By Terry Howell
When the Post-9/11 GI Bill was first signed into law the general consensus was that it was the greatest benefit package since the advent of the original GI Bill in 1944. And, on balance it is. Among other benefits, the Post-9/11 GI Bill offers veterans the opportunity to earn a degree without having to pay any tuition, it offers a generous living stipend which can be as much $2,800 a month, and book stipend of up to $1000 a year.
However, this new benefit program has not been without its issues. Chief among these is a series of glitches which have resulted in late payments, over and under payments, emergency advance payments, and most recently, an error-ridden recoupment process.
All of these glitches are the symptoms of trying to force a complicated 21st century benefits program into a 20th century manual process. Not that the Department of Veterans Affairs has not made some errors while getting this program online, but the issues with implementation are the result of congressional pressure to launch a program before the infrastructure was in place to handle it.
Some Good News
The VA will soon reach their next implementation milestone which will enable them to use their new automation to process eligibility claims and make changes to existing claims more quickly and efficiently.
In addition, Keith Wilson, director of VA’s education service, is reporting that an audit by the VA Inspector General is looking into the payment issues and hopes to sort out the payment and recoupment issues soon. The final millstone for the implementation project is set for December, 31 of this year. The hope is that once the new automation process reaches it full stride veterans will rarely see the type of payment problems they are currently experiencing.
Ongoing Concerns
Many veterans, school representatives, and veterans’ groups have pointed out that there are several major issues, which are not related to the glitch ridden implementation process. For example, under the new Post-9/11 GI Bill, distance learning students (online and correspondence) are not eligible to receive the living stipend; vocational and technical training programs are limited and on-the-job training is not covered; transferability is limited to current servicemembers; Guardsman only earn time toward the benefit if they are under title 10 orders; and tuition and fee payment rates are too complicated and tend to price private schools and graduate programs out of the equation for many veterans.
The American Council on Education (ACE) recently held the ‘Veterans Succes Jam’ – a three-day online chat session – in an effort to surface the issues being faced by veteran students and identify possible fixes for the Post 9/11 GI Bill. Their final results and detailed reccomendations are currently being tabulated, but, preliminary results show that most critics of the new GI Bill would like to see Congress take action to fix the GI Bill as soon as possible.
Since 2008, several fixes to the GI Bill have been offered in both the House and Senate, yet none have gotten any traction. This year, being a mid-term election year, holds what some consider the last promise for substantive change and improvement for the Post-9/11 GI Bill.
Davd ,
I, also, retired in Oct 09. I have to agree with you about not being told in the retirement briefing that you had to set up the transfer eligibility before your retirement date. Fortunately for me, while on on terminal leave, I shipmate sent me the message via email. I was about to delete it, thinking I already knew all the facts. I had 3 days left prior to my actual fleet reserve date and made some calls and told what I needed to do to transfer benifits to my son. So, thank goodness I was sent the email and did not delete it before reading it. Back to the point, they did not put all the information out there! Best of luck to you!
I would like to see this housing stipend also be for spouses. If students of the soldiers get the stipend, why not the spouse? The spouse adds to the family income and to take time off and return to school, the stipend would help greatly.
I for one would love to see the fix of the title 10, there are a lot of guardsmen that are trying to go to school, and further their education. Problem is the 1606 doesn't even pay for a quarter of school costs. It's the reason the post 9/11 was created in the first place
Join the active duty Army. I did both and I would definitely go active if I could do it all over again. Not to knock the guard, but if you got to do the whole "do what they tell you when they want", when you have a civilian life most of the time. Might as well be a soldier all the time and get the full benefits. At least that way, you know why you are going to be jerked around and don't have a whole bunch of guys around you all surprised about the op-tempo of a war zone deployment.
Terrible logic Eddie
I disagree…it poses a problem for all reservists. My civilian job is just as important as my reserve time, but I have been on 2 overseas deployments and one inconus deployment in the last 5 years totaling 1 year and 4 months total HONORABLE active duty time. I'm in fantastic shape because I bust my ass and I can't get the same education because of the blanket reservist mindset the government has. BUT… A buddy of mine is a fat ass and got kicked out of active duty for failing his weigh in and is now getting full Post 911/GI Bill benefits including the living stipend (BAH) and book stipend. He's getting a free ride just because he was active at some point. You tell me how that is fair?!
Mike, your current physical condition is completely irrelevant. If your friend is receiving full Post 911 benefits, it is because he has more foreign service than you…I was a reservist most of my 8 years in the Army (served a year in Baghdad) and am currently in the process of applying for my Post 911 benefits. I'm entitled to 60 percent of the Post 911 benefits, which includes BAH and a book stipend. Seems reasonable to me.
if you want the benefit, go active duty
I switched and a counselor from wounded warriors in San Diego never told me that if I am taking online classes, that I do not qualify for BHA and he knew I was taking online classes!!!! I got robbed!!!!
Justin you let yourself be robbed. You should have done the research to find out the facts. The counsler from wounded warriors in Sand Diego probably didn't know either. If you are going to college I hope they teach you to question everything and be more objective in life. I've found college is 20% percent learning a new skill and 80% how to think.
Two inequities with the Post 9/11 GI Bill that need to get fixed are:
- no housing allowance for online students;
- Post 9/11 GI Bill retirees at the 100% tier not being able to transfer benefits to dependents.
I've never found anyone that could explain the reasoning why Post 9/11 GI Bill online students don't get the housing allowance. Just because they go to school in a virtual world doesn't mean they live in one too. They have the same living expenses as students who attend classes on campus.
The other hot button of mine is 100% tier level Post 9/11 GI Bill retirees not having the transfer option. Servicemembers who retired between September 10, 2004 and July 31, 2009 never had the opportunity to transfer benefits to dependents. They put in their required three years of service just like everyone else, but because they were not still on active duty on or after August 1, 2009, they can't transfer benefits.
Congress is always telling how they want to help us (especially around election time), well here are two ways in which they can.
This has went on long enough – its time to get these two issues fixed.
Not that i agree with it but the reasoning for the online thing is because they think you can work full time while taking online classes. however i go to school on campus full time and still am able to work full time so there really is no reason.
I agree. I work Full-Time and I go to school FULL-TIME with an on-line format. In fact, my program is excellerated, so it is even more work than a typical full-time program. A friend of mine is going through the EXACT same program, but he is not taking the on-line version. We live about 50 miles apart. He receives full BAH and I receive nothing. Someone explain this to me.
The post 911 GI bill is great indeed. I agree that 100% online students should not get the BAH. My reasoning is that there are way too many veterans out there that go to a worthless school knowing full well that the degree is worthless and just want the money. I understand we live busy lives an online classes are a good option, but the military needs to start doing a better job informing veterans which schools not to go to. Why would you go to UMUC, ASU, or any other (what I like to call ) group learning schools if people are just going to look at you funny when you mention the school. I'm sorry freinds not all degrees (i.e. fish and wildlife degree, seriously!) or schools are created equal. You want a online degree, sure go to UMBC, University of Maryland (not UMUC!), rutgers, USC, George washington University, etc. Take online classes at traditional schools then when you graduate you can hold your head when someone asks you where got your degree from instead of having to answer a few more questions about where or what type of school it was. The GI Bill is doing veterans a disservice allowing them to take online classses at sorry schools. I was part of the hiring service at a government contractor and if some of you heard what most HR people thought of your umuc online degree you would drop out of that school. I'm sorry folks the're too many folks trying to just get an extra buck taking classes online.
I too am upset with this rule, My daughter will start college this year, and a nice 16 k bill is in my face, I wished they would of thought of this prior to delivery of the program. Hopefully they can make this a fix and correct it.
CMSgt Ret Rob Boman
Chief, I'm sorry but they said the reasoning behind the transfer benefit is to keep active duty military in the service because they were concerned that a lot of people would leave the service and go back to school with the Post 9/11 GI Bill. The transfer option comes with an active duty service commitment.
Bull shit!!! come take my classes and live my life then come talk to me… My degree is legit and I already got a job lined up after I graduate.
Dear Team,
All of you have sacraficed your life for your country regardles whether it be the Army, Navy,Marine,Air Force, reserve or active duty. I am unhappy about the requirements of the benefit Post 9/11, GI Bill. I disaggree with those of you that disagree about the online schooling and the bah stiphend. My reasoning is that most veterans that have gotten out or retired income was cut in half. Their finances have really suffered since the left the service. Most veterans if they are not getting disablilty, are working two or more jobs to feed their families. We as veterans have sacrificed our lives for our country. It is time for our nation to repay our contributions. Yes, I love my country! I love it when I enlisted and still love it now. I can’t survive out here in the civilian sector without a degree. I retired as a Chief Petty Officer, E-7. I received my Bachelors Degree in April 2007. I am currently working on my Masters Degree in Human Resource Management online with Webster University. I am currently working at the IRS on the worst tour, 12:00 pm. to 8:30 p.m. as a Clerk GS 0303 5/6. I am also a single parent. Tell when would I be able to complete a Masters Degree, if not online. I don’t have two incomes just me. No wasn’t aloud to pass my benefit to my child either. The requirement for the Post 9/11 GI Bill should be anyone attending a accredited university whether online or in class should be paid the bah stiphen.
