Thining about joining the national guard reserves

[keystroker]

In the national guard I would join as a Combat Engineer. Does anyone have experience with this field? Is it cool? I want to learn some engineering skills and have some excitement. I think it would be cool. 1 weekend a month and get $600 + 75% college assistance and if I like it I would switch to active duty in a year.

 

[ScottMac]

The "National Guard" and "The Reserves" are different things.

With the National Guard, you are under the direction of the State's Governor unless your entire unit is Federalized and called for National duty.

In the Reserves (Army, Navy, USMC ... ) You, as an individual, can be called up for active duty.

Either one has advantages / disadvantages, depending on what you'd like to get out of the experience, and the time commitment. Boot camp and schools are pretty much the same. Anything beyond a basic school is likely to increase your time in the organization (either one).

Good Luck and Best Wishes

Scott

 

[keystroker]

well i would be going to my job 1 weekend a month. i'm in the national guard also. can anyone give some insight on the jobs? Combat engineer sounds ok, I would get an extra 3K bonus plus I would learn how to build and make things. Thanks.

 

[Aceman]

I want to learn some engineering skills

As a Combat Engineer you basically are an infantryman with some frontend loaders and dump trucks. It's nowhere near "engineering" in the sense that you're thinking. You will have fun if the unit you're going to is a light engineer "sapper" unit. Light Engineers are infantrymen with demolitions.

I have 3 years experience in the USAR as a combat light engineer. I'd be happy to answer any PM's you have concerning the USAR. I've been in for 16 years and 14+ years as and Active Duty Reserve NCO.

 

[BrunoPuntzJones]

What he said about combat engineer. My cousin is a combat engineer in the 10th Mountain Division. He worked on the design of some of the prison camps over in Afgan. and when on patrol was responsible for transporting baddies back. He'll be a captain in a few months so he gets to do the cooler stuff (bridge building, etc).

If you go into the reserves you'll likely just be pushing stuff around like Ace said unless you have a serious degree (he has one in construction engineering). A bud over in Saudi Arabia says their guys are responsible for building roads and stuff on the bases.

 

[Aceman]

if I like it I would switch to active duty in a year.

Good Luck if you get you're unit to let you do that. In the past two years I've had 20 soldiers send requests to me to go from the USAR to Regular Army. 3 have been allowed to go. Why? You signed a contract with the USAR not the Regular Army. Fulfill your contract obligations of 6 years or enlist in the Regular Army right away.