Which route would you go?

Ultimately I encourage people to do what is right for both them and their family.
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[@brayden4940]

Got to do my last mission in afghanistan with 19th special forces group out of Utah. Those guys were badass, their medic was a medical doctor and a green beret on the weekends!

[@Justin-dy2ib]

I did a few with 20th group years ago. I don’t remember which state they were out of (somewhere South due to their accents) but they were high speed as well. Totally changed my outlook on some National Guard Units.

[@deebo9981]

Thats really ironic because I was considering selection or going to the guard and getting attached to the 19th.

[@Edwin-un3px]

Col Watt was our chief up in Ogden. Got a lot of chances to train with some 19th guys before he retired.

[@joshualittle877]

I did 4 years with 20th Group beginning in 2001 just prior to 9/11. I transfered there from an Airborne Infantry LRS Company. I delployed down range with them an the rest of CJSOTF 2002-2003 still tight with all Green Beret buddies to this day. What the younger active duty SF guys didnt realize at first was alot of the Guard SF guys brought a ton of exoerience to the table. We had Federal, State and Local Law Enforcement Special Ops guys..My Det Commander was an FBI HRT Agent, We had DEA, Deputy US Marshals, CIA people, Border Patrol,SWAT Cops and SWAT Commanders, Doctors, Veteranarians, Fortune 500 CEOs, PMC Blackwater Contractors, RNs, PAs, Coreections Officers former Delta, SEALs and SWCC( my best friend was SWCC and a diver at NASA.) We had former Vietnam SF Guys when we went to Afghsnistan in 2002 as well as guys who spent time figjting in the Larin American anti drug and anti communism wars in El Salvador Colombia and Nicaragua. etc. Two officers I know retired on Active Duty side after soending years in the 20th Group one retired a Full Bird Colonel and one a General.

[@KC-UT4rmAZ]

Was with the 19th here in Utah. All the years I was with them I can say, there’s no such thing as only weekend a month. We were constantly training.

[@davidsisson6381]

I went national guard. 1994. Instead of full time. It was good. Because My daughter was just born. I got to spend more time with her. And still serve My country. Best memories.

[@Girth.Brooks11]

The national guard is a gold mine. AGR’s, Fed Techs, OTOT, dual retirement. The possibilities are endless.

[@ianchristensen1661]

What's fed techs or OtOt?

[@johnng584]

I may not be NG SF, but I will say being in the infantry NG(PA) has helped me tremendously in my community. It helped me get my police job and build report with the people I run into on the streets and other officers I work with, even in other departments. Its opened opportunities I don’t believe I would have had without it. Call me a “weekend warrior” all you want, regardless I know my job as an infantryman and a cop. Both with many different skill sets, and both with just as many similarities.

[@brandonbp122]

I was Marine infantry. It taught me how to shoot at cardboard and walk long distances. On very special missions they let us dig holes.

[@johnng584]

@@brandonbp122 lol brother, I was in the police academy with a couple 0311’s. Some of the best dudes I’ve had the pleasure of knowing and I’m glad I got to meet and know them. I can also confirm somewhat of the same type of humor as you’ve displayed here haha but hey bro, don’t sell yourself short! There’s plenty of LE and first responder jobs out there that could use your critical thinking skills, tenacity, discipline, and skill set. (Even like TCCC).

[@brandonbp122]

@@johnng584 I was a Fed criminal investigator.. It was fun. Now I own a taco pub in a tourist town on the beach in Europe. This is also fun. 🙂 I don't have to dig holes anymore.

[@brandonbp122]

@@johnng584 On a more serious note, 0311s are hysterical. It's something about men (boys) being miserable together that gives you a sense of humor. Whoever could say the most obnoxious nasty thing always got the most laughs. That same sense of humor doesn't always translate well with the civvy population 😆

[@mividabrazy9104]

your career is exactly what i want to be. im about to ship out to fort moore for infantry NG and when i get back i want to become a police officer . thanks for the POV🙏

[@Coyote-wm5op]

One of the terrible things about Guard is trying to keep good relationships with employers. Sometimes schools or other orders pop up short notice. Sometimes other employees become hostile or jealous because you’re not at work. You also don’t have the support or resources for you and your family like active duty does near or on the installation. It’s really not intended for single parents. One weekend a month and two weeks a year is the bare minimum and rarely happens anymore. A lot of online courses have to be done on your own time on government computers at your unit and the full timers don’t want to leave you the keys to do it after hours when they leave.

