Thinking of joining Air or Army national guard. Suggestions?

[Flying Spaghetti Monster]

I'm debating joining the national guard. I'm leaning toward air national guard for a few reasons. I know they have beter living conditions, usually have better pay, and , from what I have heard anyway, offer more technical programs which lead to higher paying jobs. I looked into the air force when I was younger, aced the ASVAB and almost joined but changed my mind before signing anything. I'll list some pertinent information below:



I'm 27 yrs old (soon to be 28), in good physical shape.

Have joint custody of an 18 month old.

Single.

Looking for a good paying career, benefits, retirement options.

Would rather go 3 yrs, open to 6 yr option if it's worth it.

Live in Texarkana, TX about one hour from a major air force base (Barksdale AFB. Shreveport, LA)

Texarkana has a very large Army Depot which has thousands of very good, VERY high paying jobs, many reserved for military only. If you have any military experience your hired as soon as you walk in the door.

I tested very high last time I took the ASVAB and would expect to do so again. (They told me I could do whatever I felt like with my scores being so high , but it wouldn't surprise me if they tell that to everyone).



I'm posting this here because I know from past experience most of the boards for information on military recruitment are full of recruiters trying to push propaganda. I had a past recruiter lie his ass off to me, and that was a major factor in me not joining, so I thought I would post a few other places that I go to for informed opinions.

If anyone has any experience with either, and can give me any advice on what to expect or what my best options may be I would appreciate it very much.

Thanks

[bravos4evr]

Hmmmm, as a former active duty regular army grunt I would say this.... If you want to join, then go all the way. The benefits, bases,accoutrements are better. The guard gets the shaft as from what I have seen. Might as well maximize your potential instead of just kinda getting by...

If those are the only two choices tho, I would go air force, they seem to take the best care of their folks!

[luvdembravos]

I don’t have any hands-on experience with the national guard but will offer the following based on 30+ years with the military:

• If you want to make the military a career, then active duty is your best option.

• If you want a better quality of life, choose the Air Force over the Army. AF bases are usually located in better locations and living and work facilities are usually better. Army guys like me consider the AF to be a “country club.” Army life is harder and chances of dying or being maimed are higher.

• The Guard ain’t what is use to be. In the old days, people would sign-up for the Guard thinking that their commitment was a summer drill period, weekend duty once a month and an occasional deployment. Today, the Guard deploys almost as frequently as the active force. Of course, this is due to our commitments in Iraq and Afghanistan but if you’re thinking that joining the Guard will keep you close to home, that’s not always the case any longer (at least in the ARNG).

• I’m very familiar with Red River Army Depot and if you think you may want to work there someday, then join the Army and become a wheel or tracked vehicle mechanic for a few years. Those jobs translate very well with the work performed at Red River

[FrankEC]

As someone who did both the National Guard and regular Army, I agree with luvdembravos. Even if you're planning on doing a short enlistment, go active duty. The chances of being deployed in the NG are very high. By the time you complete your training and probable deployment, you're going to spend most of your time on active duty anyway.

I would also suggest:

1. Like the others have said, go AF if you're concerned about quality of life. The Air Force is just a better situation in that regard.

2. If you really want to do something technical, then pick a job that has a civilian equivalent or very similar skill sets to a civilian career. Don't get pigeon holed into a job that isn't going to benefit you long term outside of the military. E.G. there aren't too many artillery gunners or tank drivers in the civilian world.

3. If you really want to do the civilian contractor thing, pick a job that requires a security clearance. Your ASVAB score actually does have an impact on the types of jobs you are allowed to do. Anything in the intelligence field requires a fairly high score on the GT (general technical) portion of the test which means only a select few actually qualify to do those jobs. Plus, it costs a hell of a lot of money for all of the investigations and background checks that go into granting a security clearance. When I got out 9 years ago, i.e. pre-9/11, it was around $75K. I'm sure post 9/11 it's exponentially higher. That's money a contractor won't have to pay out of their pocket to hire you in a civilian position that also requires a security clearance. All of those things make you a much rarer and thus "hotter" commodity on the contractor job market.

