National Guard VA Home Qualifications

By Jeffrey Joyner

The National Guard has evolved from the militias raised by pre-Revolutionary War colonies. These "citizen-soldiers" support the regular military and assist when natural disasters strike. Since the National Guard belongs to the state in which it is based and the federal government, guardsmen can receive benefits from each. One such benefit is a U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs loan for housing, which typically carries a lower interest rate.

Enlisted guard members whose service began after Sept. 7, 1980, or officers whose service began after Oct. 16, 1981, and who have since left the service are eligbile under certain conditions. A National Guard member must have served for the entire period (minimum of 181 days) for which he was activated or served continuously for at least 24 months on active duty. Those discharged for a service-related disability are not subject to a minimum length of service. A hardship or early out discharge is not necessarily a disqualification, and those released early for the benefit of the government may also still be eligible. A discharge other than dishonorable is required.

Guardsmen who began service after Aug. 2, 1990, but who have left the military, must have furnished at least 24 months of uninterrupted active duty or completed the entire period (90 days minimum) for which activated. Minimum-time restrictions do not apply to those discharged due to a service-related disability and may not apply for those discharged for a reduction in force or hardship basis or for the benefit of the service. Discharges cannot be dishonorable.

A guardsman who does not qualify due to a lack of active duty time can still qualify if she has served at least six years total, during which time weekend and summer training sessions were attended. In addition, she must have received an honorable discharge, been listed as retired, transferred to the Standby or Ready Reserve, or be a current member of the Selected Reserves.

A spouse who has not remarried and is the widow or widower or a serviceman who died in the line of duty or from a service-related disability may be eligible. Spouses of those declared missing in action or classified as prisoners of war also may be eligible.

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