[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Texas State Guard- Part Deux (Page 1 of 48)
Posted: 7/27/2009 4:09:21 PM EDT
| and so it begins.... |
|
warm, breathing or a recent history of either... but seriously... 17 to 60, no prior military experience necessary... generally good health, meet height weight standards that are really generous and be willing to give back to your fellow texans in their time of need. I can get all of the actual specs if you would like, I don't have them in front of me at the moment
Tom |
| yeah... what he said... with one addition.. you can be 17 if you have signed parental permission ––- most important and most misunderstood part.. no prior military service or experience is necessary.. it's appreciated.. but not necessary.. in the 1st battalion, over 70% of the battalion is non-prior service |
| the Texas State Guard used to be an absolute sorry joke.. an old boys club of full colonels and sergeant's major who couldn't find their asses with a compass, flashlight and an assistant.. I didn't even consider joining due to my impression of the guard from the late 80's , but I did keep an open mind and went to visit a drill with the 1st battalion.. I was impressed.. this is not the same old guard that I knew... the old boys have been weeded out.. the state guard is now a vital and integral part of the state's disaster response plan and as such can not afford to have a gaggle of turd heads running around... the guard of today is current, trained and motivated... or else I wouldn't have joined. The front line battalions that actually do the heavy lifting just do not have the time or energy for dead weight.. the headquarters is catching up in that regard... if you are in doubt.. visit a drill of any battalion you pick and see if your doubts aren't alleviated... don't take my word for this.. go visit and see what you think. |
| To further what Tom said, we also have the respect of our National Guard brothers as a valuable source of manpower and skill. The unit I am in (401st ASG) serves with/supports the 201st Combat Weather Flight and we (the State Guard) are an integral part of their operations plan. |
The next new recruit is HOME!!! HOOAH! Just got back from the airport...now ready to sleep....he is going to have issues acclimating to living in civies (which seem to have shrunken while he was at Lost in the woods  ) and w/o all his battle buddies around!
KEWL...ownage on PG 2 of part 2... 
|
|
Quoted:
the Texas State Guard used to be an absolute sorry joke.. an old boys club of full colonels and sergeant's major who couldn't find their asses with a compass, flashlight and an assistant.. I didn't even consider joining due to my impression of the guard from the late 80's , but I did keep an open mind and went to visit a drill with the 1st battalion.. I was impressed.. this is not the same old guard that I knew... the old boys have been weeded out.. the state guard is now a vital and integral part of the state's disaster response plan and as such can not afford to have a gaggle of turd heads running around... the guard of today is current, trained and motivated... or else I wouldn't have joined. The front line battalions that actually do the heavy lifting just do not have the time or energy for dead weight.. the headquarters is catching up in that regard... if you are in doubt.. visit a drill of any battalion you pick and see if your doubts aren't alleviated... don't take my word for this.. go visit and see what you think. Hooah! Well said. In on page 2 
|
| Sounds like something I might be interested in. Is the Texas State Guard used strictly in the state of Texas or can they be deployed elsewhere as a need is determined? I've been looking for a way to serve in a way that does not make the wife a nervous wreck. I wanted to join the National Guard for a while until I saw them getting deployed overseas for extended tours. |
|
Quoted:
Sounds like something I might be interested in. Is the Texas State Guard used strictly in the state of Texas or can they be deployed elsewhere as a need is determined? I've been looking for a way to serve in a way that does not make the wife a nervous wreck. I wanted to join the National Guard for a while until I saw them getting deployed overseas for extended tours. There are rare instances (Hurricane Katrina for example) where you could be deployed outside the state, but that is at only at the emergency request of another Governor to the Governor of Texas. A motto of the State Guard is "Texans serving TEXANS"
No over seas deployments. As a general rule, no deployments outside of Texas. |
|
Quoted:
Fourman.. anyone in QRT still needing uniforms and stuff? I'm putting together a group buy to go out at the end of the week... do you have a copy of the new pricelist? I do not have a current copy of the list and I can send an email out to the team today asking. |
|
Quoted:
The next new recruit is HOME!!! HOOAH! Just got back from the airport...now ready to sleep....he is going to have issues acclimating to living in civies (which seem to have shrunken while he was at Lost in the woods ) and w/o all his battle buddies around!
KEWL...ownage on PG 2 of part 2... I am so glad your son is safe and home!!! I look forward to meeting him at the next drill. How is your knee? |
|
Quoted:
Quoted:
The next new recruit is HOME!!! HOOAH! Just got back from the airport...now ready to sleep....he is going to have issues acclimating to living in civies (which seem to have shrunken while he was at Lost in the woods ) and w/o all his battle buddies around!
