Benefits

Benefits of serving part-time.

Serving in the National Guard comes with real benefits that support your education, income, health and long-term future. You can serve your state and country while building a life that works for you.

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01Pay for School

Education benefits while you serve

The Guard offers education benefits that can help lower or eliminate the cost of college or career training. Whether you are starting school, finishing a degree or learning a trade, the Guard can help make it affordable.

  • Tuition assistance for college and technical programs
  • GI Bill benefits for qualifying service
  • Education support while serving part-time
02Guard Pay

Earn pay for every day you serve

Guard members are paid for training, monthly drills, annual training and deployments. Your pay increases as you gain experience and advance in rank. Serving part-time means earning steady income while keeping your civilian career or education.

  • Monthly drill pay
  • Full-time pay during training and deployments
  • Raises based on rank and time in service
03Earn Bonuses

Earn bonuses for qualifying roles

Some Guard jobs offer bonuses when you enlist or re-enlist in high-demand roles. Bonuses are paid in addition to regular Guard pay, vary by job and state, and amounts depend on qualifications and commitment. A recruiter can help you understand what bonuses may be available to you.

  • Paid in addition to regular Guard pay
  • Vary by job and state
  • Amounts depend on qualifications and commitment
04Retirement Pay

Build retirement pay for the future

Guard service can help you build retirement pay while maintaining your civilian life through a structured system that rewards long-term service with retired pay, government supported savings and additional incentives along the way.

  • Retired pay for long-term service
  • Government supported savings
  • Additional incentives along the way
05Health Insurance

Get affordable health insurance

Guard Soldiers can qualify for low-cost health coverage for themselves and their families. This benefit alone can make a major difference for many families.

  • Comprehensive medical and dental options: checkups, care when you need it and the unexpected things that life sometimes brings
  • Coverage available during part-time service: you do not have to serve full-time to get real health coverage
  • Affordable alternative to civilian plans: often costs less and is easier to manage than employer plans or marketplace insurance
06Home Loan Assistance

Buy a home with Guard benefits

Qualifying service can make you eligible for VA home loan benefits with favorable terms. Serving part-time can help you take a big step toward homeownership.

  • No down payment required in many cases
  • Competitive interest rates
  • No private mortgage insurance

Benefits you can count on.

The Guard offers meaningful benefits that can reduce costs and create stability, including health coverage, education support and career training. Eligibility varies by job, state and service. A Guard recruiter can help you understand your options.

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