[@prylosecorsomething3194]

I got very lucky with that. I'm Air National Guard and my boss on the civilian side is very supportive of it. If the Air Force calls me he's always okay with me disappearing for awhile

[@TheDriller100]

@blickpantheraj9029😂😂😂 man listen to yourself 😂😂😂.. 🤡🤡🤡

[@shanecaldwell8995]

You wouldn’t check me at the armory if I’m not getting paid to do hours worth of work

[@user-tp4fr4ij1p]

It’s an art. Not many can balance military, civilian career, and personal life.

[@samuelmarberry4761]

Right! It's the epitome of setting on the fence, "I want to serve my country!"...."Can I just serve my country on the weekend? I have a girlfriend and would rather sleep in my own bed.... but, but.. um, but I want to serve my country".... Service is sacrifice, if your country isn't worth the sacrifice to you, than find another way to serve, like helping around your community. You can improve your community and still sleep in your own bed next to your girlfriend every night, still pick the kid's up from school, and not worry about sacrificing your comfort for your country!

[@TheTeeDay]

Guard guys catch a lot of flak but I served with absolute professionals who kept their military careers going despite also balancing a professional civilian career. Many of the guys in our unit were pilots, doctors, a lawyer, and a ton of federal agents.

[@kevinzhang6623]

Just curious, what MOS were those pilots, doctors, lawyer and federal agents?

[@TheTeeDay]

@@kevinzhang6623 the afsc would be 1z3x1

[@TheTeeDay]

@@jasonshink6589 because people have this assumption that guard guys don’t see combat which is incorrect

[@TheTeeDay]

@@jasonshink6589 The point was these guys were not only warfighters but professionals with another separate, high performing career. Seeing combat isn’t this end all be all it’s just apart of your job that some get to do. Never understood the pedestal people needed to put it on. It also doesn’t mean that once you’ve done that you are allowed to be a shit bag the rest of your life. Which a lot of people tend to do.

[@TheTeeDay]

@@jasonshink6589 Part time warrior. Ha. You can only do one thing good. Seeing combat and coming home being that “broken warrior” is not an achievement. To do something great and get out only to continue life in a small meaningless job is a disservice to yourself and your family. It seems like the generation today prides themselves on that. The military is just a job. Do it full time, do it part time, or don’t do it at all, it doesn’t really matter. People who do more great things are just better than those that don’t. That’s literally how achievement works.

[@jeremyjames2643]

My dad was national guard for over twenty years. As well as most of my uncles, they came from a small town so they all wanted to stay together home. All my uncles have gone to Iraq or Afghanistan, my dad did both desert storm and operation Iraqi freedom as a combat medic, he has a purple heart he has a huge scar on his stomach from getting shot. I’ll always appreciate what he’s done for us, if anyone has served with him his name is John James.

[@jadaboo907]

Awe my dad served in desert storm but he was AirForce!

[@blazegulizack]

And you weren't?

[@ihcman9130]

I wish someone would have given me advice like this when I graduated HS.

[@romiliomillermartin6851]

You can still go

[@shmunkytron8612]

It’s not too late bro ! I’m 21 rn and joining (not this exact route) in a year or two.

[@ihcman9130]

@@shmunkytron8612 I'm 43, a little late for me.

[@ihcman9130]

@@romiliomillermartin6851 I'm 43, pretty sure 39 or 40 is the cutoff,

[@ahla-3337]

@@ihcman9130you can get an age waiver.

[@christophernolen4117]

I absolutely agree with his statement. I was active duty SF, and have many friends in the SF national guard, and they always had better opportunities for schools because they weren’t deployed constantly.

[@TrippinBusa]

Let's be real you get zero personal freedoms while on active duty. Most big decisions have to be run up through the chain of command. God forbid you want to get married. I've seen people chewed out for buying a car.

[@InfiniteGrit]

Drives me absolutely insane haha

[@TrippinBusa]

@@InfiniteGrit it's why I got out

[@stevefromwork6136]

I wouldn't do it with a family. Luckily I'm single and no kids I honestly believe the army NG would help ne build a better life for the family I will have. That I could do without it and that is a big motivation.

[@zacharyfindlay-maddox171]

Ha that happened to me I got chewed out for buying a car, which became mandatory because at my duty station we were forced to move out into the city after one year to make room for the next group of Marines. This was at Marine Barracks Washington 8th and I. I got yelled at because I didn't ask permission first, a rule about buying anything over "$1000 dollars" needed permission from senior enlisted in my platoon. Mind you I had been doing funerals at Arlington National Cemetery and working at the Pentagon as Ceremonial guard. Man your comment brought back some memories. : )

[@TrippinBusa]

@Zachary Findlay-Maddox when were you at 8th and I I was supposed to do that but wound up going FAST. Best decision ever. 09-14

[@diceforpop]

One thing I can say about the national guard, is that whenever someone’s MOS matches their career outside of the army, they’re better at that MOS than active duty. This is especially true with EMTs & someone who works in tech

[@InfiniteGrit]

I definitely agree with that!

