National Guard - anyone have any experience?

[bowsniper]

My 18 year old son (KidBowHunter on the forum) wants very badly to join the AZ Army National Guard. He is a freshman at ASU, VERY patriotic and wants to serve his country. He is having problems getting through all the BS that the recruiter is giving him. I don't think that the recruiter is actually lying to him, but I am sure that she is not volunteering information that might discourage him from signing up.

 

He has two options:

 

1) Sign up as enlisted, and do the one weekend a month and two weeks a year for six years. The big problem with this is that he could be deployed and could miss a few semesters at ASU, messing up his college plan.

 

2) Sign up with the guard and ROTC at ASU. He would not be deployed while a student. When he graduates ASU, he would be commissioned in the Reserve Guard as a second LT, on the hook for six years. He would drill one weekend a month and for a two week stretch once a year.

 

Option 2 sounded pretty good to me until I learned that a National Guard Officer is required to work much more than the weekend drill once a month. My boss, a former AZ National Officer told me that he was required to do 15 to 20 hours (mostly paper work) every week in addition to the once a month weekend drill. He said that the extra work was typical, especially for LTs. My son hates paper work, but would be happy to be in the field. Also working all the extra time would really suck for anyone trying to work a normal job. (he wants to be a police officer)

 

Now the recruiter is putting intense pressure on him to sign up, and accusing him of being "a daddy's boy" by listening to his old man. I just want my kid to have the complete information before he commits.

 

Does anyone have any experience with the guard? Anyone a recruiter that would talk offline and give me the straight scoop?

 

Thanks,

 

Mark

 

 

 

Troy started archery hunting when he was 11.

[PRDATR]

No prior military experience, medical reasons, but the Recruiter is a tool. IMHO.

[oz31p]

I spent 6 years fighting the gwot. I can give you some advice via pm. But it's likely not the advice he's looking for.

[AverageJoe]

Rememer recruiters do not give one shyt about the people they sign up. They are ony a number/quota to them. Tell your boy to do what he wants. If the recruiter is a bad one i would move on to another branch or location.

 

Semper fi

[Edge]

The guard is a great opportunity and he should be able to transition into the army easily and perhaps earlier than he is being told. Go for the commissioned status. What a difference in pay and respect you receive.

 

As far as my experience with the guard, deployed os with a group out of Ohio. These guys were undisciplined, drug addled and hazardous to be near. An accident while airbourne with them nearly left me blind. Almost a quarter of them were sent back to the states for drug use.

 

I have faith AZ's Guard units are far more disciplined and professional.

 

Two of my kids were USMC recruiters after combat tours. Their mission was to provide warm bodies to the induction centers.

[forepaw]

I would stay away from the army altogether, and definitely be talking to other recruiters, from all branches. Your son is to be commended for his patriotic attitude and willingness to serve his country, and If he is of a mind that he wants to be in the field, doing hands-on type stuff (certainly nothing wrong with that) this could be accomplished via the enlisted route, but he should focus on air force or navy, as they typically have the better basic schools and definitely the better advanced schools.

 

None of the branches are any bargain IMO, whether officer or enlisted (agree with the other posters re: this subject) but far better than the post-Vietnam era military. Still many drawbacks, the difficulty of transitioning back to civilian life, delay in completing post-secondary education, and the scandals involving VA medical care notwithstanding. This latter is nothing new (just newly-discovered by the media).

 

Read the book about Pat Tillman if you can find it, or get it through interlibrary loan. Have your son read it before he makes any decision. It is a heart-breaking true story, but also an eye-opener about some of the idiotic (and life threatening) decisions made by military leadership and the attempted cover-of by military brass of Pat Tillman's death. I believe it is entitled "Where Glory is Won: The Odyssey of Pat Tillman".

 

NICE buck and gobbler by the way!

 

forepaw

[43F]

Mark,

 

I would have your son talk to the ROTC Department at ASU. I was enlisted and served 4 years in the Army(infantry) and went to ASU after I got out -graduated in Dec of last year. My minor at ASU was Military Leadership, all of the classes were with the Army ROTC program so I am pretty familiar with it. . It's a good program and they have some excellent leadership. I just looked at their website and it seems they have had a little turnover (not uncommon), but Col. Roberts still runs the program. The department has its own recruiters so perhaps your son may feel more comfortable talking to them. Feel free to PM me if you have any other questions. I live in Old Town Scottsdale, so if your son ever wants to meet up and pick my brain I'd be happy to meet up with him in person.

Frank

[POB]

I commend his spirit and willingness to serve. Just remember enlisted men and women are nothing but cannon fodder. He should stay in school and go ROTC. The only group of people who lie better than recuiters are politicions. If it isn't in writing then the military won't stand by it.

