Learn exciting new career skills and become a true leader. All of this is possible when you become a Guard Soldier, whether you take the first step as an enlisted Soldier, warrant officer or commissioned officer. Read below for basic requirements and to learn which of these paths is right for you.
Basic Combat Training (BCT) is a once-in-a-lifetime experience that will test you mentally and physically. You’ll arrive at Reception Battalion as an unseasoned recruit attending orientation briefings and medical exams, then transition through combat skills and fitness training into a Soldier and Warrior, at your best.
In the event that you're not able to ship to Basic Training within 30 days, you'll enter the Recruit Sustainment Program (RSP). RSP will introduce you to military life and keep you on track mentally, physically and emotionally while you prepare for Basic Combat Training and your career in the Guard. You'll start knowing what to expect once you get to BCT, and you'll have the tools to be successful—plus you'll be getting paid to attend each RSP drill.
The National Guard offers more than 150 jobs in a variety of enlisted career fields — almost any job available in the civilian sector translates to a similar position in the military. National Guard career fields are broken down into three categories by military function: combat arms (CA), combat support (CS) and combat service support (CSS). Some Guard jobs allow you to attain certification, but all of them provide useful job skills training.
Be part of the Guard’s famed quick-strike capabilities in tank, cavalry and reconnaissance operations on the battlefield.
Help neutralize or suppress the enemy using the strategic long-range firepower of cannons, rockets and missiles.
Lay the foundation for construction and demolition projects ranging from surveying, bulldozing, and topping buildings and bridges.
Help provide the critical first line of defense in battle for your country, your unit and yourself as a Guard warrior.
Earn your wings and control the sky as a crew chief, or become a mechanic and keep advanced aircraft operating at 100 percent.
As a communication specialist, help the world’s most advanced intel network provide critical information on enemy locations, plans and more.
Become an expert in intelligence gathering, reporting and analysis while playing an important role in foreign communication, counterintelligence or security operations.
Keep fellow Soldiers and civilians safe while enforcing the law as a member of the Guard’s emergency response and law enforcement team.
Transport Soldiers and supplies to any location throughout the United States or around the world whenever the need arises.
Save lives in combat operations, domestic emergencies and other situations where medical expertise can make a difference.
On the battlefield, keep your fellow Soldiers supplied with food, fuel, weapons and water. Domestically, get supplies to those in need when disaster strikes.
Maintain the Guard’s machinery and equipment during training, domestic emergencies and overseas operations.
Gain valuable training and experience while learning to help support the Guard’s mission in areas such as payroll, records and news.
Become a vital part of your Guard team by understanding and translating foreign languages, culture and customs.
Click the "Apply Now" button to begin your application process and get connected with a recruiter.
The Guard has a strong need for highly qualified experts in certain specific areas. Beyond exciting opportunities for advancement, these select specialties offer additional bonuses and special pay. If you have interest or experience in healthcare, law, ministry, Special Forces or one of our warrant officer career paths, read on.
Get your healthcare career started, or use your experience and expertise to lead others in the Guard’s Army Medical Department (AMEDD). The Guard offers a bonus and/or student loan assistance for almost every specialty in the medical field. AMEDD offers some of the most challenging and rewarding healthcare settings in the world. Read more to see how your skills can benefit you and others.
Guard AMEDD includes the following positions:
As a physician, dentist, nurse, nurse practitioner or medical student, provide care to Soldiers and civilians alike during emergencies.
This group of medical specialties includes administration, behavior sciences, environmental sciences, preventive medication and aviation.
Work closely with Guard physicians and primary medical officers of your state command, infantry or other combat units.
Click the "Apply Now" button to request AMEDD information.
Act as a legal resource for Soldiers, units and the State Adjutant General. Work will range from helping deploying Soldiers with legal documents to training legal professionals abroad. Whether you are a practicing attorney or a law student, there are significant additional benefits to becoming a JAG officer.
As a JAG officer, your law degree empowers you to investigate, prosecute and defend those charged with crimes in the military. You may also work on international contracts. Assignments may include work both in the U.S. and abroad.
Because the JAG Corps practices law in the same areas as civilian law, the transition back to a civilian legal career is seamless. JAG stands for Judge Advocate General.
Click the "Apply Now" button to request JAG information.
Guard chaplains receive excellent pay as well as a number of additional incentives. Ecclesiastical approval from your denomination or faith group is required before joining.
