national guard benefits-brief

Education and Incentive OverviewEducation and Incentive Overview

“KEEPING PEOPLE FIRST”

SFC Donovan WhitfieldRecruiting & Retention NCO

ARNG Educational Assistance Programs

• DANTES

• SOCGUARD

• ARNG Institute

• Tuition Assistance

• MGIB and MGIB Kicker

Survey Says . . .

• NPS• Joined for Education Benefits 76%

• Stay for Education Benefits 72%

• Currently Attending College 53%

• Plan to Continue their Education 94%

• PS• Joined for Education Benefits 42%

• Stay for Education Benefits 36%

• Currently Attending College 33%

• Plan to Continue their Education 80%

Defense Activity for Non-Traditional

Education Support (DANTES)

• Testing Programs (Prior to IADT)– I.e. CLEP, DSST, GED, ACT, SATs, GRE, GMAT, Etc

– Student Guide to Success (Audio/Video tapes)

– Spouses are also eligible (Only CLEP and DSST are free)

• Certification Programs (32 national exams)– I.e. Fitness, Food Services, Electronics, Medical, Auto, etc.

• Education brochures/pamphlets• Distance Learning TA/External Degree Program

• Find out more at: www.voled.doded.mil– Or call: (850)452-1760 (RC Advisor)

SOCGUARD

• College Cost Guides by State• Presentations/Briefings• Posters/Brochures • Degree Builders • SOC Counselors • CONAP

• Find out more at: www.soc.aascu.org– Or call at: 1-800-368-5622 (Wash D.C.)

ARNG Institute

• Military credit evaluation/transcript

• College degree planning

• Education counseling

• Available to spouses!

• Find out more at: www.arngi.org– Or call at: 1-877-632-7644 (Pensacola, FL)

Tuition Assistance (TA)

• 4 TA Programs– ARNG Federal TA (M-Day soldiers)

– DANTES Distance Learning TA

– ACES TA (AGRs)

– State TA

Tuition Assistance

• ARNG Federal TA

– M-Day/Traditional soldiers

– Eligible ‘prior to’ completion of IADT

– 100% of tuition costs up to 15 Semester or 22 Quarter Hrs

– Per semester hour caps:

• Undergraduate Degree: $100.00/$68.00 Qtr

• Graduate Degree: $170.00/115.60 Qtr

Tuition Assistance

• ARNG Federal TA, Continued;

– Vocational/Technical Courses (Clock Hours)

– 100% of tuition costs

• $100 Undergraduate and $170 Graduate caps still apply, once

converted to semester hours

– Annual Cap is $4,500 per soldier

Tuition Assistance

• ARNG Federal TA, Continued; – OCS Candidates, SMPs & WOCs

• Apply ACES TA Rates ($187.50)

• Rates continue until:– Completion of a Baccalaureate Degree for Officers &

Associate Degree for Warrant Officers

– Voluntarily or involuntarily released from the officer candidate school/program prior to commissioning

– Failure to accept a commission

Tuition Assistance

• DANTES Distance Learning TA– Undergraduate, Graduate, Doctoral, & Nationally

Accredited Distance Learning (DL) Programs

– 100% of tuition cost up to 15 semester hours

– Not to exceed $4,500 annually per soldier

– Processed through State ESO paid by DANTES

– AGRs are also eligible

Tuition Assistance

• ARNG Federal TA and DANTES DL TA

– Commitment:

• Officers, 4 years after course completion

• Enlisted, must have remaining obligation for length

of course

– Can be used with the MGIB for a different course

– Soldiers can combine ARNG Federal TA (SH & CH) & DANTES DL TA up to $4,500 annually

