Thinking of joining the Air National Guard...anyone with experience?

[Polish3d]

My ultimate goal is to work in some capacity (likely in legal and then hopefully a policy post) for the government, this is something I've known is what I should do for some years now.

I'm in school and should be getting a scholarship from grades I have, graduating with an associates and then on to a bachelors and perhaps law school after that.


I honestly do not wish to be purely a civilian when I enter government service as I think some military experience is important to have a more complete understanding and to prove my dedication to myself.

I don't want to interrupt my school if possible and don't wish to forfeit any scholarships that I've worked for so I'm thinking about the Air National Guard here in CO.


I'm wondering if anyone has knowledge or experience with the guard... is this an immediate ticket overseas or ... basically anyone with relevant experience would be strongly appreciated.

 

[HappyPuppy]

If I understand your post, you want all the prestige and benefits of being in the U.S. military but you don't want to be subject to any of the risks associated with that service. While others suffer in terrible environments with the possibility of horrible disfigurement or death you want to be guaranteed safe passage so you can get a good job afterwards.

Don't you think that if you want something you should give something in return? Service in the military is always frought with uncertainty and danger. Perhaps you should check out your local Visiting Nurses Association instead. I hear not many of them have to live in tents/bunkers and are rarely shot at.

 

[Zugzwang152]

Originally posted by: HappyPuppy
If I understand your post, you want all the prestige and benefits of being in the U.S. military but you don't want to be subject to any of the risks associated with that service. While others suffer in terrible environments with the possibility of horrible disfigurement or death you want to be guaranteed safe passage so you can get a good job afterwards.

Don't you think that if you want something you should give something in return? Service in the military is always frought with uncertainty and danger. Perhaps you should check out your local Visiting Nurses Association instead. I hear not many of them have to live in tents/bunkers and are rarely shot at.

he just wants information, he didn't specifically say he wants to wring the US government for all its worth and not carry out the responsibilities.

 

[HappyPuppy]

Originally posted by: Zugzwang152

Originally posted by: HappyPuppy
If I understand your post, you want all the prestige and benefits of being in the U.S. military but you don't want to be subject to any of the risks associated with that service. While others suffer in terrible environments with the possibility of horrible disfigurement or death you want to be guaranteed safe passage so you can get a good job afterwards.

Don't you think that if you want something you should give something in return? Service in the military is always frought with uncertainty and danger. Perhaps you should check out your local Visiting Nurses Association instead. I hear not many of them have to live in tents/bunkers and are rarely shot at.

he just wants information, he didn't specifically say he wants to wring the US government for all its worth and not carry out the responsibilities.

He didn't say he is willing to fight and die, either.

 

[Bateluer]

I didn't join the ANG, I joined the Active Duty Air Force, so my experience with the Guard is limited. We do have a Guard squadron on the base though, so I do interact with their techs on occasion. They seem to love their job as much as I love my active duty job.

Joining the ANG still means you have to go through the same Basic Training that the active duty and reservists go through, and the same technical training. Depending on your AFSC(Air Force Specialty Code), a code for your specific job, that can take the 6 weeks for Basic plus until to around 18 months for technical training. You'd have to see a Guard recruiter to look at the specific lengths for the AFSCs you are interested in. I may be wrong, but in the short term, it would effectively stop your schooling. You would be unable to attend college while you were in BMT and Technical training. You would be able to pick it up right where you left off once you finish your training though. I am unsure how it would effect your specific scholarships though, but being in the military brings its own share of scholarships and educational benefits. But again, you'd have to check with the Guard recruiter for details.

Honestly, joining the service was the best decision I ever made.

 

[Polish3d]

Originally posted by: Zugzwang152

Originally posted by: HappyPuppy
If I understand your post, you want all the prestige and benefits of being in the U.S. military but you don't want to be subject to any of the risks associated with that service. While others suffer in terrible environments with the possibility of horrible disfigurement or death you want to be guaranteed safe passage so you can get a good job afterwards.

Don't you think that if you want something you should give something in return? Service in the military is always frought with uncertainty and danger. Perhaps you should check out your local Visiting Nurses Association instead. I hear not many of them have to live in tents/bunkers and are rarely shot at.

Are you retarded? There is no incentive for me to join, I have the money I need for college you @sshole. I need to be in the country for the next two years if possible, and I have no reason to explain anything to you. I hope you've served in combat to be lecturing me like this!

 

[Polish3d]

Originally posted by: Bateluer
I didn't join the ANG, I joined the Active Duty Air Force, so my experience with the Guard is limited. We do have a Guard squadron on the base though, so I do interact with their techs on occasion. They seem to love their job as much as I love my active duty job.

Joining the ANG still means you have to go through the same Basic Training that the active duty and reservists go through, and the same technical training. Depending on your AFSC(Air Force Specialty Code), a code for your specific job, that can take the 6 weeks for Basic plus until to around 18 months for technical training. You'd have to see a Guard recruiter to look at the specific lengths for the AFSCs you are interested in. I may be wrong, but in the short term, it would effectively stop your schooling. You would be unable to attend college while you were in BMT and Technical training. You would be able to pick it up right where you left off once you finish your training though. I am unsure how it would effect your specific scholarships though, but being in the military brings its own share of scholarships and educational benefits. But again, you'd have to check with the Guard recruiter for details.

