By Regan Sweeney
Military Reserve and National Guard service members attend classes at universities and colleges nationwide. Around 16% of military students are part of the Reserve or National Guard. They often have several other responsibilities, are older, and may possess a different perspective on life than the traditional college student. Since this is a considerable percentage of military students, creating ways to make these students feel a part of the larger community while also allowing them to serve the country on the weekends is of utmost importance when it comes to their satisfaction with campus life. Surprise deployments and monthly service requirements put extra pressure on these students, and it is important to understand how to assist these students on their paths to earning degrees in higher education.
Responsibilities of Reserve and Guard Servicemembers
The Reserves and Guard offer more flexible commitments than an active-duty obligation, so many choose to join these forces rather than a traditional active-duty service commitment. Additionally, many veterans opt to continue their service to the country after finishing their enlistment or commission responsibility. Once finished with their initial training, Military Reserve and Guard members attend “drill” sessions one weekend per month, as well as report to training for a couple weeks a year. They are both activated when needed and may be activated under a voluntary or involuntary status. The Guard can be called upon to respond to natural disasters, but it also plays a role in domestic law enforcement. Additionally, those in the Guard can be called to serve overseas.
Financial Benefits
With the emergence of the GI Bill, many students also opt to attend school after discharging from the military. However, other benefits are also available to Reserve and National Guard members. If Reserve and Guard members meet requirements, the Montgomery GI Bill Selected Reserve (MGIB-SR), worth over $14,000 is available to use towards college programs, vocational/technical training, licensing and certification reimbursement, and more.
If a service member only serves in the Reserve or Guard, then they can still be eligible for the Post-9/11 GI Bill. Depending on what Reserve and Guard members were mobilized for, their active-duty time can qualify them for the Post-9/11 GI Bill. The Tuition Assistance program is also available to Reserve and Guard members. However, it is individual to each service, as each service has its own way of paying out these fees. Finally, there are unique state benefits that Guard members may be eligible for, including scholarships and financial opportunities to attend degree and training programs.
Providing Support
Although serving in the Reserves or National Guard while attending college has been shown to be incompatible with student life, this does not mean that serving and studying simultaneously are impossible. While drill weekends are scheduled in advance, plans can often change without much notice, such as when a natural disaster occurs and the Guard is activated. Professionals in higher education can help Reserve and Guard students prepare for expected and unexpected arrangements to encourage them to finish their degrees.
It is often expected that one finishes a bachelor’s degree in a total of four years. For many Reserve and Guard students, this may not be practical. Not pressuring these students to complete their degrees by a pre-determined deadline can help students manage their multiple responsibilities and attend training periods without fear of feeling too many repercussions. However, it is important for higher education professionals and students to understand how attending school on a part-time basis will change how their benefits will pay out.
Advisors can work with offices dedicated to helping military students, and employ the help of school certifying officials, schools first point of contact between a student and the VA, to better grasp how benefits may be affected when changing the rate of pursuit. For some benefits, such as Tuition Assistance, it is required to get above a certain grade point average for the money to be paid out, making it even more important for these parties to stay connected, ensuring that students succeed.
As previously stated, those in the Reserves and Guard can be called upon to deploy at a moment’s notice due to national or international circumstances. Therefore, students and advisors need to work together to create degree plans that are not excessively restrictive to allow for unexpected activations. Additionally, students need to notify professors of their situation, especially if they feel that they may be called to deploy, and advisors should work with professors to help them comprehend the student’s situation.
Serving in the Reserve and National Guard while also attending school is not an easy feat, but with the right support and adaptability, it can be done. Ensuring that everyone is kept in the loop on a Reserve or Guard student’s situation is essential to their success on campus.
Source: HigherEdMilitary
