VA Loans for National Guard Members – From One Guardsman to Another

Your service earned you benefits, whether you’re Army or Air Guard. I’m Jason, a National Guard member who’s helped hundreds of Guard members from both branches get the homes they deserve – even if you’ve never been on Title 10 orders.

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Jason Skinrood - Middle East Deployment
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Air National Guard Member

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1,200+ VA Loans Closed

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Army & Air Guard Experience

Finally – A Lender Who Gets Guard Life

I get it. You’re tired of explaining that yes, the National Guard counts as real military service. You’re sick of lenders who don’t understand the difference between Title 10 and Title 32. And you’re probably wondering “Can National Guard get a VA loan?” when you see conflicting information online.

Here’s the truth: Your service matters. Whether you’re Army Guard infantry or Air Guard maintenance, carrying an M4 or troubleshooting avionics, you’ve earned this benefit.

As a Utah National Guard senior leader with experience across both Army and Air Guard operations, I understand the unique challenges all Guard members face. We serve when called – overseas deployments, state emergencies, border missions, or COVID response. Your service counts, and your VA loan benefit is real.

I’ve helped Guard members from both branches, from E-4 combat engineers to O-6 wing commanders. The difference? I speak Guard, not bank.

Do You Qualify? The Simple Answer

Forget the confusing government websites. Here’s what you need to know about Guard VA loan eligibility:

The Easy Route: 6 Years of Service If you’ve completed 6 years of honorable service in the Guard, you qualify. Period. Doesn’t matter if you’ve ever been activated – your drill time counts.

The Fast Route: 90 Days Active Duty Been on Title 10 orders for 90+ days? You qualify immediately, even if you’re only 2 years into your Guard contract.

The New Route: COVID and State Activations Thanks to 2020 legislation, Title 32 state activations now count. If you served 90 total days (with at least 30 consecutive) on state orders – including COVID response – you qualify.

Not Sure? I’ve got Guard buddies who qualified with unusual service records. Let’s figure it out together.

 

National Guard VA Home Loan Eligibility

Quick eligibility check for VA home loan benefits

Eligibility Requirements: National Guard members typically qualify with 6+ years of service OR 90+ days of Title 10/Title 32 service, plus honorable discharge.

What Paperwork You Actually Need (And How to Get It)

Here’s where most Guard members get stuck. You know you qualify, but what documents do you actually need? Let me break this down simple:

Step 1: Get Your Certificate of Eligibility (COE)

This is the golden ticket – official proof you can use your VA loan benefit.

How to Get Your COE:

  • Online (fastest): VA eBenefits portal – usually takes 4-6 days
  • Through me: I can request it for you during our loan process
  • By mail: VA Form 26-1880 (takes 4-6 weeks)

Can’t access eBenefits? Happens all the time. I’ll walk you through it or handle it myself.

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Step 2: Prove Your Guard Service

Unlike active duty folks with their DD-214, Guard members need different paperwork:

NGB-22 or NGB-23 (Your Guard “DD-214”):

  • Shows your total Guard service time and discharge characterization
  • NGB-22 for completed service periods or discharge
  • NGB-23 for current service with partial record
  • Required for all Guard VA loans

Where to get it: Your unit admin office or state Guard headquarters. Don’t have one or need to determine which form you need? I’ll help you track down the right paperwork.

Points Statement (If You Need It):

  • Shows retirement points for each year
  • Proves “good years” of service
  • Only needed if your NGB-22 doesn’t show enough detail

Activation Orders (Title 10 or Title 32):

  • Copies of any federal or state activation orders
  • Proves qualifying active duty time
  • Especially important for COVID/disaster response

Step 3: Handle the Tricky Situations

“I Don’t Have My Activation Orders” No problem. Your unit should have copies, or we can request them from state HQ. I’ve helped dozens of Guard members track down missing paperwork.

“My NGB-22 is Old” or “I Only Have an NGB-23” If you’ve served additional time since your last NGB-22, we’ll need an updated one. If you’re currently serving, you might have an NGB-23 instead. Your unit can issue the current version you need for the loan.

“I Can’t Remember All My Activations” Common issue. We’ll work with your unit to build a complete service record. Every day counts toward your eligibility.

“My Points Don’t Add Up” Points calculations can be confusing. I’ll review your statement with you and make sure everything’s counted right.

Step 4: The Easy Button

Here’s the truth: You don’t need to figure this out alone. I’ve been through this process hundreds of times with Guard members. I know which documents you need, where to get them, and how to handle the tricky situations.

I’ll help you:

  • Request your COE if you can’t get it online
  • Track down missing service records
  • Interpret your points statements
  • Work with your unit admin when needed

Here’s what matters: Focus on finding your house. Let me handle the paperwork maze.

