[Icelander]

There is an NPC in my campaign, Jacques Dupont (b. January 9, 1980; Pretoria, South Africa) who grew up as the child of an anthropologist and archaeologist who were both among the early researchers in Kessler's network investigating the occult.

Jacques' father, Marcel Xavier Dupont, moreover, had been a soldier for a brief period in his life and was actually working with a security company (more precisely, as a mercenary) for Kessler when an experience with the supernatural drove him to study anthropology at Tulane University in New Orleans. Even while Marcel Dupont was pursuing graduate studies, he continued drawing a paycheck for being an officer of a security company (albeit mostly on paper, the company being a cover).

From the time Jacques was seven, both parents have been aware that the supernatural exists and have studied it full time. From the time Jacques was ten, both of his parents have been leading researchers and adventurers involved with the occult. He probably doesn't remember a time when it was not simply accepted as a fact of life within his household that there was a hidden world of occult truth out there and only by knowledge, training and preparation could anyone be kept safe.

His parents expected him to become an academic in a field applicable to study of the occult. They accept that in this new world, being able to take care of themselves is something for which everyone needs to prepare, so Jacques spent a lot of vacations in odd summer camps where grizzled 'uncles' taught him survival, basic self-defence, weapon handling and tactics. Nevertheless, even though his father Marcel remained technically the CEO of a small security company in the Caribbean, neither parent expected Jacques to be more interested in fighting monsters than researching the paranormal.

At age 18, Jacques had decided that he'd pursue a career track more similar to his many 'uncles', hard-bitten men who were mostly veterans of one military or another, now employed as security contractors and, unofficially, as security against monsters and even occasionally, hunters of dangerous supernatural predators.

Jacques didn't run away from home and join the Foreign Legion, however (although one of his 'uncles' had, in fact, done just that), as he was convinced that studying the occult was a very good way to learn to defend against it. In fact, while delaying the moment where he'd have to disappoint his parents played a role in his decision, Jacques was still convinced that getting a degree in anthropology at his father's alma mater was a worthwhile preparation for becoming a Monster Hunter.

However, Jacques is also aware that while his 'uncles' can teach him a lot of stuff, they all learned their trade in actual militaries, with the kind of infrastructure, equipment and training facilities that no private organization, no matter how well funded, can really match. So, Jacques wants to get some free training from Uncle Sam, to add to what his other 'uncles' have taught him, while he is an undergraduate.

So, I imagine that Jacques joined either the National Guard or the Reserve Component of one of the branches of the US Armed Forces.

What branch of service should he join?

I know that a college student has joined 3rd FORECON as a Marine reservist and gone through Recon training in the USMC as an undergraduate.

Are there other options within commuting distance of New Orleans? Some US Army Reserve units that would allow him the chance at good training?

What about the National Guard? Does the 20th SFG accept direct entry civilians wanting to go through SFQC as National Guardsmen?

What else is possible?

In what unit and duty station could Jacques Dupont serve in or near New Orleans where he'd be able to get the best training opportunities to be the highest point value Monster Hunter possible, while still being able to attend school?

It's okay if the academic courseload combined with the training is very hard, almost too hard for any normal person, as Jacques is an exceptionally intelligent, athletic, motivated, resourceful and strong-willed person. Given a different background and motivation, he could have been an Olympic athlete, astronaut or a self-made tycoon.

And, if it matters, Jacques is a naturalized citizen who moved to the US at the age of seven with his parents.