Readers of Tom Philpott’s Military Update column sound off.

Webb GI Bill: Post-9/11 Vets Could Convert Unused MBIB

I was active duty until May of 2003 and used some of my Montgomery GI Bill.  I still have some money and time left on my MGIB benefits.  I paid $1200 to participate in this program.

If the Webb GI Bill plan were enacted, would I be eligible to use any of those benefits or could I get a refund of my $1200?

DAVE F.
Via e-mail

The Webb GI Bill (S 22) or Post-9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Act would provide enhanced educational benefits to any service member or veteran who served on active duty for at least 90 days following the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001.

Prior partial use of MGIB would not disqualify a service member from transferring to the Webb plan, if and when it is enacted. But it would impact the level of benefit provided.

The Webb plan would allow replacement of any unused MGIB benefits with payments set high enough to cover tuition costs up to a maximum or ceiling set to equal tuition at the most expensive state college or university. The Webb plan also would provide for living expenses with an amount equal to basic allowance for housing in the area for an E-5 with dependents.

So, if a veteran with post-9/11 service already had used half of his 36-month MGIB benefit, he or she could transfer the remaining 18 months into the Webb plan. When the transfer occurred, the member would be eligible for the return of a portion of their $1200 MGIB contribution based on number months remaining. In this example, a refund of $600 would be provided.

It’s also important to note that the level of Webb GI benefit provided would be tied to length of active service following the attacks of 9-11.  A member who served only 90 days after 9-11, would be eligible for just 40 percent of the Webb GI benefit. Six months of post-9/11 service would qualify a member for 50 percent of the benefit; 12 months for 60 percent; 18 months, 70 percent; 24 months, 80 percent; 30 months, 90 percent, and 36 months to the full Webb plan.

As of March 21, the bill had attracted 50 co-sponsors in the Senate. It companion bill in the House (HR 2702) had 111 co-sponsors.  – Tom Philpott

GI BILL BENEFIT TRANSFER 

The ability to transfer at least some of our GI Bill benefits to family is important for the military careerist.

I am an active duty member and have paid into the Montgomery GI Bill a $1200 contribution plus another $600 for the MGIB “kicker.”

I will complete my 20 for retirement in six more years and will have already received my degree through tuition assistance. Most likely I will not be able to use my GI Bill benefits to any advantage at that point.

The ability to transfer all or a portion of my GI Bill to my child (my spouse also is a careerist) would be a great benefit to me.

I agree that many servicemembers would regret having given benefits to a spouse if they become divorced. However, if the program limited the amount of funds that could be transferred, say to 50 percent, that would help ease the rising divorce rate among service members.

Many young military families cannot afford to send the spouse to school because they simply have too many expenses. If there was a way to transfer at least some of the GI Bill benefit, more spouses would be able to fulfill some of their career ambitions while the military member is so often deployed.

ANTHONY MICHAEL BURTON
Sergeant First Class
Denver, Colo.

NO MASS EXODUS

The new GI Bill is not going to create a mass exodus as some Defense officials contend. But back-to-back deployments will.

My husband has been deployed twice in two-and-a-half years, nine months in between deployments. He has mental issues, has been away from his children, and was refused emergency leave while I underwent two emergency surgeries. The Army only pays attention when the spouse is willing to brown-nose the higher ups.

This second deployment has caused us to realize that our plan of staying in the military until retirement is not feasible for our family.  We will be leaving military life after his contract is up.

This new GI bill would at least allow him to get the education he needs to continue to support our large family.

"Family First" is an Army motto, but these new recruits will soon learn that its family first only when it is convenient.

KARI F.
Via e-mail

Having served on active duty as well in the National Guard, I know a lot of soldiers who have no plans to go to college. They want to stay in. Those who do get out so they can attend college usually joined in the first place for the college money

So I don't think improving the GI Bill benefit will affect retention of active duty soldiers as much as people think it will. It may, however, aid in retaining National Guard and Reserve soldiers who have been overseas.

PATRICK SCHLOTE
Via e-mail

VETERANS NEED CASH

I'll give some credit to Sen. Jim Webb (D-Va.) for his GI Bill initiative. But why doesn't he also look to the thousands of veterans who already have given so dearly to their country.

I happen to be a disabled veteran, and I would rather see those millions of dollars planned for a new GI Bill be used for large increases in compensation for veterans or their survivors.

There are many veterans and survivors in dire need for additional living expenses to meet the higher cost of living.

DAVID H. OWEN
Rochester, Mass.

Letters may be edited for clarity or length.  Write to Military Forum, P.O. Box 231111, Centreville, VA  20120-1111, send e-mail to militaryforum@aol.com or visit www.militaryupdate.com.

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