By Terry Howell
Senator Akaka’s “Post-9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Improvements Act of 2010” (Senate bill S.3447) is moving quickly through the Senate processes and is currently slated for final mark-up in August. This makes it the most promising “GI Bill fix” so far.
The proposed bill includes fixes to most of the major flaws in the current Post-9/11 GI Bill. Issues like the exclusion of a housing stipend for online students (those taking 100 percent online courses); limited criteria for National Guard eligibility; restrictive vocational training options; an exclusion of on-the job training and apprenticeship programs; and inequitable and complicated tuition and fee payment rates.
Up until recently we have heard a series of vague ideas and rumors about the possibility of serious legislation to fix the GI Bill. But the fact that this bill is on the Senate calendar for mark-up is huge. It means we may see real fixes before years end.
In addition, the proposed legislation will make the choice to switch from the Montgomery GI Bill to the Post-9/11 much easier for most veterans. It adds more vocational and OJT training options, and gives online learners a stipend that makes the Post-9/11 much more attractive and aligned with the MGIB.
The proposed bill also includes a change which will enable Guardsmen who serve on active duty for State call-ups (Title 32 orders for operations like disaster relief and border control) and those who serve in the Active Guard and Reserve (AGR) to count their active service time toward their Post-9/11 GI Bill eligibility. This will remove the inequity from the original law which excluded about 30K National Guardsmen who did not have enough active duty time to qualify under title 10 orders alone.
Keep in mind that most of the details are still being hashed out by Senator Akaka and several veteran’s service organizations. A revised version is due out sometime in July.
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Please take a moment to contact your elected officials and let them know how you feel about this bill.
This is very welcomed news! I hope this issue doesn't become a victim of budget constraints.
I wish the GI Bill did not have a date limit. I flew almost my entire career and most of my first 14 years took place before the advent of on-line schools. So, in other words, by the time I could find the time to go to school, my GI Bill was expired. That's what I get for giving the AF 27 years. (As above, I would have stayed anyway :-)
How has your GI Bill expired? Your 15 years for the Post 9/11 doesnt start until after you separate..
I am presently 81 years of age. I spent 20 years in the service of my country. I presently have 82 credit hours I have accumlated over a period of years. However, most colleges will either give me nothing or at the most 47 credit hours.
Even at my age I would like to go back to school to earn enough credits to receive an Associate Degree. There is as college near by that would allow me 47 credit hours from those I already have so I would not need too many more to accomplish my goal.
My question is would the new GI Bill assist me in this matter or is there some other assistance I could receive. All I would want is my tuition paid for and I would take care of the cost of the books.
Check with your state for Vocational Rehabilitation. I've got a VA-rated disability, and it paid for me to go to community college, including books. It's run (in New Jersey, anyway) by the Department of Labor, not the VA, but check it out. The reason I was accepted was my veteran status. It's worth checking out, especially if you have a percentage from the VA.
There are Colleges that will take your 82 credits. The Colleges have degree completion programs that will take your credits and transfer them in towards your bachelors degree. You then will take the Core classes to complete your degree with a total of 120 credits. Just research Colleges with degree completion programs for military members. Some of them take up to 84 credits towards your bachelors degree.
LeRoy.
Thank you for your service. Unfortunately, the 9/11 GI Bill is not available to you, because it is applicable to military members who were on active duty after Sept 11, 2001. The full entitlement means you had to be on active duty for 36 months AFTER that date. However. check with your state and with the VA. Some programs might be available to you other than the GI Bill. For instances, in South Carolina, once a citizen reaches the age of 65, he/she is eligible to attend any state institution for $0 tuition.
