Marine Corps Reserve or Army Nat'l Guard

So, given that I won't make this decision for two years or so (only 16), I've been researching it a lot lately, and wanted some input from other sources. I know there's a good amount of military-types here, and wanted to see what your opinions are.

I plan on going to college (hopefully) at John Jay Univeristy in NYC, and living with family in north Jersey. After graduation, I'm hopefully going to do two things. (1) Become a NY/NJ Port Authority Police Officer, and (2) go into the military reserves.

I used to be absolutely gung-ho about going active duty, but now, I realize, being the reserves or guard is more my thing because I want to serve, I just don't like the idea of being stationed far away from family (this isn't referring to deployments).

I'm definitely more inclined to the ground-type jobs (can't fly or go aircrew - medically DQ'd), and wanted some input on whether you had pros and cons for the Marine Corps Reserve and Army National Guard. I've always wanted to be a Marine, however, the thought of being a soldier is equally appealing. (FYI - If I did go army, It'd be the Guard for sure, and not Reserve. I like the idea of the state/federal mission, as well as, IIRC, the Guard is more combat-MOS oriented than the Reserves, which are more support MOS's.)

 

RA 06 US Army ABN. Ranger Inf. SF.. It is not for the weak.

 

First off, what are you going to go to college for? You could always pick a job in the marines or army that would tie into your degree. If your going to college why not go in as an officer?

I wouldn't completely write off active duty, there are a few posts around you. You may get into the guard and realize you wish you were active, only saying that because I've worked with plenty of guys who were reserves and went active.

If you don't mind me asking why are you medically DQ from flight? There are waivers for just about everything. I am bias towards the army but I have worked with a lot of devil dogs, and a common complaint with them is lack of funding. The funding for the natty guard and marine reserves are less then the active duty counterpart, just something to think about.
Active duty, reserves and the guard all have the same jobs available for the most so if you wanted to "ground pound" you can do that in all three. The natty guard does have the 19th and 20th SF groups so that is always and option. It is a very important decision that is not easy to make. Before you make your decision make sure you are getting the best deal possible (bonus, college loan repayment). I only know a little about a little but what I do know I gladly share with you. If you want more info on the unit I'm in let me know.

Airborne school is a joke but the last week is fun.

Sorry if I misspelled, did this on my cellphone. Any questions let me know.

 

Just found out a few weeks ago I'm not only disqualified from flight status, but military service in total - on two medical counts. The first condition (pectis excavatum - my chest wall is somewhat concave, and gives me trouble when I try and run) isn't a big deal, as I've heard many people have joined with this, and have actually had it fixed while in the service. When I'm done running one mile (which takes about... 12 minutes - and it shouldn't...), it feels like I've run 5.

The second case is where I know I'm screwed. I have a condition called hydrocephalus (in laymens terms: water on the brain), and a VP shunt implant to counter it. It was caught when I was 6 weeks old, and if I hadn't had the shunt put in soon, I would've died.

I've got no physical/mental limitations or problems (I'm one of the ones who're damn lucky), but it's still a disqualifier. I've received word from many a medical professional (military-wise, online and in person) who've flat out told me this is not waiverable.



Thank you for your help, though - and thank you for your service!

Alex

 

that's to bad man. I am a ranger medic so I know the conditions you're talking about. Sorry your DQ for service but I wouldn't say never. Keep trying, medicine is taking some amazing steps forward and there might be a fix for your hydrocephalus in the future. Good luck in college.

 

If it makes you feel any better; only 30% of the gene pool is qualified for service.

 

I've been in for 17 years and recently received a direct commission from SFC to 2nd LT. In order to do so, I had to take the MEPS physical again. The liason jokingly told me Superman would fail these days cuz he's allergic to kryptonite. Seriously, a guy failed because he had a mole removed. ARE YOU SHITTING ME? The Marines don't even except tattoos anymore. Honestly, I don't like tattoos, or the Marines, but I don't know that I would even trust a Marine without a tat.