KEWL...ownage on PG 2 of part 2... I am so glad your son is safe and home!!! I look forward to meeting him at the next drill. How is your knee? Thanks...me too...my knee is much better. It still gives me afewtwinges, but it is back to normal size! |
| My only negative observation after AT and our recent COC event is as a whole we need to be in better shape. I do understand that some have physical limitations and their contributiions are still very valuable, but there is no excuse for the rest of us. Do yourself a favor if you are doing so today and work at doing better on the Army PT test. I was disappointed to see how many couldn't pass during a recent competition at AT. Simply no good reason not to be better.....getting physically fit requires discipline and General Patton wrote this about discipline "Discipline is based on pride in the profession of arms, on meticulous attention to details, and on mutual respect and confidence. Discipline must be a habit so ingrained that it is stronger than the excitement of battle or the fear of death." |
|
Quoted:
My only negative observation after AT and our recent COC event is as a whole we need to be in better shape. I do understand that some have physical limitations and their contributiions are still very valuable, but there is no excuse for the rest of us. Do yourself a favor if you are doing so today and work at doing better on the Army PT test. I was disappointed to see how many couldn't pass during a recent competition at AT. Simply no good reason not to be better.....getting physically fit requires discipline and General Patton wrote this about discipline "Discipline is based on pride in the profession of arms, on meticulous attention to details, and on mutual respect and confidence. Discipline must be a habit so ingrained that it is stronger than the excitement of battle or the fear of death." True, I have been running 2 miles every other day to get in shape. What has everyone else been doing? |
|
Quoted:
Quoted:
My only negative observation after AT and our recent COC event is as a whole we need to be in better shape. I do understand that some have physical limitations and their contributiions are still very valuable, but there is no excuse for the rest of us. Do yourself a favor if you are doing so today and work at doing better on the Army PT test. I was disappointed to see how many couldn't pass during a recent competition at AT. Simply no good reason not to be better.....getting physically fit requires discipline and General Patton wrote this about discipline "Discipline is based on pride in the profession of arms, on meticulous attention to details, and on mutual respect and confidence. Discipline must be a habit so ingrained that it is stronger than the excitement of battle or the fear of death." True, I have been running 2 miles every other day to get in shape. What has everyone else been doing? Join golds gym, they give TXSG discounts Posted Via AR15.Com Mobile |
|
I'm working on getting back into shape after a hip failure (I'm 28) coupled with a very sedentary desk job that ate up 60 hours/week. 2-3 miles/day on the tredmill and slowly building up the speed/distance. I'm trying guys, I'm sure that there aren't many "Computer Science Engineers" that can survive outside.. (This is a joke, I know there are at least 2). |
|
Physical fitness is important for a number of reasons... one.. our job can be demanding.. you need to be in shape to be a contributer... being strong means that you aren't going to become a liability for your team.. we're there to help refugees, not take time to treat our own... two.. generally speaking being in shape means less health problems and three... chicks dig guys with muscles
having said all that.. I'm in the worst shape of my life... I know I can pass an army PT test.. the run would kill me... too much beer and too many cigarettes... I'm lazy and since I got out, noone has made me exercise, so therefore I sit on my ass and promise myself that I'm going to get around to it tomorrow. we all need to get into better shape... falling out of a formation doesn't necessarily mean that you are in bad shape.. I've seen it happen on active duty at pretty much every division change of command I've ever been too... doesn't mean that everyone else didn't talk shit about the unit that lost people and made fun of them. big, fat guys in uniform just really don't make us as a unit look good to the public... just because you MEET the height/weight standards doesn't mean you should stop there... look at your self in a mirror and ask yourself "do I look like a soldier?" if the answer is no then you know you need to do some work... we don't have organized PT and PT tests aren't mandatory.. but walking a mile a day can do wonders... you don't have to do flutter kicks until you throw up but some walking... aclimatizing... maybe carrying some weight... is good for your body, good for our mission and will make you feel better about yourself as well as feel better physically... when you work out regularly, you sleep better, you feel better and your body has a chance to sweat out toxins. we should ALL make a commitment to improve our physical fitness... I almost wish we had mandatory PT... almost, but not quite 
|
| Well put. With that said maybe there is some way to incorporate PT as part of the State Guard experience. Make it a goal of the regiments....have a PT competition between regiments, put some fun into it. Why not be an example of fitness instead of a poor excuse for it? As a friend of mine said, it may not add years to your life but add life to your years! |
|
the problem with having any competition or organized PT is that we don't have enough time together to have a PT program so it's all individual effort. Seriously guys, the TXSG PT requirements are pretty low if you look at them... I know a guy who lost a leg and still can pass the APFT without having to use a modification.... I'm 43.. that means I have to do 12 situps, 10 pushups and run/walk a mile in 13:37..... seriously people.. 10 push ups... the active army only requires 32 situps, 30 pushups and 18:42 for a 2 mile run.... the minimums really aren't that trying.... if you can't do 10 pushups... think about how your upper body is going to fare slinging cases of water and MRE's all day.... don't want to sound like billy bad ass.. but seriously folks... 10 pushups? my son is in 8th grade and they do more than that in gym––
comes down to this.. our job is physical... disaster relief is an outdoor sport... if you know you're going to be playing outdoors.. practice outdoors... get used to the heat, get used to the physical demands that will be placed on you when the time comes... don't be the guy who is surprised that he needs upper body strength on a POD... I just don't want to see anyone fall out or have a heart attack while we're trying to help others... |
| Like I said earlier, I can certainly understand there are some who have legit physical limitations, but the majority do not. I was one of those who was given a Honorable Discharge for medical reasons, but it hasn't kept me from being fit. Think of it this way, say we are deployed and instead of taking care of the duty to which we are assigned we're busy taking care of our buddies who can't handle the conditions, what good are we then? |
| Does anyone have a copy of the slide show the PAO had playing during AT3? The 2LT running it was supposed to email me a copy of it along with some other pics. A better question would be does anyone know the name of that 2LT so I can shoot her an email? They got some great pics of my BN and my team during GPS training. |