PVT Jacque Jo Clure is a student at the University of Great Falls in Great Falls, Montana. She is currently in the Recruit Sustainment Program (RSP) before shipping to Basic Combat Training.
June 3, 2010 — Hello everyone! First off, I would like to thank everyone who is serving our country. It doesn't matter which branch they are in—from Army to Navy, we are all heroes.
Training has been going well. RSP has been very beneficial for me. Whenever anyone gets back from Basic Training, the main thing I hear from them is about all the PT (physical training). Being physically fit has always been a major thing for me—I love to run. So, I know I will be semi-ready when I leave for Basic, and that when I get there, I will be a few steps ahead of the others.
Joining the National Guard has been a very good decision for me. Even though I haven't yet had as many experiences as some people, I feel great about my choice. I love that they will work with you to make sure you get your education. I can't wait to see what the rest of my Guard career has in store for me.
April 11, 2010 — I only have a couple more drills left before I leave for Basic Training. But by being in RSP (we call it RTC), I know I will be more than prepared when it comes time to ship off to Basic.
My first drill that I attended, we did Combatives. That was so awesome. Combatives also helps in my self-defense class in college. That was a memorable one also because I got smoked hardcore (ha ha, don't forget your weapons!). Looking back, I kind of laugh.
My second drill was my favorite because we learned how to disassemble our M16s and reassemble them. We also got to do some target shooting. The last one I attended, we did land navigation. I’m a hunter, so I thought this would be easy enough to do. I do it all the time when finding my way around looking for a deer to shoot. But, it actually was really difficult—but fun at the same time.
The next drill we have coming up is called “Devil’s Brigade.” It’s where all of the RTCs from around the state come and compete in one major competition. We'll compete in PT, a land navigation course—everything that we have done in drills. This will also be the first time for many to meet drill sergeants and see what they will be like once they get to Basic. GO RTC 2!! HOOAH!
April 3, 2010 — The National Guard has been an amazing exerience for me so far. I am 18 years old. I live in Great Falls, MT, and I run track and attend the University of Great Falls. I joined the National Guard because I wanted to achieve my goal of getting a college degree.
I'm studying to be a nurse so that I can someday be a pediatric nurse. I also knew that I really wanted to serve our country. As soon as I saw the National Guard booth at our state fair and I read the benefits you get from it, I was hooked. I knew that this was going to be the best decision I had ever made in my life. It's such a great thing to work on my degree and also serve my country.
Your total enlistment period will be eight years, but you can serve as little as three or six years, and spend the remainder in IRR (Individual Ready Reserve).
Learn moreAbsolutely. Your Guard service is only part time—just one weekend per month, and one two-week period each year.
See how the Guard helps with school.Recruits need to meet certain standards of height, weight, age, fitness and education in order to enlist.
Learn about the Guard's eligibility requirements.Yes. Guard members can be mobilized to protect and defend America in battle domestically or overseas.
Learn more about about training.MEPS stands for Military Entrance Processing Station, METS stands for Military Entrance Testing Site.
Learn moreThe Guard is a military branch that serves both state and federal governments, at home and overseas.
Find out more about the Guard.Guard pay is based on your rank and the number of years you've served, along with incentives like hazardous-duty pay.
Contact a representative to learn more.Your pay depends on a few different factors, but you won't make less than $183 for every weekend you drill.
Find out more about Guard pay.Different states may offer commissioning bonuses for critical skill positions. Please check with your local Guard representative for current bonus information.
Learn more about becoming an officer.Yes, you will be paid for every day you work.
Find out about Annual Training pay.There are different ways to become an officer. If you’re heading to college, the ROTC program is the way to go.
View how to become an officer.The training period varies for each job.
Learn moreFor certain career specialties, particularly medical professions, the Guard will reimburse student loans.
Contact a Guard representative.Find jobs in your area on our Job Board.
Learn moreIn two major ways: getting promotions and activating retirement benefits.
Learn more from a Guard representative.If you've completed Army or Marine Corps Basic Training, you won't need to repeat BCT. Most other prior service personnel will need to attend BCT (except USAF and USN Special Operations personnel). Your recruiter has details.
Talk to a Guard representative.Yes, provided you can complete 20 years of total military service by age 60.
Learn more about retirement benefits.As a National Guard Soldier, you get good pay and great benefits, and continue building toward a military retirement—while serving your country in a part-time status.
Learn moreYou are eligible for this benefit only once in your career. Once it has ended, it cannot be reinstated, even with a new enlistment contract.
Learn more.Your Chapter 1606 GI Bill benefit is suspended while you are AGR. You may need to extend your enlistment to have it reinstated once you return as a traditional drilling Soldier.
Learn more.Eligibility for Chapter 1607 is based on Title 10 Active Duty periods. The Border Mission is Title 32 and not considered a mobilization eligible for Chapter 1607.
Learn more.If you are released from Active Duty prior to completing 90 days due to an illness or injury in the line of duty, you will receive Chapter 1607 benefits at a 40 percent rate.
Learn more.You cannot receive payment from more than one benefit program at a time.
Learn more.Your estimated total for the first year.
*DetailsPlease understand that these calculations are only estimates and that a recruiter will have the most up-to-date information about benefits.
Because of the broad range of pay options, the Pay Calculator does not apply to Medical Professional Officers.
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