Serve with Purpose
Earn with Pride
DC Army National Guard Soldiers earn more than a paycheck — they earn financial security, health coverage, retirement support, and real-world stability for themselves and their families.
PART-TIME SOLDIER
FULL-TIME STUDENT
In addition to outstanding pay and healthcare, the DC Army National Guard helps you pursue your education with tuition assistance, scholarships, credentialing programs, and more. Whether you’re planning to go to college, earn a certification, or finish high school, our education benefits are designed to support you while you serve.
RAISE YOUR INCOME
AND YOUR SKILL LEVEL
You can earn excellent pay as a DC Army National Guard Soldier. Your exact pay will depend on your rank, job (MOS), and education level—the higher you go, the more you make. And the longer you serve, the more you earn.
You’ll get paid for every day you serve, including training. That includes:
- Monthly drill weekends (typically two days per month)
- Annual Training (two weeks per year)
- Job skill training and other required schools
During Annual Training and MOS-specific training, you’re considered Active Duty and are paid accordingly.
Drill weekends may take place at your local armory or other designated sites, and include hands-on training such as:
- Job-specific instruction
- Weapons qualification
- Physical fitness
- Equipment maintenance
The length and timing of additional training varies depending on your MOS. If you have dependents, you may also qualify for a housing allowance.
Even better: You only pay income tax on your base pay. Bonuses or upgrades earned while serving overseas are tax-exempt—meaning more money in your pocket.
And whenever you’re deployed—for any reason—you’ll receive Active Duty pay.
GET REWARDED
FOR YOUR COMMITMENT
Bonuses can be earned for a variety of reasons. They are subject to change based on current mission needs and eligibility.
Non-prior service Soldiers who enlist for at least six years into a critical skill position may qualify for a bonus up to $20,000.
Current Guard members may qualify for a re-enlistment bonus when they extend their service commitment.
Officer and warrant officer bonuses may be available for those who accept a commission in a critical specialty.
Through the Guard Recruiting Assistance Program, Soldiers may receive a bonus for referring someone who enlists and reports to training.
AFFORDABLE HEALTHCARE
FOR YOU AND YOUR FAMILY.
TRICARE Reserve Select is a premium-based plan available worldwide for qualified Selected Reserve members of the Ready Reserve and their families. If purchased, TRICARE Reserve Select is the minimum essential coverage under the Affordable Care Act.
- TRICARE Reserve Select: Premium-based health plan for qualified Guard members and families.
- TRICARE Dental Program: Low-cost dental coverage for members and eligible family members.
ELIGIBLE BENEFICIARIES
Available to members of the Selected Reserve of the Ready Reserve (and their families) who meet the following qualifications:
- Not on Active Duty orders for more than 30 days
- Not covered under the Transitional Assistance Management Program
- Not eligible for or enrolled in the Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) Program
Note: While those members in the Individual Ready Reserve, including Navy Reserve Voluntary Training Units, do not qualify to purchase TRICARE Reserve Select, they may qualify to purchase TRICARE Dental Plan coverage for them or their families.
Certain members of the Selected Reserve who were covered by TRICARE Reserve Select and involuntarily separated under other than adverse conditions on or before December 31, 2018, may have access to extended TRICARE Reserve Select coverage up to 180 days. For more information, contact your service personnel department.
COVERAGE
TRICARE Reserve Select provides comprehensive health coverage.
For more information on TRICARE, contact your local recruiter.
COSTS
You must pay monthly premiums and cost shares if you decide to enroll in TRICARE Reserve Select. TRICARE Reserve Select premium rates are established annually on a calendar year basis.
For more information on TRICARE, contact your local recruiter.
PEACE OF MIND
FOR YOU AND YOUR FAMILY
Low-cost life insurance plans are available for Guard members and their families.
- Servicemembers’ Group Life Insurance (SGLI): Up to $500,000 of coverage for as little as $30/month.
- Family SGLI (FSGLI): Coverage for spouses and dependent children.
