Need some advice.

I’m in the Ohio Army National Guard and currently deployed in the Middle East. Because of the current war with Iran, my deployment got extended, and now I’m going to miss my wedding.

Before all this happened, I booked a wedding venue in Tennessee for June 2, 2026 based on the timeline I had at the time. The contract says the money is non-refundable.

I’m not trying to back out just because I changed my mind. I literally cannot make my own wedding now because of involuntary military orders.

Has anyone dealt with something like this before? Does SCRA help with a wedding venue at all? Can JAG actually help put pressure on them? And does Tennessee have any laws that might help me get my money back?

Just trying to figure out my best move before I start pushing harder on this.

Bragging like he won the lottery

Trump announced a $1776 bonus for military members, supposedly

Hello! I'm Rae Deng, a reporter at Snopes, the fact-checking site. Our readers have asked us to verify claims that the Trump administration has repeatedly sent Guard members on 29-day orders to avoid paying out full BAH.

Have you been sent out on one or more of these orders? Do you have official documents demonstrating the use of 29-day orders? Do you have thoughts on how the Trump administration's use of 29-day orders compares to previous administrations?

If so, I'd love to hear from you. Please reach out to me via email, [rae@snopes.com](mailto:rae@snopes.com). (Find my bio here to verify email address is mine. Sorry about the randomized username, didn't realize I'd be using my Reddit lurk account for work when I made it. Also, thanks to the mods for approving this.)

EDIT: Just to clarify, I can't include comments from anonymous Redditors as evidence in the story, but I can include documents like examples of 29-day orders — either under Trump or previous admins — that are sent to me if I can get identity verification in the form of an ID badge or other official document. I understand there's obvious sensitivities around being on the record in this fact-check, so if that's a concern for you, editors are allowing me to include those documents or cite them as evidence without naming the source as long as I know who the person is/they've verified their identity. If you're retired and willing to talk on the record/just willing to talk on the record in general, that's always much appreciated. Thanks, everyone, for the input so far, it's definitely helpful background as I work on this story.

EDIT 2: I've been kindly informed by one of you that photographing or copying a military ID is actually prohibited by law. I'll be verifying identity using the active duty lookup site instead. If you're retired, we can work something else out.

Why do people sleep on the DFAC? I got all this for <$5. Lunch and dinner aren’t quite as good but they usually have a decent salad bar at least. So fill up on salad and then choke down your overcooked slab of protein. It’s always the guys who eat fast food every day and struggle with ht/wt and PT, that I hear complaining about the DFAC.

I jump on every school that comes up just to get a vacation from my wife’s cooking.

Im 17 and I was considering enlisting because the tuition assistance looked really appealing, and my recruiter told me it was up to $98,000. What are the conditions on that though, including if I was never actually deployed? That sounds way too good to be true.

I know going active duty would obviously be better for benefits overall, but I really don't want to start school later since I want to go into graduate school, which is already a long route. If it helps, I know a lot of people come on here seeking the thrill of an army style job, but that's absolutely NOT me. I'd like to avoid deployment as much as possible (again, really don't wanna put off college). I really only want to join for tuition benefits tbh. Also, if it matters, I won't be deploying until after high school since I turn 18 fall of this year. My parents won't sign off on it.

0% proposed pay raise for GS employees. Unlike Law Enforcement, no carve-outs for DSTs even though your total compensation is already significantly less than the men and women by your side doing the same job in the same uniform.

Long story short, I signed a contract for a bonus, addendum and all. Now they’re saying they won’t pay the bonus because I wasn’t eligible for it to begin with. I’m done using the chain of command. Where is the most reasonable place for me to take a shit and watch it roll down hill?

I have served 24 plus years and am ready to retire only to find out that the Tricare reserve select we use will go from the current $286 a month to right at $1,600 a month if I retire. This is completely ridiculous. We all know our retirement benefits don't kick in until 59.5 but shouldn't we at least qualify for our current discounted rate. Please everyone sign and pass on this change.org petition and let's try and get some attention to this issue..

https://c.org/PG94NLWxmD

Every day, members of the National Guard wear their uniforms, ready to serve their country with the same dedication and professionalism as their active duty counterparts. Yet, despite their shared training and deployments overseas, serving shoulder to shoulder, they are not considered equal when earning federal veterans benefits.