Hello I am with a group on Facebook that has been formed to correct the injustice being done towards our fellow soldiers and veterans, it is called: New G.I. Bill Promises To Veterans Broken Make The V.A. Restore Them ! http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=18852830399… . My name is Leonard Clark and I am a Persian Gulf/ Iraq Veteran. I and my family were personally greatly hurt financially to due to the broken promises of this administration and negligence regarding the New G.I. Bill in addition, I like many other soldiers and veterans now have a ruined G.P.A. with years of work down the drain all due to the negligence of this agency and the president not keeping proper control of it. Please, join our group and help us grow our numbers so that we can fight non-violently to correct the injustice being towards ourselves and fellow veterans! This is a disgrace and can longer be tolerated with inaction, make them hear our voices in Washington, in your state and at ballot box come November !
Leonard Clark
founder
7-1-10
It appears that many of you are very mistaken. Leonard Clark, could you explain to me how you have "a ruined G.P.A. with years of work down the drain all due to the negligence of this agency and the president not keeping proper control of it?" That doesn't make any sense at all. How about you take responsibility for yourself. If YOUR G.P.A. sucks its not because of some government agency…it's because YOU didn't study, and as a result of YOUR poor study habits, YOU should pay back the money to the VA. Suck it up man, you messed up now pay for it.
Leonard,
I'm confused. How did the administration ruin your GPA (grade point average?)? Other than the long turn around times of claims and that a claim must be submitted every semester, I'm very happy with the new Post 9/11 GI Bill.
Just Curious to Know
That propaganda may work for non-military personnel, but you are posting where just about everybody is military. We're not buying it, especially with such vague reasons.
I used to have the old Montgomery GI Bill. The new Post 9/11 GI Bill is leaps and bounds above the way it used to be. I converted to the new bill and transferred a year's worth of benefits to my daughter, who is a full-time student. She had already paid for her tuition through student loans, so when the school was finally paid, she got a refund from the school. That, plus the housing stipend, make the new version of the GI Bill outstanding.
I agree with everyone else here. You cannot hold the GI Bill or political administration accountable for your GPA downfalls. What would you do if the Bush Administration didn't change it to the new version? It's only been in effect for a year, so naturally there were going to be backlogs from everyone wanting their piece of the pie, but overall the benefits are much better than before.
Hi Leonard. Can you share specifically what this administration has done to cause you such harm?
Robert
I have been using the Post 911 GI Bill for the last year now and have been happy with it. I have to say however a housing stepiend for online students would be awesome, I did not feel in the beginning not having it was fair because I am still paying my own house payment whether or not I live on campus. I still have 1 and 1/2 more years left of school so I would love to see some extra money!
I can see how the late payment on the books can get you behind. I'm at Strayer in Atlanta and every dollar is accounted for because it’s a expensive school. However many schools bend over backwards for service members. If my book stipend is late the school gives me used books or gives me a voucher to pay for new books until my book stipend comes in. I switch from the Montgomery GI Bill to the Post 9-11. The Post 9-1 GI Bill is great. Now service member DO YOUR RESEARCH, I would be very surprise to find out that your school will not find away to take care of your needs. I am glad to see the new legislature is allowing housing stipend for online students. If I deploy, I would like the opportunity to continue school and be able to pay my bills while away.
I seriously hope that they will actually extend the length of the GI Bill. I have less than two years left and many more years of school. What pisses me off more than anything about the whole military tuition is how much I was lied to when I initially joined. I was told by my recruiter that by joining, all my school expenses would be covered, even if I went all the way to PhD level, and since I was only seventeen, and stupid I did not check into anything. I would have joined anyway, it is just sad that teenagers are mislead, and once they are in there is no way out. I did my time, fought in Iraq for fourteen months, and I just hope that this "fix" comes through. Because if it does not I will lose all faith in our government, how could they give over $700 billion, tax payer dollars, to bail out banks and investors, who have been screwing the public and getting rich (which went against any and every ideal of capitalism), and then talk about budget issues for the GI Bill. I say put your money where your mouths are. You want to thank us for fighting for your freedoms, you want to make a difference in our lives, give us a real opportunity to go to college and achieve our dreams; Pay 100% of any public college tuition and housing, no ifs ands or buts, for anyone who was in Iraq, Afghanistan, and any other theater of war (this is a war!, not a "peace action", thousands do not DIE in "peace actions"), if we want to pursue a PhD then pay all of it. As far as where the money should come from, how about making those billionaire CEO(s), investors, and anyone else who received bailouts, or multi million dollar bonuses, while their companies were failing and laying people off; Tax them to the end of the earth 90% income tax if you have to! No one NEEDS five houses, no one NEEDS a yacht, or a jet, or several Lamborghini(s), NO ONE. However, if we want to be out of debt WE (the veterans) DO NEED an education… Think about it.
