Comments on: Expanding GI Bill Benefits http://urbangrounds.com/2008/05/expanding-gi-bill/ Off-the-cuff commentary on the day's events Sat, 20 Mar 2010 20:36:34 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Pat http://urbangrounds.com/2008/05/expanding-gi-bill/#comment-135641 Pat Fri, 30 May 2008 21:15:35 +0000 http://urbangrounds.com/?p=2594#comment-135641 The republicans don't want a GI Bill because they'd lose the cannon fodder they need for their endless wars of aggression to the pointy-heads in academia. Actions speak louder than words, and the record is clear: the GOP has demonstrated time and again throughout this war that they don't give a damn about a soldier once he's been discharged. See: Walter Reed, GI Bill, etc.... The republicans don’t want a GI Bill because they’d lose the cannon fodder they need for their endless wars of aggression to the pointy-heads in academia. Actions speak louder than words, and the record is clear: the GOP has demonstrated time and again throughout this war that they don’t give a damn about a soldier once he’s been discharged. See: Walter Reed, GI Bill, etc….

]]> By: Tom Tarantino http://urbangrounds.com/2008/05/expanding-gi-bill/#comment-135614 Tom Tarantino Thu, 29 May 2008 15:38:07 +0000 http://urbangrounds.com/?p=2594#comment-135614 There are various options for higher education within the Active Military that are not being talked about within the context of this debate. Thanks to Robbie for bringing them up. As a former Army Officer and NCO, I know how little is known about these programs even within the ranks. There are however, a few points that should be clarified. The Graham/Burr bill still requires soldiers to buy in to the system, while the Webb/Hagel bill eliminates the buy in entirely. Transferability is currently authorized per the defense authorization act of 2001. While it is limited to critical MOS only, it has only been used 200 (out of 17,000 eligible) times in the last 7 years. It is a good idea that Sen Warner R-VA (GI Bill co-sponsor) has introduced as an amendment to the GI Bill. Also, it is important to note that Sen. Webb's bill has more Republican co-sponsors (1/3 of House GOP & 11 GOP Sen) than the competing bill has total sponsors. Half of the GOP in the Senate voted for it on the floor. It is also important to realize that all of the major Veteran's organizations have endorsed the GI Bill and do not support the competing bill. For once, this is an idea that had not been hatched from the loony-left or the hard right. It's in fact, a true effort by leaders in both parties to do the right thing. There are various options for higher education within the Active Military that are not being talked about within the context of this debate. Thanks to Robbie for bringing them up. As a former Army Officer and NCO, I know how little is known about these programs even within the ranks. There are however, a few points that should be clarified. The Graham/Burr bill still requires soldiers to buy in to the system, while the Webb/Hagel bill eliminates the buy in entirely. Transferability is currently authorized per the defense authorization act of 2001. While it is limited to critical MOS only, it has only been used 200 (out of 17,000 eligible) times in the last 7 years. It is a good idea that Sen Warner R-VA (GI Bill co-sponsor) has introduced as an amendment to the GI Bill. Also, it is important to note that Sen. Webb’s bill has more Republican co-sponsors (1/3 of House GOP & 11 GOP Sen) than the competing bill has total sponsors. Half of the GOP in the Senate voted for it on the floor. It is also important to realize that all of the major Veteran’s organizations have endorsed the GI Bill and do not support the competing bill. For once, this is an idea that had not been hatched from the loony-left or the hard right. It’s in fact, a true effort by leaders in both parties to do the right thing.

]]> By: TruthSeeker http://urbangrounds.com/2008/05/expanding-gi-bill/#comment-135584 TruthSeeker Wed, 28 May 2008 16:31:06 +0000 http://urbangrounds.com/?p=2594#comment-135584 Valid point Robbie, and I'm glad to see someone standing up against the Donk's on this issue. Have you seen the interview where Larry Joe Doherty bashes your Congressman on this issue on thetexasblue.com? If only they knew the truth in the matter, and where the Congressman from Texas District 10 stood on the issue and why he will not vote for $10 Billion in small business taxes. Valid point Robbie, and I’m glad to see someone standing up against the Donk’s on this issue. Have you seen the interview where Larry Joe Doherty bashes your Congressman on this issue on thetexasblue.com? If only they knew the truth in the matter, and where the Congressman from Texas District 10 stood on the issue and why he will not vote for $10 Billion in small business taxes.

]]> By: Jim Howard http://urbangrounds.com/2008/05/expanding-gi-bill/#comment-135573 Jim Howard Wed, 28 May 2008 05:12:05 +0000 http://urbangrounds.com/?p=2594#comment-135573 Those of us who entered the service prior to (IIRC) 1986 had a free GI bill, so it's not a radical idea. When I retired in 1994 I went to one semester of graduate school (which I hated) and then went into the private sector. When the ten year clock ran out in 2004 I had something like 30 months of unused GI bill, and two kids in college. It would have been great to pass some of that GI bill to my kids. Those of us who entered the service prior to (IIRC) 1986 had a free GI bill, so it’s not a radical idea.

When I retired in 1994 I went to one semester of graduate school (which I hated) and then went into the private sector. When the ten year clock ran out in 2004 I had something like 30 months of unused GI bill, and two kids in college. It would have been great to pass some of that GI bill to my kids.

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