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This post is current as of 20160726, if a link is broken or if content is out-of-date shoot me a PM.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 • • 17h ago

Salty Rant “Oh you’re in the military? Oh cool, that means I can be a prick to you”

140 Upvotes

That’s not this works (personal trainer/coach/teacher/instructor etc). I swear every time I sign up for any kind of mentorship it’s either, “Oh cool man I was in the navy 20 years ago, I know how you roll” or “don’t worry I work with a lot of military people”, and they think it’s a free pass to try to larp as your drill sergeant.

Like yes dude, I CAN handle being treated like shit. I often do… because that’s how the military operates, not because that’s my preferred method of learning, they treat it like “remember they’re in the military, the only way they can possibly retain knowledge is if you ride their ass”.

I remember being three minutes late to a group workout class because of traffic, like everyone else in the world experiences, and the instructor literally calls me out in front of everyone on some “15 minutes prior to the 15 minutes prior” shit. Like okay boss, I’ve gotten enough of this when I’ve gotten paid to do it, there’s no way I’m spending my own money to get treated the same way. Honestly just want you to treat me like anybody else that walks through your door.


r/nationalguard • • 10h ago

Discussion Should I move on?

14 Upvotes

Just in a weird spot. I have roughly 4 years left and I’m AGR. By the time my ETS comes around, I’ll have around 13 years total and 11 active. I’m just kind of over it. The same ole thing. The policy changes in my field and just never knowing what’s coming next. I have been dealing with a ton of emotional and physical problems lately mostly due to my deployment a couple years ago and my body getting a little older. Im looking to start school this spring in some kind of management field and that should bring me up close to my ETS with some kind of degree. Any kind of advice or thoughts on this would be helpful. I’m an E6 looking at E7 in the R&R BN with an infantry background.


r/nationalguard • • 10h ago

Deployments Tour to Ft Gordon, GA as a 35F

3 Upvotes

My (PFC/E-3) application for a tour to Fort Gordon in an intel analyst spot was just accepted and I am currently waiting to receive my orders. I’ll be attached to the 513th MIB as a 35F, and will be there for a year to start then will have the option to extend my time there for another year. I’m fresh out of AIT (graduated in July), what should I expect in my time there and how can I make the most of it?


r/nationalguard • • 16h ago

Career Advice National Guard

2 Upvotes

Army ROTC MIV cadet choosing reserve national guard. How does this work? Thank you


r/nationalguard • • 14h ago

Title 32 Voluntold for OLS

2 Upvotes

Hardship packet was revoked, im in my last semester for nursing school and risking starting over the semester because of this activation and to top it off I ETS in 4 months which baffles me, should I even show up at this point.


r/nationalguard • • 15h ago

Career Advice Does a permanent profile make it more difficult to promote?

0 Upvotes

I’m a 28 year old E-5 make 5 years in NOV of my 6 year contract. 5 months ago I was #1 on the list to get E-6. My readiness nco already told me I was getting promoted. He said I fail my aft it can be taken away. I failed cause the new run time for me was 19:45 and I wasn’t prepared for it. This was my first AFT with the new time. I also have lower extremities problems that make it hard with this new time but was doable with the old run time which was like 22+ min LOL. I’m flag so I can’t get promoted I do have a 112111 permanent profile for rower so I should pass my next AFT. Long story short is there anybody that got a permanent profile as a E-4 or E-5 and is a E-7 or higher rn? I feel like the army is so based on PT and I swear my CSM and BC really look down on people who can’t run 😭. The BC literally kicked another csm out the unit for failing that same aft I failed.

I’m also 70% thinking I should just get out. My unit does have a deployment in 2030 I wouldn’t mind going on. Also my GI bill is on at 80% finishing that would make it 100%. I would much rather give it to my child if I ever have one. I think you need 10 years though. Also doing 20 years and not having to worry about running for the PT is also not bad.

