[mustangmanic]

Ok guys, i've been thinking about this long and hard for awhile now. I think i may want to enlist in the national guard/reserves.
College just isn't going the way it should be going and i'm not doing too well. I'm hoping that if i join, it will give me the determination to do better when i get out of the service.

I have a couple of questions though, for some of those who know much about it or those that are in the service.

I really really dont want to go over to iraq! I DO NOT support the war at all. Would there be a big chance that after boot that i would be sent over there?

What is pay like? I wont be making a career out of this at all, but i am in need for $ right now... and for the next few years, for i'm going to try and establish a home

I'm sure more questions will pop up over the time of this thread. Thx guys!

[beastGT]

im interested in this as well, i know a guy who joined the army and got like a 20k bonus after bootcamp....intriguing I know it shouldnt be all about the money but in this day and age it pretty much is

[mustangmanic]

Originally Posted by beastGT im interested in this as well, i know a guy who joined the army and got like a 20k bonus after bootcamp....intriguing I know it shouldnt be all about the money but in this day and age it pretty much is

Thats crazy money man!
I dont want to go just for the $, i want to go for the honor, and i want to learn much needed disciplin. I do really need $ though, and my current job just isnt cutting it.

[WLJohnson05]

well most likely u wont be going to iraq, obama will send u to afghanistan

money is decent from what i understand but ur not gonna become a baller from it.

and as far as establishing a home, they can send u all over the place to work, so who knows where u might be. its not gonna be quick money either...u have to go thru ur basic and all that and it is a big commitment

[vfast]

don't do it

[mustangmanic]

Originally Posted by vfast don't do it

why not?

[Tony_90fox]

If you have no interest in going to Iraq or Afghanistan, DON'T JOIN.

If you do it for the money, you will kick yourself in the ass... For the record, I made more money making $9 an hour at one job than i do in the military.

But I love what I do and I WANT to go overseas. I hate the NG right now. I want to go active but can't for like 6 more months due to their rules.

National Guard says they give you 20K, but it's really $7100 after AIT, and $7100 in another 3-4 years.

[mustangmanic]

Originally Posted by Tony_90fox If you have no interest in going to Iraq or Afghanistan, DON'T JOIN. If you do it for the money, you will kick yourself in the ass... For the record, I made more money making $9 an hour at one job than i do in the military. But I love what I do and I WANT to go overseas. I hate the NG right now. I want to go active but can't for like 6 more months due to their rules. National Guard says they give you 20K, but it's really $7100 after AIT, and $7100 in another 3-4 years.

whats AIT?

God so the pay is really that bad?

I dont have a huge problem going overseas, i mean, i'll most def do it, i just would like to be in a green zone lol... i dont wanna spend every day fearing if this will be my last haha. Thats not healthy living.

[WLJohnson05]

Originally Posted by mustangmanic whats AIT? God so the pay is really that bad? I dont have a huge problem going overseas, i mean, i'll most def do it, i just would like to be in a green zone lol... i dont wanna spend every day fearing if this will be my last haha. Thats not healthy living.

i dont think its that bad, plus u have ur signing during war time bonus dont ya?

[Tony_90fox]

AIT is like your job training...Advanced Individual Training...After learning the basics at Basic Training, you then go into AIT and learn your job or MOS.

The pay isn't bad..I mean, you get your meals for free, free living, and healthcare and shit...I mean, i only spent about $200 total during basic training and AIT...So i had close to 4K in the bank when i was done...

I mean of course there are NON combat MOS'. but why take the chance if you fear dying so much? I would gladly die for my country and I'm in a combat MOS.

Just don't join for the wrong reasons man...you'll end up hating the military and that wouldnt be good.

[WLJohnson05]

Originally Posted by Tony_90fox AIT is like your job training...Advanced Individual Training...After learning the basics at Basic Training, you then go into AIT and learn your job or MOS. The pay isn't bad..I mean, you get your meals for free, free living, and healthcare and shit...I mean, i only spent about $200 total during basic training and AIT...So i had close to 4K in the bank when i was done... I mean of course there are NON combat MOS'. but why take the chance if you fear dying so much? I would gladly die for my country and I'm in a combat MOS. Just don't join for the wrong reasons man...you'll end up hating the military and that wouldnt be good.

exactly...if ur just doing it for money seriously dont even think about it.

[AndrewA.]

Originally Posted by Tony_90fox Just don't join for the wrong reasons man...you'll end up hating the military and that wouldnt be good.

+1 and the military is not for you.

[Regency 2007]

Join the military but don't want to risk the chance o going to war.....

[mustangmanic]

Originally Posted by Regency 2007 Join the military but don't want to risk the chance o going to war.....

Like i said b4, i would most def go, i just dont want to.
There would be no complaining or regret on my part, i would know that it was my duty and i chose to take part in it.

[AndrewA.]

Originally Posted by mustangmanic Like i said b4, i would most def go, i just dont want to. There would be no complaining or regret on my part, i would know that it was my duty and i chose to take part in it.

They only way to "make" money with guard/reserve is to be in school.

My drill pay is 340 (minus what i put into TSP) comes out to be little over 200
GI BIll is 860 a mounth (alittle higher because i have deployed)
Than i had a sign on bounus of 8,000 that i recieved over a period of 6yrs.

There is a new GIBIll that just got passed and will start i think Aug 2009. Its a way better deal but im still iffy if it will be THAT good.

[mustangmanic]

Originally Posted by AndrewA. They only way to "make" money with guard/reserve is to be in school. My drill pay is 340 (minus what i put into TSP) comes out to be little over 200 GI BIll is 860 a mounth (alittle higher because i have deployed) Than i had a sign on bounus of 8,000 that i recieved over a period of 6yrs. There is a new GIBIll that just got passed and will start i think Aug 2009. Its a way better deal but im still iffy if it will be THAT good.

You see... i'll still be in school when i'm in the guard... at least thats what i plan on doing.
i still plan on graduating with a major in business finance and management and a minor in entreprenuership

[AndrewA.]

Go for it. But in IMO make a career out of the guard/reserve. Once you get out of school you do one weekend 2wks a year for 20yrs and your guaranteed retirement(not a lot). And you always have a fall back if anything happens with your "real" job.

[mustangmanic]

Originally Posted by AndrewA. Go for it. But in IMO make a career out of the guard/reserve. Once you get out of school you do one weekend 2wks a year for 20yrs and your guaranteed retirement(not a lot). And you always have a fall back if anything happens with your "real" job.

you know what man... thats a very great way too look at it.

[Tony_90fox]

just know that there are more guard/reserve troops in Iraq right now.

The NG is great if you want to finish school. I'm tired of school..I can finish in a few years after i serve active duty time.

Good luck with your decision Pat

[mustangmanic]

Originally Posted by Tony_90fox just know that there are more guard/reserve troops in Iraq right now. The NG is great if you want to finish school. I'm tired of school..I can finish in a few years after i serve active duty time. Good luck with your decision Pat

Thanks Tony.
I'll be making my final decision by Christmas. By then i will have done much research and thinking and i know i'll choose right.