What are the cons of joining the National Guard?

List of the Cons of the National Guard

• It is a commitment which you generally cannot quit. ...
• It could require you to go into combat. ...
• It may require a lengthy deployment. ...
• It takes longer to receive promotions. ...
• It works on a smaller budget. ...
• It does not provide certainty in deployment.

How much money do you get for joining the National Guard?

Once you go over four months, an E-1 makes $54 per drill. An E-1 with more than four months of service who's called up to active duty makes a base pay of $1,638 a month. As an E-2, you'll make $61 per drill and a base pay of $1,836 a month if you're called up to active duty.

Is the National Guard worth it for college?

Benefits. The most significant benefit of joining the National Guard is eligibility for education benefits. These benefits include the Montgomery GI Bill, which will help with tuition, and the Montgomery GI Bill Kicker, which covers additional college expenses, such as books and housing.

How much do you make a month in National Guard?

How much does a Soldier make at Army National Guard in the United States? Average Army National Guard Soldier monthly pay in the United States is approximately $2,693, which is 35% above the national average.

Should You Join The Army National Guard?

How long is a National Guard contract?

The full National Guard service term is eight years. However, we offer several active service options within that time frame. For example, your child can commit to just three active years then enter IRR (Individual Ready Reserve) for the remainder of their term.

Do national guards go to war?

Yes. Because of the National Guard's dual state-federal mission, Guard members can be mobilized to protect and defend America in battle domestically or overseas.

Which is better National Guard or Reserves?

If you want to serve with the option of travel, a Reserve job may be a better fit for you than a National Guard option though again, your experience may vary. Active duty service is very tempting for those who want both the maximum amount of military benefits offered and the potential for travel and relocation.

How hard is the National Guard?

Very intense, must be in somewhat good physical fitness standing for most objectives. Strict, no down time, felt treated unfairly. Very intense! National Guard members attend the same basic combat training as active duty counterparts and attend the same job specific training.

What happens if you quit National Guard?

You'll also lose your military perks, bonuses or benefits immediately, as explained by OMK. In fact, should you manage to find gainful civilian employment and earn a tax refund, it may be withheld or deducted to pay back an enlistment bonus you might have received.

Does 6 years in the National Guard make you a veteran?

Does 6 years in the National Guard make you a veteran? Yes, if you spent at least 180 days of that 6 years deployed on federal active duty orders. A 2016 change to federal law expanded the definition of “veteran” for many National Guard members.

Do you get paid in basic training?

Pay for BMT depends upon your rank. Every enlisted recruit starts out as an E1, and can expect an annual salary of around $20,170.80. BMT is 10 weeks, so the average E1 payment for basic training is around $3,800 plus meals and housing.

What do I need to know before joining the National Guard?

To join the National Guard without prior service, you must meet these mandatory requirements:

• Be between the ages of 17 and 35.
• Be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident.
• Be at least a junior in high school, or have a high school diploma or a GED certificate.
• Achieve a minimum score on the ASVAB test.

What is the life of a National Guard?

Serving in the Guard is a one-weekend-a-month, two-weeks-a-year commitment and gets you a regular paycheck with great benefits. It's a reserve component of the Army and Air Force, and you work alongside well-educated and motivated professionals who eventually become like family.

Which branch of military is safest?

So the safest military branch in terms of man-to-man combat and machine-to-machine accidents is the Space Force.

What are the benefits of National Guard?

So if you're thinking about joining the Army National Guard, here are 10 National Guard benefits you need to know.

• Learn a trade. ...
• Gain access to affordable healthcare. ...
• Have two careers. ...
• Get help paying for school. ...
• Great networking opportunities. ...
• Travel without moving. ...
• Try out the military. ...
• Skip endless years of drudgery.

Can you work full-time in the National Guard?

Can I serve full-time in the Guard? Yes. The Guard has several types of full-time employees. Within each state there are full-time personnel who manage the day-to-day operations of the units in their state or territorial Guard.

How likely is National Guard deployment?

Your National Guard Special Forces training is one weekend (three to four days) per month plus an additional two to four weeks of training per year. Deployments are also less frequent. You will generally be deployed once every two to three years for six to 15 months.

What state has the best National Guard?

The 10 states with the highest numbers of Reserve and Guard troops are:

• California (58,844)
• Texas (55,971)
• Florida (36,971)
• Pennsylvania (32,494)
• New York (30,353)
• Georgia (29,964)
• Ohio (28,455)
• Virginia (25,841)

How long is National Guard training?

All National Guard members must complete 10 weeks of Basic Combat Training, the same boot camp attended by full-time Army Soldiers.

How often is the National Guard basic training?

Army National Guard members are required to attend one drill weekend each month and one two-week annual training period each year (usually during the summer). Weekend drills are usually scheduled over a Saturday and Sunday each month, but can occasionally include reporting for duty on Friday night.

What happens when you join the National Guard?

The Army National Guard is a part-time commitment, allowing you to pursue or continue a civilian career. After Basic Combat Training and your Advanced Individual Training, or job training, you must work one weekend every month in addition to two full weeks each year for the National Guard.

What is National Guard basic training like?

10-kilometer and 15-kilometer tactical foot marches. Field training exercise on bivouac, where you'll tie all your training together. The End of Cycle Test (EOCT): 212 tasks, which you're required to pass. The Army Physical Fitness Test (APFT), which you must pass in order to graduate from BCT.