It's official, I have joined the National Guard.

[knave]

After some decent consideration and then a flurry of activity to get my 34 year old @ss signed up before my birthday next month. I maxed out the ASVAB, and am now signed up to go in as an officer cantidate. I ship off to training the beginning of may.

My work is supportive as is all my friends and family...even my kids.

Why? you might ask... The simple answer is that I've always wanted to but life has always taken me in different directions. Now I get to serve my country, be an officer and get some extra $$ and other benifits. I'm really excited.

[HaRuMaN]

 

[DaOld Man]

Proud of you man...
 

[Dartful Dodger]

The older you get, the harder it is to follow your dreams.  I couldn't imagine being a father and making that choice at 34.

Your kids have a father they can really be proud of.

Good luck.

[TOK]

If you're not super fit, start running, riding a bike and doing situps and stuff. Bootcamp is even tougher as you get older. Do you know where you're going through and do you know what AIT you're doing after boot?

Thanks for serving your country! 

[saint]

Good for you and thank you for serving - outstanding!

[ChadTower]

Good for you and thank you for serving - outstanding!

+eleventy

I actually envy you and wish I had the sack to do the same.

[knave]

Thanks Guys (even HarumaN, I can take it!  )

I'm shipping off to Ft. Jackson South Carolina for Basic training. My MOS is O9S/Officer candidate so I won't be going to AIT, I go directly to OCS.

I have been working out, I'm the most fit I've been since I was in competition Judo in college. My pushups and situps are OK.  Running is what I'm working on the most. I just bought some new shoes. Time to hit the track!

 

[daywane]

If you're not super fit, start running, riding a bike and doing situps and stuff. Bootcamp is even tougher as you get older. Do you know where you're going through and do you know what AIT you're doing after boot?

Thanks for serving your country! 

was not true in the Navy.
Boot Camp was a snap.
It was all team work.

good luck.

[SavannahLion]

How many people in this forum is/was in some branch of the military?

[daywane]

me for 1
I was in boot camp when IRAN took or embassy
U.S Navy
4.5 years NEVER even saw a ship 
do not know what one really looks like. I saw pics.
I was Jet engine mechanic
AIMD level
my bird was the A6E Tram Bomber (wort hog)
green pawn squadron

[Kevin Mullins]

daywane - You got lucky then, no ships.
I was an Aviation Structural Mechanic/NDI and went squadron level, AIMD and an Aircraft Carrier or two. (in eight years) There isn't a naval aircraft I haven't touched.

8 years NAVY - Aviation Structure/Hydraulics/Non-Destructive Testing
5 years Air Force Reserves - Aviation Machinist/Welder

Cheers go out to ya knave..... it'll be worth it for ya. 

[Ummon]

If you're not super fit, start running, riding a bike and doing situps and stuff. Bootcamp is even tougher as you get older. Do you know where you're going through and do you know what AIT you're doing after boot?

Thanks for serving your country! 

It's just the guard. Of course, if he'd gone Coast Guard, then it'dve been REAL easy. Orthogonally, there's nothing like Marine Corps boot camp and rifle drill. Snap an pop, snap an pop.

[crashwg]

It's just the guard.

Basic Training is exactly the same for the regular Army, the Army National Guard and the Reserves.  I know this because I've done it (for the NH Guard) and we were not separated.

How many people in this forum is/was in some branch of the military?

NH National Guard.  Been in since Dec '07, ETS (when I'm done) Dec '13. 

Our unit is vertical engineering which is carpentry/masonry, electricians and plumbers. 

I'm an electrician which I'm sure will help me down the road when I hit E-5 or E-6 and have to become a 21H aka Construction Engineering Supervisor at which time I'll have to do AIT for the carpentry/masonry and plumbing which will be super easy comparatively.

And to Knave:
I guess I'll have to salute you pretty soon...
Congratulations on your decision and thank you for your commitment to your state and country!

[TOK]

It's just the guard.

Basic Training is exactly the same for the regular Army, the Army National Guard and the Reserves.  I know this because I've done it (for the NH Guard) and we were not separated.

 

[daywane]

daywane - You got lucky then, no ships.
I was an Aviation Structural Mechanic/NDI and went squadron level, AIMD and an Aircraft Carrier or two. (in eight years) There isn't a naval aircraft I haven't touched.

