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

Recent Retirees Angry Over GI Bill Transfer Limits

I am extremely upset with the latest rules for transferring benefits to dependents as announced by Bob Clark, assistant director of accession policy in the Office of the Secretary of Defense.

There now seems to be an allowance given for those under certain circumstances that do not serve four more years, as the law required.  Had these policies been announced at the time that the new GI Bill was passed last year, individuals near to retirement might have made different decisions than they did.

For example, I retired Sept. 1, 2008 after serving 26 years. At that time I decided I did not want to wait until Aug. 1, 2009, plus four additional years, to be able to transfer benefits.  However, under these new transfer rules I could have stayed only one additional year and would have been able to transfer the benefits.

I find it crazy that we call the new benefit the Post 9/11 GI Bill. I was in the Pentagon on the day of the terrorist attack - yet I cannot get the [transfer] benefit for my family.  And I could use the transfer feature as I have a 20-year-old daughter who could use these benefits and a 14-year-old son who will need the help in a few years.

Did my 26 years, and service during 9/11, not mean anything in regards to this benefit that was suppose to recognize this period in our country?

DAVID SHERMAN
Via e-mail

What about those of us who were serving on active duty on 9/11 and completed 24 years of service, but due to high-year tenure rules could not serve longer to reach August 1, 2009, and qualify for transferability?

GREG FAIRCLOTH
Via e-mail

Where was this transferability rule when my husband was active duty?   He retired from the military in September 2007 and inquired about transferring his GI Bill to our son.  He was told there was not such a thing. Now you are able to do it. This is unfair!

CONSTANCE DANIEL
Via e-mail

 I'm glad this is finally happening but what about retirees who transferred into the new GI Bill, served their country for 20-plus years, but retired earlier this decade but after 9/11?  Why aren't we afforded the same opportunity to transfer our education benefits to our children?

DEBRA DANIELS
Via e-mail

The new GI Bill itself is available to most service members who served on active duty since 9/11.  The transferability feature, however, was added to the Post-9/11 GI Bill as it was written last year at the urging of Defense officials so it could serve as retention tool, and would entice some members to serve longer.

Without it, officials argued, the new GI Bill benefit could generate a worrisome exodus of personnel who would be enticed to use their more generous education benefits, thus threatening force readiness.

Lawmakers never considered extending the transferability option to persons already retired. That, they argue, would drive up the cost of the new GI Bill without enhancing readiness or easing manpower challenges. - Tom Philpott

I appreciate your columns, and especially the one last week on he new GI Bill and associated transfer rules. I have an approved retirement date of Oct. 1, 2009 and was worried about being able to transfer benefits to my son. It now looks like I will be covered under one of the five temporary waivers you described.

However, there is still one issue I'm not clear on. As you point out, to qualify for transferability folks have to be on active duty or in the Selected Reserve on or after Aug 1, 2009.  I currently have my terminal leave scheduled to start in July but I will not actually retire until October.

Could you confirm that, for purposes of the GI Bill transferability, my terminal will not preclude me from this entitlement?  I do not think it should, and I would hate to lose a great benefit to a few months terminal leave when I can postpone the and just sell it back.

J. M. MANSON
Lieutenant Colonel, USMC
Quantico, Va.

Eligibility for transferability is tied to your official retirement date and is not jeopardized by your use of terminal leave. - T. P.

I am active duty, with eights served. I have about $15,000 left on my GI Bill, which I plan to transfer to my son who will be a senior in High School next year. I will reenlist for at least four more years in the coming months.

Is there anyway I can increase the amount left on my GI Bill? I've heard about a contribution option in which a member can contribute $600 and increase his GI Bill another $5000, but I don't know if this applies to the new bill and transfer stipulations.  Please let me know.

ELVIS RODRIQUEZ
Via e-mail 

No, the $600 buy-up provision for the Montgomery GI Bill is for use under that program only.  If an eligible member or veteran coverts from the MGIB to the Post-9/11 GI Bill, any money contributed as “buy-up” will be lost. - T. P.

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.