any things to look for? I would amagine before I sign I should make sure that it has my job on there.

but is there any other things that recruiters try to sneak in at the last minute?

thanks and tommorow should be a real great day staying at some crappy hotel in the ghetto and I can't go anywhere because my car will be parked over at the recruiters office.

Plus no weapons allowed I already got in trouble for carrying a knife in a government building... that was bad!!

any help?

Not really anything to warn you about.

Believe it or not, National Guard recruiters are considered the most honest of the bunch. The reason is the key difference in how they recruit. Active duty and Reserve recruiters recruit for their component, and attempt to fill certain openings Army-wide (or area-wide for the reserve guys). Guard recruiters recruit specifically for that unit. They have to see and work with the same people they bring in. This creates a very different dynamic. Guard recruiters who misrepresent anything don't last - if there is anything Guard commanders hate, it is recruiters who cause morale / retention problems. Retention is everything - broken promises do not help retention.

What kind of unit are you joining? Have you already visited? What is your MOS?


[Edited to fix grievous typos.]

Anything you have been told or promised has to be in writing in the contract. If it isn't there, then it never was said or happened.

That is really about it.

Thanks for serving this great country!

My hat is off to you...

As stated before, don't sign anything without what you want in writing on the contract.  Read the WHOLE contract word for word and make absolutely certain that the MOS, schools, and whatever else your desiring, is on your contract.  I don't know how the Guard does it (I was active Navy) but I have heard better things about Guard recruiters than most active duty recruiters.  Good luck and Bravo Zulu for stepping up to the plate.  

thanks alot guys i really appreciate your encouragement.

lets just hope everything goes well tommorow.

Make sure you ask about bonusses.  I got a sizeable one for going into my MOS.  I am in the Guard here in MI and just got back from basic and AIT in April.  If you are married, make sure that you tell your recruiter that you have to have the housing and family separation pay while you're away at training, this will add up to $400-$800 extra dollars a month for your family.  ALSO, if you have any college, especially a bachelors make sure they kick your pay grade up.  I went in as an E-4 because of my degree... again, your rank wont save you from abuse in basic, but it does mean you'll get paid more.  IM me if you want to talk.  I'll give you my # and be happy to answer any questions you have.  Oh yeah, when you pick an MOS go combat arms.  Don't let them talk you into some bullshit like "mental health specialist" or "heavy equipment operator"  thats the quick route to frequent deployment.  Combat arms is the way to go!

er...someone else's name?

Like others said... just make sure it says what you want it to say.

It would be wise to post what it is you are looking to do, so the people who have done this before can tell you exactly what to look for on your contract.  The more you know about it, the better.  I went to MEPS knowing exactly what I wanted on the contract, and I got it all in about 5 minutes.

thanks for the help what I was looking at is going into ROTC while in the guard and then I am going to do Infantry, it looks real good with all the bonus money for combat arms and plus the pay for school.

keep you guys posted

and a few weeeks ago I did find out that weapons were a big NO at the meps. Whoops didn't see the sign, luckily they didn't take away my 80 buck spyderco. My recruiter just told me to get my ass outside. Boy did I feel like a dumbass.

what I would do is join the national guard then go to school one more semester after that is up I go to basic and AIT then come back and join ROTC.