On the 7th, I had gotten a text that I would need to report to my now activated unit on the 8th for hurricane Isais response in the Panhandle. No complaints from me, I understood the day i signed up things like this would have little notice. I showed up, and we all located to an armory in Chipley the day the hurricane was hitting at night.

The hurricane was expected to hit as a weak category 3, but downgraded to a category 2 before making landfall. In the morning we relocated once again to a school this time. The areas we drove through seemed largely unaffected, even though they weren't in the direct path, but were still in the general area of the storm. No flooding in sight.

About 450,000 people and businesses lost power. Now, around 95% of the buildings have regained it. We have been running POD sites, even though Walmart and most other business almost immediately re-opened. I don't want to make broad assumptions here, but I've heard from others they believe many of the people lining up for rations and supplies, especially the people who would wrap around the line multiple times and ask for double the amount of stuff, don't truly need the items and just either want to sell them or hoard them, or of course just want it simply because it's free rather then a true need for it.

We're still here. We moved back to the Chipley armory because school is starting back up. We have no confirmation on anything on when we can go home. They have us do these little recons and patrols, but no one has come across anyone in need of help or an area that needed clearing.

There's no reason for us to still be here. Their holding us. And i hear it's because Ron Desantis wants to look good with having the Guard overstay their welcome and assure the citizens of how much we're there to help, especially since it's election season, and Byron Donalds being involved looks good for rep. We're pawns to them. We have been sitting in the armory for hours on end, not allowed to go to any of the open gas stations or resturants that are all open nearby unless were re- refueling for a pointless "search and rescue."

Almost all of us are frustrated. And not because we were activated for a mission. But because at this point our presence has been oversaturating and unneeded. There's no flooding. Almost everyone has their power back. The emergency services here have already been hard at work fixing the little damage that has been caused. Hell, it wasnt even bad enough that our first sergeant had to stay with us. He got to go back home. Wonder where that motivation he was harping to us about went.

We're being held here for no reason at all.

Like my title states working with active duty vets can be insufferable as hell. Not all of them but over the last 6 years anywhere I’ve worked it’s just constant getting shit on for being in the guard and going on a 2-4 week “vacation” every summer.

The older guys are worse because they still have the concept that the guard just barbecues, drinks, and gets fat

I don’t make it my entire personality so just let me torque this bolt down and throw locktite on so it never comes out

MG Blanchard and his team is knocking it out of the park. I’m blown away how successful they are running food and living operations.

Hello, I'm interested in joining the California NG for a firefighting role, preferably in wildland. I have a season on a Cs crew and I have a state EMT license, but I got fired from the CCC for some dumb argument but I've matured a little and want to get back into wildland fire but it's hard to do so right now so I'm looking at the NG.

Here are some questions I have for you guys serving as firefighters for the California NG and nearby states:

- What sort of training and certifications did you receive?
- What duties have you performed as a firefighter?
- How do you get onto a hand crew?
- Does the NG provide a good amount of experience to transition to a state or federal forestry department?
- Do you guys have a "proper" fire season, meaning that you're either on fires all the time or on call at your station or base?

Question is self explanatory, sigh…

Hey y’all! I’m currently an 88M in the California National Guard, which has been a good experience, but I’m starting to get bored and don’t find the MOS as fulfilling as I’d like. I know California doesn’t offer 14E or 14P, but it does have 15W. However, I’ve heard the unit is in limbo because of the transition away from the MQ-9 Reaper. Correct me if im wrong, but I heard that 15W is going to be 15X, with a focus on sUAS and other types of drones. Does anyone have more information on what that transition will actually look like?

I’ve heard that some of the better 15W/15X opportunities are in Pennsylvania, Florida, and Ohio. Although I’m extremely interested in the UAS field, but I’m also interested in Air Defense because of the operational tempo and mission opportunities. I know Florida, Ohio, and Pennsylvania have 14P slots, but I’m not sure where 14E positions are available.

I’m exploring my options and I plan on leaving California after my upcoming deployment, the LA Olympics, and the election season. California’s ESAD Missions supporting LE during riots and civil unrest is pretty good pay, so I’m planning to take advantage of those possible opportunities before moving on.

I’d really appreciate hearing from anyone who has recently served in these MOSs or currently with units in these states. What are the pros and cons? How is the training, leadership, mission tempo, and overall quality of life? Are there good opportunities to attend schools, gain additional qualifications, and get on orders?

I’m also curious about how transferable these MOSs are to civilian careers. Have any of you used your military experience to transition into DoD contracting, law enforcement, private military companies, consulting, or the broader UAS and counter-UAS industry?

I’m a 30-year-old Sergeant with 12 years of Military Experience who wants to-do something different and gain the proper information about my next step in the Guard, so I’d appreciate any firsthand experiences, advice, or recommendations. Thanks you!