4. Sign up for the GI Bill. Even if you think you won't use it, sign up anyway. The post 9/11 GI Bill is a ridiculously good deal. I already had a degree when I joined the military, but signed up for it anyway. It has been a god send since I decided to go back to school and get a bachelors in Management. It doesn't cost that much to pay into and you've got 10 years after you get out to use it. It will will pay you back BIG TIME if you do use later.

Good luck with whatever you choose. Let us know how it goes.

[The Rap]

I appreciate everything said by my friends who have some military experience which is something I don't have. All I want to say today is you have an 18 month old kid so throw into the mix that the Guard or the regular stuff will likely put you in harms way and no matter what choice you make please try to stay safe.

[Flying Spaghetti Monster]

Thanks for all the input. Very helpful information. Bravo, I have heard your sentiment from a few others I spoke with today about the AF. I keep hearing if your going to go to the reserve you may as well go ahead and do it right and reap all the benefits. I got some practice asvab stuff today and it covered some things I do not remember ever touching on in high school (that was 10 years ago though). So looks like I'll have some studying ahead of me. I'm still trying to find some more information on practical applications for training in the AF, but I guess I'll get a lot more info when I break down and see the recruiter on friday.

Rap, I do intend on being careful, but my son is the main reason I'm considering this in the first place. 28 yrs old, and I make an adequate living in a dead end job. If I'm going to make any changes to improve mine and my sons life I need to do something now.

Being older worries me. Not sure how that will affect things, and being cooped up with a bunch of 19 yr olds will probably be as tough or tougher than boot camp LoL. Also found out the bad news that I will need to lose a few pounds. Im 6 ft 205. I need to drop to 199. Althoguh I'm in good shape, my build doesn't do me any favors. Less protein shakes and more baked chicken breast and brown rice I suppose.

Thanks again for the info guys.

[hoosjon]

Good luck, buddy and thanks, all of you guys, for your service (and keeping the rest of us safe and free).

[bravos4evr]

when I went in at age 19 half my basic training platoon was over 25(my battle buddy was like 29!) so you may be surprised to see many others near your same age!

Oh, one more things, PICK AN MOS YOU WILL LIKE! I made a big mistake when I went in cuz I let the recruiters talk me out of the intelligence job I wanted because they said my arrest as a minor would keep me from getting a clearance( BS!!!). I ended up in MLRS artillery and it aggravated the crap out of me. Remember you may end up in that job for your entire career and it's hard to reclassify in another one. So really look over the skill sets and the real activities that those jobs entail before you make a decision.
Oh and btw, I don't think the AF allows you to pick your MOS outright, I think they give you a short list based on your ASVAB results. ( the army will let you pick any job that has an opening and your score qualifies you for, even if you score high and wanna just be an infantryman).

I had a lot of fun in the army and got to live and travel in Europe so it can be a good career. I wish I had been a little more firm with my job choices or I might still be in today!

[Flying Spaghetti Monster]

Went in today to speak with an AF recruiter and got bad news. I was starting to lean toward a full enlistment, but found out the AF enlistment age cut off is now 27. I turn 28 in one month so it would be impossible for me to get in time. That really sucks.. I had about talked myself into it. Now the Army enlists all the way up to 35 but I don't really want to go down that path. Talked with her alot about the Air Force Reserve and it may be my best bet. I just see alot of problems ahead with me and my employer if that happens. =/

[luvdembravos]

Went in today to speak with an AF recruiter and got bad news. I was starting to lean toward a full enlistment, but found out the AF enlistment age cut off is now 27. I turn 28 in one month so it would be impossible for me to get in time. That really sucks.. I had about talked myself into it. Now the Army enlists all the way up to 35 but I don't really want to go down that path. Talked with her alot about the Air Force Reserve and it may be my best bet. I just see alot of problems ahead with me and my employer if that happens. =/

Bummer...sorry you got the bad news. I have to wonder about your employer because the good ones are usually very understanding about reserve deployments and will welcome you back with open arms. BTW, my local Congressmen just got some good PR because he fought to get a reservist's job back when he returned from Iraq.

[The Rap]

That is a bummer considering the need for new blood. Main thing is stay safe and you will be in my thoughts.