How does branching work in ROTC for National Guard soldiers?

1LT Kevin Chapman — Sat, 28 Apr 2018 04:14:59 -0400

I have heard different stories about the branching process for National Guard soldiers. I have a few that told me that, "it's the exact same process that active duty soliders go through, referring to the competitiveness of acquiring a desired branch. Meanwhile, some have also said, "that branching through ROTC National Guard is as easy as requesting an acceptance letter from a unit from the branch that you are interested in. Can someone who has a knowledge of this process please enlighten me on how the actual proceed for choosing your branch work for National Guard soldiers.

Response by SGT Eric Davis made Apr 28 at 2018 4:48 AM

SGT Eric Davis — Sat, 28 Apr 2018 04:48:34 -0400

I’m not an officer or in ROTC but if you are in college then get in ROTC or get in college. I feel that’s the easiest way to becoming an officer cause it pretty much guaranteed to be an officer if you graduate!

Response by 2LT Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 28 at 2018 7:46 AM

2LT Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 28 Apr 2018 07:46:34 -0400

Both are incorrect.
Most incorrect is the one telling you it’s the same as active duty. The Active Duty OML give the top 10 percent (distinguished military graduate) their first choice. After that, it is a complicated process where HRC tries to balance needs of the Army, Individual Prefrence, and ensuring quality officers are sent to every branch. (I had one Cadet get his 6th choice despite a 3.8 GPA at an Ivy, a 298 PT test, and a recommendation from his cadre and PMS to branch his #1, Infantry).
National Guard is completely different, and has absolutely nothing to do with the National OML or HRC (or even NGB for that matter)
That said, just getting a letter of acceptance from a unit is also not actually how it works either.
Every state is different, you could have two units that do the same thing 5 miles away from one another, but over the state line, and they probably have never met, worked together, or know anything about the end strength their counterparts. Each state is completely independent from each other state. With this, every state I’ve seen uses an Officer Strength Manager, usually assigned to Recruitkng and Retention (a few assign them to G1 or JFHQ), and they manage the vacancies and projected vacancies of the State for Officers (and Warrant Officers).
Each state is structured differently. For example, if you really want to be an Infantry Officer. New Hampshire is primarily an Artillery state, and there is only one company. Vermont, less than an hour away, has a Company, the BN HQ, a CAV squadron (which could take an infantry officer as a PL), and the Mountain Warefare schoolhouse. If you only talked to NH, you’d have a seriously limited chance at Infantry. If you talked to the next state over? Much better chances that one of their slots is open.
Each state has a set and specific Manning document authorizing each of their units, and what Soldoers make up those units. If a state has a vacancy, and they like you, or no one has applied, or you are the first, or something, you can get accepted into the slot. If a state loves you more than anyone, you have the best OML score in history, and no one else is applying to the whole state...you still can’t get a slot they don’t have vacant.

EDIT: I am having trouble catching all my typos on my iPhone-I am a former Army 1SG and ROTC Instructor, later waived as a full AMPS. I really do know what I'm talking about, even if typing on my phone I screw up or autocorrect something dumb.

Response by 1LT(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 28 at 2018 9:21 AM

1LT(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 28 Apr 2018 09:21:39 -0400

What branch are you interested in?

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 28 at 2018 3:59 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 28 Apr 2018 15:59:06 -0400

I can only speak for the reserves, but I had 100% control over what branch and unit I wanted. My only limiting factor was whether or not the unit I wanted had a O-1 slot available. I'm assuming the national guard process is similar.

For active duty, the process is almost entirely out of your control. If you do ROTC, you can heavily influence your *chances* of getting the branch you want and the unit you want with a high Order of Merit standing (a combination of GPA, performance at CLC, PMS evaluation, or ADSO-ing), but unless you rank in the top 20% of all cadets, it's very much up in the air.

Response by Maj Bruce Pawlak made Apr 28 at 2018 8:26 PM

Maj Bruce Pawlak — Sat, 28 Apr 2018 20:26:11 -0400

It's been a very long time since I was "branched" (1983)... I was in the Simultaneous Membership Program and I was simply commissioned into the unit that I belonged to. If you still have time to enter into the SMP I would *HIGHLY* recommend it... it was a great source of extra cash... and a great experience overall... and may still provide for ease of choice in branching.

Recommend that you discuss this with an ARNG Officer Recruiter and perhaps make contact with the unit commander of the unit/s) that you might consider being in...

Of course things change over time... thus "your mileage may vary!" Best of luck!

Note: I was originally commissioned into the NYARNG then later 'defected' to the Air Force Reserve Components.

