Expansion of GI Benefits for the Guard and Reserve

Priority

Joint-Personnel

The Issue

Since 9/11, the National Guard has transitioned from a strategic reserve to an operational reserve. Reserve and Active-duty service members train and deploy in unison for wildfires, hurricanes, overseas operations, and more. National Guard deployments have increased exponentially, from 818,496 days in 2006 to 9.5 million days in 2021. To be eligible for post-9/11 GI Bill benefits, Guardsmen serving under Title 32 must be responding to a national emergency declared by the President of the United States. As such, Guard members are serving alongside Active-duty and do not receive the same benefits.

Recommendation

The National Guard of the United States (NGAUS) urges Congress to:

Support S. 649 and H.R. 1423 – The Guard and Reserve GI Bill Parity Act of 2025 to expand post-9/11 GI Bill education assistance to cover all Title 32, including AT and IDT.