Guard Basics
> Soldier Stories

PVT Jacque Clure tells how RSP is preparing her for Basic Combat Training.

Read PVT Clure's journal.

SFC Wesley Almeida is putting his IT background to great use.

Watch the video.

PFC Jessica Duplantis is studying Arabic at the Defense Language Institute.

Watch the video. Read PFC Duplantis' journal.

PVT Sean Harmon enjoys the Guard's education benefits.

Watch the video.

1LT Rob Conner talks about training Iraqi police.

Read 1LT Conner's journal.

Hear about the Guard experience from real Soldiers.

Nobody can tell the National Guard's story better than the men and women who serve. Hear firsthand accounts from real Citizen-Soldiers, as they talk about their training, their careers, their service to country and community, and other important aspects of their Guard experience.

SSG Steven Seidenstein, NYNG, MP (:50)

CPT Tara Dawe, NYNG, MP (1:18)

PVT Andrew Winchell, NYNG, Military Police (:41)

Success Story: CDT Steven Ho (:37)

Success Story: 1LT Geoffrey Whitaker, TN National Guard (1:20)

Success Story: SGT Kristina Johnson and her mother (1:03)

PVT Michelle Viscusi - Testimonial (:46)

PVT Angel Castaneda - Testimonial (1:19)

PVT Derekk Rast - Testimonial (1:00)

Success Story: CDT Jonathan Wood (:41)

Success Story: PFC Michelle Bunting (:33)

Success Story: SPC Michael Bradley (:44)

PVT James Cox - Testimonial (1:08)

PVT Chris Nichols - Testimonial (:55)

PVT Kevin Harper - Testimonial (:53)

Success Story: SPC Matthew Bunch (:47)

Success Story: SPC Timothy Bailey - from college star to Guard Soldier (:56)

Success Story: SGT Katie Cash (:55)

Success Story: Guard Family (:49)

Success Story: 2LT Meredith Davenport (:44)

Success Story: 1SG Todd Barber (:49)

Success Story: CDT Robert Stubbs, Vanderbilt University ROTC (:40)

Success Story: SSG Robert Gambie (:56)

Success Story: SGT Madeline Ishmael (:38)

SSG Jeffrey Litton - Tennessee National Guard (:51)

CPT Darrin Haas (1:02)

Guard Medic, SSG Lee Sanders (3:05)

Success Story: SPC Jessica Pellerin (1:12)

Success Story: CPT Christopher Elgee (1:04)

Success Story: PVT Lucas Davis (:50)

SPC Nicholas D'Acquisto - Tennessee National Guard (:48)

SPC Jamie Koopman, Iowa National Guard (:39)

SPC Jarvis Curry - Tennessee National Guard (:32)

Success Story: PVT Bobby Whatley (:46)

Success Story: SSG Annie Adam (00:59)

Success Story: SPC Joshua Creel, CW2 Jefferson Creel (:58)

PVT Jeffery Flabella (:48)

PFC Lee Wilson (1:09)

PFC Raycine Jones (:55)

Success Story: MAJ James Lake (:32)

Success Story: 1SG (Ret.) George Moss, JROTC instructor (:52)

Success Story: SPC Amanda Martin, SSG Lance Wilkerson (:51)

SFC Wesley Almeida - Michigan National Guard (1:14)

Success Story: PVT Sean Harmon (1:19)

PV2 Roderick Taylor - Tennessee National Guard (:49)

Success Story: SPC Cody Spaulding (:36)

Success Story: 1LT Danny Crosby (:43)

Success Story: SGT Walter Mullins (:59)

Success Story: 1LT Kelly LaPierre (1:04)

Success Story: 2LT Chad Seal (:34)

Success Story: SPC Courtney Groves (:28)

Success Story: PFC Jessica Duplantis (:39)

Success Story: SPC Gerald Peck (:43)

Success Story: SPC Chad Cleaves (:39)

Patriot Academy: PVT Brandon Deal (1:01)

Patriot Academy: PVT Wesley Beck (1:29)

Patriot Academy: PFC Devon Pollard (1:03)

SPC Vincent Cruz, National Guard Combatives Champion (:26)

PVT Melvyn Manibusan, National Guard Combatives Champion (:28)

SSG Tim Kennedy, National Guard Combatives Championship MC (:53)

SSG Nikosi Campbell, National Guard Combatives Champion (:45)

MSG (Ret.) Rob Morrisette, Guard parent (:42)

MSG Ben Cortes, ROTC instructor (:34)

Frequently Asked Questions

Joining the Guard

How long do I have to sign up for?

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 more

Can I go to college and be in the Guard?

Absolutely. 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.

Am I eligible to join the Guard?

Recruits need to meet certain standards of height, weight, age, fitness and education in order to enlist.

Learn about the Guard's eligibility requirements.

Could I be sent into combat?

Yes. Guard members can be mobilized to protect and defend America in battle domestically or overseas.

Learn more about about training.

What do MEPS and METS mean?

MEPS stands for Military Entrance Processing Station, METS stands for Military Entrance Testing Site.

Learn more

What is the Guard?

The Guard is a military branch that serves both state and federal governments, at home and overseas.

Find out more about the Guard.

Guard Pay

Do some jobs pay more than others?

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.

How much should I make my first year?

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.

Will I earn a bonus for becoming an officer?

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.

If my Annual Training extends past two weeks, will I be paid extra?

Yes, you will be paid for every day you work.

Find out about Annual Training pay.

Career and Jobs Skills

How do I become an officer?

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.

How long will I have to train for my Guard job?

The training period varies for each job.

Learn more

Does the Guard pay for education loans?

For certain career specialties, particularly medical professions, the Guard will reimburse student loans.

Contact a Guard representative.

What Guard jobs are available in my state?

Find jobs in your area on our Job Board.

Learn more

Prior Service

How will my prior service benefit me in the National Guard?

In two major ways: getting promotions and activating retirement benefits.

Learn more from a Guard representative.

As a prior service recruit, will I need to attend Basic Training?

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.

Will my National Guard service count toward my military retirement benefits?

Yes, provided you can complete 20 years of total military service by age 62.

Learn more about retirement benefits.

What is a good reason for me to join the Guard after getting off Active Duty?

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 more

GI Bill

Will my Chapter 1606 benefit be reinstated if I sign a new six-year Reserve Component contract?

You 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.

Will I lose my Chapter 1606 GI Bill benefit when I become a member of the Active Guard Reserve (AGR)?

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.

Does my Border Mission time count for the Chapter 1607 benefit?

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 I am discharged due to disability before my 90th day of service, what percentage of my benefits will I receive under Chapter 1607?

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.

If I qualify for both the MGIB-AD benefit and the MGIB-SR benefit, can I receive them at the same time?

You cannot receive payment from more than one benefit program at a time.

Learn more.

View all FAQs

Pay Calculator

Your estimated total for the first year.

*Details

Please 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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Guard Pay

Enlisted

Officer

Drill Pay over 12 months (?) Pay Calculator Drill Pay:
You'll earn a monthly paycheck for drilling locally one weekend each month. The higher your rank and the longer you serve, the more you'll make.

Annual Training Pay (?) Pay Calculator Annual Training:
Annual Training takes place once a year, from 14-21 days (depending on your Guard job). You'll earn at least this much, and you may also qualify for additional allowances.

Total $0

For more info on Guard Pay, click here.

Money for College