Calling for advice from current guard members

So long story short I finally got caught up by the drawdown at 13 years. I enjoyed my time in but I only got one shot at promotion and it wasn't a good year for me. Now I'm attending college with my family but we're looking at affording benefits and it looks steep for a family of 4. I don't qualify for any subsidiary somehow so it's like 400 plus bones a month for insurance? Maybe I didn't read it right.

Enough of that drabble. I have a chance to join the guard, keep my rank (e-5 or Sergeant), get promoted quickly to e-6(or so they say), get a few bucks for education besides the G.I. Bill, continue the road towards retirement, and last but not least I go back on Tricare prime for about 70 bucks a month insurance.

So where the grind lies is school is paid for but right now we're trying to pay the bills. I have enough certs that I could go out and support the family tomorrow but I couldn't go to school at all.

Looking for some advice from other service crossovers or current guard members. I'm just trying to make it all work somehow.

 

Welcome to the 1st Civ Div. I got out, went AIR Guard. From Mortars to HVAC.there is a good percentage of prior service guys. you won't be the only one. its been good to me, i learned to not drop the f word every third word, the benefits are ok. I'm in Ca too. since you are prior service,you don't have to go to boot camp just technical school, (MOS school), my tech school was 6 months it flew by,i was on orders, some afsc/MOS schools are longer shorter.they have agr positions too, so you can work on base. I'm currently overseas. i work for a union hvac company its not bad the civ side . I'm not a recruiter, its what you make it. take care bro, hit me up, off line if you got more questions.

 

Current Air Guard, we have plenty of folks who were downsized off active duty that put the uniform right back on. There can be full time opportunities as well with the guard, not to mention the networking that occurs as a result of working with people who are in a variety of civilian jobs once a month.

I say go for it!

 

I'm taking a good look at the contract. He's offering my current rank (Sgt), no boot or tech since there's a direct translation. Motor T so I will be an 88m. Also I should get promoted very soon to e-6 due to time in grade which is also translating. Toss in the benefits and the educational money and I think it is a decent deal. I have to wait till my eas though and I will have to pay back my seps pay while I'm in the guard as well.

 

If your going to school and looking for cheap insurance and little extra pay its not bad. My situation is different
where I work constantly out of state so for me it doesn't really work anymore, but july I'm done so

Promotion is all about slots in the guard, no e6 slots in the state for 88m well you know whats up. If I were you ask to see about open e6/7 88m slots, recruiter should be able to pull up the state wide vacancies. It goes 1 down, 2 up when it comes to filling a slot, e5 can fill either a e4/5/6/7 slot. So if you have a chance to get in a unit where you'll be sitting in a e6 or better e7 slot than your golden imo.

Also make buddies with training NCO and full timers they have all the know and when something comes up when they need soldiers for a support mission or school they are the people to put out the word for bodies

 

He actually did. 88m is starving for e6 here. There were a lot of slots open. I told him how long I had been a sgt but apparently the deal where I get a promotion for joining stopped sadly.

 

Awesome that you have career progression in sight, Ive been stuck in a slot before and a reclass was the only way out. Even without a promotion for joining from the sounds of it you'll make 6 in no time anyways. Id say go for it if the pros weigh out the cons. Even tho I can't stand being in the guard it has helped me get out of a hole in the past, and got me into the career I have now.

 

That's what I'm siding on. It sounds like a few gray hairs will grow because the reason I will get promoted is because I run.....apparently. Even if I hate it I will be able to help support the family and it will get me through school.

 

Oh just wait until the first PT test.... Im not new to seeing people fail the PT but when I came to my new unit I watched 60% of the unit fail, and those who passed weren't by much.

But all that matters is supporting family and getting through school so whatever it takes to make it easier. Think of the guard as a test to your patience

 

Hey man, I feel the need to post the other side. I got off active duty and seriously considered the Guard for the same reasons you're considering it. I decided against it knowing that there was an open door if I needed it. Anyway, I jumped right into school with both feet after serious downsizing and cut backs for my family. Many years, and a doctorate degree later, and we're way better off. Oh, and just this morning my kids expressed their sincere and loving appreciation that I am no longer subjected to deployment. Granted, they love my service and what it meant to our country but they love their current life as well. Sorry if anyone thinks this is a hijack, it's not intended as such. Just the other side.

 

Absolutely none taken. I do wish you could see the pickle they shove students with a family in though. Students are only allowed to work 20 hours a week or else they are considered and rate full time benefits. No employers are going to touch full time students is what it will equal out to. My wife is working and eventually the guard would be unnecessary but right now I can't keep the family insured and fed even with her help.

 

You're definitely in a tough spot man and only you and your family are in the right position to make the ultimate decision. I should've added to my post that a very good friend of mine joined the National Guard right off of active duty. He worked part-time while going full-time through college. On graduation, he entered a prison guard job. He was deployed more times than I can remember, but since his job was through the state, he got regular prison guard promotions while deployed oversees. He is now a deputy warden and retired from the National Guard as a Sergeant Major. So, I guess it's all in how you play the hand you are dealt. You're a Marine; you'll get it figured out. Godspeed and thank you for your service.

 

It wouldn't be worth serving if there weren't good people to serve for. Feel free to grab a beer for me though

We shall see what happens. Apparently the guard has 2 year contracts so I'm leaning towards setting like that to test the waters. If at that point I hate it and it's not necessary then I will let it slide and take off the uniform again. I don't want to be interrupting my education with another 5 years outside the states.

 

Most Guard recruiters won't mention it, but there has been a 'try one' option in the recent past as well. The benefit is you are not locked in but of course you are also limited by your short commitment, i.e. no promotion until you re-enlist for more than a year. Since you are technically under one year from the onset with a 'try one' you are buying time/treading water until a slot opens up promotion wise. There is no wasted time as you build time to retirement while also being immediately eligible for promotion/mos opportunities.

I would ask about this option first before examining any other time commitment, check out where the open slot is geographically from your HOR, and don't buy into the game of, "sign and then we can transfer you back later." I have seen a good ole boy card played from time to time. Not saying it is the norm but you should realize that this occurs occasionally. Play your cards openly but with clear intentions and of course see the whole printed document before signing the line. If you have any other questions shoot me an email.

Clint