Reserve & National Guard Magazine

06/01/2026

05/28/2026

“'The key is understanding which education programs can be used together, which must be sequenced, and which should be saved for the most expensive parts of their education,'" said Dr. Kenneth A. Hardy, Chief, Education Services Branch, National Guard Bureau.

"Lacking a personalized strategy, specific to the details of their service and the state in which they serve, misinformed guardsmen can burn through their GI Bill early instead of maximizing its value."

Read the full story from Will Martin at the link.

The VA has expanded access to allow some veterans with multiple qualifying service periods to receive up to 48 months of GI Bill benefits.

05/28/2026

Chief Master Sgt. Joe Madigan and Master Sgt. Jon Osterhout showcasing Osterhout’s cover feature on Reserve + National Guard Magazine.

Click the link to read the full story by Paul Davis and why Osterhout was named USO Guardsman of the Year: https://reservenationalguard.com/reserve-guard-news/uso-guardsman-of-the-year-highlighted-for-decisive-leadership/

05/26/2026

"When a retired Ohio Army National Guardsman assumed the director role with the Department of War Education Activity (DOWEA), he melded his civilian education career and military tenure into one cohesive role.

'I’ve been so blessed in my career that the military side made me a better teacher and later administrator,' said Paul Craft, who has been the director since March 9. 'And the teaching and administrator side made me a better officer. And I think you see that in certain combinations of National Guard and Reserve careers and civilian careers, how they can really reinforce one another.'”

Click the link to read the full story from Kari Williams.

Department of War Education Activity (DOWEA) I Marine Forces Reserve I The National Guard I Ohio National Guard I Montana National Guard I U.S. Army Cadet Command (ROTC)

When retired guardsman Paul Craft assumed the director role at DOWEA, he melded his civilian education career and military tenure into one.

05/19/2026

“Roughly 220 Americans are dying a day from fentanyl. The leading cause of death right now between 18- and 45-year-olds is synthetic drug overdose - not disease, not car accidents, not gun violence – and that is something that I think is beatable.”

Members of the Georgia National Guard Counterdrug Task Force assisted the Georgia Bureau of Investigation and other law enforcement agencies in an investigation resulting in seizure of more than 13 kilograms of fentanyl, co***ne and other drugs.

ARLINGTON, Va. – Members of the Georgia National Guard’s Counterdrug Task Force assisted the Georgia Bureau of Investigation and other state and local law enforcement agencies in an investigation

05/14/2026

“'If we could protect our troops and provide a structure where our soldiers can be safely resuscitated and then transported back to safety, that’s our main goal,' he said. 'There’s nothing like it right now in the world.'”

"Former Arizona National Guardsman Phil Roux will never be able to make magic force fields for his military brethren. But thanks to his invention of portable, rapidly deployable ballistic systems developed through his company, Southwest Armor Technologies (SWAT Armor), he’s getting pretty close."

Read the full story from Crystal Kupper at the link.

Crystal Kupper, Freelance Writer I MAGTF Training Command/Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center at 29 Palms I Arizona Department of Emergency and Military Affairs

The co-founder of Swat Armor, a former Arizona National Guardsman, is revolutionizing armor to meet evolving protection needs.

05/06/2026

"Twenty percent of the Joint Force continues to accomplish dual missions at home and abroad with just 4% of the Department of War’s budget and far less resources, National Guard advocates say. Four military spouses from the 2026 Military Spouse of the Year® (MSOY) program have stepped up to fill that gap of support, while sharing their own experiences to remind Americans that members of the reserve component are being tasked far beyond one weekend a month, two weeks a year.

Stepping up to care for their communities when resources fall short, Nicole Gebhardt, Kendra Stephens, Erica Thompson, and Randall White are National Guard spouses who were nominated for the Armed Forces Insurance MSOY award for their advocacy. Their platforms range from providing financial literacy for young service members to fighting for safer privatized housing for military families."

Read the full story from associate editor, Abby Ammons at the link below. AND stay tuned tomorrow to see who will be announced AFI MSOY 2026!

https://reservenationalguard.com/reserve-guard-spouses/spouses-fill-support-gaps-for-guardsmen-serving-far-beyond-weekend-warrior-roles/

Armed Forces Insurance Military Spouse of the Year I Mississippi National Guard Utah National Guard I Alabama National Guard I Alaska National Guard

05/05/2026

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Reservists/guardsmen needed for a story: we are looking to speak with someone who has had to balance college classes while forward deployed. We are putting together a deployment resource guide and need tips for keeping up with courses. Email: [email protected]

05/01/2026

Have you read Reserve + National Guard Q2 yet? Head over to the link in our bio to get your FREE digital edition. And while you’re there, sign your unit up to get print copies delivered FREE to your armory.

04/30/2026

"The University of Missouri-St. Louis and the U.S. Army Reserve have launched a Licensed Practical Nurse-to-Bachelor of Science in Nursing bridge program, providing Army practical nursing specialists (MOS 68C) with an accelerated pathway to earn their BSN."