Your first weekend at RSP is “Red Phase.” In this intensive first few days, you’ll learn basics you need to know right away—like Army structure and ranks, saluting and forms of address, your physical fitness assessment and more, that may include:
Some of these terms and topics may not make sense yet, but you’ll pick things up quickly. Here is a brief example of some of the items you’ll be learning during Red Phase:
Military life has rules. You’ll get ahead of the game if you learn them early. As you learn the Army structure, chain of command and rank insignia, you’ll quickly learn how to follow the rules and extend the proper courtesies to fellow Guard members.
Saluting
You should always salute Commissioned Officers and Warrant Officers if you’re outside in the open with no overhead cover. Do this whenever you’re in uniform. On the other hand, you should not salute NCOs or enlisted personnel. You’ll learn more about this as you continue your training, but make sure you remember to salute officers if you encounter any at Basic Combat Training (BCT). Whenever you’re speaking with any superior officer or NCO, make sure to stand at attention until given the “at ease” order.
When in doubt, promote. If you don’t know whether to salute or not, always salute. Likewise, if you’re not sure how to address someone, go with the higher form of respect and say “Sir” or “Ma’am.” A non-officer may correct you, but you won’t have insulted him or her.
Reporting Procedures
“Reporting” is the name for what you say when you report to a senior officer for any reason. When you report, take off any headgear, if you’re indoors (unless under arms), turn your head and eyes toward the officer, stand at attention and salute. If the officer has summoned you, say: “Sir/Ma’am, Private Smith reports as ordered.” If the officer has not summoned you, just say: “Sir/Ma’am, Private Smith reports.”
Remember that the subordinate Soldier always initiates the salute, and holds the salute until it has been acknowledged by the officer.
One very useful tool you’ll receive early on in your Guard career (if you haven’t already) is the Battle Book. It has a planner along with a wealth of information about the Guard. Bring your Battle Book with you to each drill—it’s a great place to store your handouts and important papers.
Physical fitness is an essential part of your Guard career from the moment it begins. You’ll take several fitness tests at Initial Active Duty Training (IADT). The first tests are in your home state less than 30 days before you ship to BCT. You’ll have to pass another test at the end of BCT in order to graduate. Finally, when you arrive at AIT to begin MOS training, there will be another fitness test (again, you’ll have to pass). During BCT and AIT you will also have diagnostic fitness tests to gauge your progress.
Click here to visit the Fitness Section of the site and focus your efforts!
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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