Is ANG For Me? – Students & Newcomers

Set yourself up for a lifetime of possibilities

Students

If you've never been in the military before, joining the Air National Guard allows you to experience the pride that comes with serving your country and community, and the flexibility to pursue other goals.

Get paid to get schooled

Serving in the Air Guard, you'll take home a regular paycheck while learning skills that will stick with you for the rest of your life. But that's not all you'll get. Whether you need college tuition, or help financing a postgraduate education or vocational training, the Air Guard will often give you the money to make it happen, in the form of federal and state-specific educational assistance.

Make it real

If you're a professional looking to advance in your current career or start a new one, the training you receive in the Air Guard can give you a great foundation. Many jobs in the Air Guard require Airmen to learn technical skills that today's top employers value. Since you'll only be serving one weekend a month and two weeks a year, you'll have the opportunity to immediately apply what you learn here to your civilian job.

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Requirements for Students & Newcomers

Your path to the Air Guard will be unique to you. However, the requirements below should give you an idea of what's ahead based on your qualifications and experience.

Age

Those interested in joining the Air Guard who have never served before must be between the ages of 17 and 39.

Written Examination

New recruits are required to pass a written examination called the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) test.

If you would like to be an Officer, you must have a college degree or be close to graduating to apply. As an Officer in the Air Guard you'll develop leadership skills you can't get in the civilian world.

Medical Screening Test

New applicants are required to pass a medical screening test.

Strong Moral Character

Air Guard applicants must pass a rigorous background check before they can be accepted into the Air Guard.

Tattoo Consideration

Certain body art may not be allowed based on size, location, and content. Your recruiter will make the final decision.

Answering the call to serve Faces of ANG

Senior Airman Wolff

After serving as a volunteer firefighter for five years, Joshua took his fire emergency response training to the next level, attending tech school in the Air National Guard.

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Joshua Wolff: Firefighter

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Captain Moss

The attention to detail and extra effort that people in the civilian world associate with military experience have helped Esther advance quickly in her civilian career.

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Esther Moss: Physician Assistant

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Pay Calculator Estimate Your Pay

These calculations represent base pay and do not factor in potential income from other sources such as sign-on bonuses, specialty pay and tuition assistance, or non-cash compensation including health care and insurance.

Understand My Pay

Annual Training Pay is the total compensation for two weeks of training. Monthly Drill Pay is the monthly amount you receive for serving 1 weekend a month at your ANG base. The Annual Drill Pay represents the yearly total for all 12 months of Monthly Drill Pay. Your actual compensation may differ due to a number of factors.

Find Your Career

Talk to your local recruiter today

Head to the nearest Air Guard Recruiting Office to meet with a recruiter who can guide you through the application process. Click below to find a base close to you.