State OCS questions

[bosco81]

I'm currently in the guard and ETS in 2010. I'm being hounded a bit by my CO and other officers to attend the state's OCS program (NJ) since I qualify. At first I wrote it off because i wasn't keen on the idea of being an officer. However, I've recently been looking into it and I might consider it as a viable option.

Now, what little I know about the program is that it's roughly 18 months long from the start until commissioning; I'd drill with a separate training unit; I'll be paid as an E6; and upon commissioning, I'd sign a 6 year contract.

A couple questions:
- Do you get a choice of branch? As I understand the active side, it's more of a best/first come/first served deal. Is that how it works in the Guard?
- If I decided, say 6 months in to the program, that I don't think being an officer is something I want to do, do I revert back to my original MOS and obligation with an ETS in 2010, or is the contract extended by 6 years from the date of signing on to the OCS program?
- Do states recognize other states' OCS programs in the event of an interstate transfer?

Thanks in advance.

[matthew.ritchie]

Excellent questions! Many OCS applicants don't think through all the medium-to-long-term issues, and I'm glad you have.
1. There's more back-and-forth on the branching. Traditionally you get three choices, but ultimately your assignment is based on the needs of the force. Your state can't give you what they don't have. If you want to shoot MLRS, and your state has no artillery, then obviously that's not about to happen. You may also find that an assignment in your first choice is available, but at an armory six hours away. You may prefer your second choice at a much more convenient location. Have a quick conversation with your state's Officer Strength Manager to give you odds. If you like, you can tell me your state and your top three, and I'll give you odds. Be advised that force structure can change, and also your own preferences may change.
2. If you leave OCS, you go back to your old unit/MOS and ETS date.
3. All state OCS programs are federally certified, so a gold bar in South Dakota means the same thing as a gold bar in Guam.

[bosco81]

Thank you very much for the information, sir.
If you like, you can tell me your state and your top three, and I'll give you odds.
I'm in NJ and would very much like to join the MI unit that is being put together and should be available this time next year (or so I'm told). Incidentally, sir, do you have any information regarding that unit's location, size, contact info, etc?

However, honestly the only other branch i'd really consider is infantry or ideally Civil Affairs. Which brings me to this question: I don't suppose a Guard OCS commission would be 'transferrable' to the Army Reserves, would it?

again, thanks for your assistance, sir.

[bosco81]

also, aviation is an option as well. Though, I'm not so sure I qualify since my eyes are pretty bad and I only have red/green distinguishability (vs normal color vision).

[ccr]

Maj. Ritchie, could you tell me what the chances are for becoming an officer in 31B in NJ?

Also, if one becomes an officer then moves to another state I know they keep the rank but do would they be asked to switch to a different MOS if that state didn't need them in their current MOS?

One more somewhat unrelated question: does the Guard have some provision for members who are outside of the country? If a member who was a student was going to study abroad or had a job that required them to be out of the country for a significant amount of time for example.

Thanks.

[matthew.ritchie]

Maj. Ritchie, could you tell me what the chances are for becoming an officer in 31B in NJ?

Also, if one becomes an officer then moves to another state I know they keep the rank but do would they be asked to switch to a different MOS if that state didn't need them in their current MOS?

One more somewhat unrelated question: does the Guard have some provision for members who are outside of the country? If a member who was a student was going to study abroad or had a job that required them to be out of the country for a significant amount of time for example.

Thanks.

1. It looks like NJ has plenty of room in the junior officer ranks of MP branch. I think you have a good chance.
2. If you move to a new state, you may find that the nearest slot in your branch is many hours away. Whether you change fields, or drive many hours, or risk never getting promoted, that's all part of your decision process.
3. Your command can put your career on pause for a period of time by transfering you to the Inactive National Guard (ING). You get no pay, no benefits, no time towards your service obligation, and you are still subject to mobilization if your unit gets called.

[matthew.ritchie]

Thank you very much for the information, sir.
I'm in NJ and would very much like to join the MI unit that is being put together and should be available this time next year (or so I'm told). Incidentally, sir, do you have any information regarding that unit's location, size, contact info, etc?

However, honestly the only other branch i'd really consider is infantry or ideally Civil Affairs. Which brings me to this question: I don't suppose a Guard OCS commission would be 'transferrable' to the Army Reserves, would it?

again, thanks for your assistance, sir.

For this level of granularity, you really need to work directly with the Officer Strength Manager in NJ. Any local recruiter can hook you up. http://www.1800goguard.com/car/index.php

Once you have completed your ARNG service obligation, you are welcome to continue your service in the USAR.

BTW, Civil Affairs is a non-accession branch (you can only join after you're already qualified in something else), and the number of slots is miniscule, so that's not a realistic option right now.

[ccr]

Thank you.