Hey everyone.

I am interested in joining the US Army more than anything...but am still unclear as to whether I should join the Guard or Reserves...I talked to a guy that was Active Duty just yesterday taht said if you want to be in the Army at my age, the best thing to do would be to join the National Guard. He said that with the Guard my unit will be close to home, whereas in the Reserves I could be assigned to any unit in the country. They make the same pay I believe...but I just don't know what to do. I have spoken with both the Guard recruiter and teh Reserve recruiter in my area and tehy both said that in the end it would be my choice...but they didn't say that their branch was better or worse. He also said that after I graduate high school and get my AIT done (either 19D, 18B or 21M) I could request to go overseas before college whereas in the Reserves I go when they tell me to and that is it. I would like to get a tour overseas under my belt before I go off to college so that I have the experience. Any recommendations on which way to go? Thanks everyone...this was a long post and I didn't even get to say everything I wanted!

-Aegis

They told it like it really is...it is your choice to make. Advice concerning this will be limited to our own experiences and while we do get some National Guard in here they are few and far between. Reservists about the same. Active duty and retired is another story altogether. Lots of those around. Myself I served 20 years in the Marine Corps on active duty. The thought of being a reservist never occurred to me as I was having way too much fun everyday. To me serving in the Reserve and or National Guard, means I still have to work a civilian job in order to eat regular.

Not sure just what experiences you hope to gain by going overseas before college. If you have a chance to go to college now, then you need to go to college first. I would make that my main priority in life. If after college you want to serve, then by all means do so, college will give you a foot in the door as an Officer.

I do want to be an Officer...eventually. I would like to be enlisted for a while though because I need a way to pay for my college. I was thinkning about active duty but I don't know if I could still go to basic between my Junior and Senior years. My Guard recruiter told me that if I enlist in the Guard for six years, then they will pay for my college and I can do ROTC and recieve my commision after my six years, then go active duty like I want.