The National Guard is a US military branch that assists in domestic emergencies. Qualifications include being a US citizen between 17 and 35, passing the ASVAB exam, meeting physical requirements, and completing Basic Combat Training.
The National Guard is a branch of the US military in which its service members act whenever called upon to assist in domestic emergencies, including natural disasters, terrorism, and war efforts such as in Iraq and Afghanistan. Each state has a separate National Guard that oversees it and is commanded by the governor, while also receiving orders from the president of the United States. Qualifications for the National Guard relate to eligibility criteria and the duties that must be performed for acceptance as a service member. The National Guard requires applicants to be between the ages of 17 and 35 and be United States citizens. There are age allowances for applicants over 35 who have specialist qualifications, such as being a licensed healthcare professional or a lawyer.
Educational qualifications for the National Guard require candidates to successfully pass the Armed Services Professional Aptitude Battery (ASVAB), an exam that covers core areas including reading comprehension, mathematics and science. In addition to academics, the exam assesses professional knowledge in automotive mechanics and electronics. The ASVAB not only determines eligibility, but also professional duties upon being accepted into the National Guard. All applicants must also possess a high school diploma. Individuals in their last year of high school can still enroll while completing, and help is available for those who have not completed high school.
As part of the physical qualifications for the National Guard, candidates must fall within certain height and weight guidelines. Values vary based on age, gender, and military service history. A physical endurance test, called the Army Physical Fitness Test (APFT), is also provided, which rates the total number of sit-ups and push-ups that can be completed within two minutes for each exercise. Running two miles is also required, and results are determined by an assigned score matching certain age and gender guidelines. Everyone in the military is required to take the APFT twice a year, as it is a very important factor in whether physically demanding tasks can be performed successfully.
Upon enlistment, a ship date is confirmed for completion of Basic Combat Training (CBT), which is included in qualifications for the National Guard. CBT is an arduous 10-week training that every military recruit completes to develop the mental and physical skills necessary to perform the required duties. During the first three weeks, Soldiers learn how to assemble, disassemble and transport an M-16, as well as crowd dispersal techniques and hand-to-hand combat. Learning to become a good sharpshooter, reading maps, and conducting convoy operations mark the middle weeks. Finally completed, the end of cycle test (EOCT), consisting of over 200 tasks, must be passed, and the APFT is then taken once more before graduation.
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