Posted on Jul 6, 2017
Would anybody have any information on joining the NG as Officer with an AA Degree?
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I want to join the NG soon and wanted to go in as an officer. I have an AA with some credits towards my BA (just over 90 credits). I will be 32 in August and wanted to know what should I be doing to prep. I spoke with a recruiter and he said I could do BTC, then go to OCS and I would be eligible for Education on duty to pay for school while at OCS. Is this true? What other info should I know?
Potential Recruit
2d Lt
Tuition assistance
Education
Posted 7 y ago
Responses: 7
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Any reason you can't do two years of ROTC? Many of the individuals I've known to commission through an Early commissioning program failed to get their degree within the timeline and were escorted out of the Army, sadly much of that time was on deployment.
I highly recommend getting your degree first.
I highly recommend getting your degree first.
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SPC (Join to see)
F E - I have a battle in Tennessee doing this now, I can ask him how he did it but basically he did BCT & AIT then got back and went to ROTC.
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F E
Thanks that would be great if you can get that info... So basically, are working a job also or doing ROTC at the university full time?
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MSG Michael McEleney
At 32 you're pushing the envelope on getting commissioned. While a State OCS will allow you to enter the training, you still need that BA/BS at commission.
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MAJ (Join to see)
F E - I happened to have two years of school left when I contracted with ROTC, I was 26 when I commissioned. I worked full time, during the process it was great fun! There was another cadet going through the year group below me, he was working on his Masters while in ROTC. ROTC is in effect a two year program with entry requirements, basic training will replace the first two year requirement of ROTC.
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I would suggest that you enter the NG under a Strips for Skills Program (if it still exists), and inform the Recruiter that you are interested in ROTC at your 4 year college. Many individuals I know have utilized ROTC in conjunction with the NG enlistment. They were immediately promoted to SSG E-5 while attending ROTC. And of course, if you have an AFQT Score in the upper 5%, you could request from the onset of your Enlistment consulting that you wish to validate qualification eligibility for OCS as a condition of the enlistment. KEEP YOUR OPTIONS OPEN!
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F E
Thanks SSG Norbert Johnson great things to consider... So here is the case, I'm the breadwinner for the household with no family support... How can one working 8-6 everyday except weekends attend ROTC at the local university for two years and also OCS in the NG? I just need some know how.
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SSG Norbert Johnson
You have to make the choice. Either ROTC or OCS. Do you have any prior service? Is your Associates Degree in the Medical Field.. Like RN? If you have an ASN and are Registered as a Nurse, Then you can Bridge to a BSN and become a Registered Nurse in the Military. You have at least until age 52 to become an Entry Level Officer in the Nursing field.
Here is basic info for Officers (or those who wish to be:
To become an officer in the National Guard:
You must meet the Guard's general eligibility requirements
You must have a minimum of 90 college credits toward an accredited degree to begin training*
You must be a U.S. citizen
You must be morally and medically qualified
If you have no prior military service, you must complete the enlistment process and become a member of the Army National Guard on or before your 35th birthday, and must complete the commissioning process on or before your 42nd birthday.
SInce you stated you are about 32, you still have time. AND YOU MUST ALREADY BE IN THE NG before age 35! Therefore, I would consider Enlistment under CASP.
Persons who meet the training and work experience requirements as outlined for an individual MOS in the Army Jobs / MOS List section and satisfy all other general enlistment criteria will be enlisted in pay grade E–4 as long as they accumulate training or hands-on experience in the given skill within 24 months of enlistment. Talk to the Recruiter you are dealing with as the Recruiter would have more current information. When I did the CASP route, I gained an immediate promotion to E-5... Now I hear it is E-4 as your enlistment rank. (Month Basic Pay = $2,078.47 at entry level) . A MUTA 4 = $ 277.14 per training weekend, unless you do a MUTA 5 = $346.42 +/-.
