Military: ANG or Coast Guard?

[suav]

Well I'm sort of torn between which service to join, and just wondering if anyone on here is in either one... or knows anyone... in the Coast Guard or Air National Guard.

Any insight to shift my decision one way or the other? My dad wanted me to go ANG cause he did.
Anyone have any idea on which could provide for a better quality of life or anything?
(They both interest me almost equally, and I plan to move out of Montana..)

 

[Wills7MGTE]

Well if ya wanna be a chopper pilot, I'd say USCG just for the skills you'll get flying in bad weather etc. Ummm if you like fixed wing then I'd say ANG because the coast guard has only a few fixed wings and they are mostly C-130's and then P3 variants.

 

[AF1JZ]

Enlisted or Officer? I say ANG being that I'm Air Force. They treat you pretty good and quality of life is good. But, you aren't trying to be active duty?

 

[CampbellsChunkySoupra]

ANG FTW.

[ i hate the water ]

 

[suav]

But, you aren't trying to be active duty?

Yeah I think for now I just want to be Reserves and do my own thing, then maybe be an officer afterI finish school.

 

[JustAnotherVictim]

Personally I would would choose the one with less ocean.

 

[suprageezer]

My daughter went Air Force, she's an air traffic controller, she has lived all over the world, Loves it, and makes almost 6 figures after only 6 years, so what ever you decide make sure it will be a job that translates easily into the civilian world, Good Luck, and Thank YOU in advance for Serving America.

 

[drunk_medic]

I was Air Force for 9 years. The first five years were great. The next two were so-so, and the last two were terrible. I had to GTFO, for my own sanity. Maybe things are different for people on other bases, in other squadrons, in other situations, but it made sense for me to get out when my contract was up.
On the other hand, as a young single guy, the military did help give me some direction and help. I learned many lessons, both the easy and hard ways. Would I do it all over again? The first enlistment, definitely.
I don't know what to tell you about Guard or Reserve, except that your chances of activation are much higher than they were 5 years ago. That means it's more of a pain to use those education benefits that you want. Regardless, I can't knock anyone who wants to serve our country - that is, I can't make fun of them for their willingness to serve alone.

 

[2543arvin]

I say that if you are looking for a challenge and I assume you are since you are thinking about joining the military, join the Marine Corps. The comradarie and brotherhood is like none that youve ever known. Thats just my motivated .02.

 

[SupraDreamPDR]

go active duty. (6 yrs active duty AF here...)

 

[drunk_medic]

go active duty.

I would agree, but they seem like they want to go to school as well as serve. I don't know about all military units, but mine simply did not afford me the time to go to school.
They say "well, if you are enrolled in a class on base and you have to deploy, you can be refunded or re-take the class later when you get back". Some may say that this gives you more time to learn and really retain the knowledge, but that's more than just optimism talking; it doesn't solve the problem of the time you wasted back-tracking towards your degree.

 

[Wills7MGTE]

The Marine corps was great for my father, he was in 18 years, left as a Gunnery Sergeant and regreted every bit of leaving.

 

[SupraDerk]

I say guard, but I have a little soft spot for the Air Force

 

[suav]

Thanks for all the input.
I'll be doing my basic in Texas, then Florida for tech school...After this coming fall semester.
Ended up deciding on the Air Force.