[@IronOgre]

I was a medic and I thought I was hot shit until a Guard medic, civilian GP, unintentionally showed me how everything I ever fucking did was in some was less efficient, slower, short sighted. Absolutely agreed

[@tylerjuarez9817]

Can verify that's the absolute truth with mechanics too. Our Mission Select Reserve Aviation Mechanics make Active Duty Aviation Mechanics look like dog water.

[@Drewzdev]

Active duty includes all the other red tape/ secondary roles you fulfill in the unit. If your job in the private sector is the same you spend more time just doing that one thing. It is just because on active you actually have 3 or more different actual jobs, especially as you climb in rank. It comes at the cost of technical proficiency, for tactical / management proficiency. That doesn’t even take into account B-billets where they leave the technical job for years then come back as a shop chief.

[@daviddavis3229]

Bullcrap.

[@usblackice1917]

Imagine being SF and in the border mission! Get chance to work with Bortac

[@InfiniteGrit]

That’d be a pretty great mission!

[@mountainsurge7235]

Would be a dream come true

[@dutch4973]

Idk anything about NG or SF, but Bortac dudes by and large sit in the Tahoe monitoring cams listening to podcasts just the same as field agents. Borstar has a much higher optempo.

[@takakonobe]

They train with them all the time. Alot of the Bortac guys are prior SF.

[@pablo4yu]

Dont meet ur heros lol… they’re all bought out by some random cartel. Don’t believe, well i live here in el paso and these border guys all have 100k plus trucks and range rovers n stuff… and live in my upper middle income neighborhood. And BORTAC LMAOOO A JOKE they dont do anything except accept bribes bro

[@thatguy1522]

I am 31 and decided I wanted to be a part of something bigger than me and join. I just passed my ASVAB today and will be going to do the physical and all that next week. I'm super excited for this. I also have a daughter so I'm glad I went this route to spend more time with her and still serve my country.

[@InfiniteGrit]

Man that’s amazing! Wish you nothing but the best!

[@KC-UT4rmAZ]

All the years I spent with the 19th SF I can say there’s no such thing as only one weekend a month. We were constantly training.

[@jr75848]

"Ain't no rest for the Wicked."

[@justinmaguire169]

But all that time in training etc. Is paid right? Im planning on doing Guard SF and am only conerned about the financial stability of SF. Like, could it be a primary source of income or would i have to have a civilian career.

[@craighauk3745]

​@@justinmaguire169 You're gonna want to find a civilian employer who'd be cool with you disappearing on short notice.

[@CliffsCinema]

@@justinmaguire169you need a civilian career as well, however it is illegal for any civ employer to discriminate against you or punish you for military time. They have to give you the time off by LAW

[@rickhall517930]

​@justinmaguire169 don't tell your anyone that you are interviewing with about your involvement in the National Guard. They'll find another reason why you aren't a good fit for the company since they can't discriminate based on military obligation.

[@justoshane6333]

7 years in the guard and counting. The amount of money I make from my civilian job while serving on state and federal orders while getting paid New York bah is AMAZING. Active duty guys would be so disgruntled when they found how much money we make.

[@justanthony23]

So many question for you bruh. I'm an old head (37) but thinking of join ANG because I'm going to be starting a family soon. Would love to pick your brain about whether this would be flexible my job and if I could go back to school at all.

[@jackjack4412]

Yeah because double dipping from taxpayer $ is BS

[@dudeskidude8376]

@@jackjack4412 I don’t see you complaining about our piece of shit administration wasting billions if not trillions on stupid shit. At least our soldiers can get paid

[@everydayash208]

Thing about the reserves is they told me it would be like a weekend a month. But it seems like most months are field days. This month I’m doing 5 days in the field and we return so late we all have to all out of work for a 6th day. Sometimes AT is like 28 days too.

[@jasonshink6589]

Boo hoo sweetheart.

[@waltherwagner9711]

National guard + firefighter or cop would be my go to, if I were an american.

[@Kushvader]

That’s really cool insight I been really interested in joint the national guard but hearing the special forces they have makes it more exiting

[@JohnDoe-yl4ls]

I love how my family is shitting on me for being a "weekend warrior". At least i will have a life and get to start my family!

[@InfiniteGrit]

Sorry to hear they’re putting it down but there’s absolutely nothing wrong with it and good on you for using it to set yourself up!

