Is Army National Guard Full Time?
The Army National Guard is a reserve component of the United States Army, and it’s natural to wonder if they are full-time or part-time. The answer is that the Army National Guard is a hybrid organization, offering both part-time and full-time opportunities. In this article, we’ll dive deeper into the details to help you understand the answer to this question.
What is the Army National Guard?
The Army National Guard is a reserve component of the United States Army, composed of citizen-soldiers who serve both their state and country. The National Guard is headquartered in Arlington, Virginia, and is part of the Department of Defense.
Part-Time Service
Active Duty Training (ADT): The majority of National Guard soldiers serve part-time, with drills and training typically held one weekend a month and two weeks during the summer (known as Annual Training, or AT). During these periods, soldiers receive pay and benefits, just like their active-duty counterparts.
Annual Training (AT): Two weeks of full-time training each year, during which soldiers participate in intensive training exercises, skills development, and unit training. This is an opportunity for soldiers to hone their skills, practice teamwork, and build unit cohesion.
Drill Weekends: One weekend a month, 8-16 hours of training, focusing on unit-level training, skills development, and leadership development.
Full-Time Service
Full-Time Support (FTS): A small percentage of National Guard soldiers serve full-time, providing support to the Army National Guard’s headquarters, units, and training centers. FTS soldiers are paid a regular Army salary and benefits.
Full-Time Active Duty (FTA): Up to 36 months of active duty service, which can include deployments, operations, and training exercises. FTA soldiers are paid a regular Army salary and benefits, and are subject to the same rules and regulations as active-duty soldiers.
Benefits of Serving in the Army National Guard
Education Benefits: The Army National Guard offers education benefits, including the Montgomery GI Bill, the Army National Guard Education Assistance Program, and the Post-9/11 GI Bill.
Training and Development: The Army National Guard offers a wide range of training and development opportunities, including leadership development, skills development, and professional certifications.
Career Advancement: The Army National Guard provides opportunities for career advancement, including promotions, certifications, and specialized training.
Travel and Adventure: The Army National Guard offers opportunities to travel and serve in various locations, both domestically and internationally.
Pay and Benefits: The Army National Guard offers competitive pay and benefits, including a regular Army salary, healthcare, and retirement benefits.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the Army National Guard is a hybrid organization, offering both part-time and full-time opportunities. While most soldiers serve part-time, with drills and training held one weekend a month and two weeks during the summer, a small percentage serve full-time, providing support to the Army National Guard’s headquarters, units, and training centers. Regardless of the level of commitment, serving in the Army National Guard offers a wide range of benefits, including education benefits, training and development opportunities, career advancement, travel and adventure, and competitive pay and benefits.
Comparison of Army National Guard and Active Duty
| Army National Guard | Active Duty | |
|---|---|---|
| Service | Part-time and full-time | Full-time |
| Training | One weekend a month, 2 weeks during summer | Year-round training |
| Deployment | May be deployed | May be deployed |
| Pay and Benefits | Competitive pay and benefits | Competitive pay and benefits |
| Education Benefits | Education benefits available | Education benefits available |
| Career Advancement | Opportunities for career advancement | Opportunities for career advancement |
Key Takeaways
- The Army National Guard is a hybrid organization, offering both part-time and full-time opportunities.
- Most soldiers serve part-time, with drills and training held one weekend a month and two weeks during the summer.
- A small percentage of soldiers serve full-time, providing support to the Army National Guard’s headquarters, units, and training centers.
- Serving in the Army National Guard offers a wide range of benefits, including education benefits, training and development opportunities, career advancement, travel and adventure, and competitive pay and benefits.