I strongly agree with you on that. They should by for our college 100%. Not just limit us to 36 months of benefits or just give up 50,000 dollars. There are states that allow veterans to go to college for free, under certain circumstances of course. May question is why can't it be like that for every state. You serve you country so now its time for you country to serve you by paying for you college degree. I agree with you on that, they do need to pay for our college education up to at least a masters degree.
God Bless you!!!!! Say it like it is! It's too bad those CEO's don't understand what people like you and I go through, they might change their minds about what they do with all that money.
Whatever happened to "Ask not what your country can do for you, but what YOU can do for your country."? Just because our government is throwing money around like the Mad Hatter, doesn't mean that we should expect more too.
When I enlisted in 1986, I was told very clearly that I would be paying $100/mo. for a year and in return I would get a specific amount of money for college. That came out to about 3-4 years of school, depending on which college or university I went to. While you are still serving, there are several universities that offer tuition to military members for free. Once you get out, you get what you paid for. Under the new GI Bill, the military member doesn't even have to pay the $1,200. It is given as a benefit for your service. I don't think anyone has a right to complain about it. Use what you are given and when it runs out, either continue on your own dime or get a job and take less classes until you have the credits needed for a degree.
The sense of entitlement is what's bringing our country down. Everyone expects to sit back and have the gov't provide for them. The gov't has to get that money from somewhere.
Hey 20 Year Vet,
I was in during the VEAP era and the GOVT did allow us to buy into the MGIB for $1200.00. I did.
You missed out brother.
If you bought into VEAP and had at least a buck in it when they switched then you could buy into MGIB. I did not buy into VEAP so was ineligible for MGIB.
Flygirl, last time I looked, the ten year counter doesn't start until after you get out.
CCRDVR if you're in school as your 10yrs near does your GI Bill stops or do they let you use it up???
Hallo,Am George Likhanga age 27,I would like to join the millitary how will you assist me to join it?
Thanks bye bye and God bless you.
I am having a very difficult time finding any facts to support any of your claims. It sounds to me like you all didn't do your own research and now are mad because it didn't work out the way you thought it would. People get lied to everyday, and it is your own responsibility to research the facts rather than taking someone's word for it. This is one of the first things you learn in the military. So as for your GI Bill issues, once again, YOUR FAULT not the government's.
John, you sorry sorry little excuse for a man. Understand, the research we had to do with the GI Bill and other things had already been done by recruiters and other military staff. THEY were the experts, we took their word for it because we didn't have the time to sit down with thousands of pages of paperwork that congress and the senate decieded to write down and make policy. We had other things to do…like uh…FIGHT A WAR!!!! The military so often states that they take care of their own…in most accounts this is true…but once you get those pencil pushing a-holes in Washington to make into a law, it gets very confusing even for an expert to interpret. So lay off the mumble jumble about how it is our fault!!
John hope you found the answers you were looking for.
Look at other comments posted on this.
If disabled or have a service connected disability, contact DAV (Disabled American Veterans) rep, they'll show you the way. If not, look up military education, VA sites, government sites, contact VA reps of schools interested in attending.
Good Luck!
PeaceBeWithYou
Well let's see…. could be because of the late payments for a book stipend or that some schools won't let you start till they get the first payment…. several good reasons why it could happen other than the easy "you didn't study" remark. Pretty easy to say suck it up, harder to lay it out from where a person is coming from.
