June 20, 2008
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National Guard
It seems like all of my friends are joining the National Guard. I called up Chase today and he was already signed off and ready to go, my friend Jordan is already in the National Guard and it was only a few days ago when Jake and I were really talking about it.
I have been thinking of going into a branch of military for a long time, what catches my eye is the benefits. No matter what branch you are in, you will have free medical, dental and plenty of other things. If you get married your spouse will be entirely covered and so will your children up until they are eighteen. I am not sure how many branches do this but they will pay for your education which is a major bonus for me.
For the most part, I am serious into getting into this but I want to question it more. I want to try to schedule some time with a recruiter, without my parents there. I just got done talking to Jordan and he said he would come. He said he would prefer someone to be there with him the first time too because he was nervous.
Cathy seems kind of nervous about me getting up and moving away but I would defiantly come back one day, this is my home. I wouldn’t be anywhere else even though it seems like a lot of people suck here sometimes.
My goals for right now are finish Drivers ED which is coming up soon, get my GED, get a job of some sort, go straight into memory classes and either go into the National Guard or straight continue my education.
Im just scared that once I decided to do this, I can never go back.
Comments (11)
i know for sure that i can’t get into the army since i can’t even enjoy camping. haha.
well thanks im getting SO MUCH better already =)
So what does the National Guard do?
You will need to finish your GED and be willing to take some placement tests for any branch of the military. It can be rewarding especially if you want to re-enter civilian life with some kind of training. Most of the time you can pursue other career interest if you are a “weekend” warrior. Some of the National Guard positions are “full time” though. I think you have to be active full time for full time benefits. Not sure. The best thing to do is to talk to the recruiter. Phone them if you want or go in person. I think you have to be 18 in order to sign up…not sure ’cause some branches have ‘early’ signing…you need parental permission before 18, something like that. Good Luck.
@Novietaaa - Ideally, the National Guard is a branch of the military that is designed to protect, defend and serve the American people on our own soil. They are the branch that is called upon to serve and police during natural disasters, floods, hurricanes, etc. and other internal crisis. They also provide support to some of the other branches of the military. For example, here in the Northeast we have a ‘group’ of National Guardsmen who fly to Antartica to supply the USA research facilities located there. Right now many branches are providing support to the army in Iraq. They transport supplies to the regular army there. They also maintain and repair their own aircraft for that purpose.
@tkperito - Ah okay! Sounds interesting, being able to help out your fellow Americans in times of crisis and such. So basically it’s helping out the regular army by providing support, right?! Seems like a noble, but safer job than the real army. Plus all that stuff the army is able to provide you with (free healthcare and education and such)
@Novietaaa - Well, don’t make the mistake of thinking of them as second class soldiers. You have to go to the same Basic Training and yes you could very easily end up in Iraq for a year or more. They are real military whose focus is mostly internal as opposed to external.
@tkperito - @Novietaaa - Wow I was so supprised to come back with many comments! Thanks for explaining while I was gone tkperito. Yes I am going to talk to a recruiter this weekend, with my friend Jordan to help me out. They take care of you, education wise and have so many benifits. You have a choice to be active full time or part time. Right now I am 60, 40, im leaning towards a yes right now. I will be 18 in november. Whoo!
I’ll keep you all posted!
@xXLovelyDreamerXx - You can call me Kathy. I hope I didn’t step on your toes. Sorry, really, if I did : ( We also share the same birth month, go figure!
@tkperito - No no thanks! You saved me the trouble of explaining it and I noticed I am weird at explaining things. Oh wow! We share the same birth month! Awesome
oh quite a bit. i intend on reading everyone’s newest postings, but i’m outta time for the day =P
@xdesiredaddiction - Nahh its ok, I know exactally what you mean. Soo much to read so little time!