For those keeping a close eye on the efforts to reform the Post-9/11 GI Bill, it looks like after spending the money to implement the poorly written law, Congress lacks to the will, and/or the wallet to fix it. The following is a summary of the Congressional Budget Office’s findings on the fiscal impact of fixing the GI Bill without finding offsets.
Taken from Tom Philpott’s Military Forum:
The CBO cost estimate on S 3447 [Post-9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Improvements Act of 2010], released Oct. 6, is $236 million the first year, $2.3 billion over the first decade.
The Senate bill, introduced by Sen. Daniel Akaka (D-Hawaii), chairman of the veterans’ affairs committee, has 26 co-sponsors. Rep. Walt Minnick (D-Idaho) introduced an identical bill (HR 5933) in the House. It already has 121 co-sponsors including Rep. Bob Filner (D-Calif.), chairman of the House veterans committee.
These bills are popular politically. Among other things they would extend the scope of Post-9/11 GI Bill education benefits to cover vocational and other types of training rather than keep the benefit restricted to college degree programs.
The big hurdle to passage will be finding money to pay for GI Bill enhancements. Because this is an entitlement program, lawmakers theoretically can only pay for GI Bill reform by reducing other mandatory spending programs or raising taxes.
Lawmakers have ignored this “pay-as-you-go” rule often in the past, including to approve the Post-9/11 GI Bill. But worries over burgeoning budget deficits are rising and will be reinforced by the president’s debt commission reports its finding and recommendations in December.
VA officials, meanwhile, have urged Congress not to make any changes to the new GI Bill effective before August of next year.
–Tom Philpott
Background -
Here is s quick list of proposed upgrades and fixes to the Post-9/11 GI Bill that were proposed in S.3447:
– Expand the program to cover Vocational and OJT Programs
– Give Guard and Reserve Full Credit for Full Time Served
– Provide Living Stipend to Veterans Utilizing Distance Learning
– Simplify the Yellow Ribbon Program
– Grant active duty students a book stipend worth $1,000/year
– Increase Vocational Rehabilitation monthly benefits by up to $780/month
– Reimburse students who take multiple accreditation/certification tests
– Allow enlistment kickers to be transferred to dependents
– Increase VA reporting fees paid to schools
– Simplify the types of discharges that qualify for benefits
Unless, Congress finds the will to make some hard decisions about where to trim the current program’s waste, hope for real GI Bill reform is fading fast.
Fuckers.
VA promised me school money then recinded- after I enrolled- saying Guard doesn't qualify even though I volunteered for 18 months of post 9/11 Active Duty.
Happy Veterans day, thank a vet. Yeah right. Just words.
i agree with you. I am having trouble getting VA benefits because of the stupid lawmakers…WTF.
Happy Veteran's Day, thank a fellow veteran for their service…Yeah right. Us veterans were even recognized until 9/11 happened. then everyone was like. hey we support veterans…yeah right.
you guys are a bunch of cry babys. We have it so much better than anyone comming out of Vietnam. You better be thankful for the benefits you have. Tuition payed for + BAH are you kidding me! You all sound like a bunch of pogues. SUCK IT UP AND DRIVE ON.
You sound like a repubican, always cutting down the small guy, This country do not really care about the vets the elected official only care about there pockets, want to find money to fund the Gibill cute the 100000 paycheck there office pricks get.
I totally agree with you on the issue of where to cut the spending. If they are not in office why do they need to be paid $100,000 a year for the rest of their lives?
Huh? Get a grip, man. Those days are over, and we have learned our lessons. Don't ry to send us back to the stone age, man.
I'm sorry but I do not agree with you. A lot of us Veterans suffered many hardships due to this 9/11 GI Bill. It was introduced too early and many did not receive their money on time and I personally know a few who lost their apartments. Some can barely feed themselves. There are alot of people getting undue and undeserved consequences of a government F**k up. We are uninformed and ignored, yet it's our fault when they go pointing the fingers. Many of the rules, programs etc, are not organized and people do not even know they are getting screwed until the government decides to take back their money right out from under them. Really great isn't it? Every area is different.
Please do not talk about what you do not know.
PS. You spelled paid wrong….
Oh and babies.
Look what the students are doing in England! What is the matter with our own citizenry, as we STILL afraid of being called UNPATRIOTIC if we stand up for ourselves??? Don't be bitter, make your voices heard, fellow Vets. And happy Veterans Day to everyone – we earned it, don't let Congress stop it!!
If your duty was Title 10 then you qualify….I agree..I served overseas in combat operations in Iraq and 3 years active duty in the early 90s and yet I only get a partial amount of what some active duty Air Force guy gets sitting on his bum stateside….something is very wrong!!!
did U actually serve in a real deployment?
What kind of retarded comment was that mr nam vet? What r u trying to imply? That just cuz he didn’t serve in “nam” that it wasn’t combat? Who the hell r u to question him? “Nam vet” whatever
As a Guardsman, if you served 18 months on a Title 10 active duty order for a contingency operations (such as Iraq or Afghanistan) after September 10, 2001, then you qualify for 36 months of the Post 9/11 GI Bill at the 70% tier, meaning the VA will pay 70% of your tuition and fees to your school and you get 70% of both the housing allowance and book stipend. You also have to have an Honorable discharge in addition to the service time.
If your order was something other than a Title 10 order, then you don't qualfiy. If you meet the qualifications, then contact your VA Representative, because they are seeing something that caused them to rescind your eligibility. Your school paperwork may be wrong.
Of course their pay doesn't stop. They serve 4 years in a senate house seat and they get paid a huge whopping retirement until they die. 4 years thats it!! And you wonder why we dont have enough money for anything else….btw…they are the ones who voted for it not us plus they are the ones who make the vote for their raises to.
Senators serve for 6 years and congressmen serve for 2 and they don’t get $100k for life after that… The speaker of the house (3rd in line for presidency) gets a stipend for I think 7 years. Don’t buy in to the e-mail chain letter BS, do your own research and stay on topic.
As for the GI Bill, do what you can to get better benefits for ALL vets and remember there are vets out there that get nothing (i.e. VEAP). Take what is available and move on. The post 9/11 GI Bill is not perefect but it is better than past programs. And it is still an entitlement program and we could lose it all if we keep saying more, more, more……
So really after a whole 18 month deployment you think you deserve a full ride? Wow truly guard mentality
You're joking right? You think the guard is a service that is comparable to active duty Marines or Army? Weekend warriors don't deserve any of the money allocated for REAL veterans. Try wearing a uniform for 13 months in Iraq or Afghanistan instead of getting a fresh haircut once a month in the states, THEN request benefits. Mediocre military need to stop complaining, because they really haven't done shit.
I just retired after 24 years of the Army 82d, and Special Forces. So I think I have some right to speak about the subject, and lets not speak of 6 deployments. Not just righting to you Tim. Many guard and reserve guys have deployed, and lost limbs, been in burn centers, eyes, and or their lives. And for those of you talking about Viet Nam or WW II my hat is off to them. Yes they had it rough lets not kid ourselves. But they paved the way for us in many ways, as we are paving the way for the future. So lets not talk about each other and focus on the issues, not the inequaties of the pay or entitlements. God Bless all of our Men and Woman reguardless of branch of service, or job.
As a Vietnam Combat Vet (LRRP) I want to thank you for your comments. All us vets regardless of what war we fought in need to fight for all our rights. But let's not forget the Korean war vets who have all often been ignored as well. I personally gave up two promising college scholarships to go over and serve. Does this country owe us a debt, yes and forever. Without the men and women making the sacrifice, the world would be a different place today.
Your crazy buddy maybe you should have gone active duty. Then maybe you deserve something…..Pfff weekend warriors give active duty military a bad name you suck. Think about WWII vets and Vietnam, you are lucky people even let you enlist in the guard.
Man all the Vets coming out of every war prior to this have had life really hard. Anyone that talks smack about thanking a vet evidently never had to deal with someone that came from the jungles or the beaches. You should all be ashamed that you are talking about Veterans and Veterans Day. Just because the government does not give you what you feel YOU are entitled too. Remember just because YOU want it does not MEAN you will get it. Hell I want a MILLION dollars. BUT you do not see me whining cause I did not get it. I am a vet, I AM getting the GI post 9/11. AND I paid the 1200 in for the original GI Bill. YOU SHOULD ALL BE ASHAMED OF YOURSELVES!!!
HAPPY VETERANS DAY I THANK A VET EVERYDAY OF MY LIFE FOR MY FREEDOMS AND THEIR SERVICE!!!!!!!!!!!
dude what the f…. is up with all the inner military bashing crap…..it kinda makes me sick in this day and age that some of the active duty guys on here still want to sit and bash ng soldiers….we all made choices on branches to enlist in but the big point is we all made a choice to serve in one form or another….its really not fair to judge upon the fact of ng…..i will put myself out there by stating i've been in th ng for 17yrs now…in that time i can say that i spent almost (11months} of it serving in iraq back in 04 and back on the board for afganistan next year……now please keep in mind yes alot of people deploy overseas and never leave fobs…i'm infantry…wish i didnt leave the fob but guess what….dont judge upon our career because we are ng…i went to ft,benning and got the same training as everyone else..the only diff is i went home to my job and a family i had to help take care of
I hate to say it Joshua, but that may help you more than hurt you. I was active for 8 years and served 27 months in Iraq. That's what some people are saying. While you received the same training you didn't live the same life. Miss holidays, Stand by on rapid deployment status. I do agree that NG and reserves deserves some compensation. But I also feel that the amount should fit the service. You lived your life, active gave a portion up.
Meant hurt more than help. Sorry.
I am surprised by all the rhetoric against the Guard or Reserve getting the 9-11 GI bill. I served on multiple deployments while Active Duty and has been deployed as a reservist. It is far easier to deploy while Active Duty, your pay doesn't get slashed it actually goes up, your family doesn't have to change doctors and figure out a whole different health coverage system, and when you return being deployed counts for you in Active Duty but as a reservist you have to fight to rebuild your career damage done by being gone. And I know guardsmen that were deployed for over 2 years, their orders started as title 10 and were switched to title 32, at the time they didn't care….now its costing them benefits even though they were deployed right next to Active Duty.
Annihilator,
Please contact the VA again and talk to someone else. If you served in a combat zone for eighteen months you are entitled to the Post 9/11 GI Bill. You may not get 100% but you will get something, I haven't looked up how much but it is on the VA website. It gives you who qualifies and how much you qualify for.
The exact thing happened to me.
Mr Howell, What are they trying to fix?
Here is s quick list of proposed upgrades to the Post-9/11 GI Bill:
– Expand the program to cover Vocational and OJT Programs
– Give Guard and Reserve Full Credit for Full Time Served
– Provide Living Stipend to Veterans Utilizing Distance Learning
– Simplify the Yellow Ribbon Program
– Grant active duty students a book stipend worth $1,000/year
– Increase Vocational Rehabilitation monthly benefits by up to $780/month
– Reimburse students who take multiple accreditation/certification tests
– Allow enlistment kickers to be transferred to dependents
– Increase VA reporting fees paid to schools
– Simplify the types of discharges that qualify for benefits
Mr Howell, Thank you.
Because of their poor system I had stoppage placed on my GI Bill that I have been using for a couple years now and have been waiting a couple months to get paid while my wife and I are struggling to pay bills and feed our 3 month old baby. Appreciate it non-Veteran government. I bet their pay doesn't stop if their is an issue in their finance office.
If you and your wife were struggling maybe you two should have thought about that BEFORE you decided to have a baby. How about a little personal responsibility. Remember, the government earns no money. All of the government’s resources comes from Americans who EARNED it and had to give it to the government. So, as you’re complaining about the hand out that the government has not given you, think about those who are responsible people, have made their own way, but are forced to pay the government their hard earned money so that the government can turn around and give it to you. Stop complaining about not receiving what you did not earn and dedicate yourself toward taking care of your family without looking for a hand out from others.
The money that you are talking about that people have EARNED is going to people who had the courage to step up and say I will put myself in harms way for others! I will fight for the freedom of others! I will risk everything I have, I will uproot my children and wife every three years to a new duty station so that another family can sit and have dinner with no worries! Freedom isn’t free remember that! You should really shitty about what you just said or take It somewhere else maybe to the people that approve low life drug addicts who sit on there a**es and get a link card and Medicaid! For doing what……not fighting or risking there life for you?
Uh Scott, I don't know that much about the NEW GI Bill but under chapter 30 (The Montgomery GI Bill), Veterans put IN $100 dollars a month for 12 months. Now after 20 years of service (US Army Retired). I am going BACK to college after earning 2 degrees in the Military. Please don't say that Veterans did not EARN ANY educational benefits. Or are being GIVEN anything. Even the new Joes EARNED this new GI Bill. I do not know if you spent any time in Iraq, but I did two tours there. Please make sure you look at the GI Bill website under Chapter 30 before you post. Thanks!
The post 9/11 G.I. Bill does not require a deposit by the veterans. Regardless, I think it's a great benefit. My son is currently using my transferred G.I. benefit to go to college. My problem is those that complain that what they "rate" is not good enough. The whole feeling of entitlement is what I have a problem with. I'm a Marine who has served over 25 years. I've served in Desert Storm and OIF, have deployed 9 times all over the world and still believe that not 1 American owes me anything. Today no one in the military has been forced to serve. We have an all-volunteer force and each service member gets paid on the 1st and 15th – no one is serving for free. If there is some benefit that is made available based on your duty stats then by all means take advantage of it; just stop freaking complaining that is not enough because no one owes you anything.
Hey A. Scott. It is not a handout. We do not get paid well and this is part of our overall compensation package. If your job decided to stop paying you as it was struggling with solvency…. you would be pretty pissed as well. Also… He may actually have been active duty. If that is the case…. He actually PAID into this system to have the money at a later time for school.
The point is that we as Vets did EARN benifits and we servered so those people who are wealthy can be wealthy and comfortable in their million dollar homes.
Hello!!! He earned his GI Bill benefits – they are a part of his compensation for military service!!! GI Bill benefits are not handouts!!! And he is using the benefits I'm sure to help gain more education in order to provide well for his family. Why don't you do a little research before you open your big mouth and do not judge lest ye be judged! And why don't we leave the precious 3 month old baby out of it that I am sure is the light of their life!!! They were probably making ends meet just fine before their earned benefits were cut by the irresponsible, corrupt government that does not use our hard-earned money wisely. Our veterans earn every penny of their pay and compensative benefits and the goverment with their messed up priorities (yes – reelection) screws them over time and time again!!! Wise up!