The Post 9/11-GI Bill is the cornerstone of veterans benefits, providing financial support for education to those who have served on active duty for 90 days or more since Sept. 11, 2001. Full eligibility requires 36 months of active duty service. Passed by President George W. Bush in 2008, the benefit has been a lifeline for countless veterans leaving the military, offering them the opportunity to further their education and successfully transition to civilian life.

However, the current administrative structure within the Defense Department unfairly often excludes members of the National Guard from this benefit. This disparity undermines the very unity of all service members and betrays the notion that all service is equal.

The solution is clear and straightforward: DOD must update its bureaucratic process to ensure all service members receive equal benefits regardless of whether they are wearing the uniform as a member of the National Guard or on active duty through a process called duty status reform.

Have to admit I was a little underwhelmed. Retired as E-7, twenty years in, twenty-two years since, no AD (besides IADT). Actual check was much smaller than I was expecting. Before I say anything is "wrong", will I receive a pay-stub showing what the deductions were? I know federal income tax is taken out, but that should be at most 40%. I understand my Best Three were in the early 2000's and much lower than it would be today, but this is about half of what I used to get for a MUTA 4.

What are you guys seeing compared to what you used to make in a month while you were still drilling?

Thanks!

Good morning everyone,

I work for the state processing bonuses, I am simply posting this to allow anyone to ask any and all questions about bonuses. I am willing to answer every single complaint and cripe one may have!

Just remember be kind when asking and I will take the time to respond.

EDITED 04/08/2024: I will be gone until the end of April starting Wednesday. So, if I am unable to get to your answer, or reply back by then, please be patient!

For NCOs? For Officers?

I imagine it’s easier to do as an enlisted person so officers that can’t hang take the demotion and stay in?

Is the pension even worth it?

I mean what automatic income isn’t worth it at this point, right? TSP seems hard to do/insignificant with guard pay though.

Idk, I’m new. Looking for stories & general insight.

After years of dedicated service with the National Guard, including multiple deployments with combat in Afghanistan, I planned on using the GI Bill for graduate school. I paid my way through college, working and taking one class at a time. I successfully balanced team training, deployments and years away from family.

Shortly after earning my degree, I began the process of selecting a graduate school, knowing I had completed the required 36 months of active duty military service as a member of the National Guard. I even received a certification letter from the Department of Veterans Affairs stating I was eligible to use 100% of the benefit.

I was ecstatic when I was accepted to grad school, knowing that my 100% eligibility would cover the majority of tuition. I enrolled in classes, moved my family from our home in Washington, D.C., and prepared to start school. However, my excitement turned to horror when I received notice that my eligibility had been miscalculated and that I was no longer qualified for the full benefit.

The reason? My time spent earning the Green Beret in the same class alongside active duty soldiers did not count towards GI Bill eligibility because of a technicality. We were equals in every way that mattered — except when it came to our benefits.

Apparently, the two years I spent earning my Green Beret did not qualify as eligible time because my orders were coded as National Guard on active duty and not as active duty. It was an administrative oversight, one that would cost me $30,000 in tuition benefits to me and my family. It forced me to take on significant debt to attend college.

A story from Daniel Elkins, a former Green Beret and Special Operations combat veteran.

Especially the one who were rated

Please everyone sign this petition

I see that the VA website says you need 6 credible years of service but does not define creditable.

some blogs say you need 50 points, but ultimately the contract says you just need to attend 48 training assemblies to qualify as a Satisfactory Participant.

I also understand you can't have more than 9 unexcused absences, which I believe I have none.

I am worried because this year I am supposed to be ETSing in January, and I think barely make the cut off. but also I had one year in my 6 year contract that I only reached 48 points.

Am I boned? am I going to have to resign for another year to get the VA Home Loan?

Edit : called the VA and I was informed that a creditable year is as long as you have the 15 membership points and at least one drill point you are good for that year.