8 years NAVY - Aviation Structure/Hydraulics/Non-Destructive Testing
5 years Air Force Reserves - Aviation Machinist/Welder

Cheers go out to ya knave..... it'll be worth it for ya. 

SALUTE!
I hope you were a NCO ... These guys really earned my salute.
eather way SALUTE
E4 was my highest rank. PNA many times
It just hit me like a ton of bricks .
  from VA 42 Framp
Damn brings back goose bumps
Thanks for the reminder
OK! enough of That. TURN 2 
The military changed my whole out look in life.
FOR THE BETTER

[daywane]

After some decent consideration and then a flurry of activity to get my 34 year old @ss signed up before my birthday next month. I maxed out the ASVAB, and am now signed up to go in as an officer cantidate. I ship off to training the beginning of may.

My work is supportive as is all my friends and family...even my kids.

Why? you might ask... The simple answer is that I've always wanted to but life has always taken me in different directions. Now I get to serve my country, be an officer and get some extra $$ and other benifits. I'm really excited.

BE SAFE. I will Pray for your safety.
it is trouble times.

[Ummon]

It's just the guard.

Basic Training is exactly the same for the regular Army, the Army National Guard and the Reserves.  I know this because I've done it (for the NH Guard) and we were not separated.

Apparently you missed the second part.

daywane - You got lucky then, no ships.
I was an Aviation Structural Mechanic/NDI and went squadron level, AIMD and an Aircraft Carrier or two. (in eight years) There isn't a naval aircraft I haven't touched.

8 years NAVY - Aviation Structure/Hydraulics/Non-Destructive Testing
5 years Air Force Reserves - Aviation Machinist/Welder

Cheers go out to ya knave..... it'll be worth it for ya. 

SALUTE!
I hope you were a NCO ... These guys really earned my salute.
eather way SALUTE
E4 was my highest rank. PNA many times
It just hit me like a ton of bricks .
  from VA 42 Framp
Damn brings back goose bumps
Thanks for the reminder
OK! enough of That. TURN 2 
The military changed my whole out look in life.
FOR THE BETTER

...NCOs don't get saluted, yo. They're non-coms. Freakin squids.

[daywane]

at NAS Kingsville TX You better salute a Senior chief

[danny_galaga]

im jealous. i think every now and then id like to join the army reserves, but am too lazy and scared (and unfit).

[knave]

Don't be jealous...I just happen to be at a point in my life where I can do it. I'm getting in just under the max age and it feels great! I also just discovered that my employer offers 30 days of paid military leave a year so a month of my training is double pay as is all of my two week summer drills.  That you can be jealous of!

[Ummon]

at NAS Kingsville TX You better salute a Senior chief

I reiterate the tail end of my last.

[Kevin Mullins]

at NAS Kingsville TX You better salute a Senior chief

I reiterate the tail end of my last.

It's a training station..... please do your homework before calling people out like that. 

[daywane]

its a training station for pilots.
not for jet mechanics.
not calling any one out.
stating a fact. i was there

[Aceldamor]

Props to you for having the courage to defend our country, as well as provide a future for your family. I have considered going back in to help pay for school. I should look into both prior service and Officer candidacy, now that I have enough credits.

From one soldier to another   /salute

[divemaster127]

I was in the air force since 91 & then retired I was called back up 6 years ago but I would never make it thru boot camp now at 42
dm

[Ummon]

its a training station for pilots.
not for jet mechanics.
not calling any one out.
stating a fact. i was there

He was talking to me I think daywane....in which case, elaborate Kevin so I know exactly what you mean.

I was in the air force since 91 & then retired I was called back up 6 years ago but I would never make it thru boot camp now at 42
dm

How could you retire at twelve years, especially post 9/11 ?

[divemaster127]

I was asked to come back after bush went back to iraq, which i did on certain conditions.  Since i have a family now I have limits but its worked out fine.
dm

[vizzinni]

Good for you knave, and thanks for serving.   The Guard can be pretty demanding these days, and balancing family, employment, and the Guard can be tough.  Good luck.

How many people in this forum is/was in some branch of the military?

I retired last year after 20 years, 9 Regular Army and 11 Full-Time National Guard.  Field Artillery.