Should I Join The National Guard?

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[G]

If u wanna retire young and never have to worry about money ever again once u do, join something that gives you a great pension. Example: (Police, firemen, military, etc) all offer amazing pensions.

[christopherstimpson]

I retired with a pension from the New Mexico State Police. No older age limit, just over 21. Some chose the National Guard too. We had to jog miles and miles and miles and all the training was at insane levels. But for those who can get it done, it's fun. The pension is great too and still offered.

[JustAName-itqp]

As a former member of the OKARNG, I transitioned to Active Duty due to how toxic the "politics" and leadership of the NG in OK, but even active duty is the same but more benefits. To each their own.

[zacharybohlman]

Unless you deploy several times the retirement check isn't anything to get excited about. Also it doesn't HAVE to be 20 years anymore, they modernized the retirement plan so you still get something if you leave before 20 years.

[MyLifeThai]

One of my buddies talked to a State Highway Trooper that retired at the age of 52 on the West Coast. We hadn't been aware that cops get to retire at 52 in places like California!!!

[charlespowell]

Don’t waste your time. Sitting around on drill weekends playing cards or pretending to work on your equipment which you don’t even have. Ask any guardsman yourself 😂

[PaulDuncanJr]

I see a lot of comments on whether or not she should join… But based on what she has said… She will not be able to join if she admits what she just admitted on this show. She won’t pass MEPS.

And if she was treated for ADHD the new Genesis program will catch that, and she didn’t mention what the major surgery was, but that will probably be a showstopper as well.

[al-yd]

So the way that National Guard retirement works is a little different than Active Duty.
For one you MUST do 20 years to get anything besides your matching TSP contribution.
After that the formula for the monthly pension is X*0.02*(Y/360)(0.025 if you have the legacy retirement plan but you gotta be an ol timer for that)
X is your monthly Basic Pay as if you were on Active Duty.
Y is your retirement points.
You get one retirement point per MUTA(usually two per drill day) and one per day of active duty, you also get 15 free points per year; maximum of 365 per year.
EDIT: Furthermore, National Guard retirement starts at 60 and can be reduced by the amount of qualified Active Duty; regular Active Duty retirement starts on the day of retirement.

[HighSpeedTV]

There is a bunch of terrible information about the National Guard and military service in the comments section of this video. I would encourage anyone considering military service to do their research and talk to verified members of the branch you are interested in.

[grimm]

I think a lot of people are quick to talk about the National Guard when she specifically stated she wanted to join the AIR National Guard which I’ve heard is night and day difference. Haven’t really looked into the NG but the ANG seems to be a pretty chill gig for people wanting to serve and still build and have a civilian life.

[stevenporter]

On the first question: suggestion - don't use the word 'protect' since it makes you look weak and need protecting as well as puts you in a position of owing the supervisor something that may be cashed in for that something you may not like at all.

[enhancedutility]

If anything you get employment and educational opportunities

[ArmyNurseCorps-uc]

The military won't work for her; the policy is "up or out", you simply can't stay as an E4 or 03 till retirement. The National Guard may have some flexibility to maintain critical skills; not so much the Reserve or active duty.

[kodjoeweka]

Absolutely yes! I joined the Maryland Army National Guard and did 10 years, one of the best life decisions I've ever made and I don't regret it at all. but i will make one suggestion, go full time military if you can.

[djpuplex]

So join a stressful situation with all her baggage, wow as desperate as the services are they'd need to pass on her.

[cyclingneikie]

I believe having ADHD is a possible disqualifier for military service.

[cheifhughw]

Do. Not. Join. For. Retirement. You will be in way longer than you think to get those benefits AFTER you reach retirement age. It will be longer than 20 years due to the retirement point system.

[warrentrout]

Do you have any idea what joining the military means? You could get activated for years. And if you don't you won't have enough points to get much of a retirement

[aolvaar]

I worked for a company that had legal minimum mandatory headcounts.
Choices:
Stay home and collect $1200/wk, 50% of weeks off.
or
do 5/12hrs=60 hours for $2100/wk
Some peoples need affirmation/ or money.

Backpacking, bicycling, camping, fishing

[fortgrove]

The retirement in a Guard will be less than social security. I was Guard and then went active in the Marines and Army and now the pension from my full-time service as an officer can pay for my base necessities. I.e mortgage, utilities, food. And comes with tons of benefits. But it took me from starting at 17 to my 50s. Do the Guard and Reserves for service not the little retirement from it.