<p>Anyone with experience enlisting and then going to WP? Esp. National Guard.</p>
<p>I was NG and went to the Academy. Are you already enlisted or thinking about enlisting to gain the nomination? If you're already enlisted, you need to get your company commander to do a nomination for you, there's a DA form, not sure which one, and that will count as your nomination. If you're thinking about enlisting to get in, I would just advise you be make sure that's what you really want. I did it back in 2000, when the war wasnt going on. I found it to be an enormously valuable experience in many ways. First, I learned the basics of soldiering and discipline, and trust me, the Ft. Benning School for Boys does it in a much more traumatic manner than Beast does. More importantly, I learned a good deal about what enlisted soldiers have to go to prior to becoming an officer, which is something I think that many Cadets that go straight from High School never get. Overall, it was a very valuable experience for me, and I'm very glad I did it. That being said, understand that if you enlist and then dont get into WP, you're still enlisted, most likely for 6 years, and you're not getting out. You're more than likely to deploy at least once, which will severely hinder your chances to go to college on your own time, even in the Guard. Being enlisted is much, much, much different than being a Cadet, and you cant just quit and get out of it. This is a very important decision, and I dont mean to talk you out of it, but just make sure that you're willing to be in the Army for the long haul, putting your own college ambitions on the side, if WP doesnt work out for you. I'd be more than happy to fill you in with any more information.</p>
<p>Thank you for the response ScreamingEagle. I am currently a college student. I am slated to leave for Infantry OSUT at Benning on Feb. 11. I enlisted under the College First option. I have already submitted my application to West Point. Admissions officers at WP informed me that if I am accepted for this summer that will override my National Guard obligation. If I am not accepted I plan to return to my University and join their ROTC unit. From there I will reapply as a Guardsman. If I am not successful through that route, I will finish my studies and earn a commission through ROTC. As far as applying as a Guardsman did you find the process easy? Were your commanding officers supportive and helpful? How long did it take to hear from West Point? Any other info would be greatly appreciated and thank you for serving!</p>
<p>My course was somewhat unique in that, when applying through the guard, I still had a Congressional nomination, and ended up going to NMMI for a year on an AOG prep scholarship. Overall my commander was supportive, he really didnt care that much, just had to sign off on the paper, I dont think they'd had anyone do it in my company ever. It was a really easy process though, from the time I enlisted my recruiter knew I wanted to do it that way, so when I got back from basic I just met with the commander, he asked me a bunch of quiestions making sure I knew what being an officer was about and that I really wanted to do it, and that was about it. Are you aware that ROTC is also a nominating source? I'm about 90% sure that was the nomination that got me in as I did ROTC at NMMI. I had a classmate who was a junior in ROTC and applied to USMA through ROTC and got in, so you have that going for you too. I found out in Feb that I'd gotten in. Its also a source that hardly ever gets used, so there are plenty of slots for it, or at least for the c/o 2006 there were. And you are correct that if you are accepted that will get you out of your commitment. Same goes if you contract in ROTC, but you can of course stay in the guard as a cadet in the SDP program so you keep getting that experience.</p>
<p>There are 85 cadet vacancies per year for enlisted soldiers of the regular army These are never filled. There are also 85 cadet vacancies per year for enlisted soldiers of the reserve components. It is my understanding that these are filled each year, mainly from the prep school and split option.</p>
<p>ScreamingEagle- Did you find that you became closer with people that were a little older than most and did not come right out of high school or did everyone mesh well? Also, did you choose to spend a year at NMMI or was that there recommendation?</p>
<p>Ann- Any word why the reserve components fill their spots? I am assuming because a lot of college kids decide to join reserves or guard.</p>
<p>"Any word why the reserve components fill their spots? I am assuming because a lot of college kids decide to join reserves or guard."</p>
<p>I believe they are filled mainly from the prep school (USMAPS) and split option. This link may be helpful: </p>
<p>USMAPS</a> - ADMISSIONS - FAQ</p>
<p>Are the Cadet Candidates entitled to a Service Connected Nomination?
Yes, Cadet Candidates enrolled at USMAPS are required to be enlisted in the United States Army (Regular Army Soldier) or United States Army Reserves as a Reserve Soldier or Invitational Reservist (if entering USMAPS from civilian status). National Guard Soldiers are honorably discharged from the Army National Guard. Upon entering USMAPS, National Guard Soldiers become Invitational Reservists. This category for a Service Connected Nomination is designated REGULAR ARMY AND RESERVE COMPONENTS. The military designation at USMAPS entitles the Cadet Candidates to a Service Connected Nomination while they are enrolled at USMAPS as an enlisted Soldier. The Company Tactical Officer will submit a Commander's Endorsement to qualified Soldiers authorizing the nomination.</p>
<p>Sorry, Ann, I completely missed that part of your post. I am going to contact the officer they listed as in charge of putting enlisted soldiers into WP. Do you have any experience with a son/daughter going enlisted or USMAPS to WP?</p>
<p>No problem - the admissions process can be complex - the more questions you ask the better :). I do not have experience with a son or daughter going USMAPS or enlisted. You will find WP admissions very helpful. Good luck!</p>
<p>Our son was a prepster, what do you want to know about it?</p>
<p>Did they tell your son what criteria he met to be able to be sent to the prep school?</p>
<p>Nope. Our son decided VERY late in his Senior Year of HS that he wanted to pursue West Point. He didn't begin the process until January 5th. That might have played a part. His SAT scores were fine, his GPA ok, and the other elements were there. It might simply have been because of being so late the slots available were gone, but they had USMAPS as a possibility. They will tell you that they use USMAPS mainly for the athletes and that is partly true. It gives them another year of maturing both physically as well as academically, to give them the best chance at making it through four years at the Academy. As for prior service or RA (regular Army) there was probably a third of the class that were enlisted soldiers. Upon graduation, a couple of them went to USAFA rather than USMA, if I remember correctly, and a couple of them got out of the Army altogether, using USMAPS as their last year of their tour, to then go onto a state university.</p>
<p>I had a tight tie with those I went to NMMI with because I knew them for a year before going to USMA, but other than that, the bond was about the same, it gets forged in beast no matter what</p>
<p>c_odonnell, I spent a little while enlisted before coming to West Point. If you're looking for a better chance of getting in here then it will help, but if you're looking for the experience and knowledge of being enlisted then you're probably not going to get it in a few months. If you're doing fine in College then there shouldn't be any reason to go to the Prep school. Just remember your grades count, even the semester leading into Beast.</p>
<p>Mrgreenapple welcome back!! I would love your hear your feedback on your West Point experience. I hope all is well.</p>
<p>Oh it's been quite an experience... Soon I'll find some time and write it down. I'm glad I did it.</p>
<p>mrgreenapple: It's good to know you are glad you made the decision to attend USMA. I'm looking forward to hearing your thoughts. Thank you for coming back and helping the candidates on this board!</p>