The Post-9/11 G.I. Bill Today’s Version of Yesterday’s Triumph

In 2002 I was looking for a change. I was sick of school and needed to do something exciting, so I enlisted in the Army as an infantryman. I was not sure whether or not I would ever go back to college, but when I was asked if I wanted to sign up for the Montgomery G.I. Bill I figured it could not hurt. It turned out to be the smartest thing I ever did.

The G.I. Bill originated as the Servicemen’s Act of 1944, known as the G.I. Bill of Rights, when President Roosevelt wanted to help soldiers returning WWII. It provided veterans assistance with education, house loans and unemployment compensation. It was a great thing for the country because more Americans than ever before attended college and the money received by these veterans was put right back into the economy when it needed it.

The G.I. Bill evolved with the Veteran’s Adjustment Act of 1952. This act extended the G.I. Bill to Korea veterans. Instead of paying tuition directly it paid each veteran $110 per month. Although veterans of the Korean War used the G.I. Bill less than their WWII counterparts this was a major step leading to today’s G.I. Bill.

The Veteran’s Readjustment Act of 1966  gave benefits of the G.I. Bill to veterans that served in peace. It gave an incentive for more people to join the military providing a building block to having the all volunteer Army we have today.

The Readjustment Assistance Act of 1972 increased the amount paid to each veteran. This act also increased the incentive because it increased the amount enough so veterans could work less and still afford to go to school.

In 1984 Gillespie Montgomery a congressman from Mississippi created the Montgomery G.I. Bill. This version significantly increased the amount of the benefits. Montgomery set up the blueprint for today’s G.I. Bill. He set it up so veterans received a supplemental income that was truly significant.

James Webb D-Va wrote the Post-9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Act of 2008. The new bill pays a veteran’s tuition directly to the school. It also pays a veteran a monthly living allowance based  the zip code of the institution that the veteran attends. Each veteran also receives $1000 a year for books. This bill finally gives veterans what they have earned, a free education and money to support them while they attend school.

As one of more than 1,000 veterans at UH, I first used the Chapter 33 G.I. Bill in the fall of 2009 which was its first semester available. For a full time student at UH the monthly living allowance came to more than $1500. As a single male with no dependents I was able to concentrate on school without the distraction of having a job.

All veterans should take advantage of the G.I. Bill. It is the greatest asset one can acquire by serving in the military. It provides veterans with the support they need to readjust to the civilian life while getting an education.

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