I want to join up in the National guard, I was looking at the jobs and Infantry looks great, whats the point in joining the Guard or the army if you can't do something that you like.

Playing in the dirt, fighting and shooting looks fun but...

everytime I tell someone that I want to be infantry they give me this look like "what the hell is wrong with you???"

and its not just civilians people who have been in the military are trying to talk me out of it too.

so is infantry that bad?? Is it so physically demanding that many don't want to do it?

 It doesn't matter what anyone else says.  If it is what you want to do, then do it and don't worry about what anyone else has to say.  
 You might like it and you might not.  only you can say.

yeah I guess your right, its just people make it out like its so horrible.

maybe they're giving you funny looks because you're not joining full-time?  that's the only reason I'd give you a funny look [;D]

of course, I'm an infantryman in the National Guard who's going active as soon as I finish my degree.

When joining the Guard or Reserves always(ALWAYS!!!) go combat arms.  You have a real job Monday thru Friday, do ya wanna turn a wrench or massage a keyboard on the weekend too?

FUCK NO!

If you're gonna be a weekend warrior, be a weekend warrior, not a weekend pogue.

I'm NG infantry, Illinois.  If you have any questions, email me at [email protected] and I will try to answer them for you.

Are you in a state where you might be called up for riot duty?  Will you get rotated into any of the following - Bosnia, Serbiaa, guarding AF bases here?

Will your current employer maintain your pay and benefits if any of the above happen?  Can you support your family on active duty lower enlisted pay and benefits?

Like it or not the Guard is not the fun on weekends with the boys it used to be.  If you wanna be and can afford to be a real soldier OK, if not, give it a good think.    Check with other units, a buddy of mine is First Sgt in a Weaps Plt of a Cav unit.  Big mortars out of tracks and rifles, too.  Why stick with rifles when you might get something that makes abigger boom?

No family to support just want to do it to serve my country while I am in college and then go in full time after college.

In your case it might be a good deal. I'd still check on what deployments might be scheduled.  Some units know fairly far in advance.  I'd hate to be in my last quarter and get mobilized, although in that case you might still get commissioned if thaat was in the works.

For a guy with a family, it might be a real challenge.  (I and about half my USNR unit got mobilized for GW1 and spent 10-13 months overseas.  One or two guys took some major financial hits.  Computer geeks, They figured the 2 weeks in Subic a year was worth sticking around for, the year at E-4 and E-5 was tough.)

No! Join the Infantry, and enjoy it. I spent four years in the Regular Army and 2 years in the NG as a Infantryman. Best thing to do in the service. People make fun of the Infantry and think you are stupid for being a grunt, but tell them like I do, nobody ever made a movie about REMF's.

And never forget [b]IF YOU AIN'T INFANTRY, YOU AIN'T SH*T![/b]

It requires a lot more intelligence to be a grunt than most people realize. How many of these people that have been in the military were actually in the combat arms?

Are you an idiot? Hell no! You are one who is willing to step up to the challenge and serve your country.

More people should be doing what you want to do.

Do it, you won't regret it.

coltcarbine,
US Army, 67T10
'87-'91

If not Infantry, then go Combat Engineer (12B).  You build and blow-up stuff, as well as reorganize to be ready to fight as the maneuver commander's reserve Infantry force on the battlefield.  In the field, you may also get attached to go on patrols with the Cav Scouts to do recons (obstacle, engineer, bridge, target, route, etc.) or conduct a pre-breach.  

You get to do all that combat stuff, attend hooah schools, and you won't get any "what the hell is wrong with you" looks if you say you are in the Army Engineer Corps.

I was going 11B Airborne Ranger, but MEPS kicked me back for medical.  I was 28.  The medical kick back was due to a wreck that broke my wrist (hand almost off), collapsed lung and C4 spine fracture (hairline).  The wreck was what made me decide to (try to) do it.  I'd wanted to do that since I was 12, but didn't for other people's reasons.  What I mean is do what [b][u]you[/b][/u] want to do, don't get 33 and regret it.