Sir with all due respect, this benefit is no different than any other benefit. You get the benefit that was available at the time you retired.
How come the BAH wasn't increased along with the military's BAH increase. Apparently no one noticed this but me. It would seem that students on the new bill are getting even more screwed out o the money we earned.
Concur. I joined the Navy explicitly for a GI Bill but unfortunately did not have one available on my date of entry. Congress had recessed before a new bill could be voted into law. Two years into my enlistment Congress did try to correct it, but the financial conditions required were beyond my means as a junior enlisted person. I obtained a degree through traditional classroom study using the tuition assistance program, which fell far short of paying my actual educational expenses. Just before I retired after 24 years of service, they passed the 9/11 bill. I missed being able to transfer my benefit by 8 months. The bill is the best educational bill passed since WWII, and America reaped historical benefits from that bill. Make the corrections and allow us to transfer the benefits to our children, we need it.
I totally agree with you on that CSM Kness. I wanted to tranfer post 9/11 to my stepson. I went on terminal leave prior to retirement on 24 May 09, retired 31 Aug 09 and thought everything was going to be fine. Can't believe I spent nearly 21 years in service, 42 months in Iraq, almost 8 years overseas, and I of all people cant let my stepson use this. The VA told me I would have had to elect the transer of benefits prior to my retirement date of 31 August 09; but I never knew or was breifed of that. They told me all I can do is write my representatives and ask them to changeg the law.
Transferability is key! Retirees who served in Iraq and Afghanistan, but retired before July 31, 2009, should be able to transfer their GI bill to their children. If it is the intention of the new GI Bill to reward veterans and stimulate the economy it is a win win to allow transferability!!
I,m w/ you CSM. Retiree or not, you still need to send a kid to college.
In response to Justin.
You are not stuck, you can still take one course on campus. It can be any school, not just the school you are already enrolled in. You can enroll in multipule schools, take online from your choice and still fullfil your attending an actual in class course at a college near you.
I would really love to see the Post 9/11 with the living stipend happen for those who attend the online schooling. Let's face it, in this economy, every soldier who has left the service has to work to survive and most of us are barely making it. It's been proven that in order to succeed and earn more money, people have to have a degree. It would be nice to get a little support…as it is, on the old Chapter 30 benefits, I already have out over $20K in school loans. So why should I continue to suffer while trying to keep my tail off the street?
Tim what exactly do you have to do in order to receive BHA if you are taking 100% online courses? This is what I want to do but let me know if this is right: Take 100% online courses and take (1) class at another community college that I have to physically be there for and then I can receive BHA? If that is possibly does the physical class have to be related to the Master's Degree or what? Thanks.
I agree with CSM Kness, I am also a retiree, I live in a very rural area and I was studying at AMU for a fish and wildlife degree online, the living stipend is just as important to us online students as those attending the classroom, I also agree my wife would like to now go to school to advance in her job but as the CSM said we retirees get no transfer option. I hope Congress fixes these glitches soon.
Haha, hey Mac there obviously wasn't a spelling test when you took the G.E.D. exam huh? You should take advantage of the GI Bill and get a college education.
You probably are right about reserve and NG guard guys working just as hard as some active guys. I have seen guys over in POG land stuffing an ice cream sundae down their throat while the other 1% is rolling out on missions.
Also, you were on active duty so therefore you earned your benefits. I'm talking about the guys who don't do any active enlistments.
I agree with CSM Kness, I am also a retiree, I live in a local area and I would like to be studying at IUPUI for a information technology degree online, the living stipend is just as important to us online students as those attending the classroom, I also agree my wife would like to now go to school to advance in her job but as the CSM said we retirees get no transfer option. I hope Congress fixes these glitches soon.
Title 32 deployments since 9/11 for National Guardsmen, including the norther border mission (Canada), the Airport Security mission, the Airbase Security Mission (Noble Eagle), the Olympic Support mission in Salt Lake City (JTF-O), Hurricane Katrina/Rita, and the Southwest Border Mission – all deployed locations, away from home, on active duty, but in Title 32 status. Not qualifying? Are you kidding me? Some of the guys with me in the 9th Ward would rather have been back in Fallujah… And the AGRs who are full time, drawing a Title 10 paycheck, but are in Title 32 status, who go in support of both kinds of missions? Not qualified? Really? Huh. Way to go Army. Screw the people the program was intended to help.
Bet if there were a Navy and Marine National Guard, this would never have happened…
Isn't the VA being run by a retired Army General, though? Huh.
To LongRangeShooter, your Branch of Service has nothing to do with who qualify for the Post 9-11 G I Bill. It is Congress that make these decision not the Army General. Just hope the Bill is fix so everyone will get a fair shake.
The Navy and Marine Corps reserves fall under title 32 also.
To Yippeefreemoney,
First off let me say that I am a POG and a reservist. But, I am a POG that knows his job inside and out (network administration) since I do it in the real world. I have been deployed twice, once to Afghan and once to Iraq. I have spent countless hours trying to train up mindless active duty soldiers who should know their jobs but don’t. They had numerous years of service and were all higher ranks than I was. The difference is I actually went to college and most of these people joined right after high school for whatever reason. A lot of soldiers are in the service due to what I call an “economic draft”. The military is the only stable occupation still available in this country. To sum it all up, be careful which reservists you try to insult, you may one day be sitting across a desk from us asking for a job once the fantasy world of the Army is over.
My question is why just post/911 gets the benefit ? I'm retired but served before 911. Doesn't seem fair !
this is not fair, you are being told your time in service is not important. I think if they are going to call it a post 9/11 benefit then anyone who served after 9/11 should be able to take full advantage of it not just a select few
Seems to be more of a recruiting and retention tool because it would be even more difficult to bring in new soldiers and keep current ones knowing they are likely to be deployed to a combat zone. The more benefits, the better. I don't think they are implying that pre/911 service is not important though.
Is this the New Army? Boy, you all sure do cry alot. Get over it. At least they are giving you all benefits. Back in the old days, we didn't get anything close to what you all are getting. Wait, maybe this is the new "Socialist Army" You all want the gov't to give you everything. Quit crying and get to work either getting an education, actual work, or put on some diapers and continue crying.
I'm eligible for the Post 911 GI bill at 100%, and I do agree that the living stipend should be availabile to those who take on-line classes at at least 51% of the term…we are in the tech world; therefore, there is no reason to disqualifty those taking on-line classes from the living stipend. Yes, we all need to talk to our politicians and relay to them the importance of revising the requirement for living stipends. Additionally, as for the retiree who retired before 31 Jul 09 and not being eligible to transfer their Post 911 GI bill to thier dependend is ridiculous…dependents are the military members' support especially after 911 incident, these dependents held strong while their service members were putting 100% + towards the mission to prevent terror from happening to the U.S….in-turn protect the U.S., including politicians who decided on this bill…
I missed the cutoff date to transfere to my kids by one day. What difference does it make if use the money or my kids use it?? After 22 years I've earned that right.
You're so right I'm in the same boat as you. When it first came out no one in the know was clear on some of the stipulations. First it was briefed that the member must enroll in order to be able to transfer the benefit to their dependents later. However, it was not It was not briefed initially that the member would not be able to transfer the benefit to their dependents after they retire. Initially when the question was asked the so called SME's were telling folks they would be able to transfer it to their kids that were not even born yet after they retire. I'm with you if I already earned the benefit so why can't I have my child use it.
Part time commitment = Part time benefits. Stop faking the funk, either you're a soldier or you're a civilian. Pretending that you're a soldier 2 days a month just to get the benefits is garbage. I know how most of you are going to respond to that too "I was in Iraq for a year man". Not one of you can tell me that you weren't pissed when Uncle Sam actually asked you earn your benefits for once. You were all baffled that you might have to wear the uniform for than 2 weeks a year because you "didn't sign up for this". No little POG, your vacation in Iraq with your ice cream sundaes and Burger King Whopper meals is not considered combat. You were in more danger canceling your golf trip with your buddies than you were in Iraq-Fobbit.
Yippeefreemoney,
Your to posser. I can't speak for anyone who posted on here but I have 10 years of active service and 13 in the reserves. Have deployed to the Middle East 6 times in my military career. The last time I responded to a request to deploy with a 4 days notice. Left home, put my civilian career on hold and my familiy on hold. I will not speak about all NG's or reserve persons but many are just as hard working as you are if you are infact on active duty. many NG's and reserve persons actually work harder than many active duty folks. So take you old scholl stupid active duty don't like the reserves or NG and stuff it were the sun does not shin. Your an idiot.
I cannot believe that if you are indeed a veteran that you wouild ever run down a fellow vet . i myself served on avtive duty 15 years before serving my last 7 years in the national guard befoer retiring. even with that said a vet is a vet weather it be a part time or fulltime service member
Sounds like you are making some pretty big assumptions in regard to things which you know little or nothing about.
