25 Feb National Call to Service Program
What is the National Call to Service (NCS) Program?
The National Call to Service Program, otherwise known as the NSC program, is one of the many GI education benefits available to service men and women who have dedicated a total duration of eight years serving in the force. Offered by the federal government, this program is offered to all military personnel, regardless of their enlisted branch.
What Kinds of Benefits are Available?
The National Call to Service Program offers a number of educational benefits that service members can choose from. The following incentives are available for qualifying military personnel:
- An assistance amount that is equal to half of the “under three years of enlistment” section of the GI Bill.
- 1 year of the existing GI Bill pay-out.
- Student loan repayment. This option is available up to $18,000
- $5,000 cash.
How do I Qualify for the NCS Program?
Military personnel interested in this educational assistance program are broken up into three different levels of qualification requirements. In order to be considered eligible for the NCS Program, each applying individual must finish their initial entry training, or IET, in full. This initial entry training includes your basic combat and advanced training, and must be completed prior to a year and three month term served in active duty. Finally, interested applicants are required to commit to a two year period of consecutive in the National Guard or Select Reserves.
After these mandatory terms of service are completed, military personnel have the option to choose how to spend the remainder of their eight year term in the following ways:
- Becoming a member of the selected reserve
- Becoming a member of the Individual Ready Reserve
- Remain in Active Duty (any branch of military is acceptable)
- Join a national service program such as AmeriCorps.
For more information about furthering your education, reach out to your regional VA office, or contact the US Department of Education.
Thomas Calder
Posted at 20:53h, 19 FebruaryI am a navy prior service veteran of 4.25 years… can I reenter service under the national call to service program?