About

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OBLIGATIONS

When you join the DC Army National Guard, you must attend a paid drill one weekend a month and attend paid Annual Training for two weeks every summer.

History

“PROTECTING THE CAPITAL AND DEFENDING THE NATION SINCE 1802”

The DC Army National Guard provides mission-ready personnel and units for active duty in the armed services in the time of war or national emergency. The DC Army National Guard also retains the mission as protector of the District of Columbia.

Today’s DC Army National Guard remains strong, with more than 2,700 Soldiers and Airmen available to execute its missions. DC Army National Guard Soldiers and Airmen reside within the District of Columbia, Maryland, and Virginia, and are proud to be from the communities in which we protect and serve.

The DC Army National Guard was formed in 1802 by President Thomas Jefferson to defend the newly created District of Columbia. As such, the Commanding General of the DC Army National Guard is subordinate solely to the President of the United States. This authority to activate the DC Army National Guard has been delegated, by the President, to the Secretary of Defense and further delegated to the Secretary of the Army. The DC Army National Guard is the only National Guard unit, out of all the 54 states and territories, which reports only to the President.

FAQ

Contact your local recruiter.

The National Guard is a unique element of the U.S. military serving both community and the country. The Guard responds to domestic emergencies, overseas combat missions, counterdrug efforts, reconstruction missions, and more. Any state governor or the President of the United States can call on the Guard at a moment’s notice. Guard Soldiers hold civilian jobs or attend college while maintaining their military training part-time. Guard Soldiers’ primary area of operation is their home state.

There are over 150 different jobs available in the Guard. Infantry, Air Defense, Medical and Military Police are examples of Guard career fields. Opportunities are also available in intelligence, technology, engineering, aviation, and many other fields. Contact your local DCARNG recruiter.

You can enlist for as few as three years, with an additional commitment to the Individual Ready Reserve (IRR). IRR Soldiers don’t train with a unit but can still be called up in an emergency.

Yes. Because of the National Guard’s dual state-federal mission, Guard members can be mobilized to protect and defend America in battle domestically or overseas. Should this happen, you’ll be trained, ready and prepared to go, mentally and physically.

There are different ways to become an officer. If you’re heading to college, the ROTC program is the way to go. If you’re already in the enlisted ranks, you can attend Officer Candidate School. And candidates with special qualifications, such as attorneys, chaplains, and medical professionals, may be eligible for direct commission.
Our mission makes us different. Unlike the other branches, Guard Soldiers can be deployed by the governors of their resident states to support communities stricken by natural disasters like floods and hurricanes. Guard Soldiers can also be deployed by the president of the United States to defend our country or support our allies overseas. This dual role for the Guard is what makes us unique.
The training period varies for each job based on the MOS you choose. Some schools take as few as 4-9 weeks, while other more specialized or critical jobs take up to 64 weeks. For Special Forces, training is even longer.