What type of opportunities or options for commissioning does a 29 year old enlisted National Guard soldier have?

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 12 Aug 2019 10:42:14 -0400

Greetings, I am a newly enlisted member of the Army National Guard. I am looking advise in what commission opportunities are available for a 29 year old. To give you a better perspective, my experience and educational background is in IT. I currently have a Bachelors in Computer Science and I am finishing a Masters in Information Security . My current MOS is 25U, and I was looking for advice on what possibilities I have for commission if I still have them at this time. Any advice will be highly appreciated, since I don’t have much experience in this matter.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 12 at 2019 10:43 AM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 12 Aug 2019 10:43:57 -0400

You can go to ROtC and do a two year program, or go Guard OCS :)

Response by COL Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 12 at 2019 10:46 AM

COL Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 12 Aug 2019 10:46:27 -0400

Or you can ask for a direct commission. I would recommend that rout first.

Response by SFC Michael Hasbun made Aug 12 at 2019 10:52 AM

SFC Michael Hasbun — Mon, 12 Aug 2019 10:52:19 -0400

With that grammar? None ;o)

Response by LTC Mark Beattie made Aug 12 at 2019 10:59 AM

LTC Mark Beattie — Mon, 12 Aug 2019 10:59:34 -0400

Your education and training clearly indicate your greatest opportunity for success and personal gratification is within the Signal Corps. I don’t understand why you would consider anything else, but then I have limited information on which to provide input.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 12 at 2019 11:35 AM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 12 Aug 2019 11:35:15 -0400

You could pursue an AMEDD Direct Commission as a 70D. CPT Enrique M. may have some tips there

Response by Capt Daniel Goodman made Aug 12 at 2019 12:33 PM

Capt Daniel Goodman — Mon, 12 Aug 2019 12:33:16 -0400

http://www.ocsfoundation.org

What you're asking is really complex for many reasons...it'd depend a great deal on many aspects you hadn't gone into...grades, GPAs, specific course titles of specific topics you've taken...which svcs you'd want...I realize you're ARNG...however, it'd depend if you positively wanted to say Army, would be willing to go intersvc...it'd depend if you'd want direct commission, maybe for Army as cyber, or, if you'd consider warrant, the newer Navy warrant cyber program...it'd also depend on whether you'd want a PhD, and, if so, I'd assume it'd be in CS or IT, once again...it'd also depend a good deal on your specific research interests, which you'd have to elaborate on...also, whether you get involved with groups like IEEE or ACM...then, too, how much elec engrg (EE) you've had, as CS and IT are inextricably interwoven with EE...it'd also be a decent idea to consider doing further grad-level physics and/or pure and/or applied math, as well...esp specific, concrete, highly related topics like signal processing, control systems, queueing theory, information theory, scientific programming, numerical methods, operating systems, compiler design, data structures...various languages you might know are merely tools, nothing more...it'd also depend on if you want to delve into neural networks, possibly diverge into an area like material sciences, which is major of late...it'd also matter if you'd want to stay ARNG, maybe go ANG at some point, possibly go Guard Tech, maybe Reserve Tech...USCG has direct commissions for engrs, I'd expect CS and/or IT might also qualify...it'd also matter if you'd want to do Army Simultaenous Member Program (SMP) or Green to Gold, maybe try for an OCS, whether one of the regular ones as listed on the site I gave here, whether you'd have any flight interests, and maybe try for Army WOCS, or possibly flight, whether aviator/pilot, or possibly navigator/WSO, whether Army or one of the other svcs, whether you'd want fixed or rotary wing if you do hae flight interest...I'd seen a suggestion about also possibly trying for AMEDD, on the clinical side for med/health informatics...you could also try for USPHS, which also uses engrs, CS, and IT, look at their Jr and Sr COSTEP, their analogues to the ROTCs, as well as possibly USMC platoon leaders course (PLC), which is less well known...then, too, there's also the NOAA Corps, they're pure science, they definitely use CS and IT, they're direct commission, theyy have an OIS, not an OCS, it's on the grounds of USMMA Kings Point where my next younger brother went, I commissioned him when he'd finished, I wandered through their BOTC bldg once when I'd been there before he got done, or the day he finished, I can't recall now, they also have a 5-yr flight program, with their own fixed and rotary-wing aircraft...I can obv show you sites, explain more, it'd just depend on your interests, hobbies, reading tastes, sports interests, esp any martial arts...the more specific you are or can be, the more you relate in a detailed biosketch, the more I and/or others on here can possibly suggest...so, as I'd said, it's not a simple question, honest...if you wanna chat more, just lemme know, no rush, whenever you'd want, just take the time to send as much as you can of the kinds of things I'd mentioned, to give us all a more concrete idea of your thoughts, aims, objectives, interests, and/or inclinations, so far as possible, OK?

