Don't quote me, then edit it to say something I didn't.

Student loans are hardly a free ride. I'm paying every dime of them, plus interest, back. How can that be construed as a "free" ride?

- NCSU

 

The Veterans Readjustment Act is 64 years old.
Part of the act has always been educational benefits from WWII, Korean conflict, and Vietnam.

About ten years after Vietnam (mid 80's) the powers that be determined that the benefits were a little too generous considering there hadn't been a major conflict in ten years, so they started screwing with it.

Now, after five years of heavy conflict in Iraq/Afganistan with some troops doing three or four tours, the plan is to restore it to what it was for 40 years before they turned it into a shell game.

 

One tour should qualify for any degree a man can achieve IMO

But then we wern't called grunts because of our brains

 

You're right. I don't.

I guess the next logical step would be to vote for Obama?

 

This will be resolved before the Nov elections.
I only mentioned the Obama and McCain positions because you railed against the Dems military support and it ain't always as cut and dried as one would think.

I know it's frustrating for you because Obama is expected to carry MA.

 

They keep electing Kennedy and Kerry as our senators. It isn't a surprise to me that Obama would carry MA.

What's frustrating is that, although I would initially benefit from Obamas "economic plan", in the long run it removes the incentive to work hard and move up the ladder. The only to look forward to is being penalized for all that hard work. Instead we'd be encouraged to settle for "good enough".

I'd rather have a government that encourages hard work as a means to advance. Hard work is something I do know about.

I get the impression that Obama and his party would encourage all of us to settle for "good enough" on a lot of topics. I think we're better than that.

As for my knowlege of the GI bill. I'm not the smartest guy out here. I frankly don't have the time to throughly educate myself on all the topics that I discuss. I honestly wish that I did, because I'm well aware that there is almost always more to the story.

 

wittom,
Most everyone here has their heels dug in on both sides and attempts at persuasion are really pointless, so I don't bother addressing most.

However, we've met and I know you are sincere and you're fair.
The only time I've seen you get into trouble is when you assume all readers know your political leaning and so you put out a sarcasm post that is two ounces short of having enough sarcasm to make it outlandish.

(You got to throw in some goats or other barnyard animals to pull it off)

 

I agree, it's not the Only choice. I should have chosen my words more carefully, but I can tell you, a kid coming out of school in the Rust Belt of NE Ohio doesn't have a LOT of options for work right now..

Yes, Military Service is a job. I give a LOT of credit to those who choose to serve our country and Put their LIVES on the line to do it.

I won't apologize to the fact these Service Men and Women DESERVE 20-30k when (IF) they survive their term to go to school on.

Yes, it's a Benefit of the "job", and used to encourage people to join, but if we can spend 5 Billion on an airplane, we can afford some education for a good American that WORKED hard and EARNED it.

Saying these Military People aren't "paying" for their Own Education, often with their Arms, Legs, Eyes, and Lives is just wrong...

 

3rd actually and no it wouldn't. I'm finally on shore duty after 8 years at sea and I'm done after this regardless of what happens with the GI bill, the war, the presidency, etc.

 

Everyone has his or her opinion, but when you wave $25K, $40K, $50K in front of an 18 year old, then dammit- you should honor that deal. The contract shouldn't be laden with double talk, acronyms, and legal mumbo jumbo, along with hopes that they really won’t use the money. PS, you contribute to your own GI bill. It’s a small amount, but your money goes into the pot before you get any out.

So yes, the Army (Navy, Air Force, marines) is a job, but it's a job many are unwilling, incapable, and some are unable to do. Someone has to be willing to step up (volunteers), otherwise the draft will be back, and make service mandatory (Which I'm all for by the way).

The government saw fit to ensure those who served and chose not to make the military a career, had the opportunity to retrain themselves, and gain a college degree (if they so desired) in the discipline of their choosing. While I'm not saying it should be a free ride, it should be adequate for the soldier to be able to attend almost any college, public or private, they wish. (There's still the matter of acceptance, so just because one wants to go to Harvard, or UC Berkeley, doesn't mean they will).

GI's volunteer, and they do a job often at 50% to 33% of what the civilian market pays for the same work. So, for those who volunteered to stand in harms way, whether they actually stood in harm's way or not, deserve the best, as far as I'm concerned.

I used my GI Bill and got my Associates degree (Thanks Uncle Sam). And, I'm not bitter (Thanks Tuition Reimbursement department for reimbursing me for the Bachelors, and MBA ~in progress). So, I'm not upset about the fact that I didn't get what I thought I had coming to me. (Shame on me for not getting it in writing).

But, I was bitter in 1991, and if our government is not forthcoming with our youth joining today- then you and I with son's, daughters, nieces, nephews, brothers and sisters who are joining- should be upset if they are facing a shell game when they get to the MEPS station. We need to make it a point to tell them to get in writing, everything they think they are supposed to be getting in return for their military service, to include schools they’ve requested, and most importantly- the GI Bill.

It's not a free ride. When you raise that right hand, and swear in, you have no idea where you will be after basic & AIT. You could be chilling in Hawaii with hot & cold running women. You could be on a mountaintop in South Korea, at -10 degrees, and so cold you can’t feel your feet or fingers. Or, you could be dodging bullets on night patrol, and trying to take a dump during the day in Iraq, in a makeshift outhouse in 115 degree heat, and 89% humidity- while the biggest flies you've ever seen are crawling all over and up your butt, and trying to keep sand (and the same flies) from getting in your mouth.

It's no easy job, and it’s no free ride. They earn it.
For those who put it on the line, I say- give them the best. Soldiers pay taxes too, and as a taxpayer and former soldier, I would rather my tax dollars went into re-educating college-interested GI's, than to some pointless pork barrel project.

 

terrorist fist jab to Bighersh.

 

When I went in the Air Force in 86 the GI bill cost me 1200 bucks. It was 12 monthly payments of 100 bucks and then I would get 10,800 to spend on college provided I did it within 10 years of my seperation date. I did not use it because I got a good job and never went back to school. I am sure my 1200 went to another more motivated Airman.
I had gone to college for 2 years before enlisting and got great electronics training while in the Air Force.

 

That sounds like the Army College Fund portion that was voluntary.
They matched 2 to 1 what you put in.
The other part was the Montgomery GI bill.

Induction Processor to new recruit: "So, do you want to sign up for the ACF? Cost you $100 a month."

18 year old private thinks about it for three seconds: "Hell no, give me my money man."

It saved a bundle over the old system at a time when Reagan was building his 600 ship Navy.

 

Army College Fund:

Source: http://usmilitary.about.com/cs/armyj...rmycollege.htm

 

From the beloved comic Jimmy Durante....

"So, I goes into da restuarant and order Pheasant Under Glass.
They bring me my Pheasant Under da Glass and I notice a sign on the wall that says
'Watch Your Hat And Coat'
So, I watches my hat and coat and somebody steals my Pheasant Under da Glass"

aah..cha,cha..cha,cha