The Recruit Sustainment Program, managed by the National Guard, is an introduction course that prepares Guard students for the more advanced Basic Combat Training course that will need to be completed later. The RSP trains students to be ready for a career in the Guard, and the drills make the students more familiar with the terminology and comfortable with the protocols that accompany Guard service. The RSP is held one weekend a month, attendance is mandatory and you will be paid for the time you spend completing the course. There are six phases to the program, with each phase addressing and focusing on a particular topic. Subjects that will be covered include the history of the Guard, fireguard and guard duties, wearing uniforms properly, preparations for BCT, convoy operations, army structure and chain of command.
Designed for people who want to become National Guard Soldiers, Basic Combat Training is a 10-week long training program that consists of intense and highly challenging mental and physical drills. The course aims to enhance the skills of the students while enabling them to confidently protect America and be well-trained fighters. BCT activities include obstacle courses, combat lessons, shooting drills, mental tests and simulations regarding realistic and dangerous National Guard situations. The course instills its students with discipline as they must follow the orders dictated by the drill sergeant, strengthens their bodies and minds as they complete very difficult tasks, and teaches them about honor, courage and integrity as they complete the program.
After completing the BCT program, students may enroll into the Advanced Individual Training program, which provides intense individual training for each student. The student must pick a specialty or a field in the National Guard that is most suitable for him. Then the student trains heavily during the next two to 12 months, receives numerous lessons that focus on his specialty, gets intensive field instruction and hands-on experience pertaining to the job and acquires the skills necessary to transform him into a competent and successful soldier. The different specialties and fields students may choose from for an AIT program include Infantry, Aviation, Medical, Military Police, Armor and Field Artillery, Mechanic and Maintenance, Signal and Military Intelligence, Special Forces and Administrative.
The National Guard offers an educational program to train people who want to become officers. To enroll in the course, students must have a four year college degree, however if they do not have one the Guard can help them get it. To complete the program, students must attend advanced training sessions that will enhance their physical and mental skills, listen to informational lectures to acquire excellent leadership skills and complete very difficult tasks that will further strengthen their abilities to effectively lead troops.
(CE: See Reference 3)
National Guard bases are dispersed all throughout U.S. territory. There is at least one National Guard base in every state, and there are also Guard bases in overseas provinces of the U.S. such as Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands and Guam. To enroll into a National Guard course and join the branch within your state (or province), contact your state's National Guard administrative office. You can also apply online at the National Guard website.