National Guard Nomination

[amc]

Is it possible to join the National Guard while in high school so that you have another source for a nomination? If so, when would be the earliest you could join?
Thanks

 

[UHBlackhawk]

Yes.
Check with your recruiter, but normally you can join your junior year if you are 17. Tell him/her you are interested in the split training option.
You would spend the summer between your junior and senior year at basic training.
When you return, you would drill with your unit one weekend and month. Units will normally let you "split" a drill if you have sports and communicate with them. You would need to go during the week at some point during the month to make up the day you miss.
The summer after you graduate from high school you would go to advanced training, then be expected to train with your unit one weekend a month and two weeks in the summer.
If you get accepted to an academy your academy "trumps" your enlisted commitment. If you subsequently drop out, you go back to the Guard/Reserves.
I'm not 100% positive, but I think if you get an ROTC scholarship same thing. I was actually in the National Guard while in ROTC. When I was commissioned active duty it trumped my National Guard service.
Having prior service is looked at favorably in the admissions process, though not a guarantee.
Also view my thread on the issues my daughter had getting orders assigning her to West Point (she is active duty). I've heard Guard/Reserve soldiers are having the same issue. Guard/Reserve units don't see this often.
Finally, if you are in high school and your Guard/Resrve unit is mobilized for deployment you will NOT go with them. You must first finish high school then advanced training before you can be deployed.

 

[davejean90]

Be careful with this. To get a National Guard or Reserve Nomination you need a commander's endorsement. You may not be eligible for an endorsement until you complete all training requirements. Also your commander at your drill unit may be reluctant to sign an endorsement until you have been in the unit for a while, so you may not get the nomination in time to compete during your senior year of high school. Now if you are willing to wait for an appointment a year after high school graduation then your strategy may put you in a better position for an appointment. This would give you time to show the commander that you are officer material. Also, NG nominations tend to be less competitive in terms of test scores.

 

[UHBlackhawk]

The above is correct.
However, you can still try for a congressional nomination. Being in the Guard/Reserve would most likely be viewed favorably.

 

[amc]

Yes.
Check with your recruiter, but normally you can join your junior year if you are 17. Tell him/her you are interested in the split training option.
You would spend the summer between your junior and senior year at basic training.
When you return, you would drill with your unit one weekend and month. Units will normally let you "split" a drill if you have sports and communicate with them. You would need to go during the week at some point during the month to make up the day you miss.
The summer after you graduate from high school you would go to advanced training, then be expected to train with your unit one weekend a month and two weeks in the summer.
If you get accepted to an academy your academy "trumps" your enlisted commitment. If you subsequently drop out, you go back to the Guard/Reserves.
I'm not 100% positive, but I think if you get an ROTC scholarship same thing. I was actually in the National Guard while in ROTC. When I was commissioned active duty it trumped my National Guard service.
Having prior service is looked at favorably in the admissions process, though not a guarantee.
Also view my thread on the issues my daughter had getting orders assigning her to West Point (she is active duty). I've heard Guard/Reserve soldiers are having the same issue. Guard/Reserve units don't see this often.
Finally, if you are in high school and your Guard/Resrve unit is mobilized for deployment you will NOT go with them. You must first finish high school then advanced training before you can be deployed.

Thank you for this information. Going to one of the service academies is my dream. I'm just trying to use all the resources I have to better prepare myself and to receive a nomination. Have a great day!

 

[UHBlackhawk]

BTW, if you are thinking of doing this do not think you can walk into a recruiter 1 June after your junior year and go off to basic training the next day. You would probably need to talk to a recruiter December prior to the summer.

 

[amc]

BTW, if you are thinking of doing this do not think you can walk into a recruiter 1 June after your junior year and go off to basic training the next day. You would probably need to talk to a recruiter December prior to the summer.

Thanks