Full time soldiers ONLY!  Should I join the National Guard?
597891
Go with what your heart feels. If you think that joining the National Guard is what you want to do and it makes you happy, then join. I love it.
336335
Scrappy has it pretty much right.  Ask a recruiter.  Be sure to ask your recruiter what his MOS is though, because my recruiter wasn't really in the infantry and didn't know much about it.  Luckily, another recruiter was and could answer all my questions.  Try to speak to someone in an S-2 office.
1166266
Are you sure he didn't say MP(military police)?  Here's something to consider..you said he told you "WE" are going in the Marines.  You might want to think that over.  While pay and benefits are much better than when I was in, things would be very tight for two on what he is likely to be earning right out of H.S.  You may want to give him some time to get established and maybe take some time to have a little work experience yourself.  In any event as others have told you H.S. grads don't get to go to O.C.S.  That's the simple answer...there is a more complicated one but I'm not going into that one here lol
1116079
I think I can handle this one.....choose another job.  Seriously.  Sure, flying around hanging out the back of a helicopter with a mini gun would be a lot of fun, but frankly, Delta or United just aren't looking for gunners on their new Boeing 777's.  \n\nIf your intention is to go in, do 4 years, get the college bennefits, and have a good time, then knock yourself out.  If you are looking to go in, get a skill, then choose something a little more technical.  I would recommend something in the medical, aviation mechanical field, or computers doing base networking (good money with the skills you learn!) or perhaps something in Comm where you can use your skills working for a cable company, telecommunications, etc.  Basically, a general rule when enlisting, is the more fun the job is when you are in, the less chance you can get paid to do it on the outside!  \n\nAlso, consider the Air National Guard.  Do the fun stuff part time, while going to school, or working a civilian job.  I'm still in the ANG, now in the Fuels career field.  Any questions about the guard, just ask.
1045712
ok, this is for all the people guessing here\n\nYOU DO NOT HAVE TO BE A UNITED STATES CITIZEN TO BE IN THE UNITED STATES MILITARY. \nI know plenty of people in the US military that are not Citizens. \nNot being a Citizen will restrict him from certain jobs, but he can join.\n\nHave your son call up an Army recruiter, and you'll know all the facts.
1072442
It sounds like you don't have the so-called "warrior-mentality" that many of the Soldiers and Marines have, so you may feel out of place in the Army or USMC.  I agree with the others about the Air Force, Navy or CG.  As far as which of the three, look at your options for MOS through your recruiter for each.  Remember, too, that the Air Force generally allows for more time "at home" whereas the Navy is deployed at sea a lot, as well as the CG.  Thus you have a much greater chance of "seeing the world" sooner with the Navy or CG than with the AF, though you will end up spending more time away from home.  With the AF you have a better chance of actually being stationed overseas than with the other two.\n\nHowever, I am a bit concerned about your reasoning for joining.  Don't get me wrong, the benefits such as MGIB are AWESOME and definitely can be a huge draw.  But you must not forget that it's not a "free ride".  Especially nowadays you will PROBABLY be asked to serve in some sort of combat situation, or at least in support of such actions.  If you have real concerns about supporting combat actions or being in combat yourself I'd suggest taking out loans or applying for civilian scholarships to continue your education.  While it may have been commonplace a few years ago, the excuse of "I joined the military to get an education, I never knew I'd have to fight and I want out now" just doesn't fly anymore.  Seriously think about this before you, quite literally, sign away your freedom on the dotted line.