1. "Either you're a soldier or you're a civilian." Wrong – it is possible to have both careers at the same time. We're called citizen-soldiers. The NG is older than the Regular Army. Look it up.
2. NG soldiers who have only served in a reserve status (2 days/month + 2 weeks/year) get fewer benefits than those who have served in an active Title 10 status. The inequity is in the distinction between Title 10 and Title 32 status. Many Regular Army (RA) soldiers do not know what this terminology means. NG soldiers know that active duty is active duty, and Title 10 vs. 32 status should not be a discriminating factor. Title 32 NG soldiers serving CONUS are the same as RA soldiers who have never deployed, yet their benefits are less. Does that sound fair?
1LT im going to call you Sir because where I came from in the army we had enough respect for our officers to actually call you Sir and not LT. The same being said for our Sergeants we actually called them Sergeant and not "Sarge".
1. You "citizen/soldiers" are a bunch of wannabees thats why you call yourself a "citizen/soldier" and not a just a soldier. You play army a few days a year so that you can tell everybody else that your a soldier. Dont try to put yourself in the same category as guys whose only career is being a soldier. The guys who wear the uniform everyday and actually train and fire a rifle. So what if the NG has been around longer the RA that doesn't mean jack.
2. Yes it does sound fair, i'll explain. The issue I have with the reserve and NG is in your commitment and actually being part of the military for the right reasons. Im tired of guys signing up for the reserve and guard for the benefits from the government, your a mooch. If you weren't doing it for the kushy benefits you would have gone RA. Guys in the NG who get activated under chap 32 get activated against their will. If they wanted to be a soldier for more than 2 days at a time they would have gone RA. You dont sign up for the guard saying to yourself that you want to be activated and play real army, because if you had you would have RA in the first place.
I tried that and all the jc colleges don not have any marketing classes. I am not allowed to any class I want, I tried already. The other schools need to get approval from my mother school.
Katie you seem to have misinterpreted my comment. The fantasy world I was referring to is one where everything is taken care of for you. All a soldier has to do is do what he’s told and wear the same thing every day. Ask any prior military, it is the easiest job in the world. This is the reason for a lot of veterans not being able to find work when they get out; they get too comfortable where they are at. Have you been to Iraq lately? Have you seen the desk junkie officers award themselves bronze stars? Have you seen all the happily married people cheating on their spouses? Iraq is a 9am to 5pm operation now, a real joke. I agree with you there are some soldiers doing heroic things out there, but not every soldier is a hero in my eyes. What makes a hero anyway? Someone who goes and shoots people? I guess I couldn’t compete with that, I only maintained phone and internet service so people could work and contact their families back home. Now if you have been to Iraq or Afghanistan and have seen otherwise, please enlighten me.
3. I, for one, was not "pissed" when Uncle Sam asked me to deploy. Of all the NG soldiers I know, a vast majority do not get "pissed" when asked to deploy. How many NG soldiers do you personally know?
4. NG soldiers pull the same types of missions in Iraq as RA. Furthermore, if it weren't for the NG, RA soldiers would have been deployed for three to four years straight, with no break. Because of the NG's participation in this conflict, many RA soldiers were able to come home for a year between deployments. Do you really want to denigrate this group of soldiers who bleed the same as color as you?
I'm just sayin'…
3. I know a hand full of NG guys and their all chumps. Maybe you and these other guys you talk about didn't get pissed when you got your deployment orders because you had nobody to blame but yourself. So in that respect I give you credit, Sir. You were able to say to yourself "well I didnt have the intentions of deploying when I signed up but I did sign the paper which said that I could get deployed".
4. Ok, im going to take it down a notch and explain myself a little better here. Your damn right you bleed the same color as me, your an American. We are on the same side, and I would have your back in a firefight just like any RA guy. The issue I have with reserve and NG is your commitment. You cant make a half ass commitment to the army and expect to get full commitment benefits. Please don't work your 9-5 job Mon-Fri and expect tobe called a soldier. Please dont put yourself in the same category as guys whose lives are being a soldier. I dont have a problem with you getting part time benefits for your part time commitment, but please dont start bitching on this website about how you don't this or you don't get that. Like I said before your either a soldier or a civilian, you cant be both.
Hello….I would like to give my two cents worth….I will try hard to spell correctly and not just get caught up in my emotion. My husband is one of those NG soldiers. He served in RA before I met him for 4 years. After being married for 20 years he decided to join the NG. He has been deployed state side for 12 months and served an 18 month deployment to Afghanistan and title 32 to Katrina. While serving our country he missed many family events such as one son getting his Master's degree; our daughter graduating from high school and going out of state to attend college and play soccer; another son's senior year of varsity soccer (returning just weeks before his graduation); another son moving out of town to attend college and me receiving my Master's degree.
Real Student,
Yes UMBC is a great school if you live in Maryland. I went there as a Computer Science major. But I have to disagree with you on the great online program, it is very limited. You did make some good points on how a lot of FOR PROFIT online schools are a sham. I am no advocate for UMUC, not in the least, but it is the most credible out of all brick and mortar/online school hybrids. In college I sat through lectures, went out to party and then did work on my computer. Basically an online school is like school minus all of the fun.
Hate to say it, but you really need to learn how to express yourself with a little more sense and tact. I agree that part time commitment=part time benefits. But you do have to take into account all who were activated. As far as I'm concerned, you're right, the people that have only worked a weekend a month while going to school during the week shouldn't get the same benefits as someone that gave up their entire life to active duty. But a lot of soldiers have been "activated", regardless of if its CONUS or outside the states. It still not the same to be activated for 6 months versus the 3 year minimum for full active duty benefits, but for all soldiers delpoyed and activated, benefits should be the same.
Now having said that, all soldiers that haven't ever went outside their reserve center should quit crying about it.
I agree with most of that. The point that i'm trying to drive home is that these guys don't have any interest in putting in a full time commitment. Yes, if they get activated or deployed than they should receive more benefits than the other guys who have not. However, if at the time they signed the enlistment papers they had any interest in being activated or deployed then they would have signed up for the RA and not the guard. In my opinion I only see two reasons for joining the guard or reserve:
1 – To get government benefits in exchange for the least amount of work possible.
2 – To claim to their buddies and chicks in bars that they're soldiers
I got up and did PT everyday, I wore the uniform everyday, I dealt with the bullsh** everyday. I have a problem with these yahoos trying to get the same benefits and title of soldier as me.
If you did serve honorably, I thank you for your commitment; however, you display your ignorance with every word you type, and not just to your general knowledge of the subject at hand but of general human nature. You have obliviously never led, served, trained, or relied on a member of the reserve component, specifically in combat. And if you did and this is still your opinion, someone failed to do their job as did YOU. With an estimated 150,000 Soldiers deployed at any one time in the last 8 1/2 years, no one joins a reserve component without knowing it could activate to deploy… And if you took the time to ask a reserve component member why he joined 9 out of 10 times he/she will tell something other than “free money” as you put it. It will be honor, loyalty, duty, family heritage… the list goes on. In closure, you should crawl back to the simple and uncomplicated world which you emerged and US big boys will continue to defend your freedoms, to include your right to respond to postings like this one. I expect you to reply to this as that seems to be your nature, so I thank you in advance for confirming everything I have stated in this posting as you will again confirm your ignorance, I am sure.
Oh yea dude I feel real comfortable with YOU reserve boys defending my freedom. You are right about your other statement though, I never have had to rely on a part time hero in combat and god help me I hope I never will. I thank you for your service also.
Your ignorance shines with every word you type. There are some active duty "soldiers" who are wannabe's and you seem to fit that category. You will be old and demented saying, "I wasn't reserve", rather than "I was a soldier", because that is all you seem to care about.
The problem is Uncle Sam said you can only use education benefits while you are a drilling reservist or guardsmen so when we did deploy to earn said benefits the window of opportunity we had to use them was spent earning them I spent 8 years in the reserve and because of deployments was only afforded one semester I could actually take classes, and I did. The rest were spent "earning" a benefit I no couldnt use. You dont know what you are talking about there yippeefreemoney.
Although I do not agree with how it is being said I have to agree that if you are not Active Duty, do not cry that you do not recieve the same benefits……..your not putting in the same amount of sacrifice. We all made the decision to go one way or the other with the knowledge of the differences!!!!!
Brother,
You have lost your mind. You must have been hit with the butt of a AK47. Being an National Guard and Reservist is very hard work. We have to maintain our MOS skills and cilvian skills, take care of hour families. The main job we have is to be prepare for when the call comes. What you have 365 days to do we have only 63 days to do. This do not include fulfilling all the US Army Title 11 requirements.
