Reserve or guard?

First off, I'd like to thank you guys on here who answer all these questions. I usually just read others posts on down time but
I had a question and figured this would be a good source. Don't hurt to ask.
I'm currently on my route to ROTC. When I graduate, i've always had my goal of flying, so I'm working towards commissioning (active) and flight school. Now while in college, I'm going to join either reserve or guard to help pay and get my foot in the door and get through some schools or Anythig to make me look better. My question is, will my MOS in the guard or reseve guide or influence, if you will, my branch when I commission? Would anything else? Someone told me to get a civilian fixed wing pilots lisence so I would already know terms and instruments, so I would have a leg up.... Anythig else that could be a determining factor or something I can do?

Tballard said:

First off, I'd like to thank you guys on here who answer all these questions. I usually just read others posts on down time but
I had a question and figured this would be a good source. Don't hurt to ask.
I'm currently on my route to ROTC. When I graduate, i've always had my goal of flying, so I'm working towards commissioning (active) and flight school. Now while in college, I'm going to join either reserve or guard to help pay and get my foot in the door and get through some schools or Anythig to make me look better. My question is, will my MOS in the guard or reseve guide or influence, if you will, my branch when I commission? Would anything else? Someone told me to get a civilian fixed wing pilots lisence so I would already know terms and instruments, so I would have a leg up.... Anythig else that could be a determining factor or something I can do?

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If you join the Guard or Reserves the only way you be MOS qualified is if you go to BCT and AIT. Once you contract you will switch to 09R as a contracted cadet in ROTC.

The MOS, no matter what you choose will have no bearing on which branch you receive.

Getting your civilian fixed wing license may give you a couple points on your OMS score but it won't help you in getting Aviation as your Branch.

The only way you can assure getting Aviation is to finish in the top 10% of the Active Duty OML, that means finishing in the top 5% of the National OML. If you are in the top 10% then you are guaranteed the Branch of your choice. If you are in the top 15% of the Active Duty OML then you would still have a chance at Aviation.

Joining the Guard or Reserves will give you a few points toward your OMS that will help you on the OML, other leadership positions on campus will give you the same points, every bit helps but don't count on the points being a huge help.

There is another option. You can apply for flight school through the Guard, the Aviation slots are a bit easier through the Guard. You would need to apply through a Guard unit that has Aviation. The caveat with this path is that after flight school you will be attached to that Guard unit, it won't be Active Duty, and the chance of switching to Active Duty is very very slim.

The best you can do now is to maintain a high GPA in college, have a very high APFT, and get an "E" at LDAC. sounds easy, but it's hard work and takes a little luck as well.

Aviation is the hardest Branch to get, you will need to be at the top of your game. but it can be done with hard work and focus.

When are you starting College and ROTC.

Best of luck.

^

Jcleppe hit the nail on the head. Your MOS has zero bearing on your OMS points, although being SMP in itself does give a few points.

SMP is usually only worth it in my eyes if it helps you pay for school and won't detract from your ability to get good grades. I've seen some cadets whose drill responsibilities oftentimes got in the way of them doing well during midterms and finals, so that's something to think about. The USAR/NG won't really care if you have a final, so it will be on you to be flexible and find ways to work around your part-time military commitments.