gone.

[ChrisO]

He also said he didn't even realize they were NG until a few months down the line while having conversation with one of the soldiers.

[GillaFunk]

he said theres more NG than Marines over there.

beh, thats not hard, considering there is a 3:1 ratio of Soldeirs to Marines. Then again, I dont know specifially how many of each branch is playing over there. Sure would be easier if we could just



(just kidding)

[ChrisO]

He wasn't bashing the Marines or anything just saying that it's a common misconception that people think the guard doesn't deploy and many people join for that reason only to realize very quick they were wrong. Deploying is not my big concern, I want to serve my country and I know going in and joining I have pretty much 100% percent chance of deploying sooner or later. I'm just still on the fence If I'm going to just get school over with first or not. I'm not saying I wouldn't be afraid to go to war but with the decision to join I have accepted that fact that it is a definite possibility and it's for my country and the people I love.

[Call_me_Tom]

<---14 years in the Marines, Combat Engineer, Sapper Instructor.

If your going to join any branch of service be it the National Guard (NG), Army, Navy, Marines, or Air Force...plan on deploying.

Civilian Law Enforcement like to see some life experiences before you apply with their department and the military is a good way to gain this.

Everyone hates MP's and they are not like their civilian counter parts. They burn their own...I see it all of the time. They don't have the same "Professional Courtesies" as civilian LEO's have; eg your MP counter part will not get you out of a ticket, he'll bust you with a DUI, etc. As a matter of fact, they relish in busting their fellow MP's. The MP community is highly competitive in their promotion system (Marines, can't speak for the Army) and bumping off one of their only helps to make themselves look that much better.

Also, most folks I see who get out of the military very rarely continue to do what they did in the military out in the civilian world. I'm not sure if that has do with being tired of it after 4 years, or finding out it wasn't what they thought it was going to be like.

Anyone who doesn't know that the NG goes to combat has never been in combat. I've been in Iraq for all 4 phases of the war. From the taking of Baghdad, to the cemeteries of Najaf, to the streets of Fallujah I've fought there and a Guardsman was right next to me each time. Granted, I was a little surprised to see "Grandpa" ducking and dodging bullets on the battle field, but they kept up non the less.

Don't join the Marines if you are looking for a quick promotion. We promote based off of leadership first and technical expertise second. Remember, the Marines are based around the Infantry and everything supports that. The Navy is based around the Aircraft Carrier, the Army the tank, and the Air Force the jet. What that means to you is that a 20 year old may find himself running a 12 man patrol independently of any supervision or guidance from anyone higher. That is a HUGE amount of responsibility and it takes a great deal of leadership to accomplish this. He'll have to go to intelligence briefings, train his squad, route his patrol, gather information, direct fires, plan for his required logistics, coordinate resupply, and call in supporting assets. That is why Marines generally frown upon contract promotions as we don't feel one has earned their rank.

[ChrisO]

A sapper instructor... Bet you get to blow a bunch of S*** up. I was looking into combat engineer as well seemed interesting. I plan on going guard and if it is something I want to continue to do then just going active Army. I'm not looking for a quick promotion and I don't want a promotion unless I earned it. I hear a bunch of mixed things about MP's I have a few buddies that are MP's army and NG and a professor that is a reserve MP for the USMC.

[GillaFunk]

He wasn't bashing the Marines or anything

no offense taken.

[goathead]

im in the stan and i see all services all day, and no air fields and no water here. so its everyones fight here, but on my small base its mosty NG here

[ElvenSoul]

You know the Navy supplies the Marines with their Medics right?

[ChrisO]

You know the Navy supplies the Marines with their Medics right?

Navy Corpsman, Why? I think everyone knows that...