LSU Army National Guard | Baton Rouge Recruiting

Why Join

YOUR BENEFITS AS AN LSU GUARD SOLDIER

You serve one weekend a month and two weeks a year — the Guard pays for the rest of your education and puts money in your pocket while you do it.

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Tuition Exemption

Louisiana Guard members qualify for the Louisiana National Guard Tuition Exemption Program — covering tuition at all Louisiana public colleges and universities, including LSU.

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Federal Tuition Assistance

Stack your benefits with up to $4,500 per year in federal tuition assistance on top of state programs. Use it for books, fees, or additional coursework.

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Monthly Drill Pay

Earn paid income every month for your weekend drill. Pay increases with rank and time in service — many E-3/E-4 soldiers earn $500–$700 per drill weekend.

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Health & Dental

Access to TRICARE and military dental plans for you and eligible family members at a fraction of civilian insurance costs.

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Enlistment Bonuses

Depending on your MOS (job) and qualifications, you may be eligible for cash enlistment bonuses paid upon completion of training. Ask your recruiter for current offers.

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Real-World Skills

Leadership, logistics, communications, medical, engineering — military training translates directly to civilian careers and gives you an edge employers notice.

Real Life

A Day in the Life

Tuesday at LSU. Here's how a typical Guard soldier's week actually looks:

6:30 AM

Wake Up & PT

Morning workout — some soldiers train with their unit during drill weekends, others keep their own PT schedule. Fitness is part of the commitment.

Guard Life

9:00 AM

Classes at LSU

Accounting, Nursing, Engineering, Psychology — whatever your major, you're still a full-time student. The Guard doesn't interrupt your academics.

LSU Student

2:00 PM

Study, Research, Internship

Office hours, labs, jobs, campus life — it all continues. Your Guard commitment is one weekend a month. The rest of your week is yours.

Your Schedule

1st Weekend

Drill Weekend

Report to your unit, train with your team, complete your military requirements. This is where the discipline, leadership, and pay happen.

Drill Pay

Each Month

Tuition Covered. Check Arriving.

Your tuition exemption keeps your LSU account clear. GI Bill and Kicker payments hit your account. You study, serve, and get paid — simultaneously.

Financial Benefit

2 Weeks/Year

Annual Training

Scheduled during summer or semester breaks when possible. Two weeks of intensive mission training with your unit — an experience that becomes a story.

Annual Training

From Your Peers

Real Soldiers. Real Words.

4.5/5

Overall Experience

4.5/5

Post-Enlistment Support

85%

Would Recommend

96%

Proud to Serve

92%

Left First Meeting Informed

95%

Felt Respected at MEPS

★★★★★

"They were honest, upfront, welcoming, and they helped me through every step. They answered any question I had — if they didn't know immediately, they found an answer. I can't recommend them enough."

EMS Student

Class of 2028 · Gonzales, LA

★★★★★

"SSG Rayburn made the process easy. I am so grateful — she made sure I understood everything and answered all my questions every single time."

Nursing Student

Class of 2028 · Miami, FL

★★★★★

"I didn't understand that I could be a full-time college student and be in the military. The Guard is not the life sentence people think it is — it's actually the most flexible option."

Psychology (Pre-Law)

Class of 2029 · Rockwall, TX

★★★★★

"I felt understood, respected, and well taken care of through everything. I didn't feel like they just wanted to reach their quota. I felt like they genuinely cared about my outcome."

Political Science

Class of 2029 · Stafford, VA

★★★★★

"SFC Reagan kept telling his dad jokes at MEPS, lol. It made me feel welcomed and supported. The whole team made what could've been stressful feel completely manageable."

Psychology

Class of 2029 · Canton, OH

★★★★★

"SFC Reagan even ran with me every day and gave me diet tips to prepare. That level of personal investment isn't something you expect from a recruiter — and it made all the difference."

Biological Sciences

Class of 2027 · Macon, GA

★★★★★

"Make it known that the benefits outweigh the commitment and that most soldiers won't see danger. The Guard is what you make it — and the education benefits alone are worth it."

Music Education

Class of 2026 · Snellville, GA

★★★★★

"I highlight the fun experiences that go along with it rather than just benefits. My recruiters did a great job providing a feeling of genuine excitement — not a sales pitch."