Don't look to become an Officer for the Prestige, look to it as a chance to LEAD. Therefore, in the interim, I suggest you work on your PT skills and expand your mind not only in your field of focus, but on Leadership Skills Development. A good start in order to understand the complexities of leadership and strategy is the Art of War by Sun Tzu. There used to be a Pre Commissioning Course for those interested in becoming Officers, it was presented via Correspondence Training, and the benefit of the course was not only the excellent instruction, but also, you gain retirement points for completion of teh course.
Again, the first thing for you to consider is Enlistment in the NG as THAT is the main prerequisite to achieve your desired Officer Status.
Here is basic info for Officers (or those who wish to be:
To become an officer in the National Guard:
You must meet the Guard's general eligibility requirements
You must have a minimum of 90 college credits toward an accredited degree to begin training*
You must be a U.S. citizen
You must be morally and medically qualified
If you have no prior military service, you must complete the enlistment process and become a member of the Army National Guard on or before your 35th birthday, and must complete the commissioning process on or before your 42nd birthday.
SInce you stated you are about 32, you still have time. AND YOU MUST ALREADY BE IN THE NG before age 35! Therefore, I would consider Enlistment under CASP.
Persons who meet the training and work experience requirements as outlined for an individual MOS in the Army Jobs / MOS List section and satisfy all other general enlistment criteria will be enlisted in pay grade E–4 as long as they accumulate training or hands-on experience in the given skill within 24 months of enlistment. Talk to the Recruiter you are dealing with as the Recruiter would have more current information. When I did the CASP route, I gained an immediate promotion to E-5... Now I hear it is E-4 as your enlistment rank. (Month Basic Pay = $2,078.47 at entry level) . A MUTA 4 = $ 277.14 per training weekend, unless you do a MUTA 5 = $346.42 +/-.
Don't look to become an Officer for the Prestige, look to it as a chance to LEAD. Therefore, in the interim, I suggest you work on your PT skills and expand your mind not only in your field of focus, but on Leadership Skills Development. A good start in order to understand the complexities of leadership and strategy is the Art of War by Sun Tzu. There used to be a Pre Commissioning Course for those interested in becoming Officers, it was presented via Correspondence Training, and the benefit of the course was not only the excellent instruction, but also, you gain retirement points for completion of teh course.
Again, the first thing for you to consider is Enlistment in the NG as THAT is the main prerequisite to achieve your desired Officer Status.
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Are you asking just to validate what a recruiter has already told you? Have you been to the NG recruiting website to research the qualifications for NG OCS? Every enlistment program is backed by a regulation, policy letter, or operational message, and the basic info is published in the official recruiting publications (both print or website) available to any prospective applicant. But yes, the ARNG and Army Reserve both have what is called a split option training program. (at least they did, but things change). As a college student currently enrolled, if you have enough credits to be considered a Junior, and can obtain written verification from your college that you will graduate with a Bachelors degree on schedule if all requirements are met, then it is possible that you can enlist OCS as a split option- BCT in the summer between your Junior and Senior year, and OCS in the summer after graduating, PROVIDED, that you are otherwise qualified and accepted for an OCS enlistment. There is more to it than having a degree, which is why I advise that you do your own research and ask the questions to your recruiter who should be aware of the current policies and your qualifications. Good Luck.
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F E
SFC J Fullerton - I understand plans change but can someone provide a timeline of a short or long career in the Guard? I have a plan on what I want to do once I join to make the most out of it, but would like to know some specific training I would need as I move along. I can be contacted by email or text if something can be provided. Thanks again!
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SFC J Fullerton
F E - It is always a good thing to get as much information as you can before you make any decision in life. Just realize that when it comes to specific enlistment programs and qualifications for each branch of service, the most qualified people to answer those type of questions are the school trained recruiters currently on recruiting duty. Programs, policies, and qualifications vary from branch to branch and frequently change. I was never in the National Guard, so I can only speak of Regular Army and Army Reserve enlistment processes based on my experiences prior to retirement 4 years ago. While you can gain some valuable knowledge on military life from those who who have served, it is best to get the current enlistment process information from the subject matter experts whose sole job is to know the regulations to process applicants for enlistment. Good Luck
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