161ST AIR REFUELING WING

Federal education benefits through the Montgomery G.I. Bill are available to most unit members provided they enlist for 6 years. These benefits are available to our members after completion of basic training and technical school. This program is a non-contributory benefit, meaning no payment or reduction in pay is required to receive these benefits. Federal benefits received: Montgomery GI Bill chapter 1606; up to $333 per month to offset college cost of attending college fulltime. Other Air National Guard Education Benefits for members enlisting for six years in a critical skills job may be available based on current incentive programs.  These benefits include: Montgomery GI Bill kicker up to $350 per month for full-time college enrollment, Student loan repayment program; up to $20,000 paid throughout enlistment. If you have prior military service and elected the active duty MGIB, you may still take advantage of this benefit up to a maximum of 48 months of combined benefits at the full-time rate. Find more information on the Montgomery GI Bill Rates here.

Basic pay (4 days for working 1 weekend). Non prior service enlisted members will start off between E-1 -E-3 (Airman Basic - Airman First Class). New officers that have never been in the military before start as an O-1 (2nd Lieutenant). Medical Professionals may come at a higher rank based on experience and education. The military pay scale can be viewed here.

1 per drill period, 2 per day for a drill weekend. 1 per day for annual training or additional active Duty days performed throughout the year. More information can be found here.

The Member is covered for Duty-related medical Dental conditions through TRICARE Dental Program (TDP), the only dental plan sponsored by the Department of Defense (DoD) for National Guard/Reserve sponsors and their families.  With the TDP, you will enjoy a nationwide network of more than 65,000 participating dentists, high-quality customer service and comprehensive dental coverage designed specifically with you in mind! Find more information on the TRICARE Dental Program here.

For Activated or members  serving on Active Duty for 30 days or longer medical coverage is provided/available for member and family until completion of Active Duty orders. Coverage continues for  180 days  after being released from active status if activated in support of a contingency operation.

For Traditional Part Time members, TRICARE Reserve Select is a premium-based health plan available worldwide to Selected Reserve members of the Ready Reserve (and their families) who are not eligible for or enrolled in the Federal Employee Health Benefits (FEHB) program.  

Key Features include:
• Comprehensive health coverage similar to TRICARE Standard and TRICARE Extra (in the U.S.) or TRICARE Overseas Program (TOP) Standard (overseas)
• Two types of coverage available: TRS member-only and TRS member-and-family
• Freedom to access covered services from any TRICARE authorized provider or hospital
• Access to military treatment facility (MTF) care on a space-available basis

Find more information on the TRICARE Reserve Select here.