I'm thinking about joining The Washington State's National Guard

[halfgone]

And by that I mean Washington State's National Guard. I'm almost 23 with a few degrees under my belt, but I have always wanted to join the military. I figure if I did this it would allow me the chance to take care of the home front and help out if things ever get bad here like they are getting in Europe.

Anyone here have experiences that would prove helpful in making a decision?

Thanks,

HG

P.S. My dad and my grandfather were both Marines, so that has always been my first love, but my father threatened to kick my ass if I joined instead of going to college (I still smile when I remember that day, as he sat me down when I was twelve and made me watch the first 10 min of Full Metal Jacket and then I was forced to promise to go to school).

 

[middy]

You're already in the militia. The National Guard is a different organization altogether.

 

[Rockrivr1]

Joining the military, whether it be the National Guard or the Navy, Army, Marines, Air Force or Coast Guard, will definitely be a positive point in your life. I know it was for me.

But, as with anything you will have to look at your situation in life before you make that decision. First off, are you married? Reason for asking is that a good amount of National Guardsmen are being called to active duty overseas to support troops in Afganistan and Iraq. If your called away will this create a crisis for your wife/child if you have any? Military service and marriage don't mix very well. This may not be the same for everyone, but I've seen a lot of my married buddies head for a divorce because they were away so much.

Also, if you mean by degree's that you have a college degree in your background push to become an officer. Take if from an enlisted man. If you have the credentials, being an officer is the best way to go. DON'T let the recruiter talk you into anything else then what you are looking for. They are there to fill billets that are open. They will make latrine duty sound like the best thing going if it fills that opening.

If you join you'll make buddies that you'll keep for a lifetime and you'll look back on your service with pride when your older.

Edited to add: Don't let your Dad fool you. If you join and serve, he will be proud as hell about you doing it. Especially if you become an officer. Just don't expect him to salute you or anything. :-D

 

[rero360]

I'm in the NY army national guard and I love it, it'll be 6 years for me come august and I plan on reenlisting for another 6 years, while I haven't been sent over seas yet, I plobably will by the end of the year, but i have been sent on three state side deployments, one for a month, the second for three months, and the other for 2 years, but that one was federal active duty.

two things for you to consider, you said you allready have college under your belt, so you'd be starting off as a E-4, which is good, you might want to consider going into a MOS that differs than what you're experienced in, that way you'll have one more skill set to apply in the job market. I don't know if the GRAP program is availible in your state but if it is and you have any friends who are in the guard, have them get into the GRAP program and then contact a recruiter through them, that way you'll be helping your friend make 2 grand for you joining, and after you get in you can get in the program and make money too.

 

[Manedwolf]

And by that I mean Washington State's National Guard. I'm almost 23 with a few degrees under my belt, but I have always wanted to join the military. I figure if I did this it would allow me the chance to take care of the home front and help out if things ever get bad here like they are getting in Europe.

Anyone here have experiences that would prove helpful in making a decision?

Thanks,

HG

P.S. My dad and my grandfather were both Marines, so that has always been my first love, but my father threatened to kick my ass if I joined instead of going to college (I still smile when I remember that day, as he sat me down when I was twelve and made me watch the first 10 min of Full Metal Jacket and then I was forced to promise to go to school).

As long as you haven't any unrealistic expectations that you'll get to STAY in Washington state instead of being sent to Iraq/Afghanistan/(Iran?)...

I still think the "national guard" was meant to defend "the nation"...as in here, in the states where they're based.

 

[Northwet]

Check out the Air Guard

The Washington Air Guard at McChord AFB is a great unit and some top-notch training available to enhance your civilian job opportunities.
If you do want to travel the world a bit look at the various air crew positions available -- load master, aeromedevac, etc. The C-17s are very active supplying units all over the world.
North"wet"
Air Force Public Affairs Specialist
Retired Air National Guard

 

[EmGeeGeorge]

go coast guard, be an officer(in the reserves)

 

[Aguila Blanca]

If you join you'll make buddies that you'll keep for a lifetime and you'll look back on your service with pride when your older.

I've seen other people make this comment, and I find it truly puzzling. Perhaps it worked that way for you, but it doesn't work that way for everyone.

I only remember the names of a couple of the people I served with. I haven't seen, heard from, or attempted to contact any of them since I got out, and quite honestly there was nothing about any of them to cause me to want to hear from or contact them.

There is no question that I feel proud for having done my bit, but the "buddies for life" thing is very much a personal, hit-or-miss proposition. That ain't covered by the guarantee.

 

[Devonai]

Do it, you won't regret it. I think the signing bonus for critical MOS categories (like 11B1O, Infantry) is up to $15,000.

Just prepare yourself for the suck that is BCT/AIT (or OSUT if do it all in one hitch).

Unless Rumsfeld further decreases our presence in Iraq by the time you get out of basic, chances are excellent you will be deployed even if your National Guard unit was recently deployed. In my case, they created a brand new unit out of thin air comprised of personnel pulled out of other units. Guys like me got transferred because we haven't yet been deployed. Fortunately the MTOE (unit profile) is Military Police so my fellow Infantry guys and I probably won't be disappointed by the mission.

 

[halfgone]

Thanks guys,

as to my personal spot in life, eh, pretty single. actually, about as single as one can be. Family is far from where I live as well.

A buddy of mine was just telling me about the army's linguist program which sounds pretty amazing (nice signing bonuses too). It would mean 4 years of full time service, but I would get to go to one of the best language schools in the world (I have some degrees in that area. Yes, I'm a geek. We have already ascertained that).

Plus, I have always wanted to go through BTC. Something to be thinking about I guess.

HG

 

[Gatofeo]

In the early 1980s I had two friends who joined the Washington State Guard.
Now, this is NOT the same as the Washington State National Guard.
Washington State has its own state guard. All of the members wear the rank of an officer, as I recall. Very small organization, or at least it was back then. No basic training to get in or anything. You MUST have prior military service to get into it, but from what I saw it was more of a social club for retired military or those who spent a few years in the regular service.
My friends tried to talk me into joining, as I was a USAF veteran with 4 years and two months in, but I didn't join because I felt I had not deserved the rank of an officer, without even attending OCS.
Frankly, seemed like a bunch of "professional veterans" strutting around once a month at a meeting. Didn't appeal to me at all.
Its purpose is to provide officers should there be some cataclysmic shortage of them in the Washington State National Guard, or so I gathered.Yeah, right. Most of the guys I saw were well into their 50s and couldn't have run a block without gasping and puking.
Perhaps it's changed now, but back then the Spokane chapter was only about 20 guys.
That the organization you mean?

 

[Rockrivr1]

"Plus, I have always wanted to go through BTC."

You will definitely change your mind on this once your there!!!! Unless things have changed since I was there, it's made to rip you apart and rebuild you in the manner the military wants. This will involve many tactics that you will definitely not enjoy. But, then again, once your through it your proud to make it and you realize why it's that way. I seen more then a few wash out when I was there.

Hawkmoon - I guess your right in that it will depend on each individual. I'm lucky in that I keep in touch with a few I served with.