How Is National Guard Boot Camp?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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Very intense

, must be in somewhat good physical fitness standing for most objectives. Strict, no down time, felt treated unfairly. Very intense! National Guard members attend the same basic combat training as active duty counterparts and attend the same job specific training.

Is National Guard boot camp different?

All National Guard members must complete 10 weeks of Basic Combat Training,

the same boot camp attended by full-time Army Soldiers

.

Do you get paid for National Guard boot camp?

When serving in the Reserve or Guard,

you receive base pay for the time you spend in basic training or active duty

(e.g., annual training). You also receive drill pay for your inactive duty time, such as training weekends.

Can you fail National Guard basic training?



Yes, it is possible to fail basic training

. You could go through the trouble of leaving your home, job, family and friends and come back a failure. In fact, this happens to about 15% of recruits who join the military every year. Too many recruits I speak to think that it is impossible to fail basic training.

Is it worth it to be in the National Guard?


For many individuals, joining the National Guard is a great honor

. It allows you to travel to different parts of the world without being an active-duty soldier. The lessons and skills you'll learn from the National Guard can translate into a useful experience when finding a civilian job.

How long is National Guard contract?

The full National Guard service term is

eight years

. However, we offer several active service options within that time frame. For example, your child can commit to just three active years then enter IRR (Individual Ready Reserve) for the remainder of their term.

How often do National Guard units deploy?

Deployments are also less frequent. You will generally be deployed

once every two to three years for six to 15 months

.

What is the weight requirement for the National Guard?

New recruits have a higher weight limit than those already serving in the military. For instance, a recruit who is between 17 and 20 years, with a height of 60 inches, should not exceed

120lbs for females and 139lbs for males

.

How much does a National Guard make?

Annual Salary Monthly Pay
Top Earners


$97,500


$8,125
75th Percentile $56,500 $4,708 Average $48,477 $4,039 25th Percentile $25,000 $2,083

What is the highest paying job in the National Guard?

Rank Job Title Average Salary 1

Program Manager

$87,030
2 Program Analyst $73,958 3 Combat Engineer $71,714 4 Construction Engineer $70,785

How much money do you make after bootcamp?

Coding bootcamp graduates with a few years of experience can earn anywhere from around

$67,413 to around $83,319 per year

, according to PayScale.

Does 6 years in the National Guard make you a veteran?

Does 6 years in the National Guard make you a veteran?

Yes, if you spent at least 180 days of that 6 years deployed on federal active duty orders

. A 2016 change to federal law expanded the definition of “veteran” for many National Guard members.

Will I lose my job if I go to basic training?

No, by law all companies have to provide you with the required time off for military obligation provided that you supply them with a copy of your orders for the weekend drill or 2 week drill. They also have to save your job for you so that way you have your job upon returning.

How do you survive in boot camp?

  1. Run, run, run. The better shape you are in, the easier boot camp will be. …
  2. Bring your game face. Get up for it. …
  3. Check your attitude. …
  4. Take care of your wingman. …
  5. It's only temporary. …
  6. Know your benefits. …
  7. Study early. …
  8. Run with the pack.

Can you quit basic training?

Basic Training

If you have NOT been to the Military Entrance Processing Station (MEPS) and have NOT taken an Oath of ,

you are free to quit the process at any time

.

Why you shouldn't join the National Guard?

Unlike active duty Army or Air Force,

the Guard isn't your full-time job

. You'll need to find civilian employment to back it up. And Guard duty can make finding steady civilian challenging. Many employers are wary of hiring Guard soldiers since they know you may need to be out of work for duty.

How much does National Guard pay monthly?

Average Army National Guard Soldier monthly pay in the United States is

approximately $2,520

, which is 27% above the national average.

How much is National Guard retirement?

Military Retirement Pay Computations

will receive, over their lifetime,

$104 in retirement pay for every day they served on active duty

. Guard/Reserve Retirement is based on a “points' system. The average number of points received is 74/year. The Formula is Total Points Divided by 365.

Can you quit the National Guard?


You can't quit or leave the National Guard without an extremely purposeful reason

. All National Guard employees are allowed up to 15 days of paid military leave for each year of active duty. You can use this time off for any event or emergency necessary requiring you to leave during your active duty time.

What is the shortest term you can serve in the National Guard?

The Short Answer:

Two Years

With a Catch

Two years is the shortest amount of time a new enlistee can sign up for active duty, however, there is a catch. You actually have an eight-year commitment but you can perform this commitment as an active duty member, a Reservist, or Individual Ready Reservist (IRR).

What's the shortest term you can serve in the National Guard?

Your total enlistment period will be eight years, but you can serve as little as

three or six years

, and spend the remainder in IRR (Individual Ready Reserve).

Does National Guard see combat?

Could I be sent into combat? Yes. Because of the National Guard's dual state-federal mission,

Guard members can be mobilized to protect and defend America in battle domestically or overseas

.

Can you go full time National Guard?

They work for the military full time, may live on a military base, and can be deployed at any time.

Persons in the Reserve or National Guard are not full-time active duty military personnel, although they can be deployed at any time should the need arise

.

How long is National Guard SF training?

The entire training timeline is

18 to 27 months

, depending upon attendance to Airborne School, WLC, HALO and SF MOS.

What disqualifies the National Guard?

There are

age, citizenship, physical, education, height/weight, criminal record, medical, and drug history standards

that can exclude you from joining the military.

Can you be fat in the military?


You can still serve the U.S. Armed Forces if you are obese by receiving a medical waiver

. Approximately 20% of new recruits need a waiver for their weight to attend boot camp. However, those that receive a waiver must lose weight and reach minimum requirements prior to the end of boot camp to continue training.

What is the maximum age to join the National Guard?

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 at least a junior in high school, or have a high school diploma or a GED certificate.

Carlos Perez
Author
Carlos Perez
Carlos Perez is an education expert and teacher with over 20 years of experience working with youth. He holds a degree in education and has taught in both public and private schools, as well as in community-based organizations. Carlos is passionate about empowering young people and helping them reach their full potential through education and mentorship.