| National Guard (NG) deployments have increased | | | | experience will improve your soldiering skills and make |
| drastically since the Global War on Terrorism began in | | | | you more prepared for the job market when you |
| 2001. Prior to those horrific acts, the National Guard | | | | return home. |
| was traditionally used as a reserve force. Since 2001, | | | | Another great thing about deployments is the |
| the National Guard has frequently been used as an | | | | opportunity to finish your education. If you need to |
| operational force. | | | | finish an Associate's or Bachelor's degree, you can do |
| If you currently serve in the NG, you should be | | | | it overseas. Most installations have education offices |
| prepared to deploy at some point in time. In fact, a | | | | and several colleges to choose from. Also, you can |
| huge majority of NG soldiers have already deployed | | | | use your Federal Tuition Assistance and GI Bill. |
| at least once. And, many have deployed two or | | | | Furthermore, deployments allow most soldiers to |
| more times. | | | | save money and pay off debt. Many soldiers earn |
| Deployments present many great opportunities for | | | | more while deployed than they do back home. The |
| National Guard soldiers. First of all, you get to serve | | | | deployment allows them to pay off debt, save |
| your country. That is a great honor within itself. | | | | money and plan for retirement. |
| Next, you get real world experience in your military | | | | There are many other advantages to National Guard |
| occupation. Let's face it, our Active Duty | | | | deployments. What I enjoyed most was the |
| counterparts have a slight advantage over us. They | | | | opportunity to serve my country and the chance to |
| get to train (up to) 30 days a month, while the NG | | | | improve my leadership and tactical skills. I also |
| usually only gets two days per month. | | | | enjoyed the fellowship with my peers. |
| What does this mean to you? | | | | In conclusion, if you get deployed with the National |
| It means that your deployment experience will make | | | | Guard, look for the positive in the situation. Find ways |
| you a better soldier. You will conduct more training in | | | | to take your combat experience and make yourself |
| a 12-month deployment than you typically would in a | | | | a better person, leader and soldier. |
| 5 year period of time. Talk about experience. That | | | | |