Frequently asked questions

 
Who can join the Maine Army National Guard?
You are eligible to join the Army National Guard if you meet the following criteria:
 
What is the Maine Army National Guard?
The Maine Army National Guard is one branch of the U.S. Armed Forces. The National Guard is composed of reserve forces - civilians who serve their country on a part time basis. Part-time means that we are uniformed generally 1 weekend a month, and 2 weeks during each year. There are also opportunities in the Guard where you can volunteer or apply to be a full-time Guardsman, meaning you work 8-4:30 in Augusta, Lewiston, or wherever the assignment is that you volunteer/apply for. The National Guard is the only branch of the military whose existence is actually required by the constitution.
The Maine Army National Guard also (generally) "works" for the Maine Governor. The Reserves and Active Duty always work for the Federal Government (President.) A Maine Guardsman only falls under federal control during a federal activation. Otherwise, we belong to the State.
 
Why should I join the Maine Army National Guard?
The Guard offers a series of benefits ranging from competitive pay and education assistance to insurance and retirement benefits. A broad range of skills is learned through schools and job training, and leadership opportunities are numerous. Beyond these tangible benefits, most Guard members agree that the greatest benefit is the opportunity to serve their country, state and community.
 
What will my pay be?

For each Guard training assembly (Drill Weekend) you attend, you will receive 2 full day's pay for your grade and number of years service (active and reserve time). You can visit the Defense Finance Service web site (www.dod.mil/dfas) for the specific amount for your pay grade.
Keep in mind, when you are reading the pay charts, a drill weekend (Saturday and Sunday) is 4 pay periods ("4 drills") as shown on the pay chart. Some months require a weekend drill where you show up on Friday night. For that you get paid 5 drill periods (2 & 1/2 day's pay.)
For examples about how much a soldier makes, check out our MONEY page:
 
Weekend Pay Rates at: ( Maine Army National Guard Pay and Benefits)
 
What benefits will I receive in the Guard?
Here are just a few of the benefits: $20,000 just for enlisting in many areas, civilian and military education benefits, promotion opportunities to include becoming a Warrant or Commissioned officer, good pay, Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance, free space-available air travel, retirement benefits at age 60 - after 20 years of combined active and reserve service, some medical and dental service and insurance programs, PX and commissary privileges.
Will you pay for my college?
The Maine Army National Guard has several different programs available to help offset the cost of college. They are available even if you are unable to attend college full-time. For example, if you have old student loans when you sign-up, the Maine Army Guard will pay up to $20,000 of thos loans for you, and that is above and beyond any other bonus or pay for signing up. For more information regarding the educational benefits available to members of the Maine Army National Guard, visit our   Education  page.
 
Will I be able to go to college while I’m in the Army National Guard?
Absolutely! Thousands of Army National Guard members are successfully pursuing college studies and/or full-time jobs while earning pay and benefits in the Army National Guard. Your basic Army National Guard duty commitment is generally one weekend per month and two weeks during the summer. You can go straight to college, full or part-time, and complete most of your military obligation by the time you graduate from college.
 
What can the Guard do for me in return?
More than you may realize. Here are just a few of the benefits:
How much of a college tuition does the Maine Army Guard cover?
The Maine Army National Guard funds up to 100% of tuition costs and fees, not to exceed $250 per semester hour and will be limited to $4500 per person per fiscal year. Tuition Assistance may be used in addition to the Montgomery G.I. Bill, Army National Guard G.I. Bill Kicker, Active Duty Montgomery G.I. Bill and Pell Grants.
 
What type of educational benefits are out there, and when do they kick in?
Train part-time and study full-time. You can serve your country while attending school full time. If you join the Guard while you are still in high school, you will be able to complete most of your Military obligation by the time you graduate from college.
When you complete Basic Training and Advanced Individual Training, you will be eligible for the Montgomery G.I. Bill and the Army National Guard College Fund, which is the Guard's supplement to the Montgomery G.I. Bill. Many of your educational benefits kick in as soon as you enlist. These include free SAT and GRE testing, CLEP exams and Federal Tuition Assistance.
The Maine Army National Guard also offers some educational benefits for your spouse. How about free CLEPS, and similar college courses? Check out the benefits, then call or email us with any questions.
 
Oh, one other huge benefit. When you finish training, you can get college credits for the military training you received.
For example, if you go to our Education link at Maine Army Guard Education you will see how I received 35 college credits simply by attending Basic training, Advanced Individual Training and a few other military training courses. These now have been transfered (for free) onto the transcript for a regular college (your college will as well) and shows the courses as having been completed, and the credit amount awarded for each.
For one example, in basic training I "earned" 3 college credits for a college course called "MSC-201 Intro to Military Science".
In AIT (Advanced Individual Training - or your job school, for me it was Carpentry - Masonry, 51B Engineer) I "earned" 4 college credits for a college course called "TEC-141 Woodworking".

