Posted on Aug 23, 2018
Active duty to National Guard for commissioning? Or Warrant to Commissioning?
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A little back story to get to my question. I started the army late (in my opinion) at 24 almost 25, my absolute goal is to become an Army Officer. However with my current education and age I feel it’s a race against time. With this being said, would age be a factor if I were to drop from active duty to national guard to finish school and apply for OCS that way? I know an age wavier can be requested and like most waivers is probably case by case.
OR
Could I apply to. Come a warrant officer finish school and switch over to the dark side? I hear of Commissioned Officer given up there rank to become a Warrant but, does the same apply? Yes I know what most of you will say “What! A warrant wanting to become an officer no way”.
This is just for future reference so I don’t put all my eggs in one basket.
As far as the age goes I am not discouraged to completing my degree by any means just want more options.
OR
Could I apply to. Come a warrant officer finish school and switch over to the dark side? I hear of Commissioned Officer given up there rank to become a Warrant but, does the same apply? Yes I know what most of you will say “What! A warrant wanting to become an officer no way”.
This is just for future reference so I don’t put all my eggs in one basket.
As far as the age goes I am not discouraged to completing my degree by any means just want more options.
Warrant Officers
Officers
Enlisted
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 7
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Honestly if you have 4 semesters or more to go, ROTC is by far the best way, Green to Gold you stay on active duty at E5 pay, with full benefits. If you don't get selected for G2G just the traditional ROTC route is much easier, faster, and pays more than OCS. If you have less than 4 semesters remaining or do not have an ROTC near your school, only then I would consider OCS.
My recommendation if you don't get G2G is to use the Simultaneous Membership Program where you transfer to the Guard or Reserve (pick the best unit near your college) you'll become an E5 Cadet there, and you'll be an cadet in ROTC, When you complete college you'll commission onto active duty. The SMP program gives you access to the reserve benefits like Tricare, SGLI, drill pay, Most even get a GI bill kicker, you'll also keep your ROTC benefits like the stipend and such.
Last I checked the age waiver was still at 35 less previous active years served, with a 10 year commissioned years requirement prior to retirement. You still have plenty of time to finish school and commission, but every month you wait is a month lost.
Work hard try and get your associates before you REFRAD and seriously look into ROTC.
The warrant officer track will take you longer to get the appropriate enlisted rank submit for the warrant board and complete your warrant training, if you want to become an officer I wouldn't recommend investing the years that will only delay your commissioning.
Best of luck and while getting a degree sucks it's so worth it (unless you get a worthless degree)...
My recommendation if you don't get G2G is to use the Simultaneous Membership Program where you transfer to the Guard or Reserve (pick the best unit near your college) you'll become an E5 Cadet there, and you'll be an cadet in ROTC, When you complete college you'll commission onto active duty. The SMP program gives you access to the reserve benefits like Tricare, SGLI, drill pay, Most even get a GI bill kicker, you'll also keep your ROTC benefits like the stipend and such.
Last I checked the age waiver was still at 35 less previous active years served, with a 10 year commissioned years requirement prior to retirement. You still have plenty of time to finish school and commission, but every month you wait is a month lost.
Work hard try and get your associates before you REFRAD and seriously look into ROTC.
The warrant officer track will take you longer to get the appropriate enlisted rank submit for the warrant board and complete your warrant training, if you want to become an officer I wouldn't recommend investing the years that will only delay your commissioning.
Best of luck and while getting a degree sucks it's so worth it (unless you get a worthless degree)...
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SGT (Join to see)
I have thought about traditional ROTC route but any information I look up it tells me it’s G2G? Where else could I look to find that? Also being stationed at JBLM on the other side of post there is cadet command, would going there value some information or would contacting someone be better? I do thank you for your advise sir.
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MAJ (Join to see)
Start at the school you intend on going to, if you are don't know where you'll be graduating from, swing by the University of Washington and talk to their ROTC recruiters. http://www.tacoma.uw.edu/veterans-military/rotc-0
Good luck!
Good luck!
UW Tacoma participates in Army ROTC in partnership with Pacific Lutheran University. High School Seniors may apply for the Army ROTC four year Scholarship that covers 100% tuition and fees, book allowance of $1,200 per year, and a Stipend starting at $300 a month (and increases to $500 a month). There is a Green to Gold Program for Active Duty, and a Simultaneous Membership Program for Army National Guard and Army Reserve (both programs have...
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on my last active duty 52 day mission to Canada, I happen to work with a former warrant officer who is now a major. If you love to fly then stay warrant officer. Follow your dream!
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LTC (Join to see)
maybe you can do something similar to what I did. Why not go as an armor officer. That way you have combat arms and tanks are now relevant again now that the peace dividend was a crock of crap. Then transfer the Army Reserve in civil Affairs when you are a senior first lieutenant. maybe you can then go to become an observer controller trainer like I did and by doing so every slot is a major position. Make a lieutenant colonel is easy and there are lieutenant colonel's slots. Then you can go become the Battalion Commander or work a brigade staff. You may be able to make full bird colonel if you play your cards right and don't stay too long in each rank. I spent five years too long in the National Guard between first lieutenant and Captain took me seven years. Part of it was due to a deployment in the other part of it was due to the politics and lack of slots.
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SGT (Join to see)
LTC (Join to see) honestly I just need to get my foot in the door, after that I believe that my proformance would do the talking. I don’t mind stick my neck out and taking risk so to speak and being conservative when it’s needed. Just gotta get there first.
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LTC (Join to see)
SGT (Join to see) too many officers are yes man. They're afraid of messing up their own careers if they are honest to their boss. doesn't mean you have to be outspoken, it just has to mean that you pick your battles wisely and that you have good justification for standing up and making a counterproposal.
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SGT (Join to see)
LTC (Join to see) excatly, sometimes its better to just lose then fight for the win, other times I believe some bosses want to see you stand for what you believe, rather it right or wrong it shows the confidence and that’s what matters in some situations.
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