Response by CPT Lawrence Cable made Apr 29 at 2018 12:31 PM

CPT Lawrence Cable — Sun, 29 Apr 2018 12:31:13 -0400

Generally in the National Guard you have the choice of going into any Branch active in your state that you qualify AND has slots available in those units. I would look at the type of units in the state and then talk to the State Headquarters about which one had slots available. I never solicited a certain unit, the state assigned me to the one that had open slots. During my short stint as an Infantry Officer with the Ohio Army National Guard, they had a Separate Brigade with three full Battalions, so lots of 2LT slots. When I moved to Kentucky, the state had only one Infantry Battalion, but they had two Battalions of Engineers and a shortage of Engineer Officers, so I branch transferred. I think you will find most states will be heavy on the Combat Arms side, with Engineers coming in a close second.

Response by 2LT Private RallyPoint Member made May 5 at 2018 8:20 AM

2LT Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 05 May 2018 08:20:35 -0400

The SMSgt is completely right. The only thing I want to add to the conversation is that you can fill an O1-O3 slot as a 2LT. I'm in an O-3 slot currently as a 2LT.

Response by Cadet CPT Private RallyPoint Member made May 30 at 2018 2:47 AM

Cadet CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 30 May 2018 02:47:55 -0400

Although I am not in the guard, many cadets at my school serve in the guard. Branching is nearly identical to those branching into active duty however guard soldiers compete only with others branching into the guard in their state. Reduces the competitiveness from around 5,000 nationally to a few hundred depending on how big the state you live in is. Many guard soldiers are able to talk to their unit if and get an acceptance letter if that is the branch they desire (e.g. serving in an aviation unit) but it doesn't always guarantee that's what you get.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 27 at 2018 10:05 AM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 27 Jun 2018 10:05:13 -0400

You will either get a GRFD contract upon contracting at your ROTC BN, or you will be selected for Guard at accessions after your MSIII year and Advanced Camp. Either way; every state has a different process that starts at the beginning of your senior year. If you are an SMP Cadet it is always easier; but in some states like MD now; nothing is truly gauranteed in regards to branch; and at times-you May even have to transfer to the USAR. In easy cases the state will give you a slot through a process of the unit assigning you to a slot and giving you a unit LOA and then the NG state OSM slotting you into that para/lin-easy right! In instances of states that are cutting force structure, unit density issues (IN/MI etc) in the state not having enough for the demand and or excess Cadet population many states impose a board on the Cadets where they take your metric scores and they decide where you will get a slot and if you make the cut for a state NG assignment. All of this can be explained by the state OSM. Don’t trust anecdotal info from ROTC Cadre, Cadets or other NG leaders as the process may change annually and they many times are dated in their info or have a different perspective on how things are being done. Your PMS and HRA at the BN will have some good insights and info on how to get to the OSM so you know how to proceed and when to get started in the process in your state.

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 14 at 2018 4:18 PM

1LT Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 14 Jul 2018 16:18:51 -0400

PFC,
I was a SMP cadet and recently commissioned from Ohio University in May. I am tracking two ways to commission into the National Guard. First, you seek a LOA from a unit/branch of your choice. For example, let's say you want to be in the NYARNG as an AG officer. You work with the OSM and find out X-XXX AV has an open AG slot. You then seek a LOA with that unit. My state used to be on this system. Second, branching is now exactly the same as active duty. I am from the Ohio National Guard and this commissioning year (18) was the first year they switched to an OML branching system. How it works: You choose to commission into the OHARNG. Then, you are placed on a OML with every other cadet branching into the OHARNG, just like the active duty guys. Then, based on your ranking and branches available, the Ohio OSM team will branch you. The only exception to this branching process is Aviation, which requires a packet and interview. I am not sure which state you currently live in, but contact the OSM. If he/she tells you they're on a LOA system, seek your #1 branch choice immediately. If he/she tells you it's a OML system, I highly recommend calling nearby states to see if they are still on a LOA system. If you have any questions, please feel free to message me and I can provide more guidance.

-Luke

Response by CPT Robert Boshears made Jan 2 at 2019 12:52 PM

CPT Robert Boshears — Wed, 02 Jan 2019 12:52:37 -0500

Most National Guard Units are Combat arms ... lots of Infantry.

Response by CPT Brad Wilson made Jun 13 at 2019 2:30 AM

CPT Brad Wilson — Thu, 13 Jun 2019 02:30:09 -0400

I was an SMP in an Artillery BN as an MS III ended up liking it and decided to stay in the Guard As an MS IV I got a letter from the BN Commander to stay in the unit when I commissioned

Response by CPT Ray Doeksen made Dec 31 at 2021 11:24 PM

CPT Ray Doeksen — Fri, 31 Dec 2021 23:24:11 -0500

It’s been a while but I’m evidence you can rebranch after assignment but before OBC. I got Infantry and preferred Field Artillery and changed before OBC. Could have gone Armor but the guard units near me all changed to humvee Cav scouts around that time.