The Guard Apprenticeship Program Initiative (GAPI) is a great way for Army National Guard and Reserve Component Soldiers to use their military skills on the way to a civilian career.
Apprenticeships combine classroom studies with on-the-job training, supervised by a trade professional or supervisor. When you complete your apprenticeship*, you’ll be fully certified to work in your chosen occupation or trade.
*Apprenticeships can require one to six years to complete (2,000 documented work hours plus 144 related instructional hours) in order to become qualified in the occupation or trade.
Working as an apprentice gives you on-the-job training and a paycheck while you earn nationally recognized certification in a specialized field.
Guard apprenticeship doesn’t just provide a job and income, but a career. For Soldiers who are unemployed or underemployed, GAPI apprenticeships can offer a way to new training and to earning higher wages.
In addition, GAPI may qualify you for Veterans Affairs (VA) and GI Bill benefits while you use your military skills and experiences to start a new career.
There are over 100 Military Occupational Specialties (MOSs) approved by the Department of Labor as apprenticeship trades, including:
A GAPI representative in your state can provide a list of all currently eligible specialties.
To learn more about how you can further your military skills in a civilian apprenticeship, visit the GAPI page at the G1 Personnel Gateway.
You can find additional information about apprenticeships at the U.S. Department of Labor Registered Apprenticeship FAQ page. You can also find a list of apprenticeship offices in every state.
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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