National Guard

[geoint]

Im about to get out of active duty and considering going into the guard just to have cheap healthcare and a bonus (my MOS is getting $20k for 6 year contracts right now).


What are your guys' opinions of the guard in CA? Im going to be in Riverside county so Ill probably be part of a group somewhere in socal.

[dirtrider04]

Welcome to the CIV DIV! I just got out too (mar 1st) and I am also considering the Guard... I will be keeping my eye on this thread...

[FML1982]

First off did you deploy anywhere while on active duty, even going on ships to combat zones make you a combat vet, (kinda bull**** but that is how the VA does things). The reason I ask is if one of the reasons you want to do it is cheap health care, isn't it like the reserves, where you are only covered while drilling for that one weekend a month. the other 27-28 days you are on your own for health care. Not trying to talk you out of NG just want to make sure you understand, and I could be wrong but you won't get free TRICARE year round unless you are activated, if you aren't in uniform drilling you aren't covered. now back to the combat vet thing, you rate certain things from the VA after active duty depending on where you went, what you did, and if you have any health issues. You % rating the VA gives you ties into if you have to pay for health care from them. I, for instance, do not pay for health care, prescriptions or anything like that from the VA due to circumstances and ratings. The VA is getting better at healthcare, also depending if you are IRR or done with the original 8 years, you can go drill with the reserve units in your area, you can call up the local unit and say you want to participate and go from there. You won't be obligated but can still go do it on your terms, you still can get promoted, rifle range, PFT, CFT, MCI, all that jazz. So if its the bonus you are after go for it, if you are worried about healthcare go talk to the VA clinic nearest you and see what you rate.

[CBRN]

The reason I ask is if one of the reasons you want to do it is cheap health care, isn't it like the reserves, where you are only covered while drilling for that one weekend a month. the other 27-28 days you are on your own for health care. Not trying to talk you out of NG just want to make sure you understand, and I could be wrong but you won't get free TRICARE year round unless you are activated, if you aren't in uniform drilling you aren't covered.

He can still get TRICARE Reserve Select for cheap in the Guard. I'm paying 51 bucks a month right now as a single reservist.

[johnthomas]

http://www.ehow.com/about_4781640_army-national-guard-health-benefits.html

[FML1982]

Gotcha, well if that is only 51 a month and you get full TRICARE then that is really good, you won't find insurance anywhere that can even come close to TRICARE with that monthly payment.

[FML1982]

That link refers to if you are activated though, if never activated what then?

[alex332]

Its all about the Guard slot in the Virgin Islands

[shooterfpga]

If youre doing an early out for a bonus who cares how that unit is. Take the cash, suck it up and ets from that contract too. If you rate a va disability you will either be forced to give up being paid by the va or paid by dfas.... choose wisely.

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[bigred1]

That link refers to if you are activated though, if never activated what then?

Tricare Reserve Select is for while on Mday status. If your activated than you are considered title 10 and get regular free tricare.

Cliche' but the guard is what you put in. Most units that I've been in contact with look like soup sandwiches. To many I don't give a farts and to little hard chargers. For some the transition to guard can be rough.

[jeg0777]

What is your MOS? Have you considered the Reserves over the Guard? I work at a Schoolhouse here in CA and we have been having large numbers of Guard come through who are stagnant in the rank and position because there is no upward mobilitity. Just a thought.

[j-shot]

Tell that to the sailors of the USS Cole, USS Tripoli, USS Stark, etc...

First off did you deploy anywhere while on active duty, even going on ships to combat zones make you a combat vet, (kinda bull**** but that is how the VA does things). The reason I ask is if one of the reasons you want to do it is cheap health care, isn't it like the reserves, where you are only covered while drilling for that one weekend a month. the other 27-28 days you are on your own for health care. Not trying to talk you out of NG just want to make sure you understand, and I could be wrong but you won't get free TRICARE year round unless you are activated, if you aren't in uniform drilling you aren't covered. now back to the combat vet thing, you rate certain things from the VA after active duty depending on where you went, what you did, and if you have any health issues. You % rating the VA gives you ties into if you have to pay for health care from them. I, for instance, do not pay for health care, prescriptions or anything like that from the VA due to circumstances and ratings. The VA is getting better at healthcare, also depending if you are IRR or done with the original 8 years, you can go drill with the reserve units in your area, you can call up the local unit and say you want to participate and go from there. You won't be obligated but can still go do it on your terms, you still can get promoted, rifle range, PFT, CFT, MCI, all that jazz. So if its the bonus you are after go for it, if you are worried about healthcare go talk to the VA clinic nearest you and see what you rate.

[shooterfpga]

What is your MOS? Have you considered the Reserves over the Guard? I work at a Schoolhouse here in CA and we have been having large numbers of Guard come through who are stagnant in the rank and position because there is no upward mobilitity. Just a thought.

Good point. If you hold a particular mos and get assigned to a unit thats outside of it your chances at promotion will likely be slim. If youre up for a reclass youll fair better. Does the guard have combat mos? Ive heard cali has infantry?

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[FML1982]

Tell that to the sailors of the USS Cole, USS Tripoli, USS Stark, etc...

Listen, I was on a ship over in the middle east. Do I consider myself a combat vet because of it, no, I actually felt ashamed when the VA used that term to classify my deployment. Combat vets, to me, were shot at, shot back, had to physically engage an enemy, etc. I do not place sitting in a metal box on the water the same as walking patrols in Afghanistan and or pushing through Fallujah. Not saying what happened to the Cole, Tripoli etc was f'ed cause it was, but a huge majority of the ships have never and will never be under attack in the gulf yet since they were in 5th fleet of operations then they are in a combat zone, which makes them combat vets. So if you wanna talk about someone walking down the road and getting their legs blown off or someone jumping on a grenade and comparing them to someone who's biggest problem in the day is if they can get their omelette made specially for them with real eggs or fake eggs then we could start another thread about that.

[j-shot]

Listen, I was on a ship over in the middle east.

Thank you for your service!

Do I consider myself a combat vet because of it, no, I actually felt ashamed when the VA used that term to classify my deployment.

Were you in the theater? Did you receive hazard pay?

Don't feel ashamed. The government selected your assignment. The VA selected the verbiage.

Combat vets, to me, were shot at, shot back, had to physically engage an enemy, etc. I do not place sitting in a metal box on the water the same as walking patrols in Afghanistan and or pushing through Fallujah.

I get your point but at the end of the day, dead is dead.

Not saying what happened to the Cole, Tripoli etc was f'ed cause it was, but a huge majority of the ships have never and will never be under attack in the gulf

Same can be said for many troops in country.

yet since they were in 5th fleet of operations then they are in a combat zone, which makes them combat vets.

Yes. It does. You are correct.

So if you wanna talk about someone walking down the road and getting their legs blown off or someone jumping on a grenade and comparing them to someone who's biggest problem in the day is if they can get their omelette made specially for them with real eggs or fake eggs then we could start another thread about that.

Eggs? I thought it was mail call...?