Joining the National Guard

[Matthew.B]

Long story short: I'm at a crossroads in my life. I've been thinking and praying about this for a long time, and I'm thinking of joining the National Guard for two reasons:

1) To get the basic training required for combat and survival situations.

2) To join a network of men and women engaged in active local disaster relief efforts.

I honestly don't know much about the military, its branches, and the way the "winds of change" are blowing. I do know that I feel like even a cursory amount of military training would be incredibly beneficial, and have a desire to be able to join the militia of freemen, should our country ever be invaded. I am most interested in getting prepared temporally for the eventual required flight from Babylon to Zion, which I feel that training would help with.

What I am looking for is anything and everything- insight, experience, helpful stories, witty jokes, etc.- that might help me understand the full implication of joining. Particularly anyone with experience in the National Guard itself. I am well aware of the possibility of an upcoming war and the fearful possibility of deployment (on the other hand, drafting is also a serious possibility too).

If there's one place in the world where I can get a balance of help and experience, I feel like this is it.

Thank you in advance!

-Matthew

[sbsion]

DON'T DO IT

[bobhenstra]

If you feel good about it do it! However, may I suggest you check into every reserve or guard possibility. The National Guard isn't the only option!

My oldest Grandson joined the USAF and now is in a special language school in Monterey California, right on the beach, two year school. However he had to attend an escape and evasion (survival) program that he described as pretty darn tough. He'll be on flight status listening to foreign military radio messages flying miles off dangerous coast lines. If you have learned a foreign language you could qualify for a program like that.

There are a lot of options with the military, I suggest you check each one of them out! Going into a recruiters office doesn't commit you to anything, until you raise your right hand and repeat the oath, say I will, your not committed.

Missionary work can be accomplished in the military the same as it's accomplished as a civilian. And there is no tighter group in the military than with the LDS. Some of the greatest people I have ever known were Military LDS.

You remain righteous (penitent) and you'll not be taken before your time.

Bob

[sbsion]

if he's going to join......before that?

[bobhenstra]

Before what???

[Fairminded]

If you believe the U.S. to be involved in immoral, unjust, unconstitutional wars contrary to the doctrine of the Gospel, as I would hope you do, then the idea of joining in to fight in those wars should be repugnant to you. And make no mistake, the National Guard has been pulling double duty in the Middle East.

If you want to learn military strategy and weaponry as a means of preparing yourself there are plenty of private ways to do so. Sure, you don't get paid for it and it can get pretty expensive, but at least you're not selling years of your life and, more importantly, your soul in the process.

[heartsongs]

If you believe the U.S. to be involved in immoral, unjust, unconstitutional wars contrary to the doctrine of the Gospel, as I would hope you do, then the idea of joining in to fight in those wars should be repugnant to you. And make no mistake, the National Guard has been pulling double duty in the Middle East.

If you want to learn military strategy and weaponry as a means of preparing yourself there are plenty of private ways to do so. Sure, you don't get paid for it and it can get pretty expensive, but at least you're not selling years of your life and, more importantly, your soul in the process.

:ymapplause: :ymapplause: :ymapplause: :ymapplause: :ymapplause:

I'm all for being as Captain Moroni of old in defense of our God, our wives, family, children, country and our religion, however, I am afraid our Military is no longer on the same page as dear, noble, and righteous Captain Moroni.

I say pray about it really really hard. FAST, and go to the temple for confirmation! This is a HUGE life altering no turning back decision. It must be the right decision at the right time. Never make a decision in haste. Those decisions made in haste are always the wrong decisions. Good luck!!! :ymhug:

[gclayjr]

Matthew.B,

I don't know about the military now, but I served in the Marines during the 70s, while Viet Nam was still going on. We can argue endlessly about whether or not Viet Nam was a just war or not, but the men who fought it were truly the best of our generation (while recognizing that there are bad apples in any group). I was in the Marines, a truly elite fighting force that demands the best from you. THe Marines have a tradition of honor and integrity. The Marine Corps motto is "Semper FIdelis" which is latin for "alway faithful".

If you want to gain good character, and military skills, I suggest the Marine Corps...

But then I am not a completely unbiased observer

Semper Fi.

George Clay
Capt USMCR

[bobhenstra]

Lol, BYU hasn't cancelled their ROTC program, if the military was as bad as the Libertarians on this site suggest it is then the Church would have cancelled BYU's program. The righteous are needed everywhere in the military.