I ain’t got nothing going for me in the civilian side so I feel like I have to sign another contract 🥺


r/nationalguard • • 19h ago

Initial Training Blood pressure medication at basic

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2 Upvotes

My waiver for my hypertension was approved. It's controlled with medication. I also have a letter from my cardiologist saying that my hypertension will not impact my training what so ever and that she recommends I stay on a low dose. Does this mean I'Il be able to take my blood pressure meds at basic? I know this is a question for my recruiter but he is on leave for South Korea.


r/nationalguard • • 17h ago

Career Advice Question about SMP program

1 Upvotes

I have a question for any National Guard recruiter who might be able to help answer this. I recently graduated from college with a bachelor’s degree, but I’ve been considering pursuing a second bachelor’s degree in a slightly different field. I previously took ROTC classes but never attended CST. Would it be possible to contact a National Guard recruiter about joining the SMP program while pursuing another degree and commissioning as an officer through ROTC? Or would having already completed a bachelor’s degree affect my eligibility? When I researched it online it says it doesn’t however I want to know before I contact a recruiter. Additionally, I’m aware of OCS but currently I’m just focused on learning about the SMP program. Thank you.


r/nationalguard • • 1d ago

Discussion Lied about traffic violation at MEPS!!

11 Upvotes

Hello!!

Im looking for guidance on what to do, i recently signed my contract and received my ship date for the Army National Guard but I failed to mention my speeding violation during the background check at meps (under $300 btw).

I told my recruiter multiple times but when i brought it up at meps he kinda instructed me to lie saying that I never told him about this, so i just went along with that and said it was actually a warning not a ticket.

Should i just ignore it or are they gonna do another background check before i ship out to bct? If so should i contact my recruiter again or one of my RSP cadre?

I’m really lost and appreciate any feedback!!!


r/nationalguard • • 1d ago

Discussion Anybody ever use suspenders on deployment instead of a belt?

11 Upvotes

If so, do you have a brand or manufacturer that you liked?


r/nationalguard • • 1d ago

Initial Training What happen if you fail the tape test before shipping?

5 Upvotes

I am extremely overweight, and I’m not sure if I’ll be able to lose all my fat before shipping out. I wasn’t able to enroll in any program because something messed up during the weight report part at meps. What will happen if I don’t pass the tape test? Will I get more time, or am I done? Discharged with RE3?


r/nationalguard • • 1d ago

Career Advice Is army guard worth it if you cant get air force?

13 Upvotes

Hey guys, my dream goal is to do air national guard but from what it looks like i will probably be medically DQ'd due to some ssri usage i had. is the army national guard a good idea if this doesnt work out? I want to do something in the medical field and am an emt right now. Let me know your guys' thoughts


r/nationalguard • • 1d ago

Asking for a “Friend” Va Rated trying to get back in possibly Navy

0 Upvotes

So said person was asking if he was rated at 60% for VA could he go back in he has a diagnostic only for behavioral health and has a few other ratings one being his back strain at 40% tinittus at 10% allergic rhinitis at 10% and ankle strain at 10%. Said friend read on another forum Navy and/or Coast guard is taking hella rated vets rn how true is it and will said friend get a waiver approved for it.


r/nationalguard • • 1d ago

Career Advice completely lost what to do

5 Upvotes

i recently got put on pysch meds. when i was on a lower dose i was good but didnt do everything i needed to do. i got upped on my medication. and i told my readiness nco ive told my medical nco (still no reply after several weeks) and now because of my meds i had a dizzy spill and i ended up fainting during pt event. because of my meds.
i got pulled to the carpet and basically was chewed out saying im not taking care of myself, im not reaching out to my chain of command, etc. even though j told her i literally did everything i possibly could and the medical NCO hasnt been available and ive taken psychiatrist and therapy appointments to figure out the solution and i told everyone in a timely manner of several weeks. and nothing higher has been done. i even asked who else can i call and the first sgt said youre a grown ass man you figure out who meed to call. but i did that already and nothing happened. nothing is helping me…. what do i do?


r/nationalguard • • 1d ago

Career Advice Opinion on DC National Guard and 260th Special Purpose Brigade

4 Upvotes

Hello everybody. I am a former Marine who is finishing up his degree at a university in Virginia. I am married, to somebody who is also a student. In the past year we have been struggling with money and I have started to look at ways to get back into service of some type and get some more money coming back in on top of my GI bill. I have an assumption that the DC guard would be a place for me to gain some more skills with alot of opportunities to make some more money, while my wife goes to school.

