National Guard Information

THE ARMY NATIONAL GUARD

YOU CAN GET THE BEST OF BOTH WORLDS IN THE ARMY NATIONAL GUARD!

Join the Army National Guard after you end your active service and have the best of civilian and military lifestyles. Guard members typically serve one weekend per month and two weeks a year. In return for their service, Guard members get good pay (the equivalent of four days of active duty for a weekend spent drilling), great benefits, and continue building toward a military retirement. No matter what your goals are for "life after active duty", you can achieve them in the Army National Guard. To learn more, visit www.1800GOGUARD.com, calling 1-800-GO-GUARD, or filling out the online form at www.1-800-go-guard.com/newguard/getinfo.html.

HISTORY

For over 360 years the citizen soldiers of the Army National Guard have come to the aid of their neighbors during times of need. The Guard plays a key role during floods, fires and other natural disasters. The Army National Guard's mission involves helping communities during natural disasters, civil emergencies, and national conflict, having answered the call to defend America in every war. Today, the Army National Guard plays a key role in conjunction with the nation's active military forces. Whether guarding our country's interests at home or abroad, the Army National Guard is always ready, always there. Guard members are ordinary people doing extraordinary things. See how you can continue to serve your community and country in the Army National Guard by visiting www.1800GOGUARD.com or by calling 1-800-GO-GUARD.

STRUCTURE

The Army National Guard serves in communities like yours. With more than 3,500 locations throughout the U.S., Puerto Rico, Guam, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, there's probably an Army National Guard Armory near you. You can serve in the Army National Guard-and experience all of its challenges and adventures-and still live in the comfort of your home. If you didn't think it was possible to have the best of both worlds, You Can, in the Army National Guard.

Service in the Army National Guard allows you to help your community and state while you serve your country, too. Uniquely, the Guard has both state and federal missions. In times of local natural disasters or civil disturbances, the Guard stands ready to help. When international conflicts arise, the Guard serves alongside active military forces. The proud tradition of our country's citizen-soldiers dates back more than 360 years-longer than the nation itself. No other part-time job is so valuable to so many different people. To learn more about the history of the Guard, visit www.1800GOGUARD.com.

BENEFITS

The benefits that you earned in the military don't have to disappear. For two days of weekend training, you'll receive four days' active duty pay. You'll also receive immediate benefits: PX and commissary privileges, space-available travel, medical benefits...and more. You may even qualify for an affiliation bonus. But Army National Guard service can also benefit you in ways that last far longer.

As an Army National Guard member, you can take advantage of educational benefits like the Montgomery GI Bill and the Guard's Tuition Assistance Program. Some states even offer 100% free tuition. The training you receive and the teamwork and leadership skills that you hone are valuable assets in the civilian employment market. On a personal level, you'll have the gratification of knowing that you're continuing to help and strengthen your community and country-maybe the most rewarding benefit of all. Read about more benefits you can earn while serving in the Guard by visiting www.1800GOGUARD.com or by calling 1-800-GO-GUARD.

National Committee for Employer Support of the Guard & Reserve.

The National Committee for Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) is an agency within the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Reserve Affairs. It was established in 1972 to promote cooperation and understanding between Reserve component members and their civilian employers and to assist in the resolution of conflicts arising from an employee's military commitment. Today ESGR operates through a network of more than 4,500 volunteers throughout 54 committees located in each state, the District of Columbia, Guam, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands.

MISSION ONE PROGRAM

The Mission One program provides direct assistance to members of the Guard and Reserve components at their units during inactive duty training, and during mobilization and demobilization processing. This outreach informs the service member of his or her rights and responsibilities under the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA) and addresses questions and concerns that the individual may have about mobilization and its impact on their civilian employment. As they become more integrated in the mobilization process, ESGR volunteers are better able to identify and respond to employer support concerns.

ESGR volunteers are assigned as Unit Employer Support Representatives to each National Guard and Reserve unit site (there may be more than one Reserve component unit at a given site) across the nation. The volunteers serve as the local ESGR point of contact at each National Guard and Reserve unit.

Unit Employer Support Representatives make site visits to each unit site at least once annually to brief unit members. They provide National Guard and Reserve members important information about their rights and responsibilities under the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA), present techniques for citizen soldiers to sustain employers' support, and provide information about ESGR services and programs that can assist them.

While at the unit, the Unit Employer Support Representatives also provide the unit commander, a full-time representative, and/or a senior unit leader with the following information:

• What ESGR is and how it can help with unit personnel recruiting and retention.
• Information about ESGR programs and services, particularly the Employer Recognition and Awards program.
• Information on employment and reemployment rights.
• Ways to identify employers who could most benefit from an invitation to a Bosslift or other ESGR Committee activity.

The Mission One program is growing and hasn't yet reached all Reserve component units. If your unit doesn't have an active Mission One program and you would like to see one started; if you have questions about the rights and responsibilities of employers and Reserve component members under USERRA; or if you would like more information about ESGR, contact your local ESGR Committee or the National ESGR Headquarters, Our Staff section, or use our toll-free number, (800) 336-4590.

GUARD AND RESERVE INFORMATION

Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) - The mission of the ESGR program is to gain and maintain active support from all public and private employers for the men and women of the National Guard and Reserve forces as defined by a demonstrated employer commitment to employees military service.

National Guard Information & Resources - Please visit TAOnline.com's National Guard Information & Resources area. This site has consolidated a tremendous amount of current and critical info for anyone considering either joining the Guard, or who is currently serving and wants to find out more about the public laws and programs that apply to them.

NATIONAL GUARD OPPORTUNITIES

Air National Guard Homesite - The Air National Guard is all about service. Be it your local community, your state, nation or our global community you will be part of an organization that serves. We help the Air Force with it's mission around the world.

Army National Guard Homesite - The Army National Guard (ARNG) is one component of The Army (which consists of the Active Army, the Army National Guard and the Army Reserves.) The Army National Guard is composed primarily of traditional Guardsmen — civilians who serve their country, state and community on a part-time basis (usually one weekend each month and two weeks during the summer.) Each state, territory and the District of Columbia has its own National Guard, as provided for by the Constitution of the United States.