Joining the national guard.

[wasralex22]

It has been a dream of mine to join the national guard. I am finally taking the steps to do so. I already talk with my recruiter and do to a hand tattoo I have to get it removed. Anyway, I have a question or two. I am looking at 31B as it's really the only MOS that interest me. I'm curious as to know what type of deployment will I be looking at, and most likely where? My other question is what will I be doing during times like this? Ie, when not deployed? I seriously appreciate any help. And please go easy on the whole want to be a MP, it's just the only MOS that interests me .

 

[robjax]

Congrats on your decision.

 

[wasralex22]

It's actually fort leonard wood. I would do basic, and AIT. I best make friends with the drill SRG quick..

 

[Martlet]

PM Martlet

 

[Catdaddy]

Pm sent

 

[Picton]

Congrats. Joining the Guard is a decent thing to do.

When not deployed or actively training, you'll get a small part-time taste of what every modern soldier learns: mopping, buffing, and doing inventories.

 

[houdini]

great

 

[jbehuniak]

31B... deployed you will be infantry not a bad job at all. Congrats and thanks for doing something that a lot of people wont.
If you haven't signed yet look into helicopter mechanic you will not be disappointed. Aviation treats their soldiers good.

 

[USCav82]

I suppose the first thing to do is tell us what the recruiter told you about being an MP. Had a CSM tell me once that 99% of his job is managing expectations... It's also hard to say certain fields treat their soldiers good. All depends on the chain of command and not much else.

 

[chrbla2000]

Ft. Leonard Wood... ahh.... I took basic and AIT there, we called it Misery over Missouri. July and August were absolutely terrible from what I remember. And, for all that, I wouldn't trade it for anything. Good luck on your journey and thanks in advance for your service.

-chris

 

[jd4444]

31B... deployed you will be infantry not a bad job at all. Congrats and thanks for doing something that a lot of people wont.
If you haven't signed yet look into helicopter mechanic you will not be disappointed. Aviation treats their soldiers good.

All the above is true (for a helicopter mechanic), you just will not get promoted above E5, at least in Mass.

 

[gearwhore14]

Depends on the units mission. Some MPs are more like corrections, some are law enforcement patrol types, some are doing convoy escorts. I would ask the recruiter if you can get some info on the exact unit you would be going to. He may also be able to arrange a visit as well.

Sent from my HTC6525LVW using Tapatalk

 

[mark056]

Do you know what MPs do? Probably not.

 

[76Too]

Or you could ditch the panties and join the Marine Corps! Just kidding...seriously kidding. But FYI we have Buddy Fuc....I mean blue falcons...i mean MP's in the corps as well.

 

[hurley431]

.

 

[Shark_Cage]

Congrats, good for you. Best

 

[GPP]

Ahh yes, Military Police... the natural enemy of the 11B...

The truth is 40% of the time you will be standing around in uniform trying to look busy while hanging out with other privates so you don't get assigned busy work (called "smoking and joking")... 20% doing menial tasks that are wholly unrelated to your job, 20% in various death by power-point briefings, 10% training to do your actual job, 8% making the best memories of your life, and 2% doing your actual job.

Good luck with the wonderful form signing marathon you have ahead of you; and congratulations.

P.S. Beware the green weenie

Best post right here. Pretty much all he needs to know to not go MP, and go to the rotary wing world as a wrench, live the good life at Ft. Rucker for a bit, and then fly around on hawks.

 

[mark056]

Best post right here. Pretty much all he needs to know to not go MP, and go to the rotary wing world as a wrench, live the good life at Ft. Rucker for a bit, and then fly around on hawks.

I'll second GPP's assessment. I'm thinking that OP is clueless regarding what MP's do and has some romanticized misconception.

 

[lancecolonel]

Best post right here. Pretty much all he needs to know to not go MP, and go to the rotary wing world as a wrench, live the good life at Ft. Rucker for a bit, and then fly around on hawks.

Do helicopter mechanics leave training with A&P license? If so that can be a huge plus when looking for a real job down the road.

 

[M1911]

Do helicopter mechanics leave training with A&P license? If so that can be a huge plus when looking for a real job down the road.

My friend did not. However he used the GI Bill when he got out to get an A&P and a helicopter pilot's license. I don't know if that is typical or not.

 

[GPP]

Do helicopter mechanics leave training with A&P license? If so that can be a huge plus when looking for a real job down the road.

Thats a good question. I know the 15T program at Rucker was like 15 or 16 weeks, I would guess that the other airframes have similar length training.
Not sure on the A&P license, but I would think it wouldnt be far off once youre in the civilian sector.

 

[Picton]

Some Guard units might support civilian certifications during UTAs. When I was in the Wyoming guard (lo these many years ago), the unit got us all CDL-trained. But it wasn't an Army thing, it was a unit thing.

 

[MikeT239]