Joining the Army National Guard offers many benefits to the serviceman or woman. The most obvious is getting paid. In the Guard one earns a salary for their part-time service and is eligible for extra pay in the form of enlistment bonuses, reenlistment bonuses, special duty pay, and incentive pay. Guard members also receive Serviceman's Group Life Insurance and retirement benefits at age 60 (after 20 years of combined active and reserve service). Shopping at military commissaries (grocery stores) and free space-available travel (if there's space on a military air transport going anywhere, you can fly for free) are added bonuses. One may also be eligible for free medical and dental service and access to base exchanges, stores where you can buy everything from clothing to electronics tax-free.
If you're thinking about going or returning to college, the Army National Guard offers ways to earn money for schooling. The Montgomery GI Bill pays you up to $263 a month for full-time college enrollment while you're in the Guard. The Army National Guard can also fund up to 75% of tuition costs (up to $187.50 per credit hour) for costs not covered by the GI Bill. Many states also offer their own tuition assistance, which can include paying for 100% of the tuition at state colleges and universities.
Though these are terrific benefits, many Guard members report that they were most satisfied with the opportunity to serve their country and state. If a life of civic service appeals to you, a career in the Army National Guard could satisfy you.
For those enlisting after college or high school, the initial service obligation is a term of three years. Longer enlistments are available, however, if you want to make an extended commitment. One weekend a month and two consecutive weeks a year constitute your service obligation. You should consider the length of your initial enlistment carefully because some benefits are based upon it. Ask your recruiter which benefits are reserved for longer enlistments.
New recruits will know if they're ready to commit to the Guard as soon as they experience initial entry training (IET). IET includes basic instruction on how to be a soldier as well as training in the career field you choose within the Guard. The length of your career training varies depending on your field. Basic training is always about nine weeks long. Shooting, marching, saluting, and endurance will all be taught, whether you like it or not. If you can stick it out through IET, fulfilling your service obligations shouldn't be a problem.
Those with a college education or prior military service may be able to enter the Army National Guard directly as officers. You may be closer than you think to a respected and important position within the Guard.
For college grads and undergrads the Officer Candidate School Enlistment Option (OCSEO) allows civilians to keep their jobs while training. Applicants attend State Officer Candidate School (SOCS), which usually requires a commitment of one weekend a month, and two 14-day periods during the summer months. Don't let SOCS's part-time nature fool you; it is rigorous. Training generally lasts for a year, depending on state requirements. To be eligible for OCSEO you must have no prior military service; be between the ages of 18 and 30 (with some exceptions) at time of commission; have 60 semester hours from an accredited college prior to enrollment and 90 semester hours from an accredited college prior to the date of your commission; have U.S. citizenship, and make an enlistment under the 6x2 program--6 years with a drilling unit and 2 years with the Inactive National Guard.
Those who already have some military experience may apply directly for the position of Warrant Officer within the Army National Guard. The Warrant Officer Candidate Program is open to individuals who have either reached a rank of E-5 (sergeant) or higher in the ARNG, are a U.S. Army Reserve soldier, are a transitioning active component soldier, or are a current or former War Officer. Applicants must also be between the ages of 18 and 46, score 110 or above on the General Aptitude Area Test, be a high school graduate or pass the GED, be a U.S. citizen, be able to successfully pass all events on the Army Physical fitness test, and meet certain technical qualifications for your specific career in the Guard. Additionally, people with enlisted service may attend the same State Officer Candidate School as college students and graduates. Applicants must meet a specific set of eligibility requirements.
If you're not eligible for any of the above programs, don't worry; it doesn't mean a lifetime of being the bottom rung on the ladder. Whether you enter the Army National Guard as an officer or an enlistee, the same promotion system is in place. The system is called Select, Train, Promote and Assign, and if you do your job well, you will make progress. The system ensures that an individual is selected for promotion based on accomplishment and professionalism and is trained in development courses before being promoted and assigned to a position of greater responsibility. Any questions about entering the Guard as an officer, or becoming an officer through the enlisted ranks, can be answered by a calling a recruiter at 1-800-GO-GUARD or by visiting the Army National Guard recruiting Web site.
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