Can someone give me advice on joining the NG of a state that I am moving to, not the state that I currently live in?

2018-04-17T12:45:56-04:00

Basically, the situation is that my wife and I are planning to move to a different state at the end of the year (November-December 2018), but I want to go ahead and join the Guard now. My main reason for that is that the state we will be moving to is 20+ hours away by car, and we will not know anyone there. I would rather my wife have her family and friends while I am gone to Basic and AIT. Does anyone have experience with a similar situation? I have been working with the recruiter from my current state, but I don't think that is a good idea, and i am about to contact one in the new state (New York). I assume I will have to go through MEPS and everything in NY. Is that correct? How difficult do yall think it will be to work with a recruiter over the phone and do all of this?

Response by SPC James Harsh made Apr 17 at 2018 1:00 PM

2018-04-17T13:00:35-04:00

I'm no expert and not a recruiter, if you've signed anything for your current states' Guard then another recruiter will direct you back to your Guard recruiter, this might help since you will be in the system however, you take up a 'slot'. You would need to have a slot for you in NY, after Basic Training, so that your orders would require you to attend drills there. You can live out of state and be in another states Guard, at least I've seen it on license plates. If you're required (to stay in the state you live) to drill at your current state then it could be better to find out if you can fill a slot in NY instead, you may have to technically show up at your current state and see if you can get your orders changed to NY after completion of Basic Training, maybe you could offer to join NY after Basic Training if you have to, then it might be easier.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 17 at 2018 1:16 PM

2018-04-17T13:16:50-04:00

https://dmna.ny.gov/join/

Find A New York Army National Guard Recruiter

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 17 at 2018 10:51 PM

2018-04-17T22:51:11-04:00

Saw this and thought it was the same post from earlier. Seeing that it's not I'll provide my response to your other questions. Where you go to MEPS should not be based on where you will ultimately serve, for instance I went to MEPS in AL because it was closer to my Home of Record than the one in GA and my recruiter could get me in sooner at that location, even though I was enlisting in the GAARNG. Doing this over the phone depends on how desperate/motivated your Recruiter is. I'm sure they can slam you in pretty quick provided you can get them the required documents quickly, only thing that would be a snag is if you need any sort of waivers (Medical, Education, Criminal History, Citizenship). If you can get a high ASVAB score they'll work harder for you because they know they have more options for enlisting you in terms of available MOS's you could choose from. Good luck on your journey.

Response by SGT Justin Lamb made Apr 18 at 2018 1:12 AM

2018-04-18T01:12:56-04:00

Call me direct [login to see]
I don’t see why if you are working with a recruiter it’s a bad idea.. You don’t speak like a normal recruit.. come from a family that serves? You mentioned both BCT & AIT so your not considered prior service anymore if you got discharged.. I’m intrigued and would like to help. I’m in NY and I’m in the Guard.