Joining National Guard

[dwkfym]

Active duty is determined by order of merit.

So if you have a lot of merit, you have to go active duty? Or can you choose to go guard/reserves?

[DaTedBear]

The order of merit list would have a ranking of cadets in the program. With mission and budget constraints, not all are allowed to go active duty. Presently, only the top 12% per battalion are offered active duty positions, with final recommendation coming from brigade. The remainder are given reserve component posts, either ARNG or USAR. The order of merit is established based on academics, MS participation, extracurricular activities, APFT and cadre reports.