If you think that joining the National Guard is a good idea you need to consider one more thing: there are many career paths that you can follow. In other words, you do not just join the Guard. Instead, you have to choose a career and job that suits your personality and skills.
Don’t know which National Guard career is best for you? Fortunately, you are going to get a little bit of help thanks to the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery. In short, this test measures your skills in a variety of areas. In turn, it will help you find the National Guard career that is best for you.
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10 of the most popular National Guard careers:
1. Aviation. Some members of the National Guard spend their time on the battlefield. But don’t forget that controlling the sky is also very important. A career in aviation is a great choice. Even if you don’t want to be a pilot, there are many other jobs to consider including: crew chief, aircraft mechanic, aircraft electrician, helicopter repairer, and air traffic control operator.
2. Medical. Do you enjoy helping others? Have you always wanted a career in the medical field? If so, the National Guard has many opportunities for you to choose from. No matter if you help with day to day medical tasks or emergencies, there is a place for you in this branch of the military. Some of the most common job opportunities include: dental specialist, radiology specialist, preventative medicine specialist, health care specialist, and mental health specialist. Do any of these National Guard medical jobs sound interesting to you?
3. Military police. Somebody needs to enforce the law and secure bases. As a member of the military police, that somebody can be you. The job of keeping other soldiers safe is a big one. If you want to become a civilian police officer at some point in the future, it makes good sense to get your start in the military police ? you will not regret this decision.
4. Transportation. Are you interested in transporting members of the National Guard around the world? Do you have the desire to supply troops with everything they need? If you answered yes to either of these questions you should consider a transportation career. Jobs in this field include but are not limited to: cargo specialist, watercraft engineer, motor transport operator, railway equipment repairer, and railway operations crewmember.
5. Mechanic. If you like working with your hands you should consider a mechanic and maintenance career in the National Guard. The machines used by the Guard need to stay in good working order, day after day. As a mechanic, this will be your job. There are many mechanic jobs to consider, including: fire control repairer, utilities equipment repairer, construction equipment repairer, wheeled vehicle mechanic, and air traffic control equipment repairer.
6. Military intelligence. One of the most exciting career fields offered by the National Guard is military intelligence. If advanced technology and intel get you excited, this is the career path for you. Jobs include: information technology specialist, cable systems installer, microwave systems operator, visual information equipment operator, and signal support systems specialist.
7. Engineer. Have you always dreamed of being an engineer? If so, you can get your start in the National Guard. With this career, you can get involved with construction and demolition projects all over the world. From surveying to building bridges, there is no shortage of excitement. Consider the following jobs: combat engineer, bridge crewmember, horizontal construction engineer, interior electrician, or technical engineer.
8. Administrative. Joining the National Guard does not mean you are going to be on the front line, fighting the enemy. Believe it or not, there are many people behind the scenes working on basic office related tasks. These administrative jobs are very important to the smooth operation of the National Guard. If you are the type who enjoys office work, you should consider one of the following administrative jobs: civil affairs specialist, paralegal specialist, administrative specialist, public affairs broadcast specialist, and financial management technician.
9. Interpreter. It is important that the National Guard has interpreters and translators available at all times. If you are interested in understanding and speaking a foreign language, you can put this desire to good use in the Guard. As an interpreter or translator you will get all of the following, plus much more: sign on bonus, English training, and entry into the National Guard at a higher rank.
10. Armor and Field Artillery. From long range firepower to quick strikes, the National Guard has many weapons to deploy when needed. Of course, there must be people who know how to use these weapons in an effective manner. There are many armor and field artillery jobs, with some of the most common including: fire support specialist, cannon crewmember, field artillery firefinder radar operator, cavalry scout, and armor crewman.
No matter which National Guard career path you choose, you are going to start off with 10 weeks of Basic Combat Training. Once complete, you will move onto Advanced Individual Training. The length of time that this training lasts depends on your career path and job specialty. Some people only go through four weeks of training; others have to train for a year or longer.
Which one of these 10 National Guard careers is best for you?
Armor and Field Artillery
I really want to join the national gaurd and I am thinking about going to be a number 4 a transportation man because I think that will make me happy just like sergeant williams told me.