Tuition Assistance

• Army Continuing Education System (ACES) TA– Applicable to AD/AGR soldiers

– Processed through Army Education Centers

– 75% Per Semester Hour

– Not to Exceed $187.50

– $3,500 Annual Max

– Reference AR 621-5

Tuition Assistance

• State TA Programs (SEAP)– Paid directly to school for books and tuition

– Up to $500 for Jr. College & $1000 for 4-Yr College

– Not Guaranteed - Until State Money is Used

– State TA and ARNG Federal TA can be used concurrently not to exceed 100% of tuition costs

• State TA must be applied before ARNG Federal TA

– State TA and MGIB can be used simultaneously and may exceed 100% of tuition costs

Montgomery GI Bill (MGIB)

• Basic Facts, Rates and Uses

• Eligibility Criteria and Termination

• MGIB Kicker

Montgomery GI Bill

• Basic Facts:

– Established on 1 Jul 85

– Chapter 1606, (Title 10 USC - Selected Reserve)

– Administered by the Department of Veterans Administration

– 36 months of ‘full time’ benefits (48 max when combined)

– Can be used for any degree (AA, BA, Masters, PhD)

Montgomery GI Bill

• Monthly rates - Effective 1 Oct 01: Less

Than Full Time 3/4 Time 1/2 Time 1/2 Time

Ch 1606 $272.00 $197.00 $131.00 $65.75

(M-Day)

Montgomery GI Bill

• Uses:– College/Schooling– Cooperative Training– Correspondence training– Independent study programs– Flight training– Tutorial Assistance– Remedial/Refresher Training – Work Study* – Apprenticeship/OJT*

Montgomery GI Bill

• Work Study - What is it?– A part time job paid by the VA (minimum wage - tax free)

– Work at any VA/DoD approved facility (Armories count!)

– Soldier must be in receipt of MGIB at 3/4 time or more

– Work must be MGIB related

• How do you get one?– Find a soldier who is going to college & needs extra money

– File VA Form 22-8691, Application for Work-Study Allowance, with your Regional VA Office

– Call 1-888-GIBILL-1 with questions

Montgomery GI Bill

• OJT - What is it?– VA approved job training/apprenticeship programs offered

by local companies/organizations

– VA pays a monthly benefit while performing a job and earning wages ($197/SR, $487/AD - first 6 months)

– Examples include: Welders, Painters, Cooks, Mechanics, Police

• OJT - How do you get it?– Network with local companies - establish rapport

– Have the employer submit an application to the VA

– Call 1-888-GIBILL-1 with questions

Montgomery GI Bill

• MGIB - SR Eligibility (Determined by Service)

– Have a six year obligation in the Selected Reserve - enlist, reenlist or extend

– Complete IADT or equivalent

– Have a High School Diploma or equivalent

(New - now only needed before applying for benefits)

– Complete a DD Form 2384-1 (NOBE)

Montgomery GI Bill

• MGIB - SR Suspension

• MGIB recipients are authorized a one-time, one year period of non-availability - up to 3 yrs for missionary oblig

• Applies to those who transfer to the ING, IRR or AGR Program/Military Technician

• Benefit is suspended during the entire period of non-availability

Montgomery GI Bill

• MGIB - SR Termination

• Failure to return to an active drilling status after a period

of non-availability• Failure to extend for the period of non-availability • Declared an Unsatisfactory Participant• Obtain an ROTC Scholarship (Title 10, Sec 2107)• Complete a 10 year period from the eligibility date

• 10-Year entitlement period is extended for any period of federal

mobilization plus 4 months

• Purpose:– To encourage enlistment and retention of soldiers in designated

Units/MOSs • Note: MGIB Kicker is an ‘incentive’ not an entitlement

• Governing Policy:

– Memorandum, NGB-ARH, Subject: ARNG MGIB Kicker Program, Dated 19 Oct 00

– Forthcoming NGR 600-7 re-write will include MGIB Kicker guidance

MGIB Kicker

MGIB Kicker

• Categories:

– 1. NPS (CAT I-IIIB only)

– 2. Current ARNG soldiers who served three or more consecutive years in the ARNG (SL 1/2, MOSQ)