 

I've seen the other side of the fence- The office that approve medical stuff. It's rediculous for the applicants to have to jump thru all the hoops- but they are making an investment in you (thru medical insurance and training and what not) so they need to make sure they are getting a quality start with no underlying issues-
I know a guy who went thru a Service Academy (250K taxpayer dollars) and then thru flight school (another 250-300K taxpayer dollars) and then somehow developed a back pain that revealed scoliosis and got him bounced from flight status- and then seperated from hte service- That's a LOTTA dough and a lot of time wasted for nothing.

And the military is pretty liberal with waviers- I was born with a major birth defect taking surgeries every year from birth till 10 years old....and I still got in!!

 

I turned 17 in April, shortly after i joined the Army Nat. Guard. I would highly suggest going with Guard. Im getting a 20K bonus, and all my college education paid for. I signed on with a 6+2 contract. I will be going to basic July of 09 and AIT shortly after. Like you, I was in CAP (still am), this just seemed like the way to go.

Just a few ques., how are you going to pass the PT tests, with a 12min mile? No offense. If PT is going to be difficult, maybe the military isnt for you..

 

My Uncle was shot down dropping agents behind enemy lines in Korea. The AF didn`t bother to teach him a PLF. So he compressed his spine. He may not have made it through the old jump school. It was tough on me. But they should have given him some training. He spent 20 on and off flight status and ret. as an 04.
He was Flight Ops. at Udorn part of the time I was in Nam. I could have hopped over there. I had a Plt. to run and never found the time. As he died young, now I regret it.
I found the time to fly L-19`s and UH1B`s. I found the time to go on RAG patrols with SEAL`s. I guess teenagers are just selfish.

 

what about the coast guard. dont they also have strict entrance policys?

 

If you are looking at going in the reserves then take a look at what units are nearby where you want to live. Its not worth it to join a unit that's six hours away. Also look at training requirements, if you go in the marines you are looking at a a the least 5-6 months of active duty training. You also can't be afraid of water as you will have annual swim qualifications. You may be able to get a sign on bonus but its not nearly as generous as what the army will give nor will you get annual tuition assistance that the guard gives.

The Marine Corps for me has been a mixture of the absolute best and worst times of my life. They pulled me from college with a 3 week notice to be on active duty to iraq and I was boots on the deck within a month of that. I've also been able to travel all around the world for training. While the other branches have loyalties to their specific units you find that Marines as a whole tend to stick together as a service. I didn't always have the best gear but I had ncos and officers that kept my ass alive. I've had offers from other services to switch over but I take way too much pride in what I've accomplished to let go. You can always switch from any branch into the army and keep your rank but to earn the eagle,globe and anchor you have to get through Marine basic training. Also look into going active duty, there are a lot more benfits afforded to you and the GI Bill here in the next year is going to be extremely generous to those with 36 months of active service. You will also have the chance to earn rank quicker and retain it switching to the reserves or guard at the end of 4 years.

 

I am Army Para Inf. SF. I have a great deal of respect for mud marines.

 

Sir,
Was this your advice for a 16 y/o looking for info on natty guard or marine reserves?

When you say ranger inf. Does that mean tab or scroll? Just curious.

 

if u r gonna do it, i say go marines, but is there even a such thing as "reserves" anymore?

 

That's what they call it even though I spent more of the past four years on active than not. That's why I suggest going active first because you start off with a lot better benefits.

 

Did you not read what I wrote in it's entirety? I said that the condition that causes this (running slow) disqualifies me for that exact reason. If it disqualifies me, I won't be taking any PT tests.

 

IIRC, it's the same for all the branches. A DoD-standard type thing, including the USCG (even though it's not considered part of the DoD at the currrent moment [no declared war]).

 

Being that I know I'm not eligible for service, and have all the answers I need, can a mod lock this? Some (if not most) are still only reading my first post, and answering my initial question.

Thanks for everyone who's helped.