Anyone in the guard?

[aggie_archer]

So here is the deal, I'm a senior right now at A&M,gong to be here a little extra time to finish up my degree though. Looking at joining either the Air National Guard or the Army National Guard. Has anyone done this while in school? I know a few people who are doing it but they are all vets, and i would be going in completely fresh. Its something i wanted to do after high school but never got the opportunity, the slight extra money would also be a big help, but the two main reasons are going to be the help with my student loans and the added benefit of work experience after college.

Just looking for any input, anyone done this before? If so did you like it or not?> Was it that hard 1 weekend a month with school? Just trying to get all my info and questions in line before i talk with the recruiter again.

[Rakkasan2187]

Why don't you do it for your country and not your own advancement.?

[Speedgoat]

If you would not be willing to deploy for your country, then don't sign up. I have seen too many college students try and weasel their way out of deployments. If you want to have an adventure and meet new friends, then sign away

[Charlie6Delta]

I was active, never in the Guard. I looked into it several years ago when they came out with good bonuses to join but there was a guaranteed deployment. That changed my mind. I have several friends that were, it seems they get deployed on a rotation like the active units do now days. So you might get deployed. 20+ years ago when I was active the Guard just did 1 weekend a month and 2 weeks in the summer. That would be gravy, but that is coming from an old man!

[Jason19]

I left the guard less than a year ago. Having served active duty first and experiencing the “real Army” it had its ups and downs. Only reason I joined was to grab another deployment with a sniper section. Only way to do that was to volunteer to go with a different unit and with guys I never met.
It was nice to have a little extra spending money from the drill weekends or schools. The hardest part was having to be a soldier that one weekend a month and a civilian the rest of the time. Drill always seemed to interfere with work, opportunities and especially HUNTING. On the plus side, met some good people and attended some schools for training that civilians are paying $3,000 for.

[Dusty Britches]

Wow, Adam - that's a big decision. Non-traditionals starting in the Guard or regular forces is tough. Just look at the responses here.

Hey, guys, he didn't say he didn't want to deploy or he was looking to avoid deployment - he said he wants the experience and money. Isn't that what the recruiters advertise?

My brother served 2 years regular Army and went to the reserves. He's been a reservist for almost 30 years. His first deployment was in 2007 and his second was in 2009. After many years he sat for the mechanical and electrical exams for aircraft maintenance and finished in the top 1%. He chose the electrical side and was glad for it. He's still in. He likes the structure and training.

I know this wasn't much of an answer but maybe other people will offer the answers to the questions you asked.

[Jason19]

[QUOTE=Dusty Britches;6027612]
Hey, guys, he didn't say he didn't want to deploy or he was looking to avoid deployment - he said he wants the experience and money. Isn't that what the recruiters advertise?
QUOTE]

what do you think that "experience" is? Civilian translation = deployment.

[Bily Lovec]

talk to tommyh he just got out of the Air Guard...

[Neano]

Been in the Guard for 8 years now. I joined after my freshman year of college. Immediatly deployed after getting done with basic and AIT. Spent all of 05 in Baghdad. After a little under 2 years of "active," time in the guard I came back and did my first drill. Started to go to school again. Came up for deployment again and decided to do ROTC so that I could finish my school out. I am now a 1LT and a company XO. I have little to no school loans due to my time deployed and the benefits I recieved from it.

The Texas Guard currently has no future plans for deployment. Thats what I have been told at least and I have been looking to volunteer to get on one. So the schedule is about to start slowing down. Not sure what the current entry bonuses and benefits are, but usually if you don't have anytime deployed the benefits aren't very high for Guard guys. The weekend money does help, but as an enlisted soldier you wont make a whole lot doing the weekend thing.

Bottom line, if you want some cool experiences, some new friends, and a chance to serve go for it. If you just need some extra cash for school I would warn against it. Don't believe all the recruiting and commercial hype either. Most drill weekends for most units is pretty boring. You get to do some shooting every few months and sleep out in the woods. Depends on your MOS and unit though. Hope this helped some.

[Dusty Britches]

see your answer yet, Adam?

[aggie_archer]

a little bit, my main concern is balancing it with school at the same time. But all the info i have gotten so far has been great! working on putting a list of questions together for when i get a chance to talk with a recruiter from the navy, army and air force.

[systemnt]

Look at coast guard too.

[Buck Down]

Go airforce. Steak ,shrimp, air condition you got it made.

[Charlie6Delta]

Been in the Guard for 8 years now. I joined after my freshman year of college. Immediatly deployed after getting done with basic and AIT. Spent all of 05 in Baghdad. After a little under 2 years of "active," time in the guard I came back and did my first drill. Started to go to school again. Came up for deployment again and decided to do ROTC so that I could finish my school out. I am now a 1LT and a company XO. I have little to no school loans due to my time deployed and the benefits I recieved from it.

The Texas Guard currently has no future plans for deployment. Thats what I have been told at least and I have been looking to volunteer to get on one. So the schedule is about to start slowing down. Not sure what the current entry bonuses and benefits are, but usually if you don't have anytime deployed the benefits aren't very high for Guard guys. The weekend money does help, but as an enlisted soldier you wont make a whole lot doing the weekend thing.

Bottom line, if you want some cool experiences, some new friends, and a chance to serve go for it. If you just need some extra cash for school I would warn against it. Don't believe all the recruiting and commercial hype either. Most drill weekends for most units is pretty boring. You get to do some shooting every few months and sleep out in the woods. Depends on your MOS and unit though. Hope this helped some.

I am glad Neano posted, looks like you got some good solid info here.

[Tommyh]

So here is the deal, I'm a senior right now at A&M,gong to be here a little extra time to finish up my degree though. Looking at joining either the Air National Guard or the Army National Guard. Has anyone done this while in school? I know a few people who are doing it but they are all vets, and i would be going in completely fresh. Its something i wanted to do after high school but never got the opportunity, the slight extra money would also be a big help, but the two main reasons are going to be the help with my student loans and the added benefit of work experience after college.

Just looking for any input, anyone done this before? If so did you like it or not?> Was it that hard 1 weekend a month with school? Just trying to get all my info and questions in line before i talk with the recruiter again.

the Air Guard has three MAIN wings, and a few remote branches; 136th out of NAS Ft Worth, 149th, out of San Antonio is going from an f16 training wing back to a fighter wing, and 147th, out of Houston, a recon wing with predators. the 272nd is an engineering squadron attached to the 147th.

Drill weekends are always the 1st or 2nd weekend of the month(deer season openers, superbowl conflicts, etc), then the 15 days annual training that is mandatory, meaning youre going to have to work school around these days if you have day classes. You can get GI Bill pay on top of kickers if you get into the right career field with the bonuses they are giving, and you will be pretty much guaranteed up to E5 without much effort other than showing up and filling in check boxes.

As far as deploying not happening, dont count on it. the 136th was overseas regularly, the 272nd went this last year, and the 147th is slated in a couple. Each squadron in the wings have people go all the time even if the wing doesnt deploy.