What are the Qualifications to Join the National Guard?
The National Guard is a reserve component of the United States Armed Forces, comprising of both full-time and part-time soldiers. To join the National Guard, individuals must meet certain qualifications and requirements. In this article, we will explore the qualifications to join the National Guard and provide a comprehensive overview of the process.
Basic Qualifications
To be eligible to join the National Guard, individuals must:
- Be a U.S. citizen
- Be between the ages of 17 and 35 (with some exceptions for older individuals)
- Be a high school graduate or have a GED
- Pass a physical fitness test (PFT)
- Pass a background check
- Meet the minimum education requirements for the specific Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) being applied for
Education Requirements
The National Guard has different education requirements for different MOSs. Some common education requirements include:
- High School Diploma or Equivalent: Most National Guard positions require a high school diploma or equivalent.
- Some College or Associate’s Degree: Some MOSs require some college credit or an associate’s degree.
- Bachelor’s Degree: Some specialized MOSs, such as those in the medical field, require a bachelor’s degree.
Physical Fitness Requirements
To join the National Guard, individuals must pass a PFT, which includes:
- Push-ups: 30-40 push-ups in 2 minutes
- Sit-ups: 30-40 sit-ups in 2 minutes
- 1.5-mile Run: Complete a 1.5-mile run in 13:30 minutes or less
- Body Mass Index (BMI): Meet the National Guard’s BMI standards
Medical Requirements
To join the National Guard, individuals must meet certain medical requirements, including:
- Vision: Meet the National Guard’s vision standards
- Hearing: Meet the National Guard’s hearing standards
- Blood Pressure: Meet the National Guard’s blood pressure standards
- Height and Weight: Meet the National Guard’s height and weight standards
Background Check
The National Guard conducts a background check on all applicants, which includes:
- Criminal History: The National Guard checks for any criminal history, including felonies and misdemeanors
- Credit History: The National Guard checks for any credit issues
- Employment History: The National Guard checks for any employment history issues
Moral Character
The National Guard also considers an individual’s moral character when evaluating their application. This includes:
- Criminal Record: Any criminal record, including felony and misdemeanor convictions
- Drug Use: Any history of drug use or addiction
- Immoral Conduct: Any history of immoral conduct, such as adultery or other inappropriate behavior
Recruiting Process
The recruiting process for the National Guard typically involves the following steps:
- Contact a Recruiter: Individuals can contact a National Guard recruiter to express interest in joining the National Guard.
- Initial Screening: The recruiter will conduct an initial screening to determine if the individual meets the basic qualifications.
- Application: The individual will complete an application, which includes providing personal and military history information.
- Assessment and Evaluation: The individual will undergo an assessment and evaluation, which includes a PFT, medical evaluation, and background check.
- Interview: The individual will have an interview with a National Guard officer or recruiter.
- Enlistment: If the individual is selected, they will be offered an enlistment contract and will take the oath of enlistment.
Table: National Guard Qualifications
| Qualification | Requirements |
|---|---|
| Age | 17-35 (with some exceptions) |
| Education | High school diploma or equivalent |
| Physical Fitness | Pass PFT (push-ups, sit-ups, 1.5-mile run, BMI) |
| Medical | Meet medical standards (vision, hearing, blood pressure, height and weight) |
| Background Check | Pass background check (criminal history, credit history, employment history) |
| Moral Character | Meet moral character standards (no criminal record, no drug use, no immoral conduct) |
Conclusion
Joining the National Guard requires meeting certain qualifications and requirements. These qualifications include basic qualifications, education requirements, physical fitness requirements, medical requirements, background check, and moral character. The recruiting process typically involves contacting a recruiter, initial screening, application, assessment and evaluation, interview, and enlistment. By understanding the qualifications and requirements, individuals can better prepare themselves to join the National Guard and serve their country.
