For Military Vets: Cuts to Post 9/11 GI Bill

[Andrew111]

I know we have at least a few people on Anandtech in the military or veterans of military service so I figured I would spread the word here as well. I just found out that there are bills making their way through both the House and the Senate that are proposing to substantially cut the benefits that can be received via the new GI Bill that was just passed in 2008.

The proposed cuts to the new GI Bill are outlined here: Post 9/11 GI Bill Cuts Looming

Basically, the proposed changes will eliminate the ability for many veterans to afford attending a private college as a nationwide cap of $20,000 will be implemented for private colleges. Interestingly enough, the outrageous fees charged by some public schools will continue to be funded 100%...like Kansas charging $50,000+ just in fees a term. So the argument that this is saving money is ridiculous given the radical tuition and fees charged by many public universities. Why lock in veterans to public schools?

Anyway, any military members / veterans here that want to chime in on this?

 

[DesiPower]

More fitting for P&N

 

[CycloWizard]

Congress is more interested in sending federal money back to their home state than in making good on promises to the troops. If you send the money to a private school, the senator's home state doesn't get any of it. Not many of these douchebags really support current/past troops except in campaign commercials.

 

[SP33Demon]

Probably because on average, private schools are a shtload more money than public and a waste of taxpayer money.

 

[Andrew111]

<-- P&N is that way

Hmm, if the mods feel it is more appropriate there then so be it. I just get the cold sweats about the thought of venturing into P&N...plus debate there tends to be republican vs. democrat without logical arguments...just poo flinging by both sides.

 

[Andrew111]

Probably because on average, private schools are a shtload more money than public and a waste of taxpayer money.

Yeah but the Post 9/11 GI Bill is capped at the most expensive public school. This just further locks in veterans to public schools...why? I think vet organizations may have been hoodwinked into going along with this change along the lines that CycloWizard suggests.

 

[DesiPower]

Hmm, if the mods feel it is more appropriate there then so be it. I just get the cold sweats about the thought of venturing into P&N...plus debate there tends to be republican vs. democrat without logical arguments...just poo flinging by both sides.

agreed, I would probably pitch in too

 

[Proprioceptive]

I may be flamed out of existence for this, but personally, I don't mind these cuts. Beyond our base pay, I look at every other benefit as a plus. We're a volunteer military, so I don't believe that we're entitled to most of the extra benefits we use. Don't get me wrong, I use my benefits to their maximum potential, but if cuts are necessary and help ease the burden on tax payers, I don't have any issue with it. As a soldier, I believe my pay is more than fair, especially as an officer, and I can't complain.

 

[Number1]

I may be flamed out of existence for this, but personally, I don't mind these cuts. Beyond our base pay, I look at every other benefit as a plus. We're a volunteer military, so I don't believe that we're entitled to most of the extra benefits we use. Don't get me wrong, I use my benefits to their maximum potential, but if cuts are necessary and help ease the burden on tax payers, I don't have any issue with it. As a soldier, I believe my pay is more than fair, especially as an officer, and I can't complain.

Quoted for posterity. Hell why don't you donate your paycheck to a charity?
As far as I am concerned, soldiers are entitled to everything they get and then some. They put their lives on the line for god and country and so they should be rewarded handsomely.
Here in Canada, the Government just passed a regulation increasing benefits for wounded veterans.
My own brother suffered from PTSD after he came back from Bosnia 10 years ago. My entire family had to fight the system until finally they relented and agreed to give him adequate compensation LAST YEAR. He can no longer work.

 

[Fear No Evil]

Quoted for posterity. Hell why don't you donate your paycheck to a charity?
As far as I am concerned, soldiers are entitled to everything they get and then some. They put their lives on the line for god and country and so they should be rewarded handsomely.
Here in Canada, the Government just passed a regulation increasing benefits for wounded veterans.
My own brother suffered from PTSD after he came back from Bosnia 10 years ago. My entire family had to fight the system until finally they relented and agreed to give him adequate compensation LAST YEAR. He can no longer work.

What is the appropriate salary and benefits for a soldier then? Be specific please.

 

[Proprioceptive]

Quoted for posterity. Hell why don't you donate your paycheck to a charity?
As far as I am concerned, soldiers are entitled to everything they get and then some. They put their lives on the line for god and country and so they should be rewarded handsomely.
Here in Canada, the Government just passed a regulation increasing benefits for wounded veterans.
My own brother suffered from PTSD after he came back from Bosnia 10 years ago. My entire family had to fight the system until finally they relented and agreed to give him adequate compensation LAST YEAR. He can no longer work.

Well, I guess some people just don't get the concept of "volunteer" military... but oh well. We, as members of the military, are not entitled to anything more than everyone else working jobs they voluntarily work for. It's the entitlement attitude that gets this country and many others in so much trouble. Your comment about my paycheck being donated to charity... that's just asinine. I do, however, donate to charity, and the fact that I just stated that any cuts in extra benefits doesn't bother me is pretty indicative of just how asinine that statement is.

 

[Proprioceptive]

What is the appropriate salary and benefits for a soldier then? Be specific please.

Thank you.:thumbsup:

 

[Number1]

What is the appropriate salary and benefits for a soldier then? Be specific please.

Check the Canadian Military pay scale and get back to me. I think they are getting a fair pay except maybe at the Pte. level.

 

[Number1]

Hard to believe what I am reading in here.

"Take may benefit's away, I am not worhty"

LOL

 

[Vette73]

I know we have at least a few people on Anandtech in the military or veterans of military service so I figured I would spread the word here as well. I just found out that there are bills making their way through both the House and the Senate that are proposing to substantially cut the benefits that can be received via the new GI Bill that was just passed in 2008.

