Congresswoman Seeks to Improve Post-9/11 GI Bill

By Terry Howell

This week Rep. Rosa DeLauro (D-Conn.) announced her plan to introduce legislation that would expand Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits to include job training programs that are currently included in the Montgomery GI Bill and other previous versions of the GI Bill.

The Post-9/11 GI Bill currently offers up to 36 months of benefits for education programs offered through degree granting colleges and universities, but it does not provide for job training opportunities except for certain veterans who are eligible under the MGIB. This excludes all veterans who are not eligible for the MGIB from using these programs.

According to a June 17 letter written by Ms. DeLauro, “ten percent of veterans taking advantage of the MGIB use the available benefits for education other than college or graduate school, including for on the job training and apprenticeship programs.”  This means that as many as ten percent of Post-9/11 eligible veterans will not be able to use the new GI Bill to reach their career goals.

 “This [legislation] will provide those veterans who do not pursue an academic course of study opportunities to advance in their jobs, whether they are with private sector companies, local law enforcement or otherwise, just as previous veterans have,” wrote Ms. DeLauro.

Ms. DeLauro is currently looking for co-sponsors for her bill. If you would like to see changes to the Post-9/11 GI Bill like this contact your elected officials and ask them to join Ms. DeLauro’s efforts and co-sponsor this bill.

Get more than $49,000 a year for school. Request info about GI Bill approved programs from military and veteran-friendly schools and start earning your degree today.

Comments

[nebraska_jeff]

Wow what a bunch of whiners who post here. It's called "service" which means to give and not expect anything in return.

[Mitch Thomas]

As a retired USAF E-7 I really can't understand what the whining is all about. I retired in 97 and fell under the Vietnam era education bill and had 10 years to use it. I pretty much used it all but had a little left. It was my fault I didn't use all of it. Not someone else.

As far as the Guard members. Come on! You may have been working for what ever years but you were paid on a different scale as the active duty members and had a different promotion standard until recently. You can't have it both ways. You enlisted in the Guard and took the benefits of that program. What makes you think you can now get the perks of the active duty members too.
Talk about unfair.

[why]

This is a joke, why bother writing. Nothing will change

[why]

WHY BOTHER

[Sarah]

Just want to put a plug in for those of us who were Air National Guard that served as technicians. I worked every day, in uniform but because our unit wanted to save money, I was not activated after 911. But, me and my office worked around the clock as technicians to ensure that those who were activated received their paychecks! We worked 24/7 getting our coworkers ready for deployment, giving briefings, helping load pallets! But because we were not in an active duty status, we are not eligible for any VA benefits! I served my country for 20 years and was "highly encouraged" to retire, but I get nothing because retirement benefits for ANG members don't start until we are 62.

[Dorene.Brink]

I served 23 Years in the Navy. During which time I had three children. By the time I retired my two oldest boys where in High School. My youngest was only four. I never got to be a full time Mom and this was my last chance. Then my sister died, my father four days later and then four years later my brother. Life can get in the way of going to school. I got a late start. I love going to school even at the age of almost 50. I've got a year and a half left. I'll have plenty left. I'd never though of leaving it to anyone, wow, I wouln't feel so bad falling short. I'm not going to whine about it, but another five years sure would be nice.

I'm more upset I think about Dental Benefits not being covered. Maybe I'm partial to that because I spent my career in the field.

My father was in Vietnam, exposed to agent orange and died of lung cancer. His claim died with him. After jumping through many hoops for two years my Mom got the back pay.

[E-Jay]

Raleigh,
I've noticed the further you live away from a VA Center the harder it is to get help. I would suggest trying to get a hold of a VA Counselor (an actual person on the phone line). Tell them your situation and keep at it. Someone will eventually listen. Get names and document your efforts. The trick is to keep going until someone hears you. Hope this helps. Semer Fi!

[Cynthia Charbonneau]

I got out of the Air Force in 1980,4 year enlistment with a honorable discharge. I was supposed to have 10 years to use my GI Bill. Well the Veitnam Era GI Bill got cut off in 1989 regaurdless if you had used all of it. I was lied to. I didnt get 10 years to use it. I still had 17 months left. You can not believe or count on any thing.

