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What are Special Forces?
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Special Forces
What kind of man are you?
Are you determined to perform every task better than the person next to you? Can you summon the strength, toughness, wits and sheer willpower to outlast a stronger opponent? Do you have what it takes to push yourself beyond what you thought was possible to achieve?
Can you do it all again tomorrow?
If this sounds like your kind of challenge, you might be ready to look into the National Guard Special Forces.
Whether you’re a Prior Service Soldier or have no previous military experience, there is a place in the Guard for fearless candidates who can outthink, outhustle, outperform and outlast the competition. If you have what it takes, you might be able to earn a Green Beret.
It will be hard. It will be more grueling than anything you’ve imagined. It will test your strength, your intelligence, your character, your toughness and your courage. But if you have the right tools, the Guard will train you for the most exciting job on the planet.
You’ll become a Warrior, ambassador and teacher, and an expert in reconnaissance, intelligence, counterterrorism and unconventional warfare. You’ll also learn how to slip into hostile areas by air, water or land, to take care of the job at hand and get back out virtually unnoticed.
Look around this section, and learn more about Special Forces training, requirements, jobs and traditions. And then, if you’re more certain than ever that you want to be part of the National Guard’s most elite team, we’ll talk.
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Frequently Asked Questions
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 the Guard's eligibility 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.Different states may offer commissioning bonuses for critical skill positions. Please check with your local Guard representative for current bonus information.
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.Find jobs in your area on our Job Board.
Learn moreIn two major ways: getting promotions and activating retirement benefits.
Learn more from a Guard representative.If you've completed Army or Marine Corps Basic Training, you won't need to repeat BCT. Most other prior service personnel will need to attend BCT (except USAF and USN Special Operations personnel). Your recruiter has details.
Talk to a Guard representative.Yes, provided you can complete 20 years of total military service by age 60.
Learn more about retirement benefits.As a National Guard Soldier, you get good pay and great benefits, and continue building toward a military retirement—while serving your country in a part-time status.
Learn moreA: You are eligible for this benefit only once in your career. Once it has ended, it cannot be reinstated, even with a new enlistment contract.
Learn more.A: Your Chapter 1606 GI Bill benefit is suspended while you are AGR. You may need to extend your enlistment to have it reinstated once you return as a traditional drilling Soldier.
Learn more.A: Eligibility for Chapter 1607 is based on Title 10 Active Duty periods. The Border Mission is Title 32 and not considered a mobilization eligible for Chapter 1607.
Learn more.A: If you are released from Active Duty prior to completing 90 days due to an illness or injury in the line of duty, you will receive Chapter 1607 benefits at a 40 percent rate.
Learn more.A: No. You cannot receive payment from more than one benefit program at a time.
Learn more.Pay Calculator
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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 benefits.
Because of the broad range of pay options, the Pay Calculator does not apply to Medical Professional Officers.
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Results for Cash Bonus Jobs
18B Special Forces Weapons Sergeant
18C Special Forces Engineer Sergeant
18D Special Forces Medical Sergeant
18E Special Forces Communications Sergeant
14J Air Defense Tactical Control Operations Center Operator
15J OH-58D Armament/Electrical/Avionics Systems Repairer
35F Intelligence Analyst
35G Imagery Analyst
35H Common Ground Station (CGS) Operator
35J Ground Surveillance Systems Operator
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Note: Army National Guard programs and benefits are subject to change. For the latest information, please contact your local recruiter.
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