G.I. Bill targeted as unfair It is

[Monkeyman]

http://www.argusleader.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061124/NEWS02/611240320/1001/NEWS

Citizen soldiers get less money,tighter rules for school.

National Guard and Reserve troops face the same combat risks in Iraq and Afghanistan as active-duty soldiers, but when it comes to military benefits to pay for college, there are sharp -some say unfair(Like Me) differences.

The G.I. Bill - a federal law that veterans have used to advance their education since the end of World War 11 -provides a top benefit of $1,075 a month for a veteran of active-duty service.

Under the latest version of the law, passed in 1985 and called the Montgomery GI Bill, National Guard and Reserve troops called to active duty or national emergency can receive up to $860 per month, if they serve two consecutive years. Without active-duty service, the basic National Guard and Reserve educational benefit is $309 a month. (Thats Bullshit)

As of early Nov, National Guard and reserves have made up about 28 percent of the 1.4 million troops who have served in Iraq and Afghanistan and about 23 percent of almost 26,000 killed or wounded.

The Democrats have a bill that will level this out called the GI Bill for the 21st Century but the Replugs will not let it go to the floor for a up or down vote. Here is my wish that in that first 100 hours they pass this Bill its only fair.

[proud2BlibKansan]

1. If they end up serving full time, then they are entitled to the same benefit

But if they do one weekend a month and 2 weeks in the summer, then they really haven't earned the full benefit, IMO.

[Gatchaman]

2. If they want to dilute the benefits, you should not have to serve overseas

If the NATIONAL guard was used for what it was designed for, I could understand how they could get away with giving you guys lesser benefits, but when you're sent to the same combat zone marines and regular army troops are sent to, you should get all the same benefits.

[Monkeyman]

3. Some of these units have been deployed three to four times

18 Month pulls each time. I think they should receive the same benefits

[noamnety]

4. Is this in the new bill?

If they're going to redo the bill ... I'd also like to see this changed:

Soldiers are required to pay a $1200 nonrefundable deposit for the GI bill, unless they sign a waiver to give up that benefit. If they get out early (in less than three years), they can't get that money back. "If they get out early" includes being discharged because of being wounded, or PTSD. So if you get your legs blown off, for example, and get released discharged as a direct result of that, the government keeps your $1200.

If it's advertised as a benefit, WHY are the troops required to pay a $1200 deposit for it?

Do you know if that's addressed in the Democrats' bill?

[Monkeyman]

6. Here is the link

http://www.democraticleader.house.gov you can bring the Bill up there

[dogman]

5. This is all part of the "volunteer" Army hoax.

The claim is that there is no need for a draft because we have a volunteer Army. In reality we have a back door draft. The Pentagon has taken soldiers who were trained in their MOS and with a quick orientation converted them to combat forces. They call up NG and Reserves that are supposed to be stop gap and send them as prime forces. In the meantime the traditional support roles have been privatized and these people are not classified as troops. The soldiers are providing protection for workers who make ten times the amount the soldiers earn. The corporations are also guaranteed profits as well as the ability to overcharge without fear of audits. Yet there is no money to be found for these troops. As you noted, it's BULLSHIT!