If you’re a current or prior service enlisted Soldier interested in becoming an officer, ROTC can be the ideal solution. ROTC offers the perfect opportunity to pursue your college requirements while you earn your officer’s commission.
Take advantage of your education benefits.
You need a four-year degree to become an officer. But for you, that’s within reach. Your military service has earned you up to 100% federal tuition (many states also offer tuition funding) plus any additional benefits you’ve earned with the GI Bill. You can be working on your degree and your commission by adding just one ROTC class and one lab per semester.
Earn more while you earn your commission.
If you re-enlist in the National Guard, you’ll be able to participate in the Simultaneous Membership Program (SMP). With SMP, your Guard service—just one weekend of drill every month with two weeks of Annual Training in the summer—will be earning you even more money and time in grade. Combine your ROTC allowance with your Guard pay and GI Bill stipend and you’ll quickly see how your experience and leadership can work for you while you work on your degree.
Take advantage of special schools.
Cadets with enlisted experience may be eligible for special schools like Airborne, Air Assault or Mountain Warfare, or study abroad with the Army's Culture and Language Program (CULP). The additional training, leadership and experience can make a big difference later in earning assignments and promotions.
Be recognized as a real leader.
Your experience as a Soldier is valuable to you and to others. With your insight, you can be a real example and mentor to other cadets in the classroom and during training. And after graduating and receiving your commission as a second lieutenant, you’ll earn respect as an officer with real-world enlisted experience.
With ROTC, you’ll be prepared for additional responsibility and leadership, and you’ll be earning increased authority and income. Check it out: ROTC could be the perfect "next step" in your military career.
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).
Learn moreAbsolutely. Your Guard service is only part time—just one weekend per month, and one two-week period each year.
See how the Guard helps with school.Recruits need to meet certain standards of height, weight, age, fitness and education in order to enlist.
Learn about the Guard's eligibility requirements.Yes. Guard members can be mobilized to protect and defend America in battle domestically or overseas.
Learn more about about training.MEPS stands for Military Entrance Processing Station, METS stands for Military Entrance Testing Site.
Learn moreThe Guard is a military branch that serves both state and federal governments, at home and overseas.
Find out more about the Guard.Guard pay is based on your rank and the number of years you've served, along with incentives like hazardous-duty pay.
Contact a representative to learn more.Your pay depends on a few different factors, but you won't make less than $183 for every weekend you drill.
Find out more about Guard pay.Different states may offer commissioning bonuses for critical skill positions. Please check with your local Guard representative for current bonus information.
Learn more about becoming an officer.Yes, you will be paid for every day you work.
Find out about Annual Training pay.There are different ways to become an officer. If you’re heading to college, the ROTC program is the way to go.
View how to become an officer.The training period varies for each job.
Learn moreFor certain career specialties, particularly medical professions, the Guard will reimburse student loans.
Contact a Guard representative.Find jobs in your area on our Job Board.
Learn moreIn two major ways: getting promotions and activating retirement benefits.
Learn more from a Guard representative.If you've completed Army or Marine Corps Basic Training, you won't need to repeat BCT. Most other prior service personnel will need to attend BCT (except USAF and USN Special Operations personnel). Your recruiter has details.
Talk to a Guard representative.Yes, provided you can complete 20 years of total military service by age 62.
Learn more about retirement benefits.As a National Guard Soldier, you get good pay and great benefits, and continue building toward a military retirement—while serving your country in a part-time status.
Learn moreYou are eligible for this benefit only once in your career. Once it has ended, it cannot be reinstated, even with a new enlistment contract.
Learn more.Your Chapter 1606 GI Bill benefit is suspended while you are AGR. You may need to extend your enlistment to have it reinstated once you return as a traditional drilling Soldier.
Learn more.Eligibility for Chapter 1607 is based on Title 10 Active Duty periods. The Border Mission is Title 32 and not considered a mobilization eligible for Chapter 1607.
Learn more.If you are released from Active Duty prior to completing 90 days due to an illness or injury in the line of duty, you will receive Chapter 1607 benefits at a 40 percent rate.
Learn more.You cannot receive payment from more than one benefit program at a time.
Learn more.Your estimated total for the first year.
*DetailsPlease understand that these calculations are only estimates and that a recruiter will have the most up-to-date information about benefits.
Because of the broad range of pay options, the Pay Calculator does not apply to Medical Professional Officers.
[X] CloseNational Guard | Privacy Policy | Tech Support | Hide Site Map [-] | View Full Site Map
© 2012 - United States Army National Guard