I’m a newly commissioned officer heading to DCC shortly. I started a new job a couple weeks ago. I knew orders would come some day. However, nothing is real until hard copy orders actually drop. As soon as my official orders published last week, I turned them into HR and management right away to give notice. Management completely lost it. They put me on a call with HR and basically interrogated me. They kept hammering me on why I didn't mention potential orders during my job interview, accused me of being misleading, and made comments about me being a "drain on the unit." I struggled a lot during it. I wasn’t sure of what to say or how to handle it. I’m nervous about what could take place tomorrow.

I’m feeling unwell and I have rsp drills this weekend, I told my recruiter and the command and they told me to get a doctors note excuse my absence, but I don’t technically have health insurance as of right now, so I can’t get a doctors note because I can’t afford it and there are no free clinics around me. They told me to come in on Saturday and the medic there will assess me but I’m can barely get out of bed so I can’t drive myself there and I have no one to take me. If I miss one weekend if drills, how bad will the repercussions be? I’m a pre ship, and I’ve never missed any other drills.

I am 28 working a full time job as a heavy equipment operator outside of joining. I have prior trucking/ equipment experience but want serve my country (should have done this long ago I know). I am looking heavily into the 12N MOS and have been talking with a recruiter about options. Active duty doesn’t seem to be in my deck of cards (family,full time career,children,etc) is part time worth it for a guy like me? Seems to be a landslide difference in benefits of evening joining.

So I ship out in a few days and am looking at the packing list I got from RSP. I’m able to fit everything in a small backpack except for the towel. Some people from my RSP showed up with nothing and was fine and some people over packed and were fine. I guess my question is will I actually NEED a towel in reception before I get issued one?

Main questions:

• How often have you been involuntarily activated been over the past few years?
• How long do they tend to last?

I am debating between enlisting as an 11B in the 1-184th of the CAARNG or a 12B in the USAR.

State active duty sounds like it can be interesting, but I wonder how often soldiers really are involuntarily activated.

If it's extreme, that would make me lean toward the USAR even though I prefer infantry.

Like my title states working with active duty vets can be insufferable as hell. Not all of them but over the last 6 years anywhere I’ve worked it’s just constant getting shit on for being in the guard and going on a 2-4 week “vacation” every summer.

The older guys are worse because they still have the concept that the guard just barbecues, drinks, and gets fat

I don’t make it my entire personality so just let me torque this bolt down and throw locktite on so it never comes out

MG Blanchard and his team is knocking it out of the park. I’m blown away how successful they are running food and living operations.

Headed back to MEPS for the enlistment portion in a couple weeks. Waivers approved. Enlisting in a secret eligible position not needing secret clearance adjudicated. What is the breakdown of the day? I know I meet with counselor for contract. Do I meet with doctor again or just confirm there has been no changes? Do I sit with investigator for security clearance that day or since I just need eligibility it’s going to be an interview down later on. Thank you!

I have 2 kids. If I’m not married and me and the mom aren’t together and they live with her I get them on weekends. Also I do spend time with them during week to. We are very cordial and good co parenting so nothing is court ordered (custody or child support no court order) I give her money out of pocket with receipt saying for kids everything is kept in a Record for both of us. Do I get BAH during infantry OSUT? I know when I was in dep for the navy they said I was going to get bah with dependents rate regardless because I have kids but I’m not sure how the guard works in that way. Thank yall in advance🙏

Hello shipping soon, recruiter told me he would be able to get n-426 but unfortunately he ghosted me at all not replying. Now my hope is to get my citizenship paper/naturalization at reception?
So question is do i be able to sign up paperwork during 09m program which is 3 week or do i need to wait for basic?

On the 7th, I had gotten a text that I would need to report to my now activated unit on the 8th for hurricane Isais response in the Panhandle. No complaints from me, I understood the day i signed up things like this would have little notice. I showed up, and we all located to an armory in Chipley the day the hurricane was hitting at night.

The hurricane was expected to hit as a weak category 3, but downgraded to a category 2 before making landfall. In the morning we relocated once again to a school this time. The areas we drove through seemed largely unaffected, even though they weren't in the direct path, but were still in the general area of the storm. No flooding in sight.

About 450,000 people and businesses lost power. Now, around 95% of the buildings have regained it. We have been running POD sites, even though Walmart and most other business almost immediately re-opened. I don't want to make broad assumptions here, but I've heard from others they believe many of the people lining up for rations and supplies, especially the people who would wrap around the line multiple times and ask for double the amount of stuff, don't truly need the items and just either want to sell them or hoard them, or of course just want it simply because it's free rather then a true need for it.