Heroes serve honorably and ask for nothing. Individuals who serve (and get paid on the 1st and 15th by the way) and think everyone now owes them something do not fit that category. I''m an active duty Marine with over 25 years of service. Don't preach to me about the hardships of military life.
OH…your son didn't serve…but he is getting paid…keep your crap to yourself! Tell your non-serving son to earn his gi benefits…and stop taking a handout!
More like UN educated spouse. One of the nice things about the Post 9/11 GI Bill is the fact you may transfer benefits to family members based on the servicemember's record of service. Thus A Scott's son is merely using benefits his father EARNED and as such are not hand outs.
I am a retired 29 year Navy CWO and agree entirely with A Scott some people will complain no matter what. Sounds like our friend Chris and family were counting on an entitlement rather than acting prudently and making sure they had a solid financial plan.
I was going to respond but decided there is no reason to explain my discontent with those who feel ENTITLED to someone else's earnings and complains because a free benefit is not enough. The only thing you're entitled to is your own opinion and I'm entitled to mine.
*continued from below*
Now that he is back on the ship, he has to be at work at 6am every morning and usually doesn't get off until around 6 or 7 everyday. Plus, he has duty every 3 days. This will be the second holiday season that I will not be able to spend with him because he is now being forced to work on Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Eve this year. I have yet to celebrate any of these holidays with him since we have been married. Now without the seperation and hazard pay, he is making even less than minimum wage for the hours and work he puts in.
I am very sure you are aware of military life, but I do think that a college degree has been more than earned considering all of the work he does for the very little hourly pay he is receiving and the holidays with family he is giving up.
Do you work, to help support your family? Don't forget that we also earn bas and we get a sizable bah. If your husband wanted more money, he should have gone to college first then started a family….just sayin'. I'm so tired of people acting like we're this big gigantic charity case. We are given free medical with saves us over $14,000, plus your husband is awarded 30 days of PAID leave a year. If he wanted a holiday off I guess he should have submitted for leave….
The simple fact it, that no one owes a person something, heck,
I was injured (TDRL), and used CHAP 30 until I was granted CHAP 31 by the VA, and yes it takes a long time, but so what, the fact that you (I) was able to get assistance from the VA assist me in obtaining my BA and MS.
As far as I am concerned, we all know that the process takes time, which is why people must request things early, when you're out, you are your own admin, you need to plan ahead, think what will happen if something doesn't work out, and have a plan for it, and if that doesn't happen, have a plan for that as well. I'm happy to say that being in NATO was helpful.
As far as struggling to take care of your baby, I hate to say it, but you're preaching to the choir on that one, most people are having issues right now, but you should be happy for what you have.
YN2 Sends
A Scott, I’m on board with you. Our GI Bill benefits are extremely generous, far better than most of our fellow citizens have it. Can they be improved? Sure they can, but it costs and must come from somewhere, and thats the taxpayer. Service in the military is exactly that, service to our country. We are paid well and receive great benefits that we should be very thankful for, definitely better than those who served before us. An entitlement mentality that any of us are somehow “owed” more because we provide freedom is arrogant. Just as the American people should be grateful for what we do in the military, we should be grateful for what they have done for us.
Im a fan. I love your comments…Scott for president!
Educated Spouse, Do you know what you are talking about?
Let me start by saying that I am an active duty spouse. My husband will end his 5 year enlistment next summer and will be using the Post 9/11 GI Bill. We do not feel that he is owed anything. However, I do feel as if he has earned the right to this benefit. My husband is in the Navy and has been on one 8 month ship deployment and last year at this time he was in the middle of a year deployment to Iraq where he was attached to the Army. While he was over there, he worked 13 hour days for 6 days a week sometimes 7 guarding detainees, dealing with prison riots, and training the Iraqi Correctional Officers so they could take over. Even with BAH and all of the hazard pay and family seperation, he only earned around 9.50 an hour for all of the work he did over there.
I had the GI Bill that was prior to the Montgomery GI Bill back in the late '70s. When I got out of the Navy in 1980, I was told I had 10 years to use my educational benefit. I started to use that benefit in late 1988. Somewhere around January or February of 1989 I get a letter from George Bush Sr. telling me that my benefits were being discontinued; I was livid! That was the 2nd time the government had screwed me. I had to pay for my education from then on; and believe me, I payed for it. I already had known, from the first time, that I could not trust the government. Now I'm back in school to finish what I started, getting my Bachelor's in electronics. After reading these posts, I can only suppose that my GI Bill educational benefit is but a distant memory. Maybe something will change in the future and all of these wrongs will be righted.
Arf,
Information is power, never let one person stop you! You should have contacted the VA. I got off active duty in 1990. Went into the guard, went on active duty in the guard and I am still using my benefits today more than 20yrs later. Each active duty period gives you a dilemeting date extension. Please check into your benefits with the VA.
Reply to all:
How about you all stop bitching and just let it go? Some people are stupid and think everyone owes them something. Some people work for their shit and then get fucced over. Some people don't do anything and reap benefits from others. Thus is the circle of life. Get over it.
This is the new propaganda of the mission accomplish and handed down to the the democrats.to go figure or fight it in Congress. almost the same course as the Stop-Loss. after all the said and done, we as Vets had to suck it up for another 20 years or so..and, or ,otherwise, your dead. Loving it so tender..ly.
Am I in a twilight zone? where just a number… if you all remember.
What in the world are you trying to say? It's difficult to undersatand.
DJ you're too kind to Delta. You should have said, "Hey Delta, you are a freakin' illiterate! Learn to spell and write with even just a little grammar (say, 4th grade?) and maybe someone will know what the hell you are even trying to convey ("convey"; big word I know)"
HEY DELTA!! Keep dreaming along with your propagandists liberal idiots. They tell you one thing, just to get people like you to vote for them, and then do another, like take our DAV, and military benefits away. Wise up, and realize the dums HATE the military, like bubba did, and will NEVER do anything to help us out. What is it going to take for you misinformed vets, to realize they ALL should be GONE. WAKE UP!!
This would be great if the change the law. If they do that they should allso change the stipulation on holding 7 credits to get the bah. It should be that if you have 7 credits in a semester that you get the bah pay.
Where do you see or who told you you have to hold 7 credits to get bah. I was told I only need to have 1 class on camps to get bah.
You are correct Ziggy. You were told right. The way schools do it is the one class is 7 credits.
You take one class = 7 credits= bah.
Ziggy, although you do need to have at least one on campus class, you also need to be enrolled in 7 units. If, for example, you have two class and one is online while the other is on campus but they are both 3 units each, no bah. If one class was 3 units and the other is 4, then you get the bah. If they are both online then no GI Bill period…
The problem Daniel has is if he is taking fast track classes (which are only half a semester) then he doesn't get bah because even though he took 7 units in the semester, one class was after the other instead of two classes at the same time.
I am currently enrolled online with UoP and take one 3 dredit class at a time, and have a 1 credit class for the semester (elective class). I am receiving my full BAH even though I am only technically fullfilling 4 credits at any given moment. My pay is distributed a bit differently since enrollment varification has to be completed every 5 weeks, but I assure you, I receive my full BAH.
BTW, 7 credits a semester only makes a person a half time student, and you will not receive full BAH for that. You can elect to receive 1.2 time status though
I am getting BAH at 8 credits, but I was told that as long as you are half time or more (at my school that is 6 credits) you get your full BAH payment as long as you take at least one credit on campus so I may be a school related thing?
To qualify for the monthly housing allowance (based on, but not the same as, BAH) you must have an enrollment status of MORE THAN half-time in courses that apply to your approved program of study and at least one credit of classes must be in-residence (not hybrid or distance learning, field study-type courses or independent study).
Less than half-time, half-time and full-time enrollment and credit requirements vary by and are determined by the school (quarterly/semester/non-standard terms?). Always verify with your school's certifying official (SCO) what courses would apply towards the GI Bill before enrolling because those are the only credits you can be certified for benefits.
Active-duty students also need to remember they don't get the housing allowance because they already get BAH, but they can get FULL tuition and fees (T&F) paid no matter what the limit is for T&F in the state where they go to school (even if they go to a non-public school).
The Senators and congress won’t ever lose their benefits, which they don’t deserve. It’s shameful. They just have to work one day and they are SET for life. Our military and Veterans have given a heck of a lot more and they are treated like ****. It’s NO FAIR. They get medical for life and our retirees have to go through **** to get the little they get, and their family gets less than that.
Finally someone with some sense, that is called capitalism
Hey My Fellow VETS,
I know it isn't perfect because I've had my share of problems changing from one school to another….However, not all of the problems lay on the shoulders of the VA…The VA Certification Reps at whatever school you're attending can screw the pooch and you in a second…You really have to follow up with local Cert Reps and the folks @ the VA-GIBILL section…I've already had 2 instances where the School Rep didn't send in the right paperwork one time and sent the wrong info the other time….Keep in touch with your regional VA office to see where you stand, because if it isn't right there you won't see a single dime come your way. They have been a great help to me….
And Happy Veteran's Day…..YOU ALL DESERVE IT!
You are so right it is the VA Rep at the schools that is F'ing up most of the time. My big mistake was enrolling without checking to see if it was a "Military Friendly" school. Mine is not on the list go figure!!!!! I did my paperwork in July the semester is almost over and I still have not received a single check. Thank God I have a job!!
I used to work as a Veterans Claims Examiner for the GI Bill, and yes you are correct, Butch. Many times the school reps that send in your enrollment verificaton make big mistakes and cause issues with no fault of the veteran. Just make sure you work closely with your school rep, and go to them immediately if you experience pay issues.
You are absolutely right. I made that mistake. I registered early and the certification did not reach VA until 10/05. I presently have not received it yet. I also only got up to the 13 of Sept. 600.00 or so. Kep us informed.
I agree…The important thing to do when collecting the Post 9/11 GI Bill is get to know the people at the VA office…The better they know you the better they help you….their human just like us sometimes they forget things
I can't even get my VA Rep to call me back. She never submitted my cert for the fall term. I just received notice from the VA that it was submitted for both fall and spring. Fortunately I work and could pay the bills in the meantime.
Yours was transferred you did not earn it so please stay out of the real, make me sick to hear you eve ncomment like you earn this.
how many years do you have in real?
I just retired after 30 years and earned my GI bill rights. I gave my benefits to my daughter. And, to say that my daughter did not earn it, I say BULLSHIT.
Real Vet, Don't be a hater, good gosh. Mara, congrats on going to school, that rocks. Your Dad earned it, and he gave it to you, working as intended. Use it well and best of luck to you
You're out of line Real Vet – anyone who is the child of a military member HAS earned it. They sacrifice so much but noone ever asked them if they want to. They are forced into it. They endure countless birthdays and holidays, special occasions and so many regular days without their parents around. But so young, they do not understand why. So if they get some benefits passed on to them, they DESERVE it!
Speaking as a former dependant, dependants don't "deserve shit!" I have cousins whose dad was a Veteran, and they believe they had it rough. They were never Veterans. Speaking as a Veteran who is currently using my post 911 gi bill, I earned it. It 's a gift if I transfer it. My dad, who is a Veteran, has been screwed over quite a few ways by the VA. I learned to persevere and plan by his example. If anyone geniuses on here can draft up a proposal instead of bitch and cry about it, then maybe something will get done! It's known as having a solution to a problem!
You sound bitter
You are a hater and I feel sorry for you – you're probably a perpetrator too.
You are a disgrace, your atitude is carnal. With out our families we wouild all sink into the muck that we all share in. Our families are the anchors that link us to real life. Our families certainly deserve it and it is about time that our benifits are ours to do with as we please. Transferring benifits to our kids who can really use it when sometime we can not. This is the best move the politicians have ever made and it keeps the government from geting the money back. I am a conservative Vet and am proud of it.
Real Vet……you obviously missed the "real" lesson the military teaches, the lesson of teamwork. Like or not the kids are part of the team and don't deserve any crap for using the GI Bill that our elected leaders approved.
So, I have one thing no I haven't served and have chosen not to but I have seen my father maybe 20 times total in the 16 years he has been in the navy and I am only 19. I still to this day though support his choice to be in the navy and he will always be my hero. I don't think you all realize what it takes to be a wife or child of a military personel. I know it is not half as bad as what you all go through but it is still hard. I have seen my dad a total of 3 birthdays, 2 christmas, 2 thanksgivings, 5 new years my whole life, which is a very short life. So, you can degrade and say horrible things about me but I have done nothing wrong. I have seen problems here and there but nothing that should cause everyone to freak out about. If you paperwork is going through call, if your bills aren't getting paid call. You have to keep one them. I have had to and all my bills have been paid and my living allowance has always been on time. I think you all and your dependents should just be greatful of what you have and the support you have.
God Bless and Happy Verterans Day! I appreciate everyone thing you all do for me and everyone else!
You have received an awesome gift. Like me, you learned to be on top of things. When you are done with college, and are interested, check out some commissioning programs. My mom and siblings and I got squat for those missing days and nights. So, I have a problem when people use the dependent arguement. I bet you are very grateful for your dad's service and his gift. This Veteran appreciates your thanks and wishes you well. Never forget what you went through, and never use it as a crutch!
dear real vet, obviously you have issues and I would be more than happy to get you the help you need. Do you suffer PSD. Maybe some counseling would help. Your reply to this dependent is indicative of a deeper issue which should be addressed.
Real Vet, kids of servicemen and women do deserve it because most of them grow up without a parent around. My husband was deployed for the majority of the time that he was in the service and our kids missed out on a great deal because of it.
And to make it worse, he retired November of 2008, so he does not even qualify to transfer the money even though he was gone during the first Gulf War and left on 9/11 for the second one.
I know just how the G.I.'s must feel. Our Elite congress (bunch of crooks) are only in it for them selves.
I have been waiting 64 years for some sort of Benefit fro these crooks.
WWII Merchant Marine Widows Denied Widow Benefits By 54 Senators
This is a list of the Senators That Refuse to Honor The Merchant Marines of WWI
Most of them have never fought for America, went to collage instead
Lamar Alexander, R-MO did not serve. John Barrasso, R -WY did not serve.
