Basic training for the National Guard, officially called Basic Combat Training (BCT), lasts approximately 10 weeks. This duration is the same as the Active Army's basic training

. The 10-week training is divided into phases commonly referred to as the Red, White, and Blue phases:

• Red Phase (Weeks 1-3): Introduction to military life, Army values, physical fitness training, and basic soldiering skills.
• White Phase (Weeks 4-5): Continued physical training, deeper focus on Army traditions, ethics, and combat skills.
• Blue Phase (Weeks 6-10): Advanced combat training, including night training, hand-to-hand combat, rifle marksmanship, and teamwork exercises. The final week often includes recovery and preparation for Advanced Individual Training (AIT)

Before these phases, recruits undergo Reception Battalion (about a week), which includes paperwork, physical exams, immunizations, initial physical fitness tests, haircut, and uniform issue

. After Basic Training, National Guard soldiers attend Advanced Individual Training (AIT), which varies in length depending on their Military Occupational Specialty (MOS), ranging from about 4 weeks to several months

. In summary, National Guard Basic Training is a 10-week intensive program designed to prepare recruits physically and mentally for military service, followed by specialized training and ongoing monthly and annual training commitments