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no the the imperial guard , im talking national guard .

its something ive thought about for a while now. i am working full time for CAT, but i talked with boss. training and deployment can be taken off and i will not be fired (so they say)

i sort of have this fealing like i should do it to serve my country. but at the same time, family is all "you join any branch of the milltary and you will get shot" .... we went through this when my brother was thinking of joining the marines, we went through then when i was thinking of joining he navy.... he is a bank manager now and i am a heavy machine opperator.

i am outside the hight/weight limmits they have. 6 feet 3 to 5 inches (measuring meslef with a garage tape measuer), around 225 pounds (losing a pound to 3 a week prety steady for a while, was at 250). i know i cant do the ammount of pushups and situps that they require , and i know i cant get the time on the 2 mile run they require (I have the slow and purposeful special rule ).... all stuff i am working on.

well. anywho just something to keep me busy for a few mins.... your thoughts on this matter??

*Note* Epic family debate on this issue comming up tonight. choppas, las bolts, bolter rounds, plasma fire, and mabey a lascannon or two are sure to fly back and fourth.

If you just want to do it to "serve your country" I'd say you should look into other options for serving your country as well, or helping people in it. There are plenty of things to do to help out the country, only one of them is serve in the military.

That being said, I think joining the military is a noble thing to do and your family should be proud of you if you want to do it. But they have the right to worry about you as well, you would likely be putting yourself in harms way, and I can imagine the debate would be even worse with your family if some of them don't agree with the way our government has been currently using the military. I can't imagine anything more frustrating than having a child fighting in a war that I didn't think should be happening in the first place.

What is your reason for wanting to join the guard instead of an actual branch of the military? I'm sure there are pros and cons to both, I've never considered either myself so I just wonder.

Bugger that!

Don't get me wrong, if Britain was directly threatened, I would of course fight.

But right now, I don't fancy getting shot at and potentially killed because some arsehole in Whitehall picked the wrong fight.

What it really comes down to is what you want to do.

Joining the Guard can be great and give you the discipline and some valuable skills that will help you succeed in life, but on the other hand if you choose a combat profession you've got a decent chance of being deployed to beachfront property with no water. Is our country directly threatened? Not really. Will the country survive without your personal service? Or course. Like I said, it's all about what you choose and if it's right for you.

I'm leaving for Basic Training in a couple weeks (I'll be active duty Army, not Guard, but it's the same training) and I know that it is the right choice for me because I'm a little bit of a slacker and I don't see my life going anywhere without the motivation that only a Drill Sergeant can put in you. They're offering me a job in something I've always wanted to do, an opportunity to see the world and some skills that I just couldn't pick up anywhere else.

Just a couple things, your job can't legally fire you for joining the Guard, and for God's sake sign up for the Montgomery G.I. Bill so you'll have the chance to have your college paid for if you ever decide to go.

No, no you shouldn't.
If your invested in 'serving your country' help at a shelter, become a volunteer firefighter, start a community garden.
The more people are invested in their neighbor's well being the better of our country will be.

On a more personal note:
I didn't join the Marines because in this lovely (decade spanning) political s**t storm.
I'd gladly give my life protecting my family and neighbors (ie country), even the ones I disagree strongly with.
but with the current administration (and the 50% of the presidential choices), I feel it wouldn't be wise (and a waste)
especially seeing how the National Guard has been taken advantage of in recent years

If your really, invested in joining the military (even just in a NG capacity) I'd say wait 3-4 years and gain some perspective on the political climate

until then work-out and volunteer locally! get invested in your community and understand WHO you may be dieing for.

just my 2cents and a nickel

If you are going to I would say forget the part time and step up and join the full blown Army (or Navy, Marines, and Air Force). It sounds like you want to make a change in your life and I think that would go a lot further in that regard.

As to being shot, well, it is the military so it is a possibility, but so is having an accident if you work with heavy machinery.

If you want to broaden you horizons I say go for it. If it is something you feel strongly about and never do it I think you'll feel greater regret in the long run. You need to decide where the desire is coming from and how strong it is.

If you want to join the armed forces, go for one of the real branches, where they actually train you to some kind of standard. Guard units (depending on state) can range from near-professional training to barely marching in the same direction on the same day.

In my opinion, the National Guard should be for defense of the nation, not extra bullet-catchers for foreign adventurism. There's no reason why a national defense force, separate from the Army, should be deployed outside the USA.

Be all you can be.

Who knows pretty soon you could be flying jets and you could go on to be president.
You're a cheerleader right?

I was in the Army Reserve here in Australia and loved it.
Left due to work though.

