U.S. Army Part Time Soldier

17-38 years old

U.S. citizen or permanent resident alien

Currently In High School or College Student

MGIB CHP 1606/1607: Over 14K ($392 per month for 36 months). Note: A Reservist who has served 90 days or more of concurrent active-duty service (IADT not included) will qualify for Post 9/11 GI Bill and the VA loan. However, if they have not served 3 years of active-duty service it will be percentage based (total active-duty time).

Tuition Assistance: $4,000 per year (AIT grad and cannot use MGIB and TA for same classes)

Enlistment Bonus: Qualified applicants may be eligible for an EB up to $20K. Eligible applicants must enlist into a qualifying primary vacancy. Non Prior Service -applicants must enlist for a minimum 6x2 Term of Service. Prior Service applicants must enlist for 3 or 6 years.

Student Loan Repayment Program: Amount determined by education level and vacancy type (10K-50K typically)

•The Army Reserve will pay 15% of the outstanding principle balance on the loan each year (or $500, whichever is higher)

•Currently only Alphas will qualify for SLRP

•Must enlist for a minimum 6x2 Term of Service

Select MGIB Kicker: amount determined by MOS and vacancy type ($100, $200, or $350)

•Must be used congruently with the MGIB CH 1606/1607 (36 months)

•Tax free

Note: If you add Drill Pay and Kicker together after taxes you will come up anywhere from $350-$600 per month. Use the average of $500.

ROTC/Minuteman Scholarships: Offers 2, 3 and 4 (Minuteman is 4 years) year scholarships. Basic eligibility criteria: 17-26 y/o, 2.5 GPA (HS), 920 SAT or 19 ACT and agree to commission after graduation into Army or Army Reserve. In the ROTC students can expect to take 1 elective requirement and 1 lab class requirement per semester (some of these classes may be in addition to their normal classes they would be taking depending on their chosen degree plan). They also PT three times per week. They can also expect to spend a few weeks over the summer attending Leadership Courses at Ft Knox, KY or Ft Lewis, WA. The nice thing about this program is that it is flexible in that it allows students already in college to still be eligible to enroll and get their commission since you can complete the program in only 2 years if need be. Some of the benefits include: free tuition, free books and a paid stipend of $300 - $500 (tax free) per month depending on grade level

Simultaneous Membership Program (SMP): Any Soldier currently serving in the Army Reserve and ROTC simultaneously. This is a great opportunity for ROTC cadets to be able to apply what they are learning in college to the real world, by actively drilling in their USAR unit. During their final 2 years of ROTC the Soldier is commissioned as a Cadet at their Unit, which will allow them to receive E-5 Sergeant pay for any Reserve duty they complete. They will also be put into a leadership position such as PL or Company XO. If a Soldier received the Kicker on their initial contract then they may still receive that in addition to the ROTC monthly stipend. So when you are talking to prospects about SMP here is the major selling point: They may earn up to or even over $1000 per month by being a SMP ROTC Cadet on top of your tuition and books being paid for. $200-$350 Kicker + $300-$500 ROTC Stipend + Drill Pay $200-$400 per month.

Life Insurance SGLI: $25 (average) a month for $400,000 in coverage (can be reduced in increments to lower cost). If they choose to lower it have them complete the SGLV 8286 during their Unit Visit and give to their UA.

Tricare Reserve Select: $42.83 per month member-only coverage and $218.01 per month for member and family coverage (average rates). These rates are extremely competitive and almost always lower than any coverage under the Affordable Health Care Act or any civilian employer based plan

(https://tricare.mil/Costs/HealthPlanCosts/TRS)

Tricare Dental Program: Low cost, premium based dental insurance. Member only is around $9 per month (family can also be added). Note: If a Reservist is called to active-duty for 30 days or more both the Tricare Reserve Select and Dental Program enrollment automatically drops and they receive free care as any other active-duty service member would.

Military I.D.: Since Army Reserve Soldiers immediately assess they are eligible to get their Military ID. They just need to go to a DEERS location with their DD4, State ID, SSN Card and Birth Certificate. It usually takes about a week from once they swear in at MEPS for DEERS to have their information so wait a week before you try to get them an ID. Having an ID gives them PX/Commissary/Gym Access on military bases.

Double Dip Pay: Drill pay is broken down into MUTA’s (Multiple Unit Training Assembly). There are 4 MUTA’s in a typical drill weekend (Saturday & Sunday). Each MUTA is worth 1 day of pay in active-duty. There are 2 MUTA’s per day on a drill weekend (morning/afternoon). Therefore, for one weekend a Reservist is actually receiving 4 days of active-duty pay.

AGR Opportunities: Active Guard Reserve. Reservists looking to go active-duty who do not meet the current USAREC business rules can always apply for AGR. The application process is completed through the HRC website. They can also volunteer for deployments on their record portal (no guarantees).

Army Reserve Employer Partnership Website: employerpartnership.org is a great resource for Reservists looking for civilian employment. United States Military Apprenticeship Program: Earn a department of labor apprenticeship certificate. https://USMAP.usd.milIADT and NCOES College Credits: the average IADT alone may transfer into 12-15 semester credit hours (these classes are primarily elective classes). Note: A CIHS cannot use these credits to graduate from high school (I tried it). Soldiers must present their JST (Joint Service Transcripts) to their school advisor or academic department for review. Learn more at goarmyed.com

Travel: USAR units sometimes get the opportunity to conduct their Annual Training (2 weeks a year) overseas. Typical locations I have seen are in Germany and Italy. USAR units also go to NTC and JRTC USAR 20 Year Retirement: A Soldier must obtain 50 points per year for it to be considered a qualifying year for retirement. They receive a point for each MUTA or each active-duty day. Retired USAR can begin drawing pension at age 60. The pension amount will depend on total amounts of points earned (google Army Reserve retirement calculator). They also begin receiving TRICARE benefits from age 60 - 65 (65+ are then eligible for MEDICARE). USAR Retirees under age 60 may qualify for a low premium based TRICARE benefits package.

The Army is the only branch that allows you to select a specific job before signing a contract, whether you prefer to be in combat, medical, military police, or any other highly technical job (STEM). Now most benefits that are provided to service members are the same across the different branches. Now, no matter what your plans are, I challenge you to speak to me about the United States Army Reserve and learn how it can help you accomplish your present and future goals.