Post 9/11 G.I. Bill briefing successful

  • Published
  • By 2nd Lt. Ryan DeCamp
  • 56th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
LUKE AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. --  More than 400 military members and their families packed Club Thunderbolt for two briefings on the Post 9/11 G.I. Bill July 22. 

The education center sponsored the event and brought in John Crawford, Arizona Department of Veteran's Services Approving Agency education and training specialist, to explain the new bill in detail. He compared the Montgomery G.I. Bill to the post 9/11 G.I. Bill.

Some of the differences include having 15 years to use benefits in Chapter 33 versus just ten in Chapter 30 and allowing dependents to use the benefits. 

"By allowing the transfer of benefits, the Defense Department is recognizing that family members move often, endure separations and make great sacrifices alongside their family members wearing the uniform," said Beth Anderson, 56th Force Support Squadron Education Services lead specialist. "We are working diligently to get the most current information out to the members so they can take full advantage of these new benefits." 

The education center will have another briefing on the Post 9/11 G.I. Bill led by Mr. Crawford 9 to 10:30 a.m. Aug. 19. The location is yet to be determined. 

"The programs are still evolving and the education center can answer questions and put people in touch with the resources they need," said Chuck Dittell, 56th FSS Development Flight chief. 

For more information on the bill, call the education office at (623) 856-7722, or stop by the office on the third floor of Bldg. 1150. The education office also suggests visiting http://www.gibill.va.gov. 

Articles will appear in future editions of The Thunderbolt describing the new Post 9/11 G.I. Bill. The next article will address who is eligible for the new bill, which active-duty service commitments are required and which commitments will be needed if benefits are transferred to a dependant. 

The following article will talk about which benefits dependants can use and how servicemembers can sign up to transfer those benefits. The final story will compare the Montgomery G.I. Bill to the Post 9/11 Bill.