RE: http://www.military.com/opinion/0,15202,161010,00.html

Once again this man shows he cares about the soldiers coming home, and once again he is
RIGHT.

In this instance WG I agree with you but he missed what I consider an extremely important point. The current "10 Year" rule on GI Bill education benefits has and is cutting out a large percentage of our veterans whether retired or non retired.

It takes an individual a considerable amount of time to set themselves up in the civilian workforce after leaving the service. I know this does not effect everyone and yes you can say why didn't they put it together while on active duty?

Well I am retired (over 12 years now). When I retired I was assigned to an operational unit (ship). My ceremony was 10 days after returning from a major deployment. I spent over half of my career assigned to operational units, and quite frankly was lucky I had time to spend with my family.

By the time I had acquired a position that gave me some stability (career and financial - you lose a considerable amount of income when you retire) I was so close to the 10 year mark that I was only able to complete 4 courses before I was cut off.

If my benefits are returned to me I could not only complete a BA but also a Masters. What's up with that?

I totally agree that are current generation of veterans are entitled to benefits. But what about the rest of us?

In his very first week as a U.S. Senator Jim Webb introduced legislation providing for a GI Bill very similar to what our returning WW II vets received. Last I heard it was sent to committee. Time to really push for this bill to become law.

quote:

Originally posted by MarineAuntie:
In his very first week as a U.S. Senator Jim Webb introduced legislation providing for a GI Bill very similar to what our returning WW II vets received. Last I heard it was sent to committee. Time to really push for this bill to become law.

It is nice to agree with you on occasion. The bill you refer to is S. 22 and it is too bad that Rieckhoff, with his typical blathering zeal, didn't at least mention it SOMEWHERE in his opinion piece ... and encourage all to write, fax, e-mail, or call their senators and representative in support of it. Perhaps Rieckhoff is unaware that what he wants drafted already exists. It is a fine bill, IMHO, even if authored by a Democrat!

quote:

Originally posted by Jade_Gate:

quote:

Originally posted by MarineAuntie:
In his very first week as a U.S. Senator Jim Webb introduced legislation providing for a GI Bill very similar to what our returning WW II vets received. Last I heard it was sent to committee. Time to really push for this bill to become law.

It is nice to agree with you on occasion. The bill you refer to is S. 22 and it is too bad that Rieckhoff, with his typical blathering zeal, didn't at least mention it SOMEWHERE in his opinion piece ... and encourage all to write, fax, e-mail, or call their senators and representative in support of it. Perhaps Rieckhoff is unaware that what he wants drafted already exists. It is a fine bill, IMHO, even if authored by a Democrat!

Dang! I felt a distinct disturbance in the time-space continuum, but you are absolutely right

This isn't a Democratic issue or a Republican issue, but one of whether we as Americans are all going to put our money where our mouths are and make it possible for our military members to pursue their educations upon their return from service. I teach part time at a community college. The returned vets tend to be my best students. They have more maturity, more focus, and more solid ideas of what they want to do with their lives. They deserve what their grandfathers got after sacrificing years of their lives, and sometimes their blood, too, in serving their country.

Jade_Gate,

"Blathering zeal"? Very nice. Talk about the pot calling the kettle...

We are extremely aware of S22's existence. And have signed on to support it--and are working with Sen Webb's office daily.

It is not, however, the only legislative GI B option. I encourage you to do your homework. We have tried to make it easy for you. Click here:

http://www.iava.org/component/option,com_/Itemid,105/op...t/task,view/id,2648/

And you can see the full list of our sponsored legislation here:
http://www.congressweb.com/cweb4/CongBillList.cfm?orgco...ist.cfm?orgcode=iava

Thanks for your support.

Have a good weekend.

Best,

Paul.

quote:

Originally posted by paulrieckhoff:
Jade_Gate,

[quote]"Blathering zeal"? Very nice. Talk about the pot calling the kettle ...

Fine ... I'll take the label as well ... but then again, I'm not writing opinion pieces.

quote:

We are extremely aware of S22's existence. And have signed on to support it--and are working with Sen Webb's office daily.[quote]
Then why not mention it? If you want the rest of us to support you/it, what better place to do so than in an opinion piece on the GI bill? It appears that your only objective was to take a potshot at the President in advance of his SOTU.

[quote]It is not, however, the only legislative GI B option. I encourage you to do your homework. We have tried to make it easy for you. Click here:

http://www.iava.org/component/option,com_/Itemid,105/op...t/task,view/id,2648/

Been there a number of times - so what? Doesn't illuminate.

quote:

And you can see the full list of our sponsored legislation here:
http://www.congressweb.com/cweb4/CongBillList.cfm?orgco...ist.cfm?orgcode=iava

Maybe ... what I see is a softedge lead-in to "easy" communications with Congress and no list of supported legislation. I don't need "help" communicating with my elected officials in any event.

With respect for your service, I submit that your opinion pieces run heavily to potatoes and omit much of the meat. They also tend to have a decidedly partisan flavor.

Regards and I hope you have a good weekend as well.

Jade