Advice Needed

ASmirnov

New Member
Joined
Apr 3, 2018
Messages
2
Hello everyone,

I am currently in High School and thinking about joining/becoming a reserve officer. I want to attend University after High School and major in Computer Science and after that go on to higher education or into the workforce. From what I know, the reserve/national guard meets a few times a year to review training but does not do active duty, and gets paid for these training. I have also been told that there are many benefits in joining the reserve/ROFC in terms of tuition/financial education even for those from upper-class families. I am willing to meet multiple times in a year and do basic training but I do not want to do any form of active duty (or even trainings of more than a month of time). Is this possible or is my information on the reserves wrong or outdated.
 
It’s a little inaccurate. You need to keep in mind that even though the Guard and Reserve meet one weekend a month and two weeks in the summer what they do during that time is prepare for what they will do when they get mobilized, fight the nations wars. Also keep in mind that if you want to be an Officer in the Guard or Reserves you need to earn a four year degree, complete an officer producing program like ROTC, and agree to serve when you graduate from college. Not sure where you are getting your information from, but you might want to get in contact with the ROO or enrollment officer at an Army ROTC program at a school you are interested in.
 
It’s a little inaccurate. You need to keep in mind that even though the Guard and Reserve meet one weekend a month and two weeks in the summer what they do during that time is prepare for what they will do when they get mobilized, fight the nations wars. Also keep in mind that if you want to be an Officer in the Guard or Reserves you need to earn a four year degree, complete an officer producing program like ROTC, and agree to serve when you graduate from college. Not sure where you are getting your information from, but you might want to get in contact with the ROO or enrollment officer at an Army ROTC program at a school you are interested in.
Can you leave the program at any time (for example if a war starts)?
 
I believe you do not understand the concept of the commitment any military service would require.

The NG near me in PA has been activated oversees many times.
 
Even if you go into the army guard or reserve, there will still be a period of time during which you will be on active duty. For example, before you can even work for your guard unit, you will have to go to your MOS training (to learn how to do your job) which can be anywhere from weeks to over a year on active duty.
 
NG, Reserves and ROTC all require a commitment to military service. My initial feeling is that you are looking for the gov't to pay your way to school with minimal commitment and no chance of deployment. It doesn't work that way.
 
My son is National Guard. This is what he is doing ; he went to basic training in the summer between his junior and senior year ; this was 10 weeks in Georgia. He did not have a summer vacation that year as he got back two days before school started. Then he had drill once a month for the year ; that is two days a month. The next summer, he spent back in Georgia for 9 weeks for his specific training. This time he also did not have a summer vacation as he got back from ait maybe 3 days before college started. We moved his things into his dorm so that he was set up when he got back. After that, he drilled again two days a month ; although for most of October and November he was at a training so he missed college for a month.
This summer, he will be back out training again for 4 weeks and will return 5 days before college starts. He will spend a week in May away also and will miss his only brothers high school graduation. There is talk of deployment next year so he may have to put college on hold for a year while he is away.
He has a 6 year commitment to the army and for this, he does get some tuition assistance. He has 4 more years to do of his commitment.

Unless you are prepared to do the above, don't waste your time. It is tough, grueling and not for the faint hearted. Just telling it as it is. I commend anyone who does it and respect them so much.
 
It’s a little inaccurate. You need to keep in mind that even though the Guard and Reserve meet one weekend a month and two weeks in the summer what they do during that time is prepare for what they will do when they get mobilized, fight the nations wars. Also keep in mind that if you want to be an Officer in the Guard or Reserves you need to earn a four year degree, complete an officer producing program like ROTC, and agree to serve when you graduate from college. Not sure where you are getting your information from, but you might want to get in contact with the ROO or enrollment officer at an Army ROTC program at a school you are interested in.
Can you leave the program at any time (for example if a war starts)?
Kind of depends on the program. Reserves - no because you sign a contract for a specified number of years.
ROTC - depends on which program you are taking part in and how far along in school you are.
 
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