ELIGIBILITY
What does it take to join the Army National Guard?
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
Achieve a minimum score on the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) test
Meet medical, physical, and moral requirements
Non-Prior Service Enlistment Options
Non-Prior Service Enlistment Options
- Recruit Sustainment Program (RSP).
- Split Training Option (STO)
- ROTC Simultaneous Membership Program
- Officer Candidate School
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College First Enlistment Option
The North Carolina Army National Guard College First Enlistment Option provides applicants the opportunity to serve in the Army National Guard and complete up to two years of full-time schooling. Applicants that enlist under this option may be stabilized for up to 24 months upon completion of Initial Entry Training (IET) and reporting fully qualified to their unit of assignment.
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Civilian Acquired Skills Program
The Civilian Acquired Skills Program (CASP) allows you to enlist in the Army National Guard at an advanced rank (E-2 to E-4) or bypass parts of initial training by leveraging your existing civilian education, work experience, and state-issued licenses or certifications.
Prior Service Eligibility
Prior Service Eligibility
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Prior Service
It doesn’t matter what branch you served in; all your time will be added to your time in the Army National Guard. If you want to make a career out of the military, you will be able to reach your 20 years and be eligible for military retirement and benefits.
Your last discharge must have been under Honorable Conditions. Army RE-4s and Less than Honorable discharges are not eligible for enlistment.
After the applicant is given credit for total prior service (Active and Reserve Component), the applicant must be able to qualify for non-regular retired pay by age 60. For applicants processing for entry into the Army National Guard, age is not a factor as long as the applicant qualifies for non-regular retired pay by age 60.
If you have been out less than 6 months, then you may be eligible to enlist without a new MEPS physical. You need to contact your local recruiter so that we can determine your current status. Best thing to do, if possible, is to locate a copy of the last physical you took and give us a call.
A new ASVAB test is not required as long as previous ASVAB scores can be verified. However, you are eligible to retake the ASVAB if necessary, in order to qualify for a new M.O.S.
Fitness Requirements
Fitness Requirements
The Army Fitness Test (AFT) is the assessment for the physical domain of the Army’s Holistic Health and Fitness System. The Holistic Health and Fitness (H2F) System is the Army’s primary investment in Soldier readiness and lethality, optimal physical and non-physical performance, reduced injury rates, improved rehabilitation after injury and increased overall effectiveness of the Total Army.
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3-Repetition Maximum Deadlift (MDL)
Replicates lifting heavy equipment or wounded soldiers using a hex bar.
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Hand-Release Push-Up (HRP)
Measures upper-body endurance by requiring soldiers to lift their hands off the ground at the bottom of each push-up.
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Sprint-Drag-Carry (SDC)
A high-intensity 5x25-meter shuttle test involving sprinting, dragging a 90-pound sled, lateral shuffling, carrying two 40-pound kettlebells, and a final sprint.
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Plank (PLK)
Tests core strength and stability through a timed static hold
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2-Mile Run (2MR)
A timed run assessing aerobic endurance and cardiovascular health.