National Guard

Topic: National Guard (Read 5395 times) previous topic - next topic

National Guard

Reply #15 – May 09, 2007, 05:18:39 AM

Our base had an "auto hobby shop",which,was a 6 bay garage with 2 paintings boothes,and you just checked out your tools like you'd check out books at a library,except you can't remove the tools from the shop.Each bay had a lift,and they had welders,a sand blaster,everything you'd need.It cost about $7.00 a day to use the place.I don't know which bases do or don't have them.I was an Aircraft Maintenance Specialist (Jet mechanic)."Crew Chief" in Air Force lamen terms.I made E-5 before I got out,Staff Sgt..I also got to do a lot of things I may not if I hadn't joined,see the world (sounds stupid to hear myself say it,but it's true).Pay for college,and learn a LOT.You have to do what's right for yourself.It sure beat working somewhere flipping burgers trying to pay for school,pay for my car,support myself and keep money for myself and the Girlfriend.I was active duty,a little different than the Gaurd or Reserves.Good luck with whatever you do.

National Guard

Reply #16 – May 09, 2007, 05:40:11 AM

If you do decide to join any branch of the Military, just know that it is very, very likely that you will go to Iraq, regardless of how much b.s. a recruiter throws at you.

Decide on what type of job you want to do and focus on getting it.

I went into the Marines at 18 and got the job I wanted (electronics)....however I went into the wrong branch.

I have no regrets...except that I should have gone Air Force.

5 years later I did go Air Force. Loved the tech school.

National Guard

Reply #17 – May 09, 2007, 07:01:22 AM

honestly,, the "active duty side" of the army is a huge dissapointment to me. 15 out of 20 are slackers and always on the lookout for a place to skate be it medical or whatever.

Working with the national guard was one of the most greatful time i had in the past as most of these people come aboard with "life" skills.

the active duty army get py short schools with an m.o.s. and they are highly unlikely to actually get to work in that specialty they trained in. Anyone who wants to argue that one step on up.

If you feel that in your heart our country needs you because you feel there is a national effort in support of our conus and oconus affairs,, then you probably will score a 20 on the asvab.

Ive been down this road three times and ill have to say it loud and clear,,,,,,if you want to walk away with a future and appreciation for your service as well as respect,,,STAY THE HELL AWAY FROM THE ARMY in anyway shap or form. Those guys over there are just speaking up on how they see things. I call it treason as it voilates the ucmj but in a soft military envorment as we are today, its just one supreme example of how soft we really are at the core. These guys are speaking in the very unpopular tone i spoke of 3 years ago to another fella who was wanting to join.
I got bashed back then but im here to tell you,, im consistent and true to my values.

If i were active duty now,, i would not speak a word of these things i feel because it would be disrespectful to my country at large , and , it would leave the general public wondering what was going on and could cause some nervousness in general. I would just suck it up cause "i signed the contrac"

Since im not active,, i would tell you that i can not see any reason for you to die for me under are current cerspoogestances. I wish you the best and if you join,, you are highly respected for your intentions and your service if that is what this all leads to.

The army is rather soft now and you can pretty much get away so much. We in the navy use to handle slackers our own way and we called it "building character".

Getting shipped out is possible and a reality. What is not expected is the "stop loss" provision that you have not been told about yet. ((THANK YOU PATRIOT ACT)) You need to find out what is meant by "STOP LOSS" and grill your recruiter on the different senerios that would cause you to be stop lossed. Watch thier body language when you bring this up because its a sensitive topic they'd rather not expand on if it might cost them a number (ie-another recruit).

In retrospect,, your reasons are the same as what mine were when i joined at age 17. I guess there is no real difference other than the fact that we are in a battle that cant be won with a military, it can only be won at the political level.

Having wasted all my breath, you will do what you want,, and whats best. Just make sure that if you go in,, you groom yourself into a school pattern that complements your future endevors in the ever growing world of e commerce.

National Guard

Reply #18 – May 09, 2007, 07:12:51 AM

vinnie,,
what kind of fire fighting agents were in the power plant bays?,,

also, did you do any NDT work?

