Looking for some answers or guidance here. I enlisted in the reserves in August '97 for the 6x2 contract. Was last called to active duty in Jan. '04 thru Jan. '05 (1 year). I then was transferred from active duty back to the selected reserves and then shortly after went to the IRR for the remainder of my contract.

My question is this: From what I have been reading it seems that I am not eligible for my GI Bill benefits because I wasn't in the selected reserves when my contract expired.

Could anyone out there please help me out with this?

I applied for apprenticeship training with a new job but that was turned down by the VA. I also want to know if I start attending college if that would get turned down as well.

Your reserve benefit is called chapter 1606. Once you transfer from actively drilling with your reserve component and transfered into the IRR your benefits stop. However, because you were called to active duty they (the VA) will extend the amount of time you will have to use your education benefits. They will extend your benefit from the day you left the reserves plus your call up time plus 4 months and 1 day. Also, your call up time made you eligible for Chapter 1607 (better benefit than 1606) but that ended also when you left the reserves BUT if you go back to the reserves and drill with them again and stay drilling with them until you ETS after your 8 year committment, you will get 10 years to use 1607 benefits. This is something congress just passed. Basically the law works this way...if you do 6 years drilling, go to the IRR for your last 2 years, then benefits stop when you quit drilling. If you serve 6 years drilling, go to the IRR for a year and a half, then go back and actively drill for the last part of your 8 year committment, then you get to use chapter 1607 for 10 years. So if you were called to active duty and finished your 8 year reserve committment actively drilling, you get the money!