Joining the LA National Guard, few questions.

[RyanB]

I believe I made a post here before asking who all was in the LA National Guard. It was an old thread and much has changed since then.

I am 23 years old, graduated with a degree in CIS from ULM here in Monroe. I currently live in West Monroe and was going to serve in the USAF. Right before I was going to go to MEPS I found out my grandfather had cancer and postponed it for a bit. During that wait time I secured a job as a Network Engineer at a company here. I have been there almost 6 months and love it but I still would like the chance to serve without sacrificing my current job. Most of the people I work with are former Army/Marines/Air Force. It should not be a problem for me to leave my job as there are enough of us that a few people can take leave and not hinder our numbers.

It was difficult for me to convince my wife for me to join the USAF but after a trip to the recruiter's office she was ok with it. Hopefully the NG will be the same as she is back on the NO boat again.

Anyways, I was looking at the local 1022nd Engineer Company here in West Monroe. I can speak to a recruiter but was wondering if you guys here can give some insight.

What MOS does the LA Guard need? Entering the guard with a bachelor's degree automatically make you an E4?

I firmly believe this is the path I want to take at this stage in life and would like to get started on it as early as possible.

Thanks in advance.

-Ryan B.

 

[RyanW]

If you have a degree, then why enlist and not go officer?

 

[sandman7925]

Good luck man.





Hope you don't end up disarming New Orleans

 

[Trey@IG]

If you have a degree, then why enlist and not go officer?

ya i was wondering the same thing....not sure how the army is but i know we (USMC) could only get bumped up to e-2 with any kind of schooling

 

[2nd2nun]

My son is in the Guard in Gonzales. Very proud of him. He's now a specialist in the Army Corp of Engineers. They're next deployment will be in 2013, going to Kuwait. He's also a full time student, and works full time at an engineering firm in Baton Rouge. He too wanted to serve his country, but also wanted to get a head start in his career. I think the Guard is a perfect option for people like ya'll. Thank you for going to serve our country. Going in as an officer is additional to boot camp and AIT. Either way, you're making an awesome decision!!!

 

[JDuplantis64]

I was 23 with a wife and child when I enlisted. I served 8 yrs active and 2 yrs reserve. I still miss it. As others have asked why not apply for a commissioning? But if you want to enlist now, you can become an officer later. The best officers I served with were prior enlisted.

 

[CavalryJim]

Anyways, I was looking at the local 1022nd Engineer Company here in West Monroe.

What MOS does the LA Guard need? Entering the guard with a bachelor's degree automatically make you an E4?

I firmly believe this is the path I want to take at this stage in life and would like to get started on it as early as possible.

Very good...you will not regret the decision.

Some unsolicited advice:
- If you are going into an engineering unit, a combat engineer MOS seems like a good place to start.
- Don't worry about what the LA Guard needs but what you want to do.
- Yes, a degree should put you in as a specialist / E-4.
- As a few others stated, consider becoming an officer.

 

[IfItFliesItDies]

If you have a degree, then why enlist and not go officer?

This. Definitely the better decision.

 

[peacemakr72]

If serving in the Military Reserve is not feasible why not give the Reserve Police Officers a try. It is serving and demanding but not quiet so intrusive in the life cycle.

 

[captain-03]

Apply for a direct commission ... can not hurt and you may just get it ... I served 8 yrs enlisted before getting my commission. Was commissioned as Infranty. Commanded a combat engineer unit for a few years before getting command of an MP unit. Retired after 20 and waiting to receive my first retirement check this month!! Some hard work, some inconvenience, some bad times, and some GREAT times!!

PS: There should be a recruiter in the State AGs office that handles officer recruitment ... find out who it is and pay them a visit ... believe me, you want to be an officer ....

 

[Barry J]

My son just completed basic and AIT in November. He is a Combat Engineer. Basic and AIT was at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri. I think that is where all the engineers go. He is regular Army, but most of his class was Guard and Reserve.

 

[RyanB]

My son just completed basic and AIT in November. He is a Combat Engineer. Basic and AIT was at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri. I think that is where all the engineers go. He is regular Army, but most of his class was Guard and Reserve.

I was looking into that MOS as well. I believe it was 14 weeks basic + AIT. I just read up on my current employers military leave policy and it is pretty awesome. It does not mention anything about initial training (Basic and AIT), however, they make up the difference in pay during the annual two-week training, monthly drill, and up to 365 days of deployment, which eases my mind of bills and such.

I guess my next step is to actually go and speak with a NG recruiter and see about getting signed up to leave in late May. That way the wife can stay with the parents until I return in August and everything will be back to normal and we can hopefully purchase a home on the return back to West Monroe. We were going to buy a home this month but I cannot decide whether to purchase now or wait until after I would be coming back from training.

 

[Blackhawk]

Where to start........ There are so many options available that you definitely need to talk to a recruiter. Recruiters have a lot of current info at their fingertips and will help you taylor an enlistment. Some things to be aware of, in no particular order:

1. There is an OCS enlistment option. If you enlist under this option, you would only go to Basic (10 weeks) then report to the next OCS class that starts generally in April each year. OCS lasts between a year and 18 months, depending on which of a couple of versions you go to.

2. There is a Student Loan Repayment Plan (SLRP), that would pay off any of your student loans (not all at once, but over the course of your enlistment). This is only for Enlisted, but if you were in the 18-month OCS program it might pay your loans for 18 months. The SLRP is only for certain critical Military Occupational Specialties (MOS).

