Want to join the military without putting your career on hold after high school? Consider joining the Army National Guard, where you’ll train a minimum of only one weekend per month, plus two full weeks, each year. This flexible schedule opens up a number of opportunities to pursue your career goals and serve in the military at the same time.
Serve Part Time
Unlike other branches of the military, the National Guard allows you to maintain a full-time career while serving your country part-time. Whether you choose to work full-time or start college, you’ll be able to achieve your goals while training in the National Guard on weekends.
Start College Strong
As soon as you enlist, you can take advantage of the National Guard Education Support Center. Through the Support Center, you’ll find help with degree planning, distance learning and college applications. You’ll also get free access to multimedia courses, study guides and textbooks to help you test out of some of your college courses and reach your goals faster.
Develop Skills Employers Covet
National Guard training is designed to help recruits develop discipline, initiative and leadership skills—traits that are increasingly difficult for employers to find in a tough job market. National Guard training could be what pushes your résumé to the top of the stack. And since you can work a civilian job while enlisted in the Guard, you’ll be able to accumulate relevant experience future employers will be looking for.
Pay for Your Education in Full
If you’re a student, you can take advantage of the Guard’s financial incentive packages—such as tuition assistance, student loan repayment and the Montgomery G.I. Bill—to pay for tuition, expenses and student loans. You’ll also get paid for every hour you spend in Guard training, which won’t be less than $179 per weekend.
Not sure if the Guard option is right for you? Visit the National Guard online to learn more about balancing military service with a civilian career.