I would like to join the National Guard but, first I would like to know if once in the Guard, you can still get sent to a foreign conflict, lets say Iraq or in a few years (we all know its bound to happen) Russia or China

As far as I am aware you can still be sent to a combat zone such as Iraq or Afghanistan but in a few years I would probably say that the zone your most likely going to be sent to would be Afghanistan but who is to say what could happen in a couple of years wont know till some hot spot pops up I guess. Hope I have been any help

There is a common misconception with the National Guard.

When you enlist in the "National Guard," you actually enlist into two things: your state Army National Guard and the Army National Guard of the United States. They practically have nothing to do with each other.

As a member of the National Guard of the United States, you are a reserve soldier and can be activated by the US Army at anytime for anything. This includes wars, training, or if they just like it. This is known as Title 10 activation and has nothing to do with your state. When the government has not activated you under Title 10 (like BCT, AIT, AT, various schools, or deployment), then you are a member of your state Army National Guard.

This is where your state can activate you two different ways. One is Title 32. This is where the US Army wants you to do a mission as a state National Guard soldier. Your state officially activated you and there are restrictions on what you can do, as well as liberties. For instance, Title 32 soldiers are not fully protected like Title 10 soldiers in all liability, and are partially restricted in exercising command over Title 10 soldiers, but at the same time Title 32 soldiers can exercise police powers and arrest citizens. Title 10 soldiers cannot.

Your state can also activate you under state active duty orders. You get paid differently and receive no federal protections or rights at all. You get worker's compensation and whatever pay if any that they give you. It may be a case of being "voluntold." At the same time, you have whatever powers your states has given you just like under Title 32.

thnx that helped me alot, and i decided to join the MArines instead

I take it you are in JROTC from your screen name? You will probably get alot of questions from posters in reference to your s/n.

SAD does not count toward retirement points. Unless it is >30 days you wont even get full BAH, you will get BAH2. SAD is a total screw job IMHO. Twice on it in 2 years and now i see why all the SNCOs somehow get out of it.

well let me tell you, i take the army guard over any other military, title 32 is a army national guard, title is 10 is regular army, i was a RA all the way, 3 years did me. i was a army guard for 25 years. the RA can screw you anyway they want. when the president call your unit up, you still a army guard, but you will be class as a title 10, but you still an army guard. the regular army has a lot of know it all people, but the guard got the best of people. i know i been all over the world helping the dummies out.they are legends but only in there mind. they did not pull the bs on me. we got 38 thousand people in regular military , who is not a citizen of the country, now don,t that tell you something.look at the people needing job in this country. thanks wendell watson retired ms. tn. guard