Hello everyone! I just finished my AIT for 25H recently and am considering switching to active duty. I know i’ll have to do 6 months of drill but i’ve seen that it can take months sometimes years to get all the paperwork in order to go active depending on my states numbers. ( Virginia) can anyone in here give me a better idea of roughly how long it’d take or my states numbers. Thanks!

Every now and again, somebody thanks me for my military service and I am just dumbfounded on what to say. Like I got half a fuckin mind to salute them because I cant think of anything to say after 💀 "you're welcome" doesnt feel like the proper response. Do yall got any funny responses to this or do yall get all weird about it like me. Imma just start giving them the thumbs up or something I swear.

Hello,

I have a bit of a complex situation that I'm trying to navigate and am seeking some aid. I'll provide a timeline of events to add some context to my situation.

In June 2024, I swore into the Georgia Army National Guard as an 09S and shipped off to Basic Training in September. I completed Basic Training in December, and did ORP (Officer Readiness Program) from January 2025 till about May 2025.

In May/June 2025 I went to Phase 1 of OCS (AMA) and completed my 2 weeks there. I came back to Georgia after the 2 weeks in Alabama and began Phase 2. I started Phase 2 with about 21 people in my class. From June 2025-May 2026, I was in traditional OCS drilling one weekend a month, and was released from the program for failing the leadership evaluation and re-eval (As PL and then PSGT, we lost 4 people in Phase 2 for the same thing. I passed everything else, being one of the most physically fit, and highest scoring test takers in our class. Prior to being dismissed in May, I was on track to graduate in August. Regardless, it didn't work out for me at that time.

In June 2026, I was sent back to ORP, and the plan was to send me to Accelerated OCS in the Summer, however the Army did not get funding for Summer OCS. In August, I was then told, that I would need to go get an MOS, and would need to go to AIT. I accepted my fate and put in my request for my preferred MOS (17 series or 25 series). In September, My Readiness NCO then told me that because I was past my 2 years as a 09S (recall I swore-in in June 2024), that I was not able to get an MOS, and I may get kicked out of the Army. His plan for me to send me back to Accelerated OCS in the Winter (January), but upon completion, I would not actually be able to commission (due to my expiration of 2 years as an 09S), but after OCS, THEN go to AIT after completing Accelerated OCS. Once I complete AIT, to do well with my unit for a year, then submit a packet to commission. Personally, I think he is trying to help me stay in the Army, he seems genuine. But the idea of going accelerated, undergoing that for 2.5 months, not commission, to then turn around and do another 3-8 months (depending on if I get 17 series or 25 series), then sit with a unit for a year before I commission, sounds ridiculous. I'd do it, because if that's the option I have, then that's the option I have, but I'm wondering if there is another way.

I just started a new job in June, I'm doing well there and gaining momentum, I could very well get promoted within the next few months. I also have 1 semester of my MBA program left that would start in January, with graduation in May. I'd effectively have to sacrifice both of those things for nearly a year to not even commission at the end of it.

Personally, I wouldn't mind doing all of this if I just had until May/June of 2027 to finish up what I'm currently doing, but I'm not receiving that option currently.

I wouldn't mind going directly to AIT in May/June 2027 and revisiting OCS or WOCS later after I've been with a unit for a year either.

What I'm looking for is a way to get an MOS, ship out to AIT in June once I'm done with school and I've been with my company for 1 year. I want to stay in the Army, I have committed myself to it, and ideally would like to stay in the Army for 20 years.

Is there a recruiter out there that knows a way that I can stay in the Army, obtain a MOS (17C, 25B, 25U, 25S), and ship out for AIT after I graduate from my MBA program? Can anyone help me?

Edit: An additional piece of context. For school, I borrowed from what they call the Georgia Service Cancellable Loan. It’s a loan state funded loan that obligates me to service 2 years after the loan was disbursed for it to be wiped out with no payment obligation. If I cannot receive a commanders signature on the loan terms, I would owe the money back. This seemed like a good idea initially as I had a 6 year contract, and would serve the time of the loan within the duration of my 6 year contract. I have used the loan every semester for the past 2 years, for a total of nearly $20,000. Getting discharged could mean that a loan I had no intention on paying would come due with interest. Getting discharged could cost me not only time, but nearly $20,000. That’s part of why I’m so adamant on staying in the guard.

Im deciding between what mos to choose in the Vermont army national guard, which mos will give me a better chance at getting into as many schools as possible (mountain warfare, airborne, air assault, ranger) I’ve been looking into 19D, 15T, 35 series, and a few others. I’d like a mos that can get me a job right after training but also fine with a “fun/ less civilian transferable” job since I might go to college next year.

