National Guard to West Point

[jfalk9]

I'm currently enlisted in the national guard as an 11B infantryman. I'm headed to basic in a few months as a split op candidate, and I'll be applying to West Point Class of '22. My recruiter told me there was a route to West Point specifically for National Guardsmen. Any insight or information?

 

[army2021]

It's not exactly a direct route, it just can help out. What it is is another path to get a Nomination to the Academy, which is helpful. On top of the extra path to a nomination, being in the service helps to set yourself apart from others. None of that matters if your Whole Candidate Score is still poor though, so you still need to strive academically and as a leader, and make sure you still get a good SAT/ACT score.

 

[USMA21]

There are 85 slots for active duty soldiers and 85 slots for reserve component each year to West Point. My older brother did not make admission the first year he applied to WP but he joined the National Guard and re-applied the following year and made it. Best of luck.

 

[jfalk9]

Very helpful! Thank you.

 

[MemberLG]

It's not exactly a direct route, it just can help out. What it is is another path to get a Nomination to the Academy, which is helpful. On top of the extra path to a nomination, being in the service helps to set yourself apart from others. None of that matters if your Whole Candidate Score is still poor though, so you still need to strive academically and as a leader, and make sure you still get a good SA

I disagree as there is a direct route for soldiers, both active, reserves, and NG. The service connected nomination, specifically soldier nomination means, they only compete against each other and they will be considered for the prep school. The prep school is about third recruits athletes, third soldiers, and third diversity candidates. If you looked at the minimum recommended scores for soldiers on the admissions website, a lot lower than the average accepted candidate scores. Of course, to get the soldier nomination, need to get your commander endorsement.

 

[jfalk9]

Thank you.

 

[thesword76]

There are 85 slots for active duty soldiers and 85 slots for reserve component each year to West Point. My older brother did not make admission the first year he applied to WP but he joined the National Guard and re-applied the following year and made it. Best of luck.

Hello, I know this post is over 2 years old now but I was wondering in your brother's case, was he able to go directly from the Guard to West Point or did he have to go to the West Point Preparatory School first?

 

[thesword76]

It's not exactly a direct route, it just can help out. What it is is another path to get a Nomination to the Academy, which is helpful. On top of the extra path to a nomination, being in the service helps to set yourself apart from others. None of that matters if your Whole Candidate Score is still poor though, so you still need to strive academically and as a leader, and make sure you still get a good SA

I disagree as there is a direct route for soldiers, both active, reserves, and NG. The service connected nomination, specifically soldier nomination means, they only compete against each other and they will be considered for the prep school. The prep school is about third recruits athletes, third soldiers, and third diversity candidates. If you looked at the minimum recommended scores for soldiers on the admissions website, a lot lower than the average accepted candidate scores. Of course, to get the soldier nomination, need to get your commander endorsement.

Hello, does that mean it would be possible for an enlisted soldier to go directly from enlisted to West Point or would they be required to go to the Prep School first? In my case, would an enlisted Guardsman in the Split Training Option during Senior year of High School be able to, if accepted, go directly into West Point at the end of his Senior year or would he have to spend a year at the Prep School first, even though he is a high schooler?
Thank you

 

[Walman888]

It's not exactly a direct route, it just can help out. What it is is another path to get a Nomination to the Academy, which is helpful. On top of the extra path to a nomination, being in the service helps to set yourself apart from others. None of that matters if your Whole Candidate Score is still poor though, so you still need to strive academically and as a leader, and make sure you still get a good SA

I disagree as there is a direct route for soldiers, both active, reserves, and NG. The service connected nomination, specifically soldier nomination means, they only compete against each other and they will be considered for the prep school. The prep school is about third recruits athletes, third soldiers, and third diversity candidates. If you looked at the minimum recommended scores for soldiers on the admissions website, a lot lower than the average accepted candidate scores. Of course, to get the soldier nomination, need to get your commander endorsement.

Hello, does that mean it would be possible for an enlisted soldier to go directly from enlisted to West Point or would they be required to go to the Prep School first? In my case, would an enlisted Guardsman in the Split Training Option during Senior year of High School be able to, if accepted, go directly into West Point at the end of his Senior year or would he have to spend a year at the Prep School first, even though he is a high schooler?
Thank you

Certainly possible! There will be others that will pop up here soon to confirm this.
Best of luck!

 

[thesword76]

It's not exactly a direct route, it just can help out. What it is is another path to get a Nomination to the Academy, which is helpful. On top of the extra path to a nomination, being in the service helps to set yourself apart from others. None of that matters if your Whole Candidate Score is still poor though, so you still need to strive academically and as a leader, and make sure you still get a good SA

I disagree as there is a direct route for soldiers, both active, reserves, and NG. The service connected nomination, specifically soldier nomination means, they only compete against each other and they will be considered for the prep school. The prep school is about third recruits athletes, third soldiers, and third diversity candidates. If you looked at the minimum recommended scores for soldiers on the admissions website, a lot lower than the average accepted candidate scores. Of course, to get the soldier nomination, need to get your commander endorsement.

Hello, does that mean it would be possible for an enlisted soldier to go directly from enlisted to West Point or would they be required to go to the Prep School first? In my case, would an enlisted Guardsman in the Split Training Option during Senior year of High School be able to, if accepted, go directly into West Point at the end of his Senior year or would he have to spend a year at the Prep School first, even though he is a high schooler?
Thank you

Certainly possible! There will be others that will pop up here soon to confirm this.
Best of luck!

Thank you, Sir! Appreciate the information.