Joining The National Guard: Basic Requirements To Enlist

Joining the National Guard can be a great way to serve your country, receive training and education benefits, and gain valuable work experience. However, there are certain basic requirements that you must meet in order to enlist. In this article, we will break down the basic requirements to join the National Guard and provide you with an overview of what you can expect during the enlistment process.

Basic Requirements to Join the National Guard

To be eligible to join the National Guard, you must meet certain basic requirements. These requirements include:

Age: You must be at least 17 years old to join the National Guard. If you are under 18, you will need parental consent to enlist.
Citizenship: You must be a U.S. citizen to join the National Guard.
Education: You must have a high school diploma or equivalent to join the National Guard.
Physical Fitness: You must be in good physical shape and pass a physical fitness test to join the National Guard.
Background Check: You must undergo a background check and have no felony convictions to join the National Guard.
Medical Standards: You must meet certain medical standards to join the National Guard, including passing a medical examination and having no serious medical conditions.

Additional Requirements for Enlisting in the National Guard

In addition to the basic requirements, there are some additional requirements that you must meet in order to enlist in the National Guard. These include:

ASVAB Scores: You must take the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) test and score well in the areas that correspond to your desired Military Occupational Specialty (MOS).
Job Selection: You must select a job, or MOS, that you are qualified for and that is available in the National Guard.
Enlistment Contract: You must sign an enlistment contract, which outlines the terms of your service, including the length of your enlistment and your job.

The Enlistment Process

The enlistment process for the National Guard typically involves the following steps:

Initial Contact: You will make initial contact with a National Guard recruiter to express your interest in joining the National Guard.
Eligibility Screening: The recruiter will screen you for eligibility and ensure that you meet the basic requirements to join the National Guard.
ASVAB Testing: You will take the ASVAB test to determine your qualifications for different MOSs.
Job Selection: You will select a job, or MOS, that you are qualified for and that is available in the National Guard.
Medical Examination: You will undergo a medical examination to ensure that you meet the medical standards for enlistment.
Background Check: You will undergo a background check to ensure that you have no felony convictions.
Enlistment Contract: You will sign an enlistment contract, which outlines the terms of your service.
Basic Training: You will attend Basic Combat Training (BCT) and Advanced Individual Training (AIT) to learn the skills you need to perform your job.

Benefits of Joining the National Guard

Joining the National Guard can provide you with a number of benefits, including:

Education Benefits: The National Guard offers education benefits, including the GI Bill and the National Guard Tuition Assistance Program.
Training and Experience: The National Guard provides you with training and experience in a specific job, or MOS.
Leadership Opportunities: The National Guard offers leadership opportunities, including the chance to become an officer or a non-commissioned officer.
Camaraderie: The National Guard provides you with a sense of camaraderie and belonging to a team.
Service to Country: The National Guard provides you with the opportunity to serve your country and make a difference in your community.

Conclusion

Joining the National Guard can be a great way to serve your country, receive training and education benefits, and gain valuable work experience. However, there are certain basic requirements that you must meet in order to enlist. By understanding the enlistment process and the benefits of joining the National Guard, you can make an informed decision about whether joining the National Guard is right for you.

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We hope this article has provided you with a comprehensive overview of the basic requirements to join the National Guard and the benefits of serving in the National Guard. If you have any questions or would like more information, please leave a comment below.