**Robert Bennett, R- UT served. **Jim Bunning, R -KY did not serve.
**Roland Burris, D -IL did not serve. **Richard Burr, R -NC did not serve.
Robert Byrd, D -WV did not serve. Thomas Carper, D -DE served.
Saxby Chambliss, R -GA did not serve. **Tom Coburn, R -OK did not serve.
Bob Corker, R -TN did not serve. John Cornyn, R -TX did not serve.
**Michael Crapo, R -ID did not serve. **Jim Demint, R -SC did not serve.
**Byron Dorgan, D -ND did not serve. John Enzi, R -WV did not serve.
**Russelll Feingold, D -WI did not serve. Dianne Feinstien, D -CA did not serve.
A1 Franken, D -MN did not serve. **Judd Gregg, R -NH did not serve.
Kay Haganm, D -NC did not serve. Orrin Hatch, R -UT did not serve.
**Daniel Inouye, D -HI served. **Johnny Isaakson, R -GA did not serve.
Tim Johnson, D -SD did not serve. Edward Kaufman, D -DE did not serve.
Paul Kirk, D -MA did not serve. Herb Kohl, D -WI did not serve.
Jon Kyl, R -AZ did not serve. George LeMieux, R -FL did not serve.
Carl Levin D -MI did not serve. Claire McCaskill, D -MO did not serve.
Richard Luger, R -IN did not serve. **John McCain, R -AZ served.
Mitch McConnell, R -KY did not serve. Jeff Merkley, D -OR did not serve.
Bill Nelson, D -FL did not serve. **Harry Reid, D -NV did not serve.
Jim Risch, R -IN did not serve. John Rockerfeller, D -WV did not serve.
Jeff Sessions, R -AL did not serve. Jeannie Shaheen, D -NH did not serve.
**Richard Shelby, R -AL did not serve. Jon Tester, D -MT did not serve.
**John Thune, R -SD did not serve. **David Vitter, R -LA did not serve.
George Voinovich, R -OH did not serve. Mark Warner, D -VA did not serve.
Jim Webb, D -VA ?????? Rodger Wicker, R -MS served.
Lindsey Graham, R -SC ??????
Of the 56 Senators only 6 are REAL Veterans, The rest were BUSY going to collage.
John McCain was a prisoner of war, it seems odd that He would deny the 671 Merchant
Marines that were POW'S and were enslaved to build bridges by the Jap7s, and to work on the
"Highway to Hell".
When did the Merchant Marine get veteran status for WWll service?
Some WWll mariners got veteran status on January 19, 1988, after a
long court battle. Mariners who went to sea on August 15, 1945, serving
in wartime in hazardous waters, got veteran status on November 11,
1998. They were not treated "equally under the law," in direct
violation of the Constitution NO.Applications by the U.S.
great point donald……you know to add on to your point….I would have you check out the "congressional report card" on the IAVA website…here is the link… .http://iavaaction.org/report-card
..basically they grade each congressman and senator………..its surprising that most republicans got Ds and Fs and Dems got mostly Bs……the way this was calculated was that for every vet initiative the rep supported, they scored a point. Then those points were precentaged out of 8 or 9 possible to award their grade! check it out.
Donald
Its a real shame that we have to take these steps and place the names of politicans who did not serve. As a military man, I've served for over 13 years and will continue to serve until I retire. I can honestly say after serving, I wouldn't want every politician to have a military back ground. Not every leader in the army will make a good politician and this country is a democracy not a dictatorship. Despite what some Vets have been brainwashed to believe, not all members in congress that have served have our best interest at heart, how about putting the names of those indivduals up there on Vet's day to let all of these folks know who really is un american. And one last note, when I retire, I hope and pray my Son's take a different route than I did, the miitary life is a good one, but the world is too large to limit your potential.
Ronald E. Nixon
1LT, USA
James Webb, D-Va served as a Combat Marine Grunt Officer in Vietnam
him and McCain are the only Real combat vets I see on your list.
COLLEGE is how you spell it.
Inouye was awarded the MOH, served in Italy.
As I recall the Merchant Marine were under fire before Pearl Harbor—so that's before December 1941 not 1945.
My opinion they are easily vets and should be entitled to that status/benefits.
"Victory Ships" were a HUGE target and Many Many must have died or been through hardships in the name of freedom.
I feel lucky I even HAVE mine…..if the tea baggers had their way…it would be eliminated.all together…hell Rand Paul even discussed cutting the actual MILITARY BUDGET……in the middle of AFGHANISTAN!!!! (remember GI Bill is an entitlement program…separate and NOT covered by congressinal military spending)…well at least they are keeping the IMPORTANT programs around like the TSA….I dont know what I would do if I did not have some guys glved hand rubbing my ass just to get on a plane!!! look to all of you having troubles with this, my deepest thoughts, and my biggest hopes for you! I DO thank you for what you do!
"teabaggers" LOL Oh how funny you libs are who want everyone else to pay your way. Oh never mind I see you cited IAVAACTION as a legitimate source in determining who you should vote for. Heck why do any research for yourself when you can simply read the Huffing and Puffing Post and it's sub-outlets…
Your "deepest thoughts"? Quite a nebulous sentiment and man that just doesn't give me any sense of comfort for some reason.
`
so if I dont like the teabaggers that means i am automatically liberal!?! and I am not quite sure when I said I wanted anyone to pay for ANYTHING of mine. I just hate irrationalists (on either side of aisle) and if we must cut some things how about all the $$ we waste on TSA, drug laws and enforcement thereof, if these idiots are REALLY about smaller govt, slash the IRS and implement a fair tax, and you say I DONT research!?!? yeah…youre right ill just get my information from Glenn Beck in between commercial breaks of American Idol! :)
oh and sorry I dont "give you any comfort" …..not touching that one dude!!!!
What an idiot you are. Your people in office right now want to slash the military so much it is a suprise we still have a military.
You need to understand what you're talking about before spouting "bumper sticker rhetoric!"
and who would MY PEOPLE in office be!?!? Senator Jim Webb ( a Marine veteran of the vietnam war) is the one who implemented the new GI bill, the tea baggers want to slash it. But I suppose I am not allowed to dissent to irrationalist. Yes, some on that side are irrational as well and they got theirs a week ago. But if they are REALLY about cutting spending, I can think of VARIOUS prgrams that need to go besides soldier benefits.
Read this:
The Senate bill, introduced by Sen. Daniel Akaka (D-Hawaii), chairman of the veterans’ affairs committee, has 26 co-sponsors. Rep. Walt Minnick (D-Idaho) introduced an identical bill (HR 5933) in the House. It already has 121 co-sponsors including Rep. Bob Filner (D-Calif.), chairman of the House veterans committee.
A large percentage of us tea baggers are Veterans. You can label us what you want but we are voting and yes we have our own preferences but we DO LOVE OUR COUNTRY. You were wrong about Sen. Webb and you are wrong about us. You sound like a typical liberal, ALWAYS looking to blame someone else. You wear blinders so you can't see the whole picture.
You need to go to some sort of school. Some dems even talk about how dumb our people are. Remember that?
Folks if you are National Guard your state benefits are almost as good as the GI Bill – don't snivel – the post near the top has it right – we're going through none of the hard times the Viet Nam vets had with society in general.
BTW – no one promised you benefits and then pulled them. You or someone who was ill-informed interpreted something incorrectly. There has been no change to the New GI Bill since it became law, so you can't have been eligible for something that you now aren't getting.
Not to slight a snivel or service at the top, but Post-9-11 Active Duty doesn't sound like a deployment, therefore is not Active Federal service, nor does it make you eligible for veteran status in many states – go to the laws, get yourself informed and don't be a perpetrator – perpetrators make it worse for everyone and give all those who serve and have served a bad name.
peace –
I completly agree with this post!!!! There is one thing that I think is wrong with the Post-911 GI Bill though and that is the fact that you don't have to pay in to be entitled to this benefit. I paid in when I enlisted and even paid the extra "kicker". Sometimes people pay into something they don't take for granted what they have. Even though I hear the VA will pay the money back when I graduate and use all my entitlement, I could never think of a better investment in my future beside the day I enlisted.
I was AGR under tittle 32 and tittle 10 when I served in Iraq between the two of them I have just under 5 years of active duty. Now with the tittle 32 I was able to pay into the old GI Bill (30) and I can get 100% of that GI Bill. So way does only my Tittle 10 time count for how much Im getting for the new GI Bill 60%. Can someone tell me why I can get a full chapter 30 and just over half of the post 9/11 with the same amount of time in?
I am in the same boat, 8 yrs total service, 5 yrs AGR w/ 18 mo. in Iraq, I had 100% of the CH. 30. When the Post 9/11 first came out I made my "irrevocable" decision to get my 100% of the new CH. 33 (which I was granted in writing). After resigning my AGR job, moving out of state, and beginning college, I received a letter from the VA downgrading my eligibility. So now I am SOL. After many long conversations with VA reps, I was been told that the mistake was inadvertent (congress did not mean to leave the guard out) and a fix was coming. But I guess not, sorry dude, I guess we should have gone into the reserves instead of the guard.
Sir, saying my state benifits are almost as good, is like saying my service was almost as good. I can tell you for a fact that I and my fellow guardsmen supported the Federal mission as much or more than many of our title 10 counterparts.
I agree that we were not promised anything in return for that service, and neither were our title 10 counterparts. The post 9/11 bill was written after the majority of those benefiting from it were already in service. What I do say is that a large portion of our veteran population are being denied equal benefits. This bill was introduced to correct that inequity.
You seemed to be severely missinformed about the role of the National Guard in supporting the current gulf war. Before you accuse us of sniviling or perpetrating, get yourself informed.
The four NG units supported by my organization were constantly in theater from March 2002 until today. Even those guardsmen that never stepped foot in the battlefield served that mission. They were instrumental in insuring that those that did go were properly trained, supplied and equiped.
i have to disagree with the understandings of ng deployments also……say a active soldier serves under a 3 yr contract , if he deploys overseas for a 6 month combat tour out of his 3 yr enlistment , he still recieves 3 yrs of active time in calculating his benifits…..now speaking for myself i have been in for 17yrs….within those years i served an 18 month deployment with oif2 having 11 months on dround…a 6 month deployment at the us mexico border, i spent 2 years deployed around my state away from home and my job after 9/11, and many other small activations ….va recognizes only my deployment to iraq…..is it fair that my time serving isnt the same as joe's time sitting on base waiting to deploy?
I have the Chapter 30 MGIB and it was promised to me!! I do not fully understand the new Post 9/11 GI Bill, however, I can say that I completely disagree with your information about the National Guard State Benefits being just as good. I was in the Florida National Guard and they failed to pay for 3 classes I was taking. The tuition only covered $4,500 a year. I was getting $1400 a month from my GI Bill, so NO THE BENEFITS DO NOT EQUAL AND ARE NOT THE SAME!!! My husband is a Recruiter for the National Guard and I know all to well how the State Tuition Assistance Program works.
Sir, you hit the nail smack on the head!! The VEAP was available for me when I enlisted in 79' and I have my Masters degree from Norwich University now. My degrees in conjunction with my ARMY education as well as the grace of God have provided for me and my family quite well. Knowing what you are and are not "entitled" to is the key to an individual's success for failure. Also having the good common sense to ask questions when you simply don't know what is or is not available to you makes all the difference in the world. Knowledge is power, and never forget that.
This again is political as a Republican I am outrage that not one Republican is supporting this bill. The funny part is that the Republicans will fight for Wallstreet but not for us. I guess that I have been wrong thinking that my party truly support the troops. Its just words to them but I hope the Democrats keep the pressure on this bill because it looks like they are the ones fighting for our rights in congress.
This is a very difficult time to be supporting more entitlements – read the report – in order to provide more entitlements taxes have to be raised or another entitlement has to be cut- how about Grandma's Social Security or Welfare? be happy with what you have for now and suck it up – if you're not a vet from the recent Gulf War you're not eligible anyway…
Who are you trying to kid, that you are a Republican? THE REPUBS. HAVE NOTHING TO SAY TO THE DUMS THAT CONTROL CONGRESS, AND THE WHITE HOUSE, DOING THEIR CRAP BEHIND CLOISED DOORS, AND LOCKING OUT THE REPUBS. GROW UP, IDIOTS!!
Then prove it Devil pub. Prove that the Repubs are the ones that supporting this Post 911 GI bill. According to the article, all I see is the Dem. Senators did all the works. I respect Sen. Jim Webb, my senator, since i'm from Virginia because he fought for the bill to be implemented and he's also a Democrat.
This issue is non-partisan. S 3447 has strong bi-partisan support. Senator Burr is a co-sponsor as is Senator Murkowski and Snow. All three are great on veterans issues. Those three plus Webb, McCaskill, Akaka and Tester often work together on issues that help veterans. The leadership of both parties has failed but I want people to know there are senators working hard together on this.
I am sorry to see that some people don't understand that this is an issue of investment in veterans and not entitlement.
@ guest…..sir, LEGALLY this IS an entitlement although FUNDAMENTALLY I agree with you 200 percent, that this is a HUGE investment in our servicemembers who have once already exhibited a dedication to hard work and duty. but for congressional budgeting purposes, it comes out the entitlement sector. @ retiredLTC, devil dog, and a vet:
sirs, (or ma'ams if applicable)…. nobody would disagree with you on the point that this is NOT a time to boost entitlements although, I can think of VARIOUS other "entitlement" programs that could be cut down before GI educational benefits. (although I am a recipient of post 9-11, most of what I use to fund my legal education accrued from my savings from Afghanistan and Iraq) I think this is a great program and I was upset to hear some tea party candidates express a want to diminish it.
Bunch of weekend warriors crying because they can't skate even more? Give me a break. We Vets today have it made. The system isn't perfect, nothing ever is. STFU and be happy, nobody forced you to enlist.
yeah well when your legs, back and shoulder aretorn up from humpin your rear fo them and they, medically remove your hiney with nothing, except whatever you may or may not get from the VA, we shall see how you think then. I personally served 12 yrs and have back issues from an explosion, breathing issues from chemicals like MEK, and ammonium nitrates, the ammonium nitrate is propellant used in tank rounds so should I stfu when they shit on me after 13 yrsof dedicated service??????
