Army Components

The Army consists of the Active Duty, Army National Guard, and Army Reserve components. Each ensures the Army is prepared and efficient as a well-rounded force. Click for more info.

Which component you choose at the end of your third year (MS3 year) of ROTC or when you accept an ROTC scholarship depends on your career and higher education goals. Commissioning as an Active Duty Officer ensures you receive a full-time salary with all Active Duty benefits for you and your family. Active Duty Officers have some preference and flexibility to be stationed across the world.

On the other hand, the Army National Guard or Army Reserve components may benefit other students who seek to guarantee part-time service upon graduation while simultaneously pursuing civilian career goals or graduate/postgraduate education. In addition, choosing part-time service in the National Guard or Army Reserve may enable graduates to pinpoint specific states where they want to work after graduation.

Active Duty (AD). In Active Duty, your role and the Army’s needs will influence where you live—but you’ll have some preference and flexibility in where you’re stationed. The everyday responsibilities of your specific Army job may require you to live on or near a base. Active Duty Soldiers have the opportunity to explore new territories coast-to-coast or overseas. There's the possibility to serve on a base across the United States as well as in another part of the world. Active Duty is working a full-time job with the Army and receiving a full-time salary with Active Duty benefits.

Army National Guard (ARNG). As an Army National Guard Soldier, you'll not only serve under the command of your state governor to respond to natural disasters or domestic emergencies but you can also be called on to defend the nation when needed. States, U.S. territories (Guam, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands), and the District of Columbia each have Army National Guard units. Serving part-time as an Army National Guard Soldier offers you work-life balance, flexibility, a paycheck, great benefits, and more. The Army National Guard lets you stay close to home surrounded by what’s already familiar to you. You can attend college, continue a civilian career, or pursue other personal endeavors while serving part-time. As part of your service commitment, you are required to spend one weekend a month and two weeks a year in training. Cadets can apply to various states and U.S. territories during the accessions process.

Army Reserve (USAR). The Army Reserve is a reserve force of the United States Army. Together, the Army Reserve and the Army National Guard constitute the Army element of the reserve components of the United States Armed Forces. With Army Reserve service, you can attend college full-time, live near the school, and receive education benefits. You can pursue your career goals and advance in your full-time civilian job while following your passion to serve your country part-time. As part of your service commitment, you are required to spend one weekend a month and two weeks a year in training. Cadets can apply to various states and U.S. territories during the accessions process.