National Guard

Reply #19 – May 09, 2007, 10:13:04 AM

Mikey,
Listen to me now, you listening? I retired from Active Duty in the US Coast Guard, except I went to college first. It was the BEST thing I ever did for my life. I've sailed the Panama Cbuttstuff, had my birthday in Acapulco, Mexico, spent Christmas in Nicaragua, and served my country. I've been deployed as a rescue swimmer into the Pacific, arrested Russian drug runners, and towed stranded boaters home safely. Their is no greater joy then knowing you did your part to be a Citizen of your country. I was deployed to six foreign countries, earned four medals, and earned by G.I. Bill, which I am currently using to go back to college again. If you want to make a little money, grow up and be a real man with your own life away from home, and be a proud veteran, then by all means DO IT! That being said, I *HIGHLY* suggest you stay away from the Army or the Guard. Unless you plan on being a 25-year "lifer", they have NO future. There simply are not ANY jobs for a "gunner". I was a Machinery Technician in the USCG, I got to rebuild motors from 1 cyl 5HP jobbies to V12 Twin-Turbo monster diesels that pumped out 2,000 HP. The training I got was first-class and landed me IMMEDIATE job offers. You NEED to go Air Force, Coast Guard, Navy, or if you really are a bad-ass, Marines. Get a REAL M.O.S., like Vinnie and I did, not "MP", you won't get any training. BTW, the "bonuses" MUST be IN WRITING on your entry papers if you actually want them. With my college I was able to get E3 guaranteed right out of boot (which was a cakewalk for me, I was a champion swimmer in HS) and a $2,000 bonus. PLUS you NEED to get a guarenteed A-School (what your M.O.S. will be) BEFORE you sign up, otherwise you might be "ordered" into being a cook. If you have ANY questions, post, PM, or email me. The military is a great life, and I'm PROUD to fly a big American flag on the front of my house.

National Guard

Reply #20 – May 09, 2007, 11:08:17 AM

I remember the Auto hobby shop at Mcguire AFB.

Like Aerobird says, look into a career field that could be used in the civilian world as well.

National Guard

Reply #21 – May 09, 2007, 11:28:32 AM

I am still considering the Marines and becoming a field mechanic, that way I can finish my time there and go back to working on cars like I am now. Thats what I plan to go to school for to. Its one big decision though to determine the rest of my life. The Marines are Badass, they go through the toughest training I have ever heard of. I give my friend the utmost respect for going through Boot Camp.

National Guard

Reply #22 – May 09, 2007, 11:31:15 AM

I'm near right on lake erie so I wonder if they have a branch of the coast guard? It sounds even better then Army. Marine might be good. The guy came back to talk to me about full time army as a Mechanic in the motorpool. It is something I wana puresue but not sure as to what I wana do. Coast guard sounds good to me. Not really a navy person but I bet I could swing it. Army would be Meh but I know I can get in. I'll let eveyone know at the end of they day, I have another meeting in a bit with the Navy guys.

National Guard

Reply #23 – May 09, 2007, 11:43:23 AM

You can get into basically any military branch if you know what your doing.

National Guard

Reply #24 – May 09, 2007, 11:46:11 AM

Thats the thing. I want to do my service for my country. Get the pay ( not the only reason but it's a job for 6 years min), go to collage at this is about my only hope to do so, then come back and do someting good with my life. I figured MP in the army then come back home and be a cop. I can still help people and it's related to the at home job.

National Guard

Reply #25 – May 09, 2007, 01:16:45 PM

Coast Guard has a HUGE presence on the Great Lakes. You'll be able to work them no problem.

National Guard

Reply #26 – May 09, 2007, 01:51:38 PM

I'll look into that, and an Army mechanic in the motorpool are the ones that have me sold. Now just to contact both and see who can sucker me first

National Guard

Reply #27 – May 09, 2007, 02:03:18 PM

USCG Machinery Technician training is light-years ahead of motorpool. You'll be trained on small 2-stroke and 4-stroke motors, internal combustion gas motors, 4-stroke outboards, inboards, jet-drives, and diesels from little piddly-wink to hose-sized MONSTERS. When I was in I learned how to rebuild roots blowers, turbos, reduction gears, and all sorts of other cool stuff. MK's are the ONLY mechanics in the USCG (cept the flyboys) and have to know how to fix EVERYTHING. You'll really enjoy it and it gives you a TON of training for civvie life after. Plus 0% chance of Irag deployment (all volunteer in the USCG).

National Guard

Reply #28 – May 09, 2007, 02:14:09 PM

Got any inside idea's on how to get in touch to join? And do they offer the same sign on bonus's and collage shiznit as the army does?

National Guard

Reply #29 – May 09, 2007, 02:17:52 PM

I was in the guard here in Wisconsin. I started off in the field artillary with a maintenance bn. I worked on everything from Dueces to self propelled Artillary Peices. I eventually went to the Infantry when my unit was re-organized. In June of 04 I was activated in support of operation Iraqi Freedom. After 6 months of rotting in Mississippi and California, I was deployed to Iraq. It was the hardest thing ive ever had to go through ( I got married 9 DAYS before I actually left) But I'd do it all over again if given the chance. Its a big decision. Not everybody is cut out for that kind of commitment. All i ask is that you think long and hard about the pro's and con's before you make your mind up. College money is nice.... I joined because that is the only way i was going to pay for college. By the time I got through Basic at Ft. Benning GA, I wasn't in it for the money anymore. It was definitely something different. To this day, when I hear Reville or the National anthem, I get tears in my eyes. I'm proud to have served. I give you respect for even thinking about it.

Good luck, I think it would do you good.