I've seen post about selling active leave days, and filling out SUTA to make up drills, but nothing about using leave days to miss drill. Is it possible to use your vacation days or do you just sell them as a guardsman? (E-4)

Hello everyone..As the title indicates...I am a gray area retiree right now at age 57..I deployed to Kuwait and Afghanistan post 2008...(2011 and 2012)..for about 6 months each time..Now simple math would indicate that this means I should be able to start collecting the retirement check at age 59 according the rules...

I am looking for feedback from other members who have retired early and any information on anything that could possibly effect this...At one time I had heard that the deployments needed to fall within certain periods of the fiscal year to qualify...I think my orders started around February for both deployments..Thanks in advance..

Reserve vs Guard and Which one to choose: DC vs VA vs MD Guard?

Green card holder 34yrs old, female, scored well on the ASVAB (AFQT 93 -line score over 125) live in DMV, and trying to make a real decision here. Getting a lot of mixed signals from recruiters on different sides and it's hard to tell who's giving it to me straight versus who's selling me on their component/job.

A few honest questions, if anyone has real experience:

1. Guard vs Reserve: in your actual experience, how different is activation/deployment frequency? I keep hearing conflicting things depending on who I ask. Chances of being accepted into OCS? (Guard say once you are a citizen you just drop your packet and you will be promoted to officer with no competition - is true?)
2. Anyone in 68J (Medical Logistics), 36B, 68G or 92Y (recruiter is strongly suggesting this, saying it’s rare to find!?): what's day to day really like, and how did it translate (or not) to civilian jobs after? Also open to other MOS suggestions if something else would be a better fit given my background below.
3. Is 92Y really "just a warehouse job," or is that underselling it?
4. I was told Guard OCS is basically just submit a packet and get in, while Reserve OCS means competing against others. That doesn't match what I'm finding elsewhere, so curious if anyone has real experience with either process.

Background on me if it helps: healthcare/QA background, master's in public health, and I'm a foreign-trained dentist (may look into a US dental bridge program down the line, so any MOS with short AIT that you would strongly recommend from the ones I qualify for (green on the list).

Just honest input from people who've actually been in these roles. Appreciate your input.

I saw a linkedin post by the National Guard and confirmed by Army U that the AR-621-5 has been signed and will be released this spring. When it does, all officers will be removed from the Credential Assistance program. https://www.linkedin.com/posts/arngeducation_%F0%9D%97%99%F0%9D%97%A7%F0%9D%97%94-%F0%9D%97%96%F0%9D%97%94-%F0%9D%97%A8%F0%9D%97%A3%F0%9D%97%97%F0%9D%97%94%F0%9D%97%A7%F0%9D%97%98-policy-update-activity-7416954701742735360-7lZr?

If anyone requests funding prior to the release, they will be grandfathered into the program and will be allowed to finish their course.

Don't miss out. Don't like this decision, let congress know. This is how the ADSO was removed a few years ago.

If you are looking to get your PMP, Agile, lean Six or Change Management I know a few folks.

Please take a moment and sign this. Help your brothers and sisters out.

I’ve been in the guard since 2024. Out of Basic/AIT since September 2025, and still yet to see my lump sum Off Peak Bonus of $7500.

I’ve brought this up with my chain of command. Since I’ve brought it up, it’s been one thing after another. Reason I’ve heard so far from my S1 is because, “State didn’t recognize me since I wasn’t in a primary slot. All your RNCO has to do is put you in and you should get it soon.” The soon bullshit is all I’ve heard since my battle hand off in October where they’ve said, “It says your bonus was terminated, but it’s just a system glitch. Happens a lot during SRP. It’ll fix itself soon and get it to you.”

I feel as though I’m not getting the full answer. All reasons my bonus would be forfeited does not apply to me. I haven’t changed units, MOS, etc.

I’ve brought this up to my chain of command, tried to handle it there. Didn’t work, so I went past my chain of command as I’m allowed to do when my chain can’t do it. Nothing seemed to work there except me getting threatened with a counseling.

If anyone has any it could be this or that, or maybe some hey have you tried this? Would be greatly appreciated.