Basic Branch Officers

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:

Combat Arms Branches

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.

Combat Support Branches

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.

Combat Service Support Branches

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.

Requirements

To become an officer in the National Guard:

  • You must meet the Guard's general eligibility requirements 
  • You must have a minimum of 90 college credits toward an accredited degree to begin training*
  • You must be a U.S. citizen
  • You must be morally and medically qualified
  • You must commission on or before your 42nd birthday
  • You must have a 110 GT line score on the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB)

*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.