going to MEPS Feb 24th.

Wanted to ask, I'm going to be going to college and doing national guard. I'll be going into college for forensic pathology / forensic technician. An I wanted to ask those in the medical field what's the best one for general knowledge and medical training to for experience with doing drawing, blood,examining,etc. ?

I'm interested in joining NJ National Guard as an Intelligence Officer, but I'm struggling to figure out the best path. Unfortunately, the call with my recruiter left me a little more confused.

My big question: Does it make sense to go in as Enlisted or OCS?

My recruiter made it seem like it's likely I would not get in as an officer because most people have prior experience and security clearance.
I want to serve, I want to use the skills and experience I have to hit the ground running. I'm really not sure what the best option in the guard is. I don't want to do if it means OCS and not be able to join any of the branches because there's "no job openings."

Any insights / advice would be sincerely appreciated.

My basic qualifications:

• 29 y/o
• B.S. - Tech
• MA - Public Policy
• Work - 6 years as data analyst/tech

Currently I’m a SPC 91B in the guard, but I’ve been getting this itch for the last few months to turn in this 368 and go active army. But I’m wondering if anyone knows what the process is like? And what are any tips or advice?

I enlisted in the Guard as a 68W, and I’m pursuing nursing school. However, I already have a prior degree, so I am weighing the pros and cons of doing a traditional BSN program vs an accelerated BSN program. Has anyone ever done an accelerated program while also being in the Guard? Is it possible or am I crazy 😅

Swearing in Tuesday, what should I expect at osut and as a 12b in the national guard in general? Ms national guard

Hey everyone,

My name is Tim. I’m a 4 year active duty army vet in Huntsville, Alabama and I’m considering reenlisting into the national guard. I just had a couple of questions.

I was a tank mechanic while I was active duty, and wanted to know how the job was being a helicopter mechanic. I have several openings here in Huntsville that I’m considering. Also, combat engineer.

A main question I had was pay. I’m 60% disabled through the VA from my time in active duty. I know that while in AIT for whatever chosen job, I would be receiving active duty pay for as long as I was there. Would that replace my disability pay for the time I was active for training? Also, I think I can choose disability pay every month over the monthly weekend pay, right?

I’m a new MEDO LT at an infantry unit and next drill I have to help make a Clinic SOP that includes triage, discharge, tracking,mas cal, medevac, etc. If anyone can send me any SOPs or references to help that would be great. Also if anyone has any info on Army Health Systems, or has resources related to being a MEDO, I would appreciate that too. I go to BOLC in 26 so this is all new to me.

I tried asking /r/army about this but everyone seems to be cranky over there so I am over here reaching out for assistance.

I am a GWOT era (05-11, AFG 08-9) NCO that just enlisted for OCS. Despite the break in service I was able to get a BCT wavier (State OSM thinks it a record lol).

I am supposed to go to drill this month at my state's OCS unit and since I am not going to IET I won't have any uniforms. I reached out to supply and they will get me my gear before I go but uniforms they are already talking about "funds". I won't drill with RSP, headed straight to OCS prep, with the plan of headed to accelerated this summer.

This is all kind of messed up. I don't mind buying a uniform or two but I am feeling like since I don't have a unit and not going to IET, I am going to be on the hook for uniforms. I think I am going to get one set of OCPs from clothing and sales but need a more sustainable plan.

Anyone been in a similar situation? Any regs or information you can equip me with so I can better navigate this SNAFU.

Thanks in advance.

I’m thinking about going to OCS but some people in my unit are telling me there is a 6 year limit for after you enlist to go to OCS. And if you don’t do it within 6 years you are SOL.

Is that true?

And is there any tips for OCS I should know, I don’t have my bachelor but I wanna take college through my work instead of the guard. Since I want to give my son college for free. That is why I am not doing rotc incase anyone asks.

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1A25DJsq3u/?mibextid=wwXIfr

I’ll go first. Chain of Command Communication. A lot can be missed or misinterpreted when going the chain of command. It’s frustrating. Yes, In the civilian we all have a boss but, at least we can communicate directly with them and work things out. In the military is a different story. Reason why I’m leaving after my 1st contract.

Also do I need to do anything before I ship or can I just bring the lease when I ship?

Did my first RSP drill and I requested military leave for Monday.

Reason for missing work: I work 3rd shift that starts at 12:00am Sunday night. There was an 1hour+ drive to get home from the drilling location and I didn't have enough time to get home and sleep 8 hours yadayada

All I had for orders was the RSP newsletter showing the dates and times for reporting. But my job seems to want signed orders with my name on them. I'm pretty sure I'm not obligated to produce orders if they don't exist, per USERRA.

Anyone have advice/back me up or tell me I'm wrong?

Edit: I even said I'd provide LES to show I was there that weekend when I first mentioned I'd be absent. Feels like this is the first time they've dealt with a service member even though it's a very large facility, heavy with prior and active service.

My recruiter informed me earlier today that Genesis will only show the med staff at MEPs what you’ve been prescribed by doctors in the past and on which dates you’ve visited a doctor/hospital.

Is this true, or can they see your reasons for a visit? (I.e. that I went to the doctor specifically for a dislocated shoulder when I was 14)

I got a LOD in 2021 for a back injury and it has gotten worse since. I am planning on filing for VA but after I had gotten the LOD I have not been getting seen for it by a private doctor. Is there still a way to prove that all my back pain is due to my LOD in 2021 without any follow up visits with civilian doctors ?

Recently submitted claim to VA and it was denied because I was on Title 5 ESAD orders. They did give me 10% for hearing. I only spoke with the person handling it 2-3 times by email back in October of 2024. The VA acknowledged TERA due to exposure during wildfires over the years. I wasn't sure if this would qualify for the PACT Act? Any advice would help because I feel like there's no hope and I'm starting to have respiratory issues due to no PPE when activated.