So before you start crying about Guardsman and Reservist use that brain and thing about what we have to deal with first.
lol
this is your opinion, I spent 3 years on Active Duty in the Navy, then I went Reserves. I never once thought about using Government money for my education. I was activated to Active Duty in Jan 2002. I went to the Middle East, I served my required amount of time, and then voluntarily extended. At
the end of my extension, I tried to extend again, but for some reason beyond my Commands control, and mine, I was unable. After released from Active Duty I went back to take my righful place as a drilling Reservist. I had 26 years of total service at the time I retired. Never thought about using GI Bill.
Then when the POST 9/11 came out, and there was a chance to pass this benefit on to my daughter, I'm told that because I retired prior to the bill passsing, that I can not let my daughter use the benefits. By the way, while I was serving my time on Active Duty, I came across more Active Duty people from all branches of the service that only joined for the education benefits. Many said "this isn't what I signed up for". 20 months I spent serving my country, and the Reserves did more work than the Active, and also a lot less complaining. Also Reserves don't get retirement until age 60, but a bill was passed to allow those activated to collect retirement a little bit earlier. That bill was passed after I was released, so I don't benefit from that either. I love my Country, and my Navy, but these two actions, are a real spit in my face.
As a military spouse of almost thirty years I am offended by your opinion. My husband is AGR at Camp Grayling, MI. Maybe you aren't aware what the Guard is all about currently but your comment of "Pretending to be a soldier 2 days a month" is way off base. When my husband who was deployed to Afganistan for a year, went to his mobility base there were very few "Active Duty" as you obviously are that had even been deployed. My husband was guard, and active and is now active guard. Your other comment about ice cream sundaes,and Burger King. Not sure where you have been, but my husband spent the year at Camp Wilderness and it was that, he shit in a hole, used water from tainted puddles to bathe and most times didn't get mail because no one wanted to travel to the FOB he was at. He went out daily on missions and is very lucky to even be here since he was caught in an ambush and lucky for me the eight RPGs missed the truck but the last one, unfortunately landed right outside the door.So please don't categorize if you don't know the facts.
You have an interesting, but ill-informed belief system. Every member of our reserve unit signed on with the expectation that we would deploy. We've now deployed multiple times. The few occasions that we complain is when we have pay problems. Active duty doesn't experience this. Members of our unit went without pay or inaccurate pay for nearly two months. That's pretty challenging when you have a wife and children to take care of. We also don't have the structure in place to make sure things are OK on the home front. Active duty is easy. Our observations were that our active duty counterparts were by and large rigid in their thinking, lazy and less than professional. A good many are undereducated and have an even greater sense of entitlement than reservists. In addition, like you, many seem to have a grandiose notion of their worth and value. You sound like one of the many Soldiers who will not have a successful readjustment when your career ends. You'll have the typical "Civilians do it all wrong" mindset while you meander from job to job, wondering why no one appreciates you.
Haha, hey Mac there obviously wasn't a spelling test when you took the G.E.D. exam huh? You should take advantage of the GI Bill and get a college education.
You probably are right about reserve and NG guard guys working just as hard as some active guys. I have seen guys over in POG land stuffing an ice cream sundae down their throat while the other 1% is rolling out on missions.
Also, you were on active duty so therefore you earned your benefits. I'm talking about the guys who don't do any active enlistments.
My son did not get ice cream sundaes, Burger King Meals and have a vacation in Iraq . Thank you. His buddy was blown off the top of his truck whom he had to take care of, before his buddy got shipped to Germany. Thank God he survived. going over there as transportation, became a medic, because he had medical skills,went on Highway missions. Got blown don't know how many feet 35 times. The first ones that got sent over were not on vacation. My son went to Hell. That is not a vacation. I don't even know everything he went thru. I know when he came home he slept with his gun beside his bed and everytime he heard a loud noice he jumped for his gun and his shoes. He is in the Nat'l Guard ,he has served 2 tours.Before his 2nd tour he actually went thru an excellent combat training course. I could go on . He has several medical problems but is tough as nail I wil give them that and says Freedom comes with a price. Now tell me he doesn't deserve to get any benefits.After seeing so many wounded and dead from this war, It is a vacation to go to Iraq? I don't want to vacation in Iraq.
Okay…first of all….you're a turd. If indeed you are an active-duty soldier, you're probably the guy that got to fill sandbags 12 hours a day. The way you crap on fellow servicemembers is disgraceful, and you crap on your "fellow soldiers" by calling yourself a member of their ranks. Regardless of the reasons why people sign up for whatever service they sign up for, be it active duty, reserve, or guard, everyone wears a uniform, most still deploy, and if they are wounded or die in combat, their casket is still covered by an American Flag. You can disagree with the education benefits that the services get all you want…that's your right, and if you really want to do something about it, get your lame ass elected to congress. But don't for a minute diminish the contribution that these folks provide in the combat zone, and also in CONUS so you can do your deployments (if you ever did).
As someone else said, they bleed the same color as you, and for the same reasons. Regardless of why, they still wear the uniform of this country's armed forces, and are proud of it. If you had to bear the same burden that the part-time troops do, train to stay proficient in all the skills they need to keep sharp for their military job, still do their civilian job, which isn't always easy since some civilian agencies balk at hiring guardsmen and reservists…yeah, I know its a federal offense to do it, but that doesn't mean it doesn't happen. And these folks also have to keep their families taken care of, regardless of where they are or what they're doing. Seems to me that's probably less than what you need to worry about as an active-duty member. Disagree with the benefits issue all you want, but don't denounce the willingness of someone who only wears the uniform part-time to still give his or her life for this country. Idiot. Don't you have some sandbags to fill? You probably got bounced out because the army already had their quota of assholes.
I agree with CSM (Ret) Kness, that these two inequities with the Post 9/11 GI Bill that need to get fixed are:
– no housing allowance for online students;
– Post 9/11 GI Bill retirees at the 100% tier not being able to transfer benefits to dependents.
I retire in 2005 and would like to transfer the Post 9/11 GI Bill to my 18 year old daughter who will be attending college this fall. It will be the same amount of money, whether I use it or my dependent, I am not sure the reason behind this. With economic the way it is today it’s hard for a student to get a part time job. My daughter and other dependent could greatly benefit from this change.
To Yippeefreemoney,
First off let me say that I am a POG and a reservist. But, I am a POG that knows his job inside and out (network administration) since I do it in the real world. I have been deployed twice, once to Afghan and once to Iraq. I have spent countless hours trying to train up mindless active duty soldiers who should know their jobs but don’t. They had numerous years of service and were all higher ranks than I was. The difference is I actually went to college and most of these people joined right after high school for whatever reason. A lot of soldiers are in the service due to what I call an "economic draft". The military is the only stable occupation still available in this country. To sum it all up, be careful which reservists you try to insult, you may one day be sitting across a desk from us asking for a job once the fantasy world of the Army is over.
What is the objective of your post. You say you are a POG and a reservist who knows his job, very good you know your job. You go on to state you've been deployed, good, you did our job. Some active duties are very intelligent, they are the exception to the rule, just like a reservist knowing his/her job. I don't burn any bridges and I for one knew that military life and the money it pays after acheiving rank is significantly more than the real-world, additionally many soldiers don't know how tough it is out here, but still your comment by itself doesn't seem to have a point.
Fantasy World?? Do you fantisize about leaving your family and country for months to years at a time. I certainly don't fantisize about running around in ungodly heat wearing 40 lbs of gear or…killing someone. That is one hell of a fantasy world. Do you ever stop to think that yeah…you might be the guy to give an active duty member a job…but while you are tinkering away at your computer who do you think is going to save your life. Would you take a bullet for those you consider "mindless", I bet they would take one for you even though you hold them in such low regard. They may have joined because it's a steady job but they stay in because they love what the job represents. So, you need to shut your mouth and start respecting those who spend every day protecting this country's rights and freedoms. You don't deserve to serve in the military on any level – why don't you just quit?
Real Student,
Yes UMBC is a great school if you live in Maryland. I went there as a Computer Science major. But I have to disagree with you on the great online program, it is very limited. You did make some good points on how a lot of FOR PROFIT online schools are a sham. I am no advocate for UMUC, not in the least, but it is the most credible out of all brick and mortar/online school hybrids. In college I sat through lectures, went out to party and then did work on my computer. Basically an online school is like school minus all of the fun.
You are correct Bryan it is very limited, but it won't matter to the employer. You have a masters degree from a reputible college, in this case UMBC. I would rather have have a limited online MIS degree from UMBC than a superb degree from UMBC. I for one live in maryland a few miles from the college and will attend the Master of MIS and not the online version. In conclusion I would rather say I went to UMBC, Towson, U of Baltimore, U of Maryland, instead of UMUC. I'm not saying UMUC is a bad school I'm looking at what the public might say, which shouldn't be important, but amongst that same public lies the employers.
"I meant …a superb degree form UMUC."
