Annual Training

[VTguard]

I spent three years in the Active Duty Army (Infantry) and was stationed at the same base the whole time. It was a good experience, but I never really got to travel, except on my own time. When I got out of Active Duty, I joined the Vermont Army National Guard while I was attending college. The infantry unit in Vermont specialized in Mountain Warfare. I attended Mountain Warfare School, and learned how to ice climb, rock climb, conduct tactical mountain operations like avalanche rescue, tactical skiing, snowshoeing, and winter survival. We also trained in traditional infantry tactics such as urban combat, demolition, and patrols. I got to travel to Germany and Italy to do some high-speeding training.

I've been in the military now for 12 years. The guard has been a great experience for me. I've traveled more in the National Guard and done more training that I ever did on Active Duty. I got to attend college full time while I was in the Guard, and have a full time job after I graduated. The Guard was very flexible with my school and work schedule, and I was able to make up drills that I couldn't attend. I would highly recommend anyone that wants some adventure but still wants to have a "real life" and wants to go to college, have a family, or have a full time civilian job, to look into the Guard.

[jlilnc14]

yeah its a great experience i an thinking about joining but i'm still in college and would like to stay in college. I thought the national guard would be a good way to join the military and stay in college. But i found out you can be deployed overseas while you are in the Army National Guard and i do not like that. What will i do about my classes?

[WIBecky74]

Selfless Service

Put the welfare of the nation, the Army, and your subordinates before your own.

You would have to decide before making your decision to join if you are willing to live this Army Value.

College First is a program that does require basic training and ait to be held together, with no split op, but after that, you are non deployable for two years. You could get two years of college in (in a four year program) then put it on hold while you complete basic and ait, then finish the last two years of college without interuption.

Just a few thoughts. :)

-Becky

[GoTiTbIg1013]

i didnt know that you could climb on ice....

[CW5 Vitt]

Let's See...Korea, Japan, Alaska, Hawaii, Kazakhstan, Russia, Ubekezstan, Germany, England, Iraq, Kuwait, UAE, Italy... Then there was Arizona, California, Oregon, Washington, New Mexico, Utah, Colorado, Montana, Wyoming, North and South Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas, Texas, Michigan, Wisconsin, Kentucky, Missouri, Ohio, Tennesee, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Florida, Maryland, Pennsylvania, New York, Maine, Massachusetts, DC, Virginia, Georgia... ((I know I missed some, too))

Naw...The Guard hasn't sent me anywhere. :)

I dropped the plow and picked up the musket 32 years ago.

Chief