Bunch of weekend warriors? Over 900 days of deployments…on weekends? promotions from work on hold…some folks come back to a company that has folded and hopes that instead of moving concrete they can go to school. I think we are ALL entitled to the SAME benefits. Same team Farva same goal. Pursue happiness. So while you "active" fellows continue to whine just how good we have it step out of that uniform for a day and try to find a decent job in this country without an education. I have played both sides of that field..15 years active. I was a lucky one to get a federal job and rolled my retirement right over. So after your "20" good luck.
You need to think before you speak, the National guard have made up 3/4 of the armed forces that have been fighting in both deployments. We are pulling 2, 3, 4 5 deploymemnts and are in the front along with everyone else so yes we are vets and do deserve the same benifits and we are not skating. Better look at your numbers and research before you open your mouth about the people servining next to you.
Weekend Warrior? Are you serious? As a Reservist, I have been deployed twice since 03. I have spent 2 of thelast 5 years in Iraq. I have a CAB and Purple Heart and multiple commendations. It's not a matter of 'skating' by. It's a matter of decency and respect. You and your comments are proof that even Vets can lack them both.
Hey Buckeye03, you are really showing your ignorance! The Guard (Army & Air) have active duty full-time positions (Title 10 and Title 32…you probably don't know the difference). It doesn't make any difference what branch of the service you are in, active duty is active duty…Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard, Army Guard, Air Guard…one active duty position is no better or worse than another one and they all deserve the same benefits.
Buckeye03, simply put, you are out of line. When you engage your mouth before you engage your brain, you demonstrate to every other soldier, sailor, airmen, marine and coastguards men (my apologies for the misspelling) just how uninformed you are. You further demonstrate your lack of compassion for those you served with. Lastly, with respect to your comment "STFU" and be happy." Well, the point of this diatribe is that many are not happy, and appear unwilling to just accept the answers being offered.
I believe the concept of "weekend warriors" ended with the first gulf war. I joined the Reserves expecting to be deployed at least twice in my 8 years … two tours in Bosnia and one in Iraq. By the time I got out I had more time deployed in a combat zone than some of my active duty peers.
Mara I sent this to the so called real vet
You are a disgrace, your atitude is carnal. With out our families we wouild all sink into the muck that we all share in. Our families are the anchors that link us to real life. Our families certainly deserve it and it is about time that our benifits are ours to do with as we please. Transferring benifits to our kids who can really use it when sometime we can not. This is the best move the politicians have ever made and it keeps the government from geting the money back. I am a conservative Vet and am proud of it.
I am disappointed in Congress and the VA about the way the GI Bill has been implemented. If you were fortunate to serve on active duty until Aug 2009 you could gift your GI Bill to your kids. If you served 20+ years like I did and retire in 2007 you CANNOT gift your GI Bill. And now you see Vets attacking other Vets because of the disparity of benefits. And then the VA puts it in your FACE by having a website state, "MY VA". Remove the bias and allow Vets to decide who they want to give their benefit to. I like many Vets would like to gift it to our wives & kids who also sacrifice for our service. Politicians need to allow us to make choices and stop setting up bureacratic programs. Mara, nice to see your dad give you a gift that will last a lifetime.
LCDR my husban experienced the same problem. He retired after 22 years of service, served on active duty in Iraq and is unable to transfer his benefits to our daughter. Something about this doesn't seem quite right.
As with every other incentive program… it has a finite life span. Everyone since the revolutionary war won't necessarily qualify for these benefits… Sounds like your hubby missed the window. I too had to pay full for my oldest daughter's school, simply because at the time she was ready to enroll the GI bill wasn't transferrable.
Transferability is not a "Gift", it is a retention incentive! Do you propose that every person who separated after 9/11/2001 should be allowed to transfer their benefits??? Why? Who's going to pay for all that??? The tax payers!! Politicians set dates on these enactments for a reason — in case you haven't noticed our country is swimming in debt as it is. Yes, there were some sunset provisions in the law for those with 20+ years that met transferability requirements who weren't required to serve an additional 4 years in order to maintain force shaping. If you’re really interested, you should inquire with your service about a possible recall on your retirement. You might be able to come back on active duty or reserve, serve a few more years and transfer your benefit to your family. Of course that all depends on your occupation and whether or not they need someone with your expertise. Complaining doesn’t help a situation. Figure out what you can do to make it better!
Did you NOT get anything YOU signed up for? Just because the grass got greener AFTER your time, doesn't mean you should retroactively get the same things promised the new kids. Waaaaah. And you're a LCDR?
DoD made the rules about transferring benefits to your dependents and established the timelines NOT VA. I would expect more from a LCDR!
I have to be honest with you all. We should be lucky we get anything. You’re all crying about bah and how much money you’re getting. Its college not prison, if you have kids to feed, get a damn job to feed them don’t rely on your gi bill to feed your family, frickin moron! How many hours of the week does school really take up? 20 MAYBE, quit all your damn crying, I bet 90% of you whinning joined your puke ass Reserve or Guard Unit for college anyways and then drive some brand new fully loaded Land Rover with a sticker for ever ribbon you have on the back window and then bitch you don’t have enough GI Bill on this. Suck it the f *** up and be happy what you get…oh and for the record I’m a democrat for all you granola folks out there about to accuse me of being a right winger.
Wow! what crawled up your pants leg? Seems to me this folks are only asking for what they have been told they are entitled to. Good for you that you have your college degree…what do you think these folks are trying to accomplish? 20 hours a week, huh? You sound just a little resentful and angry about something…..try a little empathy for others why don't you. Otherwise keep your comments to yourself.
Yes, did you attend college? For a fulltime student 20 hours of class a week is a heavy load of classes, I was being generous. I’m not trying to be a jerk, I did get a bit fired up but honestly the GI Bill is an amazing thing for vets, god knows I would not have been able to go to college without it, but it is an assistance tool for higher education and should not be a survival tool.
Hey marine vet and college grad: just wondering what college or degree you graduated with? I got my nursing degree and had all of about five hours a week to myself after clinicals and class and like six hours of sleep. So where do you suggest I fit time in for a job at? And I have kids and yes it does help with the bills and food. But apparently since I’m a moron me and my kids should just go hungry right. We earned these benefits and by the way just because you served and have a degree still means you can be a jacka$$ and from the sounds of it you are.
To all my brothers serving and home and to all the dependents who have lost a loved one happy veteran’s day. I wish you all the best and to be safe
Listen that comment was specifically aimed at the individual who said he can’t feed his 3 month old cause his GI Bill is late. Come on, you seriously don’t think this person is a moron? As a nurse who went to school with children and made it work, and I’m guess you fed your children, how and why would you ever allow yourself to be in a position where you don’t have a security blanket… for baby food?! Honestly? Also you asked and so Ill tell you I graduated from Western Illinois University with a bachelors in Law Enforcement and Justice Adminstration and am currently working on my JD from John. Marshall law school. I also would like to say sorry if my words were offensive but I really meant them all.
I understand what you are trying to get across, but I have a question for you. I have had to fight 2 yrs to get benefits & when they (Army) finally admitted they messed up I was given 100% Permanent retirement, but I have 2 children and bills, and had to pay out of pocket for everything because the govt wanted to lie about injuries. Did I mention, I had other jobs in addition to the military but because of the extent of the injuries, I could not work ANY job, civilian or military. So I lived out of my savings. I apply for educational benefits for the VA to say, sorry you are not a Vet. I am so glad that you have had a super easy go at things, but there are others out here who have been given a tough go. I pd into the system for a reason, so why should I not want to get the benefits. You may have meant what you said but I wonder if something should happen to you would you really feel the same.
What does that have to do with my argument? Sorry you got hurt but that has 0% to do with what I what I was writing on. If you are asking my opinion I would have to know more background on the injuries that resulted in your retirement. Ill say this first if it is not combat related, you might not like my answer either.
You make a couple of good points but I have to take offense at your guard and reserve comments. I served 4 years during Vietnam and a tour in SE Asia. Joined the reserves 10 years later and was called up for Desert Storm on a Wed. night and was in Dharan, Saudi Arabia by Sunday morning. A whole four days. How many active service do that? Was again activated for two full years in '03 thru '05 and did three tours in the sandbox. Just retired last year after 33 years at E9. Many guard and reserve members have been killed during all these conflicts. You sir, are an asshole for denigrating their service. Do some slack? Sure, just like a some active duty slack. Majority of both would die for their country if called upon. You need to get a life and quit thinking you're so special.
shut up, you sound like an idiot. Have you ever gone to college? Try working a full time job, while taking 15 credits and doing reserve drill. That is if you are lucky to get a decent job in a college town. I joined m,y reserve unit because I wanted to be an infantry Marine and still be able to attend college, possibly to become an officer in the future. The 333 dollars a month i receive does nothing. Obviously i didnt join for the money. And I watch kids who never served, smoke weed every day, whose parents were some admin puke receive full tuition, and not have to work a day in their life because of THEIR GI bill. In my opinion if you didnt serve, you should receive nothing. The only people other than veterans who should be eligible should be wives who's husbands have been on deployments. Its really not that hard being the child of a veteran. They have good lives, I grew up in poor, gang ridden neighborhoods and did just fine. And my 10 year old vehicle I worked very hard to acquire. Land Rover….what a dipshit.
Oh, good for you. Now go back to your books. You never served, so of course you do not see any problems.
So, I have one thing no I haven't served and have chosen not to but I have seen my father maybe 20 times total in the 16 years he has been in the navy and I am only 19. I still to this day though support his choice to be in the navy and he will always be my hero. I don't think you all realize what it takes to be a wife or child of a military personel. I know it is not half as bad as what you all go through but it is still hard. I have seen my dad a total of 3 birthdays, 2 christmas, 2 thanksgivings, 5 new years my whole life, which is a very short life. So, you can degrade and say horrible things about me but I have done nothing wrong. I have seen problems here and there but nothing that should cause everyone to freak out about. If you paperwork is going through call, if your bills aren't getting paid call. You have to keep one them. I have had to and all my bills have been paid and my living allowance has always been on time. I think you all and your dependents should just be greatful of what you have and the support you have. ____God Bless and Happy Verterans Day! I appreciate everyone thing you all do for me and everyone else!____
mara,
No question that dependents deserve the benefit. I've had severe problems with my post 9/11 GI Bill and calling doesn't really help. I wasn't paid for 4 months and believe me, I was on the phone quite often and several of the call center people knew me and my situation. The ed dept and debt collection dept did all they could and I appreciate their help but in the end all I could do was wait out the problem (which still hasn't been totally resolved. It got to the point that I was ready to drop out of school in order to get a full time job just to "put food on my family" the frustrating thing is that if I did drop out, I would end up owing the GI Bill a lot of money. I maxed out all my credit cards and borrowed money from everyone I knew to keep the college dream alive while waiting for the GI Bill to pay me. It would take too long to explain the exact details of my specific GI Bill problem but in the end it doesn't matter. The GI Bill is broken and needs to be fixed. But I'm happy for your good fortune not to have encountered any major difficulties.
My advise to everyone is not to let your life depend on GI Bill income. BE able to pay bills with other income before you begin your education.
Good luck and God Bless
Mara, God love ya.
But I feel a need to "raise my hand to save my watch". You're telling us that in 16 years your dad was only home for 2 Thanksgivings, 2 Christmases but 5 New Years? That is the part that caught my eye. Seems a tad odd how the holidays broke out. I can't say in my 29 years of Navy service that I ever saw Christmas and New Years broken up because it makes a nice transition period splitting the crew allowing as much leave as possible.
I recently retired in April 2008 after 29 years in a sea intensive job (sea to shore ratio of 5-1) so I understand how not only deployments disrupt family life but the under way training cycle is just as brutal. I must say I've never run into anyone unfortunate enough to miss 14 Turkeydays and Christmases in such a relatively short period.
Good to see you're making the most of your dad's much earned benefits and GOOD LUCK in your future endeavors.
God love ya!???? if that is the case then maybe he should pay for her school.
You don't have to be rude to Mara, her father earned that money and now she is using it because ne gave it to her. It doesn't sound like you have a family to share this same event with maybe thats why your upset about her success wth th GI bill.
OSC, this former LT knows what OSs do. Back off! Go back to sleep at your station.
I served 22 years. While on active duty, I earned two Engineering degrees, was married, raised 4 daughters, worked part time at one university for two years to put food on the table. Seemed like I averaged 4 hours sleep a night. It was tough, but I can say I earned my degrees. On top of that, I do not think my military job was easy as I was in a mobile outfit being deployed almost every month plus two combat tours. In fact in one course I was “punished” for not attending class even though my exam grades were 96, I got a “B” because the professor said I did not attend enough classes.
I took advantage of the tuition assistance program, but still had to pay quite a bit. Never had to use the GI Bill. I was thankful I had the opportunity and the value the military taught me about education. I had an outstanding economic professor that told the class the “GI Bill” is the best money the Government can spend as they reap benefits for years to come through increased earnings and taxes paid back.
Nothing in life comes easy and life is not always fair. For all, I hope you can get the benefits you deserve. We all want the extra help, but regardless, press on with life. Certain entitlements are deserved, but we seem to have become a nation of “where is my free ride”, and those who have do much, seem to get the most, while those who do the most, get the least. But know the satisfaction that what you earn will be more valuable than what is given to you.
On a side note, having worked around the military industrial complex for over 40 years, remember it is a BIG business. You wonder why Republican support the military – because it is BIG Business – and typically it lines their pockets. But the veteran is not part of that business – it is an entitlement (like taxes on a business), thus not part of their concern.
Very well said! My husband came in with one degree and is working on his second while being active duty. I am also working, taking care of our son, and going to school. Yes life is not full of fun and games right now but we are making one hell of a future for ourselves…after all we are the only ones responsible for what we get in life!
You have made several great points. I worked full time during my first two years of jr. college. The Post 9/11 came at a good since I was transferring to a university and tuition cost where much higher. I dont even have to work with this new bill, just live on a budget. I served our country to the best of my abilty, and use my entitled benefits. Most complaints probably come from those using unemployment pay and not looking for jobs. "Free Ride"? You are correct, we vets are the best this country has to offer. We are improving this country even more by gaining an education. The slow down in congress is debating about non traditional or vocational schools, not taking any benefits away. The majority of American public wants to take care of our veterans, they also want a better economy. Gain an education, contribute to the workforce. Complaints are not needed, understand the system, and suggestions will go further. Thanks for your input Vietnam Vet!
Your post says it all! Thanks for a well written and informative commentary.
