The Show-Me GOLD Program at William Woods University
William Woods University is proud to be the newest member of the Show-Me Guard Officer Leadership Development, or Show-Me GOLD, program, which provides students with the professional development necessary to become commissioned officers in the Missouri Army National Guard.
The enhanced leadership training students receive in the GOLD program will prove to be beneficial throughout every stage of their lives and is designed to provide a crucial officer pipeline for the Missouri Army National Guard. The GOLD program prepares officer candidates for the Officer Candidate School (OCS).
William Woods is the fourth university in the state of Missouri to host the GOLD program and the first private university. It is also the first university to offer the program in the Central region of Missouri, conveniently located near the Jefferson City, Missouri home of the Missouri National Guard headquarters.
Students who enroll at William Woods University and in the GOLD program must meet the admission standards of both. In addition to enrolling in regular academic classes, students will also take part in credit-bearing military science courses, leadership laboratories, field training exercises, and physical training.
Benefits
By enrolling in the GOLD program and enlisting in the Missouri Army National Guard, you will gain access to some of the best education benefits available. To thank you for your service, you will receive the following:
- 100% Tuition Assistance
- Montgomery GI Bill® ($600 per month while in school )
- Paid Job Skills and Training (summer job paying $1,500-$3,000 per month)
- Monthly Drill Pay ($200 - $350 per month)
- Student Loan Repayment (Up to $50,000 accumulated student loans after commission)
- Army National Guard Kicker (up to $350 per month while in school)
- Inexpensive life insurance ($50,000-$400,000)
- Great health insurance for low cost (individual health insurance $50.75 per month or family plan $205.62 per month)
Officer Careers
Basic Branch Officers
Commissioned officers in all of the National Guard's career fields hold positions of tremendous authority. They are proven leaders who are willing to accept challenges, make important decisions and take on great responsibility.
As a basic branch officer, you'll choose a career in one of the following areas:
Combat Arms Branches
- Infantry - An infantry officer is responsible for leading and controlling the infantry and combined armed forces during land combat.
- Field Artillery - The Field Artillery Branch is responsible for neutralizing or suppressing the enemy by cannon, rocket and missile fire, and for overseeing the combined use of all fire support.
- Air Defense Artillery - Air Defense Artillery officers are experts in air defense tactics, techniques and procedures, and leaders in air defense operations.
- Aviation - Aviation officers are expert aviator’s first, overseeing aviation operations from maintenance to control tower operations to domestic and combat missions.
- Corps of Engineers - Engineer officers help the Army and the nation build structures, develop civil works programs and work with natural resources, as well as provide combat support.
Combat Support Branches
- Signal Corps - Signal Corps officers are experts in installing, operating and maintaining all aspects of the Guard's communication, data and information systems and services.
- Military Police Corps - Military Police (MP) officers oversee area security, law and order, police intelligence and maneuver support in peacetime and combat, plus internment and resettlement.
- Military Intelligence Corps - Military intelligence officers are always out front, providing essential intelligence and information about the enemy, terrain and weather conditions.
- Chemical Corps - Chemical officers are experts in nuclear, biological and radiological defense and warfare, and homeland protection. They also lead chemical units in combat support.
Combat Services Branches
- Adjutant General Corps - An adjutant general officer is responsible for overseeing Soldiers' general welfare and well-being. Duties are similar to those of human resources executives.
- Finance Corps - The finance corps is responsible for all Guard financial matters—purchasing supplies and services, balancing budgets, and being sure Soldiers are paid for their service.
- Transportation Corps - Transportation officers specialize in vehicles and transport procedures, leading transportation operations and movement of troops and supplies during land combat.
- Ordnance Corps - Ordnance officers are responsible for ensuring that weapons systems, munitions, vehicles and equipment are ready and in perfect working order at all times.
- Quartermaster Corps - Quartermaster officers oversee availability and function of materials and systems from food, water and petroleum to parachute maintenance and general equipment repair.
WWU Advantage
William Woods University is uniquely situated to deliver the GOLD program to students who wish to become commissioned officers but also desire a more intimate college experience. It is the only university of comparable size in the state, and the only option in the central and northeast regions of Missouri, to offer the GOLD program.
At William Woods University, we have always prided ourselves as being a military-friendly institution, due to our affordability, flexibility and meaningful educational opportunities for veterans. Our unique programs such as Management and Leadership and Cybersecurity, as well as our Homeland and Industrial Security emphasis in Criminal Justice, are examples of programs which may be of interest to our GOLD program members.
With more than 60 programs to choose from, including the opportunity to complete both your Bachelors and Master of Business Administration in just five years while working toward a rank of Second Lieutenant in the Missouri National Guard, is an outstanding benefit of the WWU Gold program.
William Woods University, while a private university, is proud to support our Missouri Army National Guard by honoring the tuition rate offered at the other three public universities who host GOLD programs.
Requirements
William Woods University Admissions Criteria
- Minimum GPA 2.5
- Minimum ACT of 19
Gold Program Eligibility Criteria
- Must be at least 18 years old
- Must be a United States citizen
- Must be a current enlisted member of the Missouri Army National Guard
- Must possess a GT score of 95 or higher
- Must enrolled in a course of study that leads to a baccalaureate degree or higher
GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). More information about education benefits offered by VA is available at the official U.S. government Web site at https://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill.