I'm 17, live in Ohio, and a junior in high school. Me and my best friend have been talking about joining the National Guard/Reserves for a few months now and we both have talked to a recruiter and we both want to, but we don't want to alone. He's all for it, but I have a bunch of different issues. I'm scared. I want to join to get better discipline, in physical shape, pay for college, get a car, and have some money to spend/save. I want to do the Army National Guard/Reserves because of it's split/op program.

I'm scared because it's a six year contract and I'm not sure what could happen. I am honestly afraid of being shipped out to war and getting shot and permanently disabled - or worse.

I've never been a very physical active person, but I've been interested in martial arts recently - I'm not very strong, but I'm not over-weight. I'm 5'5, 140lbs. I have no motivation to do any working out because any time I try to go to the gym and work out, my mom doesn't let me. She comes up with some weird excuse.

I can't seem to find any jobs. I have one job that I work at for two days a week during the fourth quarter of the year. I've worked there for over a year now. No where else will hire me and I don't understand why. I've been pampered my entire life. I've never even made my own bed. I want to actually go out there and do things for myself for once.

I just need to know, is it worth it for me?

Only you can answer this question, to be honest. However, those with a military background will be able to give you a better answer. But my advice is to be absolutely sure that this is what you want before making the commitment.

My advice? Do it. If you don't you will always wish you had.
Don't worry about what "might" happen. Hell, an asteroid full of weird space aliens might hit the Earth and we might turn into food for the walking talking octopus aliens. MIGHT.

"Might" can say a lot. But it doesn't do jack squat.

Only you can answer if its worth it or not, speaking for myself I loved every second of my 5 year regular service and 15 years reserve. If I were in your shoes I'd sign along the dotted line in a heartbeat.

OP - the Reserves/Guard can be very rewarding but you have to remember this...

** Privates pick up cigarette butts and dog schit (meaning YOU will not be the one holding the coffee up watching work being done).

** Corporals still pick up cigarette butts and dog schit too but can *choose* which pile to heft.

**Buck Sergeants generally tell Corporals and Privates what the Staff Sergeant told him, and so on up the chain. \

** NOW, to get to the coveted Staff Sergeant position will take you many years in the Reserves/Guard.. why? Because there are just so many slots available for higher positions and folks don't move/transfer. They are citizen soldiers, have jobs/family in the community - so you might find yourself in the lower ranks for a long time if you plan on staying where you live

** The Training? From my experience it depends how serious your superiors are about being in the military and the realities of actually having to head towards the sounds of the cannon..... some units aren't worth a schit and they *look* like a bush league outfit. Others are top notch and can stand aside any regular Army unit any day. (how do you find out? Ask if you can spend a weekend with your local units - they will let you - see for yourself what they do, how professional they look/act)

** Getting in shape? The Reserves/Guard isn't going to be much help in this regard... they drill *once a month* and *two* weeks a year someplace. So, being physically fit will rest mostly on your shoulders, if you are not so inclined to do so on your own the Reserves aren't going to help.

** Now for what you do not want to hear. From your post you sound immature and someone who lacks initiative, and to be frank, a sheep - meaning 'follower' - my opinion? You are not ready for the military, Active or Reserve. This IS NOT a major *slap-down*, lots of young folks are the same - You wanted opinions.. I am giving you this as someone who has been in the elite and seen the mundane, and 19 years of experience as an NCO.

** NOW for what you would like to hear... if you choose to become a part of the military community go in with a positive attitude realizing that it will not be peaches and cream... IT CAN be all you will want it to be BUT IT IS YOU who will make that happen... and that means not sitting on your azz but being the best trooper in whichever outfit you find yourself.

PS: Looking for an income? Look at the military pay scale... pay is basically 4 days of regular military pay per month. And at a privates pay that MAY put gas in your car for a couple of weeks... it WILL NOT pay your rent etc, etc. It IS a nice SUPPLEMENT to whatever income you may have...

M551sheridan what a great overview!

Originally Posted by Osiphen

I have no motivation to do any working out because any time I try to go to the gym and work out, my mom doesn't let me. She comes up with some weird excuse.

^ This is your 1st problem. You should not have an excuse of "my mom doesn't let me" to stop you from working out. This sounds like your excuse. If your serious about joining you need to find some motivation to work out. Understand that you do not need to go to a gym to work out, there should be nothing stopping you from running or doing sit-ups and push-ups. You can do that on your own time at your own home.

Originally Posted by headwards

M551sheridan what a great overview!

thank you....... just calling a spade a spade. To many young folks play those damn *killer videos* and see glamor in combat... there certainly IS excitement but no such thing as John Wayne and the pretty nurse holding hands in the sunset....... I know.. stupid me looked all over the jungle for that nurse...

wanna know sumthin? --- never did find her... o'John did done *LIED* to me. who woulda thunkit. and I had such grand plans for me and her too

Ive been thinking about taking a break from real work to go do a stint helping out with the Basics. I'll wait till ive got rank but I reckon itd be a sweet eight weeks.
The best bit would be the rainy days...

Originally Posted by m551sheridan

thank you....... just calling a spade a spade. To many young folks play those damn *killer videos* and see glamor in combat... there certainly IS excitement but no such thing as John Wayne and the pretty nurse holding hands in the sunset....... I know.. stupid me looked all over the jungle for that nurse...

wanna know sumthin? --- never did find her... o'John did done *LIED* to me. who woulda thunkit. and I had such grand plans for me and her too

Judging from cadences, I'm guessing some dick named "Jody" is your problem. He's got your nurse.

Anyways Osiphen, I think you should join except instead of joining the Nasty Girls you should go active duty. That way the structure that you need is there every day and not just once a month. Like m551sheridan said, you don't sound like you'll easily fit into a military lifestyle... but maybe that's exactly why you need it.