[@arttheclown9458]

Nah fuck that, while they been or are on Active Duty picking up cigarette butts and cleaning the latrines, just remember you only have to do that part time and you go home and sleep in your own bed at the end of the day. Not in some nasty ass barracks room with molding. Tell them that next time.

[@JohnDoe-yl4ls]

@arttheclown9458 thanks bro i appreciate that!

[@seanfallo592]

Every war needed "weekend warriors." I was a Combat Engineer in the guard. Absolutely best job I've ever had.

[@Noah-Schultz]

Go active and then guard after. I’m happy I got the 4 years active duty out of my system, you’ll come to appreciate what the guard has to offer more and not wonder “what could have been”. This guy is right through the Guard side has a lot of opportunity and the 19th is top notch!

[@MrWiskytango]

It’s true I’m currently in the reserves and trying to cross train to EOD it’s a pretty dope balance of down time and service tbh

[@MrJme3192]

Best advice, do one term active the join the guard or reserve. That’s what I did. 😂😂

[@nelsonzambrano5788]

❤

[@blexgaming]

I’ve always wanted to join the military, but fighting for corporate gain is something I can’t deal with.

[@maxrodriguez5231]

@@blexgamingthen go coast guard where you are not “fighting” but saving lives and still get a military experience

[@blexgaming]

@@maxrodriguez5231 never thought of that. Sounds like something to look into. Thanks

[@rockychang7595]

@@blexgaminglook into border patrol as well since they’re under the department of homeland security with the coast guard.

[@Imaxodt]

Everyone be calling national guard pussies and stuff but I feel like they just taking the smart route 😂 like you serve your country and be with your family what’s better than that.

[@jasonshink6589]

What's better than some guy that's part time? Idk probably a full time SF guy

[@icarusnicholas2852]

@@jasonshink6589technically yes & no because as a national guard you serve your country and your state so if anything you have more duties although you are correct yes ofc full time is more work, but since we’re are not in a major war yet [ that we know of 😉]most of special forces when not deployed or training/drilling are mopping rooms and other shit like that since they’re full time, if you’re part time you get to do your cool shit and dip back to civilian & you still get at least a couple deployments with 4 years SF contract

[@jasonshink6589]

@@icarusnicholas2852 no. To all that. SF isn't mopping floors. You have no idea what your talking about.

[@denno3124]

​@jasonshink6589 which one are you?

[@jasonshink6589]

@@denno3124 touche

[@dakotachambers3163]

So I’m currently in this situation right now, joined active duty in 2014 did 4 years, then switched to the reserves and I’m on the last year of a 6 year contract. I make great money as a civilian truck driver. But I miss that lifestyle so much that I’m getting back on active duty, taking a huge pay-cut but the happiness is something I’ve lacked since I became a civilian weekend warrior. After every drill I dread going back to work because I got that little taste of the army life, hanging with the guys, doing missions and all of that. To each their own

[@viciouzpantha]

Be an officer or Warrant. Enlisted for the birds an times are different from when you were in. Its a reason everyone getting out an not joining

[@cracklespinner4802]

Passed 4 years I've missed every wedding anniversary 3 Thanksgiving 2 Christmases 2 of my daughter's birthdays 3 of my sons birthdays all from 2 back to back deployments multiple state mission deployment 1 jrtc 2 ntc haven't seen 2 days a month in 6 years it's always 4 days some times 5 days sometimes twice a month..national guard optempo is extremely high right now the government is leaning heavily on NG. Over 20k are currently deployed around the world mostly in Africa Europe and the Mexican/u.s border...don't sign if you are expecting one weekend a month for free college while growing at your civilian career...its harder than active duty. Active duty works 8 hours a day then goes home like a 9-5...NG works 20 hrs a day 4 hrs of sleep repeates for a few days and then goes back to civilian job..its tough

[@user-lb3hd7ip4o]

AM SURE when you were home there was so much love x

[@nelsonzambrano5788]

Ps: and many people love it..

[@denno3124]

​@nelsonzambrano5788 just not the people most important to you

[@robertdeffenbaugh9004]

My Mom was Active Duty in the National Guard. The Base was near our home so it was very convenient. My Mom did her 20 years retiring comfortably. I’m glad the Active Guard Reserve Program exists for those who want to raise a family comfortably in the Military.

[@bleekskaduwee6762]

The only problem with AGR is that there are very limited slots open and people don't generally leave those slots often

[@arttheclown9458]

@@bleekskaduwee6762yeah youd have to get lucky to snag a job there, but once you do, its literally the best gig ever.

[@coryschidler913]

I spent 13 years in the National Guard and 7 in the Reserves. It was a great experience. I often recommend those entering the military to start with the National Guard or Reserves. Then, if you like the military, you can always go full-time duty.