Accounting

Class of 2026 · Slidell, LA

★★★★★

"Communicating with me consistently until the time of my enlistment made me feel confident and supported. More campus presence would get even more students involved."

Pre-Nursing

Class of 2028 · Las Vegas, NV

How It Works

HOW TO JOIN

The process is straightforward. Your recruiter walks every step with you — from first conversation to shipping day.

Talk to a Recruiter

Call, text, or email SFC Reagan or SFC Rayburn below. The first conversation is no commitment, no pressure — just information about your options and eligibility.

ASVAB & Physical

Take the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) test to determine job eligibility, then complete a standard military physical at MEPS. Your recruiter schedules everything.

Choose Your MOS

Based on your ASVAB scores and available openings, select your Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) — your military job. Options range from intelligence and cyber to medical, aviation, and engineering.

Basic Training & AIT

Complete Basic Combat Training (BCT, ~10 weeks) and Advanced Individual Training (AIT) for your MOS. Most soldiers complete this during summer or between semesters.

Return to LSU — Guard Pays Your Way

Once training is complete, you return to campus. Your tuition exemption activates, drill pay begins, and you serve one weekend a month with your local unit.

Engage

Operation Guard Runner

Navigate LSU campus, collect benefits, and outrun rival mascots. Opens in a new window — works on phone or desktop.

🎮 LAUNCH GUARD RUNNER

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3 Levels

North · South · Tiger Stadium

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18 Benefits

Collect MREs · Unlock rewards

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Mobile Ready

Joystick controls built in

Stay Current

Guard News

🌐 National Guard Bureau

Louisiana Guard Responds to Severe Weather — Soldiers Deploy Statewide

LANG units activated for flood relief operations across multiple parishes, demonstrating the Guard's critical role in disaster response.

April 2026 · Always Ready, Always There

📣 LANG Education

FY26 Tuition Exemption Confirmed — All Qualifying Soldiers Covered

Louisiana Guard soldiers enrolled at state universities retain 100% tuition and mandatory fee exemption for the 2025–2026 academic year.

Oct 2025 · State Education Benefit

⭐ Recruitment

"Become the Uncommon" — New Army National Guard Campaign Launches

The Army National Guard's updated recruitment campaign highlights the dual commitment and elite character of today's Guard soldiers.

2025 · Army National Guard

💰 Financial Benefits

SLRP Rates Effective FY26 — $50K Lifetime Maximum Confirmed

Student Loan Repayment Program annual cap remains at $8,333, with a $50,000 lifetime maximum for qualifying enlistees in critical skill positions.

Oct 2025 · ARNG SRIP Policy

View All Guard News →

Our Legacy

Louisiana Guard History

The Louisiana Army National Guard traces its roots to 1636, making it one of the oldest military organizations in the Western Hemisphere. From the Battle of New Orleans to Hurricanes Katrina and Ida, Louisiana Guardsmen have answered the call every time their state needed them.

1636

French militia units established in Louisiana — predecessor to today's National Guard.

1815

Louisiana militia fights alongside Andrew Jackson at the Battle of New Orleans, defeating the British.

2005

LANG deploys 11,000+ soldiers for Hurricane Katrina response — the largest domestic Guard mobilization in history.

2021

Hurricane Ida response. LANG soldiers conduct over 3,000 water rescues in the first 72 hours.

Today

~10,000 LANG soldiers serve part-time across Louisiana, including right here at LSU Baton Rouge.

For Families

Parents: What You Need to Know

We respect that parents have questions. Here are the honest answers — no spin.

Will my student deploy overseas?

Guard soldiers can be mobilized for federal missions, but Guard deployments are typically less frequent than Active Duty. Most Guard soldiers serve their entire career without overseas deployment. When mobilizations do occur, your student receives full active-duty pay, benefits, and deployment protections including academic suspension rights.

How does this affect their studies?

The commitment is one weekend per month and two weeks of annual training per year. LSU has an established relationship with our office and academic protections exist for Guard members. In our survey of 66 LSU enlistees, the vast majority reported zero negative academic impact.

What exactly is the financial benefit?

Undergraduate: 100% tuition AND mandatory fees at all Louisiana public universities. Graduate students: tuition exemption. Additionally: Student Loan Repayment up to $50,000, monthly GI Bill payments (~$843/month with Kicker), TRICARE health coverage, and drill pay.

What's the commitment length?