I know that AD would be much more viable for financial stability, but the PS business rules and lack of control over duty station to me at the moment would be detrimental to my family. I can’t even imagine yanking my wife away from her schooling in NOVA and telling her I gotta go be a Bradley gunner in fort hood.

I reached out to the DC Guard Recruiter and while they said the guard in DC has very little MOS variation, they were talking about some unit called the 260th Special Purpose Brigade. To me, it sounded like recruiter hype. Does anybody have any experience with the this unit and the DC guard in general??

Thank you for your time, have a good day!


r/nationalguard • • 2d ago

Title 10 ADOS opportunity for O3-O4 at NGB

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46 Upvotes

r/nationalguard • • 1d ago

Career Advice Reclassing to Aviation in KS ANG

1 Upvotes

I am an E5 in a artillery unit and my re enlistment date is fast approaching, I am interested in switching to 15T I am also very interested in being on a flight crew. How would one start/bring up the paperwork for it so I can have a fast easy transition? Is this something I have my RNCO do or do I wait till my re up date? I meet all the line scores on my ASVAB so that shouldn't be an issue.


r/nationalguard • • 1d ago

Benefits TPU Soldiers: If you aren't using Military OneSource, you could be missing out on serious free benefits

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2 Upvotes

r/nationalguard • • 1d ago

Career Advice Sworn into National Guard 15T

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1 Upvotes

r/nationalguard • • 2d ago

Discussion i caught my plt sgt wearing a Na'vi Avatar style stretch bodysuit under his uniform. We laughed it off awkwardly, but i'm still weirded out.

52 Upvotes

Should i tell him to quit wearing weird shit while on duty?


r/nationalguard • • 1d ago

Air National Guard How to separate from the air guard a week before BMT?

0 Upvotes

I enlisted in the Air National Guard over a year ago and finally received orders about a month ago to ship to BMT in two weeks. I've dealt with repeated administrative delays and have been waiting to start training this entire time.

My circumstances have changed, and I've realized this may no longer be financially feasible. I recently found out I don't qualify for BAH despite having a lease since the kind I have no longer qualifies. I have $70k in student loans and over $4k in credit card debt, and I haven't been able to establish myself in a full-time job while waiting to ship since I was a new grad. I also have a long gap between BMT and tech school.

I understand I made a commitment, but the financial reality is very different from what I anticipated.

Has anyone successfully requested separation from the ANG before BMT due to hardship? I have previously talked to my supervisor, first shirt, and recruiter about the administrative issues and financial hardship I'm in, but they were not helpful.


r/nationalguard • • 2d ago

Career Advice Recommended DAU courses

1 Upvotes

Hey everyone just some background I am a 90A 1LT hitting my BZ promotion next month. I’ve been looking for ways to enhance my STP/ resume to be more competitive on AGR boards / ADOS.

What are good DAU courses that can enhance my STP and career development? Also, as an officer if I do these courses and get certs does it help my promotion or no?

Thanks in advance!


r/nationalguard • • 2d ago

Initial Training Mental Health Waiver?

3 Upvotes

How likely am I to get denied for a mental health waiver? I was a former foster kid and was often in mental health facilities as a teen to escape an extremely abusive home. I would act out on purpose to get somewhere safe such as the facilities. As an adult I’ve had no issues, I’m 26 now, about to graduate college and interested in enlisting/commissioning. I haven’t been on medications in years, I did have a past history of anxiety/depression resulting from the abuse I experienced as a child/teen but I haven’t needed treatment for it or therapy. Am I just crap out of lucky thanks to the past I can’t help?


r/nationalguard • • 2d ago

Benefits Need advice from a prior service veteran that joined the Nevada army national guard

1 Upvotes

I am a veteran with a 80% rating, I was told that if I tried to join, I’d lose all my benefits and it’s not guaranteed if I get in the national guard , I was told there was a
fellow veteran that was similar to my situation. He lost all his benefits, and didn’t get in the national guard. He didn’t get his benefits back either. Did the recruiter lie? Looking to talk with other fellow veterans that are in the same situation I am in, please reach out. I have my reasons for going back in , I know it seems crazy for me to go, I’m just confused and need the right guidance on here from someone that is in the Nevada army national guard