[@jasonshink6589]

No

[@denno3124]

Not always. My old command let one go from the entire division...ONE. They did not want to release bodies for active duty.

[@crfogal67]

I understand the choice will vary from person to person. I did both National Guard and active duty. I had trouble taking National Guard seriously after being active duty. I did better with immersion in the job. The freedoms you mentioned just became huge distractions and pulled me away from the focus needed that I got better from daily development that hone skills.

[@Dubz101]

For older guys who have their shit together the guard is better, but for young men who need help getting started in life, active duty is the way to go

[@OlancerZ]

The only real difference in the selection process for the Guard is that you need to get blessed off by your higher to start drilling with the SF unit. Then you do SFRE, which is a weekend long selection run by the SF unit. If you meet the criteria, you'll drill with them doing field exercises/PT sessions/assisting the unit until you go to SFAS.

[@GulKhan-te7bh]

Hilp

[@arttheclown9458]

They have shows that Guard SF has a higher A&S selection rate than their Active Duty counterpart solely because they are mentored before even arriving, especially at SFRE

[@justjsse8917]

Only thing I would say is if you go national guard and are young. You must stay self disciplined and stay locked in. Getting sent back to your home town with confidenxe and some money in your pocket can be trouble.

[@donaldlamendola1392]

Iraq 2005 we had a NGSF team from. Tennessee on our camp. Those dudes were just high speed as any other group I've seen or been around.

[@marko_blax]

I told myself yesterday that if I could just go back in time I would do that 😅😅😅 former active duty

[@InfiniteGrit]

Haha I hear that! I just got off active duty in January

[@soldtobediers]

Active Duty means that... “We defend and protect those lives we do not live.” That is the difference! -11b4p 1/504 back in ‘74.

[@illumination101]

So ironic, our natl guard is somewhat small,big enough for the town ,somewhat, but very minimally secured

[@kenjf1009]

It's really hard to keep up with your training in the NG and have a civilian job. Guard bumming is possible but not really conducive to a stable life.

[@Thatsaltygrunt]

I agree with that. I joined WAANG at 17 it was a nightmare balancing civilian work and duties as a MDay guy but once I got a stable career and some time in the NG being on the line has been great

[@joshualittle877]

Bullshit. The Selection and Graduation rate for SF in the Guard is 85% much higher than the active side and most guys are family guys very few of us were single but that was my Batallion.

[@arttheclown9458]

While true to a certain extent, theres also some pretty sweet full-time gigs in the Guard that pay surprisingly well State-side. Some of them include but are not limited to wild fire search and rescue, counter-drugs operations, etc. This is actually how some Guard SF dudes get picked up by federal agencies.

[@kenjf1009]

​@@joshualittle877Nothing in my post was BS. I was speaking generally, not definitely. I'm glad your battalion was so considerate of your personal desires as opposed to the needs of the army. Take care, buttercup.

[@michaelt.9372]

SF in the guard is very limited. You don’t necessarily get to live where you want. You live where there’s an SF guard unit. When I enlisted in the guard I was assigned to a Sapper unit as a 12B. But that meant I had to drive 2+ hours away to be with that unit instead of being an 88M and only having to drive 10 minutes down the road. I unfortunately never made it anywhere as I tboned a car on my motorcycle not long after my enlistment.

[@joshualittle877]

Lets see 19th has Battalions located in Utah( Headquarters) Colorado, California, Texas, Washington, Rhode Island and West Virginia. 20th Special Forces Group has Battalions in Masachusetts, Virginia, Maryland, Kentucky, Illinois, Florida, Mississippi, Alabama. Most of those who driĺl in these units either come from one of these states or live in a near by state but you can live in what ever state you choose as long as you can get to drill. Out of a need to rebuild some capability after 20 years of war the Guard in most reasonable cases will pay some of your travel expenses though when I drilled with 20th Group they didnt and at least the cost of gas and driving came out of my own pocket and I drove from Texas. I drove from Texas because Texas didnt have SF at the time. Previously to SF I was in a LRS Company with a lot of already tabbed SF guys. I was one of two guys on my LRS Team that didnt have a Long Tab and the only guy with no Ranger Tab. Those guys that went to 20th Group today that are still in are at 19th Group in Texas now.

[@JoshuaTheLeast]

I would not recommend the national guard for anyone especially if you are in a high tempo deployment situation. You get all responsibilities of deploying etc without the same support once you come off title 10 orders. Civilian employers will avoid hiring you and your military pay isn’t going to be anywhere near enough to sustain you, The health insurance isn’t nearly as good as active duty and you have to surrender a substantial portion of your paycheck pay for it. Promotions are much harder and slower to acquire than active duty. They will break you, tear your life to pieces and discard you as soon as you fall outside of deployable parameters.

