The Things People Ask Most

The Air National Guard is a reserve component of the U.S. Air Force that operates as part of California's military force under the Governor and, when activated, the President. We support state missions like wildfire response and federal missions worldwide. You serve part-time, one weekend a month plus two weeks a year, while keeping your civilian life.

As an E-1 with no prior service, you'll earn roughly $250 per drill weekend (2 days). During Basic Training and tech school, you're on full active-duty pay (about $2,000 per month). Pay scales as you rank up. By E-5, your weekend pay is around $485, and most Guardsmen pull in $5K to $15K extra per year on top of their civilian job.

Yes, and this is one of the strongest benefits we offer. You can stack the Montgomery GI Bill (Selected Reserve), Federal Tuition Assistance (up to $4,500 per year), and the California State Tuition Waiver (covers UC, CSU, and community college tuition 100%). Most Guardsmen graduate with zero student debt.

Be a U.S. citizen or Lawful Permanent Resident, age 17 to 39 (17 needs parental consent), have a high school diploma or GED, meet Air Force height and weight standards, pass the MEPS medical screening, and pass the ASVAB with a minimum AFQT of 31 (HS) or 50 (GED). Some past medical or legal issues can be waived: be honest with your recruiter so we can work through it.

Yes. The Air National Guard is unique in that you choose the unit and base where you'll drill. Most of my Ventura County recruits drill at Channel Islands or Vandenberg. You go to Basic Military Training and tech school out of state, but after that, you come home.

Over 80 Air Force Specialty Codes, including aircraft maintenance, security forces, intel, cyber, services, logistics, engineering, vehicle ops, and more. Our unit's vacancies are limited at any given time, and your ASVAB scores plus what is open at your base determine what you can pick. Important: applicants who go in flexible move through fast. Holding out for one specific AFSC often means waiting months or not getting the slot at all.

Pilot is an officer track and this office doesn't have pilot recruiters. You have two real paths: (1) Apply directly to a pilot board, start at BogiDope.com, which lists open Guard/Reserve pilot boards, eligibility requirements (4-year degree, AFOQT, TBAS, sometimes private flight hours), and an active applicant community. (2) Enlist first and work toward it. Many of our pilots came up as enlisted Airmen who networked at the unit, stood out, and earned their slot when a board opened.

Medical AFSCs are among our most competitive and limited slots. They open rarely, fill fast, and often require civilian credentials (LPN, RN, paramedic, MD or PA). I can't promise you a medical slot up front. Many people who want medical end up in an adjacent AFSC and cross-train into a medical role when a slot opens. It requires patience and presence at the unit.

Both are part-time reserve components, but the Air National Guard belongs to your state (governed by the Governor) until federalized, while the Air Force Reserve is purely federal. Guard members respond to local emergencies like wildfires and earthquakes in addition to federal missions, and benefits like the California State Tuition Waiver are Guard-specific.

Yes. That's the whole model. Most Guardsmen have a full-time civilian job, are in college, or both. By federal law (USERRA), your civilian employer must hold your position while you're on military duty.

BMT is 8.5 weeks at Lackland AFB in San Antonio, Texas. You'll learn military customs, drill, weapons handling, self-defense, basic first aid, and physical fitness. It's intense but doable. You're on full active-duty pay the whole time. Most Guardsmen ship to BMT within 6 to 12 months of enlistment.

Yes. Prior service is welcome and often comes with benefits like keeping your rank, your prior MOS or AFSC consideration, and a faster path to your unit. Call even if you're outside the standard age range, prior service folks often qualify for an age waiver.

Palace Chase lets active duty Air Force members transition into the Guard or Reserve before their contract is up. Palace Front lets them transition once their contract is complete. Both are great options if you want to keep serving but want more flexibility. Call to walk through the details.

The current standard is generally being off ADHD or stimulant meds for 24 months or more and able to demonstrate functioning without them. A medical waiver is sometimes possible: bring your records and we'll see what's possible. If you're still on meds, talk to your doctor first.

Tattoos on arms, legs, and torso are mostly fine. No face, neck, or hands (one ring tattoo per hand is allowed). No offensive, extremist, or sexually explicit content. If you're not sure, send pictures with a ruler for size reference and we'll get them screened.