One of the most intelligent statements I've read thus far. We all need to end the denial and embrace the fact that the military is a BIG Business and with most businesses the bottom line is what matters. The military will do what ever is neccessary to stay afloat. I'm sorry to say but, the Republicans in office are Capitalists in nature and that's why they support the military, not necessarily because of patriotic reasons. Think Reagan, Bush, Chenney, etc. They keep pulling the wool over our eyes and as soon as things go wrong they blame the Democrates who are left to pick up the pieces. And yes, I am a Vet.
Mara, good on you for taking advantage of what your father earned…its his right to give it to you. As for Dumba$$ reall vet…go piss up a rope you whiner. I retired from the AF with 24 years and am now a full time student using my post 9-11 GI bill. I tell you they are slow sometime but they do seem to catch up. I haven't had to call them but twice and that's because I go to school on-line and here in NM so it confuses the system. I Love the GI Bill and maybe it isn't perfect but I will get my BA next Aug and start a MPA or MBA soon after that. If your having trouble with the VA folks my advice is just hand in there and keep working on it. Good luck
@ Mara, I know things are going smooth for YOU, done the same for my son, the reason you have NO problem is because your parent had to fill out the hard part of the transfer application, plus on my side, I had trouble with the VA educational dept and the VA main section communicating, so my sons paperwork got screwed up. There are lot's of parts that work when going through a government program, you think it's easy, because your basically just reaping the reward, and didn't have to deal as much with the government, ask the parent that filled out the paperwork, bet their story is not as "simple" as yours!!
Our Gov. Has money for other country`s for aid but can`t even take care of our own. And know how to brake their promise to take care of our military. To me it`s just a ball faced lie like everything else they do. Viet Nam Vet.
I served in the Navy for 6 years and even paid $600 into the Kicker bonus to get an extra $6000 for my education. What are they doing with our money? That is our money for our education and it is very unfair for them to not pass this post 9/11 GI Bill. I joined the Navy on 9/22/01 Because of what happened in NYC. Dont take this away from us Vets again!!
But the 9/11 bill did pass. . ?
MOST of you people are pathetic or so ill informed that it is frightening. Have you looked at the national debt figure lately. So you want your money….so does everyone else. I wouldn't be surprised if we do not spend our way to third world status in 10 years time. If you want to pay for college get a job.
A very wise Greek historian stated that democracies usually only last about 200 years, as soon as the people realize that they can vote themselves large gifts from the public fund, democracies go bankrupt and fail, usually followed by tyrannical dictatorships. That person lived thousands of years ago. Was he a prophet or a student of human nature? Enjoy destroying our country?
wow Ken, pretty rough words there Pal, sure hope your with the tyrannical dictators, I and many of my friends will still be here to stop you, people venting and expressing their point of view for, or against, is fine with me. At least they are still with us to do so.
RLTW
You're pathetic. I wanted to pay for college so I did get a job… In the US military and earned my benefits just like everyone else. If you have a problem with the benefits maybe you should go lobby congress or something. BTW, I work full time and attend school too. But the GI Bill pays for my schooling and I wouldnt be going to school if I didnt earn that benefit.
So the people on Capital Hill should make more than the people who defend our country. You are a freaking idiot. Men and Women die every day to give you freedom. If the Senators and Representatives and President would CUT their salary, we wouldn't have a deficit. My husband serves his country proudly, just as I did. They want to cut our health care and pay because it's a "Volunteer service", well by george, so is playing football, baseball, and basketball. These people make millions of dollars a year and our soldiers can barely pay their bills or feed their families, You have no idea what military families go through on a daily basis and you never will.
Ken, serving your country and earning an entitlement isn't the flaw draining our economy. Going to school was a virtue Greek philosopher's platform. Now its riots when two month vacations and 20 hour work weeks are reformed. People who go to school contribute to our nation doubly so when they are vets. If you want people to know what your talking about, they teach philosophy there.
Well aren't you the home-grown political historian. Here's an idea: If you want to talk political science, major in it.
My experience has been that the only vets(I assume your at least a vet) who propose that other vets shouldn't expect the education benefits that the military advertises are those that couldn't make it through their first semester or never tried. College isn't for you and there's nothing wrong with that. I'm sure your very good at whatever it is you do that doesn't require any formal education whatsoever.
oh, btw ken, in case you haven't been paying any attention, and you haven't, greece is broke!!!! after thousands of years you would think they would get this government thing right, but they haven't. i fought and put my ass on the line when you were still sucking your thumb. for you to say stupid disingenuous things like you have uttered here,is disgusting. i will never go against any other citizens right to free speech, but to call anyone who has faithfully served our nation pathetic, is well, pathetic. it is your right to be a marxist-lenenist like our current president, but it is patriots like the rest of us that will eventually put you down, even if we have to give up all of our rightfully earned benefits and go broke in the process.
Thanks Ken. MOST of America IS mentally retarded or ill informed…about 1/4 of the population…due to generations of processed foods, depleted uranium, gays, and muslim americans. I pray to Allah (not really) that we can be more like the Holy Roman Empire VS. the Ottoman Empire, but that would involve decision making. Decision making is too risky for American govenment leaders. It is better a decision to discuss a decision about a decision than to make a decison.
Joshua (Holy Roman Empire) VS. Muhamed (Ottamon Empire)
sorry if I mis-spelled anything, I'm 1/4 retarded.
Best Regards!
WHAT HAPPENED TO BILLIONS OF DOLLARS BEING SENT TO AFG. EVERY MONTH? IT'S GOING TO THE BUG WIGS IN AFG SO THEY CAN SUPPORT THEIR FAMILIES IN A ROYAL MANNER.
WHY NOT SHUT THAT MONEY OFF AND GIVE TO THE BILL SO WE CAN HAVE SOMEWHAT OF LIFE.
I enjoy the Post 9/11, pays for classes and BAH, the additional money is great. The problem is actually receiving the pay, the process is slow and painful. VA reps at the school are the source of my problems, no concern on their part. There was delays in pay when the Post 9/11 was first introduced, I believe there has been improvements. This is a great program and I appreciate congress for passing the new Post 9/11. Commenting on here wont improve anything, place these concerns with your congressman!
Take an english class. Practice writing in complete sentences before attempting to join independant clauses with commas. Your english is elementary. I recommend a lower level english class. When you write your congressman, he will, likely, not take you seriously with poor english skill.
I understand what message you are conveying and I, too, agree: I am appreciative of the Post 9/11 Bill. I find that patience is a rare skill for your average American. I believe some time in the service has given me this insight.
Best Regards!
As a Viet Nam Vet, we are used to having less and work with it. We have been forgotten, denied and scorned for our service to our Country for over forty years, your learn to live with it.
When you get down to it there are many folks out there supporting us vets. However there is a huge group that could care less. Let me ask you this when you think of all your service men and women that are gone but not forgotten or KIA and compare the grave price that they had to pay you can look at it in two different lights. Does our country do enough to support the men an women in the service today? What is the cost of our lives on the line and how it is repaid? Aside from our honor within our own hearts how often do you see a flag displayed incorrectly or a hat not removed during the national anthem? How many of our veterans were not dealt a good deck of cards? Should this country not stop fighting for our veterans to have better lives? How many years of blood sweat tears did you put in? Can these years ever be restored? how many Christmas seasons did you miss? How about your kids growing up, or did you have a chance to start a family in the service? The country should get back to the roots and understand what veterans have done, take some pride in their own citizenship and give back to the vets something that they can use to improve their lives for dedicating theirs to protect our many rights and freedoms that we all enjoy.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE. I am a 32 year old vet, I have become a member of the VFW and I have learned a lot from the older veterans there. My uncle is a Vietnam Vet as well, and I appreciate everything you did for my freedom today!!! God Speed and God Bless!
I’m in the Post 9/11 GI Bill but its not easy living even with the BAH. I live in Los Angeles and go to a school without campus housing so have to use what I get to live, which means if it wasn’t for sharing my one bedroom apartment with a loft with a roommate I wouldn’t be able to survive here. A rent has only raised more in the past year but the amount for BAH has only lowered, esspecially if your caught paying back the $3000 advance payment! We need more money so we can live, if it wasn’t for my medical retirement money I’d stare!
you cant live off of having your full tuition paid, and receiving 1100$ a month, plus having your books paid, plus medical retirement? You need a part time job. Others have to work full time, quit complaining.
I'm in LA too and using the 9/11 bill. This year I got tuition paid, books paid, and over 20k in my pocket. That means: rent, vehicle paid off, insurance, cell phone, gas, groceries, a pilot's license… I'm paying back the advance too. Next semester I'm moving to FL and will receive 20k in flight training, 2k in tuition, and 7k in bah. $29,000 in ONE semester, that's 4 months. I like the 9/11 bill just fine. Keep fighting for it, it's worth it.
Mat, you know it. You've got your act together. Your living a dream I can't seem to manage. Just on the benefits you described which I also qualify for how did you do it? If you would break it down a little more for me, well it would be appreciated.
A belated Happy Veterans day
Honestly, I just watch my money. I could break it down for you but it's just numbers. If you want to become a pilot, then contact me: skysmine_1 at yahoo. I did it using bah money, but there is a better way.
One more reasonI fight for our country and not our government.
nicely put.
I've been going to school and surviving using unemployment, Federal Student Loans, and the Post 9/11 GIB. I screwed myself out of the Montgomery GIB when I joined the USMC back in '91, and I regretted it. When I found out that my time in the Army had earned the Post 9/11 GIB, I was tickled pink. Had it not been for it, I wouldn't be going to school. Did I forget to mention I also have a mortgage?
One thing to remember: these new folks who have been recently elected to Congress and the Senate have only been elected for a week now. Do you guys really believe that they have had time to be fully read into the fallacies of the GI Bill? NO. They haven't even started to move into their offices yet. Relax and be patient…any politician who wants to keep his job knows that taking away anything from veterans and servicemembers would be political and career suicide. Don't buy into what you see in the news media…they are looking to stir up reactions and panic.
any of the newly elected have nothing to do with the changes they have not been sworn in yet
Write or call your representatives, and tell them if they want to keep their jobs, they had better listen. The GI Bill is an entitlement program, but it is one that can have a positive effect on the economy down the road.
I joined in 1989 and have spent time both in the Regular Army, Reserves, and am currently in the National Guard. I have not had issues using my GI Bill, but a fellow student had to run through hoops to get hers. i don't know why, but there are problems in the system. We should stop whining about not getting enough, and be thankful for being able to get anything. Yes, our gov't has a lot of problems, but remember, these are the people we elected into office. Maybe more people should pay better attention the the officials we elect before we cry about them doing a lousy job.
To Vietnam Vet above I can only say that I couldn't have said it better myself. I too earned my degree as well while on active duty. However, there are many entitlements that could be cut to make room for other considerations. I was upset that after serving during the Vietnam crisis (it wasn't a war remember even though 50,000 soldiers died) for 6 years and then getting discharged, I was denied medical benefits because I made to much money from working. I was upset but shrugged it off and went about my life.
Then I became ill but continued to work about 9 years ago and reapplied for VA medical benefits and I was still denied because I made to much money. I refused to quit my job and go on SSN just so I could received VA medical benefits even though paying the insurance premiums and co-pays was hurting our family income. My insurance premiums were $1300 monthly. I continued to work until 2 years ago when I did have to go on SSN because I couldn't function any longer in my job as an administrator in education. I was even more horrified and angry when I found out that my younger brother was receiving medical benefits from VA after only serving 8 weeks in boot camp during late 1973 and then getting out. They offered him the opportunity to leave the service if they desired to after boot camp at that time and he took it. He has used more medical benefits than any 10 normal individuals would use in their life times and still continues to suck it dry. Because he is low income as he doesn't want to work, and because he just got out of prison after 3 years for multiple DUI's, VA offered to pay his entire rent, and utilities for 2 years….that's right, TWO YEARS! If they are doing this for him, what are they doing for others? Could you consider him a vet…I can't. Please don't think I don't love my brother because I do, but I can't condone VA giving away benefits to those that haven't earned it. I have only used what benefits I have had to use.
As always with government, there is a lot of waste and misuse. We as vets must help. I learned several years ago by working with various state legislators over issues, that they rely on use to "inform" them. Believe it or not, those in Congress don't have the time to read all of the bills put before them. Another thing that individuals do when attempting to change things is to present their case to to those who will listen as a "My" problem. Remember, they aren't there to help you, but rather to help the many. You must put forth the issue in such a manner as to show how it affects many people and not just yourself.
On another note, if you think that VA is bad now, believe me when I say that it was REALLY bad in the 60's and 70's during the Vietnam conflict. They have come a long way. I wish all of you a safe and happy Veterans Day.
Concerned Vet
VETS, service is service, no matter how u served or where u served. Their are allot of people in this great country who would not volunteer to serve. Let’s look at the word volunteer, who volunteers, those of us who come from broken homes, communities or whom really don’t know what to do with our futures when we are just finishing high school. You know why the young and dispalced are targeted to serve in the first place, because we can be manipulated into going to war and following orders, why because we need those pay checks on the 1st and 15th while we serve. I look at the military as a society within a society. While in you have no rights, why, because before u signed them papers you were not educated enough. This country needs volunteers to to go to war and gets them from uneducated americans. I know I will get it for calling most Americans uneducated, but oh well. If I am misinformed, answer this, how come most military officers go to college before joining? I tell u why: they know they get paid better, have an easy military life and have the oppurtunity to dictate to others what gets done and the military pays for their student loans. Once they serve 4 years they get out, why, because they are educated to know that the military is no place for an educated person. Once u gain knowledge u look at the world very differently, very different from that 18 year old who signed papers to serve, not realizing what he/she signed.
A couple of people on here said “people voluntered” yes that’s true but if you u are not informed of what u are truly volunteering for u are being taken advantage of. Another thing is, how many senetors, mayors and govenors have children in the service who are “enlisted” military men and women? I can put my money on it, that none of them are “enlisted” personnel why, because they have the knowledge to know the military and all of it’s war efforts are a joke. This is why their children are military officers. Someone has to do the dirty work so why not let it be the boys and girls who really have no future in this country. Gaining bodies from this pool of citizen will ensure there are enough bodies to fight these wars, justified are not. Fellow VETS we put our selves in these situations, it’s time to wake up and see what starts wars/conflicts and see that is not the answer, Education is no matter your background or what country u are from.
