The Army National Guard Montgomery GI Bill Kicker program encourages qualified applicants and Soldiers to enlist into critical military jobs and units.
This program applies only to specific critical Military Occupational Specialties (MOSs), and certain deployable units.
The Kicker is an incentive, not an entitlement, so you’ll need to be qualified in order to receive the benefit.
The Kicker is paid in conjunction with a basic Montgomery GI Bill benefit, and eligibility can be established only if you’re eligible for the MGIB-SR, Chapter 1606 or MGIB-AD, Chapter 30 program. When eligibility for the basic benefit expires, so does eligibility for the Kicker.
MGIB-SR Kicker Categories and Payment Rates | ||||
Soldier Category
|
full-Time | 3/4 - Time | 1/2-Time | Less than 1/2-Time |
NPS, PS, Current
ARNG soldier, and OWD |
$200 | $150 | $100 | $50 |
Commissioning Kicker
(OCS, WOCS, ROTC, and DC) |
$350 | $262 | $175 | $88 |
Specific eligibility criteria for each category can be found below in the “Eligibility” section.
A maximum of 36 months of benefits can be collected under the Kicker program.
In addition to the basic pre-qualification criteria, you’ll also need to meet the specific criteria for your Army National Guard Kicker category. Click on a category below:
Non-Prior Service (NPS) applicants A Non-Prior Service (NPS) Applicant is eligible for the ARNG MGIB Kicker if they meet the following requirements:
**Table of Distribution and Allowances |
Prior Service (PS) applicants A Prior Service (PS) Applicant/Soldier is eligible for the ARNG MGIB Kicker if they meet the following requirements:
|
Current Army National Guard Soldiers A current ARNG member is eligible for the ARNG MGIB Kicker as a stand-alone incentive if they meet the following requirements:
|
Officer Candidates, Warrant Officer Candidates, ROTC Cadets, Direct Commission Officers, and Officers Without a Degree: National Guard officer-producing programs include:
All officer candidates, warrant officer candidates, ROTC Cadets, simultaneous members, and Direct Commission Officers in any MTOE unit or deployable TDA unit may re-enlist/extend for the Kicker, as long as they hold an MOS and meet the following criteria:
|
You are ineligible for the ARNG MGIB Kicker if:
Please note: National Guard Soldiers who complete the required six-year obligation, as stipulated in the Kicker contract, may transfer to any skill, unit or RC (other than IRR or ING) and retain eligibility for the Kicker.
Consult your state GI Bill Manager for information regarding current rates, eligibility and status changes. For more information about GI Bill benefits—including which GI Bill is best for you—talk to your state Education Services Officer (ESO). You can also find additional information at the VA's GI Bill website.
For application instructions, see how to apply for the GI Bill Kicker. Be sure to read both the general application procedures and instructions specific to the Kicker.
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 62.
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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