r/nationalguard Jul 26 '16

Army National Guard FAQ - Please Read Before Posting

30 Upvotes

Here is a rundown of some of the most common questions on this sub. Remember, your mileage may vary. When in doubt, ask your Recruiter/NCO Support Channel about your specific situation.

This post is current as of 20160726, if a link is broken or if content is out-of-date shoot me a PM. If you have suggestions for the questions/answers below, let me know and I will add to the post.


Two quick caveats before we get started:

  • Whether you are already in, or still thinking about it, remember OPSEC on on this sub. Do not post personally identifiable information or any information that can damage Army/Air Force operations. When in doubt, message a moderator before posting. Violating OPSEC can be a UCMJ offense. Click here for more information.

  • If you are currently experiencing a crisis, remember, you are NOT ALONE. Call your team leader, call your squad leader, call your 1SG, call Military One Source, call 911. Call until someone picks up. There are resources available to help you.


I am thinking about joining the National Guard.

I am already in the National Guard.

Edit: for grammar/spelling.


r/nationalguard 10h ago

shitpost New 2LT Here, How do I Article 15 the Brigade CSM?

118 Upvotes

Check it out, I'm a brand new 2nd Lieutenant freshly graduated out of ROTC and yesterday was my first day at my first duty station. Needless to say I was excited to finally be able to serve my country and lead as a 2LT. Until yesterday.

The moment I got to my duty station, I pass by the brigade CSM. As I passed by him, I expected him to immediately stop where he was and salute me, but he didn't! I was outraged. I turn around and yell at the CSM and demanded him to stand at attention and render the proper greeting to an officer and demanded that he get into the front leaning rest, but he just laughed and walked away! This is ridiculous. Is this what the army has come to today, just no discipline at all anywhere?

I am outraged. I am planning on an Article 15 on that damn sergeant major for insubordination to remind him of the standard and to enforce discipline in our army. I don't care how long he's been in the army for, I experienced four gruelling years of ROTC and earned my commission. The standards don't change for anybody. Any advice on what I should do? Should I go straight to the brigade commander?


r/nationalguard 1h ago

Initial Training ELS RE3

Upvotes

I had some family issues and failed to ship. Was hoping to get a new ship date but I got ELS RE3. It’s been 3 months. Can I start the process to re enlist ?


r/nationalguard 1h ago

Career Advice How to get discharged from the guard?

Upvotes

Hello everyone

I’m in the TN national guard. I am a 09R attached to a unit and I have never been to basic. How do you if possible get a discharge from the guard or who do I need to talk to, to actually receive the information and to start that process.


r/nationalguard 1h ago

Discussion Venting

Upvotes

Supposed to be going to MEPS on Friday. I’ll be driving myself. I’ve asked my recruiter four times since last week what time I need to be there and what I need to take with me. Responded letting me know I’m scheduled, but not answering my questions. Has me feeling a little uneasy that this is the introduction to the Guard I’m getting. If I don’t respond to a client at my job, it’s a problem. Considering going on Friday and then ghosting him and finding a new recruiter to help me get squared away and swear in later or even reaching out to the reserves or another RC branch.

That’s all.


r/nationalguard 5h ago

MOS Discussion is the asvab really that bad?

2 Upvotes

so im in high school and i want to be a 68w(combat medic) in the national guard or active but literally everyone i say that to said the asvab would be rough. my math isn’t good but my english and reading is but idk how far that’ll get me and its just confusing me


r/nationalguard 2h ago

Asking for a “Friend” Hardship Packet NG

0 Upvotes

Looking for advice from anyone who has gone through the hardship packet process in the Army National Guard, specifically TXARNG.

I’m trying to understand what the process is like and what to expect. I would go to my leadership if it was an option, but trust me, they are not looking to answer any more questions

Has anyone had a hardship packet approved or know someone who has?
If you’re comfortable sharing:
What helped make your packet stronger?
What documents were important?
How long did the process take?
Were you required to continue normal duties while it was pending?
Just looking for personal experiences and advice on navigating the process correctly. Thank you.


r/nationalguard 20h ago

Initial Training What was your “oh shit” moment during basic?

