Learn about your service commitment.


Your Commitment to the National Guard

When you enlist in the National Guard, you can choose to serve three, six or eight years—typically training just one weekend a month and two weeks a year. If you choose only three or six years, you’ll spend the remainder of the time in the Individual Ready Reserve (IRR)—which means you won't train with a unit, but you can still be called up in the event of an emergency during the balance of your total eight-year commitment.*

You’ll train at a military base during Basic Combat Training (10 weeks) and Advanced Individual Training (from four to 64 weeks, depending on your Military Occupational Specialty). After that, most of your service and training will be in your own state and community. You’ll be able to live at home—not in military housing—while you’re in the Guard. You’ll continue your civilian job or go to school, then train one weekend a month at an armory or facility close to home. You’ll also attend Annual Training (AT) for two weeks, usually during the summer and usually at a location away from your hometown.

In the event of a deployment, whether domestic or overseas, you’ll travel and live with your unit. But as soon as your mission is over, you’ll continue to live and serve in your home community—as a true Citizen-Soldier.

*However long you choose to serve, every Soldier commits for a total of eight years. You’ll be paid for every day you serve in uniform. However, since IRR Soldiers don’t train, they don’t receive monthly pay unless called up to serve during an emergency. Learn more about Guard pay.