TS

They caught me on the collapsed lung, the scar where they had opened me up, put a hose in and re-inflated my lung.

I was a infantry airborne it's a lot of fun when you get to do stuff but, I would strongly suggest trying to be MP if you can though. If you want to be a policeman or security or something this is looked very high upon. Jumping out of planes and killing people doesn't really lead to too many job careers.

Sure, you're an idiot.[:)] But then again, I was a Marine infantryman when I was 18. It's [b]YOUR[/b] life!

"Pay the artillery, feed the cavalry and lie to the infantry."
Had it on my wall for most of the 28 years I did in the USAR, 14 of which were in a field artillery unit.  Saddest thing in '94 when combat arms units were all transferred to the NG.  Anyway, another poster said it best.  If you turn a wrench or punch a keyboard, why do it on weekends too!?
Keep in mind you could get called up to just guard some airport or bridge.  Employer support is important too.  I am federal civil service but it all depends on who the a_hole is as your first line supervisor.  I had a retired SGM Green Beret who was NOT the least bit supportive of myreserve duty.  Go figure.  I loved the camraderie in the FA (yes, even in the reserves!) and the guys all still stay in touch even though the unit was inactivated in '94.   But thats a combat arms unit---I couldn't wait to retire once the reserves all went to sissy girl units.  Sure, nice to look at and to marry but the vast majority have vastly different reasons for being there- my final advice after rereading the original post:  get a unit and MOS that prohibits women (at least for now.)  Infantry and cannon artillery will do it.  
Artillerymen do it with a bigger bang.
FAOBC class of Apr '74.
Art

Everytime I wait on a young person that I almost have to use hand signals on tells me Sorry I have Artillery ears!

Take your tests first and then by your scores you can pick what you want.

I scored 126 on my Army acceptence tests in 1963,could choose any MOS that I wanted.  I could have even accepted an officers appointment at twenty year obligation!

I chose Army Engineer with a six year obligation,three years active three years inactive!

And like ever other Vet here,malitia or trained service men here to take up the slack while(my daughter and others sons)that the asswipe DEMS couldn't think ahead enough to keep a standing army to do it's fighting!

Take your tests then decide,The infantry is the heart of the (in football the linemen)Armed forces!      Even precious(walter payton)couldn't score without his line(infantry men)!


Bob [:D]

Words of wisdom.

Really, do you want to go away for a weekend and count canteen cups?
How about an exciting weekend of oil changes?
Or data entry?

No.

Infantry
Tanks
Arty

thanks for the support guys.

[size=5]YES[/size=5]

As I watch an infantryman stare mystified at a generator pondering how to start it(the 3rd grade level instructions stumped him) or as they practice jogging I'm glad a don't do that for a living.  I'm sure all the BS about guts and glory sounds appealing.  But, the last place I worked with a lot of Army infantry types, they mostly stole peoples belongings and pissed on the toilet seat then left without cleaning it up or flushing.  All that "combat training" seems to hinder their abilty go potty and higher reasoning.  Good Luck.

In the current security climate?

NO definently NOT idiotic.

Also, if you get laid off in your real job, you can try to get transferred to Active Duty.

Then you will at least have a paycheck coming in.

HELL NO!!  Especially as a weekend warrior!  BE A WARRIOR!  You can do the 9-5 routine M-F, and then blow shit up one weekend a month.

If you wish to join the military, then the National Guard is probably your best bet for getting a taste of it without the obligation of going active duty.  Anybody can handle a weekend a month and two weeks a year.  Yes, the probability of being deployed today is far higher than in years past.

I went to basic training with the guard the summer after my junior year of high school and AIT the following summer.  It was one of the best things decisions I ever made.  I have been mostly around maintenence and aviation units, but have carried a ruck enough (basic, AIT, ROTC) to know that it isn't for me.  The biggest reason being an old knee injury that doesn't like carrying all the weight anymore.  If you are light infantry, you'll be carrying everything on your back...

