Soldier Status Change

I sent in my preliminary application for 2017 before I "officially" enlisted in the Army National Guard . I am still pursuing and appointment for the class of 2017, I just need to know how to change my status from civilian to soldier so I can get the service connected nomination. How do I do that? Just email the admissions team?

CadetMoore said:

I sent in my preliminary application for 2017 before I "officially" enlisted in the Army National Guard . I am still pursuing and appointment for the class of 2017, I just need to know how to change my status from civilian to soldier so I can get the service connected nomination. How do I do that? Just email the admissions team?

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you might have to wait until you complete basic training. probably best to email your admissions representative at west point.

CadetMoore said:

I sent in my preliminary application for 2017 before I "officially" enlisted in the Army National Guard . I am still pursuing and appointment for the class of 2017, I just need to know how to change my status from civilian to soldier so I can get the service connected nomination. How do I do that? Just email the admissions team?

Click to expand...

When you physically have to report to your unit, let your squad leader know your intentions and he will bring it to the PSG, then to the PL or Company Commander. The Commander Commander is the one you want to make friends with to get this service related nomination. I know you are not required to go to drill prior to BCT, but it would be smart of you to start making contact with them and attending.

Im starting drill in June and heading to basic in September, but they have me drilling in my hometown before basic and then drilling in a town about an hour away after basic. Should I just put in a request to go to the one an hour away to give myself ample time to meet my PL?

Restrictions on nomination sources for service related candidates?

I have a question about something that I don’t clearly understand, and it seems like different sources give me very different message about this. Not being able to find something specific, I’ll try to be very specific here:

1. This regards USMA only
2. This regards prior service or service related nomination
3. Even more, I’m looking for clarity on high schoolers who enlist in the Guard with the specific intent of garnering their commander’s recommendation and get a nomination as prior service from that source
4. Most specifically, regulations regarding candidates in this approach

That said, I hear basically two camps:
1. Go for EVERY possible nomination you can qualify for (MOC, etc.) as well as service related
… or …
2. Don’t apply for any other nomination except for one you qualify for from prior service

It’s that second one that I’m puzzled over. I can’t find a specific regulation that explicitly prohibits anyone from applying for any/all possible sources of a nomination, and yet now and then I run across the sentiment that if you are applying as prior service, you (a) cannot or (b) should not apply for anything else as a nomination source, either because it isn't "needed" or you are just never going to get one anyway.

So, the question for me is this: Is there a specific prohibition against applying for all possible nominations that I (as a parent, not formally involved in the process) might normally consider, especially prohibiting or even inhibiting a member of the service, specifically the Army National Guard, from seeking all possible nominations? Or might it be a local preference/policy/practice where the MOCs have a history of filtering out candidates with a service related nomination so there simply is no practical purpose to seeking a MOC or VP nomination? Or can someone enlighten me as to how this practically works out?

Thanks in advance, and please fill in any blanks that seem pertinent.

RLTW

You have to complete your basic training before you can be consider as a soldier applicant.

AC or RC, you will need your company commander's endorsment

http://www.usma.edu/admissions/Shared Documents/Commanders_Endorsement_USMA_Form_351-12.pdf

to get your service connencted nomination.st

Simply, either your basic training, advance individual training, or your unit company commander can endorse you. Your company commander has no obligation to give you an endorsement. With the endrosement, you get the nomination.

Applying to all the nomiatnion possible is your back up plan. Nothing prohibits you from applying to all the nomination. Getting different nomination allows you to consider for different vacancies. So if you only have a MOC nomination, you can be only considered for the MOC vacancy than the National Waiting List (if you don't win the MOC). If you have MOC and Soldier nomination, you will considered for the both vacancies. There is no guarantee that your commander will give you his or her endorsement. Here a legend a Ranger Company Commander refusing give the endorsement as the soldier didn't have the Ranger Tab.

I Concur with MemberLG...and to hopefully answer RLTW's questions....

You have to have passed basic training to considered a soldier... and whether you are
AC or RC (NG), you will need your company commander's endorsement. The application process requires a Commanders signature / recommendation.

There are about 100 slots per class for the "soldier" category - so it is still really competitive - and remember that you will be competing against Enlisted soldiers who have CIBs, Silver Stars and Legion of Merits - so do not think that this will be any easier than the other paths.

I have had candidates talk with me thinking that if they simply enlisted, that it would "guarantee" them a slot - this is not so...

A candidate should apply for EVERY nomination source that they can get - MOC, Senatorial, Presidential, VP , ROTC, Soldier. There is NO prohibition on applying for multiple nomination sources.

Having been enlisted myself, I know that it is not too hard to get that Commander's endorsement as long as you are a good soldier, perform well and LISTEN to your NCOs. However - this takes time - especially as an NG soldier.

Given the timing right now, and the fact that your basic training is in September, I would consider looking at the Class of 2018 as the Class of 2017 decisions will be made VERY close to your completion of Basic and a few drill sessions thereafter. Something to think about....