G.I. Bill proposal would help veterans start a business

SGT Jim Z. — Tue, 03 Mar 2015 11:00:34 -0500

Under a proposed change to the popular Post 9/11 GI Bill service members may be able to obtain a collateral loan for a start up.

http://www.military.com/daily-news/2015/03/03/gi-bill-proposal-would-help-veterans-receive-small-business-loan.html?comp= [login to see] 70&rank=1

G.I. Bill Proposal Would Help Veterans Receive Small Business Loans

A proposed modification to the GI Bill would aid vets seeking to start their own businesses.

Response by PO2 Steven Erickson made Mar 3 at 2015 11:19 AM

PO2 Steven Erickson — Tue, 03 Mar 2015 11:19:39 -0500

In my opinion, this is a major improvement in benefits.

Not all of us veterans WANT to go to school. Some have typical American Ideas of how to do / build / sell something better than before.

The critical component here is found in this paragraph:

"Before a veteran could access that funding for loan collateral, the business plan would have to be vetted and approved by an independent board of business experts. The veteran would also have to attend a boots-to-business course at an accredited university."

Most people don't want to hear it, but just because YOU think it's a good idea for a business, doesn't mean it translates into the real world.

I saw an episode of one of those "restaurant rescue" reality shows where the owners were 100% stuck on the idea of a pirate-themed restaurant. It was their DREAM. And, unfortunately, it wasn't working, because it just wasn't what the "average money spender" wanted in a return trip to a restaurant.

I don't want to see a group of veterans lose their education benefits in a poorly-designed business model.

Given some realistic training and education, this program will help LOTS of our brothers and sisters to jump-start their businesses and this nation's economy.

GOOD IDEA!!!!