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The Guard pays well. But for civilians and Soldiers with skills and experience, we pay even better, with incentives up to thousands of extra dollars. Serve full-time now in certain jobs, and qualify for big cash.
Cash Bonus Jobs—Up to $15,000*
Certain high-demand jobs and critical specialties pay you a bonus up to $15,000 when you enlist in the military for the first time.* If you have the skills, or want to learn them, you can earn extra cash to work in one of these exciting and specialized positions. Cash Bonus Jobs vary by state; contact your local recruiter to find out what is currently available.
Active First
With the Active First program, you'll begin your service with full-time military service—at full-time Soldier's pay—plus a cash bonus. Learn a career and travel across the U.S. or overseas, and when your Active Duty commitment is over, return to part-time Guard service with your local unit and pick up your great Guard benefits.
At this time, the Active First program has reached maximum capacity. Active First enlistments are suspended until further notice.
For Soldiers with existing student loans, the Student Loan Repayment Program (SLRP) can pay up to $50,000* for certain jobs, with a six- or eight-year enlistment as a member of a deployable unit. This incentive is also available to applicants entering Officer Candidate School (you must have at least 90 college credit hours and agree to a minimum six-year commitment). Your recruiter has complete details.
If you’ve served before (prior service), you could be eligible for additional incentives:
Prior Service Enlistment Bonus (PSEB)—up to $15,000*
For Soldiers who have been separated from the military and have a critical Military Occupational Specialty (MOS), you may be eligible for a bonus up to $15,000 when you enlist in the National Guard.
Re-enlistment/Extension Bonus (REB)—up to $10,000*
Soldiers who re-enlist or extend their current term of service may be offered an incentive. Incentive amounts vary, so contact your state Incentive Manager for details.
For Medical Professional Officers:
For Medical Students:
Learn more about other bonuses and student loan repayments for healthcare professionals.
*Note: Bonuses may vary according to your state’s needs. Dollar amounts shown here are not guarantees, as Army National Guard programs and benefits are subject to change. For the latest information, please contact your local 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.Estimated Total
*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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