National Guard: Help in getting contracted?

[DanLupo]

Hello, since my junior year in high school I knew Norwich University was a good fit for me. I applied for the Naval ROTC scholarship but did not receive one, so I'm attending Norwich in the fall with the hopes of a contract. To be honest I just want to be an officer whither it is in the Navy or the Army. I scored a 94 on my ASVAB so the CT National Guard is all over me to join. They can offer my $4,500 my first year and are willing to "bet their career" on the fact that I will get contracted at Norwich in the Spring.
-Is the drive from VT to CT every month worth the money towards tuition?
-Will joining the reserves really help me get contracted at Norwich?
-Can it actually make it harder? Because I'll be running around doing extra things with less time to focus on school and grades
Thanks!

 

[Thompson]

-Is the drive from VT to CT every month worth the money towards tuition?
I think you will have to make that decision yourself - also have to consider the time it takes to drive from Norwich to base + gas money.
-Will joining the reserves really help me get contracted at Norwich?
Just because you don't get a high school Army ROTC scholarship does not mean you can't at Norwich. You have the ability to apply for an in-school (on campus) scholarship, such as 4, 3, 3.5 year scholarships. So, don't feel so cornered as to think that the Guard is your only option. But if you are that interested in the Guard, you may want to consider looking into the Simultaneous Military Program (SMP), which is what you are discussing, being in the Guard/Reserve while being a cadet at Norwich's ROTC program. ...Also, not sure if this is correct, but if you do decide to go Guard, I think you'd have to join the VT Guard in order to get Guard college funding.
-Can it actually make it harder? Because I'll be running around doing extra things with less time to focus on school and grades
You just answered the question itself. It can be done - but will require a lot of effort to efficiently manage time.
Thanks!

Response in blue.

 

[philmont]

DanLupo,
I would wait until you are on campus to make any decision. If you are considering the guard, you should look at the Vermont Guard options when at Norwich. Many of the Cadets are in the Vermont Guard or SMP. If you show up fit to max the Army PT test, get involved in extra curricular and excel in your classes - GPA 3.5 or above, you will have a good chance to score an on campus scholarship. You'll need to decide which ROTC to join: Navy or Army...more Army scholarships are usually available than Navy or AF.

 

[kinnem]

DanLupo,
I would wait until you are on campus to make any decision. If you are considering the guard, you should look at the Vermont Guard options when at Norwich. Many of the Cadets are in the Vermont Guard or SMP. If you show up fit to max the Army PT test, get involved in extra curricular and excel in your classes - GPA 3.5 or above, you will have a good chance to score an on campus scholarship. You'll need to decide which ROTC to join: Navy or Army...more Army scholarships are usually available than Navy or AF.

The process for getting an in school scholarship for each service is very different as well. Navy has a formal application process and a national board to assess who gets the scholarships. I believe the Army process is very different and doesn't require a formal application, but I've been known to be wrong from time to time (and things change too).

 

[Jcleppe]

Hello, since my junior year in high school I knew Norwich University was a good fit for me. I applied for the Naval ROTC scholarship but did not receive one, so I'm attending Norwich in the fall with the hopes of a contract. To be honest I just want to be an officer whither it is in the Navy or the Army. I scored a 94 on my ASVAB so the CT National Guard is all over me to join. They can offer my $4,500 my first year and are willing to "bet their career" on the fact that I will get contracted at Norwich in the Spring.
-Is the drive from VT to CT every month worth the money towards tuition?
-Will joining the reserves really help me get contracted at Norwich?
-Can it actually make it harder? Because I'll be running around doing extra things with less time to focus on school and grades
Thanks!

These recruiters would be making a bad bet, If you join the NG and participate as a SMP, the soonest you can contract is Fall of your Sophomore year. Even then it is not a guarantee.

Think hard about this, try things out at Norwich and see how you start out, do well and put yourself in the position to receive a campus scholarship.

 

[Thompson]

I believe the Army process is very different and doesn't require a formal application, but I've been known to be wrong from time to time (and things change too).

In addition, each program probably has a different method of awarding scholarships; so you'd have to check with Norwich.

I think your best bet right now, is to go to Norwich (if you can) at some point before you head back to school - and try to get in touch with the ROO or scholarship officer; they will be able to assist you the most along the journey. Don't be so heavily reliant on what the recruiters say - their job is to sell themselves to you, they have a quota to meet. I've meet my fair share of good and bad recruiters. Trust me on this one.

At the end of the day the decision is yours to make, and yours alone. It all comes down to research and finding what you want to do.

 

[DanLupo]

Thanks so much for all of the info and advice. It helped, I appreciate it!

 

[bfrat93]

Here is another important thing to know. If you contract as an SMP Army cadet AND accept National Guard scholarship money, you will belong to the National Guard after commissioning. So if you want active duty/regular Army, you may want to think hard about it; unless Norwich can get you out of that Guard obligation.