Rogue22

Hello.

I am currently enlisted in the Army National Guard as a Military Police Officer. I have been in for almost 2 years now, and a few days from my E4. I'm currently in deployment training for Afghanistan, which I will be leaving for in less than a month. I was a college student while being enlisted in the ANG, and got pretty far behind with basic trainin, AIT, and now this deployment. I was thinking about going officer once I got back, but didn't know which was the best way to go?

I had talked to ROTC officers before at Universities I wanted to attend, as well as the admin officers at West Point. Do Prior service have the opportunity to finish out their contracts at West Point? I kind of enjoy the college life, but never really minded active military either (minus the bull **** of being a private). I don't think I want to go active, or be a lifer, my main goal in life is to get into the FBI, and I feel being a Commissioned Officer would be much more of a life experience than staying in the 'grunt' work of the enlisted.

I still want to participate in clubs and sports, but really would like some guidance on what's the best choice, even though most of it is personal oppinion.

I was a straight A student, with limited B's, in HS, and straight A's for my 2 semesters of college at a local community college (not saying much I know but I move a lot, so I don't meet university time limes very well), but despite my good grades, pretty much bombed my SAT's. I graduated as top gun and warrior hall of fame from basic/AIT ( I was osut - one station unit training). Then 2 months into my first unit in CT I was up against an e4, as an e2 for soldier of the year.

I don't want to be mislead thinking I have a chance at West point if I don't, but I also don't want to settle for ROTC if there's better? I just need some guidance.

PS: I'm a female.

Thank you in advance.

DolCi

Well, once you graduate from West Point or ROTC you are to serve 5 years active duty, plus 3 years in the reserve. This is mandatory, no way around it. You don't get credit for time served while at USMA. If you're main goal is to be in the FBI, then you might consider going to a civilian school and getting a higher degree as a civilian once your enlistment is up. ROTC and the USMA are there to train cadets to become US Officers, not FBI agents. That's not to say down the road you could seek another career, but it sounds that your main goal is to become an FBI agent and by going the USMA or ROTC route that tacks on 12 years minimum to achieving your goal. Keep in mind I'm a high school student and I could be wrong, but from what I've gathered over researching both ROTC and the USMA that is what you are looking at. Stay safe in A-stain and get back safe, best of luck!

Rogue22

I've done my share of reseach as well, and ROTC actually ends your current enlistment once you sign on as a commissioned officer, and you can take up a NG slot or reserve, or Active duty. All depending on the fine print in your contract. As far as West Point, I'm not too sure with them, but I believe reserve or Guard is an option as well, most likely not. And just because my goal is FBI, doens't mean CID (Central Intelligence Division) or QRF (Quick Reaction Force) isn't the thrill I was REALLY look for.

usmagrad01

Your enlisted contract won't carry over regardless of your commissioning source (it will be voided). If you want to go the USMA route you will owe the most time, but you will most likely get a superior education, and you will also have superior opportunities (branch/post choices, summer training, etc). Your best bet as prior enlisted applying to USMA is to attend the prep school, which gives you another year to prepare and earn salary at your current rank. You will need an endorsement from your company commander, just like any commissioning recommendation. The instructions are on the website.

Attending USMA will help you join the FBI eventually; the FBI actively recruits USMA grads.

JustAMomOf4

^^^^
good advice - I would suggest you visit this website:
USMA Admissions: Soldiers

Some soldiers do a year at the prep school and others are admitted directly - admissions makes this decision on your academic background (courses, grade and SAT's)

Rogue22

Thank you very much for the advice usmagrad01. Did you attend west point? A lot of other threads i was reading about west point vs rotc made it clear that a somewhat normal/fun college life was not attainable at west point. is it just like basic training all over over again? or more active duty status?

Antimod

There's this documentary called Surviving West Point by National Geographic. You might be able to find copies at your local library. I'd recommend you watch it so you have a good idea of what you're up against if you get accepted.

mrgreenapple

Rogue22, your contract "counts down" while you're at west point. If you quit with 12 months or less on your contract then WP has the option of just cutting you free or sending you back to your unit. If the time runs out before the start of your junior year then you have the option of staying or leaving.

