WashingtonWatch.com - S. 2938, The Enhancement of Recruitment, Retention, and Readjustment Through Education Act of 2008

Comment by cmoursler (July 23, 2008, 01:00:00)

Wed, 23 Jul 2008 00:00:00 EDT

I agree with the guys above. I want to go to college. I followed my husband all over, we never had the money for me to go to college. I want to go to college, then my husband can stay home while I work and put him through college. He retired after twenty one years. He works full time and always will unless I can get a good education to support us while he gets his. nuf said....

Revision by webmaster (July 17, 2008, 01:00:00)

Thu, 17 Jul 2008 00:00:00 EDT

S. 2938 would amend titles 10 and 38, United States Code, to improve educational assistance for members of the Armed Forces and veterans in order to enhance recruitment and retention for the Armed Forces.

Detailed Summary

Enhancement of Recruitment, Retention, and Readjustment Through Education Act of 2008 - Directs the Secretary of Defense to develop a plan on the coordination of current Department of Defense (DOD) educational assistance programs and the development of additional programs to enable members of the Armed Forces (members) to attain a bachelor's degree while pursuing a military career.

Increases rates of educational assistance: (1) under the Montgomery GI Bill; (2) for members of the Selected Reserve; and (3) for Selected Reserve members with extended (more than 12 years) service who provide support for contingency operations and other operations.

Provides an annual stipend for individuals receiving basic educational assistance and pursuing a program of education at an approved institution of higher education.

Allows a member who has completed six years of service (current law allows only members who have completed six years of service and have a military skill designated as critical) to transfer to one or more dependents any unused portion of the member's educational assistance entitlement. Provides similar authority for members of the Selected Reserve.

Authorizes a member on active duty and entitled to basic educational assistance to use all or a portion thereof to repay any outstanding federal student loan.

Makes eligible for educational assistance an individual who, after September 30, 2009, receives a commission upon graduation of a service academy or completion of Senior Reserve Officers' Training, and completes at least five years of continuous active duty.

Makes eligible for enrollment under the Montgomery GI Bill certain retired personnel originally enrolled in the veterans' educational assistance program.

Requires the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to carry out a supplemental educational grant program under which a participating institution of higher education provides certain veterans with the non-federal share of a percentage of such veteran's unmet educational financial need.

Status of the Legislation

Latest Major Action: 4/29/2008: Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.

Points in Favor

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Points Against

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Comment by MARINE (June 19, 2008, 01:00:00)

Thu, 19 Jun 2008 00:00:00 EDT

As a marine preparing for retirement in four years the one major cost that I have not been able to save for is my Childs education. The transferability of the Graham bill outweighs all other benefits for careerists...

Comment by Nikki (June 1, 2008, 01:00:00)

Sun, 01 Jun 2008 00:00:00 EDT

I am glad I saw this after reading about s. 22. This bill doesn't benefit reserves as much as s.22. (bad for them, but fair) With s. 22 they get a lot more money (ie this is Webb supporting War veterans...) but the bill does not specifically include those who have gone to war. so, after 9 mos, reserve pv2s get just as much money for school as ncos. with this bill, the amount for 12 yr vs. less than 12 yr. is not that much. If, s. 22 passes, which it looks like it will, then why stay on AD. Some units are deploying just as much as reserves. with s. 22 I really don't like how where you go to school depends on how much you can get. my Bah in dc as e-5 w/ dep is $2000 a month. Bah at ft. hood e-5 w/ dep is 948....

Comment by RTO Trainer (May 20, 2008, 01:00:00)

Tue, 20 May 2008 00:00:00 EDT

USMC Vet--If better only equals bigger handout, then sure. But I know I didn't sign up for what I could be given. GA Vet 2--This bill would possibly enhance the amount available to you for education benefits, but I don't know enough baout your situation to know....

Comment by RTO Trainer (May 20, 2008, 01:00:00)

Tue, 20 May 2008 00:00:00 EDT

BTW--S 22 does nothing for those who's service ended prior to 11 September 2001....

Comment by Neil (May 19, 2008, 01:00:00)

Mon, 19 May 2008 00:00:00 EDT

This bill is absolutely crucial for retention of military members, especially the piece that allows transfer of benefits to family members. Family members endure hardships that civilians just don't and cannot ever understand. Hopefully the bill will pass soon....

Comment by GA Vet 2 (May 15, 2008, 01:00:00)

Thu, 15 May 2008 00:00:00 EDT

12 years of service!? What does that do for me? I was medically separated at just less than 4 yrs in. I would be homeless if it wasn't for the current CH30 due to VA denial of claims that were the cause of my med separation....

Comment by USMC vet (May 15, 2008, 01:00:00)

Thu, 15 May 2008 00:00:00 EDT

S22 is better. I dont think benefits have anything to do with retention whatsoever....

Comment by RTO Trainer (May 13, 2008, 01:00:00)

Tue, 13 May 2008 00:00:00 EDT

S 22 won't allow you to transfer your benefit to your spouse or child and it only benefits post 9/11 vets. In addition this one won't cost us $1.1 billion over the next 5 years overcomming what it'll do to retention....

Comment by Ga Vet (May 1, 2008, 01:00:00)

Thu, 01 May 2008 00:00:00 EDT

S 22 is better....

Revision by webmaster (April 30, 2008, 01:00:00)

Wed, 30 Apr 2008 00:00:00 EDT

Detailed Summary

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Status of the Legislation

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Points in Favor

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Points Against

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Revision by webmaster (April 30, 2008, 01:00:00)

Wed, 30 Apr 2008 00:00:00 EDT

Detailed Summary

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Status of the Legislation

Latest Major Action: 4/29/2008: Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.

Points in Favor

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Points Against

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Status as of April 29, 2008

Tue, 29 Apr 2008 00:00:00 EDT

4/29/2008: Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.