287333
semper_fi_brother:\n\nFirst off, let me tell you I am 37 and have been in the Army for 15 years both on Active Duty and in the National Guard. The person BEST QUALIFIED to answer your question would be an Army Recruiter. That being said, let me answer your questions as best as I can.\n\n1. No, you would not be the laughing stock of the entire Army. Soldiers have a great affinity for ANYONE who joins our family of brothers-in-arms. I suspect you would have a somewhat harder time in Basic Combat Training (BCT) for a couple of reasons, though. The Drill Sergeants would probably key in on you to make sure you were physically able to do the job. They will undoubtedly harass you to ensure you were mentally capable to handle pressure. The biggest challenge, however, will be your age. I found it tough to go through BCT at 23. This is because I had already developed into a man with my own ideas of right and wrong; I had developed into an individual. The purpose of BCT is to break down a group of individuals and rebuild them as a team. Chances are, you will see and do some things you may not agree with, and how you respond to that will determine how easy or hard of a time you will have.\n\n2. It is possible to go in as a higher rank, but it will not be because of your age. If you have a college degree, you might be able to go in as a Specialist (just below Sergeant). Even if you don't have a degree and have some college, you may be eligible to go in as a higher rank. Sometimes, depending on the MOS (Military Occupational Specialty - your job field) you choose, you may be eligible to start at a higher rank. If you get anyone else to join with you, you may be eligible to start at a higher rank. When I enlisted, I got two people I worked with to join the reserves. I was awarded one rank per recruit and went in as a Private First Class. This is an area a Recruiter could help out in. Also, if you know someone in the Reserves, let him refer you to a Recruiter. It could make your friend eligible for a $1000 bonus! :-)\n\n3. This, too, is going to be a question for a Recruiter. To my knowledge, the age of enlistment was raised to 39 for the Reserves and National Guard only. It will never be raised higher than that. The reason is that you are forced out at age 59 1/2, and there is no chance of making a retirement if you join at 40. I am not too sure what the requirement is for active duty. You may be able to request a transfer to active duty status once you are in the Reserves, though.\n\n4. Not to my knowledge. I just checked the Air Force Reserve website and you must be under 34. I suspect the answer will be the same for the Navy and the Marines.\n\nIf you decide to go in, I wish you luck! I think you will find the job tough but rewarding. It truly gets in your blood, and I plan on being in for the next 22 years until the boot my old a$$ out.
1074994
a lot of these answers are great just to stress on a few get some college first and you will have a higher rank when joining. If you can't. just be prepared to be broken and rebuilt they will break you down and rebuild you into a soldier.  Your life will revolve around the USMC you can't come and go as you please it is up to your ranking officer. I think the Army is a little slacker and not as tuff as the USMC both are standing for your country which is a great honor make sure you pick the job you want when you sign up because it is hard as hell to change once you sign those papers.  Basic training and  the schooling after sucks you do stupid jobs like kitchen duty and detail work.  Defiantly start running/  it is up and at um every morning for PT during your first 6 months to a year.  Lots of push ups and sit ups.  But you build great bonds and great friendships and you make it into what you want it can be the best experience or the worst it is all up to you!\n\nProud to be an American
221104
Ok after reading the other responces i felt that i had to chime in.\n\nIf the army would take you for a combat arm position.\nI am afraid that they would not, But the army needs good americans for civilan positions. The postings a civie can have are alot of fun and help our soldiers in their fight. \n\nPostings are open all over the world.\n\nIf you look at www.cpol.army.mil it will show all of the open jobs with the army. If you would like to work for the government in an other capacity then check out www.usajobs.gov . \n\nAs far as the army screwing up your life i beg to differ.\n\nI am a vet. I work for the army. The army has given me everything good in my life. They got me off drugs and out of a voilent place in my life. They gave me pride and purpose. they gave me an idea of what i could be if i pushed myself. They showed me the world and paid me for it. They let me shoot stuff and basicly run around like life was a video game. They taught me to be safe and to look out for my buddy at all times. They gave me my brothers and sisters who are closer to me than family. They introduced me to my wonderful wife and have moved me to europe twice.\n\nI have to say that military service will give any young man or woman character and values that they need to truely grow up. \n\nIt's not just a job or an adventure but it is a family. Brothers and sisters in arms.\n\nIf this interests you then please check out the website. Call and talk to the recruiters and get your life started out right.
761158
~Well, pilgrim, me and the Duke just discussed it and we agree the Marines want you.  No brains, likes to sweat, believes invading a sovereign nation without cause or justification is a patriotic thing to do and is somehow akin to defending the motherland.  You'll probably look good in a butch cut and will give the folks on the other side a worthwhile target to shoot at.  By all means, stay away from a "technical" branch that may require foreign concepts like thought and reason and get your butt to Paris Island and start pushing dirt as soon as you can.  Bill O'Reilly loves you.  Given your reasons for wanting to sign up, I'm sure you'll go far.  You could even be our next Bill Calley or Ollie North.
