Going to the National Guard to pay for College but my instinct is telling me not to do so any advice?
545917
The National Guard and Army Reserves will still have to do their time as a soldier.  That means that if you are enrolled in college, and have to deploy, you're college will take a back seat.  The flip side of that coin is that you will be able to take college course while you are active.  There are a variety of colleges that offer online course, there are colleges on military installations, and the Army also has E-Army learning.  The Army pays for the tuition while you are active.\n\nYou, however, have to do some soul searching to determine just what you are joining the military (part-time or full-time) for.\n\nI congratulate you on thinking about it.  Someone earlier said that you should talk to service members and don't believe everything you hear.  That's good sound advice.\n\nI wish you the best in your endeavors.
1045899
E-5 is ok pay. Have you been in the service awhile? Civilian pay is always going to be much better. But you have to balance the fact that you don't have any major bills in the service either. Do you have GI Bill? I went back to school after 6 years in the service. Not only do you get full financial aid (because you probably won't be rich - but maybe you are?), but the GI Bill kicks in $1000+ per month for a full time student. That is your money, you spend it as you like. Then you could get a job doing whatever you wanted.\n\nFYI: here in Utah Union Pacific was hiring RR people just to run transfers and do yard work, and they were starting in the $40K's.\n\nAnyways, hope this is helpful, and good luck to you!
634028
I did, and don't regret it.  The military offers paid education and 4 years training for the job you receive.  Downside:  you might not get the job you really want.  Needs of the military, if the don't need you where you want to be, too bad.  But odds are high that you'll get the MOS or one closely related to it.  You'll know before you sign the contract.  The military offers the GI bill, which is good money to further your education once you've hit 2 years, or are out at any college you choose.  The on base education center has LOTS of opportunities from apprenticeships in your field of work to free classes at local colleges, all you have to do is take advantage of them.  There are lots of bene's to being in the military.
1140693
You're just turning 18 & still have a year of high school left. You're coming up on a point where things are going to change whether you like it or not. Most couples like oyurs are going to split up & go to different colleges. You think you know what love is, but when people get to college & get some freedom from their parents it changes who they are, they spend a couple years growing into the person they are going to be rather than the one their parents have been shaping & controlling for years. I know it's hard to see, but when you look back on it that's the deal. \n\nIn your case, don't rush into marriage just because you're scared of losing someone. That's a horrible reason. I think it's best if you wait a couple years. I think you should go ahead & join the Navy. I don't know what her plans are, college or whatever, but its a big case of "if you love it set it free, if its true it'll come back to you." Do your best to make it thru, but understand both of you will be changing a lot during these transition years. If at 20 you both want to get married, then go for it & congrats! If you find you've changed so much & grown apart, then better to find that out before you're married then realize it two years in. You need to give her every opportunity to pursue her career goals too. Again, I don't know if she's going on to school or whatever, but you sure don't want to be a junior enlisted guy trying to support a family (they don't pay you nearly enough for that). I wish you the best of luck, and make a smart decision with your head instead of your heart. It'll all work out for the best & you have a whole lot of life in front of you.
302580
you follow your mind what you think is right for you not your family. if you feel its worng then its worng. if you feel it right its right. trust in God  he will drict your path. he want lead you down the wrong road. you have to think who's going to take care of you when you become an adult. think of you goals for your future and do what it take to achive them. but you only in the 10th you also have next year to study if you haven't seen you parent i really belive you should go see them.you can take if information with you to study for sat's that a good idea.
1042877
Going away to college was the best choice you could have made and the best gift ur parents can give u. Dorm room decor--target or walmart --get a whole matching set from sheets to garbage can to color pencils on ur desk --when ur room is set u feel comfortable. Upper classmen will at first throw shade but they get use to u and u get use to them some of them are great and they will put u under there wing quickly. that could be a gift and curse. on one hand you'll know all of there friends u'll never need a ride and cant get one, u'll know about all the parties but u wont be so in tune with your class and when they leave u'll be very lonely so make sure u know ur class better than u know the upperclass. College was the best time of my life, dont take it for granted, you'll do fine dont give up--good luck
218633
Its a deal with the devil, but your local national guard recruiters will have carreer evaluation tests. Not just the armed services apptitude test, but a civilian test too.
