Army National Guard information on joining and what to expect. The National Guard is like a part-time version of active duty in the Army. The recruits go through the same basic training. They are allowed to maintain their civilian career and live a mostly civilian lifestyle. Members basically perform full-time military duties only during times of war. The National Guard acts as a reserve component of the Army.
Army National Guard Training
The drills are the training periods which happen once every single month for 1 weekend & an annual 2-week training exercise. The National Guard members are also subject to active duty orders during emergencies and for other military needs. In order to join the National Guard, one should be over 17 years old. A recruit must also have parental permission to join. One can join at 17 years of age and then take the basic training between the junior and senior years in school.
After joining the ANG, there’s the possibility your unit might be ordered to deploy. As of the year 2012, the Army deployments basically range from 9 to 12 months for both the active duty and the Reserve forces. Even though you will receive full-time pay & benefits during the deployment, you have to take leave from the civilian job & get separated from friends and family for that length of deployment. Depending on the assignment(s), deployment may place you in some dangerous combat zones.
Benefits
According to the VA, National Guard members are entitled to GI Bill benefits. This is under the Montgomery-GI Bill Selected Reserve program. As of 2008, November, the MGIB SR grants 36 months of financial assistance so as to help cover the costs of attending college. Basically, eligibility for that program ends when one leaves the National Guard.
Members of the National Guard qualify for home loan and mortgage benefits after 6 years of service. Just like all active duty members, the reservists and the veterans, current or former members of the National Guard have to apply for a certificate of eligibility from the U.S.
National Guard members have access to life insurance through the Veterans Group-Life Insurance program. The VGLI program is available for all soldiers on the called-to-duty for over 31 days & insured under active duty counterpart which goes by the name the Service Members Group-Life Insurance. Similar to the SGLI, the VGLI provides life insurance for veterans up to $400,000.
Another great benefit of the Army National Guard is that the soldiers receive cutting-edge training in the field of their choice when they complete their basic training. It also offers the enlisted men & women a great signing bonus & compensation for each and every day they work.
National Guard Rings
As members of the Armed Forces, there is a great element of pride. This pride is often displayed by wearing custom-made military rings with the Army National Guard emblem on the side. They can be designed online in our store. Create and design one in silver or solid gold and have it shipped to any location in the world.