– 3. Prior service soldiers who enlist/reenlist directly from the Active Army (Within 30 days of ETS, SL 1/2, MOSQ)

– 4. ARNG LTs with an MOS or OBC, without a BS Degree• Regardless of unit of assignment or 3 consecutive yrs of service

– 5. OCS Candidates/SMPs

MGIB Kicker

• Benefit:

– $200 basic rate, $350 for Officer Candidates/SMPs

– Not subject to federal/state withholding

– Paid monthly (PS soldiers with ACF get lump sum)

– Kicker entitlement lasts as long as the basic benefit, up to

36 months maximum

– Payments are prorated when not enrolled full-time

• Example: $200 Kicker at 1/2 time enrollment = $100

• Basic Eligibility:

– Be eligible for the MGIB basic benefit (Ch 30 or 1606) • 6 Year Obligation, Completion of IADT, HSDG

– Enlist/extend in a High Priority Unit, regardless of MOS• New list sent out 1 May 01

– Valid Position Vacancy

– Sign a kicker contract/OSA and agree to stay in your contracted Unit/Critical Specialty for 6 years

• The member can leave the Critical Specialty, and/or Unit and still receive the Kicker once they complete their 6 year obligation

MGIB Kicker

MGIB Kicker

• Eligibility for $350 Kicker:– Officer Candidates:

• Must be eligible for MGIB basic benefit (MOSQ)– NPS OCS enlistment option soldiers are not eligible for basic

MGIB benefits or Kicker

• Complete Phase I of State OCS Program or complete Federal OCS program and accept commission in the ARNG

• Not required to have 3 consecutive years ARNG service

• May have a baccalaureate degree or higher

• May be in any unit upon entry and be assigned to any unit after graduation from OCS

MGIB Kicker

• Officer Candidates continued:• Soldiers who fail to complete the OCS program may

return to their previous kicker contracted rate if applicable– Must return to same position and be MOSQ

• Soldiers who fail to complete the OCS Program and who re-enter the OCS program the following year may be offered the OCS/SMP kicker a second time

– Prevailing rate at that time for OCS/SMPs will apply

• Candidates who receive an OCS completion certificate can receive the $350 Kicker for one additional year without being suspended

– After year may revert to previous contracted rate, if applicable

• Eligibility for the $350 Kicker:– SMP Cadets:

• Must Be Eligible for MGIB basic benefit (MOSQ)– NPS soldiers are not eligible for basic MGIB benefits or Kicker

• Contract as an SMP Cadet (MS III, IV) in an ARNG Unit

• Not required to have 3 consecutive years in the ARNG

• May be assigned to an excess slot in any unit upon entry and be assigned to any unit after commissioning

MGIB Kicker

• Eligibility for the $350 Kicker:– SMP Cadets:

• Kicker is suspended when a soldier is voluntarily or involuntarily released from the SMP Program

– Soldiers with a previous kicker contract may revert to previous rate if applicable

• Kicker is terminated (with recoupment) if soldier fails to accept a commission in the ARNG on the date offered

MGIB Kicker

MGIB Kicker

• OCS/SMP Documentation:

• Previous kicker recipients complete Section X (higher rate) of existing kicker contract (NGB Form 5435-R)

– Soldiers who received the kicker between 1 Oct 88 and 30 Sep 99 complete NGB Form 5435-1-R (Supplemental)

• Soldiers without a previous kicker contract must complete a kicker contract (NGB Form 5435-R) in it’s entirety

– Soldiers must extend their existing enlistment contract to have a 6 year obligation from the date of the kicker contract

• After commissioning, all soldiers must sign an OSA for the remaining months on their 6 year obligation that made them eligible for the kicker

MGIB Kicker

• Suspension:

– 1 year, one time, authorized period of non-availability for transfers to the IRR, ING, AGR/Technician Program (3 yrs for missionary obligation)

