38 and joining the guard. I'm impressed.  Basic liked to killed me when I was 20.

I am in the 36th Brigade, 49th Armored Division.
Do it.
We have some ANCIENT people hanging around.
It is low key, nobody gets their panties in a bunch about stupid stuff, and, the best part, everyone wants to be there.  Unlike active duty (where I spent 9 years) there isn't a bunch of whining punks crying how they have to camo up and go to the field.  "I just joined for the college money."
I have enjoyed the texas guard much more than I thought.

if you are prior service and have been out less than 2 years you can skip basic.  Back 2 summers ago when i was at ITB, we had 2 prior enlisted in my company alone who had served in special forces (18E and 18C) but were out for 10 years (both were hovering 40 years old).  They said they were going to regular units and had to go through a re orientation program to get back into SF after they graduated ITB and were sent off to a unit.   cnt remember the 18cs name but the 18E was Spc Murray or Murry.  He had been bumped down from e-6 and the other guy was bumped fown to e4 from SFC.  There was also a pv2 who had a 7id patch and a CIB who was a cop after panama for like 8 years and he was going through again.  He had been a SSG before.
As far as joining the guard well hope you are in a good unit.  Its a shame but some of the units are the exact stereotype people have of the guard

Going NG or USAR prior service you don't have to do basic again, but going back active they will make you sometimes.

Do it!!!

those guys i mentioned were active, i figured it was the same

that is the truth.  In august we recieved "rumors" our unit was getting deployed.  Now it is official and we are set for Ft Braqgg 3 Feb 03 for trainup then Guantanamo Bay Cuba 2 months after that.  We already have an infantry battalion down at bragg since the beginning of october and they are almost ready to roll out of there