How dumb of an idea is it to join the Nat Guard/ Navy Reserve just to get into the academy easier?

Midwestern111

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Pretty much the title, I know a guy is who is at MAPS and he swears this is the way to go about it.
 
I mean... that's one way to do it. But don't think that just because you join, you won't have to work hard for a position because I assure you, you're not the only person who's doing that route. I know someone who joined Infantry then a few months later applied and got into USMAPS, he said it's fine, just like a regular College year, they're making sure you're fit for the school.

I don't know if you're still in High School but if you are definitely apply to see if you get in. Then you can consider if you'd rather go to a college with ROTC, and continue to apply throughout college, or if you'd rather take the risk of not getting accepted and having to restart applying to college's.
 
I doubt that's the path of choice and you would have to pay your dues as enlisted for a significant amount of time. You will need recs from your CoC and they're going to want to get to know and observe you over an extended period.
 
Actually, not that dumb. I've known a few Cadets who did this. Just understand the possible consequences. The information below assumes you are a junior in high school.
1. You can do split training. Go to basic the summer between your junior and senior year. You get paid. You learn about yourself. Get in shape. Your AIT (Advanced Individual Training) is done after you graduate from high school. But don't expect to show up to a recruiter in April thinking you can go to basic in May. Won't happen. If you are a junior you need to look into it now.
2. Once you return, you drill one weekend a month. Make sure transportation won't be an issue as they expect you to show up. You might be able to do split drills if high school activities interfere, but you have to go through your COC (Chain of Command) to get these approved. Usually, this isn't an issue.
3. If you get accepted to a service academy or ROTC those contracts trump your enlistment contract.
4. If your unit is mobilized during high school you do not go with them. You finish high school then go to AIT. Or, see number 3.
5. You must work with your COC to get a service-related nomination, but you are still eligible for other nominations. Being enlisted usually helps here as well.
6. If you don't get into a service academy or ROTC they will expect you to go to advanced training the summer after you graduate. For this reason, I recommend one of the shorter AITs such as infantry so you can get it done between graduation and the start of college.
7. If this occurs and you will be going to a college away from your home you can always request a transfer to a different Guard/Reserve unit. It's not an issue.
8. If you don't get into a SA straight from high school, go through the process outlined above and reapply. Going to AIT, drilling with the Reserves/Guard, and going to college will look good on your application.
I would add that you don’t apply to MAPS. You apply to USMA. Your goal is a direct appointment. If that doesn’t happen your plan B is an offer of MAPS. It’s not guaranteed.
Good luck, no matter your decision.
 
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Pretty much the title, I know a guy is who is at MAPS and he swears this is the way to go about it.
A question to ask yourself.
Why do you want to this route? Are you lacking in areas that you see you will have difficulty in overcoming if you decide to go direct?
 
From everything I have seen as an ROTC cadet and USMA re-applicant, Green to Gold folks are generally very respected in ROTC programs and at USMA. Additionally, when they commission they tend to have more respect from the enlisted folks. Gaining perspective from both sides of the house would help you tremendously in a career.
 
From everything I have seen as an ROTC cadet and USMA re-applicant, Green to Gold folks are generally very respected in ROTC programs and at USMA. Additionally, when they commission they tend to have more respect from the enlisted folks. Gaining perspective from both sides of the house would help you tremendously in a career.
The respect part is true. It doesn't necessarily make them a better officer, but it may. None of this indicates it's the wisest path to chose to a commission. It's just one of many, and lengthens the process. But it can be viable for some.
 
