Benefits could increase for Iowa Guard members

The benefits for becoming a member of the Iowa National Guard will likelyrise. Presently, the Iowa Guard pays just half of a student’s tuition ifthey sign up in college. The Iowa Senate has approved a bill which allowsthe guard to pay all the tuition, plus room and board, books and materials.Senator Jack Rife, a republican from Durant, says the guard is playing abigger role in our nation’s defense.Some Senators, like JoAnn Johnson, cited “border wars” over luring studentsinto the Guard as other states offer potential guard members more benefits.Senator Gene Fraise, a democrat from Fort Madison, says the movewill allow Iowa to compete equally with Illinois’ National Guard.There are 96-hundred men and women in Iowa’s National Guard today. The billnow goes to the house.