Should there be added benefits to Soldiers who completed their full 8 year requirement and were discharged honorably?

If you want the full benefits, instead of the generic doing (4) years, stay the full 20 years or more.

Thank you for your response msgt. I'm not looking for a handout just wondering what the response would be to this question. Overwhelming in your favor and I don't disagree. Thanks again

SGT Del Lavature
I didn't take the question as you personally thinking things need changing. A very similar question was asked in another thread about a year ago. Pretty much the same comments.

Here is a similar post but on the exchanges.
https://www.rallypoint.com/answers/should-all-veterans-have-access-to-the-army-and-air-force-exchange-service-aafes-and-navy-exchange

I see no reason why we SHOULDN'T be able to access the exchanges and commissaries at that point. The commissary at the very least. I pay a literal 2-5x more in price for the exact same cut/quality of meat out on the economy. About $10 for a package of chicken breasts and $12.95+ for a decent steak as opposed to about $3 and $6 respectively make a big difference on the quality and quantity of food I buy and how far my BAS and surplus base pay go after bills for a family who enjoys their proteins.

Thank you SFC. I don't disagree I appreciate your feedback!

SGT Del Lavature - Hang in there, I know you have been hammered for the question. I don't remember you pleading for a hand out... Just asking a simple question.

Thank it's been rough no word of a lie. I had clarify on another post but I'm not sure it's helped. Lol I wrote I'll wear the criticism.

That's fair, I don't disagree thank you!

Well sir I am in no way trying to take advantage of the system. I also don't expect to to be given anything else from the military or VA. I get my VA loan, I get my GI Bill which goes away at some point if I don't use it. I guess a nice benefit would be to collect a portion of that money if it's not used or be able to pass it along to one of my children. Or as stated above a small stipend just as a show of thanks for my service.

Actually, you CAN pass along your 9/11 bill if you've served 10 years, or if you've served 6 years and agreed to serve 4 more. http://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill/post911_transfer.asp for more information.

But I don't think you should get any kind of stipend. As much as I love money, I can't in good conscience say that we necessarily deserve it. If you were a civilian, you wouldn't get any benefits from working somewhere for 8 years... There are already enough benefits for us service members. It comes down to the choice of staying in and retiring to enjoy all your benefits, or separating and going our opposite ways.

PO3 (Join to see) - I don't disagree. Thanks for bringing that information to my attention.

You also no longer pay for the GI bill. When I joined I paid $100 a month for the Montgomery GI bill. The post 9-11 GI bill is now given to all who enter without any contribution. If the GI bill is not used what makes you think you should be able to collect money from a benefit intended for education which you didn't pay for; plus where does the incentive for education go if you can collect money instead?

I think one of the reasons there is all this backlash for this question is the fact that we have an enormous national debt and with looming defense budget cuts there isn't any room to add more benefits. It's a privilege to wear this uniform, if you choose to take it off before retirement then that is your choice. Remember this is an all volunteer service. Why this privileged feeling that someone has to say thanks for something they didn't ask us to do?