Army National Guard

NationalGuard.com serves as the primary online portal for information and recruitment regarding the United States Army National Guard and Air National Guard. It is designed for individuals interested in exploring service options, understanding benefits, and initiating contact with recruiters.

History, Definition, and Goals

• Historical Context: The National Guard traces its origins back to the earliest colonial militias of North America in 1636, making it the oldest component of the U.S. Armed Forces. It has evolved significantly over centuries, playing critical roles in every major U.S. conflict and numerous domestic emergencies.
• Definition: The National Guard is a unique branch of the U.S. military composed of "Citizen-Soldiers" and "Citizen-Airmen." These individuals typically serve part-time, maintaining civilian careers, families, and education while being ready to respond to state emergencies (like natural disasters) under the command of their state governor, or to federal missions (including overseas deployment) when activated by the President.
• Website Goals: The primary goals of NationalGuard.com are to inform the public about the mission, structure, and opportunities within the Army and Air National Guard, attract qualified candidates for enlistment, and provide a clear pathway for potential recruits to learn more and connect with local recruiters.

Core Functions and Features

The website offers several key functions to educate and engage prospective members:

1. Career Exploration: Provides detailed information on a wide array of available jobs (MOS for Army, AFSC for Air Force) within the Guard, covering duties, training requirements, and potential career paths.
2. Benefits Information: Outlines the comprehensive benefits associated with Guard service, including educational assistance (like the GI Bill and Tuition Assistance), competitive pay, low-cost health insurance (TRICARE Reserve Select), retirement plans, life insurance, and skills training.
3. Eligibility Requirements: Clearly lists the basic requirements for joining, such as age, citizenship, education level, and physical fitness standards.
4. Recruiter Locator: Features a tool allowing users to find and contact National Guard recruiters in their specific state or local area.
5. Training Information: Explains the initial training process, including Basic Combat Training (BCT) for the Army Guard, Basic Military Training (BMT) for the Air Guard, and subsequent Advanced Individual Training (AIT) or Technical School.

Distinctive Aspects

A key distinguishing feature highlighted by the site is the dual mission and part-time service model. NationalGuard.com emphasizes how individuals can serve their country and community while maintaining a civilian life, differentiating it from full-time active duty service. The site structures its information around this concept, showcasing how Guard membership integrates with civilian education and careers.

Advantages for Users

NationalGuard.com offers significant advantages for those considering service:

• Centralized Information: It acts as a one-stop resource for comprehensive details about both the Army and Air National Guard.
• Informed Decision Making: Users can thoroughly research careers, benefits, and requirements before committing to speaking with a recruiter.
• Clarity on Part-Time Service: It clearly articulates the unique balance of military service and civilian life offered by the Guard.
• Direct Connection: Provides an easy way to initiate contact with the appropriate recruiting personnel.

Social Media Presence

The National Guard maintains an active presence on several social media platforms:

• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NationalGuard
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/NationalGuard
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/TheNationalGuard

Organizational Relationships

NationalGuard.com represents a component of the larger U.S. military structure.

• It operates under the National Guard Bureau, which serves as a channel of communication between the Department of the Army and the Department of the Air Force and the National Guard in all 50 states, three territories, and the District of Columbia.
• It is inherently linked to the individual State National Guard organizations, as recruitment ultimately leads to service within a specific state's unit.
• It functions as the primary recruitment portal for the Guard components of the U.S. Army and U.S. Air Force.

Summary

NationalGuard.com is the official recruitment and information website for the U.S. Army National Guard and Air National Guard. It details the organization's rich history, unique dual mission, and the part-time service model. The site provides extensive resources on careers, benefits, eligibility, and training, serving as a crucial tool for individuals exploring the possibility of becoming Citizen-Soldiers or Citizen-Airmen. It effectively connects interested candidates with local recruiters and highlights the advantages of serving both community and country through the National Guard.