The National Guard is a reserve component of the United States armed forces, made up of citizens who volunteer to serve in the military on either a part-time or full-time basis. National Guard members typically train for one weekend each month and for two weeks each year, but some may have additional training requirements.
How long is National Guard training camp? It depends on the specific branch and the type of training being done.
Army National Guard Training Camp Length
Army National Guard soldiers attend 10 weeks of Basic Combat Training (BCT). This intense course teaches basic combat skills such as marksmanship, hand-to-hand combat, and field tactics.
Additionally, soldiers are trained in military customs and courtesies, drill and ceremony, physical fitness, first aid, and map reading. After completing BCT, Army National Guard soldiers may attend Advanced Individual Training (AIT), depending on their chosen Military Occupational Specialty (MOS). AIT usually lasts 10 weeks and focuses on developing more specialized skills related to the soldier’s job.
Air National Guard Training Camp Length
Air National Guard members typically attend an 8 ½ week basic training program known as Initial Entry Training (IET). During IET they receive classroom instruction in military history, customs and courtesies, drill and ceremonies, Air Force core values, physical fitness training, weapons safety and handling procedures, deployments operations procedures and leadership development.
They also receive hands-on instruction in basic battle tactics. After completing IET airmen enter technical school for their advanced individual training which can last from 6 to 18 weeks depending on the specialty chosen.
Coast Guard Training Camp Length
The Coast Guard has an 8 week boot camp known as Recruit Training Center Cape May or “RTC” that all new recruits must attend regardless of prior experience in other branches of service. In addition to military customs and regulations they learn search-and-rescue operations along with boat handling skills such as navigation rules of the road, firefighting techniques both aboard ship and ashore as well as how to respond to hazardous material spills in the waterway environment.
Conclusion
National Guard training camp length varies depending on branch and type of training being conducted but generally ranges between 8 to 10 weeks for basic training followed by 6 to 18 weeks for advanced individual training if required.
