Introduction to Virginia Air National Guard
Are you interested in serving your country and your community while also pursuing a civilian career? The Virginia Air National Guard (VA ANG) offers a unique opportunity to do just that. As a member of the VA ANG, you will be part of a team that plays a critical role in supporting state and federal missions, while also enjoying the benefits of military service and training. In this article, we will explore the five ways to join the Virginia Air National Guard.
Method 1: Enlisting as a New Recruit
If you are new to the military, you can enlist in the VA ANG as a new recruit. To be eligible, you must:
- Be a U.S. citizen
- Be between the ages of 17 and 39
- Meet the physical and medical standards set by the Air National Guard
- Have a high school diploma or equivalent
- Score well on the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) test
To enlist, you will need to visit a VA ANG recruiter and go through the enlistment process, which includes:
- Taking the ASVAB test
- Completing a physical fitness test
- Receiving a medical examination
- Completing a background check
- Attending Basic Military Training (BMT)
đź’ˇ Note: If you have prior military service, you may be eligible to enlist as a prior service member, which can offer additional benefits and opportunities.
Method 2: Transferring from Another Branch of the Military
If you are currently serving in another branch of the military, you may be eligible to transfer to the VA ANG. To be eligible, you must:
- Be a current member of the military
- Meet the physical and medical standards set by the Air National Guard
- Have a minimum of two years remaining on your current enlistment contract
- Have a high school diploma or equivalent
- Score well on the ASVAB test
To transfer, you will need to:
- Contact a VA ANG recruiter to discuss your eligibility and options
- Complete a transfer application
- Receive approval from your current branch of service
- Attend a transfer orientation
Method 3: Joining as an Officer
If you have a bachelor’s degree or higher, you may be eligible to join the VA ANG as an officer. To be eligible, you must:
- Be a U.S. citizen
- Be between the ages of 17 and 39
- Meet the physical and medical standards set by the Air National Guard
- Have a bachelor’s degree or higher from an accredited institution
- Score well on the ASVAB test
To join as an officer, you will need to:
- Contact a VA ANG recruiter to discuss your eligibility and options
- Complete an officer application
- Attend Officer Training School (OTS)
- Receive a commission as an officer in the VA ANG
Method 4: Joining the VA ANG through the Academy of Military Science (AMS)
The Academy of Military Science (AMS) is a commissioning program for the Air National Guard that allows you to earn a commission as an officer while also earning a bachelor’s degree. To be eligible, you must:
- Be a U.S. citizen
- Be between the ages of 17 and 39
- Meet the physical and medical standards set by the Air National Guard
- Have a minimum of two years remaining before graduating from college
- Score well on the ASVAB test
To join the VA ANG through AMS, you will need to:
- Contact a VA ANG recruiter to discuss your eligibility and options
- Complete an AMS application
- Attend AMS at the Air National Guard’s Academy of Military Science
- Earn a commission as an officer in the VA ANG upon graduation
Method 5: Joining the VA ANG through the Air National Guard's Guard Officer Leadership Development (GOLD) Program
The Guard Officer Leadership Development (GOLD) program is a commissioning program for the Air National Guard that allows you to earn a commission as an officer while also earning a bachelor’s degree. To be eligible, you must:
- Be a U.S. citizen
- Be between the ages of 17 and 39
- Meet the physical and medical standards set by the Air National Guard
- Have a minimum of two years remaining before graduating from college
- Score well on the ASVAB test
To join the VA ANG through the GOLD program, you will need to:
- Contact a VA ANG recruiter to discuss your eligibility and options
- Complete a GOLD application
- Attend a GOLD orientation
- Earn a commission as an officer in the VA ANG upon completion of the program
As you can see, there are several ways to join the Virginia Air National Guard, each with its own eligibility requirements and benefits. Whether you are a new recruit, a prior service member, or an officer candidate, the VA ANG offers a unique opportunity to serve your country and your community while also pursuing a civilian career.
In summary, the five ways to join the Virginia Air National Guard are:
- Enlisting as a new recruit
- Transferring from another branch of the military
- Joining as an officer
- Joining through the Academy of Military Science (AMS) program
- Joining through the Guard Officer Leadership Development (GOLD) program
We hope this information has been helpful in exploring your options for joining the VA ANG. If you have any further questions or would like to discuss your eligibility and options, please contact a VA ANG recruiter.
What is the minimum age to join the VA ANG?
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The minimum age to join the VA ANG is 17 years old.
What is the maximum age to join the VA ANG?
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The maximum age to join the VA ANG is 39 years old.
What is the typical service commitment for the VA ANG?
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The typical service commitment for the VA ANG is six years.
