Many people transfer to the reserves from the Active Component. But you can join the National Guard or military reserves without prior military experience.
Who joins the National Guard?
Be between the ages of 17 and 35. Be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident. Be at least a junior in high school, or have a high school diploma or a GED certificate. Achieve a minimum score on the ASVAB test.
What is the commitment to the National 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).
What is the difference between National Guard and reserves?
Reserve units serve federal missions as part of the federal armed forces and are under command of the president. The National Guard serves both state and federal missions, depending on the orders received and by which command.
Can you be inactive in the National Guard?
Inactive National Guard.
Those in inactive status cannot drill for pay or points. They are ineligible for annual training and cannot be promoted. However, they are required to muster with their last unit once a year. In the event of a full activation, they can be recalled to service with that unit.
How long is a National Guard contract?
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.
What is National Guard pay?
Drill Pay for Army Reserve and Army National Guard Soldiers
| RANK | 6 YEARS | |
|---|---|---|
| Private First Class (E3) | $4,537.26 | $5,114.97 |
| Specialist or Corporal (E4) | $5,026.14 | $6,101.55 |
| Sergeant (E5) | $5,481.63 | $6,873.93 |
| Staff Sergeant (E6) | $5,983.74 | $7,452.27 |
What disqualifies you from the National Guard?
To enlist, you must be qualified under current federal laws and regulations or have an appropriate waiver. There are age, citizenship, physical, education, height/weight, criminal record, medical, and drug history standards that can exclude you from joining the military.
Does the National Guard go to war?
Yes. Because of the National Guard’s dual state-federal mission, Guard members can be mobilized to protect and defend America in battle domestically or overseas.
Who gets deployed first in war?
The Marines are often the first on the ground in combat situations, leading the charge when conflict arises. They also serve on Navy ships, protect Naval bases and guard U.S. embassies. Marines patrol during a simulated embassy reinforcement.
Is joining the National Guard worth it?
For many individuals, joining the National Guard is a great honor. It allows you to travel to different parts of the world without being an active-duty soldier. The lessons and skills you’ll learn from the National Guard can translate into a useful experience when finding a civilian job.
What is the difference between active and Inactive National Guard?
A person who is active duty is in the military full time. They work for the military full time, may live on a military base, and can be deployed at any time. Persons in the Reserve or National Guard are not full-time active duty military personnel, although they can be deployed at any time should the need arise.
Can the military kick you out for having too much money?
There’s nothing in an enlistment contract that says you have to leave the military if you come into a large sum of money, but there is a clause that allows for service members to request a discharge under “unique circumstances.”
What is the weight requirement for the National Guard?
New recruits have a higher weight limit than those already serving in the military. For instance, a recruit who is between 17 and 20 years, with a height of 60 inches, should not exceed 120lbs for females and 139lbs for males.
How long are you away from home in the National Guard?
Although they are “part-time” warriors, members of the National Guard still make a big commitment when they enlist, which includes agreeing to deploy for missions at home and abroad. Typically, domestic deployments can last up to 60 days while overseas deployments can last up to a year.
Do you have to cut your hair in the National Guard?
Yes if you are male. Hair is kept trimmed and cannot touch the ears. Every new male recruit is required to have their hair buzzed. Typically happens when you first arrive and then from there it’s every other week.
How much money will I have after basic training?
Pay for BMT depends upon your rank. Every enlisted recruit starts out as an E1, and can expect an annual salary of around $20,170.80. BMT is 10 weeks, so the average E1 payment for basic training is around $3,800 plus meals and housing.
What benefits do National Guard get?
So if you’re thinking about joining the Army National Guard, here are 10 National Guard benefits you need to know.
- Learn a trade.
- Gain access to affordable healthcare.
- Have two careers.
- Get help paying for school.
- Great networking opportunities.
- Travel without moving.
- Try out the military.
- Skip endless years of drudgery.
How often does National Guard work?
Work Hours and Pay
The Army National Guard is a part-time commitment, allowing you to pursue or continue a civilian career. After Basic Combat Training and your Advanced Individual Training, or job training, you must work one weekend every month in addition to two full weeks each year for the National Guard.
Can my only son be drafted?
the “only son”, “the last son to carry the family name,” and ” sole surviving son” must register with Selective Service. These sons can be drafted. However, they may be entitled to peacetime deferment if there is a military death in the immediate family.
Can you get drafted if you have anxiety?
For anxiety disorders (for example, panic disorder), a person cannot enter the armed services if they needed any inpatient care, or outpatient care for more than 12 months cumulatively. They must not have needed any treatment for their anxiety disorder in the past 36 months.
What state has the best National Guard?
Don’t mess with Texas’ National Guard. Texas has a number of capabilities that elevate the Lone Star State to the #1 position. Its sheer size is a significant factor — the Texas National Guard is host to nearly 21,000 troops, including its army and air components.
Does the National Guard pay for housing?
Army National Guard Soldiers on active duty under Title 10 USC are eligible for Basic Allowance for Housing or Basic Allowance for Housing Reserve Component/Transit (BAH RC/T) if they are on active duty for 30 or fewer days.
What is the shortest basic training?