Honestly, joining the service was the best decision I ever made.

Yes I'm going to speak with a recruiter this week. Basic is 6 weeks right? I suspect I could arrange it successfully

 

[BigPoppa]

Originally posted by: HappyPuppy

Originally posted by: Zugzwang152

Originally posted by: HappyPuppy
If I understand your post, you want all the prestige and benefits of being in the U.S. military but you don't want to be subject to any of the risks associated with that service. While others suffer in terrible environments with the possibility of horrible disfigurement or death you want to be guaranteed safe passage so you can get a good job afterwards.

Don't you think that if you want something you should give something in return? Service in the military is always frought with uncertainty and danger. Perhaps you should check out your local Visiting Nurses Association instead. I hear not many of them have to live in tents/bunkers and are rarely shot at.

he just wants information, he didn't specifically say he wants to wring the US government for all its worth and not carry out the responsibilities.

He didn't say he is willing to fight and die, either.

Fighting and dying isn't the only way to serve your country.

 

[dugweb]

Originally posted by: BigPoppa

Originally posted by: HappyPuppy

Originally posted by: Zugzwang152

Originally posted by: HappyPuppy
If I understand your post, you want all the prestige and benefits of being in the U.S. military but you don't want to be subject to any of the risks associated with that service. While others suffer in terrible environments with the possibility of horrible disfigurement or death you want to be guaranteed safe passage so you can get a good job afterwards.

Don't you think that if you want something you should give something in return? Service in the military is always frought with uncertainty and danger. Perhaps you should check out your local Visiting Nurses Association instead. I hear not many of them have to live in tents/bunkers and are rarely shot at.

he just wants information, he didn't specifically say he wants to wring the US government for all its worth and not carry out the responsibilities.

He didn't say he is willing to fight and die, either.

Fighting and dying isn't the only way to serve your country.

"no soldier ever protected his country by dying for it... He protected his country by making the other poor sucker die for his"

edit: okay here's the real quote (the above is just what i could recall)

"No bastard ever won a war by dying for his country.
He won it by making the other poor dumb bastard die for his country."
- Attributed to General George Patton Jr

 

[jadinolf]

Originally posted by: Frackal

Originally posted by: Zugzwang152

Originally posted by: HappyPuppy
If I understand your post, you want all the prestige and benefits of being in the U.S. military but you don't want to be subject to any of the risks associated with that service. While others suffer in terrible environments with the possibility of horrible disfigurement or death you want to be guaranteed safe passage so you can get a good job afterwards.

Don't you think that if you want something you should give something in return? Service in the military is always frought with uncertainty and danger. Perhaps you should check out your local Visiting Nurses Association instead. I hear not many of them have to live in tents/bunkers and are rarely shot at.

Are you retarded? There is no incentive for me to join, I have the money I need for college you @sshole. I need to be in the country for the next two years if possible, and I have no reason to explain anything to you. I hope you've served in combat to be lecturing me like this!

I thought name calling was prohibited here.

 

[CKent]

Originally posted by: jadinolf
I thought name calling was prohibited here.

If it was 95% of posters would be banned and the site's ad revenue would plummet.

 

[jadinolf]

Originally posted by: RBachman

Originally posted by: jadinolf
I thought name calling was prohibited here.

If it was 95% of posters would be banned and the site's ad revenue would plummet.

 

[Roger]

Ask our President!

 

[EagleKeeper]

1) Check with an ANG recruiter.

2) HappyPuppy has served his country in combat probaly before you were a glimmer in your parents' eyes. It would benefit you out in the real world, to understand some people before putting your foot in your mouth.

3) Serving in any branch of the military carries with it the risk of combat. To look for amything else, (which is implied in the tone of your question) is a disservice to you, others that will depend on you, and an implict violation of your oath of service.

Join to serve your country, not because you want your country to take care of you without any required responsibilities.

 

[alm4rr]

Originally posted by: Frackal
My ultimate goal is to work in some capacity (likely in legal and then hopefully a policy post) for the government, this is something I've known is what I should do for some years now.

I'm in school and should be getting a scholarship from grades I have, graduating with an associates and then on to a bachelors and perhaps law school after that.


I honestly do not wish to be purely a civilian when I enter government service as I think some military experience is important to have a more complete understanding and to prove my dedication to myself.

I don't want to interrupt my school if possible and don't wish to forfeit any scholarships that I've worked for so I'm thinking about the Air National Guard here in CO.


I'm wondering if anyone has knowledge or experience with the guard... is this an immediate ticket overseas or ... basically anyone with relevant experience would be strongly appreciated.

If you'd like to join law school or policy wonks, how do you find a logical path in the Air National Guard?

It's like saying you are going to become a vet by thinking of walking dogs for a while.