What is it like deploying with National Guard members?

2015-02-10T11:10:34-05:00

I just threw my name in the hat for a deployment. I'm a ANG member and I would like to hear the best and the worst stories of deploying with Guard members.

Aaaaaaaaand go!

Response by SrA Jay Strauser made Feb 10 at 2015 11:18 AM

2015-02-10T11:18:27-05:00

The best Pilots I worked with in Desert Storm were Guard members. Maybe because they lived I those aircraft for the big airline companies. One pilot was able to bring a plane home with just two engines on one wing. The other two on the other side were gone. Still not sure how he did that.

Response by SPC Neil Hood made Feb 10 at 2015 11:40 AM

2015-02-10T11:40:50-05:00

We had a unit out of Alabama with us briefly in AFG and one of their medics made a 'nest' out of blankets in the back of the MRAP. When asked to egress they told him to grab his ACH which he responded, "I never bring it on missions." All the other Guard and Reserve units were pretty good with lots of experienced NCOs.

Response by MSgt Michael Durkee made Feb 10 at 2015 2:26 PM

2015-02-10T14:26:11-05:00

I've good, bad, and indifferent experiences with the Guard. I do have to say my favorite memory was when we were in Desert Shield.
I was a brand new E4/SrA, I actually had to sew the stripes on myself :) , we were out on the runway to meet a C-130 to pick up some late arrivals from our Unit. The OIC, who was a Captain, rode along with several of us Airmen and NCOs, wasn't required, but he wanted to get away from tent city for a ride.
When we got to the runway, sure enough, the C-130 was there but our expected troops weren't. The Guard Aircrew left them at their departure point and took on cargo instead. They told us "to get the lead out and unload the plane so they could get back to Greece for crew rest before getting back home".
We got to it and started unloading while the Captain looked on, until the E7/MSgt Loadmaster looked out the cargo hold and yelled to the Captain..."Buddy, we don't have all day!" The Captain was pretty pissed and said, "MSgt, you're out of line!" To which the MSgt said, "Buddy, if you would get in line we could get the hell out here!"

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 10 at 2015 2:48 PM

2015-02-10T14:48:48-05:00

I miss it every day best time of my life so far even though I was deployed to a non organic unit..made a lot of friends and I would not trade that experience for anything! Bring on the next one already..

Response by CMSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 10 at 2015 3:33 PM

2015-02-10T15:33:38-05:00

My last deployment was with 4 separate Security Forces Guard Units (TX, CA, DC, MN) brought together. I was the outsider as the onsie augmentee and solo Intel guru for FP mission.

The plus was they were like clockwork. They knew each other inside and out and could execute their missions like a well-oiled machine.

The minus was that they knew each other inside and out. Had A LOT of drama and history that came with them from CONUS. There was always a "back story" that someone was willing to share essentially putting all the business out there irrevocably.

Overall, I had a great experience and grew to be part of the family. :)

Response by CW3 Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 21 at 2015 10:35 AM

2015-10-21T10:35:12-04:00

kind of like an episode of the Office. You will have a good time