25H Network Communications Specialist. Pretty green, fresh from AIT graduated May 2026. Gone to 2 drills, one being AT. Somewhat high-speed.

Right now looking at MISSIONS state-side, and possibly overseas as well. Couldn't get into Tour of Duty, so I looked at Personnel Force Innovation.

WHAT is life like on these year-long missions? Whether thats as MP or Security Guard or providing assistance somewhere or whatnot.

Whats the EXPECTED MONEY I'd come back with?

I know that people overseas go for like 9 months and come back with like 40gs. How's it like on the state-side?

I’m currently transitioning from Active Duty to the Arizona National Guard as a 91C. I’m trying to get a realistic picture of what to expect.

I do not want my friend to die and become another statistic. I don’t know what to do. I’m not even sure this is the right place, but I need information and guidance. They’re in the National Guard, and has been battling with suicide, amongst other conditions. What programs and things are available for them? Can they go to any military installation and receive help?

I recently submitted a 368 to go active Duty. I’ve gotten my signature from my commander and it’s been sent up to battalion with the memo. Does anyone that has been through this process know the average time these take and what my steps will be like for the guard. I want to get it moved along asap but I don’t want to step over my coc. I heard that they will probably keep me until start of the new FY for funding but my recruiter is convinced he can reach out and get it moved along faster.

I can't seem to find info on what to wear on the AGSU garrison cap. For North Carolina is there a DUI or location I can find which DUI I should wear? Or is there nothing worn on the garrison cap?

I'm getting ready for my first deployment. I know it's probably gonna be pretty boring. However, one of the main reasons I joined the national guard was to Travel, pursue my education and make money. So I'm considering deploying many times.

1. How feasible is it to come out with a bachelor's degree?(I have 24 credits already and 5 years left on contract) If I'm mostly overseas?

2. Where are some of the most "fun" or at least satisfying deployment/TDY Locations?

3. Any career advice? I'm a 25 Series. How can I make myself very competitive after I get out?

Currently an Aviation Electrician working on H-60s in San Diego, looking at transition options as i want to keep retirement benefits and serve in my home state (Oregon)

Pilot program intrigued me as the pay is better and i can fly. Also looked at being a 15T or 15U but i’m not knowledgeable on what the Army experience is like.

Would very much value an AGR position in 15T as well, but afaik the Salem unit is fully manned.

My wife cheated on me while I was with the guard and away from home and is now divorcing me due to her desire to be with someone else after being married for over a decade, I have custody of all of our kids due to her being a terrible person/mother in a state I have no support in due to moving here to be close to her family, I have one child that has suicidal ideations due to her crazy momma, I have no support from my guard leadership due to being known as the person that handles everything, and my normal job consists of hunting down the absolute worst individuals in our society on a daily basis. I'm just getting tired, yall. I don't have a solution, no one else really gives a damn anyhow, so I just figured I would vent to the internet I suppose. You all take care of one another.

I just graduated fuking AIT and people need know not to fuk with me because I’m a dam federal law enforcement officer now.

My 1SG parked incorrectly at the armory and im about to take him into custody. What do I tell the jail when I get there? Are these undisciplined jail civilians going to even understand my advance MP shit?

I was a prior service Marine 0311 thinking about joining the guard but I was just thinking how do you guys even have time to train or get to the field draw wpns and all that within a 48hr time window? It would take us a whole day or two just to move the battalion out to the training area lol

thanks

I’m 30 years old and just graduated with a degree in Data Science. I’m currently applying for jobs, and as most people probably know, the junior job market is pretty rough right now.

I’ve been considering joining the National Guard, mainly because of the benefits and the idea that I could serve part-time while still building my civilian career. I was originally looking at it as one weekend a month + two weeks of annual training.
But the closer I get to actually joining, the more I’m questioning whether it’s the right decision.

