something else to bear in mind is that your decision to join won't just effect you , but your entire family,especially if you go to Afganistone or Iraq.I belive it was harder on my wife and kids than it was on me, which is one reason I hung up my boots
Basically what I'm getting at is don't rush into things, research everthing, find a job you like, talk to your loved ones,and do what you feel you should.Remember no matter if you join Guard ,reserves or active, once you are in you are in,theres no going back until your contract is up.

I will say serving was the best thing I've done in my life.Feel free to ask any questions, it hasn't been long since I was in,and I have a nephew who is currently serving,so I may be able to answer some things.
Ster

[Irish]

I have been thinking about joining as well. Either that or CSP. Fish got me thinking seriously about that. Hard to go away with little ones crawling around. Momma gets nervous if she has to spend more than 12 hours alone with the rugrats. Now that I am 36, I feel like the clock has gone on for so long that maybe time has run out. Tried to join ANG a few years ago, but a motorcycle accident with a broken face & shoulder slowed down the process.
Whatever you decide, I give you props for standing up.

I give everyone that has served our Country props! Thank you all for doing your duty and providing my Wife, my Children and myself the freedoms that we enjoy today. It is because of you that I believe that honor & integrity still exist.

[DOC]

Well I went down there today for the ASVAB test and I scored 70. I was told that I could learn any job they have to offer. I will have to look into what jobs they have now. Maybe they will return my phone calls too.

[Tora]

I would only add a few things;
1. If your not willing to goto war, stay away.
2. Eather find a job that gives you a new skill, or do it for fun, but go into it knowing what you want to get out of it.

I'm from a active duty stand point, but you can PM me if you want. Did thay tell you your GT and ST scores?

[DOC]

I would only add a few things;
1. If your not willing to goto war, stay away.
2. Eather find a job that gives you a new skill, or do it for fun, but go into it knowing what you want to get out of it.

I'm from a active duty stand point, but you can PM me if you want. Did thay tell you your GT and ST scores?

I know there is the possibility of going to war. I'm sure I could reach down and find the balls needed.

No GT or ST scores. I mean I got to look over the whole thing but it was all greek to me. And I don't remember what they were. And by the time we got back to the shop everyone went home so I could get the low down on all of it.

[bjl913]

I know there is the possibility of going to war. I'm sure I could reach down and find the balls needed.

No GT or ST scores. I mean I got to look over the whole thing but it was all greek to me. And I don't remember what they were. And by the time we got back to the shop everyone went home so I could get the low down on all of it.

GT score is the one that is really going to matter so you know!

[DOC]

What's the GT score for? Does it remind anyone else of a GT car?

[SigsRule]

I'm retired AF - 9.5 years on active duty and 13 more years in the reserves. I learned marketable skills and today am a highly paid management/engineering consultant so the service was really good to me. But don't go in if you're at all concerned about the possibility of deploying and going to war. Any military service entails giving up some basic freedoms civilians take for granted. Sure, you get something back but once you've joined you're in for the duration of your enlistment, and maybe then some, except for unusual circumstances. If you're in the military, you go to war. Period. You may luck out and never have to deploy to a hot zone, but you're supporting your brothers and sisters that did.

If you read this far, I have to add that my military service made me who I am and if I had it to do all over again, I would. My purpose in writing this is to encourage you to think carefully about your choices. Nobody ever got rich joining the National Guard, Reserves, or Active Duty but most got something money can't buy. If you do join up, congratulations and you'll have my best wishes and support. Just don't do it because you need a job.

[bjl913]

What's the GT score for? Does it remind anyone else of a GT car?

hehe kinda! GT is general technical. It is the combined score of your mathmatics and reading/writing. score http://usmilitary.about.com/cs/joini.../asvababcs.htm

that will take you through how it is all set up and what everything means. kinda a long read(5 pages)

basicly the GT score is their "how smart are you really?" score. they can look at all the other scores, ones that will say you are an awesome mechanic but a crappy cook and decent at clerical work, and know that you will be good at exactly what the scores say you will. The GT is the one that can really open up jobs for you. they say you need "x" score to be a mechanic, cool, you got that, but that GT score shows them what kind of mechanic you can be! the higher the score, the more technical job. so if you have a high GT, you may ge able to be a chopper mechanic instead of a lawn mower repair guy! or maybe you could be a clerk in a more specialized unit, or a cook with an actual kitchen, not just handing out MRE's. get it?

http://usmilitary.about.com/od/enlis...s/a/arjobs.htm I think that will tell you what scores you need for certain jobs...

[GunTroll]

The military needs ditch diggers too!