[@davidjennings9907]

Hey bubba those guys from the 19 th and 20 th are badasses too

[@Jackson480]

This is my goal currently. Will likely try in about 6 month

[@konnorwerth4906]

Wanted to join active duty but im in a good relationship and want to build a career while im young still (23) just passed my picat signed up for 11b in the guard hopefully all goes well.

[@ReptleBros669]

active is where it’s at currently stationed in hawaii and i absolutely love it also an 11B

[@Rinzler_48808]

Good luck my man i'm (23) also just waiting to take my ASVAB tomorrow morning. Super nervous cuzz when i got everything set with my Recruiter he said the ASVAB was just 3 days away so i'm just trying to refresh my mind especially in the math being my weakest points. Hopefully i can Join the (NG) soon wish you the best my man.

[@konnorwerth4906]

@@Rinzler_48808 you got it man! a few KZbin videos on math should help refresh I still have 1 ged test to finish and badaboom

[@silenceviolencesilence1370]

My cousin was National Guard SF for the State of MS. He had to be interviewed, and blessed off by the Governor of MS at that time before he was able to ship off to his Basic Training.

[@anotherarmchairhistorian2831]

If I could do it over again I would go national guard.

[@armando4599]

I think a lot of people don’t realize a lot of Guardsman are Law Enforcement on the civilian side, for example I was attached to 236th MP Co in San Antonio TX, we had a lot of civilian police officers, Sheriff’s, Texas State Troopers and Border Patrol in our unit, and yes we did have some of those guys that worked at McDonalds lol 😂

[@davidstamper7313]

Saw a active duty infantry unit cold weather train with a reserve unit. A good portion of reserve unit (even chain of command ranking people...) Reserve unit had lots of people "drop" toting a coldweather pack ascending elevation. (1986 era)

[@jaykay7300]

I served both on active duty and in the National guard and retired a few years ago. The military has changed and I wouldn’t let my son or daughter serve.

[@Venom-mf7io]

Why ?

[@jwanez8575]

Please say why?

[@gussampson5029]

Are you going to say why?

[@gussampson5029]

Is it because Emma only has two moms instead of three?

[@DeusMorii]

If you ask why your either blind or the problem.

[@vincek8405]

I spent 3 years with the Guards and 4 years with reserved both feel like the same. Except with the Guards i got called up to help with tropical storm to rescue people who stuck in the flood and hand out water and food. Also, when I was there, they asked for volunteers to go to Bosnia for a peacekeeping mission that other national guard units that was sent to.

[@kadenvarner9980]

Only thing about that is it’s still pretty much a full time job. You have to keep up to date with weapons, schools, PT, all that stuff especially in your off time. You have to train every day and some of those days you won’t get paid for. Where as active duty gets paid for all of it.

[@user-hn5dp2zs2l]

Hello, do you have relatives from eastern Europe? You remind me of someone, informative video's though keep them up👍

[@AddictedToJeepsCom]

35 years Air Guard - deployed mult times - but always stayed based in my home state. Plus had a civilian career also.

[@Vinnytwotime]

Even the xrays got trained up for selection to a t. They built all the apparatus while attending preselection through the guard. And if they didnt get selected, they got to wait to go back to selection. And only reported to one person rather than stay in OT or med hold.

[@jbird4165]

National guard special forces also have the ability to deploy more than active. You come back from a deployment and can immediately get back into another one if you choose to but you’d obviously have to go do that with another group like 7th or any others

[@jeffgib2758]

I served 20 years with 5/19 Special Forces, it worked out well for me.

[@marquisd.3307]

Yea but you need active duty time to receive certain benefits and amounts of those benefits

[@Based_Shogun]

Another benefit is you can go drill with an SF unit and spend time with them and see if you can hack it for a short time, say an AT or several drills.

[@rafaelecg9773]

My brother went that route in 1999 and became one their brightest!

[@GiveWarAChance375]

Lots of good dudes in the 19th and 20th groups. Solid guys.

[@jessesumner3387]

Is the wrong mind set to have a backup plan in the event that I don't get selected? (I have a 4yr degree. 33yrs old. Planning on going ng sf 18X, and if I don't get selected, going ocs and try again as 18 A.)