[90210]

What about those of us who were lucky enough to get VEAP I? I maxed my contributions out and still only had $8100 avaialble at the end. VEAP II wasn;t much better and we were offered no segway to any other GI BILL. Troops today can obtain a degree at many quality brick and mortar schools that us Cold Ware VEAP babies couldn't.

[madnuke]

oakland,

first of all I am, infact, a veteran. I busted my butt doing a job you couldn't even imagine, and I did this job because I knew that if I didn't like the military I would need a skill set the was valued in the outside world. The VA pays benefits to the families of the fallen, so I don't know what you are rambling about there.
My time won't come, as you say with the VA, as I will not depend on someone else all my life, all you veterans that leech off the VA after serving your 4 years, get over the military, it was your choice not to better yourself. You can't keep blaming the military for your short comings.

For those who got a bum deal on the gi bill, you knew what you were getting into. The benefits were clear when you joined, yeah it sucks that it got better and you aren't getting that deal, but every generation is different. I know I won't be able to collect social security or medicare, but I have paid into both those systems since the day I started working, so who is getting the bum deal now. I have to set my self up for sucess, while your generation destroyed the planet, and leeches off the systems, I have to work hard not only to support you but to build up my own safety net as you left my generation with nothing. So yes, we get the gi bill you don't, but we need the education to pay for your mistakes and indiscresion.

[brickmason]

ANOTHER KICK IN THE PANTS I WAS CALLEDUP FOR ACTIVE DUTY IN 2002 WHEN THE WAR FIRST JUMPED OFF IN ENLISTED IN THE GUARD APRIL OF 2000 UNDER A 2 YEAR ENLISTMENT CONTRACT SO I WAS DUE TO GET OUT IN APRIL 2002 BUT I FELL UNDER THAT STOPLOSS PROGRAM SO I WAS NOT ABLE TO LEAVE THE SERVICE UNTIL JAN 2003 IF THE CONGRESS CAN DO IT FOR SOME WHY NOT DO IT FOR ALL WHO SERVED BEYOND THEIR E T S DATES FROM 2001 UP UNTIL 2009 IF THE GOVERNMENT REALLY WANTS TO FIND A FORMER SERVICE MEMBER THEY CAN THEY JUST WANT AN EXCUSE NOT TO DO WHAT IS RIGHT BY ALL SERVICE MEMBERS WHO SERVED AFTER 911 UNDER THE STOP LOSS PROGRAM WHY NOT INSTEAD OF GIVING THOSE MEMBERS 500.00 GIVE THEM 250.00 AND SPREAD THE WEALTH AROUND WAS THEIR SERVICE AND TIME MORE VALUABLE THAN MINE WAS THEI SACRIFICE MORE NOBLE THAN MINE OR THE OTHER SERVICE MEMBERS WHO STOOD THEIR POST IN THE DESERT SAND SO THAT AMERICANS CAN BE FREE THE TRUTH IS NO ONE CAN PUT A MONETARY VALUE ON EITHER GROUP BUT CONGRESS AND THE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE CAN DO THE RIGHT THING WRITE TO YOUR CONGRESSMAN OR WOMAN WRITE TO THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES LET THEM KNOW YOU WANT FAIR AND EQUAL TREATMENT.

[S Pontius]

