Enlisted Soldiers are the strength of the National Guard. While officers create the plans, enlisted Soldiers provide the muscle and manpower to see them through.
The Guard takes average men and women and molds them into something special. As a Soldier, you’ll learn about structure, discipline, service and commitment. You’ll become stronger—both physically and mentally—and be better equipped to take care of yourself and others in just about any situation.
Over the course of several weeks, you’ll make the transition from citizen to Citizen-Soldier, and your life will never be quite the same.
There are a few steps you’ll take prior to actually becoming a Soldier. Before any fitness tests and long before you meet your first drill instructor, you’ll need to contact a recruiter.
By filling out a simple form, you’ll be letting your local recruiter know that you have some questions. No obligation, no guarantees—it’s just a way of letting the recruiter know that you want to find out more.
If you and your recruiter agree that you’re a good fit for the Guard, you’ll schedule tests to determine your physical fitness level and assess which career field is right for you.
Before you can join the Army National Guard, you’ll take a test called the ASVAB. Don’t let this exam intimidate you. It’s designed to find out what you’re good at, so we can find the best place in the Guard for you—the one where you’ll fit best and be most likely to succeed.
Your ship date—the day you leave for Basic Combat Training (BCT)—will depend on the job you choose. You’ll probably ship within just a few weeks, but it’s possible to delay for up to several months. Until you ship, you’ll attend
Recruit Sustainment Program (RSP)
Recruit Sustainment Program (RSP):
If a recruit can't ship to Basic Training sooner than 30 days after enlisting, they are required to attend a weekend-long Recruit Sustainment Program once each month until Basic Training. one weekend a month, to learn Guard rules and structure, and start fitness and classroom training.
Once you get to Basic Training, you’ll see it’s anything but basic. It's 10 weeks of hard-core mental and physical drills that will prepare you to protect America.
You’ll learn to listen to your Drill Sergeant. You’ll grow physically strong. You’ll learn discipline, honor and integrity, develop personal courage, and learn to think and act like a Warrior. You'll become a Soldier.
After you complete basic training, the next step is Advanced Individual Training (AIT), where you’ll learn your
Military Occupational Specialty (MOS)
Military Occupational Specialty (MOS):
Guard speak for “your job.” Every job title in the Guard has a code, using a number and letter. For example, a Cavalry Scout is MOS 19D (19 Delta).—your Army National Guard job. During the next 2-12 months, you’ll get intensive field instruction and hands-on experience at your job, and learn the skills that will transform you into a great Soldier and teammate. AIT takes place at different Army military training sites across the U.S., and your location will depend on your MOS. You’ll be able to choose from jobs within the following career fields:
Note: Army National Guard programs and benefits are subject to change. For the latest information, please contact your local recruiter.
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.At this time, the Guard is not 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.
*DetailsPlease understand that these calculations are only estimates and that a recruiter will have the most up-to-date information about my benefits.
Because of the broad range of pay options, the Pay Calculator does not apply to Medical Professional Officers.
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