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.
How do you join the National Guard?
How do I enlist? Go to www.nationalguard.com/get-started. Fill out a short form with your contact info, and we’ll put you in touch with a Guard recruiter who can answer all your questions and walk you through the enlistment process.
How long do you have to commit to the National Guard?
The full National Guard service term is eight years. However, there are 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.
Do you have to go away for the National Guard?
In the Guard you keep many of the benefits you received in active service. You have the opportunity serve your state, nation and community while staying close to home. And because the Guard is part-time, you can hold a civilian job or go to school.
How likely are you to get deployed in the National Guard?
Your National Guard Special Forces training is one weekend (three to four days) per month plus an additional two to four weeks of training per year. Deployments are also less frequent. You will generally be deployed once every two to three years for six to 15 months.
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.
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 |
How much does the National Guard pay a month?
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.
How long is National Guard boot camp?
You must also take the ASVAB test and a physical fitness exam. All National Guard members must complete 10 weeks of Basic Combat Training, the same boot camp attended by full-time Army Soldiers.
What happens if I don’t show up to drill?
Any member of the active duty military who fails to report when and where he or she is expected is considered absent without leave (AWOL). Even if you’re just a few minutes late to a drill, you could be considered AWOL, and subject to penalty.
What happens if you quit National Guard?
You’ll also lose your military perks, bonuses or benefits immediately, as explained by OMK. In fact, should you manage to find gainful civilian employment and earn a tax refund, it may be withheld or deducted to pay back an enlistment bonus you might have received.
Can you have a tattoo in the National Guard?
The US National Guard does not limit the number of tattoos you can have. Recruits cannot have tattoos on their wrists, hands, neck, or face. The singular exception to the hand rule is allowing one ring tattoo per hand.
How long do National Guard deployments last?
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.
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).
Which military branch is least likely to get deployed?
When one examines the numbers by branch and component, those with the lowest average numbers of deployments were the Coast Guard and Marine Corps reserves (1.22 and 1.29, respectively) and those in the regular Coast Guard (1.28).
Do you get paid during basic training?
If you arrive at basic training before the 10th of the month, you’ll get paid on the 15th. If you arrive after the 10th of the month, you won’t see your first paycheck until the 1st of the following month, but it will include all pay you’re entitled to, as of that date.
How much do you make your first year in the National Guard?
An officer in the Guard at a pay grade of O-1, which is the lowest officer rank, makes $103 per drill, so around $414 over a drill weekend. If you’re called up to active duty, an O-1 makes a base pay of $3,107 a month. An O-2 makes $119 per drill and a base pay of $3,580 a month.
What is it called when you’re forced to join the military?
The Draft. A draft is the mandatory enrollment of individuals into the armed forces. The United States military has been all-volunteer since 1973. But an act of Congress could still reinstate the draft in case of a national emergency.
Can I join the Army for just one year?
The Army Guard and Air National Guard offer the “Try-One” enlistment option to active-duty veterans and all prior service individuals who are joining the Guard for the first time. This program lets you try the Guard for one year without additional commitment.
Which military reserve pays the most?
The highest pays by branch are: Army: $646. Marine Corps: $750. Navy: $750.
Eligible service members can receive one of the following:
- Up to $80 monthly.
- Up to $2,000 annual pay.
- Special Rest + Recuperation Leave.
What benefits do National Guard get?
National Guard and Reserve
- Home Loans.
- Education.
- Life Insurance.
- Disability Compensation.
- Pension.
- Veteran Readiness and Employment (VR&E)
- Health Care.
- Burial.
Do you come home after National Guard basic training?
After you complete AIT, you will participate in a graduation ceremony signifying your ending of initial training. For those who are in Reserve or National Guard units with no further training required, you will return home and report to your unit for weekend drills.
How many drills are in a weekend?
Each drill period is four hours; a drill weekend is four drill periods.
How many drills make a good year?
Retirement Points Earned Per Year
A “normal” year in the Guard or Reserves should be worth approximately 78 Retirement Points. This is broken down as: 15 Points – Annual Participation. 48 Points – 12 Monthly Drills (4 Drill Periods per month)
Can you back out after swearing in at MEPS?