185546
Alright, well I dont know if you are thinking about joining the Marines or what, but I will tell you about my experience. I just recieved a medical retirement from the Marine Corps about 6 months ago. I was in for 3years 10 months and 8 days, and did 2 trips to Iraq as a grunt Machinegunner. I will tell you this. The Marine infantry is a different world from the rest of the US military. You fight tooth and nail for everything you get. We live in the worst barracks, have the worst food, and the least time of of anyone in the military excluding SF. We get treated like crap by our own command too. But, we are the ONLY ones that actually deserve the title of US Marines. All the pencil pushers and female wanna be's should have a Navy title and leave the word Marine for the trigger pullers. Tankers, you pull triggers too right, so dont get mad. Grunts live by tanks. Anyway, a good experience, but if one goes the route I am talking about, he'll come out crazy. Oh yeah, they retired me because I took a piece of schrapnel to the brain in iraq. \n                Oorah    Semper Fi
918622
The National Guard is a reserve component of the US Army.  Members of the Guard are part of the US Army but - in peacetime - report to the state governors.  This dual federal and state role allows soldiers in the National Guard to perform missions that 'Federal' soldiers are legally barred from doing. (Such as law enforcement.)\n\nAll National Guard soldiers must meet the same standards as their active duty counterparts.  And National Guard units are organized identically to an equalivalent active duty unit.\n\nA typical National Guard soldier holds a civilian job and drills one weekend each month and attends a two week training period every year.  \n\nWhen called to federal service the soldiers and the unit leave the National Guard and become part of the active duty army.  (As a result technically there are no 'National Guard' units in Iraq.  They are all 'US Army' and revert to National Guard status after they return home.)\n\nOne of the unique aspects of the National Guard is that these are true 'citizen-soldiers.'  In ordinary times they are ordinary people who have jobs, go to school and live the same lives as everybody else.  In time of emergency they stand ready to protect their communities and their nation.  There are Guard soldiers who have gone to Iraq, returned home then - a few months later - were rescuing people from the floodwaters in New Orleans.\n\n'Civilian in peace, soldier in war - I am the Guard"
438496
I joined the AF right after the start of Desert Storm. I din't join because of the war that's just when I went in and I loved it. Spent 7 yrs in before I was diagnoised with type 1 diabetes. I think it's a great chance for one to grow without just being dumped on your own right after high school. MOST AF people are behind the scenes We didn't go on on the front lines. Not to mention the AF treats their people really well. IF you do join, just remember boot camp is a mind game, the real AF is not like what you will endure in Boot camp. I say DO IT!!
811417
No its not true because you  wont live long enough to become educated. But then again you ought to have realized this, but youre already lacking an education so why should you know what to do with anything? No wonder youre seeking out the military, its already chock full of people with no clue about anything why not include yourself in the sniped in the head club? Go ahead, join up and go off to BE ALL YOU CAN BE in a body bag for your parents to claim. Go be an ARMY OF ONE more dead idiot. Way to go. THe recruiters will tell you anything dude, theyre getting PAID to lie to you. DONT YOU GET IT? They GET MONEY for signing up SUCKERS like yourself. Please do us all a favor and list your complete name so that when you end up DEAD from being in a country that you have no business being in, that I can send a printout of this forum to your parents showing how you were told ahead of time, and ignored the reasoning of logic.
46051
If you want to join the military just to relax in some "safe-haven" area, then don't waste your time. All military personnel are subject to being in a war. You are probably one of those idiots that join the weekend warriors for the benefits and then, when it is time to do your job you are paid for, you wimp out. Do everyone, including yourself, a favor. Do NOT re-enlist...get the hell out...military don't want you anyway with this attitude...also, learn to spell...
790943
Wow a question that I know a lot about. As a army national guardsmen and Iraq veteran, being an enlisted personnel in the national guard is someone who volunteered to sign up to serve and defend your state and country. The other option is being commissioned, which is being appointed by the state.  National Guard personnel can be a full time job but primarily is part time. It just sucks we get activated for 2 yrs and sent over to Iraq, and people sometimes think the National guard isn't really serious :(
663635
Just a question to the poster before me (teeney)...and of course this is just my opinion....\n\nWhat is the point of joining the military to "stay safe"? To me, it is dishonorable and disrespectful for a member of the military to join just for the "benefits" and label. If you are going to serve, you serve 100%. You serve your country and you do what is asked of you, no matter of the level of safety.\n\nFor the asker.....Hun, you join the branch that you feel is right for you. Join the branch which best suits your hobbies, interests, and career choices. Please do not join a branch because it was "safer" than another. Understand that being in the military is both an honor and a burden. If you can outweigh the burden with the honor you will gain....that's what has made the whole experience worth it.\n\nHonestly, as a footnote, I cannot believe the spouses and dependents out there that wear their red, white, and blue with presumed pride, but then complain when their loved ones are called into action. That's part of the job people. If you can't handle it, get off the proverbial porch! \n\n...stepping off the soapbox now\n\nGood luck in all of your future endeavors!\n\nLilD