The Air Guard was made an official component of the U.S. Air Force in 1947, following the great aerial battles of World War II. Like the Air Force Reserve, the Air Guard is made up of citizen-soldiers who train part time, close to home, until called upon for duty. These professionals are civilians in peace and Airmen in war – helping the U.S. Air Force guard America's skies.
Today the Air Guard is an essential component of the U.S. Air Force. Currently, this Force is made up of 160,700 Air Guard personnel. There are more then 140 Air Guard units throughout the U.S. and its territories with varying service options for a Reservist to choose from.
Before Serving in the Air Guard
To join the Air Guard, you must be between 18 and 35 years old, or 17 with parental consent. While exceptions are sometimes made for candidates with GEDs or other high school equivalents, high school diplomas are preferred. As in most service branches, the ASVAB test is used to match recruits with jobs.
As with full-time Air Force recruits, Air Guard members spend six weeks in Basic Military Training at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas. During this time, trainees develop the discipline, confidence, and skills to grow into Airmen.
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Air Guard Benefits
The Air Guard offers many of the same benefits as the active-duty Air Force, with the flexibility to train near home and maintain a civilian career until needed. A Guard member is paid for all time spent drilling and deployed, and has access to the same professional training as full-time servicemembers.
Air Guard Careers
While many commercial pilots begin their careers in the Air Force, an in-flight job is just one facet of training a servicemember might receive in the Air Guard. From telecommunications to ordnance disposal, Air Guard members develop valuable skills and character that civilian employers find very desirable.
