Quote:
Originally Posted by Go G-Men  If the amount of 2 year enlistments is very limited than offer a lesser package for those serving on 2 years. In my opinion there should be no 2 years enlistments offered. Serve 4 years honorably and you get the benifits of the new GI bill.
Serve less than 4 (other than those disabled due to war injuries) and you get just the basic VA benefits.
Anyone who is disabled in a war zone should get the maximum benefits available and than some. |
See, you and Bruzilla are getting "wounded" and "disabled" confused.
A soldier can get wounded bad enough to warrant a medical Discharge, and still not be disabled. They wouldn't qualify for rehab schooling, or any other disable benefits (unless the lead irritates their bowels).
Take away the 2 year enlistment, and you take away one more tool from the recruiter. I didn't much like the 2 year enlistments as a Section Sergeant, but at the same time I think I ran into it MAYBE 2 or 3 times. If your MOS qualifies for 2 year, it almost always qualifies for BIG bonus money for 3 or 4 year. Money usually talks. I was in an MOS that has always qualified for 2 year enlistment, and rarely did I run into someone that opted for 2 years.
I don't think today's GI Bill is that bad, OTHER than having to take $100 a month away from a soldier for the first 12 months. I would bet that most married new soldiers and sailors opt out of the GI Bill just for that reason.
But >$1500 a month while you are going to school is GOOD money. And you still can qualify for financial aid and loans. Yes, that amount of college money you get now is also determined by the amount of time you enlist for, there are additional college tuition programs out there on top of the GI BILL. EVERYONE that pays into it gets the basic package, but you can also opt for the Army College Fund, or the Navy College Fund. no additional cost, just an option you chose.
The GI Bill is up to almost $40,000, the Army College Fund can kick in up to an additional $23,000 for a 2 year enlistment, and an additional $28,800 for 3 o r more years.
So almost 70K in college money divided by 36 Academic Months = $1900 a month while going to school full time.. Not too shabby. Oh, and you get the $1900 a month whether you go to Harvard, or if you go to a VocTech that costs that much a year.