Become a leader as a National Guard officer.

Become a leader as a National Guard officer.

Learn about careers for Basic Branch officers.
See how your specialty can earn you a commission.

See how your specialty can earn you a commission.

Medical Professionals Chaplains JAG Corps
Train to become an officer.

Train to become an officer.

Learn about the Basic Officer Leadership Course (BOLC).
Develop the skills to become a leader.

Develop the skills to become a leader.

Get information about Officer Candidate School (OCS).
At West Point, be part of the military's proudest tradition.

At West Point, be part of the military's proudest tradition.

Learn more about the United States Military Academy at West Point.
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ROTC

Earn a commission and a degree.
Warrant Officer Tech 2

Warrant Officers

Be a leader and specialist.
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Prior Service

Use your experience.

Use your education and skills to be a leader.

The National Guard’s success depends on great Soldiers at every level. And Soldiers reach their potential under the leadership of great officers.

Officers in the National Guard are decision makers and difference makers. They hold positions of tremendous authority and responsibility for their country, their troops and themselves. Read on to see how you can become a real leader.

Choose from three different categories of officers.

  • Basic Branch Officers
    These are officers in any of the Combat Arms branches (like Infantry, Armor and Field Artillery), Combat Support (Military Police, Signal and Military Intelligence) or Combat Service Support branches (such as Finance, Transportation or Quartermaster). Learn more about Basic Branch Officers. 
  • Specialty Officers
    These include officers with specialized professional skills, including Medical Professional, Chaplains and Judge Advocate General (JAG Officer). Click on each specialty to learn more.
  • Warrant Officers
    Warrant officers train, advise and lead as subject matter experts in their area of specialty. After first serving as enlisted and gaining a high level of expertise in your field, you can become a tactical and technical expert. Learn more about warrant officers. 

Learn about the different ways to become an officer.

As an officer candidate, you can earn your commission and prepare to become an effective leader in both your military and civilian life by completing one of the following programs:

  • Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC)
    Earn your officer’s commission while you earn your college degree. You’ll learn leadership and teamwork skills in both classroom and field training. Upon graduation, you’ll enter the Army as a second lieutenant. Learn more about ROTC. 
  • Officer Candidate School (OCS)
    OCS is an intense leadership training course for officers. Most applicants to this physically and mentally challenging course are currently serving as enlisted Soldiers, but highly qualified recruits may also be accepted. Learn more about OCS. 
  • Direct Commission
    Medical professionals, legal professionals and chaplains may be nominated by a commander to receive an appointment as a specialty officer. Click on each specialty to learn more.
  • West Point
    There are two special programs for highly qualified, currently enlisted Soldiers seeking admission to the United States Military Academy (USMA) at West Point, NY, or the United States Military Academy Preparatory School (USMAPS) at Monmouth, NJ. Learn more about West Point.

As an officer candidate, you'll receive advanced training and education through the Basic Officer Leadership Course (BOLC), where you'll acquire and hone the skills necessary to lead troops. Many branches also offer bonuses, though availability is subject to change. Your officer recruiter will have the most up-to-date information.

Requirements

To become an officer in the National Guard, in addition to meeting the Guard's general eligibility requirements, you’ll need either a minimum of 90 college credits toward an accredited degree to begin training or military experience.* If you don’t already have the necessary credits, the Guard can help you get them with our educational benefits packages. Check with your officer recruiter. Additional requirements include:

  • 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.