You need to see what your national guard units will offer you, especially in terms of training.
Our reserve TV ads have gust tearing around in boats, LAVs, helicopters.
We 'killed' an enemy squad and 'liberated' their APC for 4 days until the exercise was over, hiding it in a dried creek bed. Apart from riding around in the back of trucks and land cruisers that was about as exciting as it got...

You could always do some Foreign Aid Work and really make a difference.

If you ask me, that encourages far more discipline and backbone than allowing the Military to make you a Killing Machine for a cause you might not believe in.

In all seriousness, why not volunteer to help with Landmine Clearance? Help to clear up where your Government did not, or could not.

I guess the crux of the matter is whether you could bear the guilt of killing someone. Regardless of whether a state of war exists there or not, you may not agree with the reasons for it (Iraq?).

Difference can be made elsewhere, and a lot more locally. At the other end of the scheme, why not help out with Charities for the Disadvantaged? Work in a Soup Kitchen, try to make your fellow Citizens lives just a little bit better?

My family has a very prestigous miltary record, 3 great uncles and my great granddad fought in world war 2, some fought at d-day, some at el alamien. But still hasn't convinced me to fight.

To be honest i couldn't fight for a goverment i hate and wars i don't belive are right. If you want to make the world a better place, don't become a soldier. do some charity or help the less fortunate.

I come from a military background too, my father is a Royal Marine Commando, my Grandad was in WW2 (had his kneecap shattered by shrapnel, but still played for his platoon's football team) and so on and so forth going back a few generations. I'd never join the army though, I'm a lover not a fighter. It's personal decision though, and one you shouldn't take lightly, it really is a matter of life and death. If you have a burning desire to do it, then go for it, but if not, I'd suggest taking some of the ideas above, I particularly liked the idea of landmine clearance. There's many ways to make a difference, is getting involved in a sensless war the one you want to take?

Well, how did the debate go?

I say no, but at least wait till after the election.

I don't think waiting to see who the next president is will matter. If Obama wins, everyone won't be home in february. 2 years from now, I'm more than sure we'll still have plenty of troops over there protecting the oil fields we will own. We shoulda just nuked the crap outta everything on 9/12 but it's too late for that now :p

If you think you want to join any branch of the armed services, asking if you should or shouldn't probably means you don't want to deep down inside, subconsciously or whatever, so I would say if you want to make a difference then find something else.. volunteer for a good cause that helps people. If you know in your heart that joining and going over there to fight is what you want to do, then don't ask for advice or permission, just do it And don't join thinking you might not be sent there. You will be .. <yoda voice> you will be.....

You know, I've been thinking of making something of my life for a while myself, being somewhat disappointed with how I've done so far (I'm an intelligent guy, I just stopped being bothered at school. 12 years later, I am still fighting that apathy).

Perhaps I should swallow some of my own medicine and look into Volunteer Work, like my suggestion of Landmine Clearence. Then I would know my life was of some worth. Even if I only manage to clear one in 100 years, that is still a difference made.

Yes. Yes. I shall look into this.

N.B. I am aware of the dangers. My Uncle's former Book Keepers Brother (follow that? Hope so) was a notable Charity worker, and did Landmine clearance. Sadly, he once debarked from his Jeep, straight onto an Anti-Tank mine. Suffice to say, there wasn;t much of him left. Rather than discourage me, I find this suggesting there is a gap now left, and if I don't fill it, who will?

You know there is a war going on right? You know that joining up means there is a high probability that you will be shot at and/or have to shoot at other people right? Just sounds like insanity to me if things are going ok for you here, but that's just me.

If you feel that putting your life on the line is something you need to do, it's your life and no one can stop you from doing what you think is best.

However, if what you want to do is help your country, going off to fight in a foreign war hardly seems like its really going to do anything for the US. If you want to really make things better here, then there are lots of ways to go about it. Grass roots political action to straighten things out, volunteer work at hospitals and homeless shelters, habitat for humanity projects and lots of other things really make a difference for people here and don't involve you getting killed or killing anyone else. Just something to think about.

People should only join the military if they think they won't have to do any military stuff. If they are being soldiers don't join, if they aren't, join. o_0

Service to the country is worth while and honorable. Serving in the military in time of war is something many folks (judging by the responses here) do not really understand.

To stand in the company of fellow trooprs and face hardships and triumphs with your brothers is somehting that can't be described to some one who has not done so.

Deleted for offensiveness -- and do your research! You come across as a Jack Chick tract. - Iorek

warpcrafter wrote:Edited as above - Iorek

That is very one dimensional. Furthermore, none of the former or current soldiers I know complain that they were forced to convert to any faith. I really doubt there would be Catholic Chaplains in the US military if you had to be an Evangelical.