Title 10 vs Title 32 – What Actually Matters

Every Guard member gets confused by this. Let me break it down simple:

Title 10 = Federal Orders

  • Overseas deployments
  • Federal disaster response
  • Training at federal facilities
  • Always counted for VA loans

Title 32 = State Orders

  • Governor activations
  • State disaster response
  • COVID response
  • Border missions
  • Annual Training (AT) days
  • NOW COUNTS thanks to 2020 changes

Here’s the truth: Whether you were filling sandbags during flooding or manning checkpoints during civil unrest, if you served 90 total days (30 consecutive) on state orders, you qualify.

 

Real Examples

  • SrA Leavitt (Air Guard) served 90+ days on Title 32 orders between MEST days and a temporary AGR tour. He qualified for his VA loan even though he’d never deployed overseas and had just returned from tech school.

 

  • PFC Jones (Army Guard) accepted an AGR position with her unit. She qualified after 90 days of orders instead of waiting for her 6-year mark.

Why National Guard VA Loan Benefits Work Perfect for Guard Life

Guard life is different. You need a lender who gets it.

No Down Payment = Perfect for Guard Pay Your Guard check isn’t huge, but you don’t need to save $40,000 for a down payment. Use your civilian job income to qualify and your National Guard VA loan benefit to buy.

No PMI Saves Big Money Conventional loans require PMI when you put down less than 20%. That’s $200-400/month you’ll never see again. National Guard VA loans don’t have PMI ever.

Reusable Benefit PCS for federal orders? Your VA loan moves with you. Buy, sell, buy again – no problem.

Guard-Friendly Timeline I’ve closed loans around AT schedules, state activations, and civilian job changes. Your military commitment won’t derail your home purchase.

Real Guard Members, Real Results

SrA Allred (Air Guard) thought his part-time service of less than six years “didn’t count.” He’d been in 4 years with one deployment and regular drill weekends. “Jason showed me that I was overthinking it and that I didn’t need to wait six years. We got approved and bought our first home with $0 down.”
SPC Ulibarri (Army Guard) served on COVID response for 90 days in 2020 but didn’t know it qualified her for VA benefits. “I was only 5 years into my contract. Jason explained the new Title 32 rules and walked me through getting my COE. Bought our house 6 weeks later.”
CW3 Watson (Army Guard) was told by another lender that Guard income “wasn’t stable enough.” “Jason understood that my technician job plus drill pay was actually very stable. He helped me structure the loan right and we got a great rate.”

“But I’m Just a Weekend Warrior…”

Objection 1: “I’ve never deployed” Reality: Deployments aren’t required. Drill weekends count toward your 6-year requirement. Your stateside service matters just as much.

Objection 2: “My income isn’t stable” Reality: If you’ve got a civilian job plus consistent drill pay, that’s actually more stable than single-income active duty. I help lenders see it right.

Objection 3: “I already used my VA loan” Reality: You can use it again. This myth stops too many Guard members from upgrading their homes.

Objection 4: “Guard members can’t compete with cash offers” Reality: I work with Guard-friendly realtors who know how to structure competitive VA offers. You can win in any market.

National Guard VA Loan Questions Answered

Can National Guard get a VA loan with part-time service?

Yes, both Army and Air National Guard can get VA loans with part-time service. Whether you’re infantry, military police, aircraft maintenance, or security forces – the branch and MOS don’t matter. You qualify after 6 years of honorable service or 90+ days of active duty orders.

What if I'm AGR (Active Guard Reserve)?

AGR members definitely qualify since you’re on full-time federal orders. You get all active duty benefits including National Guard VA loans, often with easier documentation since you have regular pay stubs.

Can I count my civilian income plus my Guard pay?

Absolutely. If you’ve got consistent drill attendance and stable civilian employment, we can use both income sources to qualify you for more house.

How does a National Guard VA loan differ from regular VA loans?

The National Guard VA loan program is exactly the same as regular VA loans – same benefits, same rates, same process. The only difference is the eligibility requirements, which account for part-time service and state activations.

What's an NGB-22 or NGB-23 and how do I get one?

These are the National Guard versions of a DD-214. The NGB-22 shows completed service periods, while NGB-23 is for current service members. Both show your service dates, discharge status, and total time served. Get them from your unit admin office or state Guard headquarters. If you’re having trouble, I’ll help you track down the right form.

Do I need my old activation orders?

Copies of Title 10 or Title 32 orders help prove qualifying active duty time, especially for early eligibility. If you don’t have them, don’t worry – we can usually get copies from your unit or state records.

How do I prove my Guard service for the loan?

You’ll need your NGB-22 showing service dates and discharge status, plus any activation orders if you’re using active duty time to qualify. I help you get the right paperwork and make sure everything’s documented correctly.

What if I get activated while we're buying the house?

I’ve handled this situation many times. We can adjust timelines, and activation actually helps prove your military income stability.

Ready To Check Your Eligibility or See If You Qualify?

Schedule a 15-minute no-obligation consultation to review your records or learn more about how to qualify for a National Guard VA loan.

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