The National Guard is a unique and essential element of the U.S. Founded in 1636 as a citizen force organized to protect families and towns from hostile attacks, today’s National Guard Soldiers hold civilian jobs or attend college while maintaining their military training part time, always ready to defend the American way of life in the event of an emergency. As a Guard Soldier, your primary area
of operation is your home state. Any governor or the president himself can call on the Guard at a moment’s notice. Typically, Guard Soldiers live at home, where they can be near friends and family while holding a civilian job. Drill is scheduled just one weekend each month. Two-week Annual Training takes place once each year. Physical and mental toughness are just the basic requirements. This is about commitment. A commitment to yourself. A commitment to those around you. A commitment to make a difference, help those in need and be a keeper of the American dream. It takes drive—the kind that doesn’t fade when impossible obstacles are staring you in the face. It takes mitigation, teamwork and the will to achieve something bigger. If you’re looking for something more, the Guard is looking for you. Get a degree with money for school, learn job skills that translate to the civilian world, make bonds that last a lifetime and earn pride for life. When you become a Guard Soldier, your family will thank you, your country will thank you and your future will owe you. A path with purpose. You will hurdle obstacles physically and mentally. You will learn skills that translate into civilian jobs and gain experience that can’t be taught in a classroom. You will face challenges and learn to overcome them. With your well-earned sense of pride and selflessness, people will look to you in the moment of need. You will rebuild the lives of friends and neighbors after a devastating disaster, or travel the globe to bring basic human needs to a third-world village. Your sense of purpose and impact on the world around you will never waver again. To join the National Guard without prior service, you must meet these mandatory requirements:
Be between the ages of 17 and 35
Be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident
Be a at least a junior in high school, or have a high school diploma or a GED certificate
Meet medical, physical and moral requirements
With Prior Military Service, you may be Eligible to Enlist based upon your Last Discharge.