- Veterans Group Life Insurance (VGLI): Convert SGLI to VGLI upon separation from service.
Eligibility and coverage
For Guard members, there’s the Servicemembers’ Group Life Insurance (SGLI)
For more information contact your local recruiter
- Soldiers are eligible for $500,000 of insurance.
- Smaller amounts of coverage are available.
- Coverage is available through age 60, upon receipt of your first retirement check or 120 days after a Soldier’s ETS (Expiration of Term of Service).
Family members are eligible for Family Servicemembers’ Group Life Insurance (FSGLI)
This benefit is available to spouses and dependent children of Guard members insured under SGLI.
For more information contact your local recruiter
- FSGLI provides up to a maximum of $100,000 of insurance coverage for spouses (not to exceed the SGLI amount of the insured member).
- Family coverage provides $10,000 for dependent children.
- Spousal coverage is issued in increments of $10,000. Coverage costs vary.
INSURANCE BENEFITS
Most Soldiers serve because they want to give back to their country. Then they find out that being part of the DC Army National Guard comes with other rewards. Beyond earning additional pay and getting help with their education costs, Soldiers and Veterans—and their families—enjoy even more real benefits, such as inexpensive healthcare through the TRICARE system and low-cost life insurance that pays up to $400,000. Take care of your health, your family, and your future.
INVEST IN
YOUR FUTURE
You probably won’t be thinking about retirement for many years,but think about this: The Guard can continue to pay you every month if you have 20 years of service while serving in the Guard by age 60 (including service in other branches). And considering that retirement will probably mean time to travel, play, or even start a second business, financial security would be a nice part of your plan.
And it’s a simple plan. If you complete a standard part-time term in the Guard by age 60, you could be eligible to receive monthly payments* based on serving one weekend per month plus an additional 15 days per year, for 20 years.
This is on top of any benefits from your civilian career. You’ll still receive those and any other retirement funds you may have. So, you can see how it all adds up. Serving part-time in the DC Army National Guard is like money in the bank.
*Payment amounts and terms vary. To discuss retirement in greater detail, contact your local recruiter.
THRIFT SAVINGS PLAN (TSP)
TSP is a retirement savings and investment plan similar to a 401(k). Contribute a portion of your pay and watch it grow over time.
BLENDED RETIREMENT SYSTEM (BRS)
Combines the traditional pension with a defined contribution to your TSP account and continuation pay mid-career.
YOUR SERVICE
DESERVES A HOME
Guard members may be eligible for home loans from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) with little to no down payment. VA loans make buying a home more affordable and are available for home purchases and refinances. A VA loan eliminates the homebuyer’s need to make a down payment and purchase private mortgage insurance for homes up to $484,350.
VA-guaranteed loans are made by private lenders such as banks, savings, loans, or mortgage companies to eligible Veterans for the purchase of their home, which must be for occupancy. To obtain a loan, a Veteran must apply to a lender. If the loan is approved, the VA will guarantee a portion to the lender. This guarantee protects the lender against loss up to the amount guaranteed and allows a Veteran to obtain favorable financing terms.
Qualified Veterans need to obtain a certificate of eligibility from the VA, or your lender may be able to get one for you online. Members with six or more years of Guard service, or those with 90 days of continuous federal Active Duty service (Title 10), are eligible for the “VA Home Loan Insurance Program.” Explore your options online at HomeLoans.VA.gov.
VA HOME LOANS
The Department of Veterans Affairs offers home loan benefits to Guard members who meet eligibility requirements. These loans come with advantages such as:
- No down payment
- Competitive interest rates
- Limited closing costs
- No private mortgage insurance (PMI)
ELIGIBILITY
You may be eligible after six years of Guard service, or sooner if called to active duty. Contact your recruiter or a VA home loan specialist to learn more.
Ready to Take
Advantage of These Benefits?
Fill out the contact form to get more information about joining the DC Army National Guard.