Military Education and Liars
The anti-war, anti-military zealots in this country would like you to believe that the military is full of poor, uneducated children who have been (or will be) brainwashed into killing mindlessly. They call our recruiters liars and point – falsely – to statistics where Soldiers are not given the entitlements they are promised when they signed up to enlist.
95% of the active duty military force signs up for the Montgomery GI Bill when they enlist. The Bill requires that Soldiers pay in $100 per month for a year ($1200) total. At the conclusion of their military service these Soldiers are entitled to 36 months of benefits which generally equates to a 4-year degree. Additionally, while on active duty service, all Soldiers are entitled to $7,500 per year of tuition assistance to attend classes in the evenings and on weekends. TA pays for tuition and most books. Soldiers are not required to buy into or pay back this money. It’s there for them – free!
The anti-war retards in this country site statistics that very few Soldiers “receive” these benefits they are promised. They produce propaganda pamphlets, create websites, and haunt recruiting stations to spread vile untruths about the military violating their promises on education and other programs when the reality is that Soldiers voluntarily forego these benefits.
I could be a poster boy for the anti-war in this country. I’ve been in the Army over 13 years now and I haven’t been given over $82,000 in benefits promised to me. Guess why? Because I haven’t made the time to seize them. I’ve had other plans. I DECIDED not to receive those benefits by refraining from going to college (I’ve since corrected that minor deficiency in my resume).
According to available data from the Defense Department, about 7% of service members who separated from the armed forces before 1997 had used up all their benefits by the 10-year limit. 29% never even used the benefit. The remainder only used part of it. The anti-war heroes will say that this is proof of their claim that the military lied. What they won’t tell you is that the main reasons are that Soldiers’ intentions changed when they got out. They wanted to start another career, move to another state, get married, have children, travel the world, whatever.
To be fair, I think the 10-year rule is a crock and NEEDS to be changed. As Soldiers, we paid into the GI Bill and we should be able to take our benefits on our time, regardless of how long it takes. Legislation needs to be enacted that gives Soldiers unlimited time to use their benefits. But, the fact remains that ALL Soldiers KNOW that they have 10 years to use or lose their education benefits as currently authorized by law. If we don’t use them, then we’ve screwed ourselves.
Let’s address the recent trend within the military services to accept more recruits without high school diplomas. The anti-military buffoons love to use this one against us as well. First of all, is there something wrong with giving the uneducated youth in this country a step up with vital training, experience, and education in the military? I don’t think so. Where else are they going to go to get out of the rut? How else are they going to overcome their juvenile decisions to drop out of high school?
harold
February 6th, 2008 at 3:15 pmCJ, 13 years and 1st SGT, you worked hard for that grade and you are a Poster child for what can be accomplished in the Military….when one applies themselves.
I didn’t drop into the Army, I finished High School, and two years of College before enlisting. My lifestyle changed and that is why I joined.
I gave this man’s Army 4 years of my life, and and because of my choice, I left as an E5, and well educated as a computer programmer. I do not regret any of my time for I went in knowing full well what was going on, what was expected of me, and what I had to do to make myself better. I don’t know if Tuition Assistance was available then (1973-1977), but I did take computer based training, which was paid for by the civilian department I was assigned too. I do have one regret, and that is “I” did not make myself use my GI Bill before the 10 years was up. I waited until the eighth year before starting College, and did what I could to make up for lost time.
Does that mean that my entitlements weren’t being met by the military, not just no, but Hell No….that was my fault (PERIOD).
I am sick and tired of listening to the Anti-Military idiots and wish they would stop drinking that venomous kool-aid being served by the broadcast media.
CJ
February 6th, 2008 at 9:33 pmHarold,
Thank you for your service sir!
David
March 11th, 2008 at 8:34 pmI paid in, I took out. I even got to a few course while I was in the Army. I rucked with an accounting book for a week in the NC woods, but I passed my courses. Still kick my self that I didn’t get my pilot’s license. Like anything, it can be improved but its a good thing.
D