What are your opinions on the National Guard?
346230
ordinary people who are prepared to protect you from natural disaster and fight for you in war.\n\nThey are the true 'citizen-soldier.'\n\n"Civilian in peace, soldier in war - I am the Guard."
1150432
The National Guard is what used to be the old States Militia (i.e., the 22nd Maine Regiment, the 16th Pennsylvania, the 15th Indiana, yada, yada, yada) during the Civil War. Up until the Civil War, a large, Federal, full time Army was something that was feared. So, when the nation needed troops, the States Militia (now referred to as the National Guard) were drafted into the Army and they went forth to fight the war.\n\nAfter the Civil War, as the United States became more and more involved in world affairs, the need for a full time, professional Army and Navy was realized. So, the Federal government increased the size of it's Army and Navy and didn't rely as heavily on the National Guard as they had in the past. However, the States retained their individual rights to maintain their own militias as the "California National Guard" or the "Indiana National Guard", etc., etc. etc.\n\nAlso, after the Civil War, in 1878, the "Posse Comitatus Act" was passed by Congress which made it illegal for the federal or state governments ti use the FEDERAL Army to enforce civilian law. President Clinton attempted to have the act repealed during his presidency, but Congress dissented and the act still stands. This means that the governor of each respective state can only utilize the National Guard in that State to enforce civil law. The Federal Army can be used ONLY where constitutional and specifically authorized by the Congress.
654932
Yes, but the national guard sucks, if you just care about going to a community college (associates degree) pay for it yourself, it's very cheap (and you can still get financial aid)\n\nBut...if you are in a real tough spot in life, and don't mind handing the government your life for 6 years+, then go for it man, it's what I did after high school (I've also been mobilized 2x as a national guardsmen, so make sure you know what your getting into)  The guard will pay TUITION (notice i didn't mention any other fees involved) for any state school (which will cover community college tuition) You are also eligible for the GI Bill while your in school (make sure your recruiter gets you the GI Bill Kicker) that, with your monthly drill pay will be around 1k a month, plus whatever you make working part/full time.  \n\nIf you live in NY, send me an email if you are interested in joining, I will put you in touch with some good Guard recruiters.
492517
I would defend this country with the last drop of my blood. If it were up to me I would still be in the military helping to keep this country safe.\n\nLove it or hate it, this country of ours is still hands down the best on the planet. We have freedoms that most people around the world have only heard of. We have so many advantages that people take for granted, it is amazing.\n\nI love our country!!
1152298
I used to roll my eyes at the military. I used to spew uneducated nonsense about how our country was a terrible place to live, and that I wanted to live someplace that was actually free. That was before I realized that soldiers sacrafice so much of their own freedom in order to make our country a great place to live. Thank you for giving your life to make all of us "civilians" free. Happy Father's Day, Big C!" You're doing a wonderful Job!
828325
There have been so many changes in the government--I don't feel the military is effected at all.  I'm not in the military but have been a dependent for the past 20 years (daughter and wife).  My father has disliked several people who have run our country and its department of defense.  Did that make him go into early retirement?  No.  I've notice the people I know (not all) who are in the military don't really care about officials.  Sure, they vote but in the end they have sworn to be a part of the military.  Despite who is "in charge" they will continue doing their job.  I also believe the benefits will continue to convince people to join because it seems that's all people care about these days.  This is why I do not feel it will effect the military.
1028597
I'm not concerned about immigrants, but there have been several cases of paid off Mexican army units with machine gun mounted trucks escorting shipments fully into US territory & even exchanging fire with local law enforcement - mex govt says stolen uniforms. Corrupt mexican national & local police have long done similar. Then there's the smugglers themselves. \n\nAnyway, from what I understand the troops will not be patrolling the border. They'll be engineer units building access roads & survellince posts, and intel operating air & ground based detection equipment from the military inventory. The Border Patrol will still be the ones doing all the apprehending. \n\nThat said, the national guard DOES have law enforcement authority while under the Gov's command (just like after hurricanes), and it is the PRIMARY mission of the national guard to defend the boarders & internal security of the United States. Backing up federal troops overseas comes second, followed by disaster response.
530342
What I want to know is where is the "INS" in this country when the Illegals are protesting. Our government is charged by the Constitution to PROTECT the American people. The millions of illegals in this country are the same as an invasion! Where's the National Guard? Oh that's right there over in Iraq Protecting Halliburtons and KBR workers. How F*cked up is that?
981622
Honestly?\n\nAt this point, there's not much of a difference. NG's are mobilized for 18-24 months at a time, AD go for a year at a time...... \n\nActive, you have the continuity of benefits, and pay, while Nat'l Guard, you have the intermittent pay and benefits only while he's active.... \n\nIt all depends on what he (and you) are lookign for. Security, and stability is Active. Nat'l Guard is uncertain...... you never know when he'd be activated or for how long.\n\n\nADDED: Warrior Training is crash course basic, for those that don't need the whole thing agan. Like a Refresher course. He can see if there are any "STAR" MOSs available for him that he'd qualify for. Those are high demand jobs, that are currently seriously understrength.
