topic Re: National Guard in Community Chat

National Guard

Demitra1 — Tue, 01 Mar 2016 20:58:02 GMT

Is someone that has served in their state's National Guard considered a veteran, with full benefits? I assume they are, but I've never really heard or seen it addressed.

Re: National Guard

Mj12 — Tue, 01 Mar 2016 21:07:28 GMT

@Demitra1 I thought (but could be wrong) that to qualify for "full" veterans status, one has to fulfill an active duty requirement. If that person did, then yes.

National Guard can qualify for some veterans programs - like VA loans and GI bill under some circumstances, I think.

Hopefully someone here knows more.

Re: National Guard

Snowpuppy — Tue, 01 Mar 2016 21:18:49 GMT

Depends.

All states have some limited full time/40 hr per week Guardsmen. Most are weekend warriors that serve 1 weekend per month & 2 weeks of training. Usually summer.

The can be called up by the Governor for a disaster. The President can also activate a unit as in the early days of Iraq.

Their benefits depend on their enlistment type and length of service. Among other things.

Re: National Guard

Scooby Doo — Tue, 01 Mar 2016 21:45:14 GMT

@Demitra1 wrote:
Is someone that has served in their state's National Guard considered a veteran, with full benefits? I assume they are, but I've never really heard or seen it addressed.

I worked for the National Guard at one time. There are different types of appointments in the National Guard. Some are called "weekend warriors". Some work for the Guard full time under an excepted appointment and have the same benefits as a federal employee. Some are called to active duty and they get the military benefits as long as they are given a DD-214 showing they are active and not for training purposes. It's complicated and dependent upon the type of service they have. This link may help you.

https://www.fas.org/sgp/crs/misc/R42324.pdf

Re: National Guard

hckynut — Wed, 02 Mar 2016 08:33:25 GMT

My understanding of a veteran in the National Guard or Army Reserve is as follows. If that member has served on "Active Duty", regardless of the number of days/month or years, she/he is considered a veteran.

In contrast a member has NOT served any Active Duty,, and only has participated in " training missions", they are not considered as being a veteran. The way I understand it, a member has to have received "official orders" to report to a specific Military Base for Active Duty.

hckynut(john)

Re: National Guard

AngusandBuddhasMom — Wed, 02 Mar 2016 15:33:17 GMT

My nephew just left for boot camp for the Texas Nat'l Guard after basic training he will then be sent for 18 months of training with special forces. He will also be taught Arabic language ect. So I would guess since he will eventually be deployed out that he will be eligible for compensation.