My Son wants to enlist in the Wa National Guard, Split Training Option, and there are only a few MOS available. Details below?

2018-03-27T11:32:08-04:00

My Son wants to enlist in the Wa National Guard, Split Training Option. He is currently a Jr in High School. Unfortunately, there are only a few MOSs open to him. He really wants 15T or 15P, which are not on the list. SMOM 16-001 sates any MOS longer than 15 weeks is not open to STO soldiers. Is there anything we can do?? Thanks for the help, and GO ARMY!!

Response by CAPT Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 27 at 2018 11:41 AM

2018-03-27T11:41:27-04:00

One little correction, he really wants 15T or 15U, which are not on the list. 15P is on the list, but currently no open spots. Thanks again! Go Army!!

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 27 at 2018 11:54 AM

2018-03-27T11:54:51-04:00

If he wants 15T or 15U that bad, I'd wait and not do the split training. I wanted aviation when I first joined back in 1998 and ended up in the Cav. It took me 14 years, 3 enlistments, 2 reclasses, 2 components, and a deployment to finally get into aviation. The options I see are A) do the split train and then reclass at the end of that enlistment or B) skip the split train option and wait to get T or U. Either way he'd be rolling the dice because available slots constantly opening and closing.

Response by SGT Lee Jamison made Mar 27 at 2018 12:10 PM

2018-03-27T12:10:49-04:00

If they are not on the list the easiest and fastest way to get into that MOS would be to wait and not do split op. Otherwise he will be in another MOS for at least 3 years or possibly his entire first contract term before he has a chance to reclass. If he really wants to join now he will have to settle for another MOS, then when his contract is up he can re-enlist under the provisions of reclassifying into the MOS he wants, granted there has to be an open slot. The state and the unit is going to get everything they can out of you in your primary enlisted MOS before they will even think about letting you reclass.

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 27 at 2018 12:24 PM

2018-03-27T12:24:55-04:00

CAPT Private RallyPoint Member I agree with the other responses, and do not do the Split Training Option. Another option to explore is the Marine Corps Reserve which has Reserve units in Washington.

http://www.marforres.marines.mil/About/Contact-Us/Directory-By-State/

Printable Directory by State

Marine Corps Forces Reserves

Response by SFC J Fullerton made Mar 27 at 2018 12:32 PM

2018-03-27T12:32:36-04:00

Has your son explored split option with the Army Reserve? I believe that JBLM has a USAR AVN unit. Its true, split option is very limited in MOS's. He will be a Senior in June, so he will have a lot more MOS options available by going Delayed Training Program/standard training after graduation. While in the DTP, he can drill with the unit, whether ARNG or USAR. My advice would be to research Army Reserve units in Washington and not limit himself to just what the National Guard can offer.

Response by SGT Jake Miller made Mar 27 at 2018 3:05 PM

2018-03-27T15:05:04-04:00

The only way I believe that he can still do the 15 series mos. Is he was to go to the Reserves the Washington army National Guard only has a few units that he could be in. The reserves will have better advancements for his career. And he should be able to get this choice of mos

Response by SGT Eric Davis made Mar 27 at 2018 6:48 PM

2018-03-27T18:48:22-04:00

Get the MOS he want...so tell him to wait!

Response by CPT Nicholas D. made Mar 27 at 2018 10:01 PM

2018-03-27T22:01:03-04:00

Rule #1 on joining the Army is author your own story. If your son wants to be an aircraft maintainer, then waiting to do Basic until after graduation will be well worth the wait. He can still enlist his Senior year and get that Pay Entry Base Date (PEBD) rolling. Some states have a recruit sustainment program that will allow him to do Basic Prep before he “ships out.” Other states allow recruits to get some exposure to their gaining unit. Can’t speak for WAARNG’s system, but definitely can’t go wrong with a little tactical patience to get what you want. Although both MOS 15T/15U and 15P are Aviation, they are vastly different occupations. If turning wrenches on helicopters is what he wants to do, don’t spend the first few years of an enlistment in the TOC shuffling flight plans and updating spreadsheets hoping for a reclass down the road. If Fort Rucker’s Whirlybird Academy is the end goal, then there’s more than one way to peel a potato, and either route could be advantageous... but I always say it... Do what you love and love what you do. Even a 20 year career goes by in a blink, I recommend not spending too much time doing something you (he) dislike. Good luck!

Response by PFC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 30 at 2018 4:55 PM

2018-03-30T16:55:12-04:00

Sounds like a familiar path i wanted to do. I didn't do split op and im glad, because earned my PFC and i haven't been to basic yet so that means more pay. And being in the RSP program a whole year before basic will help as he can learn about what to expect and to train.

Response by LTC Charles T Dalbec made May 28 at 2019 12:23 PM

2019-05-28T12:23:13-04:00

Have your son see an Army Reserve Recruiter. Look in the directory on google

Response by MSG Greg Kelly made May 28 at 2019 6:01 PM

2019-05-28T18:01:56-04:00

if he is planning on going active duty at some point I would just wait and do so after he finishes school. The guard will say yea you can go active duty later but some states and or units do not make it as simple as it is said.