Drilling commitments range from 3 to 6 years depending on MOS and enlistment incentives, plus initial active duty training (BCT/AIT). After training, your soldier drills one weekend a month and two weeks annually. It's a real commitment — and we tell every applicant that upfront.

Can they transfer to another state Guard?

Yes. Guard members can request interstate transfers if they move. This is one of the advantages of the National Guard vs. Active Duty — geographic flexibility is built into the system. Your student is not locked into Louisiana permanently.

What if they enlist through a recruiter from back home?

This is important: if your student enlists through a recruiter from their home state, they will not receive Louisiana benefits until an interstate transfer is complete — which can take months. Enlisting directly through the LSU office ensures immediate access to Louisiana's exceptional education benefits.

🏥 Your Student Has Coverage

TRICARE coverage activates at enlistment upon enrollment — approximately $50/month for individual or $100/month for family coverage. SGLI life insurance provides up to $500,000 in coverage, effective from enlistment day. See full plan comparison at tricare.mil

✅ Basic Eligibility Requirements

To enlist: U.S. citizen or permanent resident, age 17–42, high school diploma or GED, pass the ASVAB (score 31+ for most MOS), pass a MEPS physical, and meet height/weight standards. Prior medical history is reviewed on a case-by-case basis — many conditions are waiverable. Your recruiter will walk through your specific situation honestly.

📞 We're Here for Parents Too

SFC Reagan and SFC Rayburn answer parent questions directly. Call, text, or email us. We believe in transparent conversations with the whole family.

🎓 Education Is the Priority

Every policy and schedule in our office is designed to let LSU students complete their degree. The Guard supports education — it doesn't compete with it.

🤝 We've Done This With 350+ LSU Students

Over 85% of surveyed LSU enlistees said they would recommend the Guard to other students. These are real results from your student's peers — not marketing copy.

Your Recruiters

Meet the Team

Real soldiers. Real conversations. These are the two people you'll be working with at LSU — no call center, no runaround.

SFC Joseph Reagan

Sergeant First Class · LSU Campus Recruiter

Marine Corps veteran turned Army National Guard recruiter. Has personally guided 350+ LSU students through the enlistment process. Direct, honest, and available.

📞225-436-2117 💬Text Both ✉️joseph.r.reagan.mil@army.mil

SFC Andrea Rayburn

Sergeant First Class · LSU Campus Recruiter

Promoted to SFC March 2026. Known for clear communication, thorough follow-through, and making sure every applicant understands exactly what they are signing. Trusted by soldiers and families alike.

📞225-364-4225 💬Text Both ✉️andrea.j.rayburn.mil@army.mil

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LSU Military Science Building, Room 258

106 S Stadium Drive, Baton Rouge LA 70803 · No documents needed. Just bring your questions.

💬 Text Both Now

📘 Guard Knowledge Guide

Every benefit, every program, every eligibility requirement — explained clearly in plain language. Free download, no email required.

⬇ Download Guide (PDF)

Text Both Recruiters

Opens a group SMS with SFC Reagan & SFC Rayburn

Tap below to open a group text with both recruiters directly on your phone. No app, no signup — just a real conversation.

💬 Text Reagan & Rayburn

💬Text Reagan Only 💬Text Rayburn Only

No documents needed. Just bring your questions.

For Soldiers

Soldier Resources

Quick links to Army portals, training systems, HR, finance, and more. Most require CAC or Army 365 credentials.

⚠️ Most links require a CAC, DS Logon, or Army 365 credentials. Links are provided for reference — access depends on your current permissions and network. Contact your unit S6 for access issues.

⚠️ Pay rates, benefit amounts, and program availability are subject to change. All figures shown are approximate and based on current rates as of 2025–2026. Eligibility requirements apply to all programs. Contact SFC Reagan (225-436-2117) or SFC Rayburn (225-364-4225) for the most current and accurate information specific to your situation. This website is an unofficial recruiting resource produced by the LSU Baton Rouge Recruiting Section, Louisiana Army National Guard. This is not an official U.S. Army or Department of Defense website.

EARN YOUR DEGREE.
SERVE YOUR STATE.

YOUR BENEFITS AS AN LSU GUARD SOLDIER

WHAT YOUR EDUCATION PACKAGE IS WORTH

What Benefits Match You?

FIND YOUR PATH