RE: http://www.military.com/features/0,15240,168277,00.html

awwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwsome...

I'm curious to know, if anyone is aware at this point, how does this affect those of us currently using the GI Bill?

I was just wondering the same thing about getting the new 9/11 GI Bill bennies if I am using the current GI Bill now. I guess I'll call my Senator's office and ask (I just happen to be in Webb & Warner's state).

What I find interesting/sad is that the Republicans were late in coming to the dance. They let a freshman Democrat Senator beat them to the punch and upstage them on improving the GI Bill. Why weren't the Republicans working this issue from, say 2002 to 2006, after 9/11 and when they had the majority in both houses of Congress, plus the White House? I mean, as long as they were spending our tax dollars like a bunch of drunk Sailors, why didn't they consider throwning a few dollars at the GI Bill? I think they were drunk on their own power, and they've been paying the price ever since the '06 elections. They're in a SAD state of affairs. They'll still get my vote (who wants another Ginsburg on the Supreme Court!?), but they've really disappointed me.

Man jtabor have u drunk the koolaid!!! How much is it going to take for u diehard republicans to see that the republicans dont give a damn about you? As far as the new GIBILL is concerned I agree, its about time!! The republicans have really screwed themselves here, how do they explain this away? It costs too much!!! You have got to be kidding me people.

No Izzy, no koolaid drinking here, I've got a clearer, more educated mind than that. Like I said, the Republicans have disappointed me... thoroghly. I'm more PO'd at them than I can relate here, for WASTING so many golden opportunities over the past 6 or 7 years - it makes me sick. And trust me, they've heard from me, repeatedly.
But... there's no way I want to see the likes of Ginsburg or any other ACLU lawyers on the Supreme Court during the next president's term, when we may be looking at 2 or 3 justices being replaced. That's the only reason I'll vote R in November in the presidential election. In the state and local elections, I'll vote for the candidate who shares my expectations, beliefs, etc, be they Donkey or Elephant).

Sorry to highjack this off-topic... now back to the 9/11 Webb GI Bill.

I read on another board that there are no provisions in this bill for retirees, presumably even if we are currently using the GI Bill. I'll be calling DC tomorrow for clarification.
The Capitol Switchboard number is 202-224-3121 if anyone else wants to call their reps on this.

About f*cking time. Sorry to say, but it's been a hard fought battle to get anything after you get out of the military. Retention rates below 50%, wonder why? Too many deployments, pay sucks, and so does the respect of a lot of the American people.

Wish everyone was like my brothers in the local VFW.

Happy Memorial Day, Veterans.

Oh man this bill would help SOOOOO much. Why the hell does it only pay for 3 years as is?

I'm pretty sure that those of us getting the GI Bill currently will definitely get the new GI Bill rates.

Too bad Bush has pledged to veto it. Oh well, hopefully COMCINC Obama's first act will be to sign this bill into law.

I hope this includes us that turned it down at the beginning of our career through 9/11 been reading every article but there all unclear as to all the benefits but to say this was to expensive after they give themselves raises every year my my my.......

I am glad for the troops that will be affected by the provisions of this bill. I say “about time!” Especially now-a-days, when costs such as, fuel, food, education, and in fact, just about anything one can think of, have sky rocketed, and for the most part, we all earn not much more than we did, some years back.

It also never surprises me that, folks who have no problem finding money for “corporate” purposes (think Halliburton, KBR, BlackWater, etc,) suddenly “cry wolf,” whenever it comes to finding money for the benefit of the troops.

I say that we should ignore “rhetoric,” and just focus on “actions” of our elected officials. It is one thing to say that one cares for the troops and quiet another to actually vote for something that benefit the troops! In this way, many just feed us rhetoric (such as “I care for the troops,) and when the time comes to back-up the statements, they vote against programs designed to help the troops!

I say that in addition to the educational programs, we need to ensure that the medical needs of the separated troops (especially those who have combat related ailments) are met as well! VA can do only so much, with what it has available and if we can find funds for companies such as Halliburton (and I’d be almost willing to bet that we have significantly more money going to Halliburton, KBR, etc, than we have going to the VA!) we should also be able to find funds for the VA!

By the way, perhaps we should offer free medical school attendance to certain number of well-qualified young folks (whatever school they are accepted into) who are willing to serve at the VA, for a period not less than six years! They would receive “comparable” pay, as their “civil sector” counterparts and some of them may even stick-around, after their initial term expires!

With proper funding and operational/cultural “adjustments,” the VA health care system has the potential to be the leading medical care entity in the country!

At any rate, I am glad for the Webb GI bill and I hope, it will pass, without being “butchered” or vetoed outright, by those who oppose.

Sgt Mustapha
(Honorably Discharged, US Army)

Anyone who expects no hardships and great benefits really should not be in the armed forces during war time.

yes this bill will help. if you served during 9-11 .

I do not recommend the transferrability option for G.I. Bill benefits. It is a Pandora's box. Once the transferrability option is in place, then spouses can divorce, and sue for the other's G.I. Bill benefits. This would be extremely bad.

These guys really do deserve decent GI Bill benefits. After returning from Vietnam in 69, I collected my GI Bill benefits for 3 years, got my degree, got a good job and went on with my life. You guys deserve nothing less. Without raising taxes to pay for it, I guess we will continue to borrow from the Chinese to fund it. I don't know about you republicans - you're willing to sell your childrens future to avoid paying a few hundred extra tax dollars a year. The are worse things than paying taxes, and being owned by China is one of them.

Now what they are really are saying is that they want a E-5 or E-6 to deploy about 5 times and stay in for at least 12 years before the military says thank you and here is your education benefits. Hell your already giving out $30,000 to a 18 year old just to get them in. Why not give something on the way out if you choose to leave early. Do you want to cure this problem mention the D word again.

Kind of stunning that the Congress would be actively trying to undermine the military like this. Why give benefits to people to encourage them to leave the service? Shouldn't they be focusing on better pay and better bonuses to improve morale and improve retention? We need more people not fewer and we need them to stay in longer not cash out at the first opportunity.

Did anyone else happen to notice the figures that Sen Webb got from DoD? 76% of all first termers in the Army depart, do not reup!!! As for the Marines(official same as Army figures)70% depart after first enlistment. So, tell me just how is the Webb GI bill going to hurt retention???

If this bill finally passes, it will simply increase turnover--more people will join, but more people will leave after the first tour.
From military retention perspective this bill does not do anything, it is strictly for the service members, and cudos to Webb for thinking about the little guys, but shame for not adding some flexibility to the GIbill, whether current or the new one, to include family transfferability.

I believe that if passed this bill will not effect retention to the degree that certain others believe it will. It is great that Senator Webb wants to give such great benefits. Hell, it might even increase our initial entry sign-up and I feel that if more people signup then that is more people who may leanr that they actually like the military and decide to stay in. Who knows.

It was Ronny Regan Who took the GI Bill away from us I am retired USN 1975 -1998.. I had full bennys that was all taken away by the Neo cons!!!.. I am happy that the kids today get a good GI bill... BUT what about us what are we chopped liver????
I have a family that I had to take care of I did not have time to go to school in the 10 year window.. But now I do have time to go to school, and I lost all of my Gi Bill...