National Guard

[alexdamm]

Are there any National Guard recruiters or members on here that can PM me details about join the Army National Guard Thanks

[jeg0777]

Why the National Guard?

[kcjr1125]

Why not?

[Maddog5150]

Try active first
Cons to the Guard. Only so many slots for ranks so promotions are really slow. Add the fact that guys coming in from active will have more experience than you or transfer over with rank already waiting for the slot, its pretty hard to move up.
After active you can go Guard. As of right now, after or during Guard you can't go active less they lifted the 18x only for prior thing.
Less and less chance of deploying with wars and budget winding down unless you have a specialized MOS that's needed.
You won't get 100% GI bill unless you get multiple active duty assignments or deployments. I'm Guard, try active first.

[brando]

Active first - period. The Guard and Reserves are best for prior service folks. Otherwise you're wasting your time, not going to ever be fully proficient in your MOS nor get to experience the best parts of serving in the Army. However, if you want to take a minimalist approach to service, by all means go straight to weekend warrior status. You will easily fit into the stereotype accordingly instead of breaking it.

[jeg0777]

Originally Posted by brando

Active first - period. The Guard and Reserves are best for prior service folks. Otherwise you're wasting your time, not going to ever be fully proficient in your MOS nor get to experience the best parts of serving in the Army. However, if you want to take a minimalist approach to service, by all means go straight to weekend warrior status. You will easily fit into the stereotype accordingly instead of breaking it.

I agree 100% with this. I joined the Reserves first and then went Active and then back to the Reserves. When I saw the difference between Soldiers that have been Active Duty compared to just in the Reserves I was amazed. I am AGR now and so have the best of both worlds.

Where I work now we have a lot of Guard from across the country come through every month and the majority of them are stuck at their rank and job with no upward mobility.

[1FSTREX]

OP,

To answer your question, you can PM me your questions if you would like. I am not a recruiter nor do i get any kind of bonus for signing you up, just here to help out a fellow Calgunner. All guard experience so i can offer you a different perspective than most of what has been posted thus far.

- Will