Intro
Discover the National Guard qualifications and requirements for enlistment. Learn about the age, education, citizenship, and physical fitness standards, as well as background check and medical exam requirements. Understand the enlistment process and what to expect as a National Guard member, including training and service commitments.
The National Guard is a reserve component of the United States Armed Forces that consists of citizen-soldiers who can be called upon to serve in a variety of roles, both domestically and overseas. To be eligible to join the National Guard, individuals must meet certain qualifications and requirements, which are outlined below.
Basic Requirements
To be eligible to join the National Guard, individuals must meet the following basic requirements:
- Be a U.S. citizen or national
- Be between the ages of 17 and 35 (with some exceptions for older candidates)
- Meet certain physical fitness standards
- Pass a background check
- Have a high school diploma or equivalent
- Score well on the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) test
Physical Fitness Requirements
To join the National Guard, individuals must meet certain physical fitness standards, which include:
- Push-ups: 30-40 in 1 minute
- Sit-ups: 30-40 in 1 minute
- 2-mile run: 13-15 minutes
- Body fat percentage: 20-30% for men, 24-36% for women
Background Check Requirements
To join the National Guard, individuals must undergo a background check, which includes:
- A review of their credit history
- A check of their police record
- A review of their employment history
- A check of their education history
ASVAB Test Requirements
To join the National Guard, individuals must score well on the ASVAB test, which measures their aptitude in various subjects, including:
- General science
- Arithmetic reasoning
- Word knowledge
- Paragraph comprehension
- Mathematics knowledge
Additional Requirements
In addition to the basic requirements outlined above, individuals who wish to join the National Guard may need to meet additional requirements, such as:
- Completing a physical fitness test
- Passing a medical examination
- Completing a background investigation
- Taking a enlistment oath
Enlistment Process
The enlistment process for the National Guard typically involves the following steps:
- Meeting with a recruiter to discuss eligibility and options
- Taking the ASVAB test
- Completing a physical fitness test
- Passing a medical examination
- Completing a background investigation
- Taking an enlistment oath
Military Occupational Specialties (MOS)
Once individuals have enlisted in the National Guard, they will be assigned a Military Occupational Specialty (MOS), which is a specific job or role within the Guard. There are over 150 different MOS options, ranging from:
- Infantry and combat roles
- Support and logistics roles
- Medical and healthcare roles
- Communications and IT roles
Training and Education
Once individuals have enlisted in the National Guard, they will undergo training and education to prepare them for their assigned MOS. This training may include:
- Basic training (BCT)
- Advanced individual training (AIT)
- Officer candidate school (OCS)
- Leadership development courses
Benefits of Joining the National Guard
Joining the National Guard can provide individuals with a range of benefits, including:
- Education assistance
- Career training and development
- Healthcare and medical benefits
- Retirement benefits
- Travel opportunities
Conclusion
Joining the National Guard requires individuals to meet certain qualifications and requirements, including basic requirements, physical fitness standards, and background check requirements. Once enlisted, individuals will undergo training and education to prepare them for their assigned MOS, and will have access to a range of benefits, including education assistance, career training and development, and healthcare and medical benefits.
Gallery of National Guard Images
National Guard Image Gallery
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the National Guard?
+The National Guard is a reserve component of the United States Armed Forces that consists of citizen-soldiers who can be called upon to serve in a variety of roles, both domestically and overseas.
What are the qualifications to join the National Guard?
+To join the National Guard, individuals must meet certain qualifications, including being a U.S. citizen or national, being between the ages of 17 and 35, meeting certain physical fitness standards, passing a background check, and scoring well on the ASVAB test.
What is the enlistment process for the National Guard?
+The enlistment process for the National Guard typically involves meeting with a recruiter, taking the ASVAB test, completing a physical fitness test, passing a medical examination, and taking an enlistment oath.
What are the benefits of joining the National Guard?
+Joining the National Guard can provide individuals with a range of benefits, including education assistance, career training and development, healthcare and medical benefits, retirement benefits, and travel opportunities.