What you wish to do in the military is a personal choice.  I am not trying to dissuade you from your choice of infantry, just to make sure talk to others and make an informed decision.  There are MANY opportunities in the military.  For example, right now I'm in flight school at Fort Rucker, AL.  I am learning to fly Army Helicopters.  For me, this beats the hell out of humping a rucksack.  To each their own...

The infantry is probably the most vital part of the army.  One way to think about this is that as an infantryman, everyone else is supporting you in one way or another.  For example, I will be supporting the guys on the ground from my helicopter through fire support, transport, etc. depending upon the airframe I end up in...

Since you are in college I also HIGHLY recommend you talk to your local ROTC unit.  I was in the guard and ROTC at the same time through what they call the Simutaneous Membership Program or SMP.  I made E4 before having to choose between going for E5 or signing with ROTC.  After doing my homework, I decided to go the officer route for many reasons.  I really enjoyed my enlisted time.  In many ways it is more fun than being an officer.  Responsibility has a way of taking the fun out of things sometimes.  Now I'm a 2LT on active duty in flight school.

You need to make sure that you are getting all the college benifits that you are entitled to and figure out the best route to fit what you want to do.  College is expensive and military service is not to be taken lightly.  I cannot stress enough the importance of making informed decisions on these matters.

No matter what, keep you head held high and your sense of humor(you're gonna need it in the army).  I commend you on wanting to serve our nation.  It really is an honor.

If you have any questions feel free to IM or Email.

Amen!!!  Alaska Air National Guard here.  

although I got out of Active Duty in April of '01 and have been on orders or activated ever since I can't agree more with this statement.  Drill weekends get kinda old after a while but a lot of times you can make them up on the week day so you don't have to go in on the weekend.  

DG84

Go SF

I did 8 years as a grunt, line, mech, scout, etc.  It was a good time and I'd do it again if I was 18 again.

Ignore the fools, do what you feel is right.  I learned a lot about myself and how far I can go.  I can't see getting that life experience wearing camo and sitting behind a desk.

Also, if you're going to join the MILITARY, do something related to warfighting.  If you want computer skills, go to school to get them.

Just my two cents.

Alex

I agree with the above, plus look or ask and see how many unemployed ARFCOMMERs are IT guys.

TS

why is it hard to find a job after being infantry?

[size=6]DOH...![/size=6]

Infantry is probably much easier than getting a job with an IT-type MOS.  

TS

Hate to break ranks with my 11B comrades, but this is pretty goddamn accurate, with only rare exceptions.

None of the combat arms MOS's with the exception of the combat engineer have a direct civilian counterpart. A combat engineer may be able to find a job as an equipment operator or demolition specialist if they have the right training certs. I have to agree with most of the posters here that you don't want the same kind of military job you could have as a civilian, unless you're going to use your MOS training directly in the civil sector. I was a grunt on active duty and an MP in the USAR. I really enjoyed doing something different from my 'real' job on the weekends.

i am in the same situation people are saying the army isn't going to help you get a job in the real world.
maybe so maybe not but I hope I will have a good time doing it.

All kidding aside, even if you cannot go potty without wetting the seat and floor, service as anything can help in funding a job.

Nearly every state,local and federal job has veterans preference points for those who served and still serve. Many companies prefer former GI's, take your training to heart, you will be on time and work harder than most folks ever will.  GI's tend to do better in college and the ability to train and retain knowledge is a quality many employers look for in a new guy.

Take every class or course you can possibly attend, be a leader and do a good job (both as a troop and as a leader of men), save EVERY letter of commendation, diploma and certificate you get, ALWAYS.  You never know when they will aid in a promotion, exclude you from some really shitty training you already had or get you a nice civilian job. Good Luck  

What a typical answer from a....


[b][size=6]R.E.M.F.![/b][/size=6]