How often are National Guard soldiers required to participate in training exercises?

National Guard soldiers are typically required to participate in training exercises one weekend a month and two weeks of annual training. This structure is designed to ensure that soldiers maintain their skills, readiness, and proficiency while balancing civilian jobs or education. The monthly training allows for regular drill sessions that cover a range of military skills, while the annual training period is an opportunity for more extensive exercises, including field training, unit cohesion, and other operational readiness activities. This schedule is standard across the National Guard to prepare soldiers effectively for both state and federal missions.