 
I later received other credits for other Army Courses I attended. In all, I received 35 college credits (about 10 in Basic Training, 10 in my Engineer- Carpentry school, and the rest in later courses.) For me, those 35 FREE college credits brought me more than half way to my Associate Degree, which I received last year. An Associate degree generally requires 60 credits, and for me, I was able to use every Army Credit as either a core credit, or to fill up my electives. Write to me with any questions john.knoblach@mainearmyguard.com
 
Here's another example. If you join and become a HUMAN RESOURCE SPECIALIST (42A - as it's called) these are the possible or expected college credits you would get JUST for going through the 8-week HUMAN RESOURCE SPECIALIST AIT course (the training AFTER basic Training.)
         In the lower-division baccalaureate/associate degree category,
         3 semester hours in computer applications,
         6 semester hours in office administration,
         3 semester hours in business communication
         3 semester hours in human resource management
         3 semester hours in management
That's 18 credits expected just for becoming a 42A, and of course that doesn't include credits for basic training and other courses, such as those courses you'd take for promotions.
( click to see it, or check other job credits)
 
What other benefits are there?
There are many benefits available to Soldiers in the Maine Army National Guard. Programs that help pay for your college education; cash bonuses for specific jobs and excellent pay for your service are the most recognizable. There are other benefits available to Guard members listed below are just a few.
 
What employment protections do I have for Joining?
Federal Law prevents any employer for harming your career, based upon your decision to join the National Guard, to leave on a 2-week annual training, or any other committment you make with the Guard. One powerful tool we have to protect Guard Soldiers is the federal law from World War II called the Soldiers' and Sailors' Civil Relief Act. If you're a reserve component service member called to active duty, you're protected by a law that can save you some legal problems and possibly some money as well. By that we mean that federal law allows for the interest on your loans and credit cards to be dropped to 6% while you're mobilized. You can't be evicted and many other protections kick in to keep you focused on your mission, not on problems at home that may be brewing. Ask for specifics on these protections. Check out some of them at ( http://www.us-army-info.com/pages/docs.html)
 
What are the standards for Enlistment?
Standards are very important and allow the Maine Army National Guard to present a clear idea of what is expected of a soldier.
For a good resource showing everything from the height and weight standards to the 2-mile run time needed for your age group, check out: ( http://www.us-army-info.com/pages/docs.html)
 
What about Veterans Administration Home Loans?
Maine Army National Guard members may be eligible for a minimum down payment loan, offered by the Veterans Administration, to make buying a home more affordable. Members with six or more years of Guard service or those with 90 days of continuous federal active duty service (Title 10) are eligible for the "VA Home Loan Insurance Program."
 
Fly For Free
As a member of the Army National Guard, you are eligible to travel free on military aircrafts when space is available. You can fly within and between the Continental United States, Alaska, Hawaii, Guam, and Puerto Rico
 
Base Privileges, PX, Commissary
As a member of the Maine Army National Guard, you and your family can enjoy the different privileges of military installations around the world. Benefits include unlimited discount shopping at any Military Exchange (department store) and commissary (grocery store). Discount lodging, cabins, and campsites are available on most installations. You can loan or rent sports' activity gear and camping equipment. Craft, automotive, and woodworking hobby shops offer an area and the tools to work on personal projects.
 
Is there Life Insurance?
Life insurance plans are available for Army National Guard members and their families, through inexpensive insurance programs geared towards their needs.
The insurance plan offered to Guard members is the Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance (SGLI), which provides coverage for a Guard member 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. It costs approximately $16.25 per month for $250,000 of insurance with smaller amounts of coverage available. Coverage is available through age 60, upon receipt of your first retirement check, or 120 days after a soldiers ETS (End Service).
Family coverage is available through Family Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance (FSGLI). This program is available to the spouses and dependent children of members insured under the SGLI program. FSGLI provides up to a maximum of $100,000 of insurance coverage for spouses, not to exceed the SGLI amount of the insured member. It also provides $10,000 for dependent children. Spousal coverage is issued in increments of $10,000. Coverage costs vary among plans.

 
Are there Vacation Options?
Army MWR (Morale Welfare and Recreation) is a comprehensive network of support and leisure services designed to enhance the lives of soldiers (active, Reserve, and Guard), their families, civilian employees, military retirees and other eligible participants. Over 37,000 MWR employees worldwide strive to deliver the highest quality programs and services at each installation -- from family, child and youth programs to recreation, sports, entertainment, travel and leisure activities.
Their mission is to serve the needs, interests and responsibilities of each individual in the Army community for as long as he or she is associated with the Army, no matter where he or she is.
MWR contributes to the Army's strength and readiness by offering services that reduce stress, build skills and self-confidence and foster strong esprit de corps. MWR services also help the Army attract and retain talented people. MWR is proof of the Army's commitment to caring for the people who serve and stand ready to defend the nation.
Here's an excellent example. The military has a resort on the grounds of Walt Disney World in Florida. It is called Shades of Green and is open to all Maine Guard Soldiers. Check it out at: ( http://www.shadesofgreen.org/)
 

 
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