Post-9/11 GI Bill changes arrive

Published July 30, 2018
By Senior Airman Christopher Maldonado
20th Fighter Wing Public Affairs

SHAW AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. -- Effective one-year from the date of the revision, service member’s eligibility to transfer benefits are limited to members with less than 16 years of total service.

“After a thorough review of the policy, we saw a need to focus on retention in a time of increased growth of the armed forces,” said Stephanie Miller, Secretary of Defense Office director of accession policy.

Miller went on to say the change is an important step to preserving the distinction of transferability as a retention incentive.

“This change continues to allow service members that earned this benefit to share it with their family members while continues to serve,” said Miller.

“Being given the opportunity to pass on the benefits is the biggest impact of the bill,” said Master Sgt. Kevin Kendrick, 20th Maintenance Group maintenance operation center section chief. “The option to choose how and when we use our benefits is the best part. Providing my family with my benefits is the biggest takeaway from the bill revision.”

For the Airmen of Shaw Air Force Base, South Carolina, the changes can impact the trajectory of their education and help them better apply the benefits to their families.

For service members who are unable to fulfill their service obligation of an additional four year retainability, the revision will give them the opportunity to retain their eligibility and transfer the benefits.

All approved benefit transfers of the Post-9/11 GI Bill will continue to require a four-year commitment in the armed forces and the member must be eligible to be retained for four years from the date of election.

For additional information on the policy, visit www.esd.whs.mil/Portals/54/Documents/DD/issuances/dodi/134113p.pdf, or contact the Total Force Service Center at DSN: 665-0101.