Enlistment Ranks and Promotions

In the military, your rank is important. Higher rank equals higher pay, and eventually, higher responsibility.

Most Soldiers enter the National Guard as a private (E-1). But there are several factors that can help you qualify for promotion quickly, including:

  • Education status
  • Participation in certain youth education programs
  • ROTC experience

Check the list of criteria below to see if you might qualify for entrance at a higher rank.

Qualifications for Enlistment as an E-2

In order to be eligible for enlistment as a private (E-2), you must have:

  • Completed one or two years JROTC.
  • Successfully completed 24 or more semester hours (36 or more quarter hours) at an accredited degree-granting college or university. *
  • Completed all Phase II requirements of the Air Force Civil Air Patrol and been awarded the Billy Mitchell Award.
  • Taken part in the Naval Sea Cadet Corps (NSCC) and been awarded the Certificate of Advancement (NSCADM 024).
  • Been awarded the Boy Scout Eagle Certificate as a member of the Boy Scouts of America (Form 58–708), the Sea Scout Quartermaster Award or the Venturing Scout Silver Award.
  • Earned the Girl Scout Gold Award Certificate as a member of the Girl Scouts of America.
  • Completed Army pre-basic training task list or Army National Guard Stripes for Skills as a non-prior Service member in a Delayed Entry Program (DEP/DTP).
  • Graduated from the ARNG Youth ChalleNGe Program.

Qualifications for Enlistment as an E-3

In order to be eligible for enlistment as a private (E-3), you must have:

  • Completed three or more years of JROTC or a National Defense Cadet Corps (NDCC) program.
  • Completed one year of Senior ROTC.
  • Successfully completed 48 or more classroom semester hours (72 or more quarter hours) (without a four-year degree) at an accredited degree-granting college or university. *
  • Been awarded an associate degree without regard to the number of semester or quarter hours completed.
  • Successfully completed two or more academic years of a postsecondary vocational-technical school and received a certificate of training attesting to successful completion of the course. *

Qualifications for Enlistment as an E-4

In order to be eligible for enlistment as a specialist (E-4), you must have:

  • Successfully completed a degree-producing college program of four years duration from a college or university and have been awarded a bachelor’s degree or higher. * Advanced promotion is authorized if college or university provides a letter stating the applicant has met all requirements for a degree, but it will not be awarded until commencement ceremony.
  • Become qualified under the Army Civilian Acquired Skills Program (ACASP).


*Schools must be listed with the Accredited Institutions of Postsecondary Education (AIPE) or National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES). Foreign transcripts must be evaluated.