DoD sees no need to improve Reserve GI Bill

[babylonsister]

http://www.armytimes.com/news/2007/02/TNSgibill070228/

DoD sees no need to improve Reserve GI Bill

By Rick Maze - Staff writer
Posted : Thursday Mar 1, 2007 9:10:55 EST

Lawmakers hoping to improve GI Bill education benefits for National Guard and reserve members to instill a little more fairness and to prevent the loss of benefits among for those mobilized for combat can expect little help from the Bush administration.

Representatives from the Defense Department and Department of Veterans Affairs said Wednesday that they oppose bipartisan legislation introduced in the House and Senate that would make the first major change in GI Bill benefits in two decades, because they don’t see a purpose to the changes.

Michael Dominguez, principal deputy under secretary of defense for personnel and readiness, said the Defense Department appreciates the generous spirit in Congress of boosting reserve GI Bill payments so they come closer to matching those of active-duty members, but defense officials don’t believe that is necessary.

Education benefits for National Guard and reserve members, paid for by the Pentagon, are considered a recruiting and retention benefit, and recruiting and retention rates are just fine, he said. In fact, making GI Bill benefits too generous and allowing reservists to use them after getting out of the reserves — something under consideration by Congress — could end up hurting the military by making it more attractive to get out, he said.

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[Monkeyman]

1. Lets see cost have gone up but pay stays the same Ya No Need Right

[Horse with no Name]

2. It never stops

"could end up hurting the military by making it more attractive to get out"...they would prefer the only way out is in a casket with a flag draped over them.

[babylonsister]

3. That line got to me, too. So it's not really about rewarding those that

contribute at all.

[Monkeyman]

4. They not telling you that some kids are turned away because of late payments