anyone in the Ca National guard?

[Sikvenum93]

So after A LOT of general research I came across this peculiar contract called 09s which allows you to enlist with a guaranteed chance for OCS.http://www.part-time-commander.com/0...ational-guard/

Has anyone done this program? Has anyone even heard of this program being offered in CA? Before you say, head over to the National Guard forums, I posted this question and that forum is dead. I also asked a Natl guard recruiting and he dodged my question insisting I should enlist(not against enlisting at all I just want to know more about this program).

For a more general question most people can answer, is it a good idea to join a reserve force without any active duty exp? I'm thinking of doing service while going to grad school.(sorry I'm indecisive) or should I just forget all this crap and go active duty?

[msternin]

09S is the MOS code for officer candidate. you will still attend basic combat training and must pass. you will then move into a pre-officer program that prepares you for ocs. depending on certain circumstances you could either go to federal ocs at ft benning, state traditional ocs, or state accelerated ocs. last I heard federal ocs was 12 weeks, traditional is 18 months where you do a 2 week phase 1 course, weekend drills once a month for 16 month then another 2 weeks final phase. accelerated is 8 weeks Monday through Sunday in either Alabama or South Dakota.

after that you'll comission as an 01 second lieutenant. within 18 months you'll need to complete the regular army BOLC basic officer leader course for your MOS. which will be a minimum of 5-6 months maybe more. depends on MOS.

hope this helps

[msternin]

you can pm me if you want to chat more off line

[johnthomas]

http://www.nationalguard.com/careers/become-an-officer

[Tacit Blue]

Do yourself a favor and go Active Duty. Unless you like powerpoints, SHARP training, constantly playing catch up. If you go Guard try and get a active MOS and try to be assigned to a base like Los Alamitos. Armories can be hit or miss.

[msternin]

Do yourself a favor and go Active Duty. Unless you like powerpoints, SHARP training, constantly playing catch up. If you go Guard try and get a active MOS and try to be assigned to a base like Los Alamitos. Armories can be hit or miss.

what are you talking about? you don't think you have to do admin stuff in active duty? guard or active, if you're not in combat arms you'll typically spend more time in garrison than in the field.

an "active MOS" at Los al??? huh??? those service members are either AGR (active guard reserve), state active duty, title 10, ados, technicians, etc... some might even be regular MDAY Soldiers making up a drill (SUTA). there's no such thing as an active duty MOS versus a guard MOS. Los al versus an armory. they're all army MOSs. the guard offers most of the same MOSs as does active duty to include 18 series (special forces).

under most circumstances guardsmen go to the same active duty AIT school with their active counter parts. they generaly all go to the same BCT or OSUT (both initial entry training) the guard does have it's own training system that is governed by TRADOC and proponent school houses, which active will even use from time to time.

[Tacit Blue]

Active MOS meaning one that has higer tempo. If your S-1 doing admin stuff around base ( if that's your cup of tea) you won't be doing as much compared to 88Ms or 31, or 11 series MOS. Look, you're only really out in the field during summer AT and ranges. Otherewise like I said you'll be doing BN wide training for your MOS. I know what SUTAs and AGR is.

Must be a recruiter?

[msternin]

Must be a recruiter?

Nope not a recruiter. In fact I'm 11A and prior enlisted 11B and 88M.

You are correct that combat arms MOSs will have a higher op-tempo than non-combat arms MOSs.

Your weekend drills, as well as AT, ODT, NTC etc..., are what you make of them. Administrative "stuff", although not my favorite either, is still necessary. Without it individual and unit readiness would be impacted.

I'm certainly not trying to imply or express that a Soldier would be unprepared for hazardous duty deployment not having been through suicide prevention or sexual harassment training, but those are REAL issues throughout the military and ALL service members need to be educated and made aware, at some point, of these things and the resources available to them.

[Tacit Blue]

Don't me wrong. I had some cool SAD assignments, I did OPFOR at Camp SLO few times. Hell, I still got a scar on my arms from the sim rounds. That's the kinda of training I like, being out in the field. I'm on the enlisted side. Camp SLO is where they have OCS for the Guard and MP school.

I have a buddy who is in ROTC and is commissioning as an LT next year. Despite this, I still give him crap for his cadet " dot" or rank on his ACU's. OP, find a MOS that will be beneficial to your career after the military and do a MOS that is active, at least where you get to go out in the field and practice your skillset.

[msternin]

That's the key point is to find something within the MOS structure that interests you.

[mikenewgun87]

No one likes a tampon...

[Sikvenum93]

No one likes a tampon...

especially yours

[Tacit Blue]

^
I thought those were OD green bore brushes?

[MRX9989]

I enlisted in the California National Guard as an 09S back in 2008. It is a good way to earn a commission if you already have a college degree. You will have the option of enrolling into the 18 month weekend/traditional program or the 8 week "accelerated" program. I completed the traditional program while working as a full time civilian. It was a very taxing, draining, and rewarding experience. If you are in a relationship or are married, ensure that it is strong.

As an officer in the National Guard you will be expected to devote several hours a week to Army business in addition to your inactive duty training and annual training. Without prior experience you will be behind the power curve but it is certainly possible to be a successful lieutenant by putting in extra time and soaking in knowledge via OJT.

You will get a wider experience as an active duty lieutenant so you may want to consider that option as well. Keep in mind the Army will be telling you where you'll be living...and it probably won't be anywhere nice.

A combat tour is a possibility but not terribly likely given the current operational tempo. More than likely you will serve as part of a rotational force to Europe, Korea, Kuwait, Fort Irwin, or Fort Polk.

[Sikvenum93]

I enlisted in the California National Guard as an 09S back in 2008. It is a good way to earn a commission if you already have a college degree. You will have the option of enrolling into the 18 month weekend/traditional program or the 8 week "accelerated" program. I completed the traditional program while working as a full time civilian. It was a very taxing, draining, and rewarding experience. If you are in a relationship or are married, ensure that it is strong.

As an officer in the National Guard you will be expected to devote several hours a week to Army business in addition to your inactive duty training and annual training. Without prior experience you will be behind the power curve but it is certainly possible to be a successful lieutenant by putting in extra time and soaking in knowledge via OJT.

You will get a wider experience as an active duty lieutenant so you may want to consider that option as well. Keep in mind the Army will be telling you where you'll be living...and it probably won't be anywhere nice.

A combat tour is a possibility but not terribly likely given the current operational tempo. More than likely you will serve as part of a rotational force to Europe, Korea, Kuwait, Fort Irwin, or Fort Polk.

Was federal ocs not an option? Traditional sounds like torture tbh. Getting yelled at every weekend for over a year. Im not saying i wouldnt do it or that im not up for the challenge. Id just prefer Federal ocs at 14 weeks. Im 21 and single so i have lots of freedom.

I was originally thinking about active but then i decided i wanted to go to grad school. afaik active army doesnt have 09s either. i just want to get service out of the way now while im still young