Prior Service Army Requirements

As an Active Duty Soldier, you’ve felt the pride that comes with being part of a uniquely American team.

You’ve enjoyed a sense of personal accomplishment and achieved high goals on behalf of your country.

Now you can continue to serve—and take your place with other Soldiers in your own community—when you re-enlist in the Army National Guard.

The National Guard makes it easy for U.S. Army personnel to transition into Guard service:

Enlisted Soldiers

  • 180 days (six months) from date of separation from the Army, enlisted personnel can sign a contract with a Reserve Component Career Counselor (RCCC), located on most Army posts.
  • Working with your RCCC will allow for a smooth transition, with no break in service.
  • Depending on your state, you may qualify for up to two years of stabilization (certain states may offer more).
  • You may qualify for MSO reduction.

Commissioned Officers

  • 180 days (six months) from date of separation from the Army, you may talk to a Silver Siege Reserve Component officer recruiter (located on most Army posts).
  • Working with a Silver Siege recruiter will allow for a smooth transition, with no break in service.
  • Depending on your state, you may qualify for up to two years of stabilization (certain states may offer more).
  • You may qualify for MSO reduction.
  • You must have no adverse actions against you (e.g., Conduct Unbecoming of an Officer).

Prerequisites

Age

  • Minimum: Applicants must be at least 18 years old.
  • Maximum: Prior Service personnel enlisting into the Army National Guard may enter after age 35, if otherwise eligible based on prior Active or Reserve service computation and current enlistment standards. Reserve component enlistees must be eligible for non-regular retirement by age 60.

Physical

  • Applicants must meet height/weight and current medical requirements to join the Army National Guard.

Education

  • Prior Service applicants must meet the education standards for the MOS or option for which they are enlisting.

Background

  • Prior Service applicants must have a valid DD 214.
  • Applicants with two or more misdemeanors require a waiver.
  • Applicants may not have any felony convictions.

Dependents

  • Applicants must meet the current dependency criteria standards.

Rank and Basic Training

  • Prior Service Soldiers enlisting into the Army National Guard are not required to attend Basic Combat Training.
  • Applicants with a break in service of over 10 years must re-take the ASVAB and attain the qualifying score for the MOS in which they will be enlisted per DA PAM 611-21.

Benefits vary state to state; check with your local recruiter or Reserve Component Career Counselor (on Active Duty posts), or click on the Join the Guard button below for the most up-to-date information.

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