Thinking of Joining...

[amicold]

The National Guard.

I'm 17, I finish highschool in 2008, and I don't know what to do with myself really at this point. I'm looking into engineering, but I don't know what kind of engineering. I have an opportunity to join into a unit with my friend, and his older brother/friends who are already in. I wouldn't mind it, and the small financial perks seem worth it. As well I think it'd be a good life experience and give some credibility on my part for the future. Any thoughts or ideas? Anyone done, or doing, similar?

 

[DainBramaged]

I almost joined the USMC. Though, at that time we weren't at war. Thank God I didn't.

 

[kyparrish]

I don't want to say too much since I don't know the exact details, but if you joined, you might want to go ahead and assume that you'll wind up in Iraq or Afghanistan.

My little brother just finished his basic training and is still at Ft. Benning, GA (was in jump school when he got dismissed out of this jump class because of IT Band Syndrome in his knee), and is waiting on his next assignment. But I think he mentioned something about some of his fellow soldiers going back to their Reserve or NG units after basic.

I'm pretty sure I've heard of National Guard units being deployed to the ME.

 

[Aimster]

I raq

 

[chusteczka]

If you are ready for college then go to college.
If you are not ready for college then the military will make you wish you had been ready for college.

 

[tjaisv]

We need more bodies in Iraq.

 

[RichardE]

http://forums.anandtech.com/messageview...atid=52&threadid=1437831&enterthread=y

 

[kyparrish]

Oh one more thing. Even if you are interested in the Armed Forces, GO TO COLLEGE. For example, you can always come to the Army with a 4 year degree and be sent to OCS (Officer Candidate School), or you can enlist and automatically rank as a specialist (E-3? E-4?)

 

[mugs]

Might as well join the Army, because you're going to Iraq.

 

[xXped0thugXx]

Just got back from Iraq , great place, National Guard is good because you can hit college too, but expect delays, with training, war and all that crap. I joined the USMC Reserves and never regretted it.

 

[talyn00]

join the Navy or Air Force

 

[Leros]

Originally posted by: kyparrish
Oh one more thing. Even if you are interested in the Armed Forces, GO TO COLLEGE. For example, you can always come to the Army with a 4 year degree and be sent to OCS (Officer Candidate School), or you can enlist and automatically rank as a specialist (E-3? E-4?)

Wouldn't it make more sense to do the military then go to college?

 

[amicold]

Well, I would have a year knocked off my contract already with my senior year of school. The unit I would be joining with just came back from active duty somewhere in the ME. Anyways I don't agree with the war in Iraq, but I also do not wish anyone to come and turn this into P and N. I'm asking for honest opinions. I figure I could serve one short contract and be done with it, or be enlisted while in school in which case if I understand correctly they can't touch me.

 

[xXped0thugXx]

Originally posted by: amicold
Well, I would have a year knocked off my contract already with my senior year of school. The unit I would be joining with just came back from active duty somewhere in the ME. Anyways I don't agree with the war in Iraq, but I also do not wish anyone to come and turn this into P and N. I'm asking for honest opinions. I figure I could serve one short contract and be done with it, or be enlisted while in school in which case if I understand correctly they can't touch me.

how the hell wouldnt they be able to touch you? Youre unit goes somewhere you go with them. I was in college and went to Fallujah this last year, its not like you have a choice.

 

[chambersc]

Originally posted by: amicold
Well, I would have a year knocked off my contract already with my senior year of school. The unit I would be joining with just came back from active duty somewhere in the ME. Anyways I don't agree with the war in Iraq, but I also do not wish anyone to come and turn this into P and N. I'm asking for honest opinions. I figure I could serve one short contract and be done with it, or be enlisted while in school in which case if I understand correctly they can't touch me.

Wow. Good luck with that.

 

[Oceandevi]

I was in delayed entry, but the recruiter backed out of providing a waiver for asthma, so I backed out of joining. I would of failed PT anyway..
Ah well such is life

 

[jpeyton]

Just in time for Bush's troop surge.

Bwahahahaha.

 

[Dr. Detroit]

Rather than do the Nation Guard, do a 2yr active duty enlistement. 2yrs + Basic and AIT training in the US Army will get you out in as litlle as 2yrs and 4 months.

The Army will give you good money for college too, a lot more than the National Guard. With the Guard you still have to attend Basic and AIT with all the other active duty soldiers so you will spend 4-months in training. Might as well go full time.

 

[Tuktuk]

You don't know what you're talking about.

First of all your contract is 8 years. They can and very well might use you actively for those 8 years. Expect they will because it is best to expect the worst and be prepared for it.

Second, they can touch you no matter if you're in school or not. When you sign that paper you become property of the United States government.

I am not anti-military. I tried joining myself. But you are clueless about what it is you sign up for. If you join it will be the biggest mistake in your life, judging by your attitude about how it will go. You will be severely disappointed. I mean, you're already trying to get out of your contract as early as possible!

 

[Googer]

Originally posted by: amicold
The National Guard.

I'm 17, I finish highschool in 2008, and I don't know what to do with myself really at this point. I'm looking into engineering, but I don't know what kind of engineering. I have an opportunity to join into a unit with my friend, and his older brother/friends who are already in. I wouldn't mind it, and the small financial perks seem worth it. As well I think it'd be a good life experience and give some credibility on my part for the future. Any thoughts or ideas? Anyone done, or doing, similar?

You are better off joining the Army. If you join the guard you have made a life long commitment. But from my understanding, if you Join the Army you have the option to leave once you have met your elistment quota. At that point you can decide to carry on with the army or leave. The national guard does not give you that option nor does it get you any of the benefits, both retirement and health.

 

[Googer]

Originally posted by: Leros

Originally posted by: kyparrish
Oh one more thing. Even if you are interested in the Armed Forces, GO TO COLLEGE. For example, you can always come to the Army with a 4 year degree and be sent to OCS (Officer Candidate School), or you can enlist and automatically rank as a specialist (E-3? E-4?)

Wouldn't it make more sense to do the military then go to college?

Moving up rank to e3 or e4 does not take that long. Join first, then study while you are in the forces and get your ranks that way. The navy does have a few study at sea programs/coarses that you cant ake while you are on duity.

 

[alimoalem]

Originally posted by: chusteczka
If you are ready for college then go to college.
If you are not ready for college then the military will make you wish you had been ready for college.

QFT

Originally posted by: RichardE
http://forums.anandtech.com/messageview...atid=52&threadid=1437831&enterthread=y

 

[TallBill]

Originally posted by: DainBramaged
I almost joined the USMC. Though, at that time we weren't at war. Thank God I didn't.

I'll openly call you a sissy.

 

[Googer]

Originally posted by: tjaisv
We need more bodies in Iraq.

Sure do, we need that surge. The guys on the ground right now have been begging for more help, it's really needed.

 

[totalcommand]

Originally posted by: Googer

Originally posted by: tjaisv
We need more bodies in Iraq.

Sure do, we need that surge. The guys on the ground right now have been begging for more help, it's really needed.

yeah help in the form of body armor, which the Republicans gladly declined to give.

kudos to republicans for killing our youth and wasting our money.