Short Wave Sportfishing wrote:
On Wed, 13 Feb 2008 12:00:43 -0500, "Eisboch" wrote:

"John H." wrote in message
...

On Wed, 13 Feb 2008 10:35:49 -0600, Vic Smith
wrote:
My understanding of current GI bill is that you have to contribute if
you want ed benefits. I seem to remember when they changed it
it was quite a downgrade from what I had. Of course pay was quite a
bit higher too, so the bite maybe wasn't as bad as it looked to me.
Yes, the contribution is $100 per month for the first 12 months. That was
instituted to get soldiers 'vested' and interested so they would actually
use the benefits. So they pay $1200 and in return get a little over
$39,600. Not a bad investment, if they use it.
I have a hazy memory of it working that way when I entered the service, so
it was in effect in 1968.
We signed some paperwork (with significant encouragement to do so)
authorizing the deduction from our pay when we entered boot camp.

That's the Montgomery GI Bill. Ours was, theoretically, a straight
benefit.


Liberal that I am, I think anyone who completes a full enlistment in the
military ought to have a ticket that at least covers room, board and
tuition for a bachelor's degree at any state university, and be entitled
to lifetime coverage at conventient medical facilities for any ailments
or injuries that result from that enlistment. If the serviceperson
decides to remain in the service while at school, he or she should be
accommodated to the extent possible, with the military picking up the
entire tab through graduate school.

And as crappy as military pay is, I think it ought to be at least
doubled or tripled for anyone serving in a hot zone, like Iraq or
Afghanistan. I don't see any reason to shortchange individuals for the
stupidity of their government.