What national guards like?

[Munkin]

Ok the Guard isn't too bad but if you started off talking about missing your kids and all, then you probably will. Thats just the truth. I am an 11B, yes it is Infantry, (light Infantry). There are other Infantrymen as well, such as an 11C (indirect fire infantrymen) meaning you are Infantry but you also shoot mortar rounds. I came from active duty into the guard. I am now an instructor in my home state full time. I love the Army and when I'm done next year with my guard contract I will probably go back to active duty. OCS or Officer Candidate School would make you a 2nd lt. After OCS you would have to go to BOLC (Basic Officer Leader Course) 1 and 2. I think BOLC 2 is 5 weeks and BOLC 3 is 12 weeks. This is to teach you your actual job. This would depend on what you decided to branch i.e, medical, Infantry, supply, whatever. In the guard you have to have at least 60 hours to go to OCS and that would be a traditional program where it would be going to OCS drills for about two years. If you have 90 hours you could go through the eccelerated program that is 8 weeks. A direct commission will not happen for you unless you have significant Army experience, you have already compleated the Warrior Leader Course, and you are finished with your degree. If you need anything else just let me know. OH deployments will be a year total with pre-mob training and de-mobilization included. That is better than active where it is 12 months in country. I got back from Iraq in December so if you need anything let me know.

I am a 1LT/02E in the National Guard but spent 9 years on active duty enlisted. The above information is correct and you should not have to go through Army boot camp. You can be commisioned if you have 90 semester hours of college. Direct commissons are reserved for specialty branches like JAG, medical, etc. What branch you are commissioned into depends on the needs of your state? You have to be commissioned into an available position per paragraph and line number. If you have any more questions just send me a email.

Allen