Enlistment

[Tiger2016]

Hi, seeing all of these posts about so many receiving their appointments while i'm still crossing my fingers hoping for mine has got me thinking about backup plans. I've applied to a verity of other schools that I wouldn't have interest in attending without an ROTC scholarship which I'm still waiting for too.
Since years before I wanted to attend a military academy I planned on enlisting, so naturally I've been leaning on enlisting into the Ohio National Guard as a backup. If I did this I would reapply to West Point after basic and AIT then attend college in Ohio for the 2017 spring semester.
I have lots of questions for the recruiter but would like to ask some for you guys. I understand that the application process is quite different when applying from the ranks but does anyone find it far more difficult? Would it be possible to have enough time to become familiar with those in your command between the completion of training and the application deadline? Are there any numbers out there for how many soldiers apply and gain appointment? Did enlisting give anyone more valuable experiences that they were able to carry on through college and later into their career as an officer? And would admissions take into consideration the spring semester of college? Thank you very much and!

 

[njUSNAHopefulMid]

I don't know much about this topic, but all I can say is don't go signing any enlistment papers until you receive a TWE (rejection letter) from the service academy! You always have a chance until that letter comes.

 

[845something]

If you wait for a TWE, you won't get a basic spot during the summer. You also will not likely get your pick of MOS as all the other kids deciding to enlist straight from HS will get those spots.

There are spots that are reserved for NG/Reserve Soldiers (85/year); however, candidates from USMAPS as invitational reservist can and do compete for those spots. It can be more or less challenging to gain admission as a Soldier depending on whether or not you are a candidate that West Point wants.

It is far more important as a reapplicant to have a solid first semester of college than to complete AIT, consider that when signing any paperwork and locking in course dates. With that said, yes, they will consider your spring semester of college when/if you reapply again the following year (3rd time).

Whether or not your basic or AIT commander will even recommend you is another factor - just being a Soldier doesn't mean that they will endorse you, and without that endorsement(nomination), you can't compete as a Soldier.

Given that the entirety of experience you aim to bring to West Point is completion of basic and AIT, there really aren't any experience that will have that much of a lasting impact or give you some greater perspective than your peers. If you end up serving anytime in your unit, then there are definite benefits through your career as a matter of perspective (but that is not the only way to gain that perspective either).

If ROTC is your backup and you want to enlist in the guard/reserves, there is the Simultaneous Membership Program (SMP) that allows you to do your drill time as a LT, complete ROTC, and pay better while in school. If your recruiter doesn't know about it, suggest talking to the ROO at your preferred ROTC program.

 

[mike6]

I'm a reservist applying to class of 2020, I can go a lot more in depth if you want to PM me (I don't want to put too much personal info on here).
I enlisted while in highschool as a medic in the reserves with the intention of doing ROTC and the simultaneous membership program (SMP). It's a program in which you're enlisted in the NG/reserves and also participate in college ROTC; in return your college is paid for.

I wrote out a long reply, but it got deleted. Essentially what I was trying to say was you will presented many exciting and challenging experiences, as well as almost unlimited opportunities. It's also great to get a ground-level perspective before you commission.

I certainly don't regret my decision, and I hope I can provide some insight for you. If you have any questions at all feel free to PM me.