The proposed cuts to the new GI Bill are outlined here: Post 9/11 GI Bill Cuts Looming

Basically, the proposed changes will eliminate the ability for many veterans to afford attending a private college as a nationwide cap of $20,000 will be implemented for private colleges. Interestingly enough, the outrageous fees charged by some public schools will continue to be funded 100%...like Kansas charging $50,000+ just in fees a term. So the argument that this is saving money is ridiculous given the radical tuition and fees charged by many public universities. Why lock in veterans to public schools?

Anyway, any military members / veterans here that want to chime in on this?

Where did you see that? Got anything to back it up?

 

[Andrew111]

I may be flamed out of existence for this, but personally, I don't mind these cuts. Beyond our base pay, I look at every other benefit as a plus. We're a volunteer military, so I don't believe that we're entitled to most of the extra benefits we use. Don't get me wrong, I use my benefits to their maximum potential, but if cuts are necessary and help ease the burden on tax payers, I don't have any issue with it. As a soldier, I believe my pay is more than fair, especially as an officer, and I can't complain.

Hmmm, I think it is pretty disappointing that the Post 9/11 GI Bill was passed in 2008 and already it is facing cuts across the board. What's criminal is that some vet organizations are supporting this bill...they are willing to sell out veterans to accomplish a separate goal. Glad I never donated to IAVA because the changes they are lobbying for will increase the out-of-pocket costs for the private college I would like to attend by tens of thousands of dollars each year.

 

[Proprioceptive]

Hard to believe what I am reading in here.

"Take may benefit's away, I am not worhty"

LOL

Your ability to quote and/or paraphrase astounds me.

 

[Andrew111]

Where did you see that? Got anything to back it up?

Oh man, you're going to be surprised at the costs of some public colleges. Check here: Post 9/11 GI Bill Tuition and Fees Rates Check Utah's fees...I didn't realize that the state school in Utah was so prestigious that it could charge $80,000 in fees for a term.....absolutely ridiculous. But if I want to go to a private college in Utah..I'm limited to $20,000 for tuition AND fees.

 

[Proprioceptive]

Where did you see that? Got anything to back it up?

http://tuition.ku.edu/rates.shtml#campus

His numbers are BS... unless he's talking about some crazy expensive private school...

 

[Andrew111]

http://tuition.ku.edu/rates.shtml#campus

His numbers are BS... unless he's talking about some crazy expensive private school...

Uh, it is NOT BS. It's taken straight from the VA's website: :http://www.gibill.va.gov/gi_bill_info/ch33/tuition_and_fees.htm

I recommend you know what you're talking about before you accuse me of fabricating something that is backed up by proof on my end.............

 

[Spikesoldier]

so it sounds like the average enlisted (not a degree bearing officer) only gets to go to the state school while officers get to get masters or doctorate out of this

 

[Proprioceptive]

Uh, it is NOT BS. It's taken straight from the VA's website: :http://www.gibill.va.gov/gi_bill_info/ch33/tuition_and_fees.htm

I recommend you know what you're talking about before you accuse me of fabricating something that is backed up by proof on my end.............

Actually, I do know what I'm talking about because if you actually click on Kansas in that link, you'll see that KU is sitting at $6000. Now, if you're referring to any other crazy expensive public institution in which you want to waste your money on... then that's a different story. Just because you're in a volunteer military does not mean you get carte blanche on tuition and fees for whatever school you want.... I just can't stand all of this entitlement attitude.

 

[Andrew111]

Actually, I do know what I'm talking about because if you actually click on Kansas in that link, you'll see that KU is sitting at $6000. Now, if you're referring to any other crazy expensive public institution in which you want to waste your money on... then that's a different story. Just because you're in a volunteer military does not mean you get carte blanche on tuition and fees for whatever school you want.... I just can't stand all of this entitlement attitude.

No, you obviously don't when you accused me of BS. You realize the Post 9/11 GI Bill uses the rate of the most expensive public school undergraduate tuition and fees right? Obviously you didn't when you accused me of being a liar or you wouldn't have accused me of such. There is more than one public school in Kansas......quit trying to backtrack...you called me a liar when it is you who need to educate yourself before throwing around accusations. No wonder you don't mind the cuts...you don't know what it all entails which you reveal by how much you don't know about the GI Bill.

And sense of entitlement? This bill was passed...and now they want to cut it which is disingenuous. You like rolling over much Prop?

 

[CycloWizard]

I may be flamed out of existence for this, but personally, I don't mind these cuts. Beyond our base pay, I look at every other benefit as a plus. We're a volunteer military, so I don't believe that we're entitled to most of the extra benefits we use. Don't get me wrong, I use my benefits to their maximum potential, but if cuts are necessary and help ease the burden on tax payers, I don't have any issue with it. As a soldier, I believe my pay is more than fair, especially as an officer, and I can't complain.

Fair enough, but cutting benefits retroactively for those who were promised them when they enlisted should be illegal. If I sign a contract with my company, then they decide to change the terms while I'm doing my job and can't quit, that should be and would be illegal.

 

[Vette73]

Oh man, you're going to be surprised at the costs of some public colleges. Check here: Post 9/11 GI Bill Tuition and Fees Rates Check Utah's fees...I didn't realize that the state school in Utah was so prestigious that it could charge $80,000 in fees for a term.....absolutely ridiculous. But if I want to go to a private college in Utah..I'm limited to $20,000 for tuition AND fees.

Oh geez. Those are the max fees they CAN charge, not WHAT they charge.

Let me guess you watch Fox news as well.

Keep spinning.