i want to join the NG really really bad and im only 16 but when im 17 i really want to join. but i also want to to do ROTC in college and hopefully get into Flight School afterwards, is there a way i can join at 17 and not get deployed? i dont mind if i get deployed but i just want to finish college first. i know about the Split option program but you can get deployed after 2 years of college. so should i just wait and go to college first? i really want to join now though. Thanks, Matt

oh and can i join while im still in highschool?

Yes, you can join at 17 and in HS.

The guard is not a bad deal if you have a plan.

It sounds like your plan is college and flight school, which the guard should be able to help you with that.

In my opinion, it would be better to sign up after HS then do the split option. I did split and regretted it. Just finish HS, go to Basic and AIT, then come home and tackle college. The guard can help you pay for college while you drill as an enlisted soldier.

Once you have accumulated enough college credit you can submit a flight packet and try for flight school. A couple Joes in my unit just tried out for it, only one made it. Apparently it's difficult. Point is, make sure you have a Plan B, and can live with it, should Flight school not work out.

I have heard the ROTC is quite lame as training goes, but if it pays the bills....

As soon as you complete AIT, you are deployable. :-)

quote:

Originally posted by XJay:
In my opinion, it would be better to sign up after HS then do the split option. I did split and regretted it. Just finish HS, go to Basic and AIT, then come home and tackle college. The guard can help you pay for college while you drill as an enlisted soldier.

Careful. Apply for an ROTC scholarship, or wait until your first year of college while enrolled in ROTC to go into the Guard. Otherwise, you will be deployable the moment you finish AIT. Once you are in ROTC as a contracted or scholarship cadet, you are nondeployable and can stay in the Guard under SMP.