Possible Changes Eyed for Guard, Reserve Montgomery GI Bill

[unhappycamper]

Possible Changes Eyed for Guard, Reserve Montgomery GI Bill
American Forces Press Service | October 19, 2007

Defense leaders joined the Minnesota National Guard's adjutant general yesterday in urging Congress to revise the Montgomery GI Bill to improve coverage for reserve-component troops, although they didn't necessarily agree on the best way to accomplish that.

Army Maj. Gen. Larry W. Shellito told the House Veterans Affairs Committee that the bill, as currently written, shortchanges National Guard and Reserve troops.

He noted that nearly half the Minnesota National Guard's 1st Brigade Combat Team, 34th Infantry Division, found they weren't eligible for full education benefits under the bill, despite being one of the longest-serving units in Iraq. The unit returned home from a 22-month mobilization that included 16 months in combat as part of the surge force in Iraq.

All the returning "Red Bull" troops were eligible for Montgomery GI Bill benefits, but many fell short of the service time required to receive full benefits.

Among them was Army Sgt. Benjamin Hattan, a two-time Purple Heart recipient who was denied education benefits because his deployment orders were written for up to 729 days. The Montgomery GI Bill requires 730 days of service to quality for full benefits, Hattan explained to the committee.

The Army is working to amend the unit's orders and sent a team to Minnesota to help the Guardsmen wade through paperwork required to apply for benefits. Officials said the Army goal is to complete amendments so the soldiers can receive their benefits for the 2008 spring term.


Rest of article at: http://www.military.com/features/0,15240,153659,00.html



uhc comment: Previous postings about the 1/34

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=259&topic_id=4902
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=259&topic_id=4995