• Skip to main content
  • Skip to secondary menu
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

US Military

  • Branches
    • Army
    • Navy
    • Air Force
    • Marine Corps
    • Coast Guard
    • National Guard
    • Air National Guard
    • Find A Recruiter
  • Find A Recruiter
  • Military Benefits
    • GI Bill
    • VA Loans
    • Military Scholarships
    • Military Friendly Colleges
    • Money
  • Jobs
    • Military Pay Chart
    • Veteran Jobs
    • Civilian Jobs
  • VA Loan Rates
  • Military News
    • Top News
    • Benefits
    • Careers
    • Education
    • Featured Columnists
      • Larry Fowler
      • Scott Ostrow
      • Kim Lengling
      • Dr. Sasha Toperich
      • Rick Stewart
  • GI Bill
  • VA Loans
  • Military Scholarships
  • Top Military-Friendly Colleges and Universities in America

A Different Way To Serve: Joining The National Guard

January 20, 2013 By admin

Did you know that you can be both a citizen and a military man or woman? As a member of the National Guard, you can enlist as a citizen soldier to serve the country and gain invaluable benefits for yourself. As part of the oldest military branch that dates back to 1636, you will be trained to quickly transition from your civilian life to the National Guard in case of an emergency. Joining the National Guard offers many benefits that will help you, your state, and the nation.

Benefits Of Joining The National Guard

As one of the largest employers in the country, the military has the same cost concerns as do private businesses. During peak times they need people, but require less staff other times. The National Guard allows the military to have trained personnel available who receive pay only when they are in service or training.

From your standpoint, the National Guard offers you the chance to gain supplemental income by doing something worthwhile on an occasional weekend when not deployed. You will be paid while on active duty and during long-term training. As a fresh recruit with no prior experience, you’ll probably start out as an E-1, but your ranking and pay grade will improve with experience.

There are numerous career options available within the Guard. You might even receive training that prepares you for the civilian job world or enhances your opportunities there. The options for National Guard careers are broad.

Benefits Of Joining The National Guard: Appealing Healthcare Options

As a National Guard member, you’ll have access to the military Tricare Reserve Select program. In return for a monthly premium and a small yearly deductible dependent on rank, you can insure yourself and your family for about $200 a month, with a small $100 yearly deductible. For pay grades of E-5 and above, the yearly rate jumps to $300 a month. The rates for the Tricare policies are much lower than ordinary civilian medical programs. When convenient, National Guardsmen can use on-post pharmacies and receive free prescriptions.

Benefits Of Joining The National Guard: Economical Shopping On Post

Military bases are known for their commissaries and their PX shopping opportunities. When Guardsmen shop on base, they can utilize the Exchange, or PX, for tax-free shopping on household appliances, furniture, clothing, and cosmetics. They can also stock up on groceries from the commissary. Both services sell brand-name products and offer them to the military at 5% over cost. If you use a commissary, you could save over 30% on your grocery bill. The stores are staffed by volunteer baggers, so be sure to tip them on your way out.

Benefits Of Training With The National Guard: Life Insurance

National Guardsmen and their families have access to low cost life insurance of up to $400,000. Premiums are low, and the insurance requires no health screens or questionnaires.

For a job that takes two days a month and two weeks a year if you aren’t deployed, the National Guard offers a broad package of benefits. If you’re interested in learning more before joining the National Guard, contact a National Guard recruiter to see how the Guard might be a perfect opportunity for part-time service and a whole new world of National Guard careers.

Filed Under: Careers, Enlist, Military Careers, National Guard, US Military Tagged With: Joining the National Guard, National Guard careers

Recent Posts

  • How Was Military Time Created And Why?
  • The Best 5 US Military Bases In The World
  • Congrats To Recent Graduates And Is The Military A Great Place For Young People Today
  • The Best Jobs in the United States Army
  • Top 5  Military Home Loans for Active Duty Service Members
VA Loans

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Davis Masoni says

    February 18, 2013 at 8:03 am

    My dream was to become a soldier and serve the world.

Primary Sidebar

IMPORTANT DISCLOSURE

USMilitary.com is a privately owned website and is NOT AFFILIATED (or endorsed) with the U.S. GOVERNMENT, U.S. ARMED FORCES, or DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS

USMilitary.com Career Guide

Sign up to receive USMilitary.com email updates and to hear what's going on with all military branches!

Featured Columnists

Larry Fowler

Larry Fowler is the publisher of USMilitary.com Network one of America's premier privately owned

Autobiography Compares Living Faithfully With Navy SEAL Training (BUD/S).

Scott Ostrow

Lt Col (Dr.) Scott A. Ostrow retired from the Air Force in September 2005 and has been teaching

Congrats To Recent Graduates And Is The Military A Great Place For Young People Today

Kim Lengling

Kim Lengling is a Air Force Veteran whose passion is to help support veterans and their

This Memorial Day: The Knock On The Door

Dr. Sasha Toperich

Dr. Sasha Toperich is the Senior Executive Vice President at Transatlantic Leadership

Sarraj’s Dangerous Dance With Power

Rick Stewart

Rick Stewart is a former United States Air Force Survival, Evasion, Resistance, and Escape (SERE)

Announcing American Patriots Unsung Magazine

Nathan B. Nelson

Capt (ret) Nathan B. Nelson is the Director of Military Affairs for the 1st Congressional district

Three Critical Considerations for Every Veteran Prior to Leaving Active Duty

Laquan Daniels

Laquan Daniel is a military recruiting expert with over 17 years of specialized experience in the

Important News For Military Transitioning Veterans

Veteran Buzz

High-Paying Jobs for Military Veterans

5 High-Paying Jobs for Military Veterans

July 2, 2018 By Ben Ehinger

High Paying Jobs Not Requiring a Degree

June 28, 2018 By Ben Ehinger

7 Best Military Careers That Lead To High Paying Civilian Jobs

June 10, 2018 By larryf

VA Loans

Footer

  • Advertise With Us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Write For US
  • Link to Us

Recent

  • How Was Military Time Created And Why?
  • The Best 5 US Military Bases In The World
  • Congrats To Recent Graduates And Is The Military A Great Place For Young People Today
  • The Best Jobs in the United States Army
  • Top 5  Military Home Loans for Active Duty Service Members

Search

© Copyright 2022 USMillitary
Web Design by Goebel Media Group


THIS IS A PRIVATE WEBSITE THAT IS NOT AFFILIATED WITH THE U.S. GOVERNMENT, U.S. ARMED FORCES, OR DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS. U.S. GOVERNMENT AGENCIES HAVE NOT REVIEWED THIS INFORMATION. THIS SITE IS NOT CONNECTED WITH ANY GOVERNMENT AGENCY.