Interested in joining Indiana National Guard

[danielocean03]

I've been considering joining the Indiana National Guard. I'm sure there are at least a few of you out there who have been in the guard, what's involved, and would you do it again? Thanks in advance!

 

[BumpShadow]

My gf just got out about a year ago. You go to army boot, army A school, and then back here. You will be a truck driver no matter what your A school. Even if your not, you still won't do what you went to A school for. You will also go to Iraq and if your in long enough the rest of the middle east.

Also you train 1 weekend a month, and 2 weeks straight a year. It will suck. You will either sleep in a tent or a truck bed, barracks go to the full time guys. So, make sure you have a job before you join, my gf had a hard time finding a job after she joined. Good Luck.

 

[mrdryoung]

Wow BumpShadow, you act as though the National Guard is a bad thing...

danielocean03, I am in the Indiana Army National Guard. I have been in for a little over 8 years now and plan on staying for at least 20. There are many options available for someone wanting to join. I joined my freshman year of college and had them pay for the remainder of my school. I did take a semester off of school for basic and advanced individual training but I didn't have to.

After a few years enlisted, I decided to become an officer. Its not a bad gig. I did go to Afghanistan for a year but that wasn't very bad. My picture on the side is actually from Afghanistan with a jackal I shot there.

I am currently on active duty orders for Captain's Career Course in OK. Once I am finished here, I will be returning to my civilian job in Indiana.

Following your initial training (basic and AIT) you will be assigned to a unit within the state depending on your specialty (infantry, field artillery, truck driver, etc..). Then you will report for training at this location for one weekend a month. In the summer, you will have to train for 2 weeks.

You will be paid for all of your time. I can give you more specifics if you pm me.

 

[BumpShadow]

Wow BumpShadow, you act as though the National Guard is a bad thing...

danielocean03, I am in the Indiana Army National Guard. I have been in for a little over 8 years now and plan on staying for at least 20. There are many options available for someone wanting to join. I joined my freshman year of college and had them pay for the remainder of my school. I did take a semester off of school for basic and advanced individual training but I didn't have to.

After a few years enlisted, I decided to become an officer. Its not a bad gig. I did go to Afghanistan for a year but that wasn't very bad. My picture on the side is actually from Afghanistan with a jackal I shot there.

I am currently on active duty orders for Captain's Career Course in OK. Once I am finished here, I will be returning to my civilian job in Indiana.

Following your initial training (basic and AIT) you will be assigned to a unit within the state depending on your specialty (infantry, field artillery, truck driver, etc..). Then you will report for training at this location for one weekend a month. In the summer, you will have to train for 2 weeks.

You will be paid for all of your time. I can give you more specifics if you pm me.

No, I'm not. Just providing balance to the recuiter's is all. You're also not giving very many details, nor have you refuted anything I've said. you can take alot of A schools, but that has no bearing on your job when you get to your post. You fill whatever postions needs filled at the moment you get there. Also, moving up the chain is slower than full time. You basically have to wait for someone to retire to get a promotion.

As for over sea's, you drive trucks, or mmmaybe office work. Since full time army guy's and gal's are doing all the "cool" jobs, national guard plays filler. One might get "lucking" and be in a M117 or a hummer, buts it's basically the same thing.

Also, being an officer can be preety sweet, which is why its so rare an opening for one comes up, and competition can be fierce.

So, the national guard can be cool and pretty sweet, its that only for a select few. So like I said, good luck.

 

[Que]

DO03, I'm considering the same move. I have 11 years of active duty and I figure I will complete 20 if my current age doesn't disqualify me.

I can tell you, it won't be all the commercials put out there, but it will be an experience you will never regret, if you go in with the mindset to adapt and overcome. You may enlist to become an air traffic controller and only get to pull guard duty at the airstrip. You may enlist to be an administrative specialist and find yourself assigned to the motor pool. Every piece of the puzzle is important, so if you go in with the right attitude, you will love it.