We're still here. We moved back to the Chipley armory because school is starting back up. We have no confirmation on anything on when we can go home. They have us do these little recons and patrols, but no one has come across anyone in need of help or an area that needed clearing.

There's no reason for us to still be here. Their holding us. And i hear it's because Ron Desantis wants to look good with having the Guard overstay their welcome and assure the citizens of how much we're there to help, especially since it's election season, and Byron Donalds being involved looks good for rep. We're pawns to them. We have been sitting in the armory for hours on end, not allowed to go to any of the open gas stations or resturants that are all open nearby unless were re- refueling for a pointless "search and rescue."

Almost all of us are frustrated. And not because we were activated for a mission. But because at this point our presence has been oversaturating and unneeded. There's no flooding. Almost everyone has their power back. The emergency services here have already been hard at work fixing the little damage that has been caused. Hell, it wasnt even bad enough that our first sergeant had to stay with us. He got to go back home. Wonder where that motivation he was harping to us about went.

We're being held here for no reason at all.

So I got hurt in osut and messed my back up to the point where I can’t lift more then 5lbs without excruciating pain. My LOD got approved and I got a mmso I have to go for mri but if they find something wrong will they pay me pay and bah since I can’t work. This happened on active duty orders and I read I get entitled up to 90 days of pay

I have my Fedrec board coming up in a few weeks for the Texas National Guard. What’s the best way to prepare for this? Are they gonna do the whole “RECITE NCO CREED” BS?

For context, I went through a period where I looked into mental health disorders on my own, and stressed for a while that I might have had one. During that time, I was not considering joining the military, so I didn't worry about how it would impact my eligibility if I sought mental health care. The first psychiatrist I saw diagnosed me with bipolar disorder.

Every psychologist/therapist that I've spoken with since has assured me that I am stable and neurotypical. Recently I spoke with recruiters for the Reserves and National Guard, both of whom mentioned waivers. After reviewing medical records, however, the NG recruiter informed me that I will not qualify at this time due to the active diagnosis. I'm wondering if there might be a chance of getting a waiver approved in the future if another psychiatrist updates my records to show that I am not disabled.

Has anyone had this kind of misdiagnosis, and were you able to qualify for military service after having it corrected?

Hello, I'm interested in joining the California NG for a firefighting role, preferably in wildland. I have a season on a Cs crew and I have a state EMT license, but I got fired from the CCC for some dumb argument but I've matured a little and want to get back into wildland fire but it's hard to do so right now so I'm looking at the NG.

Here are some questions I have for you guys serving as firefighters for the California NG and nearby states:

- What sort of training and certifications did you receive?
- What duties have you performed as a firefighter?
- How do you get onto a hand crew?
- Does the NG provide a good amount of experience to transition to a state or federal forestry department?
- Do you guys have a "proper" fire season, meaning that you're either on fires all the time or on call at your station or base?

Question is self explanatory, sigh…

Hey y’all! I’m currently an 88M in the California National Guard, which has been a good experience, but I’m starting to get bored and don’t find the MOS as fulfilling as I’d like. I know California doesn’t offer 14E or 14P, but it does have 15W. However, I’ve heard the unit is in limbo because of the transition away from the MQ-9 Reaper. Correct me if im wrong, but I heard that 15W is going to be 15X, with a focus on sUAS and other types of drones. Does anyone have more information on what that transition will actually look like?

I’ve heard that some of the better 15W/15X opportunities are in Pennsylvania, Florida, and Ohio. Although I’m extremely interested in the UAS field, but I’m also interested in Air Defense because of the operational tempo and mission opportunities. I know Florida, Ohio, and Pennsylvania have 14P slots, but I’m not sure where 14E positions are available.

I’m exploring my options and I plan on leaving California after my upcoming deployment, the LA Olympics, and the election season. California’s ESAD Missions supporting LE during riots and civil unrest is pretty good pay, so I’m planning to take advantage of those possible opportunities before moving on.

I’d really appreciate hearing from anyone who has recently served in these MOSs or currently with units in these states. What are the pros and cons? How is the training, leadership, mission tempo, and overall quality of life? Are there good opportunities to attend schools, gain additional qualifications, and get on orders?

I’m also curious about how transferable these MOSs are to civilian careers. Have any of you used your military experience to transition into DoD contracting, law enforcement, private military companies, consulting, or the broader UAS and counter-UAS industry?

I’m a 30-year-old Sergeant with 12 years of Military Experience who wants to-do something different and gain the proper information about my next step in the Guard, so I’d appreciate any firsthand experiences, advice, or recommendations. Thanks you!