1125660
What IS the national guard's job again? As I recall the PRIMARY job, & sole purpose for its creation, is indeed to defend the national borders & internal security of the US. The SECONDARY job is to backup federal troops overseas, and AFTER all that, to respond to natural disasters when local authories are overwhelmed, incapable, or incompetent to do so. And, when they are under the command of a Gov, they DO have law enforcement powers. \n\nSo, not only do I think they should send 6,000 down to build infrastructure & run survellince gear, I think they ought to send 30,000 & give them guns. It's a drop in the bucket. I really don't care so much about the illegals. There's so many here now using services that even if you could seal the border we'd still be bleeding to death. You honestly can't have a wide open border in time of terrorist war though & you have to cut off the drug flow. They should have done this 25 years ago & not pulled troops till border patrol could hard seal the border alone. This is just a political statment though.
1050713
Yes, both statements are true. The national guard are there as support for the Border Guards. The are helping to guard the border while additional guards are trained. They also are assisting in building systems to monitor the border as well as fencing. The way I understand it they monitor or patrol the border & when they view someone attempting entry they notify the Border Guard, or restrain with out lethal means the illegal immigrates.
627933
I did Color guard in high school and loved it! I was very lucky to be able to go from the flags to the rifle. I loved the parades and the competitions. Looking back, our costumes were kind of ugly but so much fun. We had to wear ankle length skirts with the boots with the big pompoms, but I loved being in such a fun group!
968972
I will give you an eyewitness statement. First, I'm not from Texas (I'm a Tar Heel!!! - GO NC!!), second I'm not in the National Guard, I'm active duty. Now the account, I served with an active duty battalion that was assigned 2 National Guard companies - one was from Kansas and one was from Texas. They were truck companies, and both saw heavy action. On a side note, I found both units to be extremely professional in their duties. Neither shirked from any mission assigned to them and had an amazing "Can Do" attitude. If I had any negative comments about the Guard units I have served with - they are minor. I found they had a bit of a height/weight and PT shortcoming, but they more than made up for that with their Mission First attitude. My BC had a board in his office/tent with a collection of all the Guard patches of units we had run into over there. I don't recall a single state missing from his board - we even had a couple territory patches (Guam and PR). So whoever posted that on a Yahoo Board is simply giving into conspiracy BS and once again, as they almost always seem to be - are yapping away and have NEVER spent a day. Isn't it curious how the folks who seem to to come up with this crap have a mysterious lack of service to go along with their tripe?
122197
national guard is under the command of their state's governor and government until called up to federal duty. NG get more humanitarian missions after natural disasters.
70320
Interesting.  So being the chief executive of a state doesn't give you anything worthwhile that would be of use in the role of chief executive of the nation.  \nSo being commander in chief of the National Guard for your state doesn't give anything worthwhile that would be of use in the role of commander in chief of the nation's military.  I have now typed way more than this ludicrous statement warrants.  Thanks for the 2 points.
505850
The National Guard, regardless of branch or state, all have the same benefits.  The "best" benefits come from living in a state that you have chosen to call home.
845591
They do water operations. Usually rescue. Coast Guard does exactly as their name, Guard the Coast. They are usually stationed around the US, in Port Cities and protect the US from the ports. You can also do something as: \n\n In a typical day the Coast Guard might:\n\nConduct 109 search and rescue missions \nAssist 192 people in distress \nSave 10 lives \nBoard 144 vessels \nProtect $2,791,841 in property \nLaunch 396 small-boat missions \nLaunch 164 aircraft missions \nSeize 169 pounds of marijuana \nSeize 306 pounds of cocaine \nService 135 aids to navigation \nRespond to 20 hazardous spills \nBoard 100 large vessels for port safety checks \nInterdict and rescue 14 illegal migrants \n\n It has been said that the Coast Guard is the only armed service that doesn't just wait around for the next war. Unless there's actual shooting going on, the Army, Navy, Marine Corps and Air Force spend essentially all of their time training for the day that they will be called upon to use their skills. This is vitally important to the nation's security, to be sure, but the Coast Guard fights its "war" every day of the year. \n\nMost jobs in the Coast Guard require seamanship skills. This is especially true of entry-level jobs. It is possible to serve in the Navy for many years and never be assigned to a ship, but everybody gets wet in the Coast Guard! So use your weekends for recreational boating. Do whatever you like best: sailing, speed boating, personal water craft. And make sure you become a strong swimmer. The Coast Guard won't let you out of boot camp until you can prove that you can take care of yourself in the water. The process will be a lot easier if you get started now.