Oh yeah, you know what is going on in the world, so if you decide to do it, make sure you and your family are prepared for a possible deployment. It really ticks me off when people join and then complain about being deployed.

You are young and in pretty good shape. Go Infantry and try to get Airborne and Ranger Schools if possible. I'm not sure how easy it is these days, but I enlisted a few Reserve members in my station with guaranteed Ranger School in their contracts. They also received college loan repayment and enlistment bonuses. Whatever you do, get all you can out of it.

 

[jd4320t]

I've been considering joining the Indiana National Guard. I'm sure there are at least a few of you out there who have been in the guard, what's involved, and would you do it again? Thanks in advance!

I've also been thinking about this. I'm wanting to learn as much as I can before I talk to a recruiter.

So, you go to basic for how long and how often are the start dates? After that do you come home and begin to report locally?

Thanks

 

[Sylvain]

Do you need to be a US citizen to join or can you be a foreign citizen?
I know that some people who serve in the US military are not US citizen, im wondering if it's the same for the guard.
Do you also need to be a resident of Indiana?

 

[BumpShadow]

I've also been thinking about this. I'm wanting to learn as much as I can before I talk to a recruiter.

So, you go to basic for how long and how often are the start dates? After that do you come home and begin to report locally?

Thanks

Basic is 6 weeks, I believe. New classes start every week. As for coming home, that depends on when your A school starts. Some do, some don't, some go to the base your A school is at and wait for weeks. It all depends and most of it is played by ear.

Also, know that the military is a very political organization. Alot of what you do or don't can be affected in a big way by who likes you and who doesn't. As Que said, you have to have the right mind set.

 

[E5RANGER375]

Do you need to be a US citizen to join or can you be a foreign citizen?
I know that some people who serve in the US military are not US citizen, im wondering if it's the same for the guard.
Do you also need to be a resident of Indiana?

i know people in the guard who live in other states. dont know if they lived here when they first joined though or not I know they dont like the drive for drill, LOL

 

[Sylvain]

i know people in the guard who live in other states. dont know if they lived here when they first joined though or not I know they dont like the drive for drill, LOL

And non-US citizens?

 

[E5RANGER375]

And non-US citizens?

sorry, i have no clue about the guard on that one. but im sure someone will be along shortly who does and will answer it for you.

 

[joslar15]

I've been considering joining the Indiana National Guard. I'm sure there are at least a few of you out there who have been in the guard, what's involved, and would you do it again? Thanks in advance!

I spent 6 years in Air Guard as a radio operator. Had my color vision been better, I'd have had a back seat in the F-4; kinda shows my age a bit.

6 weeks basic, then tech school-length depends on your field. Drill one weekend/month and two weeks annual training.

If I had the chance to do over but still color deficient, I'd go active duty Marines.

With the current situation in the world, my hat is off to you!

 

[hornadylnl]

If taking orders from a Staff Sergeant who can't hold a job at a convenient store or has to have people bring him to drill because he can't keep a running vehicle is your thing...

If having to sit on a bus for hours with a Sergeant (who is on work release) whose idea of a successful drill is eating the right food combination to produce vomit inducing gas is your thing...

If working along side 18-20 yo kids who have to have mommy and daddy drop them off at drill is your thing...

I could go on.

I suggest you go to as many local weekend drills as you can. Get a good look at their faces and look for them on people of walmart. I did my 4 years and never looked back.

 

[PistolBob]

Army Basic Training is 9 weeks in length currently, it can also be ten weeks depending on where you go. Ft. Benning Georgia has training they are beta testing that is up to 23 weeks but I think that includes basic and AIT. USMC is 13 weeks plus MCT (Marine Combat Training). Good luck, I know a lot of guys loving the retirement bennies and their almost free education.

 

[hornadylnl]

Army Basic Training is 9 weeks in length currently, it can also be ten weeks depending on where you go. Ft. Benning Georgia has training they are beta testing that is up to 23 weeks but I think that includes basic and AIT. USMC is 13 weeks plus MCT (Marine Combat Training). Good luck, I know a lot of guys loving the retirement bennies and their almost free education.