470826
I used to be in JROTC in High School and it was cool also. I joined the Navy right after I graduated......heh. Umm you lose a lot of your freedoms. If your family member gets hurt or even a close friend you have to put in paper work and ask permission to visit. As they can say no. It is NOTHING LIKE TV!!!!!!There are @$$holes, dirty people, ignorant people....it is ridicilous. And once again your freedom is signed away.\n\nOnce you sign those papers...your life is in their hands for 4 years. Make sure you don't want to go to college.\n\nI saw a lot of my friends smoke weed so they could get kicked out because it isn't like anyone expects it to be. \n\nThe cadets you are in may be nice, but the military is not meant to be nice. Think about it.
1017751
Talk to a recruiter. You attend college, but have to spend extra time in NROTC activities and courses while attending normal classes. After you graduate, you become an officer and serve a couple more years. \nYou stay in school during the NROTC program and are not sent off to a war if there is a war going on.
1179638
hmmm .... okay, so heres what you do ......\n\nyou keep with your job now, and you save it up as much as you can ...... i mean SAVE SAVE SAVE .... it doesnt matter if its in the bank, or in a sock at the bottom of your dresser drawer ..... dont spend it on stupid stuff like the movies, or a trip ...... use it for college stuff only ....... like food (microwavable, cold salad bowls, water, etc.), supplies ( if you have any, use stuff from last year) .... \n\nAll the saved money will add up, trust me ....... but they will still let you into college without all the money, that will just be a debt you will have for a few years .......\n\nget a job on campus or anywhere near your college .... again SAVE the money ...... and dont go partying all the time ....... thats how most college girls waist all their money .......\n\npay a little bit towards college each month, or every few months ..... you will probably be paying college off until your late twenties ...... but its okay, at least you get the education and  a good job out of it ........ good luck hon!!
1116079
I think I can handle this one.....choose another job.  Seriously.  Sure, flying around hanging out the back of a helicopter with a mini gun would be a lot of fun, but frankly, Delta or United just aren't looking for gunners on their new Boeing 777's.  \n\nIf your intention is to go in, do 4 years, get the college bennefits, and have a good time, then knock yourself out.  If you are looking to go in, get a skill, then choose something a little more technical.  I would recommend something in the medical, aviation mechanical field, or computers doing base networking (good money with the skills you learn!) or perhaps something in Comm where you can use your skills working for a cable company, telecommunications, etc.  Basically, a general rule when enlisting, is the more fun the job is when you are in, the less chance you can get paid to do it on the outside!  \n\nAlso, consider the Air National Guard.  Do the fun stuff part time, while going to school, or working a civilian job.  I'm still in the ANG, now in the Fuels career field.  Any questions about the guard, just ask.
1072442
It sounds like you don't have the so-called "warrior-mentality" that many of the Soldiers and Marines have, so you may feel out of place in the Army or USMC.  I agree with the others about the Air Force, Navy or CG.  As far as which of the three, look at your options for MOS through your recruiter for each.  Remember, too, that the Air Force generally allows for more time "at home" whereas the Navy is deployed at sea a lot, as well as the CG.  Thus you have a much greater chance of "seeing the world" sooner with the Navy or CG than with the AF, though you will end up spending more time away from home.  With the AF you have a better chance of actually being stationed overseas than with the other two.\n\nHowever, I am a bit concerned about your reasoning for joining.  Don't get me wrong, the benefits such as MGIB are AWESOME and definitely can be a huge draw.  But you must not forget that it's not a "free ride".  Especially nowadays you will PROBABLY be asked to serve in some sort of combat situation, or at least in support of such actions.  If you have real concerns about supporting combat actions or being in combat yourself I'd suggest taking out loans or applying for civilian scholarships to continue your education.  While it may have been commonplace a few years ago, the excuse of "I joined the military to get an education, I never knew I'd have to fight and I want out now" just doesn't fly anymore.  Seriously think about this before you, quite literally, sign away your freedom on the dotted line.