Active duty UH-60 aviator with a question. Anyone here in an aviation unit in either Illinois or Indiana that can speak to the type of missions they do? I would enjoy doing more humanitarian missions, and these are two of the states I wouldn’t mind settling down in.

I know if I sign for a bonus overseas it’s tax free. If I also get SLRP in my contract will those payments be tax free as well?

TIA

I was in the Army National Guard for six years, plus two years in the IRR, which ends this March. The Reserves is offering me a trial for 25D for eight months. The career counselor said it's an E-7 slot, but I can fill it as an E-5. It would be at an HQ unit under a sustainment brigade in NC.

For some background, l've been working in IT Support for the past three years, Bachelors in IT, and have my Security+.

Anyone here with experience in 25D in the Reserves?What kind of work do you actually do during drill weekends and AT? Do they really utilize their cyber guys, or is it mostly admin work?

Also, would the NC National Guard be a better for getting real cyber experience? Just trying to sure l end up somewhere that actually develops these skills.

Random question for everyone for a research project.

How would you honestly say your military career has affected your mental health?

If you have deployed: what were the mental short term and long term affects you faced?

A little background:

I’m an E-4 in the ArmyNG. I also am a full time college student (not ROTC, fuck that). I recently returned from being overseas and have a 10 page research project this semester, for my topic I chose to research overseas deployments and the mental effects. So I figured I’d ask my peers and get hopefully a genuine and true answer straight from many sources.

Thank in advance to anyone that reply’s!!!

I'm turning seventeen in March, and am going for BT this summer. Theres a LOT I don't know and I can't find any youtube videos of people talking about their split training experiences for any tips. I don't know the situation with money, and I know that BT for adults in other branches has a lot to do with commissary and paying for things while there. So what do I do about that? Also, I would love someone to tell me about the physical tests and requirements. Some have told me ill have to run four miles for a test, others say two, and I'm so confused. I would love someone to explain this all to me.

Also, I'm in an auto collision course at a trade school my high school is a part of. The plan is to go into structural repair at one of the AVCRADs on helicopters. So if someone else knows anything about the AIT for it or any job expiriences in that feild I would love for some stories or pointers! I's appriciate ANYTHING.

As the title says. Just curious to see how everybody else is feeling. There’s a point to where the bullshit can go so far before we say “im done with this shit”. Here’s a back story. I’ve been in for 9 years. I’ve been a mil-technician ever since I got out of AIT. I enlisted as a 88m, reclassed to 89A with a TDA unit due to my IST and accepting a new tech position. Turns out I hated being a 89 due to barely can promote because of how small the MOS is and never actually doing my MOS. So I just went back to 88 and accepted a position back at a transportation unit. But like, that’s not even making me happy. I don’t know if it’s because I’m just in uniform 5 days a week. 12 days if you add drill weekends. Or just knowing that I have no skills other than what the army has taught me. Part of me wants to quit my tech job because the pay just sucks, work never stops adding up because no one wants to be a tech where I work, techs can’t get bonuses so I have never seen a bonus my whole career. But it’s job security, but I can go do something else outside of all this and makes nearly double than what I do now. I want to keep going but I also just want to hang up the hat.

This is more of a rant and needing of advice. I know there’s other people on here that have had it worse but I’m just trying to find the right solution to all this. I just feel like I’ve been sheltered in this world that drains the hell out of me but I know that when and if I leave that I will have no skills to show to the outside that will make me successful.

I enlisted a year ago and was waiting for my basic training dates when I met a lady at the FSS during one of the drills. She recommended that I start my citizenship process right away. So back in August I submitted my N-400, did the biometrics Sept. 5 and ever since I have just been waiting for an interview date. So I got my dates now, I leave in less than a month and I still don’t have an interview date 🥲. I have contacted the uscis and they are just telling me what to do when I miss the interview. I do know people do the whole thing in basic but I don’t know if my case will transfer over and I don’t think anyone would know in the Uscis subreddit. I am hoping to see if there is anyone here that has been through a similar situation or knows of a similar situation that has happened to someone else. Thanks in advance.

i know this is my fault but its 7 pm and i have my first drill at my unit tomorrow, and there wasnt a uniform in the newsletter so i just assumed it was pts, and i fear its too late to ask someone. it says bring a good pair for medical, that made me wonder if we report in ocps or pts. also ive seen a few posts saying to report in ocps and some units dont have pt. im overthinking this but i just need someone elses view on it sorry in advance

Hello! We are a research team from Teachers College, Columbia University, and we have exciting news! We are launching an ONLINE PAID study—FERN Study (IRB #24-508)—focused on veterans’ mental health, and we are currently recruiting participants.

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• We are seeking veterans to participate in a 21-day study on emotion regulation and daily stress.
• Participation involves a brief daily survey on your phone, followed by an exit survey.
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• Compensation is provided for all study components (excluding the sign-up process).

Interested? Scan the QR code or sign up here: Qualtrics Form

Join us in our mission to improve veterans' mental health! Your participation will help advance research and enhance future support strategies for veterans. We appreciate your time and consideration!

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I just got back from training, and went straight to college. It’s not really working out and I’m really considering joining the police academy. Is it worth it? I’m a female too I know I was able to pass bct but the 165 dummy carry has me a little nervous.

Hey! I’m going to talk to a recruiter tomorrow and go to his office, but wanted to know about everyone else’s personal experience first. How much did you guys get payed from graduating bootcamp? I ask because this is going to be my first time getting payed and I want to help around the house and pay for some bills!

I'm comparing the benefits between MN and ND National guard. I have found a lot of information regarding what MN has to offer but the ND site won't give me information. Can anyone explain the ND education benefits or any other benefits they offer so I can compare to MN.