I have a situation similar to a couple of the earlier posters. I opted out of the G.I. Bill for College Loan Repayment at the time of my initial enlistment. This was a huge mistake, especially considering I only owed $10,000 in undergrad expenses. Even with 2 subsequent reinlistments, capped off with a year long deployment to Iraq, I am still forever banned from participating in the G.I. Bill. I would love to have that benefit available now as I am struggling to maintain a household and pay for seminary, after which I would like to return to active duty as a chaplain. Even a reduced benefit, minus the funds I received for College Loan Repayment would be of tremendous help right now.
Also, I take minor issue with the poster who asked why recruits who are "college material", would want to stay beyond their initial tour due to repeated deployments. I was one of the those high school kids who laughed when the recruiters called me, telling them, "I don't need no stinking military--I'm going to college!" Ten years later, I enlisted in the Army with a college degree, and found that I loved it! So while I consider myself "college material" and even "PHD material" for that matter, it doesn't mean that I don't count it as a privilege to serve my country and fellow soldiers, and spill my blood if called upon to do so.

I'm not sure where I stand with the GI Bill changes. Specifically since I left the Marines in 2004 and joined the Air National Guard as soon as my DD214 came in the mail. There are plenty of jobs out there that allow tuition payments, and like my situation, I'm able to put my entire GI bill into my pocket. I have no need for E-5 BAH because I already make it when I pull time at the guard every summer. I'm fond of my GI Bill, it's been able to work for me for the simple reason that when I joined I acquired the Marine Corps College Fund, and when I joined the Guard I also was able to find a kicker, I never opted for the top up program. With my tuition paid in full, I don't need anything new or different.

I'm still thumbing through the legislation as a whole and I do like what I'm seeing, I'm just not sure how much it would change my situation, and to be honest, I like my situation as it is. I'm sorry to hear that not everyone was able to make their GI Bill work for them, but I'm leery of the changes until I read the legislation on a whole and see just how much it would change the lifestyle I'm able to afford.

To put it plain and simple support the new G.I. Bill. Currently, only the poor are sent to fight for the rich. Its only fair that these same people are given a chance to a life that wouldn't have been possible to them before. Support the G.I Bill.

Sgt. Billy Glass

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Originally posted by mynameispunchy:
To put it plain and simple support the new G.I. Bill. Currently, only the poor are sent to fight for the rich. Its only fair that these same people are given a chance to a life that wouldn't have been possible to them before. Support the G.I Bill.

Sgt. Billy Glass

We should all be writing our senators and congressmen advocating your support for these bills. the benefits in the current bills will be a relief and do much to put a college education in reach of the veteran. I speak from my own experience back in the 60's. The benefits were then barely adequate and the current plans have definatey not kept pace with the escallating educational costs. Back in the 60's, one could manage expenses with working a job, small loans, etc. Today, it is not feasible, educational costs run well in excess of what is affordable. We need to see that the benefit is extended to our veterans. This is not a charitable program, it is a just reward for those who have served, laid their lives on the line, and now look forward to new challenges.

The DOD concern with their force retention impact may be or not be valid; but this is a problem for them to deal with. They are avoiding the concept of conscription for political reasons, but you and I know that this is what is required, not beating on the troops with constant reup training sessions, visits from the retsinment NCOs, etc.Fact is that not everyone enlists with the idea of making the military a carreer. The DOD has demonstrated their unreliability and disregard for the troops with the "stop loss" program, and more recently the selling of stripes for reenlistments. Think that is not so? We need to make the investment in the future of these young people and provide them the opportunity to prepare themselves for a civilian career (or rejoining the military in a different capacity).

Write the letters, get these bills approved, give these veterans a leg up.

