Questions people are afraid to ask a recruiter.

No. Talking to a recruiter is not the same thing as agreeing to enlist. You should ask questions, compare options, involve your family, and take time to understand what you are considering.

Before you sign an enlistment contract, yes. After you enlist, it becomes a real military commitment. That is why I want you to understand the contract before you sign it instead of treating it like a casual decision.

Deployment or activation is possible. Nobody should join because someone promised them they would never deploy. The Guard serves both the state and federal government, and missions can happen.

That phrase describes a common baseline, not a guarantee of your entire schedule. Drill, annual training, schools, additional training, activations, and deployments can create more military time depending on your unit and situation.

You can choose from jobs you qualify for that are available when you enlist. Your ASVAB/line scores, medical eligibility, unit vacancies, training seats, and current policy all affect what is actually available.

No recruiter should verbally guarantee a bonus that is not in the official contract. Incentives change by MOS, vacancy, contract type, eligibility, and current policy. If a bonus applies, it needs to be documented correctly.

There are powerful Missouri Guard education programs and an approved-school pathway, but the exact amount depends on eligibility, the school, current State/Federal Tuition Assistance rules, funding, FAFSA requirements, and the school's tuition-and-fee waiver determination. I would rather show you the actual rules than just say 'free college.'

What happens depends on why someone is not progressing and the specific circumstances. The Army has remediation, recycling, medical evaluation, administrative processes, and separation rules. It is not something I would reduce to one blanket answer.

Military training includes risk. Injuries are handled through military medical and administrative processes based on the circumstances and duty status. If you are concerned about a specific situation, ask before you ship.

Yes, many Guard Soldiers attend college, but you still have military obligations. Drill, annual training, military schools, activations, and deployments can affect a school schedule, so planning matters.

That is normal. I joined at 17 without having my entire future figured out. You do not need a perfect life plan before you talk to me. We can start with what you know you do and do not want.

For minors, parents or guardians are part of the process and parental consent rules apply. For adult applicants, private information should be handled appropriately. I also encourage students to involve family because this is a major decision.

Tell me about it privately. Some medical history is compatible with service, some requires documentation or more review, and some may require a waiver or be disqualifying. Hiding medical history usually creates bigger problems later.

Tell me. The outcome depends on what happened, the disposition, the number/type of offenses, current policy, and whether a conduct waiver is possible. A ticket and a serious criminal case are not treated the same.

Military service is not an at-will civilian job. Once you enlist, you have a contractual service obligation. There are administrative separation processes for certain circumstances, but 'I changed my mind' is not the same as simply quitting a normal job.

Recruiters are expected to follow law, regulation, policy, and ethical standards. You should still verify important promises—especially job, bonus, training, and benefit details—in official documents. If something sounds too good to be true, ask me to show you where it is written.

You can wait, choose from other available jobs, or decide not to move forward at that time. Availability changes. I would rather be upfront about that than push you into a job you do not want.

Military service creates real time obligations, but federal law provides employment protections for qualifying military service. That does not mean every scheduling issue is easy, so communication with your employer matters.

Most people have some nerves about it. The point of RSP is to help prepare you before you ship. Being nervous does not mean you cannot succeed.

If you are 17, parental consent is required. Even if you are 18 or older, family support still matters. I would rather sit down with everyone, answer their concerns directly, and let your family hear the information too.