Your Responsibilities

Now that you know more about what you can expect from the Guard, it is important for you to know what the Guard expects from you.

Simply put, your leaders and fellow Guard members expect you to carry out your Guard duties efficiently and to conduct yourself — at all times — as a professional Soldier. To accomplish this, you are required to report as ordered for all weekend assemblies (drill), annual training, basic and advanced training, or mobilizations.

Though we expect you to give your best, we will not ask you to do anything we wouldn't ask of any other Guard member. Every member of the Army National Guard is responsible for:

Successful Completion of Basic and Advanced Training

Unless you are excused by proper authority, you cannot serve without having passed the nine-week Basic Training Program and any advanced training your ARNG assignment may require.

Attendance at Weekend Assemblies

Most Guard units meet on the same weekend of each month. Your leaders will give you a schedule.

Annual Training

For approximately two weeks every year, you will be required to serve wherever your unit is assigned. Your leaders will give you advance notice of when and where to report.

Mobilization

In the event of a local or national emergency, you must report when and where ordered.

Appearance

You must report for any assignment in uniform, unless otherwise ordered. Your uniforms will be kept in top condition — strictly conforming to Army National Guard regulations.

Employer Notification

You must inform your employer whenever your Guard assignments will keep you away from work. In the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve section of the Army National Guard Almanac, you will find information on how to fulfill your obligations to your employer.

Reporting Absences

Naturally, there will be occasions when illness, injury, or emergencies will cause you to miss a scheduled assembly. If this happens, you must notify your unit of the absence and your reason for missing assembly. Only your unit commander may grant an excused absence. If you are excused, a make-up assembly will be scheduled.

Unit Notification

Any address or personal record change should be reported to your chain of command. This includes, but is not limited to, relocation, telephone number change, marital status, and new children.

Job conflicts, overtime, or loss of income are not normally considered valid reasons for absence from training. True hardship cases which result from these situations should be reported to your unit commander.