Unlike active duty, the National Guard lets you serve part-time. One weekend a month plus two weeks a year. You keep your civilian job, stay close to family, and still get full military benefits. You live your life in Texas while serving your state and country.

Texas Army National Guard members qualify for 100% state tuition assistance at any Texas public university or college, on top of the federal GI Bill and additional federal tuition assistance. That's potentially zero out-of-pocket for a full degree. If eligible, you can also receive an additional direct payment of up to ~$1,300/month while enrolled as a full-time college student. Most people don't find this out until it's too late.

During Basic and your job training (AIT), you earn a full paycheck while learning a real-world skill like cybersecurity, aviation, healthcare, engineering, law enforcement, and more. When you come back to Texas, that training transfers directly to civilian certifications and careers. You get paid to become more valuable.