National Guard Credit
News on active duty and veterans impacting public employee union members

Get credit for vacation, longevity based on time served in Ohio National Guard

Credit for vacation and longevity for those state employees who served in the National Guard truly is one of the State’s best kept secrets,” says OCSEA member Rick Stoner — but not for long if he has anything to do with it.

Hidden Gem This Bureau of Workers’ Compensation employee and former Ohio National Guard member knows first hand the benefits of this credit that rewards state employees who served in the Ohio Air or Army National Guard prior to coming to work for the State.

Unfortunately, many are not aware of it and even fewer are getting credit because they haven’t signed up, he says. That’s why Rick wants to get the word out to as many union members as possible.

Also, some members say the application form (PDF) that you'll need to begin the process is not the easiest item to find on the DAS website. That's why we downloaded a copy to make available here.

So how does it work? Any full-time State employee who served as a member of the Ohio National Guard – on duty one weekend per month and two weeks out of the year – is entitled to one year service credit for each year of duty served prior to state service for computing vacation and longevity pay.

Rick says he wishes he’d known of this credit from day one and that human resources offered this information during his orientation. Instead, he learned of the credit from co-worker Ford Sledge five years later.

The credit particularly impacts newer employees who have five or more years of Guard service. Longevity pay doesn’t go into effect until after five years of service with the State, but with at least five years of National Guard prior service credit, a new employee can begin collecting longevity pay immediately, “which means money in the pocket,” says Rick.

Takes time, paperwork Members can access an ONG prior service credit application via the Department of Administrative Services or through their personnel officer.

The effective date of any adjustment goes into effect the first day of the pay period in which DAS receives the Personnel Action, so make sure you know the exact date.

See Related

Application Form - Claim annual leave accrual credit for prior service in the Ohio National Guard (PDF)