Well another segment forgotten is AGRs. I'm full time active guard. I work at Mountain Home AFB for the Air Force directly. We offer support to this base 24/7, nights, weekends and holidays. We are on call 365 days of the year. We deploy when requested, we support this base every day of the year and every hour requested. Why don't we get the new GI Bill because we are Title 32 instead of Title 10? This is my whole life; I too will retire from the active duty military as a full time AGR in about 6 years. Why in the world would the government exclude one segment of its full time military? You tell me?
Also we have prior active duty service members who only received educational benefits under VEAP. VEAP was very limited and didn't offer much in the way of comparable benefits. Is there any provision to allow the folks who came back and stayed in to have something other than the few thousand they received? Shouldn't they be allowed to contribute and receive the same benefits as the rest of the active military as well? Most people think of VEAP as covering retirees from the late 70's and early 80's. We have a lot of members in their early and mid-forties that would like to be able to retire and go back to school in the next few years but are ineligible for any further benefits other than what was given under VEAP. I would personally be angry to be active duty and be excluded from the kind of benefits those around me are receiving. Both scenarios to me seem excessively exclusionary. The definitions and eligibility issues need to be revisited.
I personally might find myself in a position at some point that I may need the new GI Bills benefits only to find that because I'm Title 32 and not Title 10 that I can't have them when someone else in the exact same position can have. What kind of sense does that make?

[Johanna Bradshaw]

Clarity needs to be made, immediately! In hopes to be addedto the new GI Bill, before it gets to President Obama, that all RETIRED SERVICEMEN have the option TO TRANSFER THEIR EDUCATION MONEY TO DEPENDENTS. Some SAY their eligible some say they're not. If their not, then this is truly not fair to the servicemen that have put in 20 plus years, and also went overseas, active duty post 911 for a year. Our devoted servicemen put hard work, sweat, and dedication to their Country and then the time that was taken away from their spouses and dependents, which they will never get back. Or the once happy family before they left to go overseas, are no longer together because of the infidelity that ended in 60% divorce rate for servicemen that served Post 911.

Will when my husband got back from being gone for 13 months, Post 911, I made sure he retired. But I stuck by him and so did his daughter. Now, just because he’s retired, they find him ineligible to transfer benefits to his only dependent or spouse. Our servicemen put a lot more time, then the kids you’re going to get signing up, just because they want their education paid for. They will quit after their 4 years is up, and then what do you have, NOTHING!
The servicemen that have served, post 911. Before, during and after, the ones that worked hard establishing the roads, buildings and facilities, POST 911. Allow these hardworking long term servicemen to do what they want with THEIR education money... ITS THEIR OPTIONS these servicemen DESERVE IT! ALLOW THEM THE BENEFITS TO CHOSE HOW THEY WANT to disperse. THEY PUT THEIR TIME IN ALL READY! DON'T TURN YOUR BACK ON THEM. PLEASE!

[Bud]

Vietnam Vets should get some kind of nice education benefits. How soon do we forget. I have not.

[oakwood6]

For all true VETS on this board.President Lincoln established the VA and in his speech upon signing the VA into law he said---"Let us NOT forget those who have FALLEN in BATTLE--Their WIDOWS and CHILDREN and those who SERVED".The VA for the past 60 years has trodden those very TRUE words UNDER it's FEET.And this became MORE pronounced under the last Administration in 2003 when Billions in tax breaks were AWARDED to Big Oil--Big Business--Including the Big Banks which was passed --and signed into LAW By President Bush which became effective Jan 8 2004 the SAME year Gas prices went off the PLANET and American JOBS went OUT of the Country to RED CHINA--a yet UNNAVOWED ENEMY-- like they were POURED through a funnel."BUT" on that SAME Bill--The VA was GUTTED and millions kicked OFF the system.I do NOT blame President Bush.Blame his advisors but most of ALL the SAME people who MISUSED those tax breaks.I like President Bush AND Obama BUT I trust NO Politician.

[oakwood6]

Madnuke:

