Alright I have been contemplating enlisting in the National Guard for a little while now. Was wondering if any of you fine folks on here have any present or past experience in the Guard? Just looking for some maybe pros or cons to it. These may help in my final decision. I've actually been thinking of enlisting active duty Army aswell, it's the last year of eligibility for me before the age cutoff. Not sure if I wanna go that route though. Any input is greatly appreciated.
Do you have a college education? Only reason I ask if go the officer route first, or look into reserves as kinda a median between NG and active duty.
Nothing wrong with serving your country either full time or through the National Guard. If you are considering service though, I would seriously consider the Air Force over the Army. Before Army guys start with the inter-service crap, I served in the Navy, Army and Air Force. Of the three, the Air Force takes far better care of their people.
Only some college. Didn't finish. I grew up a Navy brat and know that the AirForce takes the best care of their people of the branches but I'm already past the age cutoff. I just turned 34 at the beginning of this month and I believe the army is the only branch that accepts active duty enlistments until their 35 birthday.
In that case, Army it is. If you are thinking about it, you might as well follow through otherwise you'll always question yourself on it.
Just not 100% sure I want to go the full active duty route or the Guard. I think the Guard has some really good school programs and what not. Gotta do some more digging.
If you are married - Active duty for sure (benefits for family). If you are not, depends on whether or not you want to see the world, and whether or not you have a good job now. If your answers are yes and no, go full time. If it is no and yes, National Guard. Both have good GI Bills.
Unfortunately I came to the realization that I am interested in enlisting pretty late and I'm past the active duty enlistment age limit of all branches already besides the Army. My father was career Navy so I grew up in the military which pretty much made it the last thing I wanted to do after high school. Haha. But now I'm having second thoughts.
I did 5 Years active and 20 more as a full time AF Reservist. If you are going to go... Go active. Waiting for your retirement until age 60 is ridiculous when you have been deployed just as often if not more than your AD counterparts. If you just want college money and have a job you like, NG may be okay.
That's another thing to consider. If I went AD and made a career of it. Id be 55 at retirement age. Thanks for bringing up that point MuzzyMan
I spent 9 years on active duty Air Force and now work as a civilian for them. I had two joint assignments where I worked with Navy, Army & Marines and, no offense to the other services, but the AF definitely takes better care of their people. Active duty is great for benefits and even as a disabled veteran I still get a lot of the benefits through the local base and VA.
One think I thought about.........I wonder if going active duty would be harder on you to adjust to now due to your age. Mainly because of the restricted life style especially at first and all the rules to follow.
Do it man, go guard! I enlisted in the army reserve during my junior year of high school(dep) and decided that I wanted to active, so I did....you could do the same if you decided that AD is more for you. Like IowaVeteran said, do it now before you regret not doing it. He may have been Air Force but he does have some good insight from time to time
Yeah I've definitely taken this into consideration aswell. Thanks for all these points and advice to consider y'all. They definitely will aid in my decision. If anyone has anymore please feel free to throw them in the pot.
