Well, for better or worse, the deed is done.
DS' National Guard application is submitted, security clearance paperwork begun. There are 14 weeks and 3 days between end of spring semester and start of fall semester. BCT being 10 weeks, leaves 4 weeks for AIT (11B is 3 weeks, 3 days if they put him through the OSUT program - imagine that). His contract will say 09R, but I've given up telling him he doesn't qualify, being non-contracted, and while a recruiter can promise anything, failure to qualify for said MOS results in "the needs of the Army" taking priority. Being in SW VA, he'd likely do Ft. Benning or Ft. Jackson.
DS ensures me ROO knows about this (was ROO who gave him the app), and that he is not the only one doing it. There are also enlisted National Guardsmen in his ROTC unit as MSIs.
Not sure whether to buy his ROO an Ice-T, or invite him on a hunting trip at this point.
Positives (as I see them):
- He won't miss any school.
- Having completed BCT and AIT, he'll be eligible for tuition assistance ($4K national, and $7K state per fiscal year) which just about covers 100% of his annual tuition.
- His monthly drill pay (even as a PFC) will be more than the little part time job he has now, so he can quit that and focus on studies.
- He can continue with ROTC in his Sophomore year, and hopefully contract at the end.
- He would continue to be eligible for a 3 or 2 year ROTC scholarship (I think).
- Common soldiering skills are always a good thing to have, no matter where you land in the military.
- There is a Guard base within 50 miles, and most likely there are one or two 11B slots. Traveling to drill weekends shouldn't be bad.
Negatives (as I see them):
- He will be a National Guardsman, deployable to BFE, Washington D.C., riots at more liberal schools, or any other mess we get into. Impact to college could occur.
- No idea how this may impact his chances at SMP.
- Others??
Thoughts?
