The Guard supports Families of Soldiers with programs that include entertainment, community outreach, legal and financial aid—even free tax preparation.
It's only natural to be concerned any time your child makes important choices about their future. But we think you'll see that the Guard can be one of the best steps your son or daughter can take.
We can pay up to 100% of your child's tuition.
In most states, the Guard can cover up to 100% of college tuition. Your child may also qualify for an additional $356 each month for expenses with the
Montgomery GI Bill
Montgomery GI Bill:
$345 mailed directly to you every month, to spend on books, housing or anything you want. —plus up to another $350 with the
Army National Guard Kicker
Army National Guard Kicker:
For qualified Soldiers, an additional $350 per month payment for living expenses.. There are also Guard scholarships to help pay for school. And we can even help students earn their GED with our GED Plus program.
Your child can serve while they're in school.
With a commitment of only one weekend a month plus two weeks of training in the summer, your son or daughter will be earning a degree, earning Guard pay and experience, and taking a huge bite out of their college costs.
Guard Soldiers are often better students.
Many young people actually do better in college after they’ve been through Guard training and gained additional discipline and maturity. This translates into better time-management skills, better grades and better opportunities after graduation—both in the Guard and in civilian life.
The Guard teaches valuable job skills.
With several career fields and over 150 job specialties to choose from, your child will have no trouble finding a job specialty that fits their passion. And we don't just give them jobs—we pay them to learn skills like leadership, team building and self-discipline that will serve them in any career.
Your child can work and serve in the Guard at the same time.
With the Guard’s typical schedule of one weekend a month plus two weeks of training in the summer, Soldiers can easily maintain a civilian job while they serve. That means they can use their Guard training to land a good civilian job and bring home a second paycheck for part-time Guard service.
The Guard gives Soldiers an opportunity to network and earn benefits.
Your son or daughter will be serving with other Soldiers in related career fields in their own community and state. And they'll be eligible for benefits like health and life insurance, discount shopping privileges on base, VA home loans and much more.
We will equip every Soldier physically and mentally.
Your son or daughter will be in the best physical shape and be equipped to tackle even the toughest challenges. By attending the Guard's RSP program, they'll have a good idea what to expect at
Basic Training
Basic Training:
Basic Training (BT) is a 10-week course of intense physical and mental training, during which recruits develop essential Soldier skills, discipline and values.. And many students actually do much better in school after completing their training. You'll see the skills and priorities they learn—like discipline and motivation—help them develop as individuals, team players and strong leaders.
Your child may be asserting their independence.
By showing an interest in serving, your son or daughter is telling you they are ready to spread their wings. It may be tough to let them go, but with your support and the Guard’s training, they will make you proud.
The Guard trains Soldiers to take care of themselves.
Guard Soldiers train alongside active duty troops. They learn the same combat skills, and use the same weapons and techniques. In other words, every Soldier is physically and mentally prepared for the challenge. And as their skills develop, they can qualify for specialized schools. From challenges like Airborne or Ranger school to language, leadership and management courses, the Guard will help your child develop strength, character and self-reliance.
Most Guard training and deployments occur near home.
Most weekend training takes place with a unit close to the Soldier’s home. And while Guard troops can be called up to serve overseas, they're more often mobilized to assist during domestic emergencies or natural disasters in or near the Soldier’s home state.
For more answers, check out the Additional Questions page, or talk to a recruiter.
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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