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National Guard/Army Reserves? |
I am a 26/f attending art school. I want to do the college program so I dont get deployed for two years. I would like a job doing something with photography....I don't really even know if The National Guard has a real need for photographers. I have to many tattoos to join the Coast Guard, Air Force, Navy, and I am not sure about USMC....althought I wouldnt wan to join them anyways. I want to finish school and serve my country. No I do not want to go to war, I am just being honest. If I have to go then I have to go, but how dangerous is it for a photographer and what are the chances of me going? Which branch is called to war more? I know I want to join and be a photographer but is this a job that can be way over my head. I do photography in school and need the money to help pay for my expensive *** art school. Can somebody please help and be honest and not cruel. Thank you. If you feel that way about going to Iraq maybe reconsider joining. There are to many people's lives at stake for you to just go if you have to. Being a soldier is about taking pride in what you do. Yes the Army has a really good photography program although i think you have to have another MOS and then take that on as a special schooling. You will defiantly be deployed as a photographer, unless on the school program. The National Guard has the best school benefits out of all branches. They offer the most money; however, you asked who is called to war most, it is the guard/reserves. As far as the tattoos, you can't have them on your neck, face, hands, etc. without a waiver. They can be a pain in the *** to get. You want honesty i think maybe you should try it, because i think your whole outlook would change once you became part of that family. When you put on that uniform you have a sense of pride and success. Talk with a ANG recruiter and they can explain everything else you need to know. The military is a great way to go and a great way to get an education for free...Good Luck!!!! The Army actually has a really cool photographer program. I would look into it if I was you. You might even think about going OCS or active duty with that MOS. But I would watch the age because you might be pushing it at 26. But nothing a waiver cant fix. Any most have loan repayment options. But again if you can get in as an officer you will make more and it will better suit your tuition loans. An enlisted soldier wont quite be able to pay those off. But look into it. If you're a photographer you're most likely seeing combat, how else are you going to take the pictures? The National Gaurd is all in Iraq right now anyways. Yours is a great post, lots of information will transpire. I joined the Army National Guard in order to avoid combat duty in Vietnam. As luck would have it our unit, the 1293rd Air Assault Company and Troop E, 19th Air Cavalry, 29th Combat Infantry Brigade, Hawaii Army National Guard were activated for Vietnam Service. Some states (Hawaii is one) offer tuition free education if you are a member of the Army/Air National Guard. I'm sorry to say that with the current administration any affiliation with a combat unit whether active or reserve may result in a combat deployment regardless of MOS, rank, gender, etc. You may want to look at your prospective unit's "order of battle". Just because you may be assigned to a small army facility as a photographer of local events or car accidents, etc., your unit may fall under a larger 'parent' unit such as the 82 or 101 Airborne. In that case you're almost certain to be deployed. To join any army branch or the marine corps today, regardless of your job is playing American Roulette. Bonuses are huge...casualties are high...and there is no end in sight: what-so-ever! When I was invited to attend Army Infantry OCS the cut-off age was 31. I don't know what it is now. But for you that would be jumping out of the pan and into the fire. Note: My son, who has won numerous surf and free dive contests throughout the pacific islands was also turned down by the coast guard because his Hawaiian amakua tatoo of a green sea turtle. He is now a Marine Corp officer and deployed. My daughters are army reserve nurses and the eldest has two Iraq deployments as well as an Afghan deployment. My youngest is deployed in Iraq currently. Last year a high school friend of my daughters and nephew of a local TV sports anchor was killed in a roadside bombing. He had just received his BA in art. Good luck. Depending on what guard unit you are with, you can still be deployed while in school - that will not stop anything - so don't think that you can join and be able to get out of deployment - if you ahve the courage to sign the line, you should have the courage to fight for this country and that means being deployed. If you go to a recruiter they will tell you to expect to be deployed twice within your contract. There are no free rides that are given by the government - Army National Guard wife Every State in the ARNG has a Public Affairs detachment or unit. These are small 7-16 man units that do basically journalism type functions (mainly news/press briefings/TV and newspaper articles). Yes, they do get called up however they are normally far in the rear areas doing press briefings etc.. The last unit that I know that went to Iraq was the 133rd Public Affairs Detachment (KY & TN) that came back in Oct 2006. The total number of people involved is very small (less than a 1000) but I had vacancies in my State. Call your local ARNG Recruiter and ask for details. Good Luck |
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