When weighing the pros and cons of joining the National Guard, it’s important to consider the many unique benefits associated with service. Joining the National Guard can open up a world of opportunities, such as gaining valuable job skills, accessing college education, and receiving specialized training. On the other hand, there are some drawbacks – such as the risk of deployment, the cost of enlistment, and the commitment required. This article explores the various factors of joining the National Guard to help you make an informed decision. Whether you are looking for financial benefits, educational opportunities, or a chance to serve your country, the National Guard may be the right choice for you.
Is The National Guard Worth It?
The National Guard can be a great way to serve your country, receive training and education, and gain experience that can be helpful in your civilian career. But it’s not for everyone. Some people may find the training and deployments challenging or disruptive to their civilian lives. And remember, you can always join the National Guard later in life if you decide it’s the right choice for you.
Pros Of Joining The National Guard
1. Financial Benefits
The National Guard provides financial benefits that are only available to military members. You may become eligible for education benefits, including tuition assistance and military educational benefits. You may also receive a tax benefit at the end of your enlistment if you are pursuing a college degree.
2. Education Benefits
The Army, Air Force, and Marine Corps all offer education assistance to their soldiers and Marines through the Army College Fund (ACF) and Marine Corps University (MCU). The ACF provides assistance in the form of grants, scholarships, tuition assistance, and more. The MCU offers full tuition assistance at both public and private schools; you will also receive an annual stipend while enrolled in school. Both programs require that you enroll within one year of your enlistment date.
3. College Opportunities
If you are interested in attending college after your service is complete, the Army has an extremely competitive program called ROTC that can help you with tuition costs for four years of college. The Air Force also has a program that offers tuition assistance and a monthly stipend while you attend school. The Marine Corps also offers ROTC and tuition assistance but you must attend school at a service-approved academy.
4. Training And Education
The National Guard is not just about saving money on college and getting benefits, it’s also about gaining valuable job skills and education that will help you in your civilian career. You may receive specialized training for your job skills, such as combat lifesaver or air traffic control, which can help you land a civilian career in the military or civilian aviation industry.
5. Deployment Risk
There is always the risk of deployment with the National Guard – but remember that this risk is far less than with the regular military where there is an active duty requirement for all enlistees at least one year of service per year of enlistment (usually two years).
6. Commitment Required
If you decide to enlist in the National Guard, you will be required to serve your full enlistment period. Usually, this is around two years but can extend up to four years in some cases.
7. Pay
There is no difference between the pay of an active-duty soldier and the pay of a Reserve soldier. In fact, you will receive a slightly better pay grade than your active-duty counterparts for most jobs that require military experience. If you decide to enlist, remember that you are still required to serve as part of your full enlistment period and not just the time specified on your contract. You may be required to continue service until you complete either six years or 12 years depending on your contract length with the Guard.
8. Benefits
If you decide to enlist with the National Guard, you can receive full benefits as if you had just entered active duty. This includes things like medical care, housing allowances, commissary and exchange privileges, and a monthly stipend while attending school.
Cons Of Joining The National Guard
1. Reenlistment Risk
The National Guard is a good deal, but it is not a free ride. Once you are in, you will be required to complete your full enlistment period, which can extend up to four years. If you decide to re-enlist with the National Guard, there is a chance that you could be required to serve up to 12 years of service depending on your contract length with the Guard.
2. No Active Duty Option
If you decide to enlist, you will be required to serve your full enlistment period and not just the time specified on your contract. You may be required to continue service until you complete either six years or 12 years depending on your contract length with the Guard.
3. Deployment Risk
There is always a risk of deployment with the National Guard – but remember that this risk is far less than with the regular military where there is an active duty requirement for all enlistees at least one year of service per year of enlistment (usually two years).
4. Not Fully Paid For
While you may be getting a lot of benefits and pay, there are still things that you will be required to pay for like your tuition, books, and living expenses.
5. No Active Duty Option
If you decide to enlist, you will be required to serve your full enlistment period and not just the time specified on your contract. You may be required to continue service until you complete either six years or 12 years depending on your contract length with the Guard.
6. Reenlistment Risk
The National Guard is a good deal, but it is not a free ride. Once you are in, you will be required to complete your full enlistment period, which can extend up to four years. If you decide to re-enlist with the National Guard, there is a chance that you could be required to serve up to 12 years of service depending on your contract length with the Guard.
7. Deployment Risk
There is always a risk of deployment with the National Guard – but remember that this risk is far less than with the regular military where there is an active duty requirement for all enlistees at least one year of service per year of enlistment (usually two years).
8. Not Fully Paid For
While you may be getting a lot of benefits and pay, there are still things that you will be required to pay for like your tuition, books, and living expenses.
9. No Active Duty Option
If you decide to enlist, you will be required to serve your full enlistment period and not just the time specified on your contract. You may be required to continue service until you complete either six years or 12 years depending on your contract length with the Guard.
10. Reenlistment Risk
The National Guard is a good deal, but it is not a free ride. Once you are in, you will be required to complete your full enlistment period, which can extend up to four years. If you decide to re-enlist with the National Guard, there is a chance that you could be required to serve up to 12 years of service depending on your contract length with the Guard.
Conclusion
If you’re looking for a way to serve your country and earn money at the same time, the National Guard may be right for you. Joining the National Guard can open up a world of opportunities, such as gaining valuable job skills, accessing college education, and receiving specialized training. On the other hand, there are some drawbacks – such as the risk of deployment, the cost of enlistment, and the commitment required. This article explores the various factors of joining the National Guard to help you make an informed decision. Whether you are looking for financial benefits, educational opportunities, or a chance to serve your country, the National Guard may be the right choice for you.When weighing the pros and cons of joining the National Guard, it’s important to consider the many unique benefits associated with service.