The post 911 GI bill is great indeed. I agree that 100% online students should not get the BAH. My reasoning is that there are way too many veterans out there that go to a worthless school knowing full well that the degree is worthless and just want the money. I understand we live busy lives an online classes are a good option, but the military needs to start doing a better job informing veterans which schools not to go to. Why would you go to UMUC, ASU, or any other (what I like to call ) group learning schools if people are just going to look at you funny when you mention the school. I'm sorry freinds not all degrees (i.e. fish and wildlife degree, seriously!) or schools are created equal. You want a online degree, sure go to UMBC, University of Maryland (not UMUC!), rutgers, USC, George washington University, etc. Take online classes at traditional schools then when you graduate you can hold your head when someone asks you where got your degree from instead of having to answer a few more questions about where or what type of school it was. The GI Bill is doing veterans a disservice allowing them to take online classses at sorry schools. I was part of the hiring service at a government contractor and if some of you heard what most HR people thought of your umuc online degree you would drop out of that school. I'm sorry folks the're too many folks trying to just get an extra buck taking classes online.
Online schooling helped me balance my studies, my job and family life. With the minimum 3/4 time requirement to receive the BAH stipend, I can't be as flexible having to attend at least 1 class on campus with everything else I got going on. I hope that rule changes.
Justin I understand your need for defending whatever online school you go to. You devote years of school and a ton of money to an institution in order to build a better life, sure you can get a job with a degree from online schools and I congratulate you. There are always exceptions to the rule. Neither the CEO nor President of the multi-million dollar company I work for have college degrees. Whether you agree, like it , or fail to see the truth, the fact remains the general public looks down on fully online schools. For example type in UMUC or Phoenix University on yahoo answers and you'll see. My objective of posting the comment was to inform my fellow veterans the importance of going to a legitimate school. What I have seen with my own eyes is a bunch of civilians who think very highly of themselves for going straight from HS to a brick and mortar school, partying for 3-4 years and then getting a job. Those same civilians become supervisors who do the hiring and literally poke fun at people with fully online degrees from online schools they don’t recognize.
Regardless what you are any HR person thinks, if the school is accredited by the Association of Colleges then it is a legit school PERIOD!
I earned my BS in Comp Sci from the U of Florida. I also received my Masters in Information Systems from Phoenix. The curriculum at both schools was intense, the classes enjoyable and the experience memorable. Just because you go to a B&M school does not mean your education is any better than someone who went to an on-line school. What you get out of school is exactly what you put into it.
I’m not saying an online degree is bad I’m saying get it from a brick and mortar school that have an online program. I’m soon going to start on my Masters from UMBC, who BTW have an excellent online Masters MIS degree.
I retired from active duty Arrny after 22 years of serving our great country. I served along side with so many great Soldiers and NCOS and I can not believe that we are not allow to transfer of 9-11 GI Bill to our family when we served during that difficult time. Can anyone answer that question??
Jose
I agree that the servicemen and women who got out before 2009 should have the options to transfer their entitlements to their children. College tutition is not cheap. It would be a blessing if I could pass my entitlement on before the deadline to give my kids a brighter future with college payment
I was told that the ability to transfer entitlements was a retension tool. That is the only reason it isn't offered to people that are entitled 100% benefit. Right now, it is being focused on getting active duty members to extend their enlistments.
I agree with CSM (Ret) Kness, that these two inequities with the Post 9/11 GI Bill that need to get fixed are:
– no housing allowance for online students;
– Post 9/11 GI Bill retirees at the 100% tier not being able to transfer benefits to dependents.
I retire in 2005 and would like to transfer the Post 9/11 GI Bill to my 18 year old daughter who will be attending college this fall. It will be the same amount of money, whether I use it or my dependent, I am not sure the reason behind this. With economic the way it is today it’s hard for a student to get a part time job. My daughter and other dependent could greatly benefit from this change.
I totally disagree with "Real Student." Obviously you aren't aware of the very credible distance learning institions available besides the ones you mention above. If there has to be a requirement for distance learners it should be that the college they choose has to be either accredited or regionally accredited. This will earn them a degree as valid as Yale or Harvard or any you've mentioned. The accreditation process is set up by the states education departments and is very meticulous and comprehensive.
Distance learning is a valuable tool for so many of our soldiers. The "brick and mortar" requirement is ridiculous for our soldiers dealing with issues like PTSD, TBI, and physical concerns. DIstance learning is the answer to their prayers and they should be allowed the BAH and not have to physically have to take a course onsite – whoever came up with that requirement needs to have their head examined.
Two inequities with the Post 9/11 GI Bill that need to get fixed are:
- no housing allowance for online students;
- Post 9/11 GI Bill retirees at the 100% tier not being able to transfer benefits to dependents.
I've never found anyone that could explain the reasoning why Post 9/11 GI Bill online students don't get the housing allowance. Just because they go to school in a virtual world doesn't mean they live in one too. They have the same living expenses as students who attend classes on campus.
The other hot button of mine is 100% tier level Post 9/11 GI Bill retirees not having the transfer option. Servicemembers who retired between September 10, 2004 and July 31, 2009 never had the opportunity to transfer benefits to dependents. They put in their required three years of service just like everyone else, but because they were not still on active duty on or after August 1, 2009, they can't transfer benefits.
Congress is always telling how they want to help us (especially around election time), well here are two ways in which they can.
This has went on long enough – its time to get these two issues fixed.
I agree with SDC. I was overseas for most of my active duty time so I started my degree online (Excelsior) using tuition assistance in the Air Force. The classes were good enough for the AF, Army and Navy, as the classes are full of active duty military. When I got medically retired and tried to continue/finish my degree through Excelsior, the VA officer looked at me and said "i don't approve online courses and besides, its out of state" (I am in California, Excelsior is in New York).
One thing I am curious about is what military students that rely on the monthly housing stipend will do during the summer months. As a unemployed veteran that has been trying to get a job for months since my time back from Iraq, I rely completely on the housing stipend to pay for my rent. My semester may be over but my apartment lease is not. I am enrolled for school during the summer, but my school only allows students to take 3 classes over the summer which isn't full time status and to my understanding doesn't qualify for the housing stipend.
Hate to say it, but you really need to learn how to express yourself with a little more sense and tact. I agree that part time commitment=part time benefits. But you do have to take into account all who were activated. As far as I'm concerned, you're right, the people that have only worked a weekend a month while going to school during the week shouldn't get the same benefits as someone that gave up their entire life to active duty. But a lot of soldiers have been "activated", regardless of if its CONUS or outside the states. It still not the same to be activated for 6 months versus the 3 year minimum for full active duty benefits, but for all soldiers delpoyed and activated, benefits should be the same.
Now having said that, all soldiers that haven't ever went outside their reserve center should quit crying about it.
9 credit hours during the summer is counted as a full-time student because classes are only 8-10 weeks instead of the typical 15.
3. I, for one, was not "pissed" when Uncle Sam asked me to deploy. Of all the NG soldiers I know, a vast majority do not get "pissed" when asked to deploy. How many NG soldiers do you personally know?
4. NG soldiers pull the same types of missions in Iraq as RA. Furthermore, if it weren't for the NG, RA soldiers would have been deployed for three to four years straight, with no break. Because of the NG's participation in this conflict, many RA soldiers were able to come home for a year between deployments. Do you really want to denigrate this group of soldiers who bleed the same as color as you?
I'm just sayin'…
I agree with the issue with transferability. I'm sure it wasn't as much of an oversight by the developers of the program as much as something that would keep down the amount of money they would have to pass out to dependents…I mean, how many Active-Duty personnel have college-age kids?? Not that many, realistically. However, lots of retired or veteran service members have kids that are starting college, but can't transfer their benefits because they're not active-duty anymore. This in my opinion isn't an oversight…its a screwing. Yeah, it may have been intended to keep people in the service, but isn't the whole GI Bill idea to benefit the servicemember, and not the government? Sure, the military gets to enjoy having better educated troops, but why not allow those of us who through whatever circumstances were unable to attend school to transfer those benefits to our kids so they can get an education? Seems logical to me. We paid for the benefit. It should be ours to do with as we please (education-wise), regardless if we're still on active duty or not. I too hope that the politicians pull their heads out of their collective asses and get this fixed.
I'm in the vocrehab program and as long as you take 2 classes during summer it still counts as full time.
David, per VA, you only only need to take one summer course for 4 weeks, to be eligible for full time benefits. So if you take 3 classes for 3 months that is enough for full time. Call them up.
Katie you seem to have misinterpreted my comment. The fantasy world I was referring to is one where everything is taken care of for you. All a soldier has to do is do what he’s told and wear the same thing every day. Ask any prior military, it is the easiest job in the world. This is the reason for a lot of veterans not being able to find work when they get out; they get too comfortable where they are at. Have you been to Iraq lately? Have you seen the desk junkie officers award themselves bronze stars? Have you seen all the happily married people cheating on their spouses? Iraq is a 9am to 5pm operation now, a real joke. I agree with you there are some soldiers doing heroic things out there, but not every soldier is a hero in my eyes. What makes a hero anyway? Someone who goes and shoots people? I guess I couldn't compete with that, I only maintained phone and internet service so people could work and contact their families back home. Now if you have been to Iraq or Afghanistan and have seen otherwise, please enlighten me.
