Prior Service Army Requirements

As a former or current Soldier, you’ve felt the pride that comes with being part of a uniquely American team.

You’ve enjoyed a sense of personal accomplishment and achieved high goals on behalf of your country.

Now you can continue to serve—and take your place with other Soldiers in your own community—when you re-enlist in the Army National Guard.

The National Guard makes it easy for U.S. Army personnel to enlist into Guard service:

Enlisted Soldiers

  • 180 days (six months) from date of separation from the Army, enlisted personnel can sign a contract with a Reserve Component Career Counselor (RCCC), located on most Army posts.
  • Working with your RCCC will allow for a smooth transition, with no break in service.
  • Depending on your state, you may qualify for up to two years of stabilization (certain states may offer more).
  • You may qualify for MSO reduction.

Commissioned Officers

  • 180 days (six months) from date of separation from the Army, you may talk to a Silver Siege Reserve Component officer recruiter (located on most Army posts).
  • Working with a Silver Siege recruiter will allow for a smooth transition, with no break in service.
  • Depending on your state, you may qualify for up to two years of stabilization (certain states may offer more).
  • You may qualify for MSO reduction.
  • You must have no adverse actions against you (e.g., Conduct Unbecoming of an Officer).

Prerequisites

Age

  • Minimum: Applicants must be at least 18 years old.
  • Maximum: After applicant is given credit for total prior service (Active and Reserve Component), the applicant must be able to qualify for non-regular retired pay by age 62. For applicants processing for entry into the Army National Guard, age is not a factor as long as the applicant qualifies for non-regular retired pay by age 62.

Physical

  • Applicants must meet height/weight and current medical requirements to join the Army National Guard.

Education

  • Prior Service applicants must meet the education standards for the MOS or option for which they are enlisting.

Background

  • Prior Service applicants must have most current DD 214, NGB22, or discharge order.
  • Current Army Reserve Soldiers must have approved DD Form 368 Conditional Release.
  • Current Dept. of Army policy below:
    1. No conduct waivers authorized at any level (limited exception is noted below).
    2. No DAT waivers.
    3. No prior separation/discharge for misconduct, or any other type of involuntary waiver that involved misconduct.
    4. No administrative waivers for performance. Other administrative type waivers for Days of Service (DOS) applicants with less than 180 days of Active Federal Service (AFS) such as entry-level separation waivers may still be processed.
    5. A TAG level conduct waiver (NOT including DAT or drug waivers) may be considered in meritorious cases for enlistment, provided the last period of service was honorable and no less than two years have elapsed since the last offense.

    6. Note: PS applicants who were awarded medals for valor, were wounded in combat or completed an honorable term of service (excluding IRR) may be granted an exception to this policy.

Dependents

  • Applicants must meet the current dependency criteria standards.

Basic Training

  • Prior Service Soldiers enlisting into the Army National Guard are not required to attend Basic Combat Training.
  • Applicants with a break in service of over 10 years must re-take the ASVAB to establish current line scores. If not already qualified (MOSQ) for the position the applicant must attain the qualifying score for the MOS in which they will be enlisted per DA PAM 611-21.

Benefits vary state to state; check with your local recruiter or Reserve Component Career Counselor (on Active Duty posts), or click on the Join the Guard button below for the most up-to-date information.