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National Guard training prepares you to serve in your community or around the world. But as a Citizen-Soldier, you’re just as likely to spend most days at your civilian job or in school.
The Guard knows your career is important. If you’re looking for your first job, moving in a new direction or returning from deployment, the National Guard’s job resources can give you a real advantage.
The Employment Network offers a 360º approach to career readiness through a broad network of resources and services—including the ones listed below—to find jobs, training and education opportunities for Soldiers and their Families. Learn more about how the Employment Network can help.
The Employer Partnership of the Armed Forces (EPAF) works with National Guard and Army Reserve Soldiers and their Families to find job openings and connect with military-friendly employers. Employer Partners understand military leaves of absence and appreciate the unique training and qualifications Soldiers bring into the workplace. Learn more about Employer Partnership.
Job Connection Education Program (JCEP) provides one-on-one counseling, employment and job-search assistance—even help with resumes for Army National Guard and Reserve Soldiers and spouses. See how Service Members and employers both can benefit from JCEP participation.
Guard Apprenticeship Program Initiative (GAPI) takes your Guard job skills a step further. You’ll earn a paycheck while you gain national occupation certification/licensing through a civilian apprenticeship. It’s a great way to turn your Military Occupational Specialty into a real career. Find out more about GAPI.
Become a National Guard officer. Become a true leader and put your military experience to great use. Get advanced training and education through the Basic Officer Leadership Course (BOLC). If you don’t already have your four-year degree, the Guard can help you get it with our educational benefits packages. Learn more about becoming an officer.
VETS (Veterans Employment and Training Service) helps Service Members with everything from job placement and interviewing skills to connections in local job markets. The website, sponsored by the Department of Labor, offers information for employers and Service Members, including information and links for upcoming military career events in locations across the country.
Troops to Teachers helps military personnel transition into public school teaching careers. Stipends and bonus incentives are available for teachers in "high need" districts. The program provides mentoring opportunities, placement information and alternative teacher credentialing opportunities.
Helmets to Hardhats is a national program that connects military members with training and employment opportunities in the construction industry. The program also helps Wounded Warriors and disabled Veterans gain careers in the building and construction trades.
Veterans Upward Bound (VUB) is a free U.S. Department of Education academic refresher program designed to help eligible military Veterans enter and succeed in college. The program is aimed toward low-income candidates or Soldiers who would be the first generation in their Family to attend college.
Your state Education Services Officer (ESO) and your unit Readiness NCO are two of the best resources for additional career and education information. Find contact information plus a list of other websites that offer employment opportunities to Service Members.
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.
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