You obviously know nothing about the military. Not everyone is a hero but everyone in the miltary deserves a very high respect.The military is not the easiest job in the world. If you had any experience outside the computer you would know that. You are a lucky one, you can sit down in a tent in front of the computer – no big deal. I can ask every military or prior military I know if they thought there job was easy and every one of them will tell me no. My dad was gone for 6 – 18 months at a time on an Airplane running operation drills. Does that sound easy? You should know how hard separation can be by itself. My husband spends about 13 hours a day on his boat for 6 – 7 days a week. He has to crawl into a gun that is 2 1/2 stories tall while it's loaded to fix it. He has to run an armory, run security, and that's just while he's inport. He has had every leave request revoked since we have been stationed here. Yeah, the pay is decent but active duty members are not handed everything and they earn what they do get. It is not a fantasy world, these people work harder than anyone I know.
You wouldn't know, because while you were overseas you worked on a computer and when you are in the states you are in a cubicle. As far as military spouses cheating, that is a stereotype – a bad one and you should be ashamed of yourself for using it in your arguement.
I didn't say there was anything wrong with distance learning. I said you should take online classes at good schools. In regards to the comment about summer semester not being covered you are dead wrong I get BAH for summer and since the classes are more condensed you don't have to take 4 classes it all depends on how long the summer semester is. For me the classes are two months lon and each of the classes are three credits and I get full time bah for the summer.
Can you answer this for me: Im enrolled in the summer semester and I'm taking 4 classes but one of the classes is remedial and must be taken in order to advance to a credit math course. Due to this remedial math class I'm now left with only 9 credits instead of 12 and my payments for the BAH have stopped. So my question is are remedial classes allowed using this GI Program and if so who should I be talking to in order to get this resolved.
If 12 credits is what you need for full time, then 9 credits would still qualify you for BAH. All you need to be is 3/4 time. I do not believe the GI Bill pays for remedial courses(even if you need them as a pre-requisite), only courses that are applied towards the degree.
At least people using the Post 9/11 GI Bill are receiving healthy monthly stipends. I am disabled, using the VA's Voc Rehab, and while the guys using the GI bill are getting over $1600 a month for living, I don't even get $700, which doesn't even pay for my apartment, while having a child to take care of. More than the Post 9/11 GI Bill, they need to look at their Voc Rehab and start making corrections for soldiers that have become disabled as a result of their service. I appreciate all soldiers that have served, but it seems kind of crap that the ones that were injured get less benefits than those that werent.
How is the monthly stipend $1600? I thought it was equal to an e-5?
Dear Team,
All of you have sacraficed your life for your country regardles whether it be the Army, Navy,Marine,Air Force, reserve or active duty. I am unhappy about the requirements of the benefit Post 9/11, GI Bill. I disaggree with those of you that disagree about the online schooling and the bah stiphend. My reasoning is that most veterans that have gotten out or retired income was cut in half. Their finances have really suffered since the left the service. Most veterans if they are not getting disablilty, are working two or more jobs to feed their families. We as veterans have sacrificed our lives for our country. It is time for our nation to repay our contributions. Yes, I love my country! I love it when I enlisted and still love it now. I can't survive out here in the civilian sector without a degree. I retired as a Chief Petty Officer, E-7. I received my Bachelors Degree in April 2007. I am currently working on my Masters Degree in Human Resource Management online with Webster University. I am currently working at the IRS on the worst tour, 12:00 pm. to 8:30 p.m. as a Clerk GS 0303 5/6. I am also a single parent. Tell when would I be able to complete a Masters Degree, if not online. I don't have two incomes just me. No wasn't aloud to pass my benefit to my child either. The requirement for the Post 9/11 GI Bill should be anyone attending a accredited university whether online or in class should be paid the bah stiphen.
To move beyond the GS 5/6 level, certifications is your key move versus getting the MA. Here is why, all HR professional positions in government rewards those with PHR, SPHR, or GPHR certification, and will classify you at the 12-15 level. Getting certified will advance you further and fastest in HR than the MA , unless it is a MBA. So combining a MBA with a SPHR certification will open numerous government and private job offers.
I am a reservest and just volunteered for another mobilization to raise my post 9/11 GI Bill benefits. I am always appriciative of what I am given, and do not look at always wanting more handed out to me. Take what is offered and work with it. Like everything in or relating to the military it has regs or guideline….read them, know them, and do what you have to do. That is the problem with with society, and our military always looking for handouts. Don't blame others for giving you bad advice toward the bill (read it yourself), and if it only pays for attending on campus courses then attend at a college. Let me tell you from experience…it is possible to work full-time and go to college. It is called sacrifice and commitment you think that most of you would have learned it in the military. You can get by on 3 hours or less of sleep a day for a 9 months out of the year.
Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. "Sacrifice" is the word. I'm a veteran who proudly served 9 years active duty onboard ships in the U.S. Navy constantly deploying. Thank you Chapter 30 and Chapter 33 (post 9/11 GI BIll) you allowed me to not only stay debt free through school, but also use the $1700 BAH I received to pay off me and my wife's student loans AND to help pay for the tuition her job wouldn't cover. So, I'm graduation with a MIS degree and she's graduation with a Accounting degree and we're are both walking at graduation at the same time. Sacrifice is the key word. For four years we spent every cent on paying for books, tuition, and paying off credit cards that we used for tution. Many nights we stayed up until 3 or 4 in the morning studying or doing research projects only to go to work at 8AM. Many times we were both tired from work, but we still got in the car and went to school. We both got our Associate's degree and will now get our bachelor's in less than a year. God Bless this great country in which I and my wife became a citizen of.
Thank you. Thank you. I'm a veteran who proudly served 9 years active duty onboard ships in the U.S. Navy constantly deploying. Thank you Chapter 30 and Chapter 33 (post 9/11 GI BIll) you allowed me to not only stay debt free through school, but also use the $1700 BAH I received to pay off me and my wife's student loans AND to help pay for the tuition her job wouldn't cover. So, I'm graduation with a MIS degree and she's graduation with a Accounting degree and we're are both walking at graduation at the same time. Sacrifice is the key word. For four years we spent every cent on paying for books, tuition, and paying off credit cards that we used for tution. Many nights we stayed up until 3 or 4 in the morning studying or doing research projects only to go to work at 8AM. Many times we were both tired from work, but we still got in the car and went to school. We both got our Associate's degree and will now get our bachelor's degree in less than a year. God Bless this great country in which my wife and I became a citizen of.
1LT im going to call you Sir because where I came from in the army we had enough respect for our officers to actually call you Sir and not LT. The same being said for our Sergeants we actually called them Sergeant and not "Sarge".
1. You "citizen/soldiers" are a bunch of wannabees thats why you call yourself a "citizen/soldier" and not a just a soldier. You play army a few days a year so that you can tell everybody else that your a soldier. Dont try to put yourself in the same category as guys whose only career is being a soldier. The guys who wear the uniform everyday and actually train and fire a rifle. So what if the NG has been around longer the RA that doesn't mean jack.
2. Yes it does sound fair, i'll explain. The issue I have with the reserve and NG is in your commitment and actually being part of the military for the right reasons. Im tired of guys signing up for the reserve and guard for the benefits from the government, your a mooch. If you weren't doing it for the kushy benefits you would have gone RA. Guys in the NG who get activated under chap 32 get activated against their will. If they wanted to be a soldier for more than 2 days at a time they would have gone RA. You dont sign up for the guard saying to yourself that you want to be activated and play real army, because if you had you would have RA in the first place.
I agree with most of that. The point that i'm trying to drive home is that these guys don't have any interest in putting in a full time commitment. Yes, if they get activated or deployed than they should receive more benefits than the other guys who have not. However, if at the time they signed the enlistment papers they had any interest in being activated or deployed then they would have signed up for the RA and not the guard. In my opinion I only see two reasons for joining the guard or reserve:
1 – To get government benefits in exchange for the least amount of work possible.
2 – To claim to their buddies and chicks in bars that they're soldiers
I got up and did PT everyday, I wore the uniform everyday, I dealt with the bullsh** everyday. I have a problem with these yahoos trying to get the same benefits and title of soldier as me.
Katie, it is no stereotype, I am speaking from firsthand experience. Has your husband seen the mangled bodies of soldiers after a mortar round hit their housing unit on his boat? Or how about the aftermath of a rocket that went into a tent full of people? I got to see all of this while staying on the FOB "in front of my computer". I am tired of Navy personnel trying to compare their experiences to those of boots on the ground. I think you are secretly upset that I am telling it like it is. I do not claim to be a Medal of Honor holder nor did I volunteer to do 10 tours in 'Nam like the rest of Military.com. I just feel that people have a right to know what is going on in these places. Anyway this has gotten way off of topic.