I ask this questions of all the VETS who are on here, when u served what real Edu ation did you recieved while in the military, besides holding a gun or standing a watch? I can guarantee that none of your military chain of commands was on you to go to school, why, because without education u can easily be controlled. People who have a mind can not be controlled, and do not enlist in the military or when they do, don’t stay in long.
Who carries the bulk of military service, the enlisted man. How many officers are on here complaining, none, why because they know what the word volunteer means..when does Volunteer turn into a career? I tell u, when u back yourself into a corner financially and socially. U become dependent on the government. The best way to control anyone is to fool then and give them things to survive (pay check on the 1st and 15th, free housing, etc.) why do u think us VETS are not as important anymore, I will tell u, we are no longer assets to the government, we were tools used to complete a mission. We are out of the military and they have more than enough new volunteers to take your place.
You obviously have no inclination of what service to something greater is. You are not and never were in the military as an enlisted or officer. You might gain some writing skills and elocution if you actually applied yourself in an institution. Try reading more informed books and speaking to actual military personnel without getting your behind kicked. You are an oxygen thief and possibly a spy from the Russian Federation to make us all that much dumber. As a matter of fact, I want your breathing privaledges revoked and the plug pulled on your ignoramus sorry sack of schmukdom. You truly are a waste of seminal fluid!
Chuck, your point about education cannot be understated, however conflicts the position of service. Service, volunteer or drafted, is character. Character you ascribe most young service members lack due to malnourishment of fortitude or education.
I was hungry when I enlisted, true. My brother who was selected to the Navy before me also advised, you should only go into the service after college. His enlistment was a brief two year sentence that to me, reflected so much of what he had surrendered.
Knowing that, I went to college briefly, but was either too hungry or eager or some might say stupid to committing service. At a time when you believe you are burning at your brightest and things are never more true you invest yourself in what you know of reality.
What education I gained in the military was profound if only to me. However in making sacrifices like the MGIB, earning $80 a month as my LES reflects after deductions, two war campaigns and 20 years where at time where my wife and children took subsistance from food stamps while I was remote or deployed, I stayed lean. Lean where many more became fat. Fat on liberty and lean on service. Not a bad thing I suppose, that's capitalism and how the world see's us. Some say the best and I agree but more out of thanks than pride.
Influences in the military, such as my peers or chain of command became family. Coming from an Irish Catholic family I was familiar with sharing space at the table. Personally, every commander I ever had gave recognition to school oppurtunites. Given more liberty I may have suffered more harm as others in my family had with that luxury. If the peace corp was honored as much as the military who could say were I would be, but I now have oppurtuity afforded me from those sacrifices. Sacrifices that I can only revere in thanks due to the many, many more who gave so deeply, never to be remembered.
I'll be buried in a cemetary that sacrifice has afforded me. I am comforted in the thought of how fortunate I am to be buried with what I call family in a country that has seen more peace than war and hopefully will be again.
Well, this crushed a hope pretty fast. I came out of the service with no transferable job skill and have been taking general college classes while I waited for the supposed changes that would allow me to attend vocational school. With this news, though, forget it– I've been trying to avoid student loans, but if that's what it takes, there's no point in waiting on this nonsense to get sorted out. I'll sign up for massage school first thing in the morning, and I guess I'll just pass the rest of the bill on to my kids or something.
To Chuck:
First let me say that I am the Concerned Vet. I decided to register so that I could ensure that everyone would know when I said something that it was coming from me and not some other guest.
I'm not sure where to start, but it sounds as if you are stating that only the enlisted bleed and die. I served several tours in Vietnam and believe me I saw a lot of officers wounded and die there along side of the enlisted men. Secondly, the men and women who enlist in the service do so of their own volition and no one dragged them there and made them sign-up. True, many see it as a way out of impoverishment, but there are many ways to get an education without signing up in the service. If one has the desire, they can apply for various grants, loans and other benefits. Many people sign up to work in the cafeteria or in the book store, etc. This pays for their books and other items necessary for classes. Since service members make up a small majority of our over-all population, I would think it is fair to ask you how you think all of the others that finish college manage to get through without the GI Bill? There aren't that many rich kids out there.
It seems that you have some real anger issues to resolve, and like many in our society today want to blame everyone else but themselves for their mistakes and misgivings in life. Each of us controls our destiny. You get out of life what you put into it. I don't know why you feel that your chain of command should have Quote, "stayed on you" unquote. Rather than to become angry at what I have said here, let it be an awakening and resolve yourself to taking responsibility for yourself and quit blaming everyone but yourself.
I understand what u are saying. Let me give u a liitle back ground about myself. I graduated from a southern high school, located in New Orleans. I entered the set vice as an E-1 in 1994, through my own guidance by 2001 I was an E-7. I served 10 years in the service, did everything that was asked of me, I went above and beyond. When my EAOS came up I got out, why because the military is not what I wanted to do with the rest of my life “volunteer.” I recieved my BA in 2006 and my MBA in 2008 all by going to ground school. I am currently a PHD student.
What u get out of life is what u put into it, you have to giluide yourself. No thing made me more sick while in the military than seeing and hearing people complain while in, only to reenlist when it was beneficial for them. The military is a welfare system. Let the standards raise and see how many bodies they can get ride of.
You think the average American who has never served actually gives a care about the welfare of the military? If they did their sons and daughters would enlist just as soon as they finished high school.
It makes me sick to see all vetrans go through what they do only to be put on a waiting list. Do u think general so and so or admiral so and so care about the men and women who are one the front lines. Gen and Adm’s are polititions, why do they run for office or become federal SES’ers. I tell u while they are in they set them selves up for federal jobs and push there ideas.
I live a very good life, I am not upset at all. Just want to expose the true. If it came down to protecting our shores I would be the first to do so, our shores. We have spent all this money on the war and still have not found the leaders responsible for the New York attacks.
Wake up, if u were an officeR during Nam, I commend u, the military has changed a great deal. Lower levels get the shaft these days.
My point earlier is that if u have not been educated anything can be sold to u.
Up until this year, when have vets been taken care of? Remember the protest on the capital after WWII and NAM, I tell u, never.
I never trusted this thing…when I first looked into it, everyone from VA (New Hampshire, Massachusetts) to the folks at the program office itself, could not tell me anything conclusive, and acted like I asked too many questions.
I told my wife: “I’m not touching this thing until I see it working for other GI’s”.
I was upset, because I want to do my Masters Degree.
Now, I am glad I didn’t start college yet.
What a bunch of losers who put this together.
Unfortunately, as much as I like the rhetoric of our new president, this is in the George Bush Jr. and Barack Obama spirit: Promise it but don’t worry about the funds….
J
I don't know who the person was that complained about the National Guard ,but you need to wake up !
The unit in my home town has now just left for their third deployment to the Southwest theater of Operations .If that is not the same as active duty then someone needs to tell me why .They have left [some who had them ]jobs that are just disappearing along with other civilians. Yet they are fighting to preserve what other get by staying here .
What needs to be done is to start cutting from the top the Senators and Congress men and woman need to start not taking their pay raises and additional benefits till this bull shit stops!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
They get pay raises by not voting for them wish I had that when I was working!!!!
I entered the Navy in 1965 and got out in 1978. I was enlisted and received intense training while in the service. I took Electronic Technician Class A, Class B and Class C Schools, I Graduated 1st in my class in Naval Nuclear Power School, and stayed at the prototype as a staff instructor. 7 years after I got out, I was making 6 digits. Thank God for the Navy, and military discipline and training.
The lesson to be learned, is not a simple one, but has many facets. If you can help yourself… do it now. If you can't… do what you must to survive, and that includes posting here to show your dis-satisfaction with the government.
It should also include letting the government know (via your vote) that they are screwing up. Lack of voter sophistication is perhaps the largest contributor to our woes. Hold the Bas…ds responsible for their actions at election time and let them know you are holding them responsible. JT – Maryland
Im a Vet and I think every Man and Woman that put on a uniform and served our great country deserves what they have been promised by our government.To many times they have gone back on their words. It is disrespectful to the Vets and every American should protest against it on the Capital’s steps.
Chuck:
You know what the moniker mean alpha26. Yeah, I served as an officer, combat arms during ‘Nam with the 1st Cav.
Don’t know what Army you were in or what officers you delt with. Graduated high school in ’69, during as someone said on this discussion, the “height of the crisis” (it was a war) and was going to enlist in the Marines. Folks at the time were saying no since I was going to a military college, go to school.
I had a draft number of 80 so I was going one way or the other. But I wanted a military career.
After the Officer Basic school, A couple of days after I reported to the unit, “TOP”, pulls me over an says sir, an O-1 is just like an E-1, be advised.
I understood was he was saying, never forgot.
Meaning you’ll do everything that an E-1 would do execept you also have all the responsibility for the platoon. My job with the platoon SGT was to insure folks could do there job and were taken care of. Down to checking the head space and timing on the 50 cal. Same B.S. for all ranks at the company / platoon level in the CAV.
Back then after ‘NAM was VOLAR (draft ended Volunteer Army). For a good majority of volunteers I was getting did not have high school. At Fort Hood, everyone was encouraged to get their GED. Go on to school during ‘company time’. Transportation was arranged, get your high school diploma and go on to college.
Some of the folks came from backgrounds like you mentioned some didn’t. There were some ‘problems on and off post. The platoon leader was resposible 24 hour a day. Yeah, I got the calls at 3:00 am PVT so and so got in some issue with local law enforcement “come pick him up” and other issues like mama san needs money etc.
Everybody pulls maintenance, when I came out out of the motor pool, I was just as dirty as everyone else. I was in an early deployment Armor Brigade. So, our equipment always had to be ready to rollout, “move, shoot and commmunicate”.
My troopers weren’t shall we say garrison troops. But when it came time for qualification gunnery. My loader who definitely would not be an Army Recruiter poster child, was very sick, could of been profiled. But there he was, ready to go down range and qualify.
Actually, there was very little distinction in rank. Rank is earned not given.
Actually its funny as an O-2 I think I was making $12,000 a year. Enlisted Re-up bonuses were at the time were $500.
An E-5 recruiter came to the house recently because my son was interested in joining I spoke to him about pay. He said with bonuses etc. he was making around $50K.
Officers in my unit at the platoon company level didn’t live an easier life style then anybody else. You did everything everybody else did and also had all the responsibility.
Yeah, I went to graduate school on the GI Bill. Think we earned it!
Thank you for your service alpha26! It’s a shame that there’s so much arguing here and defending of one’s unselfish service in the military. We should be taking all of this energy and directing it toward Congress and they’re actions or lack of instead of each other.
Again, you are so full of it. I think you suffer from some delusional offset of schizophrenia. There is no way that you would be the loser you are had you joined as an officer. I think you are smoking funny cigarettes, my man and have had a lobotomy because your story does not add up one iota!
Well, you prove to me that you're an E-6 and I'll prove to you that I was and 0-2
Records are records, were I graduated and year commissioned and an OER's if necessary.
I moved to the US in 2006
I joined the military in 2007
I became a citizen in 2008
I got out in 2010
I'm a student at the top university, 12K per 12 credits. GIBill pays me 2751(NYC) a month, unemployment 350 a week, scholarship 2500 a semester, so roughly $4000 a month. I'm happy life gave me a chance to be here. I'm thankful to all of you guys, but I'm still not a patriot. America is all about the money…And I'm here just because of that. Happy Veterans day…
Go back to kenya with the rest of your clan, stink bird! We don't want your entitlement butt here! Exit stage right and draw flies!
I have a quick question, I have been looking for it and have had no luck. I can't recall how many classes you have to take to be able to use the Post 9/11 GI Bill and receive the monthly BAH? Anyone know? Thanks.
BAH is full time. No minimum hours. The only thing you have to remember that you have months.
Chris USMC,
The best advice I can say is go to the college where you’ll be taking classes and talk to the VA representative. In my situation, I go to Indiana University Southeast and have to take a minimum of 9 hours per semester to get the Post 9/11 GI Bill monthly BAH payments. The 9 hours amounts to 3 classes. Some classes will have 5 hours if there is a lab involved but most are 3. If your school doesn’t have a VA rep tell us where you’re going to school and someone can help you. But, in the end, you’ll receive different answers based on that person’s situation. Talk to a VA rep.
Hi Chris, the two rules to be elibilbe for BAH are: Must be enrolled in "greater than 50% rate of pursuit" and that one of your classes must be in a tradtition classroom format (not a hybrid or on-line). With the first rule the minimum credit number changes based on the definition of full time at your school and the length of the term. For example, at our school the definition of full time is 12 credit hours. For the long Spring Term that begins in Jan and ends in May, "greater than 50%" is equal to 7 credit hours or higher. I recommend that you call the National Call Center at 888-442-4551. Give them your term dates and tell them whether your school's schedule is based on a semester system or quarter system. Hope it helps ….Happy Belated Birthday…
Thanks for those who replied to my questions.
Ha ! I was active duty 1982-1992, got screwed by the Navy. After 5 Med Cruises, I went Recruiting for three years with the Promise of my choice of three places for shore duty, Ended up right back at sea for another tour ! Got out for a few years, then went Reserves in 2000. Did three years reserve till 2004. Only got into VA system because of financial hardship. Don't get any Medical except a yearly check up and a butt load of Nicotine gum! Turned down for post 911 gi bill and things don't look promising on Montgomery GI bill either. Must be that PESKY expiration date of ten years. So, thanks America for NOT A DAMN THING! !!!!! Except for the Six years-Five months and eleven days of floating around the sewer called the Mediterranean!
You chose to be a Ceman, you have to accept the fact that sometimes in life you just have to swallow without the luxury of spitting. Looks like you got spit on because you were not smart enough to side step! Jack wagon!!!
Make that Semen!
Wow, I feel sorry for all you guys victimized by the VA.
National Guard dude, you don't get post 911 because the NGB and the States didn't want to give up control of all that tuition money that they were throwing around. Thank your CAG. BTW-look up the article about the FBI investigation into the ongoing tuition fraud in the National Guard. 18 months federal service does not a veteran make. Was that 18 months sitting in the Armory.
Merchant Marine – could have enlisted in the Navy. Didn't, why? Because the Merchant Marine made about 10 times what a Navy seaman made per month and the Merchant Marine had their own benefit plan. But 50 years after the fighting they wanted in on the gravy train. Hey, I recognize your contribution to the war effort, but let's keep the facts straight.