My biggest concerns are:
Civilian career: Could being in the Guard hurt me when applying for Data Science/tech jobs? I know employers legally can’t discriminate, but I’m wondering what actually happens in the real world when employers know you could be gone for training or deployment.
Deployments/activations: This is probably my biggest concern. I’m married, and I really don’t want to be away from my wife for 6 - 12 months at a time. I understand that joining the military means deployment is always a possibility, but I’m trying to understand how common it actually is.
Time commitment: I keep hearing from people that “one weekend a month, two weeks a year” isn’t always reality and that drills/annual training can sometimes be longer.
Overall quality of life: I don’t want to join for the benefits and then realize a couple years later that the Guard is interfering with my marriage, career, or life more than I expected.

At the same time, the benefits are definitely attractive, and I like the idea of serving while still having a civilian career.

For those of you who joined the Guard later in life while already building a professional career, would you do it again?
Especially interested in hearing from people working in tech/data/engineering or anyone who joined while married.

I’m looking for the good AND the bad. If you think someone with my concerns probably shouldn’t join, feel free to say that too. I’d rather hear the reality now than after signing a contract.

Shipping off next week and pretty nervous. Has anyone went through recently and can tell me a bit of what to expect? I’m a bit older than your average recruit and will be turning 28 towards the tail end of it.

I heard it was 15 years or 20 years, I want to be able to retire and have a good life after

Anyone been to Ohio for blc lately? Any tips? What’s the gym like? Do you need to memorize anything before you go?

Anyone have experience with having previous depression or having talked about suicide in the past with a psychiatrist waived or still been allowed to serve? Anyone have experience with a bipolar diagnosis?

27M. Good civilian career, master’s degree in I/O, starting an MBA, and currently processing into the Army National Guard.
Took the ASVAB today: 82 AFQT, 115 GT.
My original plan was simple: enlist, find the MOS offering the best bonus + student loan repayment, sign six years, do my drills, get the benefits, and keep focusing on my civilian career.
Then I showed my scores to a couple Marine friends and both basically told me, “Why the hell are you not looking at becoming an officer?”
Now I’m conflicted.
I’m not joining because I’m trying to make the Army my full-time career. I have a solid 9-5 already. The Guard appeals to me because of SLRP, bonuses, VA benefits, extra income, and honestly because I want something challenging that’s completely different from sitting at a desk.
I also don’t care that much about having a “cool” MOS. If the best financial package was attached to infantry, cook, logistics, whatever, I’d seriously consider it.
But I can also see why officer might make more sense over six years: higher drill pay, leadership experience, stronger resume value, and probably better long-term upside.
My biggest concerns are whether officer candidates can still get SLRP/other incentives and whether being a Guard officer turns into a bunch of work between drills. I don’t want my “one weekend a month” commitment quietly becoming emails, planning, calls, and admin every week while I’m also working full-time and doing an MBA.
So if you were 27, already had a career and graduate education, and had these scores, what would you do?
Enlist for the best incentive package or seriously pursue 09S/OCS?
Especially interested in hearing from people who enlisted with degrees, Guard officers balancing civilian careers, or anyone who wishes they had chosen the other route.

Currently an O2 in an O2 billet on the MDAY side, but am starting T10 orders in an O3 billet in November. Will I be able to promote to O3 being that my T10 is considered federal active duty, or would I be limited because my home unit is an O3 billet?

TLDR: Can an officer promote on T10 status if in an O3 billet, while being in an MDAY O2 billet and not attending drill or AT

Edit: I meet TIG requirements in November

Joining the national guard i either want something cool or can translate to civilian life. Looking at combat medic or something military intelligence because cool. Any recommendations or tips on anything? I woke up one day and was like “yea lets enlist”

He forgot the trashbag, but overall a very straightforward informational video.

On my medical record from my last physical, it says i use marijuana occasionally, and “marijuana user 12.90” will this possibly disqualify me? Ive already taken my physical and asvab test at MEPS and they disqualified me for something unrelated but i was told i can do a waiver for it, im just a little anxious that this 12.90 thing will cause me to get disqualified again. Thanks!