Your child is considering one of the most meaningful decisions of their life. The National Guard offers more than military service; it's a path to education, career development and lifelong character. But it's natural to have questions. Read through the answers below or chat with an expert.
The benefits of service in the Guard include financial rewards, education assistance, career training, character development, leadership skills and a solid foundation of confidence, capability and courage that will remain with every Soldier throughout their military and civilian life.
After exploring the many aspects of life in the National Guard, your child's opinion and your own assessment of their readiness are often good indicators. But if you'd like additional opinions, feel free to discuss it with a recruiter. No matter what stage of emotional development your child is in when they enter the Guard, they will soon be stronger, more confident and more capable than ever.
The full National Guard service term is eight years. However, we offer several active service options within that time frame. For example, your child can commit to just three active years then enter IRR (Individual Ready Reserve) for the remainder of their term. There are also options of four- and six-year active terms. The exact program you choose will depend on several conditions, all of which you'll discuss with your recruiter.
New National Guard recruits must meet certain physical qualifications — height, weight, fitness level — to enlist in the Guard in the first place. Basic Combat Training (BCT) is designed for civilians who've met those standards. So if your child is accepted into the Guard, it means we're confident they'll handle it very well.
Training — also known as drilling — is generally done at the armory nearest your resident city. So your child will usually not be far from home. However, if called to Active Duty, they may be sent out-of-state or even overseas for a period of time.
Yes. We keep our Soldiers busy and there won't be a great deal of time to chat due to the abbreviated training periods, but telephone, email and mail are all available and accessible.
We can help your child with the financial, administrative and guidance aspects of their college planning. Because getting a higher education is one of our top priorities, the National Guard offers assistance with virtually every aspect of their education. Our Guard Support Center is an invaluable resource designed for this purpose.
No. Their Guard service will be part time, leaving plenty of time for college and even another job. In fact, the Guard can make going to college easier, with financial assistance and guidance counseling. However, some students choose to attend Basic Training and Advanced Individual Training (AIT) during a time of year other than summer, so conflicts are possible.
Possibly. Our financial assistance packages and Guard Support Center offer funding, counseling, entrance exam preparation, administrative support and much more. So, when your student is ready to apply, their ducks are in a row, they have the support they need, and their education options can improve greatly.
Yes, college students who are Soldiers can be deployed, but most schools will work with students to smooth out the details in the event that happens.