The National Guard, on the other hand, is like the part-time job of the military world - you're in, but you're not all in. You'll be part-time soldiers, which means you'll get drill pay for your one weekend a month and two weeks a year of training, plus any deployment pay you might get. It's like being a superhero - you get to save the world, but you also get to have a normal life."
But, here's the thing - pay for the National Guard can be a little unpredictable. You might get called up for deployment, and if you do, you'll get active duty pay, which is the same as what Army soldiers get. But, if you're not deployed, your pay will be much lower - we're talking minimum wage lower. So, it's like playing a game of military roulette - you might get a big payout, or you might get nothing.
Now, you might be thinking, "What about benefits?" Well, let me tell you, the Army has got some amazing benefits - we're talking full-ride scholarships, health insurance, and housing allowances. The National Guard has some great benefits too, but they're not quite as comprehensive - you'll get education assistance, health insurance, and retirement plans, but it's not the same as being active duty.
2026 USAF & USSF Almanac: Pay & Allowances | Air & Space Forces Magazine