27 Upvotes

During basic training what was your oh shit moment? The moment you realized you were really there and everything was real and shit was about to get serious


r/nationalguard 4h ago

Career Advice National Guard to Active

0 Upvotes

I'm currently in SBOLC and thinking about trying to go AD. Is it easiest to wait and try to go through Call to Active Duty when I hit 1LT if available or just go the recruiter route? I know releases from a state are hit or miss. Any tips or experience? I'm assuming it will just be needs of the Army and no preference for any slots


r/nationalguard 4h ago

Career Advice Can waivers be rescinded?

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1 Upvotes

I got in with a medical waiver for limited motion in one of my arms. I have an MOS and I have been in for years.

After reading the linked post, can the military take away the waiver? Would it affect my reenlistment?


r/nationalguard 9h ago

MOS Discussion Curious about the difficulty of 68W AIT

1 Upvotes

I’m a high schooler looking at joining the army once I graduate and I wanna go for 68W. I was wondering about just exactly how difficult it is ? I know it can vary from person to person depending on what kind of person you are but I’d like to hear any perspective.
I was also wondering if maybe I should take a basic EMT course prior and if that would help?
I do well in school and I’m decent at studying , If that helps provide some insight.
Thanks!


r/nationalguard 9h ago

Benefits Fasfa and TA question

1 Upvotes

Hello everyone, I’m going to school this semester and I want to use tuition assistance and fasfa, I’m getting 7k a year from fasfa + 10.5k from student loan with a total of 17.5k a year, my tuition is around 16k a year. I want to pocket as much of that money as I can. Should I accept the financial aid before tuition assistance and then use tuition assistance or should I wait to accept the financial aid until I can give army ignited/national guard my classes so I can use TA. I don’t want the order to be messed up to the point I’m using student loans before TA and end up using less the full amount of TA

TLDR:
My main concern is that they will use my grant and student loan money first before TA and I can’t pocket nothing, so I’m trying to figure out what to do first.


r/nationalguard 17h ago

Discussion Is it there nothing?

4 Upvotes

I leave for Basic at Fort Lost in the Woods for my basic and AIT (31B) and I was all excited to have my graduation to get tapped out and see family but someone who is at CST said she didn’t have a graduation because she is osut as well as I will be. Is it true that I won’t get a graduation?


r/nationalguard 1d ago

Article Army Cuts Free Legal Help for Guard and Reserve Soldiers Facing Medical Discharge

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military.com
62 Upvotes

r/nationalguard 10h ago

Career Advice Advice on switching units

1 Upvotes

I’ve currently been with my unit since I’ve got out of AIT which will be in about a year soon. Being a CBRN with 0 experience in a MP unit is not exactly the greatest places to start and I know that. I have no knowledge of anything that’s actually real world CBRN related and person who is experienced in their field is just a good as no person at all.

My unit is already getting ready to mobe soon but I can’t help thinking that I’d be better off in an actual CBRN unit and learning my job than helping MP’s not make a mess of the supply cage. I mean like I don’t even have my HazMat yet so I’ll let that one sink in…

Is switching my unit in this position a good thing to push for. I know how important numbers can be for mobilizing and just having a CBRN just to say you have one is important too but I feel like the spot I have in my unit should be given to someone who already has the experience and training.


r/nationalguard 19h ago

IST PCS Entitlements for Separation of AGR

2 Upvotes

I was a traditional guardsmen in a state before taking AGR orders in another state. I wound up ISTing and PCSing to the new state for the AGR tour. However, I have decided I do not want to not extend my AGR tour and instead return to my original state in a M-Day status. My question is, am I entitled a PCS move after my initial AGR tour if my HOR and PLEAD location on my AGR orders is my original state?

Do I have to separate from AGR first and use the PCS entitlement prior to ISTing to the original state?


r/nationalguard 1d ago

Career Advice Rank question Marine to Guard

5 Upvotes

I’ve been scrolling through older posts but haven’t found a clear answer to this.
I’m currently active duty in the Marine Corps, and when I get out I’ll be an E-6. From what I’ve read, Guard unit positions are rank-dependent. If there isn’t an E-6 slot available for my specific MOS, would I have to come in at a lower rank?

My second question is about reclassing/latmoving. I’m currently in intel but have been looking at becoming a 68W. If I switched to a completely different MOS, would it be difficult, or even make sense, to keep my E-6 rank while retraining? From my limited experience, the Guard seems to have a more relaxed culture around rank than the Marines, but I don’t know if that’s actually the case or if keeping my rank while changing MOS would be unrealistic.


r/nationalguard 1d ago

Discussion Reluctant to Leave Home State - Realistically, How Often Are You Away From Family?

