How long is national guard training?

How Long is National Guard Training?

The Overview

The National Guard is a reserve component of the United States Armed Forces, consisting of both active duty and reserve units from each state. The main difference between the National Guard and other branches of the military is that National Guard personnel can also serve as governors’ authorized militia, enforcing state law and responding to domestic emergencies. When ordered to active duty, National Guard personnel can be mobilized to support federal government efforts.

Becoming a National Guardsman: Initial Training Period

Prospective National Guardsmen can join through the Army, Air, or State Troops components. The recruitment process typically involves:

• Meeting eligibility requirements (see below)
• Completing an online application
• Scheduling a physical medical exam
• Taking an ASVAB (Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery) test

Eligibility Requirements

To join the National Guard, you must be:

• A U.S. citizen
• Be between 17 and 35 years old (varies depending on the MOS, Military Occupational Specialty) for the Army and between 17 and 49 for the Air National Guard
• Be a legal resident of the state and county in which you reside
• Pass a Physical Fitness Test (PFT)
• Have a GED or high school diploma
• Pass a thorough background check

Initial Training Period Overview

All new National Guardsmen participate in the Initial Entry Training (IET) or Basic Combat Training (BCT). This 12-week period covers:

Weeks 1-4: Boot Camp Basics

• Introduction to basic combat skills, such as first aid, map-reading, and basic firecraft
• Physical Fitness Training (PFT)

Weeks 5-8: Tactical Training

• Small arms skills training (rifle qualification)
• Marksmanship training
• Basic close quarters battle training

Weeks 9-12: Survival Skills and Deployment Preparation

• Improvised Munitions and In-Country Operations (Improvised Munitions and Other Special Tactics)
• Navigation and orienteering

Advanced Training: Specialized Skills Training

Specialized skills training allows National Guardsmen to branch out into specific Military Occupational Specialties (MOS):

• Examples of MOS and corresponding training duration:

• 11B – Infantry (14 weeks) -> Advanced Individual Training (AIT) + Leadership Training + SQT (Soldier Quarterly Training)
• 31B – wheeled-vehicle mechanic (12 weeks) -> 1-year AIT -> additional certifications
• 4L0x1 – Signals Intelligence Sergeant (10 weeks) -> AIT + SQT + language training

Please note that these are generalizations and may vary depending on the MOS and individual enlistment requirements.

Leadership Training: Non-Commissioned Officers (NCOs) and Commissioned Officers (COs)

Leadership training aims to prepare National Guardsmen for more senior roles and responsibilities. This includes:

• Non-Commissioned Officer (NCO) Basic Training (6-weeks) for NCOs
• Officer Candidate School (OCS) training for commissioned officers (average 3-4 weeks)
• Leadership courses such as Platoon Leader Class (PLC) (14-weeks) or Field Artillery Officer’s Basic Course (FAOB) (7-weeks)
• Command and General Staff College (CGSC) training for senior officers and staff members

Post-Training Rotation: The Transition to Citizen-Soldier

After completing Advanced Individual Training (AIT), National Guardsmen typically start their unit rotation. At this point, they:
• Participate in pre-deployment training and field exercises
• Attend local and regional training events

Important note: Prior to being activated for overseas duty, National Guardsmen undergo an additional 13-18 weeks of Additional Combat Training (ACT)

Conclusion

National Guard training varies depending on the type of enlistment, skill set, and leadership progression. As a general summary:

• Initial Entry Training (IET) 12-weeks
• Advanced Training (AIT/MOS training) 9-52 weeks
• Leadership Training (NCO/CO) 7-30 weeks
• Post-Training Rotation rotation and continuous training

With an estimated 12 to 26 weeks of dedicated training time, National Guard members have the opportunity to develop the skills and readiness to support both state and federal military operations. This dynamic environment fosters diverse skills development, leadership preparation, and camaraderie, shaping the National Guard into an essential component of the US military.