2. Education Career Stabilization
ECS: A new enlistment incentive for the Army Reserve
The U.S. Army is the most powerful and sophisticated military force in the world. A vital part of that strength comes from the Soldiers of the Army Reserve. We provide the specialized manpower, brainpower and skills the Army needs - when our country needs it.
Since 1908, Soldiers in the Army Reserve have served with excellence in military, peacekeeping and humanitarian missions, including WWI, WWII, Korea, Vietnam, the Cold War, Panama, the Persian Gulf, Somalia, Haiti, Bosnia, Kosovo, Iraq and the Global War on Terrorism.

4. Education Career Stabilization Purpose
Describe the Education Career Stabilization enlistment program—a new educational and career enhancing benefit for the Army Reserve
Education
Stay in college! Pay for college! Finish your degree!
Career
Learn new skills! Earn extra pay!
Stabilization
2, 3, or 4 years mobilization deferment

5. What is ECS? Innovative, new enlistment incentive for the Army Reserve
For the college or graduate student (or college-bound)
Offers a 2, 3, or 4 year mobilization deferent or stabilization period
In lieu of cash enlistment bonuses (currently there is a $10K bonus available w/ 2yr ECS)
Education assistance incentives
Selected Reserve Montgomery GI Bill (MGIB) $309 a month (full-time)
Student Loan Repayment Program (SLRP) $20,000 (maximum benefit)
Tuition Assistance (TA) $4,500 (per academic year)
ECS allows Soldiers/students to stay in college and finish their degree while serving in the Army Reserve
Stabilization period exempts ECS Soldiers from current mobilizations
Exempt from Operation Iraqi Freedom—OIF and Operation Enduring Freedom—OEF
Soldiers may still volunteer to mobilize and deploy without penalty
Stay in your Army Reserve unit
Prevents cross-leveling into a mobilizing unit

6. Army Reserve Benefits Education - Earn money for college
Selected Reserve Montgomery GI Bill (MGIB) $309 a month (full-time)
Student Loan Repayment Program (SLRP) $20,000 (maximum benefit)
Tuition Assistance (TA) $4,500 (per academic year)
Health Care & Insurance
Low cost insurance available
TRICARE Reserve Select (TRS) health & dental care plan
Money - Earn extra pay
Around $200 a month
$2,000 referral bonus!
Job Certification & Retirement
Learn new skills
Eligible for Army ROTC
Sergeant Major of the Army Recruiting Team (SMART) Program
The $2,000 Referral Bonus will be payable in two lump sums as follows:
$1,000 will be paid to the eligible sponsor once the Soldier (referral) has commenced Basic Training. Payment requests will be sent to DFAS upon verification that the Soldier is in fact in Basic Training. Payment should be received within 45 days of request submission.
$1,000 will be paid to the eligible sponsor once the Soldier (referral) has completed and graduated from One Station Unit Training (OSUT) or Advanced Individual Training (AIT). Payment requests will be sent to DFAS upon verification that the Soldier has completed and graduated from OSUT or AIT. Payment should be received within 45 days of submission.
Referrals may be made to any component of the Army (Active, Reserve or National Guard) through one of two websites and do not have to be in the same component as the referring Soldier. Soldiers, including Future Soldiers or Army Retirees who wish to make a referral to the Army or Army Reserve should do so through the ARS-SMART website or through the USAREC line, ( extension ) dedicated to this program. Referring Soldiers, including Future Soldiers, Army Retirees are required to establish a user account prior to making a referral and are required to submit their personal information on the website including their social security number to facilitate payment via DFAS. To create a user account, referring Soldiers including Future Soldiers, or Army Retirees must use their AKO user name (i.e. firstname.lastname) and password and complete all information in the User Profile on this website.
Available Training
Administrative Support
Arts & Media
Computers & Technology
Construction & Engineering
Intelligence & Combat Support
Legal & Law Enforcement
Mechanics
Medical & Emergency
Transportation & Aviation

7. Top-Ten Reasons to go ECS?
10. You have a plan!
9. Serve your community, serve your country
8. Defer mobilization, stay in your unit
7. Learn new skills
6. Earn extra pay and $2,000 referral bonuses
5. Help with medical and dental
4. Stay in college
3. Pay for college
2. Finish your degree
1. Become Army Strong!
Update to $2,000 referral bonus:
Effective 5 December 2006, all contracted (Scholarship, Non-Scholarship or ROTC/SMP) Army ROTC Cadets are eligible to participate in the Referral Bonus Pilot Program and eligible to receive a Referral Bonus of $2,000. Referrals must have no prior military experience and be interested in enlisting into the following Army components: Army, Army Reserves or Army National Guard. Cadets are required to access ARS-SMART by using their AKO account user name and password.
If you're interested in becoming an Army Reserve Officer, Army ROTC (Reserve Officers' Training Corps) may be the right choice for you. The Simultaneous Membership Program (SMP) enables you to attend Army ROTC and serve in the Army Reserve at the same time. Cadets serve as Officer trainees in the Army Reserve while completing college and earn Reserve pay and benefits in addition to Army ROTC allowances.
Army ROTC is an elective curriculum you take along with your required college classes. It prepares you with the tools, training and experiences that will help you succeed in any competitive environment. Along with great leadership training, Army ROTC can pay for your college tuition, too. You will have a normal college student experience like everyone else on campus, but when you graduate, you will be an Officer in the Army.
Education Career Stabilization

8. How do I qualify for ECS?
Applicants must be a high school degree graduate or graduating high school senior
Applicants must score into Test Score Category (TSC) I-IIIA
50 or higher on the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB)
Applicants may enlist for a “6x2” enlistment contract (6 years Selected Reserve or SELRES commitment) and receive a three (3) or two (2) year stabilization period upon completion of Initial Entry Training (IET)
Complete Basic Combat Training (BCT) and Advanced Individual Training (AIT)
Standard training only (split option training not available for ECS)
Applicants may also enlist for an “8x0” enlistment contract (8 years SELRES commitment) and receive a four (4) year stabilization period
Soldier/student must remain in good standing with their Army Reserve Unit
Soldier/student must enroll as a full-time (12 or more semester hours or equivalent) or part-time (6 or more semester hours or equivalent) after graduation from IET
Soldier/student must maintain a minimum GPA of 2.0
General Qualifications
U.S. citizen or permanent resident alien
17-41 years old
Healthy and in good physical condition
In good moral standing
General Qualifications
U.S. citizen or permanent resident alien
17-41 years old
Healthy and in good physical condition
In good moral standing