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I read somewhere that those of us who paid the $1200 buy-in for the current GI bill would have our money refunded, since there is no buy-in on the new bill. Anyone have any info on this? BTW, I hope this passes sooooo much, because this will allow me to go to school full-time and only work a part time job. Go Webb!!!

I think it's great that those folks that fell in the VEAP era a chance for some real benefits. I'm still very disappointed that I'm still in the minority. I won't be able to get these benefits because I retired in March 2001. I guess I'll be one of only a few that were screwed out of a good education because of poor timing.

I've been waiting patiently for more than 25 years...it's hard for old guys like me to get a college education while on Active Duty...

I would love it if this was passed! That would mean I would be able to go to school full time and not have to work at all. Also, I live on the MD line so it's easy for me to go to a PA school, but I'd get out of state tuition, which is un-real. But with this, I would actually be able to afford it. I love it! VOTE FOR IT!!!!

I have seen Senator Webb explain his bill on TV.It seems the main purpose is to encourage recruitment.It is not structured right if the goal is to enlist people for duty in combat zones.Recruitment is going well now for Air Force and Navy volunteers.What is needed is combat zone personnel.Individual Augmentee Assignments result in war zone duty for a few people from Services considered safe from war zone duty.On the other hand Army and Marine Corps personnel through various strategies can avoid such service.It makes sense to have special education benefits to all service members who serve in a combat zone.Excluding the fudge factor for service on ships and in Kuwait.This is not combat.The pilots who fly the planes are in combat already have a degree.
Passing on education benefits to family members is an absolutely rediculous idea.Dissention in the family over who is to get the eduction benefits is easily forseen.This benefit should be available to widows and orphans of Military personnel killed or permenantly disabled in a war zone.
Webb and other panderers in Congress should stick to the issue of recruiting enhancements for combat service.

Should be retroactive. There are a lot of troops who deserve what the others are getting.

Anyone know how is the benefit's gonna work from the old one to the new one? I used about 20months of the old GI bill. Do I get 16 months of the new payments, a full 36months, or the new total benefits minus the amount I have recieved from the old Gi gill.

i think its a load of cra-p that veterans who served before 9/11 don't get longer extensions on the use of the gi bill, or more benefits. many of us are combat vets who deserve no less than those who are currently serving.

This is denoted at the bottom of the article.

" ** Traditional or On-campus students only. Distance learning and online students are not eligible for this stipend."

But, where is the ** annotated in the article???

Maybe, I need to file for Disability Compensation for my eye sight???

I think this is great, unfortunately they have again left those prior out of the loop though. (this does not help me 'cause I served to long ago, even though I could really use the benifits as well :-( )

As a retired vet who had to convert from Veap to the current bill, I can tell you we older guys still are getting the shaft! I served in Europe from 83 to 86 and again from 91 to 94 and during those tours I went to places like Beirut, Pakistan, and Saudi Arabia. I did not get involved in any live fire activity but was most definitely exposed to the threats we see and hear about from Afghanistan and Iraq! But because I was a non-combatant and only did augmentee security duty, does that qualify as being at risk? You bet your sweet bippy it did!
The point being, despite not being on any front line, I still put my neck on the line during those campaigns as well as doing two tours in Korea! I know, the threat isn't the same, per se, but we never ended that war and 50+ years later we still haven't!

What bugs me is that despite the good intentions of our elected officials, the overall GI Bill is left wanting and needing so much more. As a veteran labeled with 40% disability, I can't even qualify for concurrent pay and that atrocity still needs to be corrected by our leaders!

Having said all that, I wish I was still active so that I could have achieved or pursued my degree at no cost before retiring. Now I'm at a cross roads while the rest of the pack moves on by! Sure would be nice if just once these nitwits in congress could get their acts together and honor my service along with all the other veterans who did make the military a career with some true benefits!

By the way, I retired at the end of 2002 and when this war started I went to a recruiter and volunteered to come back in. You know what he told me? We've reached our quota and we'll call you if anything changes! 4+ years later no one has bothered to follow up! Real smooth!

I shake my head in wonderment still at the way our military is run cause I know for a fact, there's always room for improvement! I guess they just don't like hearing that from an old salty dog like myself!

HOO AH!!!

This message has been edited. Last edited by: MoVikes,

How come 5 more years is not added on to the old GI Bill, this is not too good for us out with the old military guys, but it is good for the in with the new military guys; we need more time also.

Where can I get an explanation of all the benefits the new GI Bill entails?

I want to know if I am eligible for it. I was in the Reserves until late 2002 but my unit didn't go active until I got out. Can anyone answer this question? Thanks in advance.

Bush will never sign it, he will use that worn out Veto stamp to put this bill into the trash can. It would take money away from the war effort, and we can't have that now, can we?

I think this is great. I will admit that this will make me feel much better about getting out. I think the militry does need great people to stay in and i tip my hats to those who do. But, dont look down on somebody because they decided not to make it a career. Even for that 4-6 year periord that member served there country, and took every risk that every body else has in that same period. The bill has been added to the war funding bill. I think a veto is not in the future this time. I think this is great, i get to go home and continue my education. It's about time that the benefits caught up and people dont feel they have no other choice but to stay in.

This would be an excellent bill. especially if I have the option of transferring it to my family members

I don't think that just because someone entered the service in a given year they should get more or less then the person that entered in a different year. If it is recognized that the GI Bill is not doing what it is supposed to - allow a servicemember to get a degree or training they need to work in the civilian world - then everyone needs the same change. The benefit should not expire at all if you ask me. There might have to be some give and take to allow the benefit to be used by a dependent. I think there should still be a buy in - we tend to value what we have paid for more than a gift.

We didn't have a problem with the buy in. I do think it should be something vets can use anytime.

I think the dep option is great. My hubby is career...and wants to sit on his butt when he gets out...his words not mine. So if I can go to school and use the BAH money for childcare...I could have a degree when he gets out. Then he could sit on his butt...and be the stay at home daddy he wants to be.

Our kids are both special needs and will live with us for life...so there will be no real option for one of us not to work...till we are just too old to.

I enlisted in the Navy in 1983, at that time I understood that my educational benefits were VEAP. When it was approved for the conversion of VEAP benefits to MGIB, I converted and understood that my benefits were not equal to what the new Sailors were getting, but I was still thankful. I retired in 2006 and understood what my benefits were and now that there is an increase in benefits, I was thrilled. I can't wait till it passes, I will be the first to enroll in school. My point is, that all the time I was in the Navy, I understood what my benefits were. I am tired of the VEAP era Vets complaining that they get no educational benefits because they did not do what THEY needed to do to get them. We had been educated on what the benefits of the VEAP were the whole time, it was YOUR choice not to sign up. Stupid is a Stupid does.

I have asked this several times and no one seems to be able to answer this: I am eligible under the new GI Bill, (retired 2007) but I am currently using the MGIB, will I be transitioned from the MGIB to the new GI Bill?

This new GI Bill is HUGE!!! I am a 36 yo Army Veteran with two young kids. I did two tours in Iraq and would qualify for this new law. Fortunately, I have a decent job and will not use it to go back to school. However, if the bill will definitely include a provision to transfer the benefits to dependents, my son will be going to college at no charge on my behalf. I pray this bill will pass.