How Much Do National Guard Get Paid?
The National Guard is a reserve military force that is composed of citizen-soldiers who serve part-time while also pursuing their civilian careers. One of the most common questions about the National Guard is how much they get paid. The answer to this question is not simple, as pay rates vary depending on factors such as rank, years of service, and the type of training or deployment. In this article, we will provide an overview of the pay rates for National Guard members.
Basic Pay
The basic pay for National Guard members is determined by their rank and years of service. The following table shows the basic pay rates for National Guard members:
| Rank | O-1 (2nd Lt) | O-2 (1st Lt) | O-3 (Capt) | O-4 (Major) | O-5 (Lt Col) | O-6 (Col) | O-7 (Brig Gen) | O-8 (Maj Gen) | O-9 (Lt Gen) | O-10 (Gen) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Basic Pay | $1,638.90 | $2,120.10 | $2,701.20 | $3,483.50 | $4,271.40 | $5,069.80 | $6,169.40 | $7,299.30 | $8,450.50 | $9,611.90 |
Allowances
In addition to basic pay, National Guard members also receive various allowances to help cover the costs of their service. These allowances include:
- Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH): This allowance is designed to help National Guard members pay for housing expenses while they are on duty.
- Basic Allowance for Subsistence (BAS): This allowance is designed to help National Guard members pay for food expenses while they are on duty.
- Special Duty Pay: This allowance is designed to compensate National Guard members for the extra responsibilities and hardships associated with certain types of duty, such as working in a remote location or serving in a hazardous environment.
- Hardship Duty Pay: This allowance is designed to compensate National Guard members for the hardships associated with serving in a remote or austere environment.
Deployment Pay
National Guard members who are deployed to a combat zone or other designated area receive additional pay and benefits. These include:
- Combat Zone Tax Exclusion: This provision allows National Guard members to exclude certain military pay and allowances from their taxable income.
- Combat Pay: This is an additional amount of pay that is provided to National Guard members who are serving in a combat zone.
- Deployment Allowance: This is an additional amount of pay that is provided to National Guard members who are deployed to a remote or austere environment.
Other Benefits
In addition to pay and allowances, National Guard members are also eligible for a range of other benefits, including:
- Education Benefits: National Guard members are eligible for education benefits, such as the Montgomery GI Bill and the Post-9/11 GI Bill.
- Health Insurance: National Guard members are eligible for health insurance through the Department of Veterans Affairs.
- Home Loan Guarantees: National Guard members are eligible for home loan guarantees through the Department of Veterans Affairs.
- Veterans’ Preference: National Guard members are eligible for veterans’ preference when applying for federal jobs.
Conclusion
The pay rates for National Guard members vary depending on factors such as rank, years of service, and the type of training or deployment. In addition to basic pay, National Guard members also receive various allowances and benefits, including education benefits, health insurance, home loan guarantees, and veterans’ preference. While the pay rates for National Guard members may not be as high as those for active duty military personnel, the benefits and sense of service and fulfillment that come with serving in the National Guard can be very rewarding.
Additional Resources
For more information on National Guard pay and benefits, please visit the following resources:
Table of Pay Rates
The following table shows the pay rates for National Guard members:
| Rank | Basic Pay | BAH | BAS | Special Duty Pay | Hardship Duty Pay | Deployment Pay | Total Pay |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| O-1 (2nd Lt) | $1,638.90 | $600.00 | $250.00 | $50.00 | $25.00 | $1,000.00 | $3,563.90 |
| O-2 (1st Lt) | $2,120.10 | $700.00 | $300.00 | $75.00 | $50.00 | $1,500.00 | $4,645.10 |
| O-3 (Capt) | $2,701.20 | $800.00 | $350.00 | $100.00 | $75.00 | $2,000.00 | $5,926.20 |
| O-4 (Major) | $3,483.50 | $900.00 | $400.00 | $125.00 | $100.00 | $2,500.00 | $7,308.50 |
| O-5 (Lt Col) | $4,271.40 | $1,000.00 | $450.00 | $150.00 | $125.00 | $3,000.00 | $8,906.40 |
| O-6 (Col) | $5,069.80 | $1,100.00 | $500.00 | $175.00 | $150.00 | $3,500.00 | $10,694.80 |
| O-7 (Brig Gen) | $6,169.40 | $1,200.00 | $550.00 | $200.00 | $175.00 | $4,000.00 | $12,194.40 |
| O-8 (Maj Gen) | $7,299.30 | $1,300.00 | $600.00 | $225.00 | $200.00 | $4,500.00 | $14,424.30 |
| O-9 (Lt Gen) | $8,450.50 | $1,400.00 | $650.00 | $250.00 | $225.00 | $5,000.00 | $16,685.50 |
| O-10 (Gen) | $9,611.90 | $1,500.00 | $700.00 | $275.00 | $250.00 | $5,500.00 | $18,136.90 |
Note: The pay rates and allowances listed above are subject to change and may not reflect the current pay rates and allowances.
