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Commissioned officers in all of the the National Guard's career fields hold positions of tremendous authority. They are proven leaders, willing to accept challenges, make important decisions and take on great responsibility.
As a basic branch officer, you'll choose a career in one of the following areas:
Infantry (Not open to women)
An infantry officer is responsible for leading and controlling the infantry and combined armed forces during land combat.
Armor (Not open to women)
Armor officers are responsible for tank, cavalry and reconnaissance operations on the battlefield.
Field Artillery
The Field Artillery Branch is responsible for neutralizing or suppressing the enemy by cannon, rocket and missile fire, and for overseeing the combined use of all fire support.
Air Defense Artillery
Air defense artillery officers are experts in air defense tactics, techniques and procedures, and leaders in air defense operations.
Aviation
Aviation officers are expert aviators first, overseeing aviation operations from maintenance to control tower operations to domestic and combat missions.
Corps of Engineers
Engineer officers help the Army and the nation build structures, develop civil works programs and work with natural resources, as well as provide combat support.
Signal Corps
Signal Corps officers are experts in installing, operating and maintaining all aspects of the Guard's communication, data and information systems and services.
Military Police Corps
Military Police (MP) officers oversee area security, law and order, police intelligence and maneuver support in peacetime and combat, plus internment and resettlement.
Military Intelligence Corps
Military intelligence officers are always out front, providing essential intelligence and information about the enemy, terrain and weather conditions.
Chemical Corps
Chemical officers are experts in nuclear, biological and radiological defense and warfare, and homeland protection. They also lead chemical units in combat support.
Adjutant General Corps
An adjutant general officer is responsible for overseeing Soldiers' general welfare and well-being. Duties are similar to those of human resources executives.
Finance Corps
The finance corps is responsible for all Guard financial matters—purchasing supplies and services, balancing budgets, and being sure Soldiers are paid for their service.
Transportation Corps
Transportation officers specialize in vehicles and transport procedures, leading transportation operations and movement of troops and supplies during land combat.
Ordnance Corps
Ordnance officers are responsible for ensuring that weapons systems, munitions, vehicles and equipment are ready and in perfect working order at all times.
Quartermaster Corps
Quartermaster officers oversee availability and function of materials and systems from food, water and petroleum to parachute maintenance and general equipment repair.
To become an officer in the National Guard:
*Effective November 30, 2010, applicants interested in attending Federal OCS must have a baccalaureate degree or higher. Waivers for individuals without a four-year degree, but with at least 90 nonduplicate credit hours toward a degree, will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.
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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