Miss fall semester and start in spring, or start college the following fall?

DSmom_in_IL

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My DS is considering joining the National Guard to pay for college. He is a rising senior and plans to do ROTC in college. His tuition would be covered 100% by NG. We're wondering if it's better to do BCT/AIT in the fall after he graduates, and then start college in the spring semester? That option would mean he misses all the orientations, getting to know other freshman, etc. Or do BCT/AIT after he graduates, but wait to start college the following fall semester? That option means He misses an entire year. He was hoping to complete BCT/AIT in the summer after high school graduation. But it doesn't sound like there is enough time to do so and be back by the time college classes begin. I want him to be setup for success, so any insight would be appreciated.
 
I don't have a great answer for you but what my son's friend did was complete his 1st year of college and then went to BCT during the Summer/Fall of what would have been his Sophomore year. He then went to school over Winter break and was back full time for the Spring semester. That was (8) years ago so I have no idea how it worked or if it's still possible.
 
what would he do with the 'down time' between training and fall college? #2 so has a buddy doing exactly this - his plan is to work for his father in the down time
 
It really depends on your DS's priorities.

If he really wants to graduate four years from now, then starting in the Spring gives him a good shot at this. However, overall I think that beginning in the fall is more beneficial for most students.

PROS of beginning in the spring:
  • graduate possibly sooner.
  • Less crowded orientations. (yes there are spring orientations).
CONS of beginning in the spring
  • Clubs and other campus EC's may have met quotas.
  • Less chance of campus housing.
  • He will be the "new guy" in class with fewer relationships as compared with those who began in the Fall. (If your DS is very mature and independent, this should not be a big deal)
  • Fewer "101" classes to choose from. Most Intro classes are in the Fall with the corresponding "102" class in the Spring.
As stated above, there is nothing wrong with working FT for a year and starting in the Fall. Your DS should be able to make a decision based on his strengths and priorities.
 
Thank you all for the replies. He could work and/or take a few classes at the local JR college. He will be transferring in some dual credits earned in HS. He is a mature, outgoing person, BUT the school he wants to attend is very large. That is why I worry he will be at a disadvantage meeting people, etc. You've given us some things to consider, thanks!
 
Is he able to do BCT in the summer post graduation then AIT the summer between his Freshman and Sophomore year ? What would his Guard MOS be and would OSUT training work for his school schedule?
 
If he plans to do ROTC, and he already has a particular college in mind, then why not discuss this with the ROO at that unit and get his input? ROOs work with National Guard students and SMP all the time. I bet he or she can give you some good input.
 
Is he able to do BCT in the summer post graduation then AIT the summer between his Freshman and Sophomore year ? What would his Guard MOS be and would OSUT training work for his school schedule?

Until he finishes AIT he doesn't receive tuition assistance from the NG state benefits. And the school he wants to attend is out of state, so we can't really afford the first year at out of state rates. He isn't sure about an MOS yet, still needs to take the ASVAB. And he is joining the NG in the state where he will be gong to school.
 
If he plans to do ROTC, and he already has a particular college in mind, then why not discuss this with the ROO at that unit and get his input? ROOs work with National Guard students and SMP all the time. I bet he or she can give you some good input.

Great idea, we will reach out. We have spoken directly with the NG recruiter that works at the school he plans to attend. But I will have my DS call and speak with the ROO. Thanks for the advise!
 
Until he finishes AIT he doesn't receive tuition assistance from the NG state benefits. And the school he wants to attend is out of state, so we can't really afford the first year at out of state rates. He isn't sure about an MOS yet, still needs to take the ASVAB. And he is joining the NG in the state where he will be gong to school.

A couple things to consider. The MOS your son chooses will only matter for a short time, Cadets that join the NG will contract as SMP cadets in their battalion as early as the start of their second year. Once they contract their MOS will change from whatever they have to a O9R which is the MOS designation for all SMP cadets. At this point he may start shadowing a LT and not work at all in the MOS he originally had. So choosing a MOS for enlistment in the NG becomes less important. The only reason to select a certain MOS is if the cadet thinks they may not continue the ROTC program through commissioning. Some will look for a MOS that has the shortest AIT so they can get to college faster.

The other issue is Active Duty, if your son is interested in serving active duty then he needs to make sure he reads all the fine print and talk to the ROTC battalion Recruiting Officer (ROO) to make sure that any of the funds he receives from the State and NG does not require him to serve his obligation in the NG after he commissions.
 
A couple things to consider. The MOS your son chooses will only matter for a short time, Cadets that join the NG will contract as SMP cadets in their battalion as early as the start of their second year. Once they contract their MOS will change from whatever they have to a O9R which is the MOS designation for all SMP cadets. At this point he may start shadowing a LT and not work at all in the MOS he originally had. So choosing a MOS for enlistment in the NG becomes less important. The only reason to select a certain MOS is if the cadet thinks they may not continue the ROTC program through commissioning. Some will look for a MOS that has the shortest AIT so they can get to college faster.