I am all for the post 911 education benefits despite the glitches. I am a veteran who used my active duty gi bill benefits for my bachelors the degree. My husband, who is a veteran transferred his gi bill benefits to me so that I could help pay for graduate school. Now the VA counselors tell me when I call that I have reached 48 months of eligibility with the GI Bill and I want receive payment under the new Post 911 benefits to continue my education. Now when they came up with the provisions for the transfer of eligibility I didn’t see were that was written that if you have used up 48 months of eligibility you will not recieve any more payments.I still haven’t received a letter or anything from the VA explaining this situation. So my husband has 32 months of VA eligibility that he will not use that was transferred to me that I cannot receive payment for. My question is why wasn’t all the information posted in the transfer of eligibility requirements that if you have used 48 months of any VA benefits then you are not eligible for any more benefits. I know this will effect more veterans in this particular situation than myself. So what do you do?
In response to Justin.
You are not stuck, you can still take one course on campus. It can be any school, not just the school you are already enrolled in. You can enroll in multipule schools, take online from your choice and still fullfil your attending an actual in class course at a college near you.
I would atleast write your regional congressman. It may help with this one. I know you don't want to here it.
I guess its time for me to provide my two cents to the Post 911 GI Bill issue. First of all let me preface the issue by stating that I enlisted in Feb 1985 so I enlisted under the Veterans Education Assistance Program (VEAP). Like many people during my time, I didn't contribute to VEAP because I didn't feel that it was a good deal. Of course enlisting as an Airman in the Air Force, I'm sure a big part of my decision had to do with not feeling that I could afford it. Under VEAP you could contribute 100 dollars a month up to a total of 2,700 dollars and the military would match it 2 to 1. Consequently, because I didn't contribute any money into VEAP, I had nothing to transfer to the Montgomery GI Bill which went into effect about 6 months after I joined. This meant that all I had was tuition assistance to pay for my education. As you know, you can only use TA while you're on active duty status. (continued)
The objective of my post is a reply to Yippeefreemoney. You spent some time analyzing my points but you still don’t understand? If I’m not mistaken, you said you were Navy. Navy and Army reservists are very different. Army reservists don’t ride on a boat for 6 months every now and then, they work alongside active duty soldiers in a war zone for 18 months at a time. Although I appreciate the input, this was a discussion between two soldiers.
Sounds like you are making some pretty big assumptions in regard to things which you know little or nothing about.
1. "Either you're a soldier or you're a civilian." Wrong – it is possible to have both careers at the same time. We're called citizen-soldiers. The NG is older than the Regular Army. Look it up.
2. NG soldiers who have only served in a reserve status (2 days/month + 2 weeks/year) get fewer benefits than those who have served in an active Title 10 status. The inequity is in the distinction between Title 10 and Title 32 status. Many Regular Army (RA) soldiers do not know what this terminology means. NG soldiers know that active duty is active duty, and Title 10 vs. 32 status should not be a discriminating factor. Title 32 NG soldiers serving CONUS are the same as RA soldiers who have never deployed, yet their benefits are less. Does that sound fair?
You are a dumbass. You should try riding on a boat for 6 months at a time especially since those boats are ALSO in a warzone in many cases. You should feel what it does to your body, your knees, your mind and don't forget your skin. You work behind a computer – what exactly is giving you this sense of superiority to someone in the Navy?? You posted on the web which means your comments are open to being criticized by anyone. Have some damn respect for other members of the military. Remember we all fight for the same thing. If you WERE actually in the military, you would know that. And furthermore – I don't think reservists deserve the same as active duty members because they don't pull the same weight.
You just need to stop thinking you are better than those who sign there lives away to protect us because you are not.
I am a distance learning student and I must say that I spend more time in the computer than if I were a classroom student, we do get lots of homework. Why are punished by Congress taking away our BAH. I they think distance learning is for lazy people I invite any Congress member to take one class, just one so they know what distance learning is about. We need our BAH just like the rest of the people (military students).
Keith,
I agree with you, I retired on 30 June 2008, 2 months prior to the start of the Post 9/11 GI Bill. I have my certification in my career feild, My son is in College and my oldest daughter starts this fall; I would like to use mt GI Bill for them instead of not useing it at all.
I am a distance learning student and I must say that I spend more time in the computer than if I were a classroom student, we do get lots of homework. Why are punished by Congress taking away our BAH. I they think distance learning is for lazy people I invite any Congress member to take one class, just one so they know what distance learning is about. We need our BAH just like the rest of the people (military students).
Sir with all due respect, this benefit is no different than any other benefit. You get the benefit that was available at the time you retired
Read more:http://military-education.military.com/2010/05/po…
Katie, it is no stereotype, I am speaking from firsthand experience. Has your husband seen the mangled bodies of soldiers after a mortar round hit their housing unit on his boat? Or how about the aftermath of a rocket that went into a tent full of people? I got to see all of this while staying on the FOB “in front of my computer”. I am tired of Navy personnel trying to compare their experiences to those of boots on the ground. I think you are secretly upset that I am telling it like it is. I do not claim to be a Medal of Honor holder nor did I volunteer to do 10 tours in ‘Nam like the rest of Military.com. I just feel that people have a right to know what is going on in these places. Anyway this has gotten way off of topic.
WOW!! Am I reading this right?? The Post 911 people are just whooping it up while people like me and others before it are left out to dry…
I dont know who you got me confused with POG but it wasnt me.
Alright now that everyone hates me on here im going to digress a bit and explain myself a little better. I HAVE RESPECT FOR EVERYONE THAT HAS WORN THE UNIFORM WHETHER YOU ARE ARMY, NAVY, MARINE, AIR FORCE, ACTIVE, RESERVE, OR GUARD. Yes everyone who wears the uniform bleeds the same color of red, white, and blue. I would have anyone of your backs in a firefight without a question (and yes i've been in a firefight if your wondering). Regardless of what your status in the military is or was, if you have anAmerican flag draped across your casket your goddamn right im going to salute it.
I got a little off track with the point I was trying to make in my earlier posts. The point im trying to drive home here is what I originally stated: Part time commitment = Part time benefits. Yes there are flaws and injustices in the system of they calculate who gets what benefits. However I still feel that if your heart was in the right place commitment wise, you would have gone active duty. If you did an active duty tour and now you are reserve or guard, your good in my book. You did your time and now your pursuing other full time commitments in your life. I have a real problem with the sh**bags that I went to basic with who eeked their way through and then went back to their home town to the guard and started collecting the benefits.
*****CONTINUED FROM ABOVE*****
For the guard and reserve guys who get deployed. Do I think that you should receive more benefits than guys who dont get deployed, yes. However your level of commitment is still in question here. When you enlisted in the guard you chose to do a part time commitment that had the POSSIBILITY of being deployed. You didn't sign up for the guard with the expectation of being deployed. The possibility of being deployed was a nasty little side effect of signing those papers in order to get federal benefits. You took the chance and rolled the dice and your number got called. For the guys whose numbers got called and showed up for formation on deployment day, I applaud you. You were able to man up, contrary to your level of commitment, and follow through with your obligation.
In a nut shell, im tired of hearing the poor me song and dance. I have free health care and I had to pay very little towards my bachelors degree. Yes the VA is a pain in the a** to deal with but I am appreciate of the benefits that I have received.
Also, to answer everyone's burning question, yes I earned my benefits. I was on active duty as a team leader in 2nd Ranger Battalion 75th Ranger Regiment. I fought in Iraq and Afghanistan.
And in reply to TOP. Im going to address you as first first sergeant because like I told 1LT, where I came from in the army we had the courtesy to address our superiors by their proper name and not by the lazy version. So to answer your question first sergeant: Yes I did I fill sandbags (in between missions capturing Saddam and Osama' top commanders). I have absolutely no problem admitting that yes, even guys in SOCOM fill sandbags because alot of times the areas that I was in the POGs were too scared to come to and fill up the sandbags for us.
I said I would never reply to these things again, but I couldn't resist.
First off, I didn't think 2/75 captured Saddam.
In terms of questioning National Guard soldier's level of commitment, some of us actually volunteer for tours overseas. Because the majority of my NG platoon served in support of OEF, we technically weren't able to be ordered to active duty for service in Iraq. There was some policy or legislation stipulating how much time a NG soldier could serve on active duty in a 2 year window (COTTAD in case you're curious). Regardless, my entire platoon volunteered to deploy to Iraq. We literally had to sign a form, which sounds quite ridiculous. That's what soldiers do. See you might consider not complaining about being deployed the "right thing to do", whereas joining the fight at that time was the "right thing to do", regardless if we were asked to or not.
Service is the spirit of continued volunteerism, and I think that either resonates with you, or it doesn't. What your status or unit is means significantly less than what you were accountable for, where you served, and what you actually did. We had former SOCOM soldiers in our platoon… many of which went back on active duty (and back to SOCOM) and maintained we were the best platoon they had ever served in. Big deal. Did that make us feel we were better than regular army soldiers? Not at all. When lives are on the line, it's no place for a Who's D*** is bigger contest.
My point is, I think it's unfair for you to correlate service status to level of competence, commitment, or loyalty.
