Pros, Cons of Joining the Guard or Reserves

The small plane was flying where no plane was supposed to be - the president was in town that day. The pilot wasn't answering radio calls from control towers. As the first beads of sweat appeared on his forehead, the air traffic controller picked up the secure-line phone in the tower.

Within minutes, two F-16 fighter jets from the Michigan Air National Guard were streaking through the sky. Moments later, they flew by and checked out the small plane, even firing off a few flares to gain the pilot's undivided attention. The fighter jocks angled their planes up and watched from altitude as the other pilot quickly got the message and departed the secure area.

In the end, it was just a case of a small aircraft pilot who neglected to check his flight restrictions during a February visit by President George W. Bush to suburban Detroit. And it was another day on the job for the Michigan Air National Guard.
The role of the National Guard and the Reserves has changed dramatically over the last five years. Thousands of Reservists and Guardsmen have served in Iraq, Afghanistan or on duty in the U.S. The mission of the Guard and Reserve is as varied as a February day in Michigan and a summer in Iraq, but every part-time soldier, airman, sailor, Marine and Coast Guardsman plays an important role in the defense of this country.
Around the nation, military recruiters are on the lookout for men and women who would like to be a part of that role.
Interested?

Generally speaking, the Guard and Reserve recruits men and women between the ages of 18 and 35. In some cases, people as young as 17 can sign up, with the approval of a parent or guardian. On the older end of the scale, exceptions are sometimes made for people who would be bringing a critical skill into the military, such as doctors or chaplains. Veterans who previously served often can re-enlist in the Guard or Reserve up to or sometimes beyond age 40.