Expert: John L - 10/23/2008

Question
Hello John Lewis,

So I'm kind of confused about a few things regarding Active Duty. My boyfriend recently joined The National Guards about a year ago. He is due to return home from his M.O.S training on the 28th of this month. He's thought about becoming Active Duty, and is willing to sign the papers by the end of this year. I'm nervous about his decision of wanting to go active, more so because of the whole war going on. One of my questions is: would he need advanced training before he ever gets deployed? I'm curious as to how that works. I'm scared that once he decides that this is something he really wants to do and we both go through with getting married and living on base, he gets deployed.

Another question of mine is what "job" could he work toward without having to worry about being deployed. I understand that once active or while in the Army one is never safe of getting deployed. However, we've heard that recruiter's don't get deployed, is this true?

I appreciate you taking the time to answer my questions.
Thanks so much. Take care.

Answer
For him to go active duty at this point will be a challenge, the Guard has to release him, which most states are not willing to do.  If he does go active, any units, active or Guard, are trained for several months before they deploy, he will be properly trained.

Recruiters do not deploy because their job is recruiting at the time.  However, it is a temporary assignment before being sent back to a deployable unit.


Going active is a life decision, lots of benefits and you both may enjoy the time and benefits.  It is a decsion you should make together.

Good luck