If you went through all the motions of signing up for a military service only to decide it is not right for you and you have NOT been to the Military Entrance Processing Station (MEPS) and have NOT taken an Oath of Enlistment, you are free to quit the process at any time.
Can the army call you back?
The rules vary, but, generally speaking, any reservist can be recalled to active duty for the duration of a declared war or national emergency, plus an additional six months. This emergency or war declaration must be issued by Congress.
Will the Army pay for tattoo removal?
Generally speaking, visits to a tattoo removal clinic will be on your own dime—the government will not pay for you to have a tattoo removed, nor will health insurance. Fortunately, we do offer special discounts for military recruits, active duty, and veterans – it’s our way of saying, “thank you for your service!”
What branch of military accepts tattoos?
The Navy tattoo policy, updated in 2016, is the most lenient in all the branches. Navy tattoos can be anywhere on the body except the head, face, or scalp. The Navy is the only branch that allows tattoos on the hands.
How likely is National Guard deployment?
Your National Guard Special Forces training is one weekend (three to four days) per month plus an additional two to four weeks of training per year. Deployments are also less frequent. You will generally be deployed once every two to three years for six to 15 months.
How long is 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.
How much does the military pay after 4 years?
E-4 Servicemember with Three Years of Military Service: Annual Regular Military Compensation (RMC)
| Individual Servicemember | Servicemember w/ Family of 4 | |
|---|---|---|
| BAH | $7,373 | $9,821 |
| Cash Total | $39,570 | $42,018 |
| Tax Advantage | $1,768 | $2,136 |
| Regular Military Compensation | $41,338 | $43,746 |
Can you have a phone in the military?
No. You cannot walk and talk while in uniform and areas where classified materials exist usually do not permit electronics use. No due to high security reasons. Cell phones are allowed in most places.
What is the easiest boot camp?
Easiest Boot Camp / Basic Training
Though boot camp / basic training is considered challenging, yet mandatory, for every branch of the military, the easiest among them would most likely be the Air Force.
What is the easiest military branch?
At the basic training stage, the easiest military branch to join is the Air Force.
What happens if you refuse deployment?
The stiffest charge, missing movement, carries a maximum penalty of two years in prison and a dishonorable discharge.
What branch has the best benefits?
So, when you factor in all these different types of pay and benefits, the most profitable military branch is… The air force! When you factor in all the different types of pay and benefits that each branch offers, the air force comes out on top.
Can you have your phone at basic training?
Trainees are encouraged to maintain their cell phone service while at BMT and to bring a calling card. Those arriving without phones will be provided opportunities to use a phone as needed.
Can you fail basic training?
Yes, it is possible to fail basic training. You could go through the trouble of leaving your home, job, family and friends and come back a failure. In fact, this happens to about 15% of recruits who join the military every year.
Do you have to swear in at MEPS?
At MEPS, you will take the ASVAB, choose your MOS and take a physical. If you pass the ASVAB and physical, you will be able to swear into the military on that same day. When going to MEPS, it should take a couple of days to get through all the paperwork.
Is military pay taxed?
In the military, the federal government generally only taxes base pay, and many states waive income taxes. Other military pay—things like housing allowances, combat pay or cost-of-living adjustments—isn’t taxed.
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.
How long does the Army hold your last paycheck?
People, here is the deal: If you are soon to retire or separate from the service, The Defense Finance and Accounting Service (DFAS) WILL hold your final paycheck for an audit period of 30 to 45 days AFTER your final day of active duty.
Who Cannot be drafted?
WHO ARE EXEMPT FROM THE DRAFT?
- 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.
- The only son liable to military duty of a widow dependent upon his labor for support.
What disqualifies you from joining the army?
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.
Can you miss a National Guard drill?
Members of the Army and Air National Guard are not subject to the Uniform Code of Military Justice unless they have been called to federal active duty service. It means that members of the National Guard cannot be punished for missing weekend drills or failing to show up for the two weeks of annual training.
How much does the National Guard pay a month?
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.