NG Army Exam study guide
NG Army Exam · Work through your exam, one topic at a time.
The NG Army Exam is a knowledge assessment used to confirm that a National Guard soldier or candidate has mastered the common-soldier tasks taught in initial entry training and reinforced at unit level. It is written for Guard members preparing for promotion boards, soldier-of-the-quarter and soldier-of-the-month competitions, annual training validation, and mandatory sustainment testing, as well as for recruits who want to arrive at basic training already fluent in the fundamentals. The NG Army Exam study guide has 10 sections and about 3,152 words.
01Drill and Ceremonies
The Drill and Ceremonies domain tests whether you can execute and explain standardized movements used in squad, platoon, and ceremonial formations: positions, facing movements, marching, saluting, and command voice. Questions often turn on command sequence, who commands whom, and the difference between ceremony and tactical movement.
341 words, about 2 min02Land Navigation and Map Reading
Land Navigation and Map Reading tests your ability to use a topographic map and lensatic compass to move and report locations: marginal information, grid coordinates, terrain features, azimuths, declination, pace count, and resection or intersection. Read map marginal information first: sheet name, scale, contour interval, adjoining sheets, and declination diagram.
329 words, about 2 min03Weapons and Marksmanship Fundamentals
Weapons and Marksmanship Fundamentals tests safe weapon handling and the basics of firing accurately: the four safety rules, the cycle of operation, loading and clearing, malfunction reduction, and steady position, aim, breathing, and trigger control. Treat every weapon as loaded; never point it at anything you do not intend to destroy; keep your finger off the trigger until ready to fire; know your target and what lies beyond it.
332 words, about 2 min04First Aid and Combat Lifesaver Skills
First Aid and Combat Lifesaver Skills tests immediate trauma care under fire and in tactical field care: controlling massive bleeding, opening the airway, treating chest and breathing problems, preventing shock and hypothermia, and documenting care. In care under fire, return fire, take cover, and move the casualty to safety before detailed treatment when the situation demands.
322 words, about 2 min05Army Structure, Ranks, and Chain of Command
Army Structure, Ranks, and Chain of Command tests how units fit together, how rank and authority work, and how a soldier seeks guidance or resolves problems through the chain of command and the NCO support channel. A fire team is a small element of about four soldiers; a squad is roughly 9 to 10 soldiers; a platoon is typically 16 to 44; a company is roughly 60 to 200; a battalion is about 300 to 1,000; a brigade is roughly 1,500 to 3,000; a division is about 10,000 to 15,000; a corps is larger still.
332 words, about 2 min06Uniforms, Appearance, and Customs and Courtesies
Uniforms, Appearance, and Customs and Courtesies tests standards of dress and grooming, wear of insignia, and the everyday courtesies that mark military discipline: saluting, reporting, and proper address. Wear the uniform as prescribed for the duty, environment, and command policy.
327 words, about 2 min07Military Justice and Standards of Conduct
Military Justice and Standards of Conduct tests the UCMJ, lawful orders, nonjudicial punishment, court-martial basics, and the standards expected of soldiers on and off duty. The Uniform Code of Military Justice applies to service members.
294 words, about 1 min08Physical Fitness and Health
Physical Fitness and Health tests the Army’s fitness standards, the components of the current fitness test, and the habits that sustain performance: progressive training, recovery, hydration, sleep, and injury prevention. The current Army Combat Fitness Test has six events: maximum deadlift, standing power throw, hand-release push-up, sprint-drag-carry, plank, and two-mile run.
288 words, about 1 min09Communications and Radio Procedures
Communications and Radio Procedures tests clear, brief, and standardized voice transmission: phonetic alphabet, prowords, radio checks, message formats, and medical evacuation requests. Use the phonetic alphabet to spell out letters: Alpha, Bravo, Charlie, Delta, Echo, Foxtrot, Golf, Hotel, India, Juliett, Kilo, Lima, Mike, November, Oscar, Papa, Quebec, Romeo, Sierra, Tango, Uniform, Victor, Whiskey, X-ray, Yankee, Zulu.
295 words, about 1 min10Field Craft, Camouflage, and Survival
Field Craft, Camouflage, and Survival tests how a soldier moves and survives in the field: camouflage discipline, use of cover and concealment, individual movement, noise and light discipline, and survival priorities when isolated. Camouflage matches the environment and breaks up shape, shine, shadow, silhouette, and movement.
292 words, about 1 min