Prior Service Coast Guard Requirements

As a member of the United States Coast Guard, you hold a unique place among America's military men and women.

You've protected America's valued resources and challenged the worst elements to ensure the safety of others.

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

Now you can continue to serve—and join other former Coast Guard members in your own community—when you join the Army National Guard. You can live at home, hold a civilian job or go to school, and still serve both your state and your country.

For U.S. Coast Guard personnel transitioning into the Army National Guard, the following requirements will apply:

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

  • All USCG personnel will be required to attend Army Basic Combat Training (BCT).
  • 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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