Wife has student loans that she is paying on. is there any programs that assist

Federal or private? Federal has a lot of different repayment options. It won't reduce your principle or interest, but they will temporarily suspend or lower your monthly payments which can help with a temporary cash flow issue.

I have student loans as well and I know there's some options on getting them deferred or payments lowered for extenuating circumstances

What does she do?

There's several federal forgiveness programs. My wife's a teacher and has a forgiveness program after 5 years. You have to teach in a low income school, and meet a few qualifications for education (ie be a certified teacher in your subject). It's $5k for non-math and science, and $17k (I think) for math or science.

There may be other programs out there for other careers.

2 questions:

1. How much debt are we looking at?

2. Have you ever seen Indecent Proposal?

You can provide pics in lieu of answering #1, depending on results.

She can join the national guard and not have to pay back a penny.

Did she not understand that incurring student loans may be a bad financial decision based on expected return on investment based on her future career?

To many idiots today believe they are owed an easy way out for making piss poor financial decisions and investments. Yes, a student loan is an investment which can be good or bad.