Eligibility Criteria

The National Guard Bureau requires that all applicants to the Thunderbird Youth Academy (TYA) meet specific criteria before being accepted into the program.

To be eligible for admittance, the applicant must be:

• A U.S. citizen (or resident status)
• A resident of the state of Oklahoma
• 16 - 19 years of age (program waiver for 19 year olds)
• A high school dropout (cannot have a GED)
• Drug free
• Willing to enter Academy voluntarily (not mandated by a court or placed by the parent)
• Mentally and physically capable of completing the program
• Currently uninvolved in the legal system (not currently on parole or probation, not in custody, no future hearings pending and no felony or capital convictions).

Acceptance decisions are made without regard to disabilities and are non-discriminatory in accordance with state and federal law.

Physical & Behavioral/Health Standards

All cadets are required to participate in certain physical activities (e.g. marching in formation, running, push-ups, lunges, sit ups etc.) which are all considered essential to the traditions of the Academy and to the development of individual leadership skills and a sense of camaraderie as a member of the cadet corps.

Disqualifying physical standards for admission:

• Active Epilepsy
• Diabetes requiring insulin therapy
• Blindness
• Deafness
• Chronic renal disease
• Chronic cardiac disease
• Any severe neuromuscular or orthopedic disease or any other substantial physically limiting condition, which, in the opinion of the medical staff, would interfere with the cadet's performance and physical activity in accordance with Thunderbird Youth Academy's requirements.
• Applicants with a medical or behavioral condition that could preclude their participation in required and academic programs will be required to present a doctor's certificate and will be seen by the program physician to determine their admission eligibility.

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Disqualifying behavioral/health standards for admission:

• Applicants who have been convicted of a felony, or have been charged with an offense which would have been a felony for an adult.
• Applicants under the jurisdiction of the courts.  The applicant cannot have any pending charges or still be in the adjudication phase.  The adjudication phase includes charges that have not been fully resolved because of pending court dates, directed educational or counseling programs.  The applicant cannot be in OJA custody.
• Any attempted suicide within the last 6 months or, a history of repeated suicide attempts.
• Applicants who have been hospitalized for an emotional/behavioral disturbance within the last 6 months.
• Applicants with evidence of emotional disturbance, manic-depressive disorder, bipolar disorder, regularly scheduled psychological counseling or any other severe psychological disorders or limiting condition which, in the opinion of the Counseling Department  or the Medical staff, would interfere with the cadet's ability to function satisfactorily.
• A demonstrated inability to meet existing physical/behavioral/health requirements without significant accommodations that would alter the mission of the Academy. 

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If you have any questions about meeting this criteria, please contact a Recruiter.