I understand that late payments happen which is why I applied for and received student loans to pay for things in the interim-I didn't blame the Bush admin when my enlistment bonus was a year late and $1000 short and I don't blame the Obama admin for late payments. I don't understand how a money issue can cause a low GPA.
Some of you sound like little kids instead of multi-decade servicemen. I joined during VEAP and didn't buy into it, and there was no provision in the MGIB for those of us who did not buy into VEAP. So, for years I had NO education benefits and I knew quite a few others in the same situation. Not a single one of us blamed anybody but ourselves. I'm so glad for the Post 9/11 GIB because now, even though I only have 70% because I retired in 2003, I have something. Shame on you whining, gimme gimme gimme, Gen Y sounding little brats.
Am I to understand that if I didn't buy into VEAP I can still get tuition assistance?? That would be great news if true.
You have to have served after 9/11 to receive the new gi bill. Then it depends on the amount of time that you did serve after 9/11 to the amount that you will receive.
Have you used any of your Post 9/11 money toward school and if so who did you talk to to get approval. I also fell under the VEAP program and was told by someone over the new Post 9/11 GIB I was ineligible. I served from 1984-2004 and retired.
If you served after 9/11, you're eligible for the Post 9/11 GIB.
This is welcome news. The fact that this will now fill in the gaps for online schooling is reason enough to be happy. I'm already very much enjoying the opportunities that the 9/11 bill has, though have had some tough spots due to lack of book payments on time I don't think that the money arriving 2 months later is WAI. Got my books on my own don't get me wrong, just had to strap my belt a bit for awhile. Any progression on anything to make it WAI is a welcome addition imho. All in all though I've been exceptionally happy with the post 9/11 gi bill and think that its a much more fluid system than the montgomery gi bill.
We have been using the 911 GI Bill for our daughter and have been very pleased with the results…she studies hard and makes sure to hit every deasline the VA or her school sets regarding the funding and such. This is a gift we are being given…stop complining and actually research it your self, apply on time and do the work needed to succeed.
Still wish we could use the GI Bill for our children. My husband is a veteran and both myself and son are in school. My husband finished his degree and has money left in the old system. Neither system will allow us to use the money on family tuition.
To CCRDVR, check your infomration on the 10 year rule. I thought the same thing and when I went to use it the VA told me my time was up, I asked them about the 10 years after getting out and they told me the time starts when you sign the paperwork at your base or if in the reserves with your unit. When I signed my papework was in 1990, and when I went to get my benefits in 2000, thinking that since I had just left in 1996, that I would have 5 years left, they told me not the case. So check if the rule changed great, if not be careful your benefits might expire and not realize it. Thank god, I reenlisted and deployed in 2001 to 2002 for Enduring Freedom, or else I never would have been allowed to get any benefits.
There are Colleges that have degree completion programs that will take your 80 plus credits and then have you just finish your core credits to earn your Bachelors degree. You need to research the colleges that have degree completion programs for military people.
I would like to see the payment limit to in state tuition removed. MO only allows state schools to charge $50 per credit hour which means the post 9/11 is severly limited for graduate school work. I would have lost $500 a month if I switched for the old system to the new. It is a good thing I took the time to research what switching would have done. My benefits paid for 3 years of grad school graduated in May with a masters of divinity. Next stop active duty again.
I left out a few key words above, veterans can only be charged 50 per credit for undergrad education. The limit does not apply for advanced education or to private schools. As a result post 9/11 doesn't help that much.
they need to change the name of "the Post 9/11 G.I." bill as this bill excludes most post 9/11 veterans
How has this new education benefit excluded you Kevin??
That is simply not true. If you take the time to read about Chapter 33, you'll realize that it covers most people that served after 11 SEP 2001. There are some folks who didn't serve for long enough, and some who received dishonorable discharges, but that's definitely not "most post 9/11 veterans."
LeRoy,
There is a 10 year limit to the MG. I bill 15 for post 911. If you have a service conected dis you could get some help.
