Serving in the National Guard or Reserve is one of the most flexible, important, and community-centered ways to serve in the U.S. military. But for many families, the training pipeline — where boot camp happens, what graduation looks like, where job training occurs, and how to plan travel — can be confusing.
This guide gives you everything you need to support your Soldier, Airman, Sailor, Marine, or Coast Guardsman through their Guard or Reserve journey.
Whether your loved one recently enlisted, is preparing for BMT, or is heading to advanced training, this resource helps you plan every step.
Guard & Reserve Training Basics: How It Works
Regardless of the branch, Guard and Reserve members follow the same initial training as Active Duty:
- Boot Camp / Basic Military Training
- Job Training (AIT, A-School, Tech School, MOS school)
- Return to home unit for drill/service
This means ALL Guard and Reserve members attend the same boot camps as Active Duty. Families should prepare for travel to the same major training bases.
Where Each Branch Sends Guard/Reserve Members for Boot Camp
Here is an accurate breakdown for every service:
Army National Guard & Army Reserve
Boot Camp:
- Fort Jackson, SC
- Fort Sill, OK
- Fort Benning, GA (Infantry & Armor OSUT)
- Fort Leonard Wood, MO
They go to the same BCT/OSUT locations as Active Duty.
Job Training (AIT):
- Any Army AIT schoolhouse across the country depending on MOS.
Air National Guard & Air Force Reserve
Boot Camp:
- JBSA–Lackland Air Force Base, TX (same as Active Duty)
Tech School:
- Sheppard AFB (aircraft & logistics)
- Keesler AFB (cyber, ATC, weather)
- Goodfellow AFB (intel, fire)
- Vandenberg SFB (space operations — for Reservists/Guard in certain roles)
- Lackland (medical/SF)
Navy Reserve
Boot Camp:
- Great Lakes Naval Station, IL
A-School (Job Training):
- Varies by rating:
- Pensacola
- San Antonio
- Great Lakes
- Charleston
- etc.
Marine Corps Reserve
Boot Camp:
Male recruits:
- MCRD San Diego (Western U.S.)
- MCRD Parris Island (Eastern U.S.)
Female recruits:
- MCRD Parris Island (all female Marines train here)
ITB / MOS School:
- Camp Geiger (East)
- Camp Pendleton (West)
- Other Marine MOS-specific schools
Coast Guard Reserve
Boot Camp:
- TRACEN Cape May, NJ
Job Training:
Specialized A-schools such as:
- Boatswain’s Mate
- Maritime Enforcement
- Yeoman
- IT
- Machinery Technician
Guard vs. Reserve: Training Differences Families Should Expect
While the training locations are the same, the experience can feel different.
1. Guard/Reserve Members Return Home After Training
Active Duty moves to their first duty station.
Guard/Reserve go home and drill locally.
2. Some Guard/Reserve members experience delays
Depending on job school availability, some members:
- go straight from BMT → AIT/Tech School
- return home and wait
- get split-ship schedules (common for high school students)
3. “Split Ship” Training
Popular for the Army National Guard.
Path looks like:
- Summer 1: Boot Camp
- Senior year of high school
- Summer 2: MOS/AIT
Families should expect travel only for the BMT phase initially.
Travel Guides by Training Base (Quick Reference)
Army Guard/Reserve
- Fort Jackson — Columbia, SC
- Fort Benning — Columbus, GA
- Fort Sill — Lawton, OK
- Fort Leonard Wood — Missouri Ozarks
Air Guard/Reserve
- Lackland — San Antonio, TX (BMT)
- Keesler — Biloxi, MS
- Sheppard — Wichita Falls, TX
- Goodfellow — San Angelo, TX
- Vandenberg — California coast
Navy Reserve
- Great Lakes — North Chicago, IL
Marine Corps Reserve
- Parris Island — Beaufort, SC
- San Diego — Southern California
Coast Guard Reserve
- Cape May — New Jersey Shore
What Families Should Expect at Guard/Reserve Graduations
Graduations are the same as Active Duty:
- identical ceremonies
- same format
- same traditions
- same uniforms
- same emotional impact
The only difference? Your service member returns home once their full training pipeline is complete.