Last week the House and Senate passed the measure that will finally do something right for those who have served this country. What is sad, the only reason that the President is willing to sign this into law is because they filled the bill up with so many other items that he wants passed into law rather than do something for the men and women in uniform.
Here is a brief Run down on the benefits to come shortly..
Under the New GI Bill
Post 9/11 Veterans Education Assistance Act (S.22/H.R. 2702)
This proposed benefit will cover the full cost of education at any public school in the country and many private schools. To qualify for the benefits a veteran has to have served at least 90 days of active duty service post-9/11 and have remaining entitlement. Only post 9/11 active duty service counts toward this benefit. Any remaining Chapter 30 or 1607 entitlement can be converted into this new education benefit. There is no requirement to buy-in to qualify and the benefits last for 15 years after separation.
This benefit discards the outdated benefits system and replaces it with a WWII-style GI Bill that provides upfront tuition payments directly to the school, provides a book/supply stipend of $1,000/yr and a monthly living stipend.
The tuition payments can be used at any public or private school but are capped at the cost of the most expensive public school in the state. However, more expensive private schools offering a veterans-only scholarship will see that scholarship matched dollar for dollar up to the full cost of tuition.
The monthly living stipend will be based on the Department of Defense Basic Housing Allowance (BAH) for that region. The stipend will be pegged to the E-5 with a dependent rate for the zip code of the school.
Tuition: Paid upfront to the school at the beginning of each term
Capped at the tuition cost of the most expensive public school in the state
More expensive schools offering veterans scholarships will be matched dollar for dollar
Books/Supplies: $1,000/yr. paid upfront and divided by academic term
Monthly Living: Based on DoD’s BAH rate for E-5 w/dependent
Time to Use Benefit: 15 years
Buy-in: None
Reservists will continue to receive a percentage of the active duty rate based on the length of their active duty service. However, this new benefit will allow reservists to accumulate active duty service from multiple tours (more service = higher benefits). Lastly, every reservist called to active duty will now have 15 years to use their benefits, no longer just those that do 8 years of active duty or select reserve.
90 Consecutive Days 40% (Tuition, Books, & Living Stipend)
6 Cumulative Months 50% (Tuition, Books, & Living Stipend)
12 Cumulative Months 60% (Tuition, Books, & Living Stipend)
18 Cumulative Months 70% (Tuition, Books, & Living Stipend)
24 Cumulative Months 80% (Tuition, Books, & Living Stipend)
30 Cumulative Months 90% (Tuition, Books, & Living Stipend)
36 Cumulative Months 100% (Tuition, Books, & Living Stipend)
Time to Use Benefit: 15 years (see above)
Buy-in Requirement: None
This has been long overdue from our country and congress to fund an education and future for all the men and women who have served our nation in this time of war.
And finally, a fair winds and following seas to the blog Aloha Dump. Trickish Knave has found; like I have after retiring, there isn't enough time on that clock to get everything done in the day.
So he has placed the blog in layup. I imagine that it also has something to do with the fact that, after leaving the navy, there isn't quite as much to generally piss a person off in the day and so there for, you don't really have the overwhelming need to vent on a blog.
If you haven't seen it, go to the first postings and have a read. There are some good sea stories and stories/observations of living "Aloha". Its a great read if you have ever been stationed in Hawaii.
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