Yes, broken promises. How about some VA administration caught dumping Vietnam Vets files in landfills. The new GI Bill should encompass all veterans wishing to go back to school. Yes, mike if you read anything let me know. Extending the ten year limit on the MG to 15 year for post pre and post 9/11
Are there any plans to open up the ability to transfer benefits to Dependants for Veterans who have served their country for 20 years or more and retired, like the Active duty with far less service can. I think there are better ways to encourage re-enlistments then to take what should be equal treatment and leave it as "re-up or your kids don't go to college".
Tell your kids what my father told me. "Join the Army or get a job. Those are the only two ways you'll go to college." I guess I technically did both, since the Army is a job. But you get my point.
DNMVN, I have started to pray that this new GI Bill will be God's provision for at least part of our children's education in the future, after my husband has used part of it. No complaints, just praising the Lord for it!!!
The Post 9/11 GI Bill wasn't initiated yet when I got out in 2006. But I used the old MGIB and got the full 36 months out of it. Then I switched over and got the additional 12 months of the Post 9/11. All together the MGIB benefits have been a blessing. Im in my last year of grad school and the MGIB has paid for the whole thing. I've never had a late monthly payment or late tuition payment. Arizona State is on point with the process.
People who run into "problems" with using the MGIB need to do their homework. Alot of the errors that are encountered by vets are caused by vets not understanding the system. Also, a lot of the problems are caused by the schools not the VA. Sometimes if certifying officials at your school aren't up on the process they can cause a lot of troubles for vets.
Finally, the system isn't difficult to understand if you stop and do your homework. I get tired of people complaining about the system is too "hard" to understand. If the VA needs to keep dumbing down the process for you then you probably shouldn't be in college.
I salute this sentiment and plan to parrot it often.
I'm sorry. I'm just still laughing about your statement. You pretty much said that if your not smart, maybe you shouldn't go to school. Does that make any sense???
He's saying that if they can't understand how the Post 9/11 GI Bill works then they should probably go back to high school or take some refresher courses. Once they think they are ready and understand how the Post 9/11 GI Bill works then they can apply to the college of their choice.
Agree completely!
Congratulations to using the MGIB and Post 9/11 GI Bill. I'm glad it worked out for you.
Good Luck to you!
PeaceBeWithYou
Cynthia 32 year veteran
I want to say thank you VA for all you do. I am 6 hours away from my AAS in Early Childhood Education under VA Voc. Rehabilitation and plan to use the New GI bill for my Associate Degree in Criminal Jusicthe. I would like to get get the housing stipend to pursue this degree online because I am about to get hired as a Early childhoood teacher and would need online classes to pursue another degree because of this new employment. Because Of the VA none of this would be possible. VA you take care of us and you deserve the highest salute. Please approve the housing stipend for all us who plan to go online for classes quickly.
The "entitlement phenomenon" amazes me. I'm surprised someone did not suggest that the government should automatically grant a PhD to us for our service. We've dedicated much to our country like many before and after us but not because of entitlements. I agree with many of you that it would be nice if more benefits were extended to us, but I for one am extremely grateful to have been granted this much thus far. I completed my bachelor's degree finally in 2009 using TA just before I retired (20 years). This past January, while working full time and raising a family, I started graduate school at the University of Colorado. The new GI Bill pays for everything compared to the MGIB. Yes, there are delays but school vet representatives help. We as veterans have an opportunity to accomplish so many things with what we've been afforded compared to those who've never served. Take the initiative to research and learn the system in order to take advantage of this outstanding benefit. Complaining about it doesn't get you any closer to accomplishing your potential.
I suggest doing some research online, talk to your friends, talk to a veteran, check out each of the services public web sites and last… talk to a recruiter. When you talk to a recruiter, I suggest you have some questions written down to ask him/her.
Unless you were Vietnam Era GI Bill there has always been limits. During times when times at seventeen being a whirlwind severel things said might start running together and you find yourself feeling something was said when it when was said in a couple of different meetings. I hope all does get fixed however when I came in it was VEAP and this was a wrong and no one cared about our group. It took me to stay 24 years in the military and I was able to convert mine over to GI Bill through a Law change but only after serving a life time.
