The Decision is Final.

Last Wednesday Berkeley swore in as a member of the Utah Air National Guard. It is something that we have been studying, fasting, and praying about for a long time now but it is still surreal that he is now in the military. We both had good feelings about him joining and still feel the decision was correct, but it is a hard thing to face. Now it is real that he will have to be away from me and our baby for certain amounts of time over the next 6 years. I spent the whole morning after he swore in battling my emotions...which is highly difficult when you throw 8 months of pregnancy into the mix...but after crying it out, I have felt fairly peaceful about it. I know I'll always have those nagging worries and fears that must go along with having a spouse in the military, but I know that our Heavenly Father is looking out for us and wants only the best for our family. Please keep us in your prayers. If you want to know more about what Berkeley signed up for, then keep reading.

What commitment is expected from Air Guard members?
For new Air Guard members, the commitment involves working one weekend a month and a few weeks a year at a minimum for a period of 6 years. They must attend Basic Military Training at Lackland AFB in Texas for approximately 8 1/2 weeks, followed by Technical School for the career field they have chosen. Tech schools range in length from 6 to over 50 weeks, depending on the job.

Where will they work?
One of the primary benefits of joining the Air Guard is being part of your Hometown Air Force. Ordinarily, a person joins the unit closest to where they live, and after the initial training, they return to begin working the one weekend a month and a few weeks a year from that location. On occasion - typically during the annual training periods (two to three weeks a year) - units try to travel to varied locations to complete a more comprehensive training program. When this occurs, all of our members are provided transportation to and from that location as well as room and board.

Will my loved one be deployed?
There is always the possibility of being tasked for deployment. The current posture for the Air Guard is to support the needs of the Air Force on an as-needed basis. It is almost impossible to predict or determine whether, when or for how long a person may be deployed, but every effort is made to use volunteers first, and in some cases a person is tasked to deploy when volunteers are not available to meet the mission’s requirements.

What are the benefits?
Currently enlistees may be eligible for up to a $20,000 cash signing bonus for select careers. Receive up to $32,000 for your college education through the Montgomery G.I. Bill and other incentive programs.
The Air Guard offers many federal benefits/entitlements to their unit members and their families such as the Base Exchange, Commissary, use of Morale Welfare And Recreation facilities, and up to $400,000 life insurance at reduced rates You can also take advantage of Tricare Reserve Select Health Insurance and Tricare Dental. Both of these Health Insurance programs offer low cost premiums that round out the benefits necessary for you to maintain good health.
Federal education benefits through the Montgomery G.I. Bill are available to most unit members provided they enlist for 6 years. These benefits are available to our members after completion of basic training and technical school. This program is a non-contributory benefit, meaning no payment or reduction in pay is required to receive these benefits. Federal benefits received: Montgomery GI Bill chapter 1606; up to $317 per month to offset college cost of attending college fulltime. Other Air Guard Education Benefits for members enlisting for six years in a critical skills job: Montgomery GI Bill kicker up to $350 per month for full-time college enrollment, Student loan repayment program; up to $20,000 paid throughout enlistment. If you have prior military service and elected the active duty MGIB, you may still take advantage of this benefit up to a maximum of 48 months of combined benefits at the full-time rate.
In addition to the federal benefits listed above, each state may offer additional benefits for their members such as: up to 100% tuition assistance, state tax deferment, and reduced auto license fees.