RICHMOND, Va. –
The Virginia National Guard is offering up to $750 to Virginia citizens who help grow the force with qualified leads who successfully enlist into the Virginia Army or Air National Guard. The initiative, called the Referral Enlistment Program, or REP, kicks off Sept. 15, 2022.
"The new Referral Enlistment Program is an excellent opportunity for citizens of Virginia to help connect potential recruits with career opportunities in the Virginia National Guard," said Maj. Gen. Timothy P. Williams, the Adjutant General of Virginia. "Eligible citizens have the chance to make money while helping us meet our end strength goals and contribute to the overall readiness of the VNG. We appreciate the support of the Youngkin Administration and the Virginia General Assembly in providing the funding for the program."
The new incentive is open to any adult citizen of Virginia except those who work with a Virginia Army or Air National Guard recruiting element or who share a household with someone who does. Participation in the program requires interested individuals to fill out a few forms and become a Personnel Development Coordinator, or PDC. From there, PDCs may submit contact information for individuals eligible for and interested in service in the Virginia Army or Air National Guard. PDCs can receive $250 for each eligible lead who successfully enlists into the Virginia Air or Army National Guard. Once that individual completes their training requirements, PDCs will receive an additional $250. If a lead enlists into a select high-priority career field, PDCs will receive an additional $250 kicker, for a potential total incentive of $750.
The Virginia National Guard is a unique dual-status force with a federal mission to provide a combat reserve for the U.S. Army and U.S. Air Force and a state mission to provide a domestic response force to defend the commonwealth. VNG Soldiers and Airmen live, work and serve in the same communities and are often called upon to help their fellow citizens during times of need. National Guard Soldiers and Airmen can also be federally mobilized for deployments both at home and abroad. Most members of the National Guard serve part-time, usually just one weekend a month and two weeks in the summer for annual training. The part-time nature of the National Guard means Soldiers and Airmen can pursue careers and higher education goals while serving their nation, as well as their community and state.
Benefits of service in the National Guard are extensive. In addition to sign-on bonuses of up to $20,000, education benefits can offset the cost of tuition by more than $20,000 each year. Additional benefits through the Montgomery G.I Bill can provide a monthly stipend for those attending school, while programs like the Minuteman Scholarship can cover the cost of an undergraduate degree. Affordable health, dental and life insurance is available for both individuals and their families, as well.
Qualifications for service in the Army and Air National Guard can vary based on career field, but all potential recruits must meet the following basic requirements: Be between the ages of 17 and 35 for the Virginia Army National Guard and between 17 and 39 for the Virginia Air National Guard; be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident; be at least a high school junior or have a high school diploma or equivalent; achieve a minimum score on the ASVAB; and pass a medical screening and background check.
To contact a recruiter, become a PDC or submit a lead, visit the REP website at
https://va.ng.mil/Programs-Resources/Referral-Enlistment-Program/.