OCS Foundation

SERVICES FOR: Candidates Alumni Officer Families

Response by CPT Lawrence Cable made Aug 12 at 2019 12:41 PM

CPT Lawrence Cable — Mon, 12 Aug 2019 12:41:42 -0400

Since you are almost done with school, your option is OCS. The Guard has three versions they will let you follow, depending on the state. The Traditional National Guard OCS is 14/16 months that includes two annual training periods. There is an accelerated version that I know little about, other than the dropout rate is high. The last version is the 3 months long standard Army OCS. All have there good points and bad, depending on your situation. Don't let your age worry you, I commissioned two months before my 30th birthday. Any method you chose will require you to do an Active Duty Basic Officer Leadership Course for your chosen branch. How long depends on the branch, but plan on 20 weeks plus as a minimum. Being in the Guard does allow you more control over your Branch and you will generally know where you are headed before you commission. Be aware that it is still needs of the Service.
OCS is a bigger pain in the ass than BCT. It may be because I already had been through all the petty stuff when I enlisted, but I was my least favorite duty of everything I did in the Army and Army National Guard.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 12 at 2019 3:22 PM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 12 Aug 2019 15:22:32 -0400

You need to talk to your state officer career manager to see what the demand is for IT or J6 officer positions. However, just because that's your background, you can commission into any area. Logistics is in high demand (quartermaster, transportation, or ordnance). Good Luck!

Response by CPT Enrique M. made Aug 12 at 2019 3:23 PM

CPT Enrique M. — Mon, 12 Aug 2019 15:23:53 -0400

If you want to go through the AMEDD route, there are positions open for 70D which offers direct commissioning. Especially since you have IT experience.
https://www.goarmy.com/careers-and-jobs/amedd-categories/medical-service-corps-jobs/health-services-system-management.html

I don't think there are a lot of 70D's in the guard , but I know the reserves we are looking.

Health Services System Management (70D)

Health Services System management officers provide managerial expertise and technical guidance in developing, implementing, and maintaining, information systems and medical activities. As an officer, you’ll have the opportunity to enhance your skills in one of the world’s largest health care organizations.

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 12 at 2019 5:09 PM

1LT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 12 Aug 2019 17:09:49 -0400

If I am not mistaken, the Army has a Cyber Direct Commissioning Program. I recommend that you look into this program as well to see if you qualify.

Response by Lt Col Jim Coe made Aug 12 at 2019 7:07 PM

Lt Col Jim Coe — Mon, 12 Aug 2019 19:07:23 -0400

Check each Service’s web page. It will tell you the max age for commissioning without a waiver. Talk to an officer recruiter from each service, reserve, and your state National Guard. You may have the best luck with the Guard. Your degrees should help.

Response by LTC Ken Bowers made Aug 13 at 2019 9:25 AM

LTC Ken Bowers — Tue, 13 Aug 2019 09:25:54 -0400

Most unit have officer vacancies so finding a home is not hard. My advice is the opposite of the others! Find a unit you would like to be a member of. Signal might be your natural inclination, but ask yourself what do you want to do? Taking a commission in another specialty would be challenging and rewarding. Unless your state has a signal BN you may have to change you MOS any way to get to Major. The S6 in a BN is a CPT and at BDE is MAJ. The Network signal company is still a new animal in the Guard, and commanders (BDE/BN) don't know enough to provide good training guidance for signalers, and the company commander can be easily OBE. Often the equipment is NMC due to lack of use due to ARFORGEN cycles. Those signal systems need to be exercised monthly. Next I would not consider the direct commission route. In my view an individual prior-service or not cannot just raise their right hand, take the oath, attend an officer basic course, and poof you're an officer! The world of an officer is a culture just as that for an enlisted or non-com. OCS or ROTC is the transition into the culture of an officer. It is a chance to excel and develop your leadership skills with your peers. OBC is not the place to learn officer leadership. OBC enhances and improves your leader skills! As your company commander or BN commander I would have a hard time resecting someone that did not take the journey of OCS or ROTC to officer basic. your soldiers would smell it on you and earning their respect would be tough. Congratulations on deciding to take a commission! Good luck in what ever you decide! Hell's guard!

Response by COL Jon Thompson made Aug 14 at 2019 5:24 AM

COL Jon Thompson — Wed, 14 Aug 2019 05:24:57 -0400

OCS or possibly direct Commission as a cyber officer would be what I look at.