Would anybody have any information on joining the NG as Officer with an AA Degree?

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.

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?

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!

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

Thank you again.

SFC J Fullerton Excellent answer and I concur.

Thank you all for the great information... I appreciate all the wide variety of perspectives and I will continue my journey in joining the military. I've received alot of info and have alot to considered.

F E - One final comment here. Since you have an Associates and 90 plus hours of college credit, the recruiter should bring you on with better than E1 rank, E3 if I remember right. E4 these days with a BA, which wasn't true back when I enlisted.

F E - Since you have looked at my profile, you know that I chose a similar path to what you want to do, although I was just a bit younger. If you have any specific questions, feel free to message me. I chose to do a bit of enlisted time before they approached me to see if I was interested in OCS, which was not in my enlistment contract.

CPT Lawrence Cable - Can you add me as a contact.

CPT (Join to see) - Why would you think it's a nightmare to separate an Officer? It's automatic if you get passed over twice. While I understand that there is a retention board requirement these days, it still moves you into the ING or IRR unless the board takes action. The system is set up to lose a certain percentage of Captains, then a bit higher percentage of Majors, etc.

CPT Lawrence Cable - It would not just be about losing the officer but when you have an 1LT that doesn't want to complete his degree he is going to fill a slot. If they just wait they will have to be passed over twice in a DA board. That will take a while.

CPT (Join to see) - That's true to a degree. If he makes 1LT, he has a two year free ride before he becomes eligible, but once he is before the promotion board, he has one year to fix things or he is out.

You will also be released if you lose your clearance, DUI, medical, fail OBC, show hot on a drug test, etc.

Thanks for the support... I hope to be in the Guard soon!!