| The United States of America is divided into 50 states | | | | constraints like being in the age group of 17 to 34, |
| and each state has its National Guard. The National | | | | having a high school diploma or GED, being free of |
| Guard is primarily divided into two categories: the Army | | | | major law violations, being free of illegal drug use etc., |
| National Guard and the Air National Guard. The role of | | | | to be eligible. |
| the National Guard in United States is twofold; first, it is | | | | Aside from that, he or she must pass a physical test |
| a national force that serves the country at times of | | | | and clear the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude |
| emergency or war, and second, it is a state force, | | | | Battery Test (ASVAB). Once this is done, a recruit |
| under the control of the governor, ready to assist | | | | can choose a specific career interest and reserve a |
| citizens in times of domestic crisis or catastrophe. | | | | position before the start of the training program. In |
| Almost all of the positions within the National Guard are | | | | addition to paychecks and fee waivers at some |
| part-time, as members are expected to serve just one | | | | schools in their state, the other benefits enjoyed by |
| weekend a month, and are trained for only two weeks | | | | members are life insurance at very low premium rates, |
| in a year. Hence, the members can enjoy both lives; as | | | | and shopping benefits at military canteens and base |
| full time civilians, while getting the benefits of a military | | | | exchanges, where they can buy electronic goods and |
| career, which has excellent benefit packages, like the | | | | other commodities at cheaper rates. |
| waiver of school and college tuition, enhancing career | | | | Career Options |
| skills, and a regular salary. In return, they have to be | | | | The state as well as the federal government is in |
| ready to serve the country when the need arises. The | | | | command of the Army National Guard. The career |
| members of the National Guard serve the people | | | | options in the Army National Guard can be primarily |
| closest to them and society as a whole. | | | | classified into three sections - combat, combat support |
| Primary Duties | | | | and combat service support. Combat can be further |
| The primary duty of the Air National Guard as well as | | | | classified into infantry, armor, artillery, aviation and air |
| the Army National Guard is to help protect the people | | | | defense, while combat support can be subdivided into |
| at times of crisis, and serve the country in | | | | engineering, chemical, military policing, signaling, military |
| emergencies. Natural calamities like earthquakes, | | | | intelligence and civil affairs, combat service support can |
| storms or floods, and communal disturbances such as | | | | be sub-grouped into finance, personnel, public affairs, |
| riots, are some of the emergencies wherein the | | | | maintenance supply and transportation. |
| National Guard is expected to come to the aid of the | | | | Enlisting in the National Guard is not only patriotic, but |
| people. | | | | can prove to be very useful for those pursuing higher |
| The Air National Guard is responsible for the air | | | | education and seeking to enhance their career skills. |
| defense of the entire nation. It also serves as a | | | | While it provides a regular paycheck and free |
| backup force to the regular United States Air Force. A | | | | education, it also opens the doors to other job |
| person who wants to enroll for the Air National Guard | | | | opportunities that require experience and expertise. |
| must comply with some academic and non-academic | | | | |