Enlistment Ranks and Promotions

In the military, your rank is important. Higher rank equals higher pay, and eventually, higher responsibility.

Most Soldiers enter the National Guard as a private (E-1). But there are several factors that can help you qualify for promotion quickly, including:

  • Education status
  • Participation in certain youth education programs
  • ROTC experience

Check the list of criteria below to see if you might qualify for entrance at a higher rank.

Qualifications for Enlistment as an E-2

In order to be eligible for enlistment as a private (E-2), you must have:

  • Completed one or two years JROTC.
  • Successfully completed 24 or more semester hours (36 or more quarter hours) at an accredited degree-granting college or university. *
  • Completed all Phase II requirements of the Air Force Civil Air Patrol and been awarded the Billy Mitchell Award.
  • Taken part in the Naval Sea Cadet Corps (NSCC) and been awarded the Certificate of Advancement (NSCADM 024).
  • Been awarded the Boy Scout Eagle Certificate as a member of the Boy Scouts of America (Form 58–708), the Sea Scout Quartermaster Award or the Venturing Scout Silver Award.
  • Earned the Girl Scout Gold Award Certificate as a member of the Girl Scouts of America.
  • Completed Army pre-basic training task list or Army National Guard Stripes for Skills as a non-prior Service member in a Delayed Entry Program (DEP/DTP).

Qualifications for Enlistment as an E-3

In order to be eligible for enlistment as a private (E-3), you must have:

  • Completed three or more years of JROTC or a National Defense Cadet Corps (NDCC) program.
  • Completed one year of Senior ROTC.
  • Successfully completed 48 or more classroom semester hours (72 or more quarter hours) (without a four-year degree) at an accredited degree-granting college or university. *
  • Been awarded an associate degree without regard to the number of semester or quarter hours completed.
  • Successfully completed two or more academic years of a postsecondary vocational-technical school and received a certificate of training attesting to successful completion of the course. *

Qualifications for Enlistment as an E-4

In order to be eligible for enlistment as a specialist (E-4), you must have:

  • Successfully completed a degree-producing college program of four years duration from a college or university and have been awarded a bachelor’s degree or higher. * Advanced promotion is authorized if college or university provides a letter stating the applicant has met all requirements for a degree, but it will not be awarded until commencement ceremony.
  • Become qualified under the Army Civilian Acquired Skills Program (ACASP).


*Schools must be listed with the Accredited Institutions of Postsecondary Education (AIPE) or National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES). Foreign transcripts must be evaluated according to paragraph 2–7f and 2–20.