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.
Active First - Up to $20,000
With the Active First program, you'll begin your service with full-time military service—at full-time Soldier's pay—plus a bonus of up to $20,000. 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.
Cash Bonus Jobs - Up to $10,000
Certain high-demand jobs pay you a bonus up to $10,000 when you enlist. Check out the Cash Bonus Jobs list, and 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.
Quick Ship Bonus - Up to $5,000
If you’re qualified for a Cash Bonus job, you can earn up to an extra $5,000 just for shipping to Basic Training within 45 days of enlistment. Combine this with the money for picking a Cash Bonus Job, and signing up could be worth a lot.
Off-Peak Bonus - Up to $5,000
Recruits who qualify for one of the Guard’s Cash Bonus jobs can enlist and ship to Basic Training during the period when fewer recruits typically ship (October through May). This bonus of up to $5,000 may also be combined with the Quick Ship bonus—on top of the enlistment bonus you’ll earn for enlisting in a Cash Bonus job.
If you’ve served before (prior service), you could be eligible for:
You can earn up to $2,000 for helping recruit a new Soldier under the Guard Recruiting Assistance Program (G-RAP). Make even more—up to $7,500—for helping recruit a new officer with G-RAP-O.
For Basic Officers and Warrant Officers:
For Chaplains:
For Medical Professional Officers:
For Medical Students:
Read more about the Healthcare profession in the Guard.
Note: Bonuses may vary according to your state’s needs. Dollar amounts shown here are not guarantees and are subject to change.
To get the most current details, contact your local recruiter.
The Guard is a military branch that serves both state and federal governments, at home and overseas.
Find out more about the Guard.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 physical 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 moreGuard 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 $179 for every weekend you drill.
Find out more about Guard pay.Yes. At this time, the Guard is paying Officer Accession bonuses.
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 up to $65,000 in student loans.
Contact a Guard representative.Your estimated total for the first year.
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