Originally posted by mcgainer:

-Reserves/Guard (let's face it...its a part time thing...all the full timers will give you hell)




So what?

Having done both, I wish I'd known about the Guard earlier. I used to have an attitude about "part-timers," but now I've grown up.

The Guard is a different animal, for sure, but worth looking into. Put it this way: Most states offer tuition breaks or educational benefits for their guard members. Also, when, say, an ANG unit needs pilots, where do you think they look first? In their own unit, of course. If you are enlisted, and close to finishing your degree, you can compete for the unit's pilot slots, and if they know you and like you, you are more likely to get it (and the officer slot). Active duty? Even as a trained Nav, you'll be competing with every Joe Bagadoghnuts off the street. The Guard takes care of its own. The active duty would shake your hand and say "good job," and then push you in front of a bus to make the personnel numbers meet quota.

Only thing sucks about the Guard is that if you are part-time, you'll need a regular job, and sometimes your duty to state and country conflict with your duty to your civilian employer. Pick your employer carefully. Also, "Part-time" means that after your 40-hour civilian work week, you'll still have stuff to do on the weekend when all your civie buds might be off hitting the lake. Last thing that sucks is that the retirement benefits don't kick in until you hit age 60, and there's no real medical coverage when you're not drilling.


Function before fashion. '96 Contour SE "Toss the Contour into a corner, and it's as easy to catch as a softball thrown by a preschooler." -Edmunds, 1998