Jareddad

Im not sure if I am the only one, but the way I understand the New GI Bill, I would get less benefits. I was an 0331 in the Marine Corps and got out as an E-5. I only did one deployment with 1/5 to Ramadi Iraq. Before I got out I paid the extra $600 for the kicker or top up (extra $150 a month for the GI Bill). I am currently a civil engineering student at the University of South Carolina. All of my tuition is paid for, I get over $1000 at the begining of each semister and I keep all of my GI Bill money to live on. $1251 was my last deposit. I have a hard time living on that much a month, and had to get a job last semister to pay off some bills. The new GI bill would be a lot less than that. If it passes I hope we have the option to keep the old one. Unless there is something im not reading correctly about it.

quote:

Originally posted by 8772010:
Im not sure if I am the only one, but the way I understand the New GI Bill, I would get less benefits. I was an 0331 in the Marine Corps and got out as an E-5. I only did one deployment with 1/5 to Ramadi Iraq. Before I got out I paid the extra $600 for the kicker or top up (extra $150 a month for the GI Bill). I am currently a civil engineering student at the University of South Carolina. All of my tuition is paid for, I get over $1000 at the begining of each semister and I keep all of my GI Bill money to live on. $1251 was my last deposit. I have a hard time living on that much a month, and had to get a job last semister to pay off some bills. The new GI bill would be a lot less than that. If it passes I hope we have the option to keep the old one. Unless there is something im not reading correctly about it.

No way that you are drawing more from the Montomery GI Bill than what is proposed for the new Bill. You say that your tuition is paid and that you get $1000 at the beginning of each semester; from whom does this bounty flow? Not from the MGI Bill. You must have some other source of income. Your monthly stipend with the kicker sounds about right for the MGI Bill. This monthly stipend is all that the MGI Bill pays. Suggest that you clarify the source of the benefits that you claim for the MGI Bill.

After you review your situation, sit down and write letters to your congressman and senators requesting that they pass the Senate bill S.22 and the corresponding HR bill.

The way I feel about the G.I. Bill proposal, if it's better than what it is now, I'm all for it. Let's face it, yes the majority of our country who join the military are not coming from wealthy backgrounds. For me, whether or not I could receive a total free education, I would have still served my country, 22 plus years. If it were not for my children being of age where they need a father figure I would have stayed active until I was told to go home. The real problem is, the military population is one percent of the total population of the U.S. So really, who is fighting for us. Who is looking out for our best interest. Only a few politicians who know what it is like to be in the military and/or family of military members and organizations like the VFW. The general public doesn't care. What could we offer a politician. Do we have deep pockets like big companies to fight for their cause. No!

A "Well done" for Webb & a "thank you".

The decision whether or not to remain is a result of the experience.

I was honorably discharged in 2003 and have been attending college since then on and off. It has been difficult for me ... I am glad the new GI bill will make it easier for others to receive an education.

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Originally posted by 11664918:

quote:

Originally posted by 8772010:
Im not sure if I am the only one, but the way I understand the New GI Bill, I would get less benefits. I was an 0331 in the Marine Corps and got out as an E-5. I only did one deployment with 1/5 to Ramadi Iraq. Before I got out I paid the extra $600 for the kicker or top up (extra $150 a month for the GI Bill). I am currently a civil engineering student at the University of South Carolina. All of my tuition is paid for, I get over $1000 at the begining of each semister and I keep all of my GI Bill money to live on. $1251 was my last deposit. I have a hard time living on that much a month, and had to get a job last semister to pay off some bills. The new GI bill would be a lot less than that. If it passes I hope we have the option to keep the old one. Unless there is something im not reading correctly about it.

No way that you are drawing more from the Montomery GI Bill than what is proposed for the new Bill. You say that your tuition is paid and that you get $1000 at the beginning of each semester; from whom does this bounty flow? Not from the MGI Bill. You must have some other source of income. Your monthly stipend with the kicker sounds about right for the MGI Bill. This monthly stipend is all that the MGI Bill pays. Suggest that you clarify the source of the benefits that you claim for the MGI Bill.

After you review your situation, sit down and write letters to your congressman and senators requesting that they pass the Senate bill S.22 and the corresponding HR bill.

Thanks for replying, its been a few months, I have several scholarships from South Carolina. I have to turn down several thousand each year because I get the max amount of money allowed. Im not complaining, because I know few people are in my situation, and the new post 9/11 bill will help a lot of people go to school, and maybe get better jobs. Most of my friends cant afford to take the time to go to school, its not easy to put your life on hold for 4 years if you have kids or are married...I did the math with the 2008 rates and I would lose $349 a month from VA but would get it back from other scholarships, so it doesnt matter. Glad this will help others.