Below you will find some information, tips and testimonials submitted to us by Military Recruiters. Their information, stories, and insight is a very useful tool when deciding if joining the US Military is right for you, and what branch may be the best option for you and your wants/needs. Thank you, recruiters, for taking the time to share with us and thank you to all the possible recruits out there for your interest in joining the United States Military!
8/17/2017 – Sergeant RJ Jones
Indiana Army National Guard Benefits :
- Receive tuition assistance for your college, university or vocational school.
-100% to state funded schools
-$4500 to private institutions - Get valuable TECHNICAL TRAINING and WORK EXPERIENCE employers are looking for, with over 150 jobs to choose from.
-Receive COLLEGE CREDITS from your guard training to put you closer to your degree.
-While at school, you’ll have a new PART-TIME JOB with FULL-TIME BENEFITS. - Guard Soldiers live at home, where they can be near family and friends while going to school and/or holding a civilian job.
-Serve your community and country ONE WEEKEND A MONTH and TWO WEEKS A SUMMER.
-No Experience Necessary.
8/9/2017 – Gordon Lin
Growing up, I was not a model son that I should have been, given the chances and circumstances that I grew up with. I was always getting into trouble and my parents getting divorced in 8th grade did not help the situation at all. I moved around a lot and eventually I was dismissed from school when I moved to Taiwan with my father. Luckily my mother asked me to move back to California with her. Shortly after I obtained my GED and started working at Pizza Hut where I was taking a few classes here and there. A year later, I quit working at Pizza Hut and started working at Safeway. As you can see, I was going nowhere in life.
I got married when I was 19 years old, and we moved into a place of our own, which came with a roommate. We were financially unstable and it was hard to make ends meet. I worked as a delivery driver for Quiznos at the time, and right next door was an Army recruitment center. Call it fate, call it luck, but my recruiter, SSG Le changed my life for the best.
At first, I was hesitant. I was oblivious to the many jobs the Army offered. No one in my family had ever served before, and I only knew what I gathered from movies: everyone is infantry. My recruiter educated me, he was patient, and he answered my questions honestly. At the time, this seemed like my best bet. I was not enrolled in school, I was working a dead end job. My friends were all accepted into Ivy League schools, Harvard, Stanford, Yale. They were studying to become doctors, biologists.
Fast forward seven years, I am 27 years old now. I bought my first house when I was 24. I now own my house, two cars, and I am a father to a beautiful little girl. I have traveled and lived in places I would have never dreamed of, including a tour to Afghanistan. I am 32 credits away from obtaining my Associate’s Degree in Business Management. Not many people can say they have accomplished this at my age. Most importantly, I have met people from all walks of life, made friends for life. Every day I wake up with a sense of purpose, knowing I am repaying society, my country, but most importantly my parents.
8/8/2017 – Angel Bishop, also known as Staff Sergeant Bishop. US Army Soldier.
I joined the Army at the age of 19. For 3 years I had dodged my Army recruiter. I was in high school and I had my mind set on attending college. Of course I said I was attending college but I hadn’t even applied yet. I wasn’t as focused as I should have been but a year of working two jobs and attending a community college taught me a lesson. A year after HS graduation I rushed to the recruiter I knew and asked her to sign me up. I joined in a time of war (the beginning) so I asked her if I would deploy and she said “yes, there is a 99.9% chance of you deploying…” I replied with a resounding “sign me up”. I wasn’t afraid because I have always had the mindset that anything could happen to anyone at anytime. I have deployed to Afghanistan twice and I’m back here with all my body parts and my right mind. I am proud to serve.
I grew a respect for my country and the people that made the sacrifice to serve alongside me. I attended college online and in the classroom without the headache of working two jobs. My command team cared enough about me as a total person to allow me to pursue my education. I traveled all over South Korea for a year, I bought a home at the age of 28 with no money down because of the VA loan, I have a security clearance that would be at least $100,000 in the civilian world. I have military experience to add to my resume when I decide to retire and so much more. I don’t know too many jobs that will allow you to take 30-40 days of paid vacation and pay for your moving expenses. There are so many benefits I would have to talk to you face to face or this would be a book.
I said all that to say that this could be you. Maybe you need help because you are just starting out. Graduating from high school is a new beginning, new chapter. Serving your country and utilizing the benefits that come along with serving to help your future endeavors is nothing short of a great idea turned reality.
I just wanted to touch on Army requirements such as tattoos:
- Your tattoos cannot be below your wrist bone (e.g. on hand, finger).
- Tattoos cannot be above the collar either. So in short, your tattoos cannot be seen.
- If you have one felony charge that is drug related we can help you.
- If you have more than one (1) DUI we can not help you join the Army.
- If you have one (1) drug charge along with four (4) traffic/non-traffic charges we will help process what is called a moral waiver for you but you cannot have any more than stated above.
- If you have gauges in your ear they must be closed completely before we are able to help you join the Army.
- If you are married with children we can help you depending on how many children you have (contact me for more info).
- If you are single with a kid you can join the Army Reserves (contact me for more info).
- You must be a US Citizen. We do not count a student work permit.
8/8/2017 – SGT Williams, LARNG Recruiter
Throughout life, I had always been a competitor. I’d love winning and being the best that I could be. I strived during high school to maintain A’s and B’s to keep my parents proud. Like every senior, I had aspirations to go out of state for college. I had been accepted to Morgan State University and planned on moving out of my parents’ house. During my last semester of high school, my parents were going through a divorce. It affected me because there was no money for college. FAFSA was not an option because they had made too much for the year so I faced going to a community college. During that first semester, I met a recruiter who offered an opportunity that I couldn’t turn down. To attend any state college 100% tuition free, a bonus, and the opportunity to help my community and country. I’ve been in for 10 years now and not once have I regretted the decision I made on my 18th birthday.
Don’t let the opportunity slip away.
8/8/2017 – RRNCO and ROTC instructor @ SELU. SSG GASCON
Do you know how you can serve your country part-time while funding your future? Your future is in your hands, and we can help. Regardless, if it’s college, or it’s a skill you can get it here. In the Louisiana Army National Guard, you have the opportunity to serve part-time, and receive 100% of your tuition to any state-funded school. In addition to this, you will also qualify for 369.00 per month (tax exempt), and 200.00 monthly paycheck (depends on rank). Ask if you qualify for 50,000.00 student-loan repayment. Additional benefits available for those who serve in the National Guard, and enroll in ROTC at SELU. If you are considering serves as a Reservist, this includes the Reserves or National Guard, do your research to determine the best fit for your needs. THEY (RESERVES AND NATIONAL GUARD) ARE DIFFERENT!