Military and Veterans Affairs

The Pennsylvania National Guard assigned strength goal as established by the National Guard Bureau.  This establishes how many soldiers are permitted in the Guard. 

Also represented is the number of Soldiers assigned to units within the Pennsylvania Army National Guard.

This figure represents the Pennsylvania Army National Guard End Strength Ceiling divided by the Pennsylvania Army National Guard Assigned. The goal is 100%.

The Pennsylvania Air National Guard personnel goal reflects the total Pennsylvania Air National Guard Force Structure established by the National Guard Bureau. This establishes how many Airmen are permitted in the Pennsylvania Air National Guard.

Also represented is the total number of Airmen assigned to the Pennsylvania Air National Guard.

The total percentage of Pennsylvania Air National Guard assigned personnel. Assigned/Authorized = Current Strength (difference of how many assigned personnel we have currently over or under)

The primary mission at Fort Indiantown Gap (FTIG) is military training for the active and reserve components of all services.  Success is measured based on the number of students, PA and out-of-state, who choose to train at FTIG.  Customers have the choice where to train and FTIG is a popular site because of the excellent customer service and training facilities. 

Non Department of Defense personnel include state and local law enforcement officers, State Police and other enforcement customers such as civilian organizations with compatible interests and training needs, who train at FTIG. 

The Department of Defense uses the Installation Status Report (ISR) to evaluate the cost and quality of performance of base operation services provided by the Pennsylvania Army National Guard. ISR data addresses the requirements of the Government Performance and Results Act of 1993, the National Performance Review, the President's Management Agenda and other Department of Defense and Army initiatives. Data from ISR determines a three year rolling average that dictates the amount of federal funding states receive for base operations. Adequate means "Does the facility satisfy the mission?" 

Veterans are eligible to receive military burial honors for their funerals.   Data provides the number of burial services that were performed at the three active National Cemeteries located in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania (Indiantown Gap National Cemetery, National Cemetery of the Alleghenies, and Washington Crossing National Cemetery) each year. 

The purpose of the Veterans' Temporary Assistance Program is to provide temporary financial assistance to eligible veterans, their unmarried surviving spouses and surviving dependents when they face a financial emergency and need assistance to provide themselves with the necessities of living. 

Measure lists the number of new claims that have been submitted by accredited Veterans Service Officers employed by the commonwealth and the County Directors of Veterans Affairs.  These claim numbers are in accordance with reporting requirements as established by the Department of  Military and Veterans Affairs. 

Data provides the number of new claims submitted by organizations participating in the Veterans Service Officer Grant Program commonly known as "Act 66 of 2007".  These claim numbers are in accordance with reporting requirements established by the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs. 

The PA National Guard Education Assistance Program (EAP) provides funding for eligible members who enroll in a degree, a certification course of study or training required for entrance into a specific career.  The course of study may be pursued on a full time or part time basis at a Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency (PHEAA) approved school.  This award provides the "Flat Rate" tuition or full time students at a PA State System of Higher Education (PASSHE) school or the equivalent for an approved PHEAA school plus technology fees. The full time award for members who do not possess a bachelor's degree is the tuition plus technology fee or $4,097, whichever amount is less per semester.  The part time award for members who may or may not possess a baccalaureate degree is the tuition or $342 per credit, whichever amount is less per semester capped at $3,762 per semester. 

Provides assistance to eligible Pennsylvania National Guard members who agree to serve as a medical officer or health officer in the Pennsylvania National Guard after completion of residency or initial service obligation for a period of one month for each monthly stipend received. A resident physician, physician or physician assistant may receive a stipend of $1,000 per month for up to 48 months of medical residency or 36 months of service to the Pennsylvania National Guard. A behavioral health officer, public health officer or environmental science officer may receive a stipend of $500 per month for up to 36 months of service to the Pennsylvania National Guard. 

The Veterans’ Trust Fund issues grants to Veterans' Service Organizations or Charitable Nonprofit Organizations and County Directors of Veterans Affairs whom provide assistance and support to Pennsylvania Veterans and their families.  Data provides the number of veterans assisted each year. 

There are an estimated 813,629 veterans in Pennsylvania.  The Pennsylvania Veterans Registry is an online application that allows veterans to connect with DMVA to request information related to valuable state benefits, programs and services offered by the agency. The registry features responsive design technology to make it accessible on mobile devices and computers. A registrants’ information will be shared with the veteran’s county director for veterans affairs and other relevant Commonwealth of Pennsylvania agencies in order to facilitate local connections that aid in providing service to the veteran. The total number of individuals registered through the Veterans Registry that served in the Armed Forces are 8,655 as of June 30, 2020. 

DMVA’s strategic plan calls for increasing outreach to service members, veterans and their families in an effort to provide education, awareness and access to earned veterans’ benefits. The total number of individuals registered through the Veterans Registry with no service in the Armed Forces are 290 as of June 30, 2020.