20 Army National Guard Interview Questions and Answers

When you’re interviewing for a position in the Army National Guard, you can expect to be asked a variety of questions about your skills, experience, and qualifications. However, you may also be asked some questions that are specific to the Army National Guard.

To help you prepare for your interview, we’ve compiled a list of common Army National Guard interview questions and answers.

Army National Guard Interview Process

The interview process at Army National Guard can vary depending on the position you are applying for. For some positions, such as combat medic or infantryman, there is no formal interview process. However, for other positions, such as recruiter or surface maintenance, you may be required to participate in a formal interview. Overall, the hiring process is typically long and tedious, with lots of paperwork involved.

1. What is your first priority when you are in the field?

This question is a way for the interviewer to assess your leadership skills. They want to know that you will be able to lead and motivate your team members when necessary. Your answer should show that you are willing to take charge of situations, but also encourage others to do their best work.

Example: “My first priority in any situation is safety. I make sure everyone on my team knows what they need to do to stay safe while performing their duties. After ensuring our safety, I focus on completing the task at hand as efficiently as possible. This helps us get back to base sooner so we can rest before starting another day.”

2. Tell me about a time that you were put into a leadership role. How did you handle it?

The interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your leadership skills. This is because the Army National Guard needs people who can lead others and make decisions in high-pressure situations. When answering this question, it can be helpful to talk about a time when you were promoted into a leadership role or had to take charge of a situation.

Example: “When I was working as a server at my local restaurant, one of our servers called out sick on a busy night. The manager asked me if I could cover for that employee, which meant taking orders from both the kitchen and the bar. I agreed to do so, and I ended up having to manage two different tables at once. It was challenging, but I managed to get through it by delegating tasks to other employees.”

3. Why do you want to be an officer in the Army National Guard?

This question is a great way to show your passion for the Army National Guard. It also allows you to talk about why you want to be an officer and what you hope to accomplish as one. When answering this question, it can be helpful to discuss how you became interested in joining the military or law enforcement.

Example: “Ever since I was young, I’ve wanted to join the military. My father served in the Air Force, so I grew up hearing stories of his time in service. As I got older, I realized that I wanted to serve my country in a different capacity than he did. I decided to become a police officer because I enjoy helping people and making sure everyone is safe. Now, I’m ready to take the next step in my career by becoming an officer in the Army National Guard.”

4. Do you have any experience with weapons training or handling?

The interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your experience with weapons and military training. If you have any experience, share it in detail. If not, you can explain that you are willing to learn how to use the weapons or tools of the trade.

Example: “I’ve never handled a weapon before, but I am eager to learn. In my civilian life, I work as a barista at a coffee shop. While working there, I learned how to make specialty drinks like lattes and cappuccinos. I think these skills will help me when learning how to handle weapons.”

5. Are you comfortable working with technology such as computers and communication devices?

The Army National Guard uses technology to communicate and perform administrative tasks. Employers ask this question to make sure you have the necessary skills to succeed in their role. In your answer, explain which technologies you are familiar with and how they benefit you. If you need additional training or education to use a specific technology, share that information as well.

Example: “I am very comfortable working with technology. I have been using computers for over 10 years now. I also regularly use my smartphone and other communication devices to stay connected with friends and family. Technology is an important part of my daily life, so I would be happy to learn any new systems or programs needed to work here.”

6. Which branch of the military would you like to serve in?

This question is a way for the interviewer to assess your commitment to military service. It’s important that you show respect for all branches of the military, but it’s also acceptable to express a preference for one branch over another. If you have no preference, explain why and how you would be happy serving in any branch.

Example: “I am honored to serve my country in any capacity, however, I feel most at home in the Army National Guard because I enjoy working with people and leading them toward a common goal. I think I could make an excellent officer because I’m empathetic and good at communicating complex ideas simply.”

7. Describe a time where you had to deal with a high stress situation.

This question is a great way to see how you handle pressure and stress. It can also help the interviewer determine if you have experience with military operations or other high-stress situations. When answering this question, it can be helpful to describe a time where you were able to overcome a stressful situation.

Example: “When I was in college, I had two classes that overlapped each other. This meant I had to take both of my classes at the same time. One day, one of my professors decided to cancel class due to an emergency. However, my other class still went on as planned. I ended up having to rush from one class to the next while trying to get all of my work done. I managed to make it to the second class just before they started.”

8. Can you tell me about a time when you were put in a position of power over others, how did you handle it?

This question is designed to assess your leadership skills. It’s important for a leader in the military to be able to make decisions and delegate tasks effectively. When answering this question, it can be helpful to describe a time when you were promoted or put into a new position of power and how you handled it.

Example: “When I was first promoted to sergeant, I was nervous about making sure that I did everything right. However, my commanding officer helped me realize that I had to trust myself and my abilities as a leader. Once I started trusting myself more, I found that delegating tasks to my team members became easier.”

9. Tell us why you’re interested in joining the Army National Guard?

This question is a great way to show your passion for the military and how you can contribute to the Army National Guard. When answering this question, it’s important to be honest about why you want to join the Army National Guard. You should also include what you hope to gain from joining the Army National Guard.

Example: “I’m interested in joining the Army National Guard because I’ve always wanted to serve my country. My father was in the Air Force, so I grew up hearing stories of his time in service. I would love to follow in his footsteps and make him proud by serving alongside him. Joining the Army National Guard will allow me to learn more about my father’s life while making new memories of my own.”

