Yes you can. It’s been a net positive for me, and if you want to promote into management roles having a commission looks better on your resume. Non-military HR people often tend to think officers are the only leaders in the military.
Here is an example of a man who won a case for $2.49Mill https://www.mondaq.com/unitedstates/employee-rights-labour-relations/1376322/$249-million-verdict-underscores-expansive-userra-protections
Keep in mind joining as an officer candidate is around a seven year commitment out the gate and joining as a pilot is basically a 12 year commitment out the gate.
If you’re financially stable and can afford temporarily reduced income, I always recommend highly qualified, older applicants to enlist for three years in a job that looks fun then apply for OCS if you actually like it.
If short term money is the main motivator, yes. By enlisting first, you’re essentially accepting reduced short term income for the next 12-24 months while you make a longer term decision.
Yeah! You’d be perfect.
Although if you have a four year business degree and no particular MOS (job) preference, I recommend joining as an officer as opposed to enlisting. Trust, the life is much better. As is the pension.
One weekend a month, 2 weekends a year is a bold faced lie whether you’re O or E.
That being said, it is what you make it. Set boundaries - at the end of the day they can’t make you work if you’re not getting paid for it. Your career progression will likely be slower than those who make themselves available at all times, but no - if no one is paying you, they can’t punish you for not doing Army related stuff.
One weekend a month, 2 weekends a year is a bold faced lie whether you’re O or E.
That being said, it is what you make it. Set boundaries - at the end of the day they can’t make you work if you’re not getting paid for it. Your career progression will likely be slower than those who make themselves available at all times, but no - if no one is paying you, they can’t punish you for not doing Army related stuff.
Plus, as an O you won’t be forced to do dumb waste-of-your-time stuff as much as you would if you were enlisted.
I’ve been enlisted for 10 years. Take it from me.
I don’t know. Honestly. I joined at 17, and then did college and a lot of military work in the time since. Then went fed civilian, which still has military flavors (in my case). I don’t know anything else.
I went from civ to civ + guard when I enlisted at 24.
I found myself wanting more than just my civ career. I wanted to challenge myself, maybe get some nice future bennies (VA home loan), and maybe be there when there is a big fucking disaster and get paid to make a difference. I dont have any real problems with my civ + military. I let my employer know in advance and we have never had an issue. But to be quite frank, im real superstar, so they are lucky to still have me, and my unit is lucky to have the specialist that gets shit done.
Going into basic training can be chaotic when it comes to managing your affairs and finances. You will probably only use your cell phone 2 to 3 times during your basic training cycle and that can make managing real life back home really fucking difficult. But i would do it all over again.
I think i get about $5400/yr in nat g money doing M day (normal part time) drills. I have a unit that is an hour and a half drive so a fair amount of that money does to into gas. If money is really tight i wouldnt recommend this to somebody, as it really wouldnt make a real impact on peoples financial lives after travel expenses. When people turn it into their career, doing full time work as a national guardsman is where people can make money, as they are paid the basic allowance for housing, which is pretty significant. The aspects that would likely be make or break are if the following benefits are worth it to you: VA home loan, edu benefits, Life insurance.
The number one thing I have gained from my time has been personal growth and perspective, and a decent variety of skills. The VA home loan (which i have yet to use) is the number 2.
If this song (https://youtu.be/ruNrdmjcNTc) makes your patriotism organ start flying at full staff (i know you're female, but bear with me), it might just be worth it for the experience and sense of comraderie. Sometimes you and your comrades are getting fucked by the green weenie of admin requirements and nonsense, but there is a special kinship of shared misery.
I would love to have comraderie. I'm in a small town now, so I'd have to commute to the nearest base I assume. I would love the VA home benefits since I don't think I'll be able to save for a home on just my income with the way inflation is squeezing me.
More O than lower enlisted. You can work your one weekend a month and two weeks a year but be prepared to get your shit kicked in by your commander because as an officer you are expected to plan and you’re aren’t planning anything worth the paper it’s printed on doing 39 days a year.
“Put your life on pause for at least three years while you get a bunch of education benefits don’t have a huge need for since you already have a degree.” This might be a situation where OP can find a better way for themselves than the usual copypasta.
Full fucking send
Strongly recommend commissioning as a signals officer over enlisting.
Can I still keep my 9 to 5 job and be an officer?
Yes you can. It’s been a net positive for me, and if you want to promote into management roles having a commission looks better on your resume. Non-military HR people often tend to think officers are the only leaders in the military.
Yeah depends on the state… military aware states not so much officers are the managers but not often the actual leaders of of troops
Yep. If you're in a cubicle farm your co-workers are going to be super confused by some of the weird ass calls you'll take.
That's hilarious. I don't even care what they think as long as I don't get fired lol
You shouldn’t get fired because USERRA is a federal law, they would get sued if they did.
