A few questions.

[SMCHopefull]

I am really interested in attending all of the Senior Military Colleges. The Citadel being my #1 choice. The reason I want to attend a one of the SMCs is for the great history and tradition that they have with the military. Its like my Senior Army Instructor told me, if I just wanted to earn a commission I could go to my local college and do AROTC over there. But I have always wanted to be apart of a great tradition and history.
OK, on to the questions. I will be joining the National Guard this December, that is when I turn 17. If I do get accepted at The Citadel, how would this affect me as a cadet there? Will it make life as a cadet even harder at a SMC? How much will I miss when I am out one weekend a month. I know there is SMP at The Citadel, but I am worried about Freshman year because I found out you have to be an academic Sophomore in college to be eligible for a SMP. Any advice on the situation is greatly appreciated.
Oh and I know its supposed to be "SMCHopeful" and not "SMCHopefull".

 

[SF49ers]

One of my classmates joined the national guard the summer before he matriculated, and I don't think it caused him too much difficulty. I think you would PT with the regular Army unit, which is Monday, Wednesday and Friday mornings, with additional training on monday evenings. You also would take Army ROTC classes.

Here's the link to the online information on the SMP program at The Citadel. I don't know much about it myself, but feel free to contact the Army department or the National Guard station on campus (their information is at the bottom of the page on the link)

http://www.citadel.edu/armyrotc/contracting/smp-program.html