- National Guard members earn less than their Army counterparts.army truck image by Tomasz Pawlowski from Fotolia.com
Established in 1636, the National Guard is older than any other unit of the United States Army. The National Guard first served as the main life of defense for the American colonies of the 17th and 18th centuries, and also played a decisive role in the War of Independence. In addition to supporting all components of the Army in overseas anti-terrorism, the National Guard plays a key role in domestic defense. - A major disadvantage of the National Guard is that state governors may deploy reserve troops domestically in times of emergency in any given jurisdiction, while members may also be called upon to serve overseas in international conflicts. As such, deployment as a member of the National Guard is more likely than in the general reserves. While members of the armed forces can only be authorized to participate in an overseas conflict by the American president, the National Guard may be called to action by either the commander in chief or by state governors. Members of the National Guard not only fought in both world wars, but also in Korea, Vietnam and in Iraq. Since the end of the Cold War, the National Guard's overseas role has increased, as troops were deployed to war-torn Bosnia and Kosovo, as well as to Haiti. Despite this augmented international obligation, the National Guard must still address domestic crises in which the Army's general reserve troops would not be called in, such as the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks and during Hurricane Katrina in 2005.
- National Guard members receive monthly payments for their participation in four drills, but cannot rely on a full-time, annual salary that is more common in the Army, Marines or Air Force. According to figures from 2010, while National Guard members with less than two years of service make as little as $193 per month, enlisted members of the military with the same experience earn $1,447 per month. Enlisted Army members make up to $4,959 after 16 years of experience, but National Guard members earn no more than $427 per month after six years of experience.
- National Guard members receive far fewer benefits and allowances compared to basic officers and enlisted members of other units. Full-time members of the Army, Marines and Air Forces receive a tax-free Cost of Living Allowance (COLA), as well as the Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH), but part-time National Guard members are not normally eligible for these benefits.
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