3 Upvotes

Hey Everyone,

I'm exploring the possibility of serving in the National Guard, as I'm assuming that this is the option that would keep me in my home state, or at least in the US, the most. I've spent the last couple of years caring for my mom, who is now recovering from cancer. I'm reluctant to leave her behind, but I also want to resume my own life, and I would like to serve in the military.

But that being said, she doesn't have anyone else, and I'm reluctant to leave her behind for too long. So I thought the National Guard could be the smart choice that would allow me to resume my career and serve on weekends. But how realistic is that? From other posts I've seen on this subreddit, it seems that some individuals spend much more time away from family than expected.

I'd like to serve in some capacity, but my mom also needs me, and I can't neglect my obligation to her. In your experience, is it really just "on the weekends"? Or do I run the risk of finding myself away from my state or from the country for long periods of time?

Thank you all for your time!


r/nationalguard 23h ago

Discussion Has a congressional inquiry ever helped with a moral waiver?

2 Upvotes

Question:
Has anyone here ever involved their Congressman or Senator after a moral waiver was denied or similar situation?

If so:

  • Did they actually get involved with your case?
  • Did it lead to your waiver being approved or reconsidered?
  • Did they help identify another path forward that you wouldn't have found otherwise?

Whether it worked or not, I'd love to know what happened and what you learned from the process.

Thank you,


r/nationalguard 20h ago

Title 10 Title 10 orders and breaking a lease

0 Upvotes

Bizarre question— If I am renting an apartment in the vicinity of my home station, and I get 90 day orders AT the unit, can I use those to break the lease? Can’t find the fine details regarding if there’s a distance/displacement criteria that goes along in order for SCRA to cover you. Thanks


r/nationalguard 1d ago

Discussion Practice Asvab

2 Upvotes

I took the picat with my recruiter and I passed, and I went to verify it at a different location. I unfortunately had to redo everything and missed by 6 points. Is there anything that can please. I really want to join. I have a month to retake it now.


r/nationalguard 20h ago

Initial Training Minnesota Army National Guard OCS

1 Upvotes

Is Minnesota a 15 or 18 Month OCS, if you get put into State OCS?


r/nationalguard 1d ago

Career Advice Stopped medical waiver process with Army Guard to switch to Air Guard side! Did I make the right move?

4 Upvotes

I’m in my 30s with a wife and three kids. Looking to scratch the itch of serving while bettering my life for us. Found out about Air Guard being more relaxed with shorter deployments and better quality of life. The air guard recruiter told me my situation has a good shot of making it through. Told Army guard recruiter I’m focusing on air guard side and no longer want to do army. Did I make the right call? I feel like I did but looking for advice from people who have actually served that know more than me. Thanks everyone.


r/nationalguard 21h ago

Asking for a “Friend” Life as a Guard

2 Upvotes

NOT ASKING FOR A FRIEND, JUST DID NOT KNOW WHAT FLAIR TO PUT.

What is life like as a guard ?

From a perspective of someone who does not want to deploy to war exactly .(If I had to I would, I dont fear the idea, just dont want to leave my fiance at home with a kid is all)

I want something that gives me a purpose and when I go to work I feel like im doing something good for people, the community and the state that I live in? I would love to hear some feedback from people who have did the bare minimum in the guard and people who have made a career out of it.

Im 25 I work a decent job that I hate, its a good job but I dont feel like I habe a purpose when I get there.

I have a fiance and 1 kid on the way.

I want to go to college and grow as a person and do good in life.

Any tips would be appreciated.


r/nationalguard 1d ago

Benefits Early retirement gray area...

11 Upvotes

Hello everyone..As the title indicates...I am a gray area retiree right now at age 57..I deployed to Kuwait and Afghanistan post 2008...(2011 and 2012)..for about 6 months each time..Now simple math would indicate that this means I should be able to start collecting the retirement check at age 59 according the rules...

I am looking for feedback from other members who have retired early and any information on anything that could possibly effect this...At one time I had heard that the deployments needed to fall within certain periods of the fiscal year to qualify...I think my orders started around February for both deployments..Thanks in advance..