– Soldier voluntarily leaves the unit/skill during their 6 year obligation (up to 12 months)

– Suspension of favorable personnel actions • Except APFT Failure and Body Fat Composition Standards

MGIB Kicker

• Continuation

– Involuntary Transfer/Reassignment (Unit or MOS)• Must accept a position in the contracted or new MOS that is within reasonable commuting distance• Must become MOSQ within 24 Months• Includes transfers from the USAR

– Promotion to another position or SL within the soldiers CMF

– Interstate Transfer• Must transfer to a kicker eligible unit and MOS to retain kicker• Will be suspended up to 12 months if transferred to a non kicker unit/MOS

MGIB Kicker

• Termination – Failure to remain a satisfactory participant– Failure to complete the required 6 year obligation– Failure to return to a Kicker unit/MOS after an authorized period of non-availability or

suspension– Failure to extend for a period of non-availability– Failure to accept a position in the contracted MOS within reasonable commuting distance– Enters the active army on extended active duty – Failure to meet retention standards (w/out recoup) – Failure to become qualified within 24 months after an involuntary reassignment (w/out

recoup)

MGIB Kicker

• Recoupment

– Required by Title 10, United States Code (USC)– States must initiate and pursue recoupment action when conditions are

met– Formula: Months remaining on obligation divided by the total months

of obligation multiplied by the amount of benefits paid.• Example: Soldier with a 6 year obligation (72 months). Has received $4,000 in

kicker benefits and completed 3 years of his/her obligation (36 months remaining).• 36/72 X $4,000 = $2,000 to be recouped

Selected Reserve Incentive Program (SRIP)

Governing Regulations:• Army Regulation 135-7, Incentive Programs• Army National Guard Regulation 600-7, Selected Reserve Incentive

Programs, dtd 1 Oct 97• DODD 1205.20 - Reserve Component Incentive Prog, dtd Jan 96

• DODI 1205.21 - Reserve Component Incentive Program Procedures, dtd Sep 99

Governing Laws:• Title 10 and 37, USC

Selected Reserve Incentive Program

• $8,000 Enlistment Bonus - Criteria:

– High priority units only (any MOS)

– NPS enlistees (SL 1 only) who enlist for a minimum of six years in a valid vacant position

– Must be a HSDG or secondary school graduate (must have a diploma prior to AIT)

– Must be Test Score Category I - IIIB (31 or higher)

– Complete NGB Form 600-7-1-R-E (Enlistment Bonus Addendum)


• $5,000 Enlistment Bonus - Criteria:

– “Non” High priority units only (any MOS)

– NPS enlistees (SL 1 only) who enlist for a minimum of six years in a valid vacant position

– Must be a HSDG or secondary school graduate (must have a diploma prior to AIT)

– Must be in Test Score Category I - IIIB (31 or higher) – Complete NGB Form 600-7-1-R-E (Enlistment Bonus

Addendum)


• Prior Service Bonus - Criteria:

– Must have completed Military Service Obligation (MSO)

– Must have received an honorable discharge

– Must have less than 14 years for pay purposes (PEBD)

– Must have never previously received a bonus for enlistment, reenlistment or extension in the SelRes

– New - May be ‘Non’ MOSQ and still receive bonus if soldier gets qualified within 24 months (6 yr only)


• Prior Service Bonus - Type and amounts:

–6 Year, $5,000

–1st 3 Year, $2,500

–2nd 3 Year, $2,000 • Must be consecutive with 1st 3 year bonus

• Civilian Acquired Skill (CASP) $8,000 Bonus

– No longer offered, effective May 01

– CASP enlistment option still in effect

– Criteria in NGR 600-200, Chapter 3



• Bonus Payment Schedules

– NPS Enlistment Bonus (HP and Non HP):

» 50% Upon Completion of IADT» 50% on the Fourth Anniversary

– PS Enlistment Bonus (6 yr and 3 yr):