And, for what it's worth, every day I was in the wire and made it to the chow hall there was this SF team that always sat at this one table, and always literally stuffed their faces with ice cream. I mean 2 or 3 ice cream bars each, it was unbelievable. It was like they were calcium starved or something. Point is, you don't see me ripping these guys apart. But you have to ask, are they sucking as much as that 22 year old kid in the 101st, on the 14th month of his extended deployment? Or, how do you compare these guys to the female Marine POG engineer who got sniped on a reconstruction mission? This really happened if you're wondering.
It's far better to not judge. You'll never win generalizing people, and it only confirms your ignorance on an issue.
But to your original point, I think the education benefits structure for the 9/11 GI Bill is very fair in terms of % qualification. I could complain I only have 80% elgibility though I felt I did significantly more than some private who enlisted for 3 years active, never deployed, and did some non-mission critical job function, and never even made E-4, but what's the point? Let's be fair, the 9/11 GI Bill is really just a recruiting ploy anyway. It has nothing to do with how honorably you served.
After 22 years in service, 7 of which took place AFTER 9-11, I am still upset that retirees with more than 36 months time in service post 9-11 are not eligible to transfer their benefits to a dependent. I found out after the fact this benefit only goes to those still on active duty. Not even retroactive. Congress and the VA (to include VFW and others) need to push to get this gap in benefits fixed. I was first told by VA I was eligible, and now am stuck with thousands of dollars of college bills for my daughter.
My comment is to those who support no BAH for those who only take online classes, I say shame on you. Have you forgotten the disabled vets who have returned with PTSD and don’t like being around crowds or have tramatic brain injuries and can’t process information as fast as others. How about vets who are paralized and it’s to hard for them to get around even with the help of a wheelchair. There are some who are so severly disfigured that they don’t want to be seen by others, many are on medications, and for those who can’t drive bus routes may be to far away.
I guess its time for me to provide my two cents to the Post 911 GI Bill issue. First of all let me preface the issue by stating that I enlisted in Feb 1985 so I enlisted under the Veterans Education Assistance Program (VEAP). Like many people during my time, I didn't contribute to VEAP because I didn't feel that it was a good deal. Of course enlisting as an Airman in the Air Force, I'm sure a big part of my decision had to do with not feeling that I could afford it. Under VEAP you could contribute 100 dollars a month up to a total of 2,700 dollars and the military would match it 2 to 1. Consequently, because I didn't contribute any money into VEAP, I had nothing to transfer to the Montgomery GI Bill which went into effect about 6 months after I joined. This meant that all I had was tuition assistance to pay for my education. As you know, you can only use TA while you're on active duty status. (continued)
The other inequitity that is only mentioned once in passing was soldiers and airman that are on Title 32 Active Duty not being eligilble at all.
Regardless of what Ranger Boy said, those individuals who spend everyday in uniform ensuring that the units that they are assigned to are equiped, trained, and prepared to be mobilized and deployed are unsung heros. They work longer hours than most regular army troops do, they have to pass their PT test twice a year like regular army troops do, they have to attend the same professional development course as regular army do, they have to qualify on their weapons annually like most regular army troops do. They take care of the administrative crap so when the troops show up to drill they spend their time training for their wartime mission. Most of these men and women working in your local community National Guard armory are doing the jobs that typicalyl 3-4 regular army types do. If it is a small unit like a company there is typically one fulltime guy who acts as Training NCO, Supply Sgt, and Personnel Specialist for his entire unit. These Title 32 AGR soldiers and airman deserve the Post 9-11 GI Bill just as much as the vast majority of regular army and airforce personnel.
Two lessons learned: The first is based on the content of this blog. You will encounter some people who don't think your degree earned online is as good as bricks and mortar. Second, this deals with the reality after military retirement for enlisted members. You will encounter those in contracting (usually former commissioned officers) that will second-guess your ability to plan, organize, analyze information, and formulate strategy simply because you were enlisted despite you educational accomplishment. My analogy is based from conversation with other enlisted retirees from the Army, AF, and Marine Corps. Usually this only happens by Contractor organizations. If you don't believe me try this: Remove all reference to your enlisted status from your resume, and just leave the contents of your experience, you will start to get calls and interviews from contracting companies that you have applied. After an interview and it is revealed that you were enlisted you probably will not get the job or at a salary well below you worth…ask around.
I think this is getting a little crazy. Every component of the DOD serves a specific purpose. Regardless if you were active duty, guard or reserve…you served. Everyone has their own reason to serve in the capacity that they did. I spend 7 years as a Basic Military Training Instructor. During that time I learned A LOT about people. I've had lottery winners, children of VERY WEALTHY executives, and people going to basic just to gather information for their thesis. I did 20 years active duty Air Force because that is what I felt compelled to do. I do not question anyone who served as a "Weekend Warrior" because they may have reasons for not going active….CONTINUED
….Guard and Reserve serve a vital role in the defense of our nation, and the support of their state, that should not be taken away from them just because they didn't choose active duty. GOD BLESS ALL THAT CHOOSE TO SERVE…we do what we do so people in our country remain free to make choices, don't beat them down because they didn't make the same choice you did. There were a lot of folks "on the ground" that were saved because of the support they got from a Navy ship, or an Air Force airplane. Everyone doing their part is what makes, and keeps, us a Super Power in the world.
I agree with you Latoya. They definitely should offer the same benefits to online students that they do for the campus students. Online courses are great when having everything else going on during a day. I truly hope that they will take another look at it. There are many people taking online courses to help them manage their time more efficiently.
i would like to join us marine pls advice me on how to go on.
I"m also a beneficiary of the post 911 benefit 100%, and I have found many glitches with schools and the system as well. I will begin to say that some or all of fees from school (private, public) are not paid, you will have some out of pocket expenses. I did have some reaching over 1000 dollars and I called the VA, I was told pretty much "sorry you will have to pay" I quoted the instructions from the online and the term budget max of $62,000 and still no action from the VA. This means every month I will pay so were is the benefit and why they say 100%?. Can congress explain this or assist to lower out of pocket expense, for all of US. If not the change the instruction not to read 100% of covered tuition when I only take 3 classes.
Thank you all for your service and your desire to educate yourself
Did anyone have something go wrong (like a 10% decrease) in their monthly Post 911 GI Bil payment?
Hey everyone I just found this information and thought I would share it. I know in the beginning of this new GI Bill I just took the first information they gave me and than ran with it to the college. However, things are still changing over at the VA on the regular. During the winter and summer breaks we are suppose to get what is now called "interval pay". As long as we were at least a half-time student on the term prior to the break and still have time left on our benefits we will get the interval pay automatically during the winter and summer break. We do not have to be enrolled in any classes during the summer or winter to get the BAH payments. Here is a link explaining it further: http://www.newgibill.org/get_answers#165
I depend on my BAH to pay my rent. When I did not get the payment in December, I was evicted and had to wait two months to be able to move in to a new place, luckily I had friends to lean on for a temporary place to live. I set up a payment plan with the VA to avoid this happening in the future, I was told it was accepted and verified this several times. My June payment was late, It came last friday, 6/18, and it was only $300. Luckily my apartment manager's husband is ex-military so she was willing to work with me until I received my payment, but it is obviously not nearly enough to cover my rent. does anyone know of any type of assistance available to help me with my rent until they finally start paying me the right amount at the right time? I dont want to get evicted again.
I was "accidentally" over paid my BAH at the begining of the spring semester this year. I have always had difficulty getting my BAH on time I assumed that this over payment was to make up for the lack of payment in the past. suddenly, may first, when my regular payment was supposed to hit my bank account, there was no money. After weeks of trying to get answers, I was finally told that they kept that money for recoupment of the over payment.
I did get my tuition and books paid for, last semester and I'm assuming my tuition was paid for this semester (although I paid for my book and have not been reimbursed for that), since I've not received a bill. I have yet to receive any type of housing allowance. And guess what…the phone lines to VA are always busy.
Omg!!! Will you big babies stop crying about your free ride! Let me tell you something 9/11 is not the holy grail! There are vietnam veterans, desert storm veterans and plenty more that fought for this country and didn't receive a thing. Not even a pat on the back! You all will get your money but what about the veterans that the pre GI Bill only paid for a year of college! They were left out there struggling to pay their tuition. What we all need to be concerned about is the veterans that exited the service before 9/11 that deserve the same benefits and so much more. Like I said you before will get your money for sure but will we. I think adjustments should be and will be made eventually for us all. FAIR IS FAIR!!!!!
How about fixing the GI bill that was taken away for 80's era veterans?
Looking for help understanding GI Bill benefits. Eligible and enrolled with MGIB but have not used. Reached 20 years and retirement eligible May'10. If I wish to transfer benefits to depeddent must I enroll in the Post 9/11 program and then meet time in service requirements?
I don't understand why the montgomery GI Bill will cover technical and vocational training that is not offered through a so called school of higher learning, but the post 9/11 can't be used on these types of training. So of us just want to learn a trade to enhance our military trainig and make it compatible with the real world. This problem needs quick fix, in congress years this means not in my life time…