Everybody else. Where was it written when you VOLUNTEERED for the military that you would get additional educational benefits. Your contract said that you'd get VEEP or MGIB or what ever you paid into. Post 911 is above and beyone, its a FREEBIE that we never expected. Stop being a victim and stop bitching, you sound like a bunch of E3 air force union workers or worse, Majors in zipper suits. Use all that expensive training that the military gave you for free. Be proactive – do the research and the paper work early. Do a complete staff action – ie. make sure the paperwork you do is correct and you've signed up for qualifying courses with the minimal 9 credits for your BAH. Live within you budget-nobody said this was a free ride guys. Put those diplomacy skills to good use, coordinate with the Vet counselor at the school. Contact them early. Go in and do a face to face. Bring them a coffee, make sure you follow up and maintain contact and coordination. Oh ya, accept responsibility for yourself and the outcome. Who was responsible for protecting your whiny ass in Iraq or Afghanistan, oh, that's right, you were. Well it's no different now. Take responsibility for yourself and the outcome of your actions. Be a leader for god's sake. That's what you were trained to do.
"Use all that expensive training the military gave you for free…" Really? Do you know of a civilian job that IED hunter can be transferred to? Are there roadside boms along the highway in the US that I'm missing. That's what I have spent over 2 of the last 5 years doing.
LTC M, Bravo! It is refeshing to read that someone on here, other than I can appreciate what we have been given and not complain how hard life is.
Let’s also not forget what this article is really about, paying people GI Bill money during job training, that youre getting paid to attend.
In the current economic state we should all rejoice that some of us can leave the military, hopefully we were responsible enough not to have 6 kids while we were in, and attend college not having to work and can focus on going to class and graduating.
Could you imagine what a WWII vet would say reading some of these “Warriors” complain aboutwhat they’re entitled to!
well i dont know if i was being referred to as "national guard dude" or not but i can say during my 18 month deployment i spent 11 months of it serving in iraq in 04 in balad….and no for those that know the area not on the big base……i'm a 11b didnt get the pleasure of sitting safe and secure…i lost my share of friends over seas all ng…..i can also say we did a hell of alot more over there then our active duty counterparts…….so in short all those that feel like talkin all this crap about ng still in this day and age open up your eyes and see that we are not the same as it was decades ago…..all alot of my fellowpart time soldiers are griping about is that our time serving should count as well…..i dont understand why a soldier sitting on base training and waiting time should count but the time we serve either as agr or doing patrols on borders or helping during a natural or homeland emergency does not count…please we are all in the same uniforms and doing the same thing
"…a bunch of E3 air force union workers…" nice one. I'm gonna' have to remember that one…so funny.
It’s time they quit adding money to get votes. Dont’ need to add a lot of what they want. Absolutely no need to give Guard benefits for Title 32 status. It’s 100% state. If the state wants to give you the education, let them pay for it. Vocational classes. This is intended for college education. Take the time to get a real degree. If you need to be a technician, do so on your own dime, then get a business degree off of the GI bill and start your own business in the trade for which you are a tecnician. The country is broke. The Post 9/11 GI bill is overly generous as it is.
God Bless all you fellow Vets, remember the ones who didn't make it back, and help the one's who are injured…..
P.S. – Got this from a friend the other day……
THIS IS HOW YOU FIX CONGRESS!!!!!
**********************************
Congressional Reform Act of 2010
1. Term Limits.
6 years only, one of the possible options below.
A. One Six-year Senate term
B. Three Two-year House terms
C. One Six-year Senate term or three Two-Year House terms but not both.
2. No Tenure / No Pension.
A Congressman collects a salary while in office and receives no pay when
they are out of office.
3. Congress (past, present & future) participates in Social Security.
All funds in the Congressional retirement fund move to the Social
Security system immediately. All future funds flow into the Social
Security system, and Congress participates with the American people.
4. Congress can purchase their own retirement plan, just as all
Americans do.
5. Congress will no longer vote themselves a pay raise. Congressional
pay will rise by the lower of CPI or 3% (if they don't control inflation below 3%, they don't get the benefit from cost of living increases).
6. Congress loses their current health care system and participates in
the same health care system as the American people.
7. Congress must equally abide by all laws they impose on the American
people.
8. All contracts with past and present Congressmen are void effective
1/1/11.
The American people did not make this contract with Congressmen.
Congressmen made all these contracts for themselves.
Vets, come on. I can not believe some of the post here…the New GI Bill was/is an outstanding benefit (that was pushed through congress by Democrats) for service members, is it perfect…No, but between the original GI bill and the 9/11 GI bill, I don't think we can really complain. Instead, we should be writing our representatives and using our vote to champion our cause. Start actually looking at what your representative is doing vice what he is saying or what his party is saying. No Repubs have supported this bill and numerious other pro-military benefits over the past 4 years. Don't take my word for it, do your own research and stop whinning on blogs and use your vote.
In 1998, if members wanted the GI Bill, we "opted-in" to the program paying $100 per month for 12 months. For that tiny $1200 initial investment, the return was to be around $30,000 over 3 years of schooling. Add the optional $600 "buy-up" program offered later and monthly payments increased by $150 per month for a possible total of an additional $5400 of benefit. Now, add the annual increases in benefit built in to the GI Bill system and you've got one hell of a education benefit!
Enter Post 9/11 GI Bill…
Increased benefit potential, adjusted based on the cost of tuition for each state – a sort of cost of living adjustment – and BAH, book stipend, etc, is the new norm. Even better still, THERE'S NO BUY-IN OF $1200!!! Or any kind of buy-in for that matter.
I'm no economist, but I do have a check book like the rest of us that served. After a while, if no one is paying in to the fund, but there's been a huge draw on the fund for benefits, what's going to happen? THERE'S NOT GOING TO BE ANY MONEY LEFT!!! If you have no income, but continue to spend, you will eventually run out of money.
I propose the reinstatement of the mandatory buy-in as, at least, a token acknowledgment of the great benefit the GI Bill provides. Just as the Freedom we swear an oath to defend demands a sacrifice, so should, to some degree, the great benefits we enjoy.
Semper Fidelis,
Active Duty
College Student
It sounds to me that all of you that are having problems with the post 9/11 Gi bill are not in close contact with your certifying official. I just recently graduated from college and after switching from the old Gi bill to the post 9/11 bill school was completely paid for. I feel for those of you that live in more expensive areas and are having troubles. My advice to all that are on the post 9/11 is to get to know your certifying official by name. Talk to them and be nice. They are the ones that will make your life great or a living hel*. Secondly if you take out advances talk to the VA about spreading the payments over time (1-888-GIBILL-1 then four zero's). This is for faster access. They don't charge you interest and will let you pay it back over time.
More from other post. if you do live in one of the higher cost areas in the US take out Stafford student loans. These are loans that you are entitled to and should take if you are having issues with rent and others things. Best part about the GI bill is that it does not count as income so if you fill out the FASFA depending on your income status you my even get grants (Free money that is not paid back). Lastly apply for the yellow ribbon program if you can and go to school all year round, summer too. This way the entitlements do not stop until you are done with school. Best way to get the max out of the Gi Bill is to read about it and be informed. Don't expect other people to hold your hand and show you all there is to know cause they won't.
reply to me and i'll watch this forum if you need help.
My son is 24 and missed the ‘cut off’ date by 3 days. He is in graduate school now and taking out enormous loans to pay for it. We receive conflicting info that says he may be eligible this Jan?
Although my Army enlisted service spans 9 years; 3 years with Army Special Forces (11th SFGA, Army Reserves, Fort Meade, Maryland), 2 years with 32nd AADCOM (11th Signal, Active Duty, Kaiserslautern, Germany), and 4 years with the 29th Infantry Division (Virginia Army National Guard), I only recently qualified for the Post 9/11 Chapter 33 GI Bill. It took a total of 5 years to get my application for GI Bill benefits approved. I understand your frustrations, as I became frustrated as well.
My suggestion to all of you who are struggling to obtain your benefits, never give up. Keep fighting for what you believe in. America is a great nation not because of a college education, but rather because of our spirit. Stop waiting for someone to just give you something, instead, fight/work for it and at the end of the day, you can sleep at night knowing that you did your best. Despite my current unemployed status, I volunteer in my community, and combined with my GI Bill, and degree completion goals, I will contribute to America's greatness rather than its demise.
GP
"The VA Certification Reps at whatever school you're attending can screw the pooch and you in a second…"
.
Agree as my wife and I just went through this.
.
I am a 100% service-connect disabled vet so my wife is using my benefits to finish her BSN program. She was accepted at the U of Washington, but we chose the accellerated program through Grand Caynon State, AZ.
We were told at the time that it was a full-time "program"! I say program because some quarters she carried 12 credits, some quarters she had 5.
When the VA Certification Reps re-evaluated the program a few months back, we were informed that the benefits would drop from full-time to 3/4 time for this quarter and that we would be losing about $250.00/month.
Of course I asked why, when she was taking MORE than the required credits during the full time portion of the program, didn't she receive full-time benefits plus $250..00?
I think that if you sign up for a "program" – it should be a program from start to finish. Not something that is changed during the year to fit their best circumstance.
The gi bill works off the amount of credits that you currently take at a specified time(term)..NOT on the type of program (full time)…it doesn’t make sense to get paid full time for 12 credits and only actually take 5. You should of informed yourselves better.
Oh really? Howabout this? I was attending college for 16 months, nothing changed, all of a sudden, I only got half a check, not the full one. Then the next month, no pay, no verification. I call them up to see whats going on, and they tell me I don't have a claim on file. I call the school and the school says they sent the registration over a month ago. I have them send it again. Next month, VA says no information, and I tell them to look at their damn fax machine because it was sent AGAIN already! It took them 3 months to fix it and caused me to have to fork out money for late fees and overdraft fees because we count on that money. How's that for problems, you civilian? Go earn your bill like the rest of us you chickenshit slacker!
I think alot of you need to stop crying. I served 4 deployments in 4 years, 2 of which were in Iraq in combat units. After my 4 years in the Marine Corps, I got out and went to college. I finished my Civil/Environment Engineering degree in 4 years, not 5 like most people, going year round. All of this was on the G.I.Bill. I also had a part time job and got married and had a kid. Stop complaining and decide to go out there and get it done. Too many Vets think that everyone owes them something and are crying for a hand out. Stop crying and do something about it. Also i graduate debt free.
In the words of John Wayne. Life's tough, it's even tougher when you're stupid.
Whaa. Learn some English next time you go to college.
i'm an AGR and did overseas dutys also i submitted 12 months to transfer to my so and did everything they asked of me and VA approved my so and told us to take the document they sent to the school so he call enroll. after 2 1/2 months in school they sent another letter dening him rights for the post 9/11 GI bill. i've served 28 years and counting. DC Vet affairs office Mr Filner's office sent a letter to them and me. asking what can they do to help. VA should honor the approval request they granted my son. it's not right for us the have to pay a big school bill with interest. This has caused us a very bad hardship becuae we don't have that kind of money to pay for.
I am a 25 year retired Marin Corps First Sergeant and I absolutely refuse to sit here, like some and say the disgusting and degrading remarks that some have said back and forht to one another. It's just wrong. I will say this, I I don't think anyone will deny it. First, this country does a very bad job of taking care of it's veterans and two, it is a slap in the face for "expiration dates" to be placed on Veteran Benefits. You don't have an expiration date to use your VA loan, but yet we have 10 years to use GI Bill benefits. Makes no sense. You have people that are in the middle of getting a degree and their benefits are being pulled out from under them because the 10 years are up. There are some watching 21 months or more go right down the drain just because "times up"!!
If you are currently enrolled in an Associates or Bachelors Program, GI Bill benefits should be in effect until 1) you've exhausted your months of benefits or 2) You drop from your degree program.
This is exactly what President Obama was referring to when he pointed to what Republicans would do if they gained control. They will not raise taxes on well to do but want to balance the budget by cutting entitlements.
If you really want to be shocked see the percentage of DoD money goes to corporations (KBR, Halliburton). When Congress does not approve a bill they are called out and people are saying "they don't support the Troops." In fact the majority of that spending is going to corporations that only pay around 7% in corporate taxes.
Track down who these corporations donate to for campaign contributions…I'll give you a hint…it wasn't the party who was fighting for the little guy.
The rich get richer and the poor get poorer…
What does that have to do with your education benefits?
I guess that old myth about repukes being there for the military, FInally go down the tubes?! Will this new congress finally screw it all up?
Let’s not forget that the democrats had full control of congress for the last four years. They (democrats) could have passed this bill easily before the mid-term elections. It’s not the Republicans who is killing this bill it’s the far left democrats because they hate the military and everything its stands for. They (democrats) prefer to give educational benefits to drug dealers.
I had some problems. I was stationed in oklahoma city I was going to school online and the va kept sending the overpaid school bill to my old deployed location. so it made me look like I was ignoring them. What happened? it went on my credit report. I paid it. The VA system is so slow it took to months for them to show that I had paid it off. I even had the school refund me the money and I explained to them a hundred different times that the school messed up. Its still on my credit report though. I really got to love how the system says it will take care of us. How about you just be honest and say that no matter what we as vets get screwed. We come back with physical or psychological damage, and even our benefits like the gi bill have major problems.
V.A. is understaffed, not held responsible for it's mistakes and sometimes crimes, and sometimes it works like it should for some. For those saying that we should be grateful for what we get, I say this way: "read the contract". Every person signed it, regardless if though enlistment or commission. It does state that a person, upon successful fulfillment of his/her obligation, will get G.I. Bill! It will get V.A. benefits! It is two way contract, and legally has to be respected by the government, as it is not above it.
I did have problems with medical issues at V.A. I got out of it though persistence, fellow veterans help, and various organizations (DAV among others). I did not have G.I. Bill problems, but I suspect it is because my university has a great number of vets in it and is serious about it. I can understand it can be more daunting process. However, I wish good luck to fellow veterans in fight for the benefits they are legally entitled to, even if they have to roll out complains all over judicial system. Your benefits, you earned it.
