New 15-month enlistees can get education funds and can serve as a member of a National Service Program designated by the secretary of defense -- either AmeriCorps or the Peace Corps
New 15-month enlistees can get education funds
By Jim Carney
Beacon Journal staff writer
The new 15-month enlistment is available in all branches of the military service but not for recruits to the Coast Guard, which is now a part of the Department of Homeland Security.
The 15-month enlistment option was established under what is called National Call to Service that went into effect in 2003 under the National Defense Authorization Act.
Only 1 percent to 2 percent of enlistments each year in each branch of the service, however, will be of the 15-month variety, officials said.
Under the program, enlistees can receive either a $5,000 bonus, a repayment of $18,000 in student loans, an education allowance for as long as 12 months or as long as 36 months at a reduced rate.
The 15-month enlistment is after basic and advanced individual training.
Men and women who enter under the 15-month program are not entitled to Montgomery GI Bill benefits but can receive the benefits if they re-enlist and remain on active duty for 24 continuous months.
Those who enlist for 15 months are required to serve 24 months in a National Guard or Reserve unit.
The remainder of the eight-year total commitment can be served either as an active drilling member of a Reserve or Guard unit, as an inactive Individual Ready Reserve member, or as a member of a National Service Program designated by the secretary of defense -- either AmeriCorps or the Peace Corps.
