Okay, I need your guys help.  Since I was introduced to this site, I've always found the people to be friendly and informative on a variety of subjects, and hope this is no different.

I'm considering joining the Air National Guard here in Ohio, and was wondering if anybody can tell me how long I will gone.  I know it is six weeks for basic training, but how long after before you start tech school, and how does that work in the guard?

My MOS would be either Intelligence Applications or Security Forces, I haven't made my mind up yet.

Thanks ahead of time for any info provided.


-"All that is necessary for the triumph of evil, is for a few good men to do nothing."
Sir Edmund Burke

I'm sure it is entirely dependant on your tech school.

After that, it's off to Iraq for a year.

Have fun airman!

Yeah,

Tech school is 9 to 24 weeks long depending upon the specialty.  I was wondering how long I have before I start.  I'm just trying to figure out things from an income and absence standpoint.  I've got a wife and a little girl, and I would be taking a pay cut while I'm training, so I need to see if it's financially feasible, because we're saving for a house.

Quoted: Yeah, Tech school is 9 to 24 weeks long depending upon the specialty.  I was wondering how long I have before I start.  I'm just trying to figure out things from an income and absence standpoint.  I've got a wife and a little girl, and I would be taking a pay cut while I'm training, so I need to see if it's financially feasible, because we're saving for a house.

I'm probably not the most knowledgable, but my experience was that the MEPS wanted to time my entry so that I graduated from boot camp and then went straight to school.

Yep it depends on your school. I was an Aerospace Propulsion Specialist lol (Jet engine Mechanic). That was 11 more weeks of school. You are active duty until you get done with school and OJT.    

I went straight to school.

Quoted: I'm probably not the most knowledgable, but my experience was that the MEPS wanted to time my entry so that I graduated from boot camp and then went straight to school.

Thanks,

That's what I kinda figured.  Sometimes it seems so hard to get a straight answer from a recruiter on these things, that why I came here.

Quoted: Yeah, Tech school is 9 to 24 weeks long depending upon the specialty.  I was wondering how long I have before I start.  I'm just trying to figure out things from an income and absence standpoint.  I've got a wife and a little girl, and I would be taking a pay cut while I'm training, so I need to see if it's financially feasible, because we're saving for a house.

I am talking about the Army National Guard, but I can write split train contracts. These allow you to ship to Basic Training, come home then have up to 1 yr to go back to AIT. You also pick when you ship to basic, allows for more prep time and extra monthly income doing drills to prep for basic. Problem with that is you postpone your bonus, and unit training/activites. You are also undeployable during that time. It was designed mostly for HS and College Students. Sometimes helps if you cannot afford the full hit at once for income. You should also qualify for Seperation pay during training, extra $250.00/month. I don't know if you were told about that. Ask your recruiter if they offer split train.

Definitely wasn't told about any of those things, Taelil.  What is separation pay exactly?  Is that because I'm married.

I was just looking on the Army National Guard website, and apparently they also have the same MOS, here in Ohio.  Do you think there is much difference between the two?

Quoted: I was just looking on the Army National Guard website, and apparently they also have the same MOS, here in Ohio.  Do you think there is much difference between the two?

Oooh I hope I don't get in trouble for posting this... Buuuuut...

If you sign up for the Army you'll see more minorities (much more) and more dumbasses (not necessarily tying the two together - I'm not).  More running too.

In the Air Guard it depends on whether or not you can get a tech school slot right after basic. Sometimes we have guys come back to the unit after basic till a slot comes open than they go back down to tech school at a later date.  Getting a tech school slot in SF shouldn't be a problem, Intel is smaller career field & school = Less slots esp for ANG.

No offense but both your AFSC choices blow chunks esp the Intel one .... Spend a drill weekend with each AFSC before you make a decision/sign ...

Why is it exactly they blow chunks? he
I would like to do something that has civillian world applications, so if you have any suggestions I'm open to hear them.

Like the man said.  Spend a weekend down at the base during a drill.  Spend a day with an airman of both AFSCs (Intel may be a little tougher, but they'll still get you the idea).

If you're talking about Rickenbaker (sp) they fly KC-135s, and the intel side of that may not be the most exciting.  They usually just give us briefings of information they find on the siprnet.

Security forces will put you watching a gate or a red line.  And your chances of spending some time in the sand go way up.

You may also want to consider doing something completely different.  I, for one, work on computers full time, am a volunteer firefighter, and an EMT.  All of those have good career fields in the guard.  I chose to be a crew chief.  I figured I wanted to do something completely different than in the real world, plus I get to travel.

Whatever you choose, good luck.

Dude, from one Air Guardsman to another... do yourself a favor and DON'T join as Security Forces.  Those guys are (insert degrading comment here).  If there's a local flying until see what flying jobs are available.  

~Dg84

Quoted: Why is it exactly they blow chunks? My career is in law enforcement/security, and I'm in the process of starting my own investigations company, so I figured that these would be the most beneficial, and geared more towards my personality. I would like to do something that has civillian world applications, so if you have any suggestions I'm open to hear them.

The Cop job would be better for you since you are in LE. Intell can be boring depending what job intell ya get, you could be staring at photos of shit from recon pics or listeining to mores code and radio shit all day it all depends.

Now the cop job can be boring also. Standing at a gate or ECP(Entry Control Point) is pretty dull cause ya can't do anything but watch the gate or ECP. Or ya might be assinged to the Law enforcement side of the house and patrol the base in a crusier or truck (most of those jobs are reserved for higher rank). It really depends on your base.

You will get deployed to the middle east. There seems to always be a shortage of cops, you can count on being deployed atleast 4 months. Talk to the AG unit recuriter not one at the stripmall. You should be able to do the split enlistment (go home at end of Basic). It all depends on the needs of the unit though. I trian the AG and Res along with AD down at LAFB.

Most importantly talk to members of that unit in both of those jobs. Pick which one you want to do. IM if ya have any more questions if ya want. If I don't know I will find them for you. Good luck      

It is amazing how much somebody can learn in such a short time on this site.  The intel unit is with the 178th Fighter Wing based out of Toledo.  I didn't know that I could spend time with a unit, without actually joining.

I haven't heard good things about SF, so I value the added opinion.  I do investigations and interrogations ("Interviews" to be business PC) for a retail company concerning internal theft, and I was looking for something that will help me branch out as I expand my company, so eventually I can work for myself.

Quoted: It is amazing how much somebody can learn in such a short time on this site.  The intel unit is with the 178th Fighter Wing based out of Toledo.  I didn't know that I could spend time with a unit, without actually joining. I haven't heard good things about SF, so I value the added opinion.  I do investigations and interrogations ("Interviews" to be business PC) for a retail company concerning internal theft, and I was looking for something that will help me branch out as I expand my company, so eventually I can work for myself.

You mean 180th out of Toledo

If you wanna be intel, study up on your power point and coffee making skills.

If you hate public speaking, you'll hate intel.

OH! I love these!!!

Quoted: Dude, from one Air Guardsman to another... do yourself a favor and DON'T join as Security Forces.  Those guys are (insert degrading comment here).  If there's a local flying until see what flying jobs are available.   ~Dg84

Mall Ninja Wannabe's

Lily livered Jarheads

Tough guy impersonators with pretty white gloves

Weekend Rent-a-cops

The only thing standing between the reserve air station and the liquor store

j/k - take a joke ladies, take a joke.

Quoted: Definitely wasn't told about any of those things, Taelil.  What is separation pay exactly?  Is that because I'm married. I was just looking on the Army National Guard website, and apparently they also have the same MOS, here in Ohio.  Do you think there is much difference between the two?

Sep Pay is because your married with dependants. Go talk to the Army National Guard recruiter also. Shop around this is a life changing decision.

A couple of thoughts- Army National Guard has more MOS choices, More drilling locations. We are not cutting back Soldiers we are absorbing Airmen and Sailors while those branches downsize. I do not want this to sound negative, but it is something to think about. BUT, there are vast differances. Including deployments of up to 18 months with us, my friends wife deploys out 30 days in the Air Guard as an SP. She has a 2 week deployment coming up. She works a gate, she guards aircraft and is an E7. Boooring. Research everything, and ask to visit unit drills. This weekend many units will be training get out there and observe.

Taelil,
If I didn't know better I'd say you sound like an Army National Guard Recruiter +1,000 on the Army National Guard.If money is a motivator the Army guard is offering some real attractive bonus's. My personal recommendation would be to look into Army Avaition, little more laid back than MP's or Comabt Arms .

It's the 178th out of Springfield, my bad.