Are you thinking about joining the National Guard? Whether this would be your first time joining the military or a continuation of service after active duty, there are a few things to know.
Like any other military service, joining the National Guard is a big commitment that can be rewarding. If you know how to get the most out of your National Guard benefits, the experience can enhance your family's financial security now and into the future.
Before making your decision, consider the benefits, challenges and next steps on your journey to joining the National Guard.
Difference between National Guard and active-duty service
The main difference is simple: Active duty is full-time military service, while most National Guard positions are part time. Part-time service typically means that you "drill," or perform your military duty, one weekend per month and two weeks each year.
During these drills, units train, conduct fitness tests, undergo physicals and take care of paperwork. When you’re not doing a drill, you live your everyday life and work at your civilian job.
But even as a part-timer, you can get called up for full-time service for training or deployments. I have a National Guard buddy who was called up for nine months of full-time service so he could take Spanish language courses. His unit was to begin operating in a Spanish-speaking part of the world, and that's how he needed to prep for the new mission. After nine months, he went back to part-time military service and returned to his civilian job.
The National Guard normally falls under the command of state governors, unlike the active-duty military, which falls under the president's command. However, National Guard members can be activated for federal service through Title 10 and Title 32 orders. If that happens, they receive the same benefits and legal protections as active-duty service members.
You can think of Title 32 as full-time National Guard service and Title 10 as active-duty service.
- Title 32 orders are normally used for missions like natural disaster relief, and includes training and drills.
- Title 10 orders are reserved for national defense missions, like deployment or combat support.
State governors also can activate National Guard members for a type of service called state active duty, or SAD.
What is state active duty?
When the National Guard is ordered to service by a state's governor, they are paid with state funds, so pay, retirement credits and other benefits can differ from those received while performing federal service.
VA benefits, including eligibility for disability compensation resulting from service, require Title 10 or Title 32 orders, so SAD doesn't qualify. That means National Guard members on SAD don't earn:
- Points toward federal retirement, like the typical 20-year military retirement.
- Time toward Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits.
- Access to housing allowance or TRICARE health coverage.
While on SAD, your health insurance will be through your civilian employer or privately purchased insurance, or the TRICARE Reserve Select plan. However, unlike on Title 10 or Title 32 orders, you won't be qualified for TRICARE Prime after 30 days.
In many cases, the stipend you receive while on SAD is less than the amount you’re paid while serving on federal orders. You'll also get a separate Form W-2 from the state for your SAD pay, which is important to remember when it's time to file taxes.
What's required to join the National Guard?
The basic requirements for the Army National Guard mirror those of active-duty Army recruits, and the Air National Guard requirements mirror active-duty Air Force requirements. For example, these are the requirements to join the Army National Guard without prior service:
- You must be between the ages of 17 and 35.
- You must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident.
- You must be at least a high school junior or have a high school diploma or GED.
- You must meet the physical, moral and medical requirement.
- You must achieve a minimum score on the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery, or ASVAB, test.
For the Air National Guard, the age requirement is 17 to 42, depending on any prior military service and if you are a medical professional or chaplain. You also must at least be a high school senior.
Those with prior service have different requirements than those who are joining for the first time. Therefore, it's best to speak to a local recruiter or talk directly to the unit you're considering.
Taking advantage of National Guard benefits
"The first benefit when joining the National Guard is the chance to serve your country and community," says Luke Rivera, USAA Product Management Director and a captain serving in the Texas National Guard.
But there are also the perks of additional income, education, health care, life insurance and retirement benefits if you serve long enough to qualify.
G.I. Bill and other education benefits
Like active-duty military members, National Guard members are eligible for federal tuition assistance and other education programs.
Depending on where you live, you may also receive additional state tuition benefits for joining the National Guard. The Hazelwood Act in Texas, for example, offers tuition benefits for Texas residents who join the active duty, guard or reserves. Take the time to research your state's benefits.
Health care options for National Guard members
National Guard members may choose to stay covered through their civilian employer or purchase a private health insurance plan. However, they also have additional insurance coverage available to them through the TRICARE Reserve Select plan. Find out what’s best for you and your family by reading advice on choosing between TRICARE and civilian health insurance.
National Guard retirement benefits
National Guard members are eligible for federal retirement benefits when they've earned enough "time in service." Time spent on state active duty doesn't count toward federal retirement.
To be honest, National Guard retirement can be confusing. Learn more about this topic by reading how to make sense of National Guard and reserve retirement.
But, discussing National Guard retirement benefits might have you thinking about your overall retirement plan. If you want to learn more about retirement, check out this article on why it’s important to start early when saving for retirement.
How can the National Guard affect civilian life?
National Guard members balance civilian employment with their military service and family obligations.
While additional National Guard pay can make it easier to meet your financial goals, managing the balance between part-time service and civilian life can be an additional source of stress.
Also, keep in mind that some National Guard service members actually lose money when they report for duty. They might take time away from a high-paying job to work at their lower-earning military job. Just one more way serving your country can be a sacrifice.
Balancing National Guard service with a civilian job
When I was in the U.S. Air Force Reserves, USAA made it easy for me to perform my military duty. The support was amazing, but USAA is a military-focused company. I've had some friends whose employers were not as supportive, and it was more difficult for them.
No matter your situation, the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act of 1995, or USERRA, exists to protect service members. According to USERRA, employers must give time off for military service and reemploy a service member if:
- Before leaving, the employee gave advance written or verbal notice of military service unless doing so was not possible because of military necessity.
- The employee's absence because of military service did not exceed five years, unless an exception applies.
- The employee was given an honorable discharge at the end of their military service.
- The employee applies for reemployment within a specific time.
There are also provisions to help service members maintain their projected career advancement when they must take time away for military service.
However, there are some provisions to protect employers as well. For example, organizations are not required to rehire a returning service member if it creates undue hardship on the employer or if the nature of the employment was short term rather than long term.
If you have any questions, your unit's servicing Judge Advocate would be the best place to start getting them answered.
Getting an education while serving in the National Guard
On top of their other obligations, some National Guard service members choose to attend college or trade school while serving part time. This can add additional conflicts, especially for those who are called to active duty in the middle of an academic semester.
If that happens, discuss your options with an academic advisor as soon as you can. You may have to withdraw from your courses and retake them later. If you've completed a substantial amount of your coursework, you may be able to make arrangements to finish or receive credit for what you've done. This will depend on your school's policies and the timing of your activation.
Some schools offer a full or partial tuition refund for students who withdraw from their courses after being called to active duty. Review your school's policies and discuss your military obligations with your instructors so you'll be prepared for any possibilities.
Budgeting your National Guard pay
If your National Guard pay causes your income to increase, it may provide a good opportunity to pay down debt or save for future goals.
For example, if your emergency fund isn't fully stocked, consider using the bump to accomplish that financial goal. An emergency fund should cover three to six months' worth of essential living expenses in a dedicated savings account.
How else can you use National Guard pay to your advantage? Check out this article that talks about eight things each person can do with their Guard/Reserve drill pay.
But you may be taking a reduction in salary to perform your National Guard service. In this case, look for areas in your budget where you can cut back. Read more about how joining the National Guard may affect your budget.
More advice on joining the National Guard
Serving in the National Guard requires sacrifice. Sometimes that means giving up time with family and friends, and other times it may mean passing up career opportunities.
"While most service members I talk to believe it's worth it because of the opportunity to serve their country, it's not a step to be taken lightly," says Rivera.
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