Aren’t we thinking too close to the small problem of funding. I volunteer we should establish a minimum criteria (years served, injury of any kind; those who have served can have tremendous input this way) for all benefits and privilages. It should never be a vote or court decision but an automatically accepted progress from joining up to serving to school(why is college the only thing worthy of these programs!?) and reestablishment as an esteemed member of society. Aren’t you tired of being nickel and dimed to death. Wanna help fund my suggestion; make a “bone deep” cut of middlemen who make work for themselves and their security instead of yours. As a nation we’ve become lazy, inattentive, poorly educated, easily lied to and greedy. Is this country serviveable and worthy of your wounds or death…
My husband was denied post 911/GI bill chapter 33 cause he was not on title 10 orders… He was Active Reserves. I thought the important words here were ACTIVE… now he is on his way to Afganistan for his first deployment. I am hoping that he has at least 12 months (on the bill) when gets back so he can retrain for a job that is accually out there that a vet can get.
The problem is, that unlike you, we are not able to use our GI Bill if our military service was under Title 32, nor can we transfer the educational benefit to our kids, like it was passed on to you. THATS THE PROBLEM! Lawmakers didn't read the bill and it was passed into law!!! Now those of us who served, as myself after 22 years are upset that such a mistake/oversight was made and now it looks like it will never be corrected!
I agree. My husband has the same problem as you and everytime you ask the VA a question about what's happening, you get an email referring you to the VA page on Facebook. It IS unfair to the Veterans and families of veterans who served in both Gulf Wars, Kosovo conflicts, Panama and Haiti, and who was working at the Pentagon on the day it got hit, and who were in combat units for most of their careers, that their children are not allowed to benefit so the credits will more than likely be lost. My daughter is now paying $50,000 for college herself after we were wrongly told when my husband retired, that we could transfer benefits to out children for college.
AS VETRAN ARE COMIMINT WAS FOR CONTERY AN IF THES CONGRESSMEN AN CENTERS CANT GET IT RIGHT FOR ARE SERVICE MEN AN WOMAN WHOW SERVED HOW CAN WE TRUST THEM SO MY ANSER IS LETS VOTE THEM OUT AN SEND A MESSAGE TO ALL SOME OF US HAVE GIVEN ARE LIVE AN SOME GIVEN LIMS AN OTHERS THERE HEALTH BUT NO MATTER WE ALL SERVED ARE CONTERY AS A MILLATERY PERSON TAKE CARE OF THEM WHO HAS TAKEN CARE OF YOU THANK AN GOD BLESS
I took some Vocational training and have been waiting 6 months to get reimbursed. When I call the VA I keep getting the message that they are working on it, but the regular colleges are getting the priority.
So all the talk of repairs they made to the GI bill program were not repairs, instead they just shifted all the manpower to the traditional schools and let the non-traditional students pay the price.
As a veteran, who never was combat deployed (close tho!), I served from 93-97 active duty army, guard a bit after that, and went back active from 01-05 getting out on medical. I *love* the GI bill, it is an awesome win-win situation.
I've used 20 months or so, my company does tuition reimbursement PLUS I still get the full GI bill amount. I also paid $500 while in for a "kicker" that gave me ANOTHER $150 per month of entitlements.
All I have to do to keep it is call in once per month while I'm in school to let an automated system know I am still attending.
Its awesome, anybody who is dogging it either didn't serve their time, or doesn't know how to fill out paperwork.
I retired in 1977 after 23 yrs and I am just fed up with how veterans are treated
continuously by our congress persons. I think most of the problem may be because most of them never served our country as the veteran has. I hesitate to call them names as others have, such as crooks, selfish, and inconsiderate. However I wonder if others are correct. Maybe we veterans need to step back and take a look at who we vote for. There must be a lot of veterans who would serve well in congress.
Our economy wouldn't be so bad if congress hadn't given business the impetus to outsource overseas. Without jobs for them to fall into, all the education in the world is meaningless.
Mara, this is part 1
I think it's great that your Dad has given you the opportunity to go to school. Some struggle with finding the means to save for their child's college. You are very lucky that the government has tailored the Post 9/11 to allow you to use your Dad's benefits.
I don't understand the attitude of Real Vet. Appearantly he has not been given the gift of having a family there to support him and his decision to enter intothe military. Vietnam Veterans did not get the attention they deserved when they came home but, they have laid the ground work to make things better for the new and upcoming era's of veterans.
go to part 2
va rep prt 2
A little history about me, I am an EX-wife of a veteran. He was deployed and I obviously staid at home and took care of HIS house that the government allowed us to pay rent for, finances, vehicles, worried about his safety and if he would even come home. Luckily we didn't have kids at the time or I would have been struggling with that as well. I didn't have my family with me because we were stationed in Germany and I staid there by myself until he returned. A veterans family is very deserving of this one benefit that the Government has graciously given.
When the veteran discharges he/she still have access to medical and may even receive compensation and have agencies to help the veteran find work. However, the spouse and children are on their own. Soften your heart Real Vet, and stand outside the box and see what the rest of the world is feeling.
go to pt 3
va rep pt 3
I am also a School certifying official for Veterans Benefits, yes I have made few mistakes in processing enrollments but, that comes with the veteran not informing me when they make changes to their schedules. As a Certifying Official I do not like the Post 9/11 as it is now and I have seen alot of oversites from the processing on the VA side of it. Their mistakes make me look like I didn't do my job when I did and I too have to sit on the phone waiting for someone to answer and help so, give your school certifying official some slack.(addressed to whomever made a comment about us not doing our job right)
The two main things that I would like to see change about the 9/11 Bill are the 7 hour rule and allowing a student to take as many online courses as they want to. If you are a part time student your screwed out of your BHA if you only take 2 classes at most schools. I think the other items on the ticket are important but, if they could just change these two to start off with the rest will come.
go to pt 4
va rep pt 4 and last words
Mara, you are very lucky that you have not experienced any issues with receiving your benefits because there are others who have had many problems with theirs. Most veterans go to school as soon as they are discharged and this is their job for awhile and it takes a few months to correct mistakes so, if they don't get their benefits they are starving and sometimes living on the streets.
I am a civilian, I did not serve but, I love my veteran students and their children and spouses who come to see me. I feel that I am serving my country by helping these individuals create a future for themselves and their families.
Keep up the good work Mara and Real Vet, I think you need to visit your local Vet Center for a support group.
Don't know that anyone will read this or care; but I guess I'll put my two cents in. I appreciate the benefits I have. I'm thankful for being able to go to school, have medical care and get other help. I've been treated like crap at the VA, Voc Rehab Office and Employment Security Commission. I guess they have education, health care and jobs and to hell with us Vets they work for. My real complaint is not understanding how we pay billions of dollars to 'rebuild' Iraq and simply pretend the money isn't being spent, while our Vets are suffering, lacking health care and having such a hard time getting educational benefits?
I'd gladly serve this Country again even if there were no benefits involved. I love America and consider it a blessing, honor and privilege to have served Her.
For Christmas 2009 my dad decided to give me his VA benefit. This was great because it gave me a stipend every month and I could focus more on school. After 3 months of paper I enroll into the univ. level and find (after 2 months of attending class) that his 5 years active military and 18 years in the reserve was not sufficient. Turns out that he is only qualified to transfer it over if he had been active 2 years after 9/11 and he retired in 2003. So 2-3 months was the difference.
This is the dumbest thing I have ever heard because the next thing out of there breath was if he signed up for another 2-4 year contract they would activate the GI Bill for me. I was pissed, this was a ploy to get vets back into the service, not to help. So much shit happened when Bush was in play i am pissed that people keep blaming the democratic gov. They both evil but the rep cut taxes way too much…. WHERE THE HECK DO YOU THINK MONEY COMES FROM? IF YOU COMPLAIN ABOUT OUR DEFICIT PAY TAXES.
Sorry about that rant but I hope this changes because it is rediculous
Great news! I might not ever hear of VA legislation, but thanks to Military.com, freedom of speech, and high-speed internet…I can. Wow!
There are a lot of opinionated vets. Me too! I'm not much of a complainer, though, but if there's one thing to complain about it would be politics…that's a no brainer. Is the writer of this report a Democrat? Is the G.I. Bill a law? Is the post 9/11 Bill poorly written or is a society of rising expectations and instant gratification affecting the decision making capability of our government leaders?
I agree this should be fixed and made to suit the needs of our men and women. But unfortunately posting here does not do much for us. You need to call your representatives. Send letters, and emails and get others to follow suit.
RetiredLTC,
You, sir, are an idiot.
Another retired LTC.
Nice to see an ol' freinds name in the by line. Good on ya Terry. One question. Why do they want to add enlistment kicker to dependants into this bill? Seems entirely unrelated and an added cost to a good bill.
my GI bill is working out pretty well so far… I'm in the reserves.
i truly understand all of the current complaints…
My husband and i served 20 plus years of Active service and because of our retirement date I am struggling to pay for two childrens college degree, while people that haven't given as much as their live to their country are authorize to transfer their GI Bill children get to go to school free. A bigger kicker is that their step children do to…
I wish I kew the right thing to do, this is really a problem that needs to be fixed.
the comment is about the restructuring of the Post 911 GI Bill. I’m a VietNam Era Veteran, and fell under the benefits of the Montgomery GI Bill.
When I incurred my TBI, it was because of an automobile accident onthe night of an alert. None the less, I punctured a lung, lacerated the liver, broke numorus ribs. With these injuries I laid in a comatose state for the next 63 days. Madigan Army medical center saved my life.
When I was released, they placed me on TDRL. Attached to that is “if my condition bettered to the point that I could do my job” they would be able to bring me back to active duty.
I don’t have particularly wealthy parents to live off of and I had a family to support. Who had left me when the doctors said to My then wife “if he ever comes out of his coma he’ll be a vedgetablefor the rest of his life”. So needless to say, I had to get a job. Child Support and my own maintenance, costs.
This being the lead ino every job inquiry, I wasn’t in line for any executive position.
Meanwhile, the time constraints on the elegibility for education benefits are running out. It took the VA five years to convert my military retired pay to the option I selected in WA. state. I once had a Veteran VocRehab Rep. Walt McDowell tell me that he ” I could send you to school when you were 60 years old, If need require.” All I got out of the last 2 councilers was, “No”. So If you ever have the opportunity, from a veteran with no memory, I do remember that you only have a certain number of years from the date of seperation, use it or loose it.
All military members make sacrifices, Active, Guard, Reserve, Marines, Navy, Army, AF, Coast Guard, including dependents. I've been active AF 6 years, Active Marines 4 years, Air Guard 2.5 years, Traditional AF Reservist 1 year, (even Army dependent 15 years), and within each have made sacrifices. At anytime in any capacity my life was for my country to control. We are brothers and sisters answering a call to duty, in whatever capacity. It is pure ignorance to compete through verbal thrashing of which is better or more valuable. There is no sliding scale identifying which type of service is more reputable and deserving of exceptional benefits. We all deserve a baseline set of benefits such as education and VA loan. Those of you spatting tripe, start respecting others and get off your self centered ego trip.
I would like to assist.
Does anyone know when and if they are going to change the date to receive the GI Bill? I am a vet of 22 years, served in Desert Storm and Iraq.I am also a reciiant of the Purple heart. I recenty retired in March of 2009 and was told I had to reenlist for another year in order to receive the GI Bill for my twin sons. This meant I would have to deploy once again and miss their high shool graduation. I opted out, and decided to retire at my orginal retirement date. Now after all my years of service I am fighting another war trying to put my twins through school on my own. I feel ripped off of benefits I feel I and my family deserve all that I earned, after all I did for my country and to my family.I have been retired for almost a year now and just like when I was deployed my family continues to struggle.
i am not surprised at the vote by congress. Reps say they are for Vets but are they. I feel that once you serve whether reserve or NG, you should enjoy the educational benefit. With the constant fighting in the middle east, there is no active, reservist or NG just US soldiers protecting the welbeing of this great nation. I've been fortunate to get my entitlements but read all the fine prints in the new post 9/11 GIBill. To all Vets fighting for their benefit, keep on the fight. You deserve it. If the government can continue to pay Egypt $2 billion a year and Isreal $3-5Billion a year for the past twenty years, the government can take care of its veterans.
Like so many others i served my 6 yr enlistment and got an honorable discharge from the air guard. i was only deployed once, but i did a lot of training outside of the traditional 2 day a month weekend drills. the changes coming to accomodate those that have served in this capacity is a great one. all those that chose to serve primarily in active duty thank you, but a lot of guard and reservist have fought, trained and died in and deserve the same educational opportunities as everyone else
I retired in 2006 as an enlisted sailor. During my time in service I have obtained my BS and MS degrees, 2 Grad. certificates and 5 IT certifications. (And Yes, I did go to sea as well, 11 yrs sea duty on combatants) The only help I received was in the form of tuition assistance. I was enrolled in VEAP and then dis-enrolled due to a "clerical" error so I retired with ZERO education benefits. Now, I am handed this P 9/11 govt assistance, what am I going to do with it, nothing. I would prefer to give this my daughter who has just started college but I can't since I retired before 2009. Several thousand men and women retired after Sept. 11, 2001 and before 1 Aug, 2009 that are eligible but have no need for further education since a lot of us obtained this prior to the P 9/11 bill…I guess I could go to the community college and learn some skills for those Honey-Do items around the house, at least then I can collect the BAH to offset the college expenses of my daughter.
Mara, I'm glad it's working for you and your parent could pass on a benefit to you. My daughters who are in college won't be able to do the same thing you are though because I was forced into retirement before their magic August 2009 date. I had 34 years and they had already extended me so they could send me to Iraq a second tour for a year. I would love to pass on the benefit but, I can't. I have served since 1973 to 2009 with only a short break while in college between the USMC and US Army. People are not happy because it isn't working for them. I'm 55 and already have a degree and a career that is pretty solid. I don't have time to get additional education. I get that every day at work fixing things and solving problems. So, as far as I'm concerned they can keep their money or pass it on to someone who can use it. I can't.
My husband at the time joined the U.S.Navy August, 1953. We married February,23,1959. He retired September, 1972 (Early out – counted as 20 years) He was in the Navy Reserves for 10 years. Now, my question – Am I qualified for Comissary privileges?
Thanks.
Gail Phillips
i am at the point now that since Whatever group proposed this new bill and has caused such a commotion. i am actively pro suing a class action law suite against the so called group and all affiliates due to their gross negligence in thus matters of undoubtedly stripping us of our benefits that we have fought for and limiting us financially to the point that its no longer possible to get a much needed education in the day and age! im not looking for any restitution in my pocket just that the group pays the difference that was stripped away from all of us!