You ALREADY have a GOOD Job--FIGHTING VETS.Navy you say? You SOUND like just another Civilian IMPOSTER.This drivel you have posted is RIGHT OUT of the VA's back side.Asked did you--did not the Nam era Vets "Were you not paid MONEY"? YOU obviously believe the Veterans OWE the Veterans Administration."You should be GRATEFUL for the LITTLE BIT they do do for you".Did you NOT say?There are VETS of WW-2 that have been FIGHTING the ULTIMATE--FORMIDABLE FOE---The VA for over 55 years and Korean War vets for over 45 years TRYING to get just and DUE compensation for service connected injuries and YOU have the brazen audacity to come on here with that shttt of yours.TRY telling that to the Families of the MANY VETS that NEVER came home."IF" you ARE a VET YOU typify the USUAL SELFISH insensitive types who TRY in VAIN to measure and JUDGE others by YOUR pompous AZZZ.I NEVER respond to attacks upon ME on these boards nor do I EVER acknowledge people who attempt to rebuff me not having the slightest idea of what they are talking about but I WILL respond--and react to people like YOU.EVERYONE is NOT a pompous azzz hole like YOU are.The Soldiers--Marines--Pilots--and Sailors SERVED this Nation---the American PEOPLE and protected their way of life and MANY did NOT come home."WE" VETS owed the American people but the GOVERNMENT who SENT us OWES us.Since you THINK you have it ALL figured OUT for yourself and EVERYONE else as well.I strongly suggest that you STICK to managing your OWN affairs and PRESERVE your UNJUST criticism for YOURSELF because some where in time YOU are GOING to NEED it.So keep PRAISING the VA--for YOUR turn and time WILL come.And you WILL see that--when you get where you are going.Military injuries can linger for long years BEFORE they assert themselves.I AM such a VET.Lastly---since YOU want to FIGHT VETS apply for a JOB with the VA.You are ALREADY well prepared WITHOUT going to College.Apart from that---Go to HELL--in a hand basket.Unfortunately--This Nation AND World is filled with SELF RIGHTEOUS--SELF INDULGENT--UNCARING--INSENSITIVE---FALSE SUPERIORITY COMPLEXED People just like YOU.In essence--YOUR philosophy is---"Just DO like ME--Just THINK like ME---Just BE like ME and ALL will be well.Sure it will.

[brothmark]

The vets who got screwed by VEAP desetve a real GIBill!!!!!!!!!!!

[madnuke]

The thanks we get from our country? Were you not given money for your service? Did you not grow up in America, and weren't you given the chance to do anything you put yourself to. Vietnam was forever ago, you were given great offerings from the gov't, don't try to claim that the gov't turned you loose w/o help, the GI bill and the VA loan have been around since the end of ww2, if you are in a position 30 years later to still be dependent on the VA, then you might have just slipped up somewhere and should be greatful for the little bit they do happen to do for you.

[R. Ellis]

I served 3years and one day. I
was not told I had benifits, applied for a govenment job never heard anyting, now I am Told I
CANNOT get Va Medical Help. I also Have a brother that was in Viet Nam got agent orange in 1969 and va
is just now saying he can get some help. I THINK THIS IS MORALLY wrong for Both of us. If I had been ordered to go to VietNam I would have gone. Thanks the thanks us Vets get form our own COUNTRY.
I an A viet nam Era vet . Also served 14 years At Defense Depot Columbus Ohio. Thank you

[madnuke]

If you think that the VA should be run by vets, then go work for them. Alot of the guys that work for the VA are vets and they try their hardest, but time limits are necessary. You can't have every veteran ever collecting on the GI BILL at the same time. Furthermore if there were no time limits, one could get pell grants and gov't subsidized loans for their first few years of school and use the VA for the last few, thus keeping other americans from getting affordable education. The VA provides a great deal of services, but I will only use the GI Bill, hoping that 36 MONTHS of education in a row, and some hard work will boost me out of the income limits for the VA. Granted I could just do the job I did for the Navy, I was of course a Nuke, but the GI bill, as it always has, allows me to use 36 MONTHS of benefits in the next 15 years to pick any field I wish.

Kourtney, sorry about the HYT, but you still get ret pay, and between that and the new gi bill you both should be able to go to college with little need to work, my girlfriend and I are both going to school on the money I saved up while I was on active duty (I drove a beater and never wasted money so I saved a ton) and the new GI BILL. Its tough but worth it.

[Karl46]

Kourtney I was recently at a VA seminar where chapter 33 was the topic. The guy speaking is the head VA person for the State of Alabama. He stated that if someone is relaeased due to service policy, i.e. HYT, there are different provisions for that person. You may still be able to do the transfer. Have you looked at the VA website? I would also recommend calling the State V.A. office.
Karl H. Columbia Southern Univ.