Ask yourself this. Are you someone who takes advice from someone who's perspective is so myopic that they come off as someone with head trauma? Are you OK with giving up your ability to see both sides of a muddled situation and making your own choices? If so you probably need to go back to school and seek a refund.

Spent 5 years in the Active Army... Did two seperate tours in Iraq 25 months boots on the ground total. (OIF 1&2, 5&6) was a REAL combat arms MOS 19Delta Cav Scout, not a Fobbit but a real gak in your face Soldier.

Haveing said that here is what I have to say..

Joining the Military is a great way to self improve. Just make damn sure you get a job YOU want in the branch that YOU want. Sadly alot of people in the Guard join just to get a free paycheck through college then complain and cry when they get deployed like that didnt know that they were actually part of the Army. Dont be one of them. Find yourself a respectable Mos and hold your head up high and it will be nothing but good times.

Sure you will learn to embrace the suck, but with the suck comes good times. Boot sucks, at least it did in 2001 when I went through, although I hear they have stress cards now... (Wtf is with that bs)
Pending your MOS garrison might suck more then being deployed. FTX's suck, getting gased really sucks, sleeping in a hole sucks, being dropped off 10k ahead of the main force to look for an enemy twice your size is cool but sucks too. Also learn to love the phrase "If it aint Raining We aint training!"

But like I said Embrace the suck and the reap the rewards!
People will look at you in a different way, Once you deploy and come back you get the respect of a grateful nation, and lets not forget all the cool stories you can share!
Some of my Highlights that I can post without getting into trouble! lol.....
*Made things go Boom with HE.
*Was the Breach man on a 3man Entry Team (think SWAT but Iraq Style)
*Came home from my 2nd tour with around 40k in the bank. (Spent only 300$ total in country)
*Got to play with a wide varity of weapons!
M4, 203, M249, M60, 240B&C, 25mm, .50 cal, Mk19, M9, At4, Javalin just to name a few off the top of my head.
*Have personally operated both Bradlys and Strykers
*Been on a Chinook and Blackhawk, and have rode on a Tank in Country.
ect ect ect........ The list could go on for pages.

Im not trying to con you into signing up. Im out now and im not a recruitor. I just want you to make a informed decision based on some good intel.
I have done more and seen more things then I ever though possible in the Army and I wouldnt trade those experiences for anything! It has made me the Man I am today.
Please Feel free to send me a PM if you have any questions or concerns about the military way of life and ill be more then happy to help you to the best of my ability.

warpcrafter wrote:Ask yourself this. Are you an Evangelical christian? If you join the military they'll make you into one whether you like it or not. Are you OK with getting yourself killed for a war that is founded on the biggest pack of lies in the history of lies? If so, you're obviously someone who needs someone to tell you what to do because your own decision-making abilities are sorely lacking. Have a happy time getting dismembered.

This has to be the wrost bunch of nonsense ive seen here in days. Let me guess, you were never part of the military or if you were you were so buried in the barracks that you havent a clue as to whats going on around you.

The military wont force you into any religion, in fact ive seen some chaples even have Wicca Service. (Dont ask I dont know )
So to say they will force something onto you if you like it or not is utter BS!

As for getting killed in country, I did two tours in Iraq and guess what? More people die in the US from Auto accidents in a 24 hour period then Us soldiers die in country over the course of a month. So technically speaking its safer overseas then right here in your own backyard.

And lastly if you think everyone in the military is their because they are non self aways lackys who cant perform higher brain functions to include decision makeing they you are so wrong its pathetic.

How about you actually do a term of service then come back and give advice.

To sum it up, Ignore this user and his comment for he is speaking from his rear.

warpcrafter wrote:Deleted for offensiveness -- and do your research! You come across as a Jack Chick tract. - Iorek

Again, please, in english?

Grignard wrote:

warpcrafter wrote:Edited as above - Iorek

That is very one dimensional. Furthermore, none of the former or current soldiers I know complain that they were forced to convert to any faith. I really doubt there would be Catholic Chaplains in the US military if you had to be an Evangelical.

Bah! Same diff. Religion is a crutch.

Ahtman wrote:Ask yourself this. Are you someone who takes advice from someone who's perspective is so myopic that they come off as someone with head trauma? Are you OK with giving up your ability to see both sides of a muddled situation and making your own choices? If so you probably need to go back to school and seek a refund.