Unfortunately, for those of you who say that we who have been screwed over because of the government's negligence or its red tape should have done better research that is incorrect. We, did the research and depended on the promise of the U.S. government to come through on its promise after we kept ours.
In addition, if Uncle Sam accidently gives us more money than we should have received in our military checks you can bet we don't say to them: "Well…sorry but you didn't do your research so therefore since you messed up we get to keep the extra money you sent us." You know darn well that we as soldiers did not get to use that cop-out excuse so why should they now use that against us?
Well…the answer is no they shouldn't therefore this: "you should have done more research is inaccurate and gives these bean counting government politicians excuses to give us the kiss off ! Well, guess what we're not going to go quitely off into the night ! We will non-violently suffer our rights and stick up for the soldiers that are still in who cannot speak up for fear of retaliation !
Leonard Clark
founder on facebook.com of:
New G.I. Bill Promises To Veterans Broken, Make The V.A. Restore Them ! http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1000012441…
It's pretty much all about making yourself a victim. You can blame your laziness on something else. Or, you can have some accountability and just get it done. Stop being afraid of success and go after your education. Using lack of funds as an excuse is stupid. I think the GI Bill is great and more money is always great. But if I had to I would get student loans because bottom line your growth potential is raised by about 10 grand every degree level you go up. It may not be guaranteed. However, it's a guarantee that it won't go anywhere if you don't go to school.
And if you have time to worry about YOUR lack of benefits. Think of veterans of previous wars and their homecomings. Maybe then you'll be a bit more appreciative of what you have and stop making excuses.
I joined the army in 1973 and retired in 1994, I have the old GI bill. I know that it expires after ten years once you retire. I got a job with the Gov as a tank Mechanic at a Depot. We were working a mandatory 12 hour day, So I did not get to use my GI Bill. I think its sad that even though I was supporting the war effort after my retirement I received a penalty, Maybe Im wrong.
JOB, it was your choice to work instead of using your GIB benefits. You could also have worked 12 hour days and gone to school one or two days a week. People do it all the time.
In this blog, I will continue my discussion regarding conducting research of educational settings using either program evaluations or action research. Research questions can be presented and examined from the perspective of examining the issue of increasingly high levels of unemployment among veterans who are transitioning or have transitioned from active military service. For some unknown reason or set of reasons, several hundred thousands of veterans are failing to take full advantage of the provisions of the GI Bill and other veterans’ employment opportunities and are joining the ranks of the unemployed. Researchers could use either program evaluations or action research to investigate the effectiveness of and make improvements to educational programs that are currently used to educate veterans on their GI Bill educational benefits and other entitlements.
Program evaluations, which are conducted for decision-making purposes, involve examining educational programs, whether in a classroom, off school grounds, during school or after-hours.
Action research is a type of research that is used to enact immediate changes by educators in their own work or educational setting.
I finished my BA in Social Science and the Post 9/1 GI Bill for my MBA. I have not had any problems with Tuition Assistance while on Active Duty, never using my GI Bill. I have received all payments and benefits for the Post 9/11 and never had an issue. I thank GOD and our legislative branch for enacting the Post 9/11 or I may have never pursued an MBA. I cannot tell anyone what to do or think, except to say be thankful and stop looking for a free handout. I retired with 20 years and didn't expect anything that was not promised.
Will there be any change that would allow for dependent transfer if we were active duty during 9/11 but had retired prior to August 09?
This really hurts.
If you're in school as your 10yrs near does your GI Bill stops or do they let you use it up???
Read more: http://military-education.military.com/2010/06/re…
I am a 24 year veteran and declined VEAP. The Post 9-11 GI Bill is a serious benefit for those that don't have education benefits. If you are a Post 9-11 Sailor go to https://vabenefits.vba.va.gov/vonapp/main.asp and apply online. For those that have questions about your benefits go to visit the VA GI Bill Website at http://www.gibill.va.gov
It never ceases to amaze me that people can post here but can't find the answers on their own. Research it! If you want to get ahead in life take charge like you did before when you were in the military.
if they can pay these bankers they can pay us. wtf!!