The other issue is Active Duty, if your son is interested in serving active duty then he needs to make sure he reads all the fine print and talk to the ROTC battalion Recruiting Officer (ROO) to make sure that any of the funds he receives from the State and NG does not require him to serve his obligation in the NG after he commissions.

Those are things we hadn't considered. Thanks so much for the advice, I'll have my DS contact the ROO. Thank you!
 
Until he finishes AIT he doesn't receive tuition assistance from the NG state benefits. And the school he wants to attend is out of state, so we can't really afford the first year at out of state rates. He isn't sure about an MOS yet, still needs to take the ASVAB. And he is joining the NG in the state where he will be gong to school.[/QUOTE]

While what Jcleppe stated about MOS going forward in ROTC is correct/spot on, I posed the question to see if your son might be eligible for "One Station Unit Training" OSUT which only eleven MOS's are eligible for. OSUT is BCT/AIT combined program and in some cases may be able to get your son to school on time or only a week late. But, by all means take kinnem's advice to heart contact the ROO at your son's university for interest.
 
Until he finishes AIT he doesn't receive tuition assistance from the NG state benefits. And the school he wants to attend is out of state, so we can't really afford the first year at out of state rates. He isn't sure about an MOS yet, still needs to take the ASVAB. And he is joining the NG in the state where he will be gong to school.

While what Jcleppe stated about MOS going forward in ROTC is correct/spot on, I posed the question to see if your son might be eligible for "One Station Unit Training" OSUT which only eleven MOS's are eligible for. OSUT is BCT/AIT combined program and in some cases may be able to get your son to school on time or only a week late. But, by all means take kinnem's advice to heart contact the ROO at your son's university for interest.[/QUOTE]

Thanks for the follow-up, I didn't know what OSUT was and I should have asked. We will also look into this option. Thank you!
 
Does anyone know if you complete NG basic training prior to freshman year, do you still take the MS1 and MS2 ROTC classes? We read something that said you don't have to take ROTC Basic Course if you've complete basic training. If you do take them, do most colleges offer the MS1 classes in fall and spring? Since my DS will probably miss fall semester, wondering if that will pose a problem for starting MS1 classes in spring of freshman year??
 
I don't know much about national guard - it sounds a little complicated to me. But, if he is a rising senior, then why not apply for ROTC scholarship - if he gets one, then he attends his school of choice on the regular time table and no worries about guard training/duty. Some schools even offer free room and board to scholarship winners!
 
One son did Basic as a split opt program when he was a junior in high school. He did basic between junior and senior year, and then returned for AIT just after he graduated high school and was home in time to begin college in the Fall.
Our other son is a 4 year ROTC scholarship winner. He was waitlisted for his college of choice until the spring, but he really wanted to start college in the fall. So he transferred his scholarship to a college that accepted him and started in the fall.
 
I don't know much about national guard - it sounds a little complicated to me. But, if he is a rising senior, then why not apply for ROTC scholarship - if he gets one, then he attends his school of choice on the regular time table and no worries about guard training/duty. Some schools even offer free room and board to scholarship winners!

He had thought about competing for AROTC Scholarship, but his stats aren't strong enough to win a 4yr. Since we can't afford the out of state tuition costs for the first year, he's decided to join the NG to ensure all 4yrs are covered.
 
One son did Basic as a split opt program when he was a junior in high school. He did basic between junior and senior year, and then returned for AIT just after he graduated high school and was home in time to begin college in the Fall.
Our other son is a 4 year ROTC scholarship winner. He was waitlisted for his college of choice until the spring, but he really wanted to start college in the fall. So he transferred his scholarship to a college that accepted him and started in the fall.

Thanks for the reply. Just curious, did the NG son enlist in his home state? Is his home state where he attends college? I ask because my second son is a rising junior and considering split op. But he wants to attend an out of state school. Trying to decide if he should join home state's NG or just wait till he graduates HS and then enlist in the state where he plans to attend college?
 
I don't know much about national guard - it sounds a little complicated to me. But, if he is a rising senior, then why not apply for ROTC scholarship - if he gets one, then he attends his school of choice on the regular time table and no worries about guard training/duty. Some schools even offer free room and board to scholarship winners!

He had thought about competing for AROTC Scholarship, but his stats aren't strong enough to win a 4yr. Since we can't afford the out of state tuition costs for the first year, he's decided to join the NG to ensure all 4yrs are covered.
If you are certain his stats don't measure up to at least the minimum, then your choice makes sense. However, its not all stats - his leadership, desire to serve, and fitness would also play a part in scholarship competition. Best wishes to your son.
 
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