Joining the Army!

[thebloodsonthewall]

I am strongly considering joining the California National Guard and I have a few questions. How long does the process take? I am getting married in June so I wouldn't want to go to basic training until some months after that. Also, what are the enlistment terms? If I enlisted for say 8 years, how much of that could I expect to be deployed for?

I have been considering this for many years I just haven't don't it yet. I was stuck on being deployed. Now I realize that it is apart of the National Guard. I had a long talk with my soon to be wife earlier this evening and we came to an agreement. I was considering the California State Military Reserve but she said if I was going to do it, that I should do that real thing(And get paid for it).

When deployment comes around, how long could I expect to be deployed for?

Sorry for asking so many questions. I have always felt that it was my duty to serve me country and it seems like a good experience. My mom always told me that she would disown me if I ever actually did it. I now realize that this is not reality and that she will deal with it.

Thank you guys for serving and keeping this great country alive, I hope to be among your ranks in the not to far off future.

[CavTrooper]

I am strongly considering joining the California National Guard and I have a few questions. How long does the process take? I am getting married in June so I wouldn't want to go to basic training until some months after that. Also, what are the enlistment terms? If I enlisted for say 8 years, how much of that could I expect to be deployed for?

Enlistment process takes a few days, maybe 2 weeks if you have issues to deal with. As for shipping to training... I dunno.

I have been considering this for many years I just haven't don't it yet. I was stuck on being deployed. Now I realize that it is apart of the National Guard. I had a long talk with my soon to be wife earlier this evening and we came to an agreement. I was considering the California State Military Reserve but she said if I was going to do it, that I should do that real thing(And get paid for it). .

Excuse me... THE REAL THING?

When deployment comes around, how long could I expect to be deployed for?

Well, Border watch, wildfires, earthquakes, training missions, overseas depolyments... Its all up in the air. In the regular Army, depolyments run from 12 to 15 months.

Sorry for asking so many questions. I have always felt that it was my duty to serve me country and it seems like a good experience. My mom always told me that she would disown me if I ever actually did it. I now realize that this is not reality and that she will deal with it.

Thank you guys for serving and keeping this great country alive, I hope to be among your ranks in the not to far off future.

Whats your situation like right now?
Are you in school?
Have a solid career going?
Does the Guard units in your area have the MOS avalible that you are interested in?

These are all things to consider. You need to evaluate your situation and explore all your options. The guard is a good part time gig for old Soldiers, guys with a career, full time college students, etc. if you are trying to actually get something started and have a full range of options and benefits then you might want to consider going another direction, like active duty. Also, remember, CA is broke, and the guard gets its funding from the state. So consider that when the recruiter is talking to you about money for school, bonuses, etc.

**FULL DISCLOSURE** I am an Army recruiter. (Real, full time Army, not NG)

[thebloodsonthewall]

I am 21 years old and I work full time in construction and I make alright money but it is not what I want to do for a career. I am in community college full-time and I eventually want to get a my BA. If I enlisted in the Army, how is it different the the NG? I like the idea of being able to help out in country if there was an emergency, would that still happen in the Army? Does the army have the same MOS? I don't know a whole lot on this if you can't tell. What are the enlistment terms?

[CavTrooper]

I am 21 years old and I work full time in construction and I make alright money but it is not what I want to do for a career. I am in community college full-time and I eventually want to get a my BA. If I enlisted in the Army, how is it different the the NG? I like the idea of being able to help out in country if there was an emergency, would that still happen in the Army? Does the army have the same MOS? I don't know a whole lot on this if you can't tell. What are the enlistment terms?

The regular Active duty Army is a full time gig with full pay and benefits.
The guard will give you pay and benefits for your one weekend a month and two weeks a year.
The RA (regular army) has 150+ MOSs to choose from.
In the guard you are limited to whats in your area.

Theres alot of differences between the two that can be beneficial either way, depends on the person. For me, I wanted to be a Combat Soldier and there was no way I was trusting somebody who wasnt dedicated to the job to watch my a**. The guard never crossed my mind, neither did the reserves, I wanted to do the real thing. Intially, I enlisted to do 4 years and planned on moving on, but I really love the Army and just cant see myself doing anything else right now. Its the easiest job in the world, show up in the right place at the right time, in the right uniform and do your job and you have no worries. Deployments dont bother me, my grandfather was deployed for more than 2 years in WWII, what the hell do I have to complain about. Being killed doesnt bother me, people die everyday, at least my wife gets my SGLI and my baby gets her college tution covered!