I have never seen so much crying and whining in my life. These are America's ex-warriors? If your counting on the GI Bill to live off of, then you need to grow up. Get a job and go to school like I did…..yea its hard but so what
When heading down the path to identify the major barriers that contribute to the alarmingly high rates of unemployment for our military veterans, I must keep in mind that there are many variables that come in to play, and for each veteran, the actual variables and their impacts may vary considerably.
While the new GI Bill, the Post-9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Act of 2008 may not have the same field-leveling impact of the original 1944 GI Bill but may help boost the U.S. economy and boost college enrollments across the country. G. Chen observed that the newly improved GI Bill, which began dispensing educational and living stipends in the fall of 2009, will enhance veterans’ future opportunities, where community colleges and universities are expecting several hundreds of veterans to join the ranks of those already enrolled in higher education.
By learning more about the plights of the modern veterans and re-visiting the lessons learned following the implementation of the subsequent GI Bill legislation, programs and processes might be implemented to help resolve or address veterans’ unemployment or under-employment.
Make the retire age for reserve 55 not 60 many who serve in the arm Forces don, t live to see 60 years of age. And as for The GI bill any Vet who has serve and has time and Benefits left on their G I bills should recive a retro upgrade on amy new G I bill Benefits that come out as well. We all serve we all play the game in War or Peace, we all Serve and we all deserve the same benefits.And for all my brother and Sister who have die and did not make it home, all America is in your debt, Freedom is not Free. We who have Serve know this all to well, God bless America.
I am very disappointed that I am not allowed to transfer my post 9/11 educational benefit. I served 30 years and my mandatory retirement date was July 01, 09, leaving me one month shy of qualifying. This is a heck of away to say thank you for all your years of service and the countless holidays, birthdays, anniversaries and family events that I
missed. My only option is to use this benefit for myself….which I do not need (I currently have two degrees). My plan is to use it on a degree….it is too bad that it could not be put to better use. Additionally, please do not insult us by call it a post 9/11 benefit. I hope our government fixes this inequity. I encourage all post 9/11 veteran’s speak out about this unfair benefit.
I was an AGR for most of the years following 9-11. I had 26 years of total service in the air force/Air guard. Is it true that AGR's are exempt from post 9-11 gi bill benefits? If so I dont get it. I did the same job as everyone else. I was even the crewchief on an air refueling mission the night of 9-11. Any help would be appreciated.
The main focus of my research efforts is to closely examine the major barriers that contribute to the alarmingly high rates of unemployment for our military veterans. In addition to the plight of young military veterans, other citizens in the United States are also experiencing alarming levels of unemployment and under-employment.____In today's edition of The Virginian Pilot (7/18/2010), page 4, Louis Uchitelle of The New York Times provided a personal story of an individual, a 2008 college graduate, who is coping with his inability to land that perfect or suitable job opening. Uchitelle offered that millennials as a group are optimistic and may hold out and decline some forms of employment in hopes of landing their ideal or preferred job. This optimism, according to Uchitelle, results from their being the children of doting baby boomers, who themselves enjoy lucrative careers and high incomes.____In addition to carefully exploring factors that affect veterans' unemployment and employability and use of educational benefits, it is important to broaden the study to also examine factors that affect the employability and unemployment rates of college graduates, high school graduates, and other young persons. __
Leonard Clark,
"depended on the promise of the U.S. government to come through on its promise"
It is an honor to serve. I hope when I retire I don't "depend" on the government to be my caretaker. I think learned enough to become a productive member of society. Too many vets express a sense of entitlement. If you need thanked for your sacrifice and service, than you served for all the wrong reasons.
I agree with you Keith.
