How do current members of the Army National guard feel about being in it, and is it possible to be in the 82nd Airborne division and deploy?

I have spent the last six years as a national guardsman and I love it, and will likely re-enlist. I picked the guard so I could go to school while I served, but one thing happened after another and I eventually stopped going to school to pursue full time work because I didn’t rate 100 percent of my benefits. So in hindsight, you should do AT LEAST 3 years active duty before going Guard. You’ll get some good experience, you’ll get all your benefits, maybe you’ll deploy. Those will all help you in your civilian and national guard career. In hindsight I wish I had done active duty for a time, because it would’ve been time better spent. Go active, then go guard.

As much as I would love to put you in the guard if being 82nd Airborne is a primary goal, go active. The Guard will still be here when your tour is over.

Go active!!! End of discussion