There is a 5 year mandatory active duty commitment, and 3 years IRR (which your time in will already count against). I don't know if everyone quite understands what IRR is but its not the same thing as the Reserves. You don't do your one weekend a month stuff. You're just on a list. From what I understand, all initial military contracts are 8 years. Mine was 4 active duty with 4 IRR. IRR time starts counting down the second you signed your enlistment contract

USMA or ROTC. Each person wants something different out of college. I think you can gather that USMA life isn't normal college life so things specific to you is the fact that youre going to be treated like an E-ioweyouone for the first year. You're not going to have money. And you're not going to have any time. The benefits are that you're going to have a lot closer friends, know more officers when you get into the army, be able to attend military schools in the summer easier, and get a much better overall education than most other schools.

Ann

Rogue22 - if anyone has a good perspective it is mrgreenapple (who was prior enlisted before entering WP).

wpmom2011

Rogue22 -

You're right about cadets not having the "somewhat normal/fun college life," especially if you're referring to partying every night, staying out all night, not studying and still passing, not going to class, etc.

But, don't think that cadets don't have fun. They are young adults and they will "find" fun or create fun. (Check out all the videos on YouTube, for instance.) If you read prior postings you'll run across some of the shenanigans that have been pulled over the years.

One of my main concerns was that WP is this structured, rigid place and that my daughter would feel smothered by the discipline and not have any fun. I didn't need to worry. She loves it and has told me that she's decided that she's going to accept getting lower grades, so that she can "enjoy" her time at WP. (Not what this mom wanted to hear, but....)

The opportunities that WP offers the cadets are second to none. Where else can you go "play in tanks for summer camp"?

Go Army!!! Beat Navy!!!

usmagrad01

I stand corrected- here is the answer from the website FAQ:

Q: What happens to my current service obligation?
Soldiers admitted to West Point are exempted their prior service obligations when they graduate. Those who do not graduate may be required to serve the remainder of their commitment left when they reported to West Point.

Rouge22- yes, I am a graduate and I will be instructing at USMA in two years after I finish grad school. As to your question, the first year or so will seem like basic training, and you will have yet another basic training if you choose the prep school route (your best bet). The advantage for you is that you will be far superior in basic military bearing, warrior tasks, all the 10 level skills. The disadvantage is that you will have to swollow your pride and take orders from cadets who are in some cases younger and know less about the military than you do. Is West Point "fun?" Definitely not. Most graduates, myself included, agree that West Point is the antithesis of the normal college experience. However, that doesn't mean that you won't have fun, or that it won't be worth it. It depends on what you want to get out of college. If you're planning to maximize the experience and best prepare for life as an Army officer, then USMA is uparalleled. If, however, you are the type who will lament not being able to party, not drinking as an underclassman, not having the autonomy to do what you want when you want to, or not having an abundance of free time... well, then I would go elsewhere. I do not regret attending USMA at all, but I certainly did not have fun most of the time. My firstie year was the only time that I really enjoyed the aggregate experience; I was taking classes that I enjoyed, I had a less encompassing leadership job than in prior years, and I spent my spare time earning a pilot's license on the weekends.

Rogue22

USMAGRAD01:

Thank you very much for all your input, man I though I'd never have to suffer Basic Training again! Minus the fact that I'd always wanted to be Drill SGT. I definitely would want the opportunity to expand my educational skills as well as my leadership abilities, even if it means the sacrifice of not having a 'normal' college experience. Don't get me wrong, I still want to be involved in clubs and sports, but the partying everynight, I don't do anyways, so I'd survive. lol

How exactly does the MOS issue work out? I know the Officer Corp has Branches you fall into, so would I be able to choose my Branch, or will they throw me where ever they need a new butterbar?

mrgreenapple

Post and Branch choice based on your class rank.