I dont know if anyone else feels or felt like i do right now. im 21, i have a beautiful newborn daughter, a gorgeous fiance and an amazing family that will support me in anything i do...BUT there is a problem. I want to go to the national guard and i feel selfish leaving my daughter, future wife and family for something I WANT to do. Of course they rather me stay here and study medicine like a "normal" person but i feel the need to help over there. i honestly wouldnt mind getting deployed once or twice but again i feel is selfish of me to leave everyone that loves me behind and worry them for something i DONT have to do...its something i want to. What should i do?
Some of us, in this world, are called to do something above and beyond "normal". One person may want to teach. The next may choose to be a religious leader. Others, to be a firefighter or police officer. Many more are public servants. And then there are those of us who join the military.
There are a lot of reasons to enlist, but i think for most of us it is a calling. I know the marines have possesion of the slogan "the few and the proud" but it applies across the board. Military service is really an honorable thing, and unfortunatly many many people in this country do not understand that.
I would say to you, go ahead and sign up! You may not get the reactions you like initially, but in the end, you WILL be a hero for your family. They will always love and respect you no matter what. I know this from personal experience.
Originally posted by SGTLEMIEUX: Some of us, in this world, are called to do something above and beyond "normal". One person may want to teach. The next may choose to be a religious leader. Others, to be a firefighter or police officer. Many more are public servants. And then there are those of us who join the military.
There are a lot of reasons to enlist, but i think for most of us it is a calling. I know the marines have possesion of the slogan "the few and the proud" but it applies across the board. Military service is really an honorable thing, and unfortunatly many many people in this country do not understand that.
I would say to you, go ahead and sign up! You may not get the reactions you like initially, but in the end, you WILL be a hero for your family. They will always love and respect you no matter what. I know this from personal experience.
Thank you for your answer and support. i just feel very selfish and very depressed sometimes that im leaving my family and friends and putting THEM through the worries for something thats stuck in my head and that i want to do. i told my recruiter that im thinking of going to meps in march but im going to think this through till then and make a decision. hopefully all turns out well. and again thanks SGTLEMIEUX
I totally understand where you're coming from. I depped out in the active army when i was 19 because my fiancee (at the time) cried and said i was leaving her alone. Since then i've regretted it and now that i'm 27 i'm finally doing what i know i'm meant to do. I'll be shipping out on may 8th, and i've never been more excited. after 8 years of talking about it, she understands that it's not that i want to get away, but that i really need to do this for some reason. tell your fiancee how much this means to you and hopefully she'll be as understanding as my wife has been. bottom line. don't put something aside for someone else that you know you need for yourself. all it will do is create regret and resentment.
I think that when you are defending the freedom of millions of people, and putting your life on the line while doing so, it is by no means selfish. In the microcosm of your life it may seem so, but like Sgtlemiex said you will be a hero to your family.
I'm a wife of a great guy in the National Guard, and what he did was really talk to me about how he felt about joining. I think if your wife knows how you feel and that this isn't a decision you came too without thinking of her. She'll be okay in the end. Yes it is a bit selfish, but from the other side its selfish of her to want you to give up your dream and stay home. Also what if you did stay for her and your daughter would you grow to resent them for giving up your dream?
Hey guy- there is lots of benefits to joining the Guard like lower health and dental insurance cost compared to civilian providers. The GI Bill and tution assistance which can be used to better your education and thus your ecomonic/career situation overall which in the long run will better be able to provide a better life for your family. There is also the lil bit of extra income the Guard can bring too. This is how I viewed it when I enlisted. I love it and hope to retire from it as well.
Your thoughts for the family are to be commended and most of the military soldiers and families have dealt with this situation. There is a special calling for those who believe in their country and have the patriotism to serve. It is and becomes an honor to a soldier to provide a vital need for his country, state and family, your step to join the guard will be fulfilling and well worth the time you give. Although now it may seem like a burden on your family it will in the end be very bentifical to all. I tell you this as one who has experienced these decissions many times as I am approaching my 40th year in my career in the WVARNG. I have no regrets for my decission to join or for the many reenlistments, only great pride and a love for my country and the brave and noble men and women who find the courage in themselfs to serve. May God bless you in life and your decission, and may God bless America again. 1SG Allen
Hello mihavana21. First of all let me commend you on your decision to potentially serve your country & keeping your family's well-being in the forefront of your decision making. I'm a firm believer that you can be a guardsman & finish college concurrently because I am doing so myself. However, I do think that its easier to finish college first & then deploy. I am learning this the hard way as I deployed first & then tryed (am) finishing college afterwards. There are ways in which you can serve in a guard unit & be non-deployable...and going about it the "right" way. Consider ROTC through your university. As a cadet in your particular guard unit you are "non-deployable" (contracted cadet-meaning military obligation after college)while you are attending & finishing college. You go to the drills & do the same things everyone else does...just your in a "cadet" status (this is called SMP-simultaneous member program) meaning your an active drilling cadet in a guard unit. The other option is to do your research & find the guard unit you want to join & see when the last time they deployed was. If they recently returned (from deployment) then they should not be on a rotation list for another good 2 yrs. or so (at least in my experience). You could be relatively assured that you won't deploy until the next rotation (however there are no 100% gurantees...even in life) being a normal "M" day soldier (non cadet). So follow your heart, explore your options, do the research, & make an informed decision (keeping your family in mind). There will be plenty of time for deployments. I'm just advocating finishing college first, then deploying. Best of luck to you! -bphinson1977-
Veterans discharged after 2008 and/or current members of the armed forces also have a unique ability to enable employers to receive tax breaks of $2400.
In these hard economic times, I seriously doubt that employers are going to turn down potentially $24,000 a year in tax breaks (each time employers hire a Veteran discharged after 2008 and/or member of armed forces, the $2400 a year tax break applies each time. So, 10 Veterans, at $2400 a year each, is $24,000)over some good resumes.
Good resumes and good interview skills are promises, but money is tangible.
alot of states give you a state tax break for being in the Guard as well.
You can go Guard and go to school or medicine, nursing...consider officer programs and such..there's alot of opportunity in the military.
It all about what you are willing to put into it. I recommend it for everyone. Talk to your family...get the facts and whatever a recruiter promises, make them put it in writing!!!!