What are the retirement bennies? A pension you have to wait until you're 60 to collect? VA health that you probably don't live anywhere near?

 

[PistolBob]

What are the retirement bennies? A pension you have to wait until you're 60 to collect? VA health that you probably don't live anywhere near?

Tri Care health insurance for retirees and their families do not require you to visit a VA hospital. Access to the commissary at Camp Atterbury is nice to have. That monthly paycheck is nice, and you don't have to be 60 to collect it. Your info on current bennies is not up to date.

 

[Bunnykid68]

If you want to work for big brother

 

[ljadayton]

Tri Care health insurance for retirees and their families do not require you to visit a VA hospital. Access to the commissary at Camp Atterbury is nice to have. That monthly paycheck is nice, and you don't have to be 60 to collect it. Your info on current bennies is not up to date.

Don't forget access to the PX at Fort Ben in Lawrence. You collect retirement WHEN YOU RETIRE, whatever age you are

 

[ljadayton]

Wow BumpShadow, you act as though the National Guard is a bad thing...

danielocean03, I am in the Indiana Army National Guard. I have been in for a little over 8 years now and plan on staying for at least 20. There are many options available for someone wanting to join. I joined my freshman year of college and had them pay for the remainder of my school. I did take a semester off of school for basic and advanced individual training but I didn't have to.

After a few years enlisted, I decided to become an officer. Its not a bad gig. I did go to Afghanistan for a year but that wasn't very bad. My picture on the side is actually from Afghanistan with a jackal I shot there.

I am currently on active duty orders for Captain's Career Course in OK. Once I am finished here, I will be returning to my civilian job in Indiana.

Following your initial training (basic and AIT) you will be assigned to a unit within the state depending on your specialty (infantry, field artillery, truck driver, etc..). Then you will report for training at this location for one weekend a month. In the summer, you will have to train for 2 weeks.

You will be paid for all of your time. I can give you more specifics if you pm me.

THIS sounds more like MY experience with the Army (and NO, before someone asks, I was not the service member)

No, I'm not. Just providing balance to the recuiter's is all. You're also not giving very many details, nor have you refuted anything I've said. you can take alot of A schools, but that has no bearing on your job when you get to your post. You fill whatever postions needs filled at the moment you get there. Also, moving up the chain is slower than full time. You basically have to wait for someone to retire to get a promotion.

As for over sea's, you drive trucks, or mmmaybe office work. Since full time army guy's and gal's are doing all the "cool" jobs, national guard plays filler. One might get "lucking" and be in a M117 or a hummer, buts it's basically the same thing.

Also, being an officer can be preety sweet, which is why its so rare an opening for one comes up, and competition can be fierce.

So, the national guard can be cool and pretty sweet, its that only for a select few. So like I said, good luck.

Are you only going by your girlfriend's experience or do you have other knowledge? I would say that this situation you're describing (you'll always drive a truck, no matter what you enlist for) sounds a bit extreme. Does everyone learn to drive a truck? Yeah, I'm sure they do. There's a reason for that. If you're on a convoy, admin assistant Bump, and a truck driver gets taken out, who's gonna drive? ANYONE who gets in that seat. And yes, there's less chance for advancement. It's also a part time job. Show me a part time job with incredible advancement? My part time people haven't a snow balls chance at becoming a manager.

DO03, I'm considering the same move. I have 11 years of active duty and I figure I will complete 20 if my current age doesn't disqualify me.

I can tell you, it won't be all the commercials put out there, but it will be an experience you will never regret, if you go in with the mindset to adapt and overcome. You may enlist to become an air traffic controller and only get to pull guard duty at the airstrip. You may enlist to be an administrative specialist and find yourself assigned to the motor pool. Every piece of the puzzle is important, so if you go in with the right attitude, you will love it.

