10 Questions to Answer before Joining the National Guard

Those who are seriously interested in joining the National Guard have a big decision to make. This is not something to take lightly. You are making a decision that will change your life forever. Most people agree that joining the National Guard is a great choice. Not only will this help you improve as a person, but you are protecting your country at the same time.

Before we go any further, you may want to request additional information on the National Guard. This will help you make up your mind once and for all.

By answering the following 10 questions you will also get a better feel for whether or not the National Guard is the best choice for you at the present time:

1. Which enlisted career field is best for me?

If you are going to join the National Guard you might as well get involved with a career field that you will enjoy. Not only will you follow this career path while in the Guard, the skills that you learn can be put to good use when you head into the civilian job market.

Your career options include: aviation, military policy, medical, infantry, field artillery and armor, logistics support, transportation, signal and military intelligence, mechanic and maintenance, administrative, engineer, interpreter and translators, and Special Forces.

Now that you more about career paths you should see several that would suit you well.

2. Which job within my career field is best for me?

Choosing a career is different than choosing a job. For example, you may be interested in following a transportation career path. Within this field there are several jobs to consider. Some of them include: cargo specialist, watercraft engineer, motor transport operator, railway equipment repairer, and watercraft operator.

Every career field entails several jobs. Choose the one that will get you excited about going to work in the morning.

3. How long do I have to sign up for?

When you sign up for the National Guard you are making a big commitment. Your enlistment period will be eight years. That being said, you can serve three or six years, and then move onto serving the rest in the Individual Ready Reserve.

You should discuss this point with your recruiter before making a decision.

4. Can members of the National Guard be sent into combat?

It may not be as common as other military branches, but the answer is yes ? you can be sent into combat as a member of the National Guard. You never know when you will be called upon to protect your country overseas or domestically. One thing is for sure, though: you must always be ready just in case you are called upon to serve in this capacity.

5. Can I speak with a National Guard recruiter to learn more?

Most definitely! In fact, this is something that you must do if you are thinking about joining the National Guard. The first step is to find a National Guard Recruiting Center in your area. From there, you can make an appointment to learn more about the requirements and benefits of joining.

Before you meet with your recruiter put together a list of questions (these ones are a good place to start) that you want to ask. This will help ensure that you get the answers needed to make a decision.

6. Do I get paid for joining the National Guard?

Nobody joins the National Guard for the money. Of course, you are going to get paid for your service. It is important to note that some jobs pay more than others. You will be paid based on the number of years you have served as well as your rank. Along with this, bonuses are available.

Depending on your state, you may receive a bonus for becoming an officer or getting involved with a critical skill position.

7. How long do I have to train for my National Guard job?

Upon joining the National Guard you will be sent for 10 weeks of Basic Combat Training. This is something that all new members of the Guard go through.
Once you are done with basic training, it is time to move onto Advanced Individual Training. The time that you spend on this type of training depends on your job specialty. Some jobs only require four to eight weeks of Advanced Individual Training. Others, though, call for as much as one year.

Before choosing a career and job, it is good to know how much training you will have to go through.

8. How do I become an officer?

If you have the dream of becoming an officer in the National Guard you are not alone. This is something that many people strive for. There are several ways to become an officer. If you are going to college, the best way to get prepared is through the ROTC program.

As with all questions, you should direct this one at your recruiter. This way you know exactly what you have to do to become an officer in the future.

9. Where can I find more information?

There are many ways to find information on the National Guard. For example, you can request a free information packet. Along with this, there are plenty of details online.

If you are looking for the best answers from a qualified representative, you should contact the local National Guard Recruiting Center. It is best to collect as much information as you can before you make a decision for or against joining.

10. Am I ready to change my life by becoming a member of the National Guard?

You can collect as much information as you want, but in the end this is the question that you have to answer. Nobody can answer this question for you. Sure, you can ask others for advice and/or speak with a National Guard recruiter but in the end the decision is yours and yours alone.