[@InfiniteGrit]

I think the only time plan b’s are an issue is when guys use it as an excuse to not put in 100% effort. Like “well even if I don’t get it this time I can always go in the future” type of mindset. But if you’re committed to the prep and everything that goes with it I think it’s good to have somewhat of a backup plan

[@erickellyCF]

For anyone who comes across this, the ng sf route is not 18x, but rep63. Same thing but it is important to know the difference when speaking with your recruiter

[@Chris09978]

I had the same thought process as well. I would’ve joined if it wasn’t for all this shit that currently going around. My plane was to be in the Air national guard and work my way up in the air special warfare as a PJ and be a PJ reserves. Only Air Force and Army does this the marines and navy I don’t think so, I think you have to be active duty in order to be in the special warfare community within those two other branches Currently what I’m doing now is, EMT work way up to be a paramedic. Get the TEMS certification and work for a police department as a SAWT medic, then work my way to be a US marshal SOG

[@terang_bae]

So why didn’t you?

[@Chris09978]

@@terang_bae read the second paragraph. I didn't join due to the fact on how soft the military has gotten since after high school and my first year of college, it has progressively gotten worse. I still till this day have the urge to go the recruiting office and sign that paper. On the other hand though, what I really wanted was to help the wounded the best way possible want to have better medical skills than what the standard combat medics get, so EMTs are better trained than combat medics which to me is very odd. Since that I went through EMT school theres more doors to open, I can be a TEMS which is basically a SWAT medic in a nutshell minor differences though, later on started to look into counter terrorism units domestic and they require SOF experince or prior I should say, almost lost hope until I found about the US Marshals SOG, those guys are so fucking cool and majority of those guys are prior SWAT, looked through their descriptions on the US Marshal website and they take prior LEO officers which is fucking cool. Have looked into the FBI, and Boarder patrol units its cool but not my thing minus the FBI HRT. I didn't do FBI cause how corrupted the agency is not talking about every individuals, just the agency alone. Have looked into the secret service but man I do not want to protect that pedo in office. US Marshals so far hasn't been corrupted or since last I've heard, to be fair though if a Marshal shows up at your door, you are fucked either way. I been digging through the US Marshals and they are primarly domestic not foreign and domestic like the FBI HRT and the CIA SAC/SOG

[@SpyderSuasponte]

I served with 19th and 20th Groups. Very squared away.

[@stevefromwork6136]

I'd like to own a small business the SF NG gives me an opportunity to become SF and have a business. Being 28 this is possibly my 1 shot at it. If I could go back I'd have either gone this route or at 18 gone to the 82nd then tried to move to SF.

[@Spooky-4000]

Then you’d be 35 trying to be an influencer breaking op sec 😩

[@WestCooly]

I hated trying to balance that life, can’t imagine doing it at the SF level, respect.

[@ItsPaige_Hi]

That land nav ruck march wouldnt tell you a blackhole took a light out

[@itsgunf1ghter148]

I was in 20th group for 10 years. Best job I ever had.

[@davidwillis8112]

I started out in the reserves and went active duty. You got some great points bout being a part time soldier. But me personally I enjoyed the active side better...I just figured I could get more out of the army on the active side. I knew I needed more than what the reserves offered mainly the day to day discipline and I knew I wasn't grown enough fir the real world yet

[@riversoleil7527]

My. Cousin is in the national guard and got deployed to Jordan, he looked sick doing so.

[@tmpace9]

Not to mention you'll get the same retirement benefits by the same time (20 years) after enlistment regardless of AD time

[@davehoff971]

Only one small problem with your statement. I’ll draw my pension immediately after I finish my 20 years (age 42). NG soldiers after 20 years can’t draw their pension until like age 65.

[@denno3124]

They draw at 60 and they do not draw the same monthly check. AD draws 50% of base pay. Not Reserve Components.

[@carknower]

Weekend warrior

[@Trill_I_Am]

I’m always for active duty. Either I’m all the way in or I’m not. Ain’t no half steppin.

[@chrisswanner4279]

I’ve heard that the n.g. Special forces is low key a even more high speed James Bond version of s.f. Like they do some more sneaky missions.

[@joshualittle877]

It certainly can be.

[@Onix.556]

Dude, as someone that did 14 years active before getting hurt then going National Guard….its the worst! There was zero standard and every thing was “pencil whipped”. Hell our captain was arrested immediately upon returning from Iraq for multiple horrible offenses against young Iraqi girls and stealing family support readiness funds for personal Disney trips

[@jasonshink6589]

Lmaoooooo. Thank God someone else lives in reality in these comments.

