Teddy Roosevelt's famed "Rough Riders" consisted of National Guard Soldiers from Texas, New Mexico and Arizona.
The National Guard is America’s oldest armed force—dating back to 1636—and the only branch that serves both the Federal and State governments. The Guard answers to both the president of the United States and the governors of their respective states and territories.
This means that the National Guard can be mobilized any time natural disasters or other emergencies occur within America’s borders, and also serve alongside U.S. combat forces in other parts of the world.
The Guard's roots go back to North America’s earliest colonial militias: farmers, shopkeepers and everyday citizens willing to put their lives on hold and pick up their weapons to defend their communities and their country.
Today, Citizen-Soldiers live, work and go to school in cities and towns all across America and its territories. And just as they have for over 370 years, the men and women of the National Guard are trained, willing and proud to assist their neighbors during emergencies, and to protect their nation whenever they are called.
Always ready, always there. That is the National Guard.
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 physical 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.Yes. At this time, the Guard is paying Officer Accession bonuses.
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.Your estimated total for the first year.
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