Guard 101:
GX Magazine:
The Guard Experience
With stunning photography and front line stories, GX spotlights National Guard heroes in action at home and abroad.
Check it out.Success Stories:
Real Soldiers—Real Talk
Hear men and women of the National Guard tell how serving changes lives every day.
Watch the videos.Guard Fitness:
3 on 3 Tournament
Soldier Journals
Get first-hand accounts
Learn about life in the Guard from athletes, an auto-designer, Cavalry Scout, MP and other Citizen-Soldiers.
See Soldier Journals.Basic Training
Learn about Basic
Find out what to expect, what to bring, and how to get ready for success at Basic Combat Training.
Find out here.Parents
Do you have concerns?
Every parent or guardian wants what's best for their child. We'll answer your questions about the Guard.
Find answers here.At This Moment:
The Guard is a military branch that serves both state and federal governments, at home and overseas.
Find out more about the Guard.Your total enlistment period will be eight years, but you can serve as little as three or six years, and spend the remainder in IRR (Individual Ready Reserve).
Learn moreAbsolutely. Your Guard service is only part time—just one weekend per month, and one two-week period each year.
See how the Guard helps with school.Recruits need to meet certain standards of height, weight, age, fitness and education in order to enlist.
Learn about physical requirements.Yes. Guard members can be mobilized to protect and defend America in battle domestically or overseas.
Learn more about about training.MEPS stands for Military Entrance Processing Station, METS stands for Military Entrance Testing Site.
Learn moreGuard pay is based on your rank and the number of years you've served, along with incentives like hazardous-duty pay.
Contact a representative to learn more.Your pay depends on a few different factors, but you won't make less than $179 for every weekend you drill.
Find out more about Guard pay.Yes. At this time, the Guard is paying Officer Accession bonuses.
Learn more about becoming an officer.Yes, you will be paid for every day you work.
Find out about Annual Training pay.There are different ways to become an officer. If you’re heading to college, the ROTC program is the way to go.
View how to become an officer.The training period varies for each job.
Learn moreFor certain career specialties, particularly medical professions, the Guard will reimburse up to $65,000 in student loans.
Contact a Guard representative.Your estimated total for the first year.
Getting Started
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