It's amazing to see such greed and sense of entitlement. Most of us who served after Vietnam were not drafted. All is voluntary. Be it an honor that we served our country. Yes, we should TRUST our recruiters. Yes, we should TRUST our gov't. Yes, we should TRUST our neighbors. But you know as well as I do, only person you can ever trust is yourself. Everyone just needs to get off their high horse and be greatful for everything thus far. We're lucky there is even a POST 9/11 GI BILL. What happened for being greatful for just the MGIB or VEAP? God damn, people! There weren't this many problems until the Post 9/11 GI Bill came out. I'm astounded by what the Post 9/11 GI Bill covers in the first place; ie books, housing stipend, tuition, transportation in rural cities, etc… it's incredible! A housing stipend? Come on!! For Christ sakes, everyone wants to be paid to go to school and have our bills paid too. What's wrong with us? Be greatful we even have educational opportunities here. But don't you think this is a bit ridiculous. Everyone wants their cake and eat it too.
PeaceBeWithYou
To be considered for any rating of the Post 9/11 GI Bill, you must have served at least 90 consecutive days after Sept 11, 2001. Basically, the longer you're on active duty after Sept 11, 2001, the better your chance will be in getting a high rating. That means whatever percentage category you fall into, for example 10%, you get that percentage of everything; 10% of tuition, 10% of books, 10% housing stipend, etc…Post 9/11 GI Bill expires 15 years after discharge date and have a max of 36 months paid tuition.
If you are disabled or have a service connected disability, best advice is to speak to a DAV (Disabled American Vets) rep. They can explain how the process works for any educational benefit you may be qualified for. They'll give you helpful resources; contact #'s, websites, brochures, pamphlets, etc… Just be patient. You'll get your answer.
Hope this helps!
PeaceBeWithYou
In this week's blog, I will continue examining how to address the high unemployment among U.S. Veterans. Recommendations will be proposed as possible solutions for changing the current condition of the problems with the alarmingly high rates of unemployment for veterans.
Recommendations for changes (to improve the employment situation of veterans) may include the following:
(1) Reviewing current and past employment and unemployment statistics for young veterans and nonveterans to gain perspectives and lesson learned in order to inform future practices and policies.
(2) Re-examine the provision of veterans’ benefits for our modern heroes who have made and are making supreme sacrifices.
(3) Strongly advertise programs that are available to assist veterans and their families to obtain educational and employment opportunities.
(4) Confirm whether veterans and their families are taking full advantage of programs designed to provide educational and employment resources.
Well after reading this gentleman, I seeatleast schooling was available…It has taken me along time to even get noticed, there are so many that performed past 180 days, like me, and still I am facing homelessness….Money just not there…Where does a vet go to find out where to get past a one-time support initiative? Please tell me as a widow of a vet and veteran as well!
This final blog posting reports on a blogging project that explored the use of international and educational blogging. As a subject thread for the eight weeks of consecutive weekly blogs, I chose to explore the causes of and possible remedies to address the alarmingly high rate of unemployment of the veterans of the United States armed forces, including active duty and reserve components. The goal was to present a different facet of the veterans’ unemployment issue in each week’s blog post in hopes of obtaining explicit feedback about the quality of my message and suggestions for resolving the veterans’ unemployment issue from fellow veterans, public and government workers, members of support organizations, and concern citizens.
After the blogging period ended, the results indicated that my weekly blogging posts did not capture many comments from interested readers. However, the blogging experience was an enriching experience for me, enabling me to focus on researching the issue of veterans’ unemployment and preparing weekly summaries of knowledge and perspectives gained on this very important issue.
The Post 9/11 is a great benefit all around except for the fact it's not really a Post 9/11 benefit. Consider that I retired post 9/11, Jan 31 2003 to be exact, but I can't transfer the benefits I earned and paid for to my kids. This is a 5 year donut hole that needs to be fixed. I will be transfering to the new Post 9/11 program before my 10 years are up which will give me 5 more years to use it, however, since I already have my MBA and can't transfer MY benefit to my kids I am being denied the opportunity other "Post" 9/11 Vets are given. This is a donut hole that should be fixed ASAP.