» 50% Upon enlistment» 50% on the Fourth Anniversary or » 50% on completion of 3rd yr if 3yr bonus


• Reenlistment/Extension Bonus - Eligibility:

– Must have less than 14 Years of service for pay purposes

– Must be MOSQ

– Must be a valid, vacant position

– Must never have received a reenlistment/extension bonus in the Selected Reserve


• Reenlistment/Extension Bonus - Types and Amounts:

– 6 Year - $5,000 HP Unit

– 1st 3 Year - $2,500 Non-HP Unit• Except STARC/TDA and Bands

– 2nd 3 yr - $2,000 Non-HP Unit• This and the $2,500 bonus must be consecutive


• Reenlistment/Extension Bonus - Payment Schedule:– 6 Year

• $2,000 on the Effective Date of the Extension

• $2,000 on the 4th Anniversary of the Extension date

• $1,000 on the next day

– 1st 3 Year • $1,250 on the Effective Date of the Extension

• $1,250 upon completion of the 3 year contract

– 2nd 3 Year • $1,000 on the Effective Date of the Extension

• $1,000 upon completion of the 3 year contract


• Affiliation Bonus - Eligibility:

– Must Enlist in the ARNG for their remaining MSO

– Must have served on Active Duty in an Active Component for a minimum of 2 years

– Must Enlist in an MOS that the Soldier is qualified in and be identified on his/her DD214

– Must Have Been Eligible to Reenlist While on Active Duty

– The Affiliation Bonus may be given to a soldier with RE Code 1, 2 or 3 and the following 14 SPD Codes:

• KBK, KCA, KCB, KCC, KDM, KCF, MBK, MCA, MCB, MCC, MCF, MDM, JCC, LCC

– Benefit is $50/month for each whole month remaining on MSO


• Affiliation Bonus - Benefit:

– $50/month

– Payable for each whole month remaining on MSO

– No ‘new’ news on increase


• Affiliation Bonus - Substitution Rules:

– A soldier assigned to a position using the substitution rules will receive bonus payment upon affiliation with the unit.

– The soldier must complete the required training to become MOS qualified and be awarded the MOS as Primary

– The soldier will have 24 months to complete formal training for MOS qualification

– If a soldier does not complete the required training, the bonus will be terminated without recoupment

Student Loan Repayment Program (SLRP)

Purpose: – Provides for the repayment of federally guaranteed loan(s)

secured by enlisted soldiers

Rules:– Can only be contracted once

– Good for the length of the signed contract only

– Only for pre-existing loans at the time of enlistment

– Can be combined with enlistment bonus and MGIB Kicker

Student Loan Repayment Program

• Criteria:

– NPS

• Must enlist for at least six years (6X2 or 8X0)

• Must be a Test Score Category I-IIIA (50 or higher)

• Must be in a valid position vacancy

• HP or Non HP Unit - any MOS


• Criteria:

– PS

• Must have served 3 years consecutively in the ARNG

• Must reenlist/extend for at least six years

• Must have less than 14 years service for pay purposes

• Must be MOSQ

• Must be in a valid position vacancy

• HP Units only! (any MOS)


• Payment:– Maximum amount $20,000 (principle) plus interest

– The annual payment is 15% of the original balance of the loan or $500, whichever is greater, plus interest

– Soldiers/applicants to enlist/reenlist for more than 6 years to get the full $20,000 paid

• Example: $10,000 Loan.

– $1,500 X 6 = $9,000 paid in principle - need 1 more year

• Example: $8,000 Loan. – $1,200 X 6 = $7,200 paid in principle - need 1 more year

SFC Donovan Whitfield

Recruiting & Retention NCO

Commercial 228-326-3060

[email protected]

Questions/Comments

national guard benefits-brief

Documents

test score

montgomery

high priority

secondary

previous kicker

mgib basic

basic mgib

valid vacant