The National Guard mirrors America more accurately than ever--the Coast Guard National Guard now consists of 26.1 percent minorities and 10.5 percent women, while the Air National Guard is composed of 20.3% minorities and 16.3% women.
   The Selected Reserve Incentive Program offers bonuses for enlistment, reenlistment, a priori-service enlistment, affiliation, and enlistment in the Individual Ready Reserve, as well as repayment of student loans for enlisted members and health professionals.
   Members of the Reserve Components able to accumulate 20 years of creditable service, with the last 8 years of qualifying service in a Reserve Component, and who reach age 60 are entitled to retired pay, based on the number of retirement points garnered.
   In addition to the pay and benefits received from the Federal Government for their Reserve Component service, National Guard members, due to their unique dual mission status, are also eligible for additional pay and benefits from their individual states.
   For additional information, visit the National Guard Bureau's site and the National Committee for Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve.