Army National Guard a good choice?

[Daniel]

I'm considering joining the Guard as a way to pay for school and as a potential pilot career path. I figure I can use the Montgomery GI bill to pay for classes, and after I've been in the Guard for a while I can always apply for a pilot slot. I realize that I will almost certainly get called up to go to Iraq, but I'm fine with that as I'm single and have no dependents. What I'm wondering is if joining the Guard for this reason is a wise choice, and what kind of things I need to be aware of going in if it is.

 

Also, will being in the Guard make looking for a job difficult? Or can I just transfer to any state where I can find a job and keep my position despite the move?

 

Thanks in advance for your help.

[Pogue]

I'm considering joining the Guard as a way to pay for school and as a potential pilot career path. I figure I can use the Montgomery GI bill to pay for classes, and after I've been in the Guard for a while I can always apply for a pilot slot. I realize that I will almost certainly get called up to go to Iraq, but I'm fine with that as I'm single and have no dependents. What I'm wondering is if joining the Guard for this reason is a wise choice, and what kind of things I need to be aware of going in if it is.

 

Also, will being in the Guard make looking for a job difficult? Or can I just transfer to any state where I can find a job and keep my position despite the move?

 

Thanks in advance for your help.

The Guard has quite a few benefits, but you certainly need to understand what you're getting into if you go that route... First of all you need to look at what kind of units are in your state, as that will limit what MOS's are available. If you're looking at going Warrant down the road with the intent of a pilot slot I would recommend getting into an aviation unit to begin with. Get all the training you can, both in the military and out. Look at getting an A&P and a degree while you're in - it will take determination, but with an 8 year commitment it's doable. Expect to get deployed - Iraq and Afghanistan are the obvious ones, but Kosovo is also in the mix among other places. In one enlistment expect to deploy twice, although that depends on the state and the type of unit you're in. If you get into an aviation unit you will likely deploy as an aviation unit. Pretty much any other MOS except medical will probably deploy as Security Force, i.e., convoy escort, FOB security, etc. This is rewarding but has some down sides, like getting shot at once in a while. You are also subject to call up by the state for forest fires, riots, emergencies, etc.

 

As far as how it effects the employment scene you can move to different states, but you need to find yourself a slot in a unit in the state you want to go to. This can be rough on rank, because that unit may have someone in mind already for the slot you would be taking. On the civilian employment side the bigger the company the better they deal with your Guard schedule. Smaller companies may give you trouble even though your job is protected by law (with some exceptions.)

 

If your motivation for going in is just as a way to pay for school, don't. If you're interested in in the service aspects, then the benefits are a nice addition.

[mechanic]

Hey Daniel,

Congrats on thinking about the military. Pogue gave some good advice. I would like to ad some, too.. Knowing the world situation, why not just join active? I have a co-worker who's son is a Marine, told me that the Army are doing 18 months in country in Iraq. Like Pogue said, a good option would be to get some wrench experience, that would help two ways. You get to know the warrants flying the birds, ie recommendations potential, and you can build up experience and time towards and AP license if you want one. I have been told from a good source that OH-58 and UH-60 wrench time is pretty universal?

 

Lastly, the active duty GI Bill pay sched pays out more money than the reserve/guard rates. The Active Army has 2,3,4 year enlistments. Plus, they have had some good enlistment bonuses.

 

You can look at the pay rates at www.VA.gov, clik -Benefits, clik- Education, scroll down to GI Bill rates .

 

Later,

 

former USAF

[Daniel]

My state does have aviation (including pilot) MOS's available. We also have linguistics (omgspy!) and special forces. I'm sorely tempted to go into special forces, but I keep reminding myself that what I really want to do is fly, and while doing two years of intensive training would be fun, putting off flight school for that long is not what I really want.

 

I'm fine with getting deployed, and I've been in the ROTC and JROTC before so I feel like I've been in the military forever already. I didn't end up graduating from college which is why I've never actually been in the military. If getting shot at once in a while is the only downside to deploying, well - what am I waiting for?

 

What's an A&P degree?

 

My company is small, but they're pretty good guys. They'll probably be fine with it.

 

I hadn't considered going active duty because I'd like to be able to have some control over where I live after I complete AIT. I might consider it though, depending on how things go in the next few weeks. (Read: depending on how things go with the girl I want to date.)

[67november]

What's an A&P degree?

 

It's a license (certificate) not a degree

 

http://www.faa.gov/mechanics/become/

[Daniel]

It's a license (certificate) not a degree

 

http://www.faa.gov/mechanics/become/

 

Okay thanks.