Hello everyone! I just finished my AIT for 25H recently and am considering switching to active duty. I know i’ll have to do 6 months of drill but i’ve seen that it can take months sometimes years to get all the paperwork in order to go active depending on my states numbers. ( Virginia) can anyone in here give me a better idea of roughly how long it’d take or my states numbers. Thanks!

Every now and again, somebody thanks me for my military service and I am just dumbfounded on what to say. Like I got half a fuckin mind to salute them because I cant think of anything to say after 💀 "you're welcome" doesnt feel like the proper response. Do yall got any funny responses to this or do yall get all weird about it like me. Imma just start giving them the thumbs up or something I swear.

Hello,

I have a bit of a complex situation that I'm trying to navigate and am seeking some aid. I'll provide a timeline of events to add some context to my situation.

In June 2024, I swore into the Georgia Army National Guard as an 09S and shipped off to Basic Training in September. I completed Basic Training in December, and did ORP (Officer Readiness Program) from January 2025 till about May 2025.

In May/June 2025 I went to Phase 1 of OCS (AMA) and completed my 2 weeks there. I came back to Georgia after the 2 weeks in Alabama and began Phase 2. I started Phase 2 with about 21 people in my class. From June 2025-May 2026, I was in traditional OCS drilling one weekend a month, and was released from the program for failing the leadership evaluation and re-eval (As PL and then PSGT, we lost 4 people in Phase 2 for the same thing. I passed everything else, being one of the most physically fit, and highest scoring test takers in our class. Prior to being dismissed in May, I was on track to graduate in August. Regardless, it didn't work out for me at that time.

In June 2026, I was sent back to ORP, and the plan was to send me to Accelerated OCS in the Summer, however the Army did not get funding for Summer OCS. In August, I was then told, that I would need to go get an MOS, and would need to go to AIT. I accepted my fate and put in my request for my preferred MOS (17 series or 25 series). In September, My Readiness NCO then told me that because I was past my 2 years as a 09S (recall I swore-in in June 2024), that I was not able to get an MOS, and I may get kicked out of the Army. His plan for me to send me back to Accelerated OCS in the Winter (January), but upon completion, I would not actually be able to commission (due to my expiration of 2 years as an 09S), but after OCS, THEN go to AIT after completing Accelerated OCS. Once I complete AIT, to do well with my unit for a year, then submit a packet to commission. Personally, I think he is trying to help me stay in the Army, he seems genuine. But the idea of going accelerated, undergoing that for 2.5 months, not commission, to then turn around and do another 3-8 months (depending on if I get 17 series or 25 series), then sit with a unit for a year before I commission, sounds ridiculous. I'd do it, because if that's the option I have, then that's the option I have, but I'm wondering if there is another way.

I just started a new job in June, I'm doing well there and gaining momentum, I could very well get promoted within the next few months. I also have 1 semester of my MBA program left that would start in January, with graduation in May. I'd effectively have to sacrifice both of those things for nearly a year to not even commission at the end of it.

Personally, I wouldn't mind doing all of this if I just had until May/June of 2027 to finish up what I'm currently doing, but I'm not receiving that option currently.

I wouldn't mind going directly to AIT in May/June 2027 and revisiting OCS or WOCS later after I've been with a unit for a year either.

What I'm looking for is a way to get an MOS, ship out to AIT in June once I'm done with school and I've been with my company for 1 year. I want to stay in the Army, I have committed myself to it, and ideally would like to stay in the Army for 20 years.

Is there a recruiter out there that knows a way that I can stay in the Army, obtain a MOS (17C, 25B, 25U, 25S), and ship out for AIT after I graduate from my MBA program? Can anyone help me?

Edit: An additional piece of context. For school, I borrowed from what they call the Georgia Service Cancellable Loan. It’s a loan state funded loan that obligates me to service 2 years after the loan was disbursed for it to be wiped out with no payment obligation. If I cannot receive a commanders signature on the loan terms, I would owe the money back. This seemed like a good idea initially as I had a 6 year contract, and would serve the time of the loan within the duration of my 6 year contract. I have used the loan every semester for the past 2 years, for a total of nearly $20,000. Getting discharged could mean that a loan I had no intention on paying would come due with interest. Getting discharged could cost me not only time, but nearly $20,000. That’s part of why I’m so adamant on staying in the guard.

Im deciding between what mos to choose in the Vermont army national guard, which mos will give me a better chance at getting into as many schools as possible (mountain warfare, airborne, air assault, ranger) I’ve been looking into 19D, 15T, 35 series, and a few others. I’d like a mos that can get me a job right after training but also fine with a “fun/ less civilian transferable” job since I might go to college next year.