COMMENTARY>> New GI Bill for combat airlifters

By Chief Master Sgt. David Flebotte
After reading up on the Post 9/11 GI Bill, my humble opinion is that this is the biggest and best benefit our, government has provided to its service-members in 30 years. In 1977, the government enacted the Post Vietnam Veterans’ Educational Assistance Program or VEAP which was available to service members if they elected to make contributions from their military pay; the government made contributions on a $2 for $1 basis.
In 1985, VEAP was replaced with the Montgomery GI Bill, the current system. On June 30, President George W. Bush signed a new education act, the Post 9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Act of 2008, which takes effect in 2009.
Beginning Aug. 1, 2009, many post - 9/11 veterans and service members will be eligible for an awesome new education package, which goes beyond helping pay for tuition. The new bill also covers Reserve and Guard members who have been activated for more than 90 days since 9/11.
Veterans who have served after Sept. 11, 2001, will receive their tuition paid along with several new benefits, including a monthly housing stipend equal to the monthly base allowance for housing for an E-5 with dependents in the zip code of the school. It will also cover higher tuition rates and up to $2,000 to cover the cost of one licensing or certification test. The time period to use the benefits has also increased from 10 to 15 years.
Finally, here is perhaps the biggest benefit: some of the new GI Bill benefits will be transferable to a spouse or child for service-members who have served at least 10 years on active duty. Several of the details are still being worked out. There are too many benefits to list fully, so go to www.gibill.va.gov for more information.