My 17 yr old son, currently a junior, wants to join under the split DEP and do his basic at Ft Jackson this summer between his junior and senior year of high school. I am looking for other parents that have allowed this and/or recruits that can give me some pros and cons. His father is an Vietnam-Army veteran and I am a veteran of the Air Force and we both still work civil service for the AF so we are familar with the military. However, looking for some advise. Thanks.

This might be of no use because of how long ago this was posted but...here it goes. I have been in the army two years and i did the Split op program.It has alot of Pros and Cons. The Pros are....you get to split up your training meaning that your son wont be away for as long as if he went straight through. As far as being in high school still he will have a year off his contract after he finishes basic and waits for AIT. I have two years of army services but have been out of high school less then a year. I also got promoted pretty face. From e-1 to E-4 in two years. The Cons are...He wont get his bonus till after AIT, If he wants to transfer to active duty later on it will take forever. Also the break between basic and AIT while he finishes up school he might get out of shape and will have to start all over again and the PT in AIT is alot more extreme. Over all it is pretty much based on what your son wants to get out of his army career. If he wants to stay reserve or national guard then split op is a good way to go. But if active duty is what he wants then i would wait till after high school. I hope this helps...if you need any more info on Split op or the reserves just let me know...ill do my best to answer any questions.
-SPC.Ladd-