Army Benefits - Are they taking care of our vets, or just a way for politicians to say they care?

SPC(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 22 Oct 2015 13:32:45 -0400

I returned to school last semester, and trying to figure out the education benefits has me furious. Is it just me, or do they intentionally wrap the military benefits in so much bureaucratic nonsense that most soldiers will just not use them?

Response by 1stSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 22 at 2015 1:35 PM

1stSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 22 Oct 2015 13:35:45 -0400

Did you visit your County Veterans Officer?

Response by SPC(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 22 at 2015 1:38 PM

SPC(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 22 Oct 2015 13:38:20 -0400

Perhaps it is just another case of things being geared for the Active Duty, where someone might actually be available to assist in the process, but it took me nearly 6 months of coordination between the school and the Army to get my GI bill set up last semester, My TA wasn't paid out until the last 2 weeks of the semester, and now TA says I am on hold because my "Student Agreement is not submitted" (the school says they submitted it months ago), and the help desk just directs me to the page where it says that the Student Agreement is not complete (with no instruction on HOW to correct the issue). What I know, is that many times in this process I have been tempted to say the heck with it and not use the benefits. Just wondering if that is intentional.

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 22 at 2015 1:44 PM

Sgt Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 22 Oct 2015 13:44:16 -0400

I used my GI Bill in the early 70's, so signing up was probably much easier then, although I really do not remember. Please keep in mind, that no matter how much hassle there is, obtaining your educational benefits will pay off in a bright future.

Response by MSgt April Monthie made Oct 22 at 2015 2:20 PM

MSgt April Monthie — Thu, 22 Oct 2015 14:20:14 -0400

Any Veteran that has Questions about GI Bill Education Benefits please Don't hesitate to ask me. I worked for the with GI Bill Benefits in Veteran Service for 7 years as a compliance inspector to make sure the schools were taking care of the veterans and not over charging tuition and fees to the VA for the veterans training. Now I run a school where I certify Education Benefits for Veterans on a daily basis. And If I don't know the answer I probably have a contact who does or know where it find the anwser.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Oct 22 at 2015 2:42 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Thu, 22 Oct 2015 14:42:02 -0400

There is a legal concept where an entity acts in such a manner that the other parties believe and act according to the original entities actions. This becomes a contract because of the actions of the parties like going to school, counting on free medical care, an fair raises. The government is totally disregarding this concept and unilaterally changing promises.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 22 at 2015 3:04 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 22 Oct 2015 15:04:24 -0400

Welcome to the military and the federal government in general... It's all bureaucratic red tape. That said, yes, I do believe that we are absolutely being taken care of! Soldiers have access to more benefits now than they ever have before. The benefits are wrapped in bureaucratic red tape becasue it is the Federal government and there is SO much oversight that they have to be setup that way. It's not to discourage Soldiers from utilizing these benefits.

Some recommendations I would make to assist you with maximizing your benefits is that you speak to your UA. Your UA should serve as a full time POC for guidance, insight and advice. Second, you should have a mentor and that mentor should be able to provide you with some advice and insight as well. Asking here was a good idea, use your colleagues within your unit as well. Develop those relationships. Finally, most colleges and universities have a military liaison. Stop by their office to discuss the difficulties you are having and see what solutions they can offer you.

Good luck specialist.

Response by CSM William DeWolf made Oct 22 at 2015 8:09 PM

CSM William DeWolf — Thu, 22 Oct 2015 20:09:36 -0400

Your institution should have an office that can assist. Financial aid should be able or point you in the right direction. Good Luck!

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 22 at 2015 10:33 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 22 Oct 2015 22:33:42 -0400

Yes, SPC(P) Private RallyPoint Member, they absolutely make it harder than it needs to be.
Contact SSG Private RallyPoint Member, she knows the e-benefits system better than anyone in the unit.