Posted on Feb 29, 2024
What would you advise for a veteran who is working full time and attending graduate school, but also wants to join the Reserves or NG?
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Hello all, Im reaching out for some advice. Currently, Im a full time Firefighter and love my job. It’s truly a passion of mine along with school. Recently I graduated with a bachelors in business. I have just gotten accepted into an MBA program at the same university. I was thinking recently of rejoining the military in a reserve/national guard capacity to maybe reach a pension and the health insurance benefits, along with maybe having something interesting to do on the weekends. The only way I would rejoin is as an officer as I am allowed to attend ROTC while doing my masters. Do you guys think I should just go all in with my career and stick with that and the reserves is more of a hindrance or is it a good idea to continue my service in a part time status? Thank you and any advice is appreciated!
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Army ROTC
Infantry
Posted 9 mo ago
Responses: 11
Suspended Profile
You have a fulfilling job and your life to this point has taken you to an MBA program. Ask yourself, where do you want that MBA to take you next? I'm sure you've thought about that and that you know why you want that MBA. A MBA program requires a significant commitment of time, effort, and focus. If you're already working full-time and attending graduate school for an MBA, it's crucial (IMO) to prioritize your academic pursuits. Adding military service on top of these commitments only makes sense if you are willing to drop out of the MBA program (and delay it until feasible to pursue) to fulfill military OPTEMPO requirements if called up by the state or federal gov't.
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Thanks for the advice col. I appreciate it
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Maj Raymond Murphy
I concur with Col Ruder's comment. You are fully committed time-wise already. I finished my MBA after retirement and a lot of the time spent was separating the meat from the bone. Likewise, TIME is also required to follow a Reserve/Guard path. Do one thing and put your efforts there. Ray Murphy, Major, USAF Ret.
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Don't. You have a job and school already on your plate. At least finish school first.
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SSG Norbert Johnson
I completed School, had a job, joined the Reserved (NG) all at the same time. It all depends on the individual. You don't need an education to get a Job, you need an education to progress in that job. with that in mind, why not continue that job while preparing for a future assignment as a Career Officer. Are you aware that in many cases you can get administrative level employment with Federal Civil Service without any college, just experience. That is the real world of today. Many "Jobs" tout Retirement, but many employers go bankrupt. Look for the sustained guarantee of Retirement via the Military/military reserves/National Guard. Why loose 3 to 4 years while completing College when you can do both at the same time? Some Colleges and Universities grant Credits for ROTC and separately, MOS Training combined with years of experience. Are you aware of that?
My JST Transcript was accepted at Liberty University with a grant of 100 Semester credits. That means that I only needed 30 more semester hours to graduate... 2 Semesters to gain a Bachelors Degree.
My JST Transcript was accepted at Liberty University with a grant of 100 Semester credits. That means that I only needed 30 more semester hours to graduate... 2 Semesters to gain a Bachelors Degree.
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Whether it's right for you is up to you. I will point out an additional path. National Guard offers a "tradtional" Guard OCS program which consists of pre-OCS drills, an active Annual Training, the following year of drills at OCS, then a final AT and Commission. Usually takes about 16 months total. That schedule should work around your school also. They used to pay Candidates at E-6 to make up for the extra travel and expenses.
TAC Officers are not Drill Sergeants. I had the utmost respect for my OSUT drills, I still don't like TAC Officers.
Being an Officer in the Guard or Reserve isn't two weeks a year and one weekend a month. I averages about 100 days a year, but I did more that was actually required.
Whether you commission OCS or ROTC, you will have to complete an Active Duty Basic Leadership course for your branch. I would say about 20 weeks long as an average.
Only two advantages of being a Guard Officer. You can be Combat Arms in the Guard and you usually have better control of your Branch assignment.
TAC Officers are not Drill Sergeants. I had the utmost respect for my OSUT drills, I still don't like TAC Officers.
Being an Officer in the Guard or Reserve isn't two weeks a year and one weekend a month. I averages about 100 days a year, but I did more that was actually required.
Whether you commission OCS or ROTC, you will have to complete an Active Duty Basic Leadership course for your branch. I would say about 20 weeks long as an average.
Only two advantages of being a Guard Officer. You can be Combat Arms in the Guard and you usually have better control of your Branch assignment.
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