Actually, not that dumb. I've known a few Cadets who did this. Just understand the possible consequences. The information below assumes you are a junior in high school.
1. You can do split training. Go to basic the summer between your junior and senior year. You get paid. You learn about yourself. Get in shape. Your AIT (Advanced Individual Training) is done after you graduate from high school. But don't expect to show up to a recruiter in April thinking you can go to basic in May. Won't happen. If you are a junior you need to look into it now.
2. Once you return, you drill one weekend a month. Make sure transportation won't be an issue as they expect you to show up. You might be able to do split drills if high school activities interfere, but you have to go through your COC (Chain of Command) to get these approved. Usually, this isn't an issue.
3. If you get accepted to a service academy or ROTC those contracts trump your enlistment contract.
4. If your unit is mobilized during high school you do not go with them. You finish high school then go to AIT. Or, see number 3.
5. You must work with your COC to get a service-related nomination, but you are still eligible for other nominations. Being enlisted usually helps here as well.
6. If you don't get into a service academy or ROTC they will expect you to go to advanced training the summer after you graduate. For this reason, I recommend one of the shorter AITs such as infantry so you can get it done between graduation and the start of college.
7. If this occurs and you will be going to a college away from your home you can always request a transfer to a different Guard/Reserve unit. It's not an issue.
8. If you don't get into a SA straight from high school, go through the process outlined above and reapply. Going to AIT, drilling with the Reserves/Guard, and going to college will look good on your application.
I would add that you don’t apply to MAPS. You apply to USMA. Your goal is a direct appointment. If that doesn’t happen your plan B is an offer of MAPS. It’s not guaranteed.
Good luck, no matter your decision.
I am actually a freshman in college.
 
I am actually a freshman in college.
I’m assuming you have not applied and would be applying your sophomore year (next year)?
If so, everything still applies. The one exception is that if your unit is called up you might be mobilized and sent to advanced training. You would not be deployed without it.
You probably wouldn’t finish training in time to get a nomination through your Guard/Reserve unit, but it’s possible.
Being enlisted would definitely not hurt your file.
 
The respect part is true. It doesn't necessarily make them a better officer, but it may. None of this indicates it's the wisest path to chose to a commission. It's just one of many, and lengthens the process. But it can be viable for some.
Enlisting in the Guard/Reserve would do nothing to the length of the process. Assuming he attends basic training this summer and applies in the fall of 2021.
 
Enlisting in the Guard/Reserve would do nothing to the length of the process. Assuming he attends basic training this summer and applies in the fall of 2021.
Yes for the OP, but the poster i was replying to was referencing the Green to Gold program which is what I was responding to.
 
My oldest son has had an interesting journey....is currently in the Air National Guard. And super happy. What I’ll add this is that he has been approached by staff (not sure who), about applying to USAFA. Additionally, recruiters at our local Senator service academy open houses spoke to the program the guard has for applying to a SA from the guard (the name slips my mind...). Lastly, one of our Senator staffers provided information about that route. So thats 3 exposures to that route in our family.

At the Guards presentation during the Senators SA open house, he said that every year the slots they have to nominate people through this route go unfilled.

Is is a dumb idea? I sure don’t think so. But it’s not guaranteed. Also way more variable than a direct or reapplicant route. And there are serious side implications not present with other ‘traditional’ routes. In the case of my oldest, he was fine with any of the scenarios (stated above), so not a problem for him (his journey precluded this ultimately as he aged out...initially he had surgery issues the prevented any SA direct or reapplication route).

Bottom line: Make sure you COMPLETELY understand all the nuances, should you be thinking about this route. Personally, my mom opinion would be to go this route only if you are ok with ‘regular’ guard duty. As that may be where you end up. And there are ways to shine via that route as well. Rising to the top, OCS, going to college via programs providers, etc. Then, should a SA appointment come into play? That’s a bonus to the path you chose.

But make sure that you arenOK with the Guard as is. Because, especially as a college sophomore, you may only have one go at this route, as you could age out. That’s a thing to consider as well.

Not a dumb idea, but rather a different, and maybe even ‘riskier’ one, depending on your outlook.
 
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Just to clarify, seeking a nomination from the ranks is not an “either or” proposition. You can still seek a nomination from other sources and applicants are encouraged to do so.
Also, an applicant from the ranks does not necessarily go to MAPS. Many are direct appointments. That is determined by the admission board.
 
Don't join the navy to get into West Point. Do the Army reserve if that's what you want. Navy reserve might get you into the Naval Academy though. My roommate was a prior and his company commander basically got him into West Point because he liked him and he was good at his job and fit for college. If you want to be an officer, going enlisted first is more arduous and you might want to just OCS or do ROTC, but it might be a good idea to get a taste of the real military before you go to the academy. We wear uniforms and formation and we do training in the summer and a little training in the school year and work with enlisted and officers now and again but us non-prior cadets generally don't have a real clue what the real army is like since all we can do is listen and speculate.
 
While that’s certainly an option, i would ask myself if that’s truly my passion and weigh that against using the same amount of time and effort spent towards whatever areas you need to overcome/improve.
 
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