The Unofficial SMART Scholarship Forum

Has anyone joined reserves while fulfilling their time for their SF? How does that work? When did you have time to go do training for that?

I wouldn't recommend trying to join the reserves or guard of any kind while you're doing your time commitment because you have 8-12 weeks of training (depending on branch and whether you do enlisted or officer route) AND you always have the risk of being called to active duty. There is ALWAYS the risk. Because of this, there is a chance that you will be unable to finish your service requirement for SMART and cause issues (and potentially have to repay all the money you've been given). I would wait till you are done with your time commitment to join the military (I'm also looking into joining the CG as an officer after my time at my SF). Best of luck!

IamSMRT wrote:I wouldn't recommend trying to join the reserves or guard of any kind while you're doing your time commitment because you have 8-12 weeks of training (depending on branch and whether you do enlisted or officer route) AND you always have the risk of being called to active duty. There is ALWAYS the risk. Because of this, there is a chance that you will be unable to finish your service requirement for SMART and cause issues (and potentially have to repay all the money you've been given). I would wait till you are done with your time commitment to join the military (I'm also looking into joining the CG as an officer after my time at my SF). Best of luck!

Yeah I was thinking that but it is required by law that they hold your job for up to 60 months if you have to leave for military duty and treat you like you were never gone when you return. I am not sure if that counts for initial training too or just being called into active duty. Also, I am looking to join CG as an officer as well

Yeah I was thinking that but it is required by law that they hold your job for up to 60 months if you have to leave for military duty and treat you like you were never gone when you return. I am not sure if that counts for initial training too or just being called into active duty. Also, I am looking to join CG as an officer as well :D

I'm fairly certain that only applies to being deployed and for drill. Initial joining and training is treated as quitting to go do another job. Might just be best to wait and finish your time with SMART. I'm sure recruitment is a lengthy process anyways so it's likely something you can start on around 6 months prior to your contract with SMART being up.

IamSMRT wrote:

Yeah I was thinking that but it is required by law that they hold your job for up to 60 months if you have to leave for military duty and treat you like you were never gone when you return. I am not sure if that counts for initial training too or just being called into active duty. Also, I am looking to join CG as an officer as well

I'm fairly certain that only applies to being deployed and for drill. Initial joining and training is treated as quitting to go do another job. Might just be best to wait and finish your time with SMART. I'm sure recruitment is a lengthy process anyways so it's likely something you can start on around 6 months prior to your contract with SMART being up.

So during my onboarding call with the Army coordinator, he went to get his supervisor because he wasn't sure. The supervisor said legally we are allowed to do this and it will be excused. However, not every sponsoring facility will appreciate this. She said it would be best to have a discussion with the sponsoring facility about this.