Seriously, if you cant find a real reason not to, you should at least consider doing active duty service for a couple of years, the benfits will stay with you forever and youll have a huge leg up on most of the NG Soldiers in your unit if you decide to go that way afterwards.

[thebloodsonthewall]

Could I enlist for 2 years and reenlist if that is what I decide to do? I think you convinced me to join the RA. It looks like there is a recruiter not to far from me. I will have to go down there this week.

[CavTrooper]

Could I enlist for 2 years and reenlist if that is what I decide to do? I think you convinced me to join the RA. It looks like there is a recruiter not to far from me. I will have to go down there this week.

There are 2 year enlistments for some MOSs, usually youll see 3 or 4 year enlistments though. Before you go talk to anyone in a regular Army office, call me so I can make sure you get the straight scoop. Not all recruiters are good, that goes for every branch, Ill set you up with the right questions and info so you go in fully aware.

Im PMing you my number, call me tomorrow.

[thebloodsonthewall]

There are 2 year enlistments for some MOSs, usually youll see 3 or 4 year enlistments though. Before you go talk to anyone in a regular Army office, call me so I can make sure you get the straight scoop. Not all recruiters are good, that goes for every branch, Ill set you up with the right questions and info so you go in fully aware.

Im PMing you my number, call me tomorrow.

Perfect, Thank you!

[pottymouth310]

whats the age cut off?

[CavTrooper]

Age cutoff for US Army is 42.

If you are prior service military then subtract your years of service from your age, if its under 42, then youre good to go.

[11Z50]

My thoughts are for you to do a 2-3 year enlistment in the combat arms, regular army. The initial start in the combat arms will establish you as a warrior, and even if later you opt for a more cushy MOS, your experience will assist you in promotions, and in general, status. This will give you the sound basis for a career later if you choose. If you stay regular or go reserve or guard to finish out your 8-year commitment, the knowledge and experience you will get early on will serve you well.

Remember though, that the Guard and Reserve are not the stay-at-home propositions they were a few years ago. You will be deployed, and probably more than twice.

The payoffs are:
1) you have served your country
2) you will get to shoot some real guns
3) you will see, do and kill things you otherwise would not have
4) you will get some good pay and benefits
5) you can say you are veteran, and call me and many others a buddy

I am proud of you for listening to the call. Many never hear it.

[Stockton]

My thoughts are for you to do a 2-3 year enlistment in the combat arms, regular army. The initial start in the combat arms will establish you as a warrior, and even if later you opt for a more cushy MOS, your experience will assist you in promotions, and in general, status. This will give you the sound basis for a career later if you choose. If you stay regular or go reserve or guard to finish out your 8-year commitment, the knowledge and experience you will get early on will serve you well.

Remember though, that the Guard and Reserve are not the stay-at-home propositions they were a few years ago. You will be deployed, and probably more than twice.

The payoffs are:
1) you have served your country
2) you will get to shoot some real guns
3) you will see, do and kill things you otherwise would not have
4) you will get some good pay and benefits
5) you can say you are veteran, and call me and many others a buddy

I am proud of you for listening to the call. Many never hear it.

HOOAAH! MSG!

[goathead]

There are 2 year enlistments for some MOSs, usually youll see 3 or 4 year enlistments though. Before you go talk to anyone in a regular Army office, call me so I can make sure you get the straight scoop. Not all recruiters are good, that goes for every branch, Ill set you up with the right questions and info so you go in fully aware.

Im PMing you my number, call me tomorrow.

only if he was in socal he would have been a good pull

[ChuckBooty]

I just happen to be an Army National Guard Recruiter. PM Sent!

[11Z50]

Dang Chuck......make mission, go fishin' time! Good for you!

[thebloodsonthewall]

So an update:

I spoke with Cavtrooper and he got me all set-up with a recruiter in my area. I took the practice ASVAB today and I got a 74. I am going to take the real one tomorrow. I have decided that I am joining the Army. I am getting married June 6 and I will be going to BCT two or three weeks after. They are letting me put it off so far because I am enrolled in college full time this semester. Oh yeah, they told me that I would be going in as an E-3 based on my qualifications and whatnot.