Whoa! And people say I'm an abrasive kneejerk reactionary! Way to go! By the way, I've done a lot of research on all sides of the subject and this is my conclusion. You're free to not like it. You're even free to spam me with your hatred, I'm a big boy, I can take it.

jp400 wrote:

warpcrafter wrote:Ask yourself this. Are you an Evangelical christian? If you join the military they'll make you into one whether you like it or not. Are you OK with getting yourself killed for a war that is founded on the biggest pack of lies in the history of lies? If so, you're obviously someone who needs someone to tell you what to do because your own decision-making abilities are sorely lacking. Have a happy time getting dismembered.

This has to be the wrost bunch of nonsense ive seen here in days. Let me guess, you were never part of the military or if you were you were so buried in the barracks that you havent a clue as to whats going on around you.

The military wont force you into any religion, in fact ive seen some chaples even have Wicca Service. (Dont ask I dont know )
So to say they will force something onto you if you like it or not is utter BS!

As for getting killed in country, I did two tours in Iraq and guess what? More people die in the US from Auto accidents in a 24 hour period then Us soldiers die in country over the course of a month. So technically speaking its safer overseas then right here in your own backyard.

And lastly if you think everyone in the military is their because they are non self aways lackys who cant perform higher brain functions to include decision makeing they you are so wrong its pathetic.

How about you actually do a term of service then come back and give advice.

To sum it up, Ignore this user and his comment for he is speaking from his rear.

And either you don't know or don't want to know that several army soldiers are suing the army because they were subject to constant harassment because they are aetheists. Look into it and get back to me.

Now, isn't it nice of me to take the time to answer all you people?

Well not to stick my hands in the furnace but.....

Jack Chick
mmmm hate mongering tastes like.... well not very good:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jack_Chick
http://www.chick.com/default.asp

Oh, and I disagree with warpcrafter and with the way he had presented his view.
But I disagree more with censoring his viewpoint.

warpcrafter wrote:

jp400 wrote:

warpcrafter wrote:Ask yourself this. Are you an Evangelical christian? If you join the military they'll make you into one whether you like it or not. Are you OK with getting yourself killed for a war that is founded on the biggest pack of lies in the history of lies? If so, you're obviously someone who needs someone to tell you what to do because your own decision-making abilities are sorely lacking. Have a happy time getting dismembered.

This has to be the wrost bunch of nonsense ive seen here in days. Let me guess, you were never part of the military or if you were you were so buried in the barracks that you havent a clue as to whats going on around you.

The military wont force you into any religion, in fact ive seen some chaples even have Wicca Service. (Dont ask I dont know )
So to say they will force something onto you if you like it or not is utter BS!

As for getting killed in country, I did two tours in Iraq and guess what? More people die in the US from Auto accidents in a 24 hour period then Us soldiers die in country over the course of a month. So technically speaking its safer overseas then right here in your own backyard.

And lastly if you think everyone in the military is their because they are non self aways lackys who cant perform higher brain functions to include decision makeing they you are so wrong its pathetic.

How about you actually do a term of service then come back and give advice.

To sum it up, Ignore this user and his comment for he is speaking from his rear.

And either you don't know or don't want to know that several army soldiers are suing the army because they were subject to constant harassment because they are aetheists. Look into it and get back to me.

Someone also sued Mcdonalds because they were burned by a cup of fresh coffee. They claimed they didnt know it would be hot. A judge then rulled that the person was right and needed a Darwin Award. That doesnt make it any less dumb though. The United States has grown so damn soft trying to please everybody and be "Politically Correct" at all times. I personally feel that we as a nation need to put our foot down and say enough is enough.
And yes not only have I looked into it ive seen it 1st hand. Bottom line your "Atheist" friends were just looking for a easy way for a Discharge because they were tired of people not takeing them seriously when they said "Hey look at me, Im Atheist!". You want a special golden star or something? Those people make me pretty damn sick inside. They need to Man up and deal with it and stop trying to find blame in everyone else because they cant get accepted or they are mad because they wanted to be different and everyone thinks its weird/dumb.

If lets say a Wicca walked up to me and said that what I believed in was dumb and that a tree god was going to eat me for all time (not makeing fun here folks, just useing a example) im not going to turn around and sue their ass. No, im going to say whatever and move on and that will be the end of it.

Point of the story is no matter where you go you will find idiots trying to make a quick buck. Thats all this is and most likely will ever be. And why sue if the Chaplin walks up to you and says "Hey Pvt, do you want to try comming to service sunday? Might do you well." he isnt forceing religion on you, he is asking if you want to try something new and break out of that fragile shell you call life. Remember he is also in charge of everyone moral and wellbeing. It might be that he was just concerned about you cause he noticed the hash marks up and down your arms. Drop the ego for a second and try it! Hell if anything else you get at least a free cookie and punch after service. You dont have to be religious to enjoy that.