GI Bill Kicker


The GI Bill® Kicker program encourages qualified applicants and Soldiers to enlist into critical military jobs and units. This program applies only to specific critical Military Occupational Specialties (MOSs) and certain deployable units. New officers and Soldiers in a commissioning program may also be eligible. You can only receive one valid kicker during your career.
 
  1. What you get:
    1. Up to 36 months of entitlement.
    2. $200 or $350 per month depending on your contracted rate.
      1. Payment is made directly to you with the monthly stipend from Chapter 1606, 30, or 33.
  2. How to qualify:
    1. Be eligible for Chapter 1606 or Chapter 30.
    2. Sign a 6-year service obligation (enlistment contract, extension, or Officer Service Agreement).
    3. Complete MOS or branch qualification in contracted skill.
    4. Not be a dual-status (title 32) technician in a permanent or indefinite status (longer than 180 days).
    5. Not be using or have ever received a ROTC scholarship Title 10 USC, Section 2107.
    6. Meet the additional criteria for one of the below categories.
  3. How to apply:
    1. Not sure if you have a Kicker? Reach out to our office for help before applying.
    2. Follow the application steps for Chapter 1606, Chapter 30 or Chapter 33.
      1. Select “Yes” when asked if you have a kicker.
      2. If you would like to use your Kicker with Chapter 33, you must first revoke either Chapter 1606 or Chapter 30.
        1. Log into AskVA using your va.gov account.
        2. Submit a question using the “Education benefits and work study” category and state the following:
          1. “I would like to give up my Montgomery GI Bill – Chapter (1606 or 30) in order to receive my Kicker payments with my Post 9/11 GI Bill.”
      3. Giving up your Montgomery GI Bill may reduce the total amount of federal GI Bill benefits you can receive. We recommend reaching out to our office first to talk about your options!
  4. Kicker Categories:
    1. Non-Prior Service - $350
      1. ASVAB score of 50 or above.
      2. High school diploma or equivalent.
      3. Enlist into a critical skill or unit.
    2. Prior Service - $350
      1. ASVAB/AFCT score of 50 or above.
      2. Duty MOS-Qualified in contracted MOS.
        1. If enlisting from a branch of service other than Army, you must meet the requirements to be awarded your contracted MOS at the time of enlistment into the Army National Guard.
      3. Pay grade E7 or below.
    3. Reenlistment - $350
      1. Reenlist or extend to have at least 6 years remaining on your contract.
      2. Served at least 3 consecutive but not more than 14 total years of service.
      3. ASVAB/AFCT score of 50 or above.
      4. Duty MOS-Qualified in contracted MOS.
      5. Pay grade E7 or below.
    4. Standard Officer Kicker - $350
      1. Accept commission into the ARNG regardless of commissioning source, including a direct commission or officers without a bachelor’s degree.
      2. Sign the Officer Service Agreement and Kicker contract within one year of commissioning (both must be signed on the same date).
      3. Complete branch qualification requirements in order to receive payment.
    5. Officer Candidate School (OCS) - $350
      1. Have completed IADT and been awarded an enlisted MOS.
      2. Enrolled into the OCS program and been awarded 09S MOS.
      3. Have not commissioned.
      4. Complete an extension and Kicker contract.
      5. Must complete OCS and accept a commission in the ARNG to retain this incentive.
    6. Reserve Officers Training Corps (ROTC) - $350
      1. Have completed IADT and been awarded an enlisted MOS.
      2. Enrolled into the ROTC program and been awarded 09R MOS.
      3. Have not received a ROTC scholarship under Title 10 USC, Section 2107.
      4. Have not commissioned.
      5. Complete an extension and Kicker contract.
      6. Complete a Simultaneous Membership Program (SMP) Program Agreement and ROTC Cadet Contract.
      7. Must complete ROTC and accept a commission in the ARNG to retain this incentive.
    7. Warrant Officer Candidate (WOC) - $350
      1. Have completed IADT and been awarded an enlisted MOS.
      2. Enrolled into the WOC program and been awarded 09W MOS.
      3. Have not commissioned.
      4. Complete an extension and Kicker contract.
      5. Must complete Warrant Officer Candidate School and accept a position as a warrant officer in the ARNG to retain this incentive.
    8. Officer Supplemental (Bump-Up) - $350
      1. Rate increase for an existing Kicker issued at a lower amount.
      2. Have previously contracted and established eligibility for an enlisted accession Kicker at the $100 or $200 rate.
      3. Be enrolled in a commissioning program or accept a commission in the ARNG.
      4. Sign the Kicker Supplemental addendum no later than one year after commissioning.
      5. If you have completed your initial 6-year obligation, no additional service obligation is required. Otherwise, you must complete the remainder of your original service obligation to retain the Bump-Up rate. An Officer Service Agreement is not required.
GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). More information about education benefits offered by VA is available at the official U.S. government website at the official U.S. government website.