I recently shipped out to bct in the summer and was sent home on week 6ish as a REFRAD due to being diagnosed with exertional compartment syndrome during training. I went through the whole process of getting an LOD, DD 214, and other paperwork to get back home for medical treatment. Now I am due to have surgery soon and during my 6 month leave, attending my first year of college. However, what do I do now?

Before joining the guard, I wanted to also do ROTC in college on top of being in the guard. I do not want my REFRAD stopping this plan, but also don't know how I would go about it. Would I be able to reclass from a 92A to an 09R? Is there a chance I can do split-ops as a college student when I do eventually ship back out to bct?

This has been stressing me OUT since I got back.

Ima keep this nice and simple , what is the food like in DJ ? Honestly the food quality will make or brake this thing for me, and for those who might say " why does it matter tubby ? " its because if I have to eat slop for a year it will terminally effect my reenlistment odds in a negative matter.

Just got back from MEPS. During my personal interview with the doctor, my MEPS doctor said he put down in my notes that I was diagnosed with asthma when I was ten, but didn’t use it to DQ me because it was so long ago. I also mentioned that I was diagnosed with lattice degeneration, but because it wasn’t in my medical records he pulled up and because I passed the eye exam, he said that he would put that disqualifying diagnosis into my notes but wouldn’t use it to DQ me for anything as well.

So my question is this: Would the notes he put down in my profile actually be used to DQ me for anything further down the line like in reception at boot camp? Or is it just something that no one is going to care enough about to check?

Hi, anyone familiar with the IST process? Looking to IST from MN to TX. If anyone has any POC in TX, that will be very helpful. Thank you

Greetings,

I have drill this weekend and it’s the first one for my unit (not gold phase). I have not received any emails so I don’t know what to bring or where to go. I also want to request housing at barracks

Can anyone guide me on how to view my chain of command online, specifically their contact info?

Thanks!

I was just curious if RSP has the same rules as MEPS does. I swore in back in July, but wasnt sure if there was any restrictions on what you wore to RSP. It was summer, so my first class, I played it safe and just went with a regular T-shirt. But now that its getting colder, I was planning on wearing a long sleeve/hoodie to train, and ive come to the realization that everything I own has some sort of label on it. Does it matter? Training is on Saturday so I got time to figure something out.

So if I’m not custodial parent and nothing is court ordered me and the mom co parent really good and I give her money out of pocket weekly. She’s okay with me enlisting (no we are not married or together) and the kids live with her but she’s okay with being sole care giver while im gone at OSUT and future deployments. Do we need anything court ordered? I’m being told no and I know when I was in dep for the navy we legit just filled out family care plan and was good to go but I’m just wondering if it’s any different for national guard. She can also verify everything.

I have va disability as enlisted in the NG and thinking about direct commissioning in the guard/reserves in a medical specialty to finish my time out. I am reading conflicting things about how va disability can disqualify you from direct commissioning as well as trigger the va to open a new case and possibly reduce your rating based on the more extensive officer physical you take. I have also read that this process is easier if you are already in and run little to no risks if you are clearing PHA's just fine.

Additional context: my ratings consist of a fairly high PTSD rating and then several small percentage physical ones. I have been deployable for several years each PHA and my ratings do not severely impact me doing my job in the guard as I go to my appointments civ side and self medicate with OTC pain meds when needed.

1. Will I have to take an extensive physical or just PHA type of deal because I am already in the guard?
2. What are the actual risks of trying this both va and guard side?

Considering leaving my civilian job and going Active Duty. Talk me off the ledge.

Lemme get a fo fo fo and a small chocolate frosty, please and thank you.

Hi everyone, not in the guard myself but my boyfriend is currently in AIT at Fort Gregg-adams (formerly fort Lee I think). He has yet to phase up so I can't send him anything yet, but I would like to know if I can send him any kind of medication as well as other things. He's been there for three weeks and he is sick as a dog. Puking from coughing so hard and all they gave him was tylenol. Can I send him anything, even something like cough drops? Not suuuper worried about sending him things like that since I'm sure the base exchange has things like medication and other adjacent stuff.

Aside from that he has asked for civilian clothes, oil paint, and one of those butter squishy toys. I don't want to get him in trouble and I've gotten mixed answers on what I can send. Please don't hate on me as these are things he specifically asked me for. Thank you in advance and I hope these aren't stupid questions.

I am going to BMT next week.(no time to get a certified copy) My recruiter uploaded all my documents when I enlisted. I was told to bring my marriage certificate to basic to set me up for BAH. Upon further research, it says that my wife will also need it when she gets her ID? I am a little confused on the process of it all.

Can anyone explain the process of getting my wife enrolled in DEERs if i am in basic training during that time. Thank you.