Guard & Reserves

Explore pay, education, health, and transition benefits for National Guard and Reserve members.

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1) Pay & Compensation

  • Drill Pay: Paid for monthly drills and annual training; based on rank and years of service. Use DFAS pay tables to estimate your monthly and annual income.
  • Annual Training Pay: Two weeks of active duty pay each year, plus travel and per diem for training away from home station.
  • Special Pays: Bonuses for certain skills, deployments, or critical roles (aviation, medical, language, hazardous duty).
  • State Bonuses: Some states offer enlistment, re-enlistment, or deployment bonuses for Guard/Reserve members.
  • Tax Advantages: Many allowances and travel reimbursements are tax-free.
DFAS: Military Pay Tables

2) Education Benefits

  • Reserve GI Bill (Chapter 1606): Monthly stipend for education/training while drilling; must have a 6-year obligation.
  • Post-9/11 GI Bill: Pro-rated for qualifying active service; covers tuition, housing, books. Can be transferred to dependents with additional service commitment.
  • State Tuition Assistance: Many states offer Guard/Reserve tuition waivers, scholarships, or grants for public colleges.
  • Federal Tuition Assistance: Some Guard/Reserve units qualify for TA for college courses (check with your education office).
  • Yellow Ribbon Program: May help cover tuition gaps at private/out-of-state schools.
  • Credentialing Assistance: Funding for professional certifications and licenses.
VA: Education Benefits

3) Health & Insurance

  • TRICARE Reserve Select: Affordable health insurance for Guard/Reserve and families; monthly premiums and cost shares apply.
  • Dental and Vision: FEDVIP and TRICARE dental/vision plans available for members and dependents.
  • Coverage during mobilization: Activated members receive full TRICARE coverage; check eligibility before and after deployment.
  • Life insurance: SGLI/VGLI options for part-time and full-time service; FSGLI for family members.
  • Behavioral health: Access to Military OneSource, chaplains, and VA mental health resources.
TRICARE Reserve Select

4) Retirement & TSP

  • Reserve retirement: Earn points for service; retirement pay starts at age 60 (may be earlier for certain deployments).
  • TSP: Thrift Savings Plan available to all Guard/Reserve members; ultra-low expense index funds and target-date L Funds.
  • Blended Retirement System: Combines pension, TSP, and continuation pay; automatic 1% DoD contribution + up to 4% match for BRS participants.
  • Early retirement: Possible for qualifying active service; check with your personnel office.
  • Vesting: Immediate for member contributions and match; 2 years for automatic 1% DoD contribution.
DoD: Reserve Retirement

5) Transition Resources

  • Yellow Ribbon Reintegration Program: Support for deployment, reintegration, and family readiness.
  • Transition Assistance Program (TAP): Career, education, and benefits counseling.
  • State and local veteran resource offices for Guard/Reserve-specific support.
  • Networking, resume help, and job fairs for transitioning members.
Yellow Ribbon Program

This page is for education only. Policies change frequently—verify with VA, DoD, your state veterans office, and unit officials.