How Much Does National Guard Pay?
The National Guard is a reserve component of the United States Armed Forces, made up of citizen-soldiers who train part-time and can be called to active duty in times of war or national emergency. As a member of the National Guard, you may be wondering what kind of compensation you can expect to receive. In this article, we’ll break down the pay scales for National Guard members, including basic pay, bonuses, and benefits.
Basic Pay
The basic pay for National Guard members is similar to that of active duty military personnel. National Guard pay rates are determined by the rank and years of service, just like active duty pay. Here is a breakdown of the basic pay rates for National Guard members:
| Rank | 0-6 Months | 6-18 Months | 1-2 Years | 2-4 Years | 4-6 Years | 6-10 Years | 10+ Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| E-1 | $1,733.50 | $1,733.50 | $1,733.50 | $1,733.50 | $1,733.50 | $1,733.50 | $1,733.50 |
| E-2 | $1,944.60 | $1,944.60 | $1,944.60 | $1,944.60 | $1,944.60 | $1,944.60 | $1,944.60 |
| E-3 | $2,041.40 | $2,041.40 | $2,041.40 | $2,041.40 | $2,041.40 | $2,041.40 | $2,041.40 |
| E-4 | $2,191.10 | $2,191.10 | $2,191.10 | $2,191.10 | $2,191.10 | $2,191.10 | $2,191.10 |
| E-5 | $2,344.80 | $2,344.80 | $2,344.80 | $2,344.80 | $2,344.80 | $2,344.80 | $2,344.80 |
| E-6 | $2,534.10 | $2,534.10 | $2,534.10 | $2,534.10 | $2,534.10 | $2,534.10 | $2,534.10 |
| E-7 | $2,744.30 | $2,744.30 | $2,744.30 | $2,744.30 | $2,744.30 | $2,744.30 | $2,744.30 |
| E-8 | $3,034.60 | $3,034.60 | $3,034.60 | $3,034.60 | $3,034.60 | $3,034.60 | $3,034.60 |
| E-9 | $3,364.50 | $3,364.50 | $3,364.50 | $3,364.50 | $3,364.50 | $3,364.50 | $3,364.50 |
| O-1 | $2,844.40 | $2,844.40 | $2,844.40 | $2,844.40 | $2,844.40 | $2,844.40 | $2,844.40 |
| O-2 | $3,344.40 | $3,344.40 | $3,344.40 | $3,344.40 | $3,344.40 | $3,344.40 | $3,344.40 |
| O-3 | $3,844.40 | $3,844.40 | $3,844.40 | $3,844.40 | $3,844.40 | $3,844.40 | $3,844.40 |
| O-4 | $4,344.40 | $4,344.40 | $4,344.40 | $4,344.40 | $4,344.40 | $4,344.40 | $4,344.40 |
| O-5 | $5,044.40 | $5,044.40 | $5,044.40 | $5,044.40 | $5,044.40 | $5,044.40 | $5,044.40 |
| O-6 | $5,644.40 | $5,644.40 | $5,644.40 | $5,644.40 | $5,644.40 | $5,644.40 | $5,644.40 |
| O-7 | $6,644.40 | $6,644.40 | $6,644.40 | $6,644.40 | $6,644.40 | $6,644.40 | $6,644.40 |
| O-8 | $7,644.40 | $7,644.40 | $7,644.40 | $7,644.40 | $7,644.40 | $7,644.40 | $7,644.40 |
| O-9 | $8,644.40 | $8,644.40 | $8,644.40 | $8,644.40 | $8,644.40 | $8,644.40 | $8,644.40 |
| O-10 | $9,644.40 | $9,644.40 | $9,644.40 | $9,644.40 | $9,644.40 | $9,644.40 | $9,644.40 |
Bonuses
In addition to basic pay, National Guard members may also be eligible for bonuses. These bonuses are designed to attract and retain talented and skilled members. Some examples of bonuses include:
- Enlistment bonuses: These bonuses are paid to new recruits to encourage them to join the National Guard.
- Re-enlistment bonuses: These bonuses are paid to current National Guard members to encourage them to re-enlist.
- Special Duty Pay: This bonus is paid to National Guard members who perform special duties, such as drill instructors or recruiters.
- Significant Skills Bonus: This bonus is paid to National Guard members who possess skills that are in high demand, such as language skills or specialized training.
Here is a breakdown of some of the bonuses available to National Guard members:
| Bonus | Amount |
|---|---|
| Enlistment Bonus | $1,000 – $20,000 |
| Re-enlistment Bonus | $1,000 – $10,000 |
| Special Duty Pay | $100 – $500 per month |
| Significant Skills Bonus | $1,000 – $5,000 |
Benefits
In addition to pay and bonuses, National Guard members are also eligible for a range of benefits. Some of the benefits available to National Guard members include:
- Health Insurance: National Guard members are eligible for TRICARE, a comprehensive health insurance program.
- Education Benefits: National Guard members are eligible for the Montgomery GI Bill and the Post-9/11 GI Bill, which provide education benefits.
- Retirement Benefits: National Guard members are eligible for a pension after 20 years of service.
- Life Insurance: National Guard members are eligible for life insurance through the Servicemembers’ Group Life Insurance (SGLI) program.
- Leave: National Guard members are eligible for annual leave, sick leave, and family and parental leave.
Here is a breakdown of some of the benefits available to National Guard members:
| Benefit | Description |
|---|---|
| TRICARE | Comprehensive health insurance program |
| Montgomery GI Bill | Education benefits for active duty and drilling reserve members |
| Post-9/11 GI Bill | Education benefits for those who have served at least 90 days of active duty since September 10, 2001 |
| Retirement Benefits | Pension after 20 years of service |
| SGLI | Life insurance for active duty and reserve members |
| Annual Leave | Time off for vacation, sick leave, and family and parental leave |
Conclusion
National Guard members receive a range of pay and benefits, including basic pay, bonuses, and benefits. While the pay and benefits may not be as high as those of active duty military personnel, the National Guard offers a unique opportunity to serve while still maintaining a civilian career. With the right combination of pay, bonuses, and benefits, the National Guard can be a rewarding and fulfilling career for those who are interested in serving their country.
