Earn college credit away from campus and work toward your degree faster by earning credit for what you already know.
College Level Examination Program® (CLEP®)
CLEP® offers a series of exams that test college-level knowledge gained through course work, independent study, cultural pursuits, travel, special interests, military service schools, and professional development. Accepted by over 2,900 colleges and universities, each exam is typically worth from three to 12 college credits, depending on the exam subject. Testing fees are waived for service members.
DANTES Subject Standardized Tests (DSST)
DSST is an extensive series of college subject exams comparable to final exams in undergraduate courses. Designed originally for the military, DSST offer Soldiers a way to demonstrate knowledge comparable to someone who has completed the classroom course in the subject. It provides colleges and universities a reliable means to measure students' knowledge and award credit in commonly taught college courses.
Excelsior College Examinations (ECE)
Excelsior College provides busy working adults with distance education programs to help them earn their degrees. Excelsior College Examinations (ECE) measure students’ knowledge, so they can earn college-level credit accepted at Excelsior College and over 900 colleges and universities around the world. Formerly called the ACT Proficiency Examination Program (ACT PEP), ECEs are free to all military personnel.
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