I am currently attending college to obtain my bachelors degree in legal studies. I was searching around today for prospective employers and saw that the National Guard has a position open in an area of interest to me. I would have to join the army national guard before I could get the training from them for the position.
I am a woman, married, with children and want more out of life than what I currently have and I feel that by joining such an organization I would fulfill this desire. I am willing to go the extra mile to get there. That's why I am in college:).
I understand that if I were to join the guard I could get deployed, this happens all the time, but what I am more concerned about is my family while I am away. Can anyone give me some insight as to how this would exactly work, if I decided to join? Would there compensation that I could leave for my family? Would there be boot camp? I am not physically active, but not over weight either, but I think I would certainly have to brush up in that area before any boot camp. Also, I know that this will require an annual two week trip and once monthly drill, but what else do I need to consider aside from being away from my family, which by the way are all school aged.
Is there someway for me to join and stay working for the guard here in the U.S. This job they have posted is for a paralegal and I think that would be a great start for me, but is it possible to join and not be deployed if I work at the base or where ever this job is located? It does not give an exact location, just says may not be in this area. I am concerned that if I stay on the track I am on right now, I will struggle greatly with paying back my student loans, but from what I understand the guard will help me with tuition if I join. All information is greatly appreciated.
Thanks.
By SB
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Google it to make sure, but the way I understand it is that you don't get the money to help with the school loans until you have met a certain amount of your enlistment. I don't know if there is any way you can get out of being deployed if that is what they decide they want to do with you. There are two parent families that have been deployed at the same time and they have grandparents, aunts and uncles, etc. care for the kids. When you are deployed, I do know you get extra pay, therefore you could use that extra pay to help care for your kids. In your case your husband could care for them. Yes, there is boot camp. Basically when you are in the military you go and do what they tell you to.
Pam. I think it's 36, as that was the age I joined. But, it was a mistake and due to a back injury, I didn't make it through boot camp. Yes, you would have to give over custody of your children to someone else. That in itself is crazy scary, so think this through well. No, no one is immune from deployment. Also, you could be hung for treason, even if it was a mistake. The anonymous person who gave it to you straight and I agree on many things. Recruiters are just that and once you sign, they could tell you to walk across the freeway at 5:10 pm and that is what you would have to do.
The money you would get is minimal compared to what you would have to do to get it. And to give you an example most military families qualify for food stamps.
If you are an independent and creative person, that is the first thing they will take away from you. My advice is to iron, clean toilets, flip burgers, do anything for the extra money but do not join the National Guard.
Do you know why so many of them don't come back from the war? Because the powers that be have decreed that while they are the least trained, they are the cheapest to send and the easiest to replace. Think about that before you sign on the dotted line, please!
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