Mathew, you do what you think is best for you, what your heart tells you to do. You'll get great training in the various Guards or any other branch of the Military. As far as great training goes, the best is in the Navy, especially submarines but family life isn't great with the Navy. 2nd best is the Air Force, and family life is much like a civilian job except your always in uniform while on the job, much like always wearing a suit in any civilian job. You won't spend much more than 2 years in any one area in any branch of the service, but you'll get to see a lot of the world.

Fast and pray, make you own decision!

Bob

[Matthew.B]

Thank you everyone for your input. I've been busy and haven't been able to return to this post until just now.

The idea of full time military service really is repugnant, especially the idea of serving in unjust wars (I don't want to get into that much). While I do appreciate and respect everyone who has served in the military at some point, the only thing I could even consider doing would be some kind of reserves, which is why I settled on the Guard. The major hang up is being called away to fight in war.

I am fasting and praying about it.... I don't know what to do at this point. Thank you for your help and input, everyone. God bless you all.

[natasha]

I grew up in a military family. Both my Dad and my step-Dad were in the Air Force. I don't regret one minute. I've seen so much of our country and met a lot of wonderful people everywhere. Because of living so many places, I truly am happy wherever I'm "planted". It was because of our transfer from Florida to Alaska that I became acquainted with the Church...and joined when I was 16!

[tmac]

MattB, as you probably know there are pros and cons with virtually all such decisions and situations. My advice would be to clearly define your objectives, and do a very objective cost/benefit analysis.

I joined the National Guard 30 years ago after I got home from my mission. In some ways it was a good experience. And there were financial benefits. I received both tuition assistance with my college education, as well as pay for weekend drills and summer camp. One summer when I was still in college I also worked as a temporary full-time recruiter. None of those things were really bad experiences in any way. On the other hand, based on my upbringing, etc., I didn't really learn all that much that was really useful that I didn't already know. Ultimately, I grew quite disenchanted with the Guard. I felt like the weekend drills were mostly a waste of time. When we did something active or productive, I liked it, but the vast majority of the time we sat around doing nothing, which has never really appealed to me, and kind of drove me crazy. And to be completely honest, at the time I was exposed to much more negative social influences in the Guard -- more smoking, drinking, language, crude humor, pornography, etc. -- than in virtually any other aspect of my life at the time. But that's also the reality of doing something in almost any truly worldly situation. On the other hand, it's true, there are missionary opportunities. And it can be a "rounding" experience that can give a person more background and a broader perspective, etc.

For those reasons, at times I have considered encouraging my kids to consider the National Guard, but the thing that stops me now is the likelihood of full-time war zone deployments, which was not a serious threat back when I joined, but is certainly a much greater likelihood now.

Obviously, there are pros and cons, costs and benefits. Personally, on the whole, as a general rule, I don't think there are many spiritual benefits, and there may actually be some fairly significant spiritual costs. It's not always easy to have the spirit reveal to us the Lord's will in such regards, and what we should do, but to the extent you're able to get that kind of direction/confirmation, I think that is the very most valuable thing you can do.

[English Saint]

My comment is a little bit off topic. Do you have anything like this in the US?

http://www.raf.mod.uk/aircadets/wanttoj ... ructor.cfm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I'm in the process of joining my local squadron http://www.636vgs.org.uk/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
as a civilian gliding instructor. I already have a PPL, which VGS like, but it isn't necessary to have any previous flying experience.

I had to think very carefully about joining, as they require difficult time commitments - I will be giving up my Saturdays, from early morning to well after sunset.

I think it would be a good organisation for British LDS to join.

[English Saint]

PS, did you know that all RAF squadrons are identified by 3 digit numbers, starting with 6, i.e. 666, mark of the Devil!

[p51-mustang]

Do you think Jesus encouraged the saints in his day to join the Roman legions? Did he pray for the Roman legions that they would be kept safe as they raped and pillaged the world? Kinda doubt it.... :p

[InfoWarrior82]

Might as well put on a stormtrooper's uniform from Star Wars, knowing what you know.


















Or this stormtrooper's uniform:

[Matthew.B]

Thanks for the additional information. I've decided not to join but to pursue other endeavors. Everyone's advice here was an important part of that decision, and I thank you all from the bottom of my heart! God bless you all.

-Matthew