Montgomery GI Bill “Kicker”

Overview

The Kicker incentive is an additional education payment to attract Soldiers to specific units, skills, or positions to meet and sustain ARNG readiness requirements (Reference: DoDI 1322.17).

1. How Do I Qualify?

  • Be eligible for either Chapter 1606 or Chapter 30 GI Bill
  • Agree to serve in a current critical skill/critical unit or enter an officer commissioning program (ROTC, Officer, and Warrant Officer)
  • Have a concurrent six-year service obligation from the date of the Kicker contract
  • Have a high school diploma or GED
  • Complete IADT or BOLC Phase 1
  • Sign a valid Kicker contract
  • Not be on Military Technician or AGR/Active Duty Status
  • Not be flagged for AWOLs
  • Not be using a Dedicated Army National Guard ROTC Scholarship

$200 Enlisted Accessions (EA) 

Non-Prior Service

  • ASVAB score of 50 or above (Cat IIIA or higher)
  • Education Tier level 1 (High school diploma or equivalent)

Prior Service 

  • ASVAB or AFCT 50 or above
  • DMOSQ E5 or below
  • Meet RE and SPD code requirements for if affiliating from active duty
  • If affiliating from a service other than Army, meet the requirement to be awarded a MOS at the time of affiliation/enlistment and be coded DMOSQ in IPPS-A

$350 Re-Enlistment/Extension (RE) 

  • Reenlist or extend DMOSQ grade E7 or below
  • May extend any time after completing three continuous years of service in the Army National Guard, but prior to completing 14 years of service
  • Deployed Soldiers with a 999K excess code are eligible
  • Soldiers in the ARNG Medical Management Activity (MMA) are not eligible while medically non-available

$350 Officer Commissioning (OC)

Supplemental (Bump-Up)

  • Have previously contracted and established eligibility for enlisted accession MGIB-SR kicker at the $100 and $200 rate
  • Have completed or agree to complete the original six-year service obligation
  • Be enrolled in a commissioning program
  • Complete the Supplement MGIB-SR Kicker Addendum (NGB Form 5435-1) after entry into the Commissioning program, and prior to commissioning

Officer Candidate School (OCS)

  • Complete MGIB-SR Kicker Addendum (NGB Form 5435) after completion of OCS Phase 1, and prior to commissioning, have a concurrent six-year service obligation from the date of the Kicker contract
  • Must have completed IADT and have an enlisted MOS

Reserve Officer’s Training Corps (ROTC)

  • Be enrolled as a Simultaneous Member Program (SMP) as an MSIII Cadet
  • Complete SMP Agreement (NGB Form 594-1)
  • Complete Kicker Addendum prior to commissioning (NGB Form 5435)
  • Have a concurrent six-year service obligation from the date of the Kicker contract
  • Must have completed IADT and have an enlisted MOS

Warrant Officer Candidate (WOC)

  • Complete Kicker Addendum after entry into the commissioning program and prior to commissioning (NGB Form 5435)
  • Have a concurrent six-year service obligation from the date of the Kicker contract
  • Must have completed IADT and have an enlisted MOS

Standard Officer Kicker (SOK)

  • Within one year of commissioning, complete the MGIB-SR Kicker Addendum and sign a DA 544-7R for a period of six or more years on the same day
  • Commissioned Officers without a bachelor’s degree and Direct Commissioned Officers are eligible for this incentive

Notes:  

—Receiving a Dedicated Guard ROTC Scholarship (Title 10 USC 2107) will terminate a Soldier’s MGB-SR (Chapter 1606) basic benefit and kicker (if applicable)

2. What Do I Get?

A Soldier may receive a maximum of 36 months of benefits under the Kicker program.

  • $200 or $350 per month depending on the contracted rate
  • Is in addition to your basic GI Bill payment
  • Payment made directly to you each month. Can use with any GI Bill but must be eligible for either Chapter 1606 or Chapter 30 to retain eligibility

3. How Do I Apply?

For More Information: