What national guards like?

[clepster]

If you enlisted in the Army Guard/Reserves 15 years ago, your entire service obligation could very well consist of nothing more than the usual "one weekend a month" and "two weeks a year" routine. It was a good way for young students to pay for college and post-retirees to play soldier while earning an extra paycheck with minimal risk of life or limb. The thought was that the active-army would be at the forefront of conflict and the reserves would be the rear echelon or backup if ever needed.

The times have changed. The Army Guard/Reserves of today is a proof-of-concept that was envisioned by the Pentagon 15 years ago...to place more responsibility on the reserve components during international conflicts while preventing burn out of the active-duty forces. Enlisting nowadays (especially as 11B - Infantry/Grunt) would buy you a guaranteed ticket overseas to the sands of Iraq/Afghanistan. The recruiter insisting that you enlist as 11B is proof of this...11B is a critical shortage MOS that is needed right now.

With you being in your early 30s with a wife and kids, I would suggest you think carefully about the reasons why you want to enlist. Weigh the pros and cons....because you'll surely have more to worry about than a hard-ass drill sergeant ragging on your age. I served 8 years active-duty army...Good luck in whatever you choose to do.