[David]

I fell sorry for our of us vets that in the nam time got screwed more than any other. I used some of my benifts then on 1980 but two years later was told that I could have no more thats crapt we earned this and it should never be taken awayat any time norany time limits lut on it. This does not cost the goverment anything to keep it open. we put our lives on hold to serve andcome back to get treated like dirt. Maybe more vets should be in charge of the v.a. instead of the buddy system {non vets} one more thing I have waited for 28 years to hear back form the V.A. on a cliam and never have twice Ihave filed and got no results /from them sent the D. A.V. them an e mail no responce. called the V.a. and they could give a crap less. so much for obams we are going to process these claims fast another joke.

[kourtney]

Ok madnuke, I agree with you on the use it or lose it deal. but what about those of us who get messed over because the military spouse was forced to retire in May 09 because of the high year tenure deal and he is wanting to transfer the GI Bill to his spouse but is being told no because he has to stay in until Aug 09 and have to tack on an extra 4 years. He is willing to stay in until Aug of 09 and tack on 4 years, but he can't because of the high year tenure and loses those chances in trying to make cheif (E-7).

[madnuke]

Stop whining, you were given 10 YEARS to get a degree. It was your decision not to use those benefits. Live with it. I am going to use all my benefits in 36 months, you were given 120!!!
And as far as allowing your wife to recieve the benefits, its a retention tool, so if you want to give it to her re-up.

[B MIller]

I am currently serving in the Cal Air national Guard as an AGR. As of now those of serving as AGRs are not eligible for the new post 9-11 GI bill. Is this going to be changed? I have contacted my representatives with no reply at all.

[Jose amezcua]

I served a total of one year in Iraq I did my four year term and decided to get out to allow my wife to go back to school after four years that I have already been out and have established a home and a career the post 911 to bill got passed and now the marine Corp want me to sign up another four years for my spouse to use the to bill what's with that have I not already served my time for at least my wife who has stuck with me through thick and thin for the Corp to say that military wives have not done enough that they must go through it again in order for the to use their husbands g I bill is sad and though I love the Corp it's seems to me that us veterans are being left out in the cold I thought we were suppose to look out for our fellow marines

[Fredy L. Eichelbarger]

I am a Vietnam Veteran with Agen Orange identified and am paid @ 20%^ rating. My condition will terminate my life. I cannot get an answer on my rating increase re

[richard.ramey]

I am a retired vet and at this time I am using my GI Bill but it runs out next year. I believe all veterans gave their service one way or another. We should not weed out by who served where and when all veterans should be extended to the 15 year mark. I served 20 years is this asking to much, I know there are many veterans in the same situation.

[JGardner]

I am fully in favor of this measure. I have used my GI Bill benefits and received a terrific education, and I really think that all benefits currently available should be made available to Post 9/11 vets. If technical training and job training are whats necessary.....let's get it done. Our vets put everything on the line for us, they deserve the same.
While we're at it, let's push for Concurrent Receipt as well. Many vets with disabilities were hurt on-the-job....by accident. That accident shouldn't keep them from receiving the retirement that they EARNED with their sweat, their livelihood and all too often, with their blood.

[rochelle]

I concur with the above comments. I've been writing to my congress people and heard nothing back.
I am surviving dependent of Viet Nam era and the previous benefit situation was tough to use. 10 years of benefits are good, but how can you use them working full time and attending school full time? I would like to see an extension also for Nam era vets

[James Payne]

I think Vietnam era veterans should be included in the 15 years to use education benefits.

[Raleigh W. Chappelle]

i'm a Vietnam Era vet and for a long time had problems returning to mainstream life after my servive in the Marine Corp. After years of problems Found out that i sufferef from PTSD from my time in the corp but by that time my benefits had run out. Is there anything i can do to get those benefits back?

[ignacio otero]

what happens to the veterans that were active prior to 911 (Vietnam) that went to the universities but did not finish a degree prior to ten years but came back to finish after ten year,why are we not included in any changes that would pay us the reminding balance of benefits for education completed, did we stop to exist?