Serving as a Guard chaplain is an intense yet profoundly rewarding experience. You will care for the spiritual well-being of Soldiers regardless of their religious backgrounds, ministering to their needs and helping them meet challenges in areas like religion, morals and morale.
If you have your master of divinity and are ordained, you will receive a direct appointment as an officer. If you are currently enrolled in a master’s program (seminary) you will enter into the Chaplain Candidate Program, shadowing a chaplain. Both chaplains and chaplain candidates are required to attend the Chaplain Basic Officer Leadership Course (CH-BOLC).
Contact a chaplain specialist.
Click the "Apply Now" button to request Chaplain information.
You must truly be among the best of the best to qualify as a Special Forces (Green Beret) Soldier. As a candidate, you will undergo extremes that test your limits mentally, physically and emotionally. But as any Special Forces Soldier will tell you, there is no other path that offers this kind of excitement, variety or satisfaction.
If selected, your training will focus on one of four specific areas: Weapons, Engineering/Demolition, Medical Technician or Communications. You will also cross-train in a second area. You will learn to speak another language fluently and operate behind enemy lines. Learn more about Special Forces opportunities here.
Click the "Apply Now" button to request Special Forces information.
Put your special skills, knowledge and experience to work as an expert technical advisor in one of more than 40 specialty fields. As a warrant officer, you will be the go-to person providing answers and guidance for both enlisted personnel and officers.
Warrant officers do not need a college degree, but require five to seven years of military experience in the National Guard or other Army Component.
Contact a warrant officer specialist.
Click the "Apply Now" button to request Warrant Officer information.
As a noncommissioned officer, you lead enlisted Soldiers. Through the Guard’s leadership schools, you become a more effective leader. As you gain rank, our schools help you gain valuable skills that result in improved leadership and management abilities for any situation in military and civilian life.
This two-week course trains you, as an enlisted Soldier, in the fundamentals of leadership to become a technically and tactically proficient leader. You transition to a noncommissioned officer (NCO).
This course trains you to become a master of your MOS, as well as an expert trainer to enlisted Soldiers in your platoon.
In this course, you are equipped to lead and train at the company level. It also expands your skill set to those needed at the brigade level.
In this course, you are given scenarios to solve, and your performance is then rated in solving them. As a sergeant first class or master sergeant, you acquire skills and knowledge to operate as a first sergeant.
In this top-level course for noncommissioned officers, you gain the ability to lead in combat and manage at battalion and higher levels.
The Guard offers more options for becoming an officer than any other branch of military service. Still, it won’t be easy–you must have more than a high school education, as well as the skills to make decisions and make a difference.
The three categories of officers are:
These officers serve in the combat arms branch (infantry, armor and field artillery); the combat support branch (military police, signal and military intelligence); or the combat service support branch (finance, transportation and quartermaster). Go to the basic branch officer page to learn more.
These are officers with specialized professional skills: medical professional, chaplain and Judge Advocate General (JAG).
These officers are subject matter experts in specific technical areas. They are not commissioned officers and do not require a college degree, but do require five to seven years of experience in the Guard. Go to the warrant officer page to learn more.
Once you earn your commission, you’ll become a leader in the world’s most powerful army. The programs that help Soldiers reach this goal are ROTC, OCS, West Point or Direct Commission. See which one makes the most sense for you.
Earn your commission as you earn your degree while in the Guard’s SMP (Simultaneous Membership Program).
A physically and mentally challenging course designed to transform first-time Soldiers or those with prior military experience into strong, effective leaders.
High school seniors and enlisted Soldiers can earn an appointment to the United States Military Academy (USMA) at West Point or the United States Military Academy Preparatory School (USMAPS) at Monmouth, NJ.
This commission is based on previous experience and proven capabilities, which take the place of your initial training.
Contact an officer specialist.
Click the "Apply Now" button to request Officer information.
You must first meet the Guard’s general eligibility requirements. You need a minimum of 90 college credits toward an accredited degree to begin training in OCS.*
If you do not currently have the necessary credits, the Guard can help you get them with our educational benefits packages. If you have prior service, make sure you have requested your military transcript, which often gives you college credit for the military training you have completed. Check with your recruiter for details.
Additional requirements include:
*Effective Nov. 30, 2010, applicants interested in attending federal OCS must have a baccalaureate degree or higher. Waivers for individuals without a four-year degree, but with at least 90 nonduplicate credit hours toward a degree, will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.
Contact an officer specialist.
Click the "Apply Now" button to request Officer information.
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