Okay I've posted a billion times on this site my apologies but I'm trying to weigh every option possible. I've been considering doing army ROTC at University of San Francisco and doing Split op in the national guard. But I also started considering joining the Air national guard, or the coast guard, but in the end I plan on becoming a Comissioned Officer. Which one of these options would best be suited for me becoming an officer while I still get to stay in school? Air National Guard doesn't have a split op program I believe, national guard does and coast guard does, but the only route of becoming an officer I know of in the ARNG is direct commissioning or ROTC. How do you become an officer in the coast guard or air national guard? I'm an incoming freshman at San Francisco state, I'm waiting for the cadre leader to stop playing phone tag so I can speak with him.
Path to becoming an officer?
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Pima
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To become an officer in ANG is the same as going AD. You must be a college grad. You also would apply for a job at the Guard. The issue to understand is that just because you want to join the unit, they have to have a vacancy for an O1 at the time, thus They have a budget and mandated manning levels to follow just like ADAF.
The question is what do you want to do as a commissioned officer? Every branch is different with regards to their mission they are not necessarily interchangeable. I would not join just because of the illusion in your mind you want to be an officer because that reality might match up as you push paper on the weekends or two weeks out of the year.
The question is what do you want to do as a commissioned officer? Every branch is different with regards to their mission they are not necessarily interchangeable. I would not join just because of the illusion in your mind you want to be an officer because that reality might match up as you push paper on the weekends or two weeks out of the year.
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Physicsguru
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There are two primary paths to becoming a Coast Guard officer: the Coast Guard Academy or Officer Candidate School. You can apply to the Academy to enter in Fall 2015, but none of your college credit will transfer (unless you pass a validation exam), and you will have to do the full four years. For OCS, you have to have a Bachelor's degree in hand, which means paying for college yourself.
There are programs available to help pay for college, but there is no ROTC program for the Coast Guard. You can get more information at http://www.gocoastguard.com/active-duty-careers/officer-opportunities/programs, and you can get contact information for officer programs recruiters there.
Good luck.
There are programs available to help pay for college, but there is no ROTC program for the Coast Guard. You can get more information at http://www.gocoastguard.com/active-duty-careers/officer-opportunities/programs, and you can get contact information for officer programs recruiters there.
Good luck.
Lpshrtr,
The different branches of our military are almost as different as a career in MMA fighting vs teaching French literature at a community college.
Rather than just seeking that gold bar at any expense, perhaps you should spend this year researching the different branches so that you can make an informed choice. I assure you, being an Armor officer in the Army is NOTHING like being a Marine Safety and Environmental Protection Officer in the USCG.
The different branches of our military are almost as different as a career in MMA fighting vs teaching French literature at a community college.
Rather than just seeking that gold bar at any expense, perhaps you should spend this year researching the different branches so that you can make an informed choice. I assure you, being an Armor officer in the Army is NOTHING like being a Marine Safety and Environmental Protection Officer in the USCG.
The Coast Guard has more in common with the Navy then the Army. ABF is right, you need to first decide which type of service you want, Ground, Sea, Air. Granted each branch has all three of those in some form but each has a primary mission.
If your interested in the Coast Guard then the Academy will be your best bet, OCS is highly competitive and they do not always have openings.
One question, why are you so set on doing a split option and joining the reserves/guard while you are in school. You realize you do not need to do this to be in ROTC and commission. Have you considered applying for the ROTC scholarship or are you starting college this fall?
When you graduate and commission do you plane to serve in the Guard or Reserves or are you planning on Active Duty?
If you are thinking Active Duty then make sure you research joining the reserves/guard, if you do you would be doing the SMP program with ROTC. Research how your state works, how tuition assistance is paid and what requirements there are. Some states are starting to require those that take TA serve their obligation in the Guard. Make sure you ask a lot of questions before you enlist.
The best thing you can do in regard to the Army is talk to the Recruiting Officer at the ROTC Battalion at the University of San Francisco. They will be able to answer your questions and give you all the options.
If your interested in the Coast Guard then the Academy will be your best bet, OCS is highly competitive and they do not always have openings.
One question, why are you so set on doing a split option and joining the reserves/guard while you are in school. You realize you do not need to do this to be in ROTC and commission. Have you considered applying for the ROTC scholarship or are you starting college this fall?
When you graduate and commission do you plane to serve in the Guard or Reserves or are you planning on Active Duty?
If you are thinking Active Duty then make sure you research joining the reserves/guard, if you do you would be doing the SMP program with ROTC. Research how your state works, how tuition assistance is paid and what requirements there are. Some states are starting to require those that take TA serve their obligation in the Guard. Make sure you ask a lot of questions before you enlist.
The best thing you can do in regard to the Army is talk to the Recruiting Officer at the ROTC Battalion at the University of San Francisco. They will be able to answer your questions and give you all the options.
If I do Army Rotc I plan on signing a GRFD contract, but I'm trying to compare my options right now and all the paths that are possible. I can't get a scholarship because I'm an incoming freshman at SFSU so I'll have to wait. I want to serve my country while still being able to attend college. Can someone clarify the process and requirement of becoming an officer for the ANG just out of curiosity?
Are you asking about the Army National Guard or the Air National Guard.
The GRFD is a scholarship, one that requires you to serve your service obligation in the Reserves or National Guard. You understand if you sign a GRFD you will never be able to be in the Active Duty Army when you commission.
You could still get a scholarship once you start SFSU, it would be a Battalion Scholarship that you would compete for if they have them available.
The requirements are the same, you need to complete a 4 year degree, you need to complete ROTC. The only difference is that if you join the NG you will be required to drill once a month and 2 weeks in the summer. This means that one weekend a month you will leave the campus and go to your base for weekend drill. You are still required to be fully involved in ROTC. You will be a SMP cadet.
You really need to talk to the Recruiting Officer at the SFSU ROTC Battalion about your options. DO NOT go to a local recruiter first, they have no idea how ROTC works and their goal is to get you to enlist. If you do not have all the information about ROTC in hand you could really get talked into something you do not want.
Pima
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Sheriff just posted the AF is switching things up, and I think you will not be able to get true clarification for awhile.
That being said, I think you are missing he BIG CLUE what posterrs are saying. Military branches are unique.
Investigate the branch and career opportunities. An O1 in the AF has little leadership opportunities if you compare it to an 01 in the Army.
~ ARG/Reserves have a much higher chance of long deployments than ANG.
Good luck
That being said, I think you are missing he BIG CLUE what posterrs are saying. Military branches are unique.
Investigate the branch and career opportunities. An O1 in the AF has little leadership opportunities if you compare it to an 01 in the Army.
~ ARG/Reserves have a much higher chance of long deployments than ANG.
Good luck