I am in the process of joining the Army National Guard. I am trying decide between doing the STO or going straight through. Any opinions? https://www.rallypoint.com/answers/i-am-in-the-process-of-joining-the-army-national-guard-i-am-trying-decide-between-doing-the-sto-or-going-straight-through-any-opinions <div class="images-v2-count-0"></div> Mon, 05 Feb 2018 09:39:01 -0500 I am in the process of joining the Army National Guard. I am trying decide between doing the STO or going straight through. Any opinions? https://www.rallypoint.com/answers/i-am-in-the-process-of-joining-the-army-national-guard-i-am-trying-decide-between-doing-the-sto-or-going-straight-through-any-opinions <div class="images-v2-count-0"></div> Cassie McGill Mon, 05 Feb 2018 09:39:01 -0500 2018-02-05T09:39:01-05:00 Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 5 at 2018 9:48 AM https://www.rallypoint.com/answers/i-am-in-the-process-of-joining-the-army-national-guard-i-am-trying-decide-between-doing-the-sto-or-going-straight-through-any-opinions?n=3325116&urlhash=3325116 <div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>When I first joined the Army Reserves, I did the STO. For me, it was a two sided coin. On one hand, I was glad I got to have that break in between and still be able to earn a paycheck, but at the same time, I do sometimes wish I would have just gotten everything done in one stretch. MSG Private RallyPoint Member Mon, 05 Feb 2018 09:48:23 -0500 2018-02-05T09:48:23-05:00 Response by Cassie McGill made Feb 5 at 2018 9:50 AM https://www.rallypoint.com/answers/i-am-in-the-process-of-joining-the-army-national-guard-i-am-trying-decide-between-doing-the-sto-or-going-straight-through-any-opinions?n=3325124&urlhash=3325124 <div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>For sure! If I go straight through I’ll definitely have to miss the first semester of college, but if I do the STO I won’t revive my full benefits until after I finish AIT. Cassie McGill Mon, 05 Feb 2018 09:50:21 -0500 2018-02-05T09:50:21-05:00 Response by SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth made Feb 5 at 2018 1:05 PM https://www.rallypoint.com/answers/i-am-in-the-process-of-joining-the-army-national-guard-i-am-trying-decide-between-doing-the-sto-or-going-straight-through-any-opinions?n=3325766&urlhash=3325766 <div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>It&#39;s your call Ms Cassie, I stayed in for 24 yrs, went IRR, December on my birthday (60th) I received my retirement orders. Guard time plus IRR 41 yrs, 3 mo. 7 days. SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth Mon, 05 Feb 2018 13:05:47 -0500 2018-02-05T13:05:47-05:00 2018-02-05T09:39:01-05:00