 

One more question and then (I think, anyway >.>) I'm done. If I'm in school, and in the guard, and I get deployed while I'm in school... wouldn't that completely mess up my training?

[Pogue]

Okay thanks.

 

One more question and then (I think, anyway >.>) I'm done. If I'm in school, and in the guard, and I get deployed while I'm in school... wouldn't that completely mess up my training?

Depends - We generally have a pretty good idea when the unit is getting due for deployement, and we had about 6 months notice before we mobed for OIF. I'm not sure how the Aviation units do it, but if you're in a long school you may miss the deployment. If so don't be surprised if you go with another unit when you get back. From what I've seen though, the Guard is pretty good about scheduling military schools and coordinating with the deployments. As far as your civilian schooling, to use a technical term, you're hosed... If you deploy you can usually finish the semester you're in, but not all schools will work with you. It's manageable, but expect to be flexible because the average university won't be.

[CharyouTree]

Guard to become a WO is the route I took. I joined just under 4 years ago as a 15N (Avionics Mechanic) and went to WOCS 6 weeks ago. I start all the rest of the schools (DUNKER, SERE, etc) in just over 2 weeks. Depending on your unit, you may have to wait awhile to get a slot. Be prepared. When I went to state HQ for my Fed Rec board, they were schocked that I had so little time. And that I had a school date already. It was pretty much unheard of. You're also going to have to go to WLC before you can go. Reason: you MUST be an e-5 with WLC to attend the 4 week version of WOCS. Guard Bureau got 16(!!) slots for the 6 week course this year...that's 16 slots for all 50 states. Basically what I'm saying here is: you're going to have to get REALLY REALLY lucky like I did, or put in your time. I kind of did both, but I still got darn lucky.

 

You definitely want to go to an Aviation unit, though. aside from the networking potential prior to ever becoming a pilot, you'll get valuable experience. Well...if you go maintenance. If you have Blackhawks or Chinooks, may I suggest going 15T or 15U, respectively? You'll get a shot at being a crewchief and getting a lot more time in the air than some of the other guys. And even if they don't let you go to flight school for a few years, you'll still get to fly. Know what I mean?

 

Good luck!

[mechanic]

Daniel,

Glad your making some head way with your thoughts. I wish I had a website in 87' to help me. I tried and tried with the local army rec. to help me do the WO gig, high school to flight school. I really thought I wanted to fly Cobra's. They wouldn't budge about putting me into infantry, I shoulda tried a out of town rec. I went USAF, Fire Truck Maint.. I shoulda went Aviation Maint in the Army, so I could have got in that way. Oh well, live and learn.

 

Anyways, since you have been in the ROTC/JrROTC, have you ever thought about trying to go to UND? University of North Dakota.. They have the only Army endorsed heli program in the USA. The Army ROTC cadets even recieve funds to attend. UND fly's 300's and 206's. I think you can get up to $75 G's for flight time alone through ROTC programs. Might be worth checking into, If you have not done so already.

 

The thing about Active is, if I remember correct, is that you get to draw Active Chap 30 GI Bill rates, then if you go Guard after a 2 or 3 year enlistment you get to draw Guard GI Bill benefits after the active is used up. Pogue? Does that sound close? Its been awhile since I looked the rules over..

 

Later

[Pogue]

The thing about Active is, if I remember correct, is that you get to draw Active Chap 30 GI Bill rates, then if you go Guard after a 2 or 3 year enlistment you get to draw Guard GI Bill benefits after the active is used up. Pogue? Does that sound close? Its been awhile since I looked the rules over..

I think the Guard VA benefits come out of the same eligibility basket - If you've got 36 months eligibility for example, that's the max benefit that you can get paid regardless of which chapter you're under, 30, 1606 or 1607. However there may be state benefits available for tuition assistance that are available to you as a Guard member as well. In my case I had been out more than 10 years and my original VA bill was expired, but after deploying I received additional benefits under Ch. 1607. Those counted against my total eligibility, but restarted the 10 year "clock".

[mechanic]

I think the Guard VA benefits come out of the same eligibility basket - If you've got 36 months eligibility for example, that's the max benefit that you can get paid regardless of which chapter you're under, 30, 1606 or 1607. However there may be state benefits available for tuition assistance that are available to you as a Guard member as well. In my case I had been out more than 10 years and my original VA bill was expired, but after deploying I received additional benefits under Ch. 1607. Those counted against my total eligibility, but restarted the 10 year "clock".

 

It kinda makes me want to join up to restart the clock so to speak on my GI Bill. I am thinking I had about 30 months left or so when the timer dinged, lol..

 

Later