Thinking about the Army National Guard

[ejay]

Right now I am trying to get into a department out of state (Oregon), but seriously considering joining the Army National Guard.

Anyone in that could give me the plus and minus?

I understand that I would likely be deployed, but what is the average tour?

[FNA209]

A few things about the National Guard. If you're thinking of getting a job in another state, hold off until you're in that sate to join. While transferring from one state to another is doable, it can be a real PITA.

I was in while I attended the police academy. I still did my drills. Once again, it was a PITA doing both- plus it made for some busy weeks. Some guys opted for not doing drills during their academy time- the units used to allow that.

If you get deployed, you go. Being in the police academy (or for that matter half-way through a college semester) it doesn't mean much. Once again, it can be a PITA. Deployments usually from 6 mos to 18 mos, although the 6 mo ones seem to be disappearing. I just had a friend return from over there- he did a total of 18 mos including train-up prior to going. And he thinks he's getting deployed again next year.

I've got one friend over there now- it's a 12 mo deployment. He did almost 2 mo prior to actually shipping out.

If I was looking at an LEO job, I'd try to get through the academy and my FTO phase first. Next enlist. It's not impossible to juggle the National Guard with a start in this career, but there are definitely some stumbling blocks to deal with.

[MIDeputy]

FNA209 gave some good advice, and I would second everything he is saying with the addition of check with whichever agency you are trying to get hired on with, and their policy regarding military training. Meaning, by law they have to allow you to fulfill your military obligation but that doesn't mean they have to pay you to go drill. If for example you were scheduled to work on a drill weekend or your two week annual training, they'll give you the time off to drill but they won't pay you your salary so your going to lose out on a lot of money from your LE job and have to make do with the few hundred dollars you get for drill. At my dept. if you want to receive your salary on the days you are scheduled for drill, you either have to make the days up when you get back, so you'll be putting in a lot of extra hours the following couple weeks or you have to your personal vacation, sick, or comp time. I don't know about you, but I would hate using my vacation time to go play Army. But like I said check with each agency you're trying to get hired with, some agencies are now paying their employees either their salary while drilling or at least paying the difference between drill pay and their LE job pay.
Good Luck!

[mainedawg]

You have gotten some good information so far. PLEASE go over to www.military.com and go to the Military Police board and ask all the questions you can think of. Read back on the threads and you will get a feel of what to expect. www.militarypolice.com will also give you alot of information. OK check out my site listed below.

Never take what the recuiter tells you unless you have it in writing.

[bcsoco]

what you need to do is get the job. Then work for a year. While youre working talk to a recruiter my opion talk to all branches. And you do go into the military and have to leave atleast youre job is there when you get back. They have to hold youre spot.

[FNA209]

Meaning, by law they have to allow you to fulfill your military obligation but that doesn't mean they have to pay you to go drill. If for example you were scheduled to work on a drill weekend or your two week annual training, they'll give you the time off to drill but they won't pay you your salary so your going to lose out on a lot of money from your LE job and have to make do with the few hundred dollars you get for drill.

Excellent point! I had forgotten all about that! MI Deputy is right. My agency doesn't pay for weekend drills. And while I was still in, I didn't have weekends off at my LE job, so I had to take two days off without pay (I wouldn't use my vacation or holiday time to do the Army thing.)

The only thing that saved me was that I was a SSG/E-6 and then a SFC/E-7 and the pay almost equaled out (I didn't go into LE until late in life :( ). A E-1 to E-4 (maybe even an E-5) is likely to lose some money doing that once a month depending on your LEO pay.

[ejay]

Great! Lots of helpful info. Searched this forum, the military forums, and even the National Guard forum.
Your right, I should focus on getting hired out of state first. Pass my shortened FTO phase, and then discuss it with the admin regarding specific policies regarding leave when deployed.

Thanks for all of the helpful information guys.