I'm thinking about joining the AmeriCorps or the National Guard.

The two are quite different, AmeriCorps you basically get shipped out to somewhere in the United States (likely the Gulf Coast right now) and they pay for your living expenses while you help rebuild devestated areas or other community service related events of a grand scale.

National Guard is obviously the army, I'd want to be put into the Reserves or go part time for the extra money and just give me something to do once a week.

I kind of feel the need to help out in some way and am considering both options seriously. I need army folks advice on this matter and any suggestions anybody else has.