3. Why limit your choices by going with one unit (in West Monroe)? The 1022d is a fine company-level unit, but has only a few vacancies (12W-Carpentry & Masonry, 12R-Interior Electrician, 12K-Plumber, and 91B-Wheel Vehicle Mechanic). If you were to expand your choices to include other units in West Monroe or the 528th Engineer Battalion in Monroe, there are more options as 42A-Human Resource Specialist, 12B-Combat Engineer, 74D-Chemical/Biological/Radiological/Nuclear Operations Specialist, 92F-Petroleum Supply Specialist, 91E Allied Trades Specialist, 12V-Concrete & Asphalt Specialist, 12N-Horizontal Construction Engineer, or 91L Construction Equipment Repairer.

4. You may need to think about whether you want to be in a military field similar to your education (CIS) like 25B-Information Technology Specialist or 25U-Signal Support Systems Operator/Maintainer, or to go to a different field entirely (like in #3 above). Some want to be in a field they are comfortable in, some want a change for the weekend. If you are looking for a specific position/training/MOS, you might have to travel to find a vacancy.

5 The National Guard in Louisiana offers a Tuition Exemption program. If you were to consider working on a Masters, your Tuition would be paid.

6. Members of the National Guard may participate in the Tricare Reserve Select Health Plan. Premiums for you and your family would be $100/month for you and your family, which is substantially less than most civilian Medical policies.

7. With a 4-year degree (provide a copy of your transcript) you can enlist as a Specialist E4.

8. If any agreement is not on your enlistment contract or an appendix, it doesn't exist. Get it in writing.

I'll send you a PM with the name and phone number of a recruiter you can talk to.

 

[RyanB]

Where to start........ There are so many options available that you definitely need to talk to a recruiter. Recruiters have a lot of current info at their fingertips and will help you taylor an enlistment. Some things to be aware of, in no particular order:

1. There is an OCS enlistment option. If you enlist under this option, you would only go to Basic (10 weeks) then report to the next OCS class that starts generally in April each year. OCS lasts between a year and 18 months, depending on which of a couple of versions you go to.

2. There is a Student Loan Repayment Plan (SLRP), that would pay off any of your student loans (not all at once, but over the course of your enlistment). This is only for Enlisted, but if you were in the 18-month OCS program it might pay your loans for 18 months. The SLRP is only for certain critical Military Occupational Specialties (MOS).

3. Why limit your choices by going with one unit (in West Monroe)? The 1022d is a fine company-level unit, but has only a few vacancies (12W-Carpentry & Masonry, 12R-Interior Electrician, 12K-Plumber, and 91B Wheel Vehicle Mechanic). If you were to expand your choices to include other units in West Monroe or the 528th Engineer Battalion in Monroe, there more options as 42A-Human Resource Specialist, 12B-Combat Engineer, 74D-Chemical/Biological, Radiological/Nuclear Operations Specialist, 92F-Petrileum Supply Specialist, 91E Allied Trades Specialist, 12V-Concrete & Asphalt Specialist, 12N-Horizontal Construction Engineer, or 91L Construction Equipment Repairer.

4. You may need to think about whether you want to be in a military field similar to your education (CIS) like 25B-Information Technology Specialist or 25U-Signal Support Systems Operator/Maintainer, or to go to a different field entirely (like in #3 above). Some want to be in a field they are comfortable in, some want a change for the weekend. If you are looking for a specific position/training/MOS, you might have to travel to find a vacancy.

5 The National Guard in Louisiana offers a Tuition Exemption program. If you were to consider working on a Masters, your Tuition would be paid.

I'll send you a PM with the name and phone number of a recruiter you can talk to.

I do not know why I did not mention it in an earlier posting, but I am also considering the USAF Reserve. My recruiter still has my file there and works with a recruiter in office that can get me setup. A quick drive to Barksdale wouldn't be that bad, plus hopefully I could continue to pursue a 3D0X job which I had originally planned.

I do not want to ship out until May so this gives me plenty of time to make my final decision.

With that being said, anyone here USAF Reserve?

 

[Blackhawk]

If you decide to join the National Guard, then ask about the Guard Marksmanship Program when you get back from Basic.

The Louisiana Guard will hold their State Matches in late January, then send a 16-man team to the Guard National Matches in April. Selected members will also attend the All Army Combat Sustainment Training Exercise (the All Army Matches) in March.

The best shooters at the National Matches are generally invited to try out for the All-Guard Team. Louisiana currently has three members on this 16-man squad (out of 350,000 soldiers and airmen in the National Guard). They'll be participating in competitions at the National Matches (the Armed Forces Small Arms Matches), usually against teams from the Marine Corp, Army, Army Reserves, and some 10-15 international teams from various countries.

In the past, All-Guard teams have participated in international training/competitions/matches in Canada, England, Germany, Australia, and South Africa. For a report on one of the trips, go to:

http://www.bayoushooter.com/forums/showthread.php?56427-Want-to-go-to-England-to-Shoot-(A-belated-range-report)&highlight=

 

[ajt2341]

By National Guard you need to keep in mind there is the Army National Guard and the Air National Guard. Of course there's also the Army Reserve and the Air Force Reserve. The major differences are the national guard units can be called up on state orders, where the reserves are federal only. The national guard also has combat mos's where the reserves are strictly support mos's. I'd suggest deciding what MOS you want out of both branches and then talk to different recruiters. I don't know about the AF reserve/guard but with the Army as long as you qualify for an MOS you can usually tell the recruiters that you wont take anything else.

The other thing I would do if I were you is enlist with officer candidate school in the contract. Forget about a specific MOS and pick a branch. My personal recommendation would be to go with signal's since that's where your degree is, however being an officer any branch requires a lot of the same work.