Bryan Vasquez is in his final year of high school and is faced with one of the most difficult decisions a person can make. He has decided to enlist into the National Guard. Bryan is a determined young man who will face any issues he has head on.
You said that you wanted to serve the country, but why the National Guard specifically ?
Bryan: Mainly because the national guard is a branch that is part time and it will give me a chance to get the benefits and also go to school after. You know how some branches are on active duty or kind of push everything aside? For example, the Marines you join, and it’s four years, you don’t have time for school, it’s like you’re all in, you know what I mean? National Guard gives you a chance to do that, and it gives you the chance to go [to school] part time.
What motivates to join the National Guard?
Honestly… it’s just something that seemed interesting.
Do you have any family members with military background?
No. I’d be the first.
What qualities make you a good National Guard member?
I mean, personally, I think I’m pretty disciplined as it is. Like boot camp and all that is honestly more mental, more mental than physical. I’d have no comment on what I bring to the table, but I can show it.
For you personally, how do you think you would handle stressful situations?
I mean, I always thought that if they [Drill Sergeants] are gonna yell at you, they’re human just like you. They don’t act like that when they are outside of their job, or at home, you just got to do what you’re told, just don’t be a smartass.
Is there a time in your life where you had to make a difficult decision before this?
No, I honestly think that this is definitely a difficult decision I have to make.
I know we spoke about this a bit earlier with schooling, but what are some other benefits they can get?
You get the “VA” home loan. It’s mainly when you buy a house in the future, obviously you have to put a deposit down, sometimes it’s more than you expect. The “VA” home loan helps you to put little to zero amount of a deposit to obtain your home. For school, it pays for your whole tuition, and they have a “GI” bill where they pay you to go to school. I mean honestly, it sets you up, I mean if you’re smart about it, it really sets you up financially.
With setting you up financially, I know with my cousin that’s in the Marines, he gets paid even when he’s not deployed. Is that the same with the National Guard?
Yeah, you still get paid, but it’s a different pay grade because its active duty and then there’s part-time. You would get paid for the training you go to, but with active duty, its an everyday thing, like a career, so you would get paid more often….
Do you have any long term goals with the National Guard?
Honestly, not really. I’m in it for the benefits and the experience. I’m not thinking about reenlisting after, but honestly it depends. Time will tell.
You had no previous experiences that would help prepare you for this like JROTC or something like that?
No, I’ve never done JROTC. I feel like it’s just not gonna prepare you for what bootcamp is, you just have to trust yourself, honestly if you go in with a bad mindset, you are coming out with one.