349178
I have a friend whose husband went into the army as an officer first. He was a Lt. for a yr. and now he is going to captains school. What he did was he went to college, Texas A&M and enrolled in their ROTC program and I think he talked to a recruiter.The military paid for his college tuition and then he had to serve 4 years in the military upon graduation. Don't believe the recruiters when they tell you that you can go to college while in the military. That is a bunch of BS, I know because my first husband was in the military. Go to college first, then go into the military. Look into West point or something like this guy. I do want you to know that the military doesn't make that much money. You are poor...they do have free housing for officers, free medical, the commisary(groceries) which is cheaper and the traveling is ok if you get housing on base.
298840
Talk to your college dean. he will know them, and be able to just call and they will stop. They will do this because as much as they want you to join, they want a good working relationship with the college a lot more. Take my word for it, i was a recruiter for two years.
884223
Join the Navy and - no matter what the recruiter tells you - they will put you where they need someone, not necessarily where you want to be, and they will train you for the field that they need people in, not necessarily the one you want to be in.  Recruiters lie, they have no say in where you're assigned or what your duties will be.\n\nAviation mechanics are actually in fairly high demand from what I understand - but I don't have any close contacts in the Navy any more, so I can't say what the odds are of you getting that posting, just that the odds are better than they would be if you wanted to be a photographer or something like that.\n\nWhen you are posted to a land base, you can either stay in base housing (barracks) or you will get a housing allowance for off-base housing.  It may not entirely cover the rent and probably won't cover insurance, particularly when you're first starting out and you're low-ranked, but it can make the ends meet if you're clever with your money.  Specialist rankings like aviation mechanics tend to be higher ranked and therefore better paid, which is probably the situation your friend is in.\n\nRemember that wherever you are, you'll be leaving in 2-3 years.  That's one reason that a lot of young guys just don't bother with getting off-base housing, they know they'll just have to leave and they'd rather not spend the money on rent or a mortgage.  Remember also that as an aviation mechanic, you will be expected to spend time on carriers unless you specialize in the big birds, which has its own problems.\n\nIf you are willing to deal with the dangers and the difficulties, go for it - but don't go in expecting to get paid just for breathing and showing up.  The Navy works its people hard, and expects a lot from them, and if you aren't willing to do the job they have ways of dealing with you that a civilian boss doesn't.
455342
Well, if they are paying then you better listen to them.  If not then, do what you want.  Just realize that you run the risk of losing financial support from them, and that will be hard.  Speaking from experience.... a free ride is almost always a good thing.  If school is paid for and you don't have to work full time to pay bills then take it.  It's the smart thing to do.  You'll be better off financially and it's not for that long.  Maybe you can stay home for the first 2 years and then move out after that?
915126
Please be a little careful about what the ROTC instructors tell you. They can and do give out inacurate information for various reasons, one being they want to keep you. It is all about numbers.\n\nDo your own research. My son did just that and found out it is not easy at all. Here is why:\nHe found out that when you complete ROTC for one branch and at any time want to switch to another branch, they look at you as DAMAGED GOODS. They want to know why you are not happy? They think you are pulling out so therefore you are not dependable. It is just like any other jobs. You try to switch and they feel you are hopping around looking for the best deal. There are a few exceptions but it is not easy.\nMy son took NAVY ROTC in high school while he did Civil Air Patrol (Air force Aux). But then the Army gave him a scholarship to college so he went Army hoping later to switch to Air Force. It never happened. As soon as he graduated he was assigned to transportation and shipped out to East Coast for training. From there he was assigned his base in Texas and from there he was shipped to Iraq. He is now a 1st Lt in the Army and proud of it.\n\nAnother thing is that the Army advances you in rank much faster than the Navy or Air Force. Higher rank means more responsibilites and more pay. But the Air Force treats its men the best (food, lodging, education).\n\nSo keep in mind if you go Army dont plan on a switch as it may not happen. The Air force can tell you they dont want you and the Army does not have to let you go. Simple as that.\n\nAlso remember, ROTC is a recruiting tool. They have you and they want to keep you. They will help pay your education but you will serve your country for 8 years. Dont do it just for the education or the money. Make sure you are a soldier first.