[Stroke]

I say let your son make his own decision. The recruiter is not being a tool. The recruiter Is doing his job, just like an infantryman or cook. Yes recruiters have quotas, two a month. If your son really wants to join, then he should join. If he really wants to finish college he'll find a some way or another. Even if he joins, while being in college before he graduates he can still apply for OCS and become commissioned before he finishes college. Also serving his country will be a better resume builder.

60 percent of our nations forces belong to the National Guard and Reserves. On a side note he can draw December Coues WT tags on FT. Hauchuca or draw a Rut any elk tag on Camp Navajo almost every other year.

I served my country in the Guard, and completed Two tours in Iraq and one in Afghanistan, if you have any questions feel free to PM. I will be glad to help you out.

Very Respectfully,

Stroke

[Flatlander]

Man lots of good dudes here who have served our nation. Props to all of you.

 

If it's any help I have a coworker who is a full bird colonel in the Army Reserves. If your boy wants to talk to him I am sure he would be glad to take the time.

[Guest wdenike]

I commend his spirit and willingness to serve. Just remember enlisted men and women are nothing but cannon fodder. He should stay in school and go ROTC. The only group of people who lie better than recuiters are politicions. If it isn't in writing then the military won't stand by it.

 

 

 

 

Much truth in the above quote!! I will go one step further. In saying our armed service members past and present are the absolute best human beings that ever drew a breath of air. But as young men and women, and parents of such. I would pay strict attention to how much the administration cares about sending you to possibly give thee ultimate sacrifice. All administrations dating back to Korea. Have been guilty of not finishing the job. There for leaving parents that lost their loved ones. Analyzing the situation, and wondering. With thee exception of deaths. Did anything change in some of these places. As many mistakes as G. W. made. Sending your children to die with out finishing the job wasn't one of them. Seems these azz hats that reside in D. C. are all to comfortable sending other peoples kids to die. With no real plans of winning, and having the end justifying the means when it is over. Tell your son he is truly admired for having the desire to serve. So that we all can continue to do what we all do. Good luck to him what ever he does!!

 

 

Take care, Willie

[Guest wdenike]

My 18 year old son (KidBowHunter on the forum) wants very badly to join the AZ Army National Guard. He is a freshman at ASU, VERY patriotic and wants to serve his country. He is having problems getting through all the BS that the recruiter is giving him. I don't think that the recruiter is actually lying to him, but I am sure that she is not volunteering information that might discourage him from signing up.

 

He has two options:

 

1) Sign up as enlisted, and do the one weekend a month and two weeks a year for six years. The big problem with this is that he could be deployed and could miss a few semesters at ASU, messing up his college plan.

 

2) Sign up with the guard and ROTC at ASU. He would not be deployed while a student. When he graduates ASU, he would be commissioned in the Reserve Guard as a second LT, on the hook for six years. He would drill one weekend a month and for a two week stretch once a year.

 

Option 2 sounded pretty good to me until I learned that a National Guard Officer is required to work much more than the weekend drill once a month. My boss, a former AZ National Officer told me that he was required to do 15 to 20 hours (mostly paper work) every week in addition to the once a month weekend drill. He said that the extra work was typical, especially for LTs. My son hates paper work, but would be happy to be in the field. Also working all the extra time would really suck for anyone trying to work a normal job. (he wants to be a police officer)

 

Now the recruiter is putting intense pressure on him to sign up, and accusing him of being "a daddy's boy" by listening to his old man. I just want my kid to have the complete information before he commits.

 

Does anyone have any experience with the guard? Anyone a recruiter that would talk offline and give me the straight scoop?

 

Thanks,

 

Mark

 

 

 

Troy started archery hunting when he was 11.

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OH!!! By the way. The product your young man has turned in to. Is a reflection of his Dad and Mom's Love and hard work. GOOD JOB!!!!

 

 

 

 

Take care, Willie

[Bandido243]

Stay away from the Army? Really?

Most important thing is to serve for the right reasons. The rest will follow.

[azslim]

I would suggest he focus on his education, I wouldn't go near the military nowadays, they are disposable people to our leaders. I say this after spending 7 years in the Marine Corps, my wife did 8. We had different leaders during my time, the ones in power now are an embarrassment.

[Guest wdenike]

I would suggest he focus on his education, I wouldn't go near the military nowadays, they are disposable people to our leaders. I say this after spending 7 years in the Marine Corps, my wife did 8. We had different leaders during my time, the ones in power now are an embarrassment.

 

 

 

Shhhh! Not many like hearing the truth. Thanks to you and your wife!!

 

 

 

 

Take care, Willie