[@harveysanchez6993]

Some people spoke out about it being hard to provide for family while being SF Guard, obviously its harder to find a good job since SF Guard takes up a lot more time compared to regular Guard, a full time job is hard therefore. SF guard deploys every 3 years minimum and one also has to attend 4 or 5 days out of the month minimum for training which as stated by a SF Guard, people do a lot more. If your running your own business than SF Guard is good but probably gonna suck if your employed somewhere else especially if they're not okay with the amount of time your spending training and even being deployed.

[@ZombieArmy439]

For some people it's great but that was my whole contract and I hated it ,I personally can't keep switching between a military mindset and civilian mindset I have to be all in if I had to do it again I would totally go active

[@DougieBee]

Agreed. I left AD and gave the Guard a try. Stayed 10 years.

[@melancholy_matt7666]

And right now you can be making more than active duty does if you work on the border with the Texas National Guard but you’ll pretty much have a full time job

[@simplelivingmontana]

O ya this should help increase recruiting numbers.

[@efficientfuture1336]

National Guard will send everyone, active, not so much. I requested to go on deployment and I messed up. Had max pt, beat everyone but 2 guys in the co in 12 miler (both were officers after ranger school), but where I messed up was shooting top gun on my first try and paying schools my CO sent me to. I was a team leader (infantry) and unit armorer, rto for company and more all at the same time and the CO didn't want me leaving for abything, even for my wedding because it would mean someone else would have to fill in 5 jobs. It sucks. All i ever got was some certifications, battalion recognition and done awards that no one cares about. He did that to probably 4 of us. Saud if we did well hed sign off, but never did, just sent us to more schools no one wanted.

[@JDG0203]

Your personal freedom…

[@elaishh3533]

Surprised there was not a link at the end to contact a recruiter.

[@os3208a]

Couple questions. Do you think having been on anxiety meds in the past is an automatic DQ? Also are there dudes who go in at 30-35?

[@easttexasairsoft4319]

You can’t be actively on anxiety meds to enlist

[@coltonmims8561]

Nasty guard is the way to go

[@markargiro1577]

i plan on commissioning from rotc, im leaning national guard cuz of the personal freedoms. does anybody have any tips or considerations?

[@patricksaintjean_]

Wow, thought I would never hear this.

[@sfdclay]

That’s the route I’m going!

[@InfiniteGrit]

That’s awesome man!!

[@dylanplumley280]

I was thinking about national guard special forces.

[@thomasmarchese2808]

Honestly Guard SF sounds underrated AF. Yea it’s not active duty. But youre still SF. You can still go do the job when you’re called. You’re just choosing to be further down the list of who goes first. Obviously still not for everyone but definitely sounds like a solid way to go for some people

[@nacholibre1962]

Good plan.

[@Quietobserver9]

Can we get a full length video on this?

[@InfiniteGrit]

I got you 👌

[@davidgalton8847]

Also with UKSF(R), you can back door into the regs. You have to do their full time selection and you can only do it once you’ve served 4 years with live ops under your belt, but the opportunity is there for those that want it. Chris Ryan the author went that route; 23 and then 22. He had to spend a couple of weeks with the paras at depot for some reason, prior to going 22, but I think that was due to admin necessity.

[@dallascorpio]

I worked with 12th SF Group before they disbanded. Great training for a non SF guy like me.

[@aaronron2122]

My biggest regret in life is not putting in my packet for selections for 19th group. My wife at the time said she wouldn't stick around if I dropped a packet. I should have dropped the packet cause she said that all the time and she's not around nowadays anyway.

[@adrianciampa9958]

No way. It’s like having 2 full time jobs. If I had to start again I’d go active vs reserves.

[@ezraclemons2603]

19th SFGA, WVNG loved it and my unit. DOL AATW

[@erickellyCF]

How was home life compared to ad, though?

[@asanti3748]

From my understanding it’s based off demand and needs and your demand and needs are not as required as active duty, so it will take you much longer to complete your school and training than active. Or so I e been told by a recruiter. I don’t know from experience, he could have lied to me lol.

[@InfiniteGrit]

This is specifically for SF national guard. I honestly don’t know much about the national guard outside of SF

[@Yopperpo]

is there a link to the full podcast?

[@shortghoul]

Bruh i wish i had this advice when i joined seriously

[@justgeo3879]

We hate them because we ain’t them.. damn reservist

[@user-cd9mu2wn3n]

Yes it’s why I want to go NG, my dad and grandpa were NG, I’m Active smh I regret it…I feel like I’m doing a jail bid, my family moves on with life, people die and kids grow up

[@jamesozechoski8254]

Army/usar retired. Have friends that have had multiple deployments.its a reality of being in the army

[@markbassig1974]

Depending on the state and availability of positions including personal life decisions, it may be difficult to promote in NG due to smaller pool compared to a bigger pool of positions in AC.