The Marine Corps has the longest basic training — 12 weeks, not including four days of in-processing time. Counting the half-week you spend in forming (in-processing), you’ll spend a total of seven-and-a-half weeks in Coast Guard basic training at Cape May, (N.J.,) the shortest basic training of all the services.
What branch deploys the most?
Soldiers on active duty in the Army deploy more than any other branch, with the possible exception of the Navy (although most Navy deployments are on ships at sea).
Do soldiers have to pay to come home?
Soldiers and their loved ones are not charged money so that the Soldier can go on leave. Soldiers are not charged money for secure communications or leave.
Do National Guard get deployed?
The National Guard deploys soldiers two different ways. Your state government can use you on a variety of missions inside the U.S. The federal government can deploy the National Guard overseas as well. The chance of overseas deployment isn’t set in stone. It varies according to the nation’s needs and government policy.
How many drills can you miss in the Guard?
The National Guard requires members to attend boot camp training upon enlistment. After this, you are required to attend training drills one weekend per month and a separate two-week period once a year. Failure to attend these drills has consequences that vary by state.
How many drill days is good for a year?
Retirement Points Earned Per Year
48 Points – 12 Monthly Drills (4 Drill Periods per month) 15 Points – Annual Training (this can vary based on your unit)
Why are National Guard members not considered veterans?
ARLINGTON, Va. – A recently signed law gives official veteran status to National Guard members who served 20 years or more. Previously, Guard members were considered veterans only if they served 180 days or more in a federal status outside of training.
Can you buy yourself out of the military?
Discharge by purchase, colloquially called buying oneself out of service, is the obtaining of a military discharge by payment. The purchase price is in effect a fine for leaving military service earlier than the date contracted for when enlisting.
Can you back out of the military after you swear in?
Once a person has sworn in the second time as part of shipping out they may still be able to get out of the military, but it will involve much more time and energy. People who believe they are in this status can contact a GI Rights Counselor at 877 447 4487 to determine what options they have.
What is the longest military contract?
The Army offers enlistment contracts of two years, three years, four years, five years, and six years. Only a few Army jobs are available for two and three year enlistees (mainly those jobs that don’t require much training time, and that the Army is having a hard time getting enough recruits).
What is National Guard pay?
Drill Pay for Army Reserve and Army National Guard Soldiers
| RANK | 6 YEARS | |
|---|---|---|
| Private First Class (E3) | $4,537.26 | $5,114.97 |
| Specialist or Corporal (E4) | $5,026.14 | $6,101.55 |
| Sergeant (E5) | $5,481.63 | $6,873.93 |
| Staff Sergeant (E6) | $5,983.74 | $7,452.27 |
Who Cannot be drafted?
1. The Vice-President of the United States, the Judges of the various Courts of the Untied States, the heads of the various executive departments of the Government, and the Governors of the several States. 2. The only son liable to military duty of a widow dependent upon his labor for support.
How long is a National Guard contract?
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.
Is joining the National Guard worth it?
For many individuals, joining the National Guard is a great honor. It allows you to travel to different parts of the world without being an active-duty soldier. The lessons and skills you’ll learn from the National Guard can translate into a useful experience when finding a civilian job.
What are the requirements to join the National Guard?
To join the National Guard without prior service, you must meet these mandatory requirements:
- Be between the ages of 17 and 35.
- Be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident.
- Be at least a junior in high school, or have a high school diploma or a GED certificate.
- Achieve a minimum score on the ASVAB test.
How much a month does National Guard pay?
How much does a Soldier make at Army National Guard in the United States? Average Army National Guard Soldier monthly pay in the United States is approximately $2,761, which is 38% above the national average.
What jobs pay the most in National Guard?
Eight high-paying U.S. National Guard jobs
- Network administrator. National average salary: $66,953 per year.
- Helicopter repairer.
- Human resources officer.
- Unit supply specialist.
- Aircraft flight instructor.
- Dental corps officer.
- Chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear (CBRN) specialist.
- Intelligence officer.
What do you sleep in at basic training?
At the very beginning of basic training, the chief drill instructor will spend the night with you in the barracks. As you progress in training, the drill instructor likely will go home each night. However, the basic training staff is constantly monitoring the barracks using closed circuit cameras.
Can National Guard live on base?
We all know that military members with families are eligible to live in base housing when it is available, while single troops are relegated to living in barracks, onboard ships or, if lucky enough, off base.
Do you have to cut your hair in the National Guard?
Yes if you are male. Hair is kept trimmed and cannot touch the ears. Every new male recruit is required to have their hair buzzed. Typically happens when you first arrive and then from there it’s every other week.
How many hours a week is National Guard?
On average, full-time employees in the Military Reserves or National Guard Industry Group work 46.8 hours per week and have an average annual salary of $57,090. Part-time employees in the same industry work 20.6 hours and earn an average annual salary of $15,095.
Why do soldiers carry so much weight?
Compared to WWII, modern armies are much more risk-averse. Heavier loads may cause back strain and knee problems, but giving troops more protection and firepower—and communications and sensors with all those batteries—is a higher priority.
Can you refuse to be drafted?
Legally, you could be in a lot of trouble if you don’t register: It’s a felony. However, no one has been prosecuted for the crime since 1986. But that doesn’t mean you won’t have problems. If you fail to register for the draft by the time you turn 26, you are no longer able to do so.