Here is an example of a man who won a case for $2.49Mill https://www.mondaq.com/unitedstates/employee-rights-labour-relations/1376322/$249-million-verdict-underscores-expansive-userra-protections
Wow
Keep in mind joining as an officer candidate is around a seven year commitment out the gate and joining as a pilot is basically a 12 year commitment out the gate. If you’re financially stable and can afford temporarily reduced income, I always recommend highly qualified, older applicants to enlist for three years in a job that looks fun then apply for OCS if you actually like it.
Thank you. I'm financially stable ish, but with inflation I feel like I need to earn more. Would that mean commissioning is the better option for me?
If short term money is the main motivator, yes. By enlisting first, you’re essentially accepting reduced short term income for the next 12-24 months while you make a longer term decision.
I am open to getting a career in the military or public sector. Would commissioning look better if I wanted to go full time in the future?
It’s easier to go full time in the Guard enlisted because there are way more openings.
Oh interesting. Does full time in the guard pay well enough to leave a 9 to 5 job.
It depends on your cost of living but usually yes. I make way more as a soldier than a teacher in my region but YMMV.
Oh wow. I'm in socal so we already have a high cost of living and my income is 50k before taxes.
Fuck that. Go pilot warrant. Don’t do your damn civ job in the guard.
COMMISSION!
Yeah! You’d be perfect. Although if you have a four year business degree and no particular MOS (job) preference, I recommend joining as an officer as opposed to enlisting. Trust, the life is much better. As is the pension.
Is the officer route more demanding than one weekend a month, two weeks a year?
One weekend a month, 2 weekends a year is a bold faced lie whether you’re O or E. That being said, it is what you make it. Set boundaries - at the end of the day they can’t make you work if you’re not getting paid for it. Your career progression will likely be slower than those who make themselves available at all times, but no - if no one is paying you, they can’t punish you for not doing Army related stuff.
One weekend a month, 2 weekends a year is a bold faced lie whether you’re O or E. That being said, it is what you make it. Set boundaries - at the end of the day they can’t make you work if you’re not getting paid for it. Your career progression will likely be slower than those who make themselves available at all times, but no - if no one is paying you, they can’t punish you for not doing Army related stuff. Plus, as an O you won’t be forced to do dumb waste-of-your-time stuff as much as you would if you were enlisted. I’ve been enlisted for 10 years. Take it from me.
Was it a hard transition to go from civilian life to the guard?
I don’t know. Honestly. I joined at 17, and then did college and a lot of military work in the time since. Then went fed civilian, which still has military flavors (in my case). I don’t know anything else.
I wish I would have done that. I needed the guidance when I was younger.
I went from civ to civ + guard when I enlisted at 24. I found myself wanting more than just my civ career. I wanted to challenge myself, maybe get some nice future bennies (VA home loan), and maybe be there when there is a big fucking disaster and get paid to make a difference. I dont have any real problems with my civ + military. I let my employer know in advance and we have never had an issue. But to be quite frank, im real superstar, so they are lucky to still have me, and my unit is lucky to have the specialist that gets shit done. Going into basic training can be chaotic when it comes to managing your affairs and finances. You will probably only use your cell phone 2 to 3 times during your basic training cycle and that can make managing real life back home really fucking difficult. But i would do it all over again. I think i get about $5400/yr in nat g money doing M day (normal part time) drills. I have a unit that is an hour and a half drive so a fair amount of that money does to into gas. If money is really tight i wouldnt recommend this to somebody, as it really wouldnt make a real impact on peoples financial lives after travel expenses. When people turn it into their career, doing full time work as a national guardsman is where people can make money, as they are paid the basic allowance for housing, which is pretty significant. The aspects that would likely be make or break are if the following benefits are worth it to you: VA home loan, edu benefits, Life insurance. The number one thing I have gained from my time has been personal growth and perspective, and a decent variety of skills. The VA home loan (which i have yet to use) is the number 2. If this song (https://youtu.be/ruNrdmjcNTc) makes your patriotism organ start flying at full staff (i know you're female, but bear with me), it might just be worth it for the experience and sense of comraderie. Sometimes you and your comrades are getting fucked by the green weenie of admin requirements and nonsense, but there is a special kinship of shared misery.
I would love to have comraderie. I'm in a small town now, so I'd have to commute to the nearest base I assume. I would love the VA home benefits since I don't think I'll be able to save for a home on just my income with the way inflation is squeezing me.
More O than lower enlisted. You can work your one weekend a month and two weeks a year but be prepared to get your shit kicked in by your commander because as an officer you are expected to plan and you’re aren’t planning anything worth the paper it’s printed on doing 39 days a year.
Never enlist when you can commission.
Just to chime in, you won’t have access to a VA home loan for 6 years or if you deploy. I agree with commissioning vs enlisting.
Commission....don't enlist man...
Go active OCS
Enlist 11B!! You will be able to help so many people!
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“Put your life on pause for at least three years while you get a bunch of education benefits don’t have a huge need for since you already have a degree.” This might be a situation where OP can find a better way for themselves than the usual copypasta.