10. Would you be willing to relocate if needed?

The interviewer may ask this question to see if you are willing to move for the job. If you have a family, they may want to know that you would be willing to relocate them as well. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention any reasons why you might or might not be able to relocate.

Example: “I am happy to relocate if needed. I understand that military service requires us to move from time to time and I am prepared for that. My spouse and I both work in the medical field, so we are used to moving around. We also have two children who are in school, so we will need to find new schools wherever we go.”

11. Have you ever worked on a team project before? If so, what was your role?

The interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your teamwork skills. This is an important skill for the National Guard because you will often work with a team of other soldiers and officers on various projects, such as training exercises or community service events. When answering this question, it can be helpful to provide specific examples of how you worked well with others in previous roles.

Example: “In my last position at the local library, I was part of a team that organized monthly book clubs for children. My role was to help plan the meetings by finding books to read aloud and activities to do during the meeting. I also helped organize snacks and refreshments for the meetings.”

12. When was the last time you took initiative outside of your job description?

This question is a great way to show your leadership skills and how you can use them in the workplace. When answering this question, it’s important to highlight an example that shows your ability to take initiative and also highlights your skills as a leader.

Example: “The last time I took initiative outside of my job description was when I noticed one of my coworkers wasn’t performing well at work. I asked her if she needed help or wanted me to talk to our supervisor about getting more training. She said she just needed some extra training on the software we used for our daily tasks. So, I offered to give her additional training after hours so she could get better at her job.”

13. Why should we hire you instead of other applicants?

This question is a great opportunity to show your confidence and enthusiasm for the position. It’s also an excellent time to highlight any skills or experiences that make you unique from other candidates. When preparing for this question, think about what makes you stand out as a candidate. Consider including personal qualities, professional experience and specific skills.

Example: “I am confident I would be an excellent addition to the team because of my leadership abilities. Throughout my career, I have been in charge of many projects and teams. In these roles, I learned how to motivate others and delegate tasks effectively. These skills are directly applicable to this role, which is why I feel confident I can succeed.”

14. What makes you nervous or uncomfortable?

This question is a way for the interviewer to learn more about your personality and how you handle challenges. Your answer should show that you are willing to overcome your fears and can use your skills to succeed in this role.

Example: “I am uncomfortable speaking in front of large groups, but I have been working on overcoming my fear by giving presentations at work. I also signed up for public speaking classes so I could get comfortable with it. I think I will be ready to give a presentation to a group soon.”

15. In your opinion, which core value of the Army National Guard is most important?

The interviewer may ask this question to assess your understanding of the Army National Guard’s core values. Your answer should show that you understand what these values are and why they’re important.

Example: “I believe honor is the most important core value of the Army National Guard because it represents how we conduct ourselves as members of the military, but also as citizens in our communities. Honor means being honest, trustworthy and respectful at all times. It shows respect for others, which is a quality I have always valued.”

16. What motivates you to go the extra mile for a customer?

The interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your customer service skills. They want to know how you can apply those skills in the military. Use examples from previous jobs or personal experiences that show your dedication to helping others.

Example: “I have a passion for making sure my customers are happy with their experience. I always try to go above and beyond what is expected of me, whether it’s providing additional information or offering to help them find something else they might need. In one instance, I was working at a retail store when a customer came in looking for a specific item. We didn’t have any left in stock, but I offered to order some for her online so she could get free shipping. She was very appreciative of my extra effort.”

17. How do you stay organized when there’s too much work to get done?

The interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your organizational skills. This is because the Army National Guard needs members who can stay organized and complete tasks on time. When answering, consider describing a specific strategy you use to manage your time and keep track of important information.

Example: “I have several methods I use to stay organized when there’s too much work to get done. First, I make sure to prioritize my tasks so that I know which ones are most urgent. Then, I create a schedule for myself so that I can plan out how long each task will take me to complete. Finally, I always carry a notebook with me so that I can write down any ideas or thoughts I have throughout the day.”

18. Give an example of a time where you showed integrity at work.

Integrity is a key trait of an effective military leader. It’s important to show that you can be trusted and will do what’s right, even when it’s not easy or convenient. When answering this question, think about a time where you made a tough decision but did the right thing in spite of any challenges.

Example: “When I was working as a security guard at a local mall, there was a shoplifter who would steal from several stores every week. The company policy was to call the police if we saw someone stealing, which meant they would have to go through the legal system. However, I noticed that the person stealing was homeless and just trying to get food for their family. So, instead of calling the police, I started leaving extra food outside the store after my shift ended.”

19. Explain how you would recruit someone for the Army National Guard.

The interviewer may ask you this question to assess your communication skills and ability to persuade others. In your answer, explain how you would convince someone to join the Army National Guard. Try to highlight your interpersonal skills by describing a specific situation in which you persuaded someone to do something.

Example: “I would first try to understand what motivated them to want to join the military. I would then tell them about all of the benefits that come with joining the Army National Guard, such as financial incentives and job training opportunities. If they were still hesitant, I would offer to meet with them one-on-one to discuss their concerns.”

20. How would you explain the importance of teamwork to a new recruit?

Teamwork is an essential skill for any military member. The interviewer wants to know that you understand the importance of teamwork and how it can benefit a team. Use examples from your own experience or explain why teamwork is important in the military.

Example: “Teamwork is one of the most important skills I learned during my time in the National Guard. It’s vital to work together as a unit, especially when completing missions. When I was on active duty, we had to complete many different tasks as a group. For example, we would have to communicate with each other about our positions while under fire. We also needed to rely on each other to accomplish our goals.”