Prior Service Coast Guard Requirements

As a former or current member of the United States Coast Guard, you hold a unique place among America's military men and women.

You've protected America's valued resources and challenged the worst elements to ensure the safety of others.

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

Now you can continue to serve—and join other former Coast Guard members in your own community—when you join the Army National Guard. You can live at home, hold a civilian job or go to school, and still serve both your state and your country.

For U.S. Coast Guard personnel enlisting into the Army National Guard, the following requirements will apply:

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

  • 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 Coast Guard Reserve 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

  • All USCG personnel will be required to attend Army Basic Combat Training (BCT).
  • 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.