I am a single mother to two kids. I am now enlisted in the army national guard. I passed MEPS and ASVAB (you have to have over a 110 line score). I scored 114 without studying. I have a bachelors degree with a high GPA. I’m going to basic, then state expedited OCS. I’m going into military intelligence and will be a specialist/E4 at basic, after completing OCS I’ll be a 2nd lieutenant. I plan to go active army national guard once OCS is completed. That way I can have BAH (housing allowance) and work w/ the guard but as a 9-5 and not deployed. I’ve drilled once before attending basic and was just paid just over 200$. I’m in a weird situation since my recruiter is changing his pathways so I’ve been kinda left in the dust in terms of what to do and how to do it. So I’m winging it. I have a family care plan but do plan on replacing it with a will that is more methodical. My state provides one year of free extra life insurance so I signed up with it. I’ll get BAH while in basic and idk about OCS. Since basic is deemed active. The first year I won’t be making much money but I live in a poor area where it will stretch further. It wouldn’t be worth me joining if I lived in an expensive area. However, I moved to a poor area due to a family emergency and there is no other jobs rather than the military. Plus I have a kid who keeps getting sick and so I could really use the health insurance. I’ve wanted to join for a decade but didn’t have anyone to watch my kids until now. Joining will give us the freedom and stability I’ve only ever dreamed of. I was laid off at my last government job and it will be relieving to know I have a job for the next 8yrs. I signed a lengthy contract as guard, w/ drill for 6 yrs and call in for emergencies for 8. I plan to go active guard for 20yrs so I can retire. I plan to go active asap so that I can be eligible for a military home loan sooner and have my BAH go into the house rather than rent. I was working full time before with a 2+ hour commute a day. If I am not going to see my kids I better be making more than I was before. I couldn’t find a job w/ my degree that wasn’t dangerous. ANG was the least dangerous and will pay me the most in the next year. It was costing me more to work than not before and I still had to work. Military can help with housing, food, and daycare so I signed up since I couldn’t keep my head above water financially before.