Oh yeah, you know what is going on in the world, so if you decide to do it, make sure you and your family are prepared for a possible deployment. It really ticks me off when people join and then complain about being deployed.

You are young and in pretty good shape. Go Infantry and try to get Airborne and Ranger Schools if possible. I'm not sure how easy it is these days, but I enlisted a few Reserve members in my station with guaranteed Ranger School in their contracts. They also received college loan repayment and enlistment bonuses. Whatever you do, get all you can out of it.

I've considered the reserves but I have committments here that prevent that. Deployment is a very very real possibility, for ANYONE that enlists. Reserve, NG or AD. Deployment is equal opportunity.

Also, know that the military is a very political organization. Alot of what you do or don't can be affected in a big way by who likes you and who doesn't. As Que said, you have to have the right mind set

The militarty IS a very very big organization that is broken down into many smaller organizations that fit together in the HUGE picture of things. They need each other to function properly. I wouldn't go so far as to say it's a matter of whether they "like" you or not. If you whine about stupid ****, guess who's getting the **** jobs? If you step up and do what you're told with no complaint, guess who's going to get promoted? My ex husband is one of THE most antisocial people I've ever met and he made rank fairly easily (E7 by 30) because he did his job and worked hard. Not kissed butt. Yes, you have to have that mind set, that you're there to gain something but in order to gain, you have to give something as well.

i know people in the guard who live in other states. dont know if they lived here when they first joined though or not I know they dont like the drive for drill, LOL

IDK about NG but I know with the Reserves you can live in another state.

If taking orders from a Staff Sergeant who can't hold a job at a convenient store or has to have people bring him to drill because he can't keep a running vehicle is your thing...

If having to sit on a bus for hours with a Sergeant (who is on work release) whose idea of a successful drill is eating the right food combination to produce vomit inducing gas is your thing...

If working along side 18-20 yo kids who have to have mommy and daddy drop them off at drill is your thing...

I could go on.

I suggest you go to as many local weekend drills as you can. Get a good look at their faces and look for them on people of walmart. I did my 4 years and never looked back.

That would all depend on the unit.

 

[CombatVet]

No, I'm not. Just providing balance to the recuiter's is all. You're also not giving very many details, nor have you refuted anything I've said. you can take alot of A schools, but that has no bearing on your job when you get to your post. You fill whatever postions needs filled at the moment you get there. Also, moving up the chain is slower than full time. You basically have to wait for someone to retire to get a promotion.

As for over sea's, you drive trucks, or mmmaybe office work. Since full time army guy's and gal's are doing all the "cool" jobs, national guard plays filler. One might get "lucking" and be in a M117 or a hummer, buts it's basically the same thing.

Also, being an officer can be preety sweet, which is why its so rare an opening for one comes up, and competition can be fierce.

So, the national guard can be cool and pretty sweet, its that only for a select few. So like I said, good luck.

This stuff mightbe true if you're a female. It's not true for males. I did 8 years before receiving a medical discharge due to combat related injuries.

OP, generally unless you're infantry/MP/an officer you wont always be doing what you signed up for. I was one of those people they turned into a driver/mule. When I went over seas I became a bodyguard for a some Warrant Officers. I didn't do what I went to AIT for except for 1 hour a week when I was in the desert. Generally the higher ranks did the jobs they were trained for. We were so low on Infantry/grunts they turned most of us into that.

The problem with not be able to "do your job" in the guard is that there is a full time guy already doing it 5 days a week. So when drill rolls around he's already got it covered. It's true in some units everyone is just a truck driver, but not all. There are some highspeed units out there that do work. If you're body can take it I would highly recommend Infantry work. You're not going to get bored, but you'll have to learn to love sleeping in a ****ty as pup tent even when it's ****ing cold out.

I've obviously been out of the game for a while (since 08) and things have changed quite a bit. All the people I still know in are at least E-6 and make it seem like drill weekend is all work work work. They're all full time too so YMMV.

Good luck with your decisions and let me know if I can provide any more suggestions.