Forever G.I. Bill??????

How we doing hard-chargers… 

I thought I’d break down the changes to the G.I. Bill and give you a better understanding of how it affects veterans.

Now you may have heard of the G.I. Bill, as it was started in 1944, and is law passed that provides educational and other benefits for people who had served in the armed forces in World War II. Of course these benefits are still available today for those who serve and get out honorably.

Forever G.I. Bill

* Time Limits

One of the biggest changes would be the fact that the 15 year time limit has been removed for those using Post-9/11 G.I. Bill. This only goes into affect for veterans and dependents using transferred benefits, and they are eligible after January 1, 2018.

That means is you’re a veteran using the G.I. Bill  or active duty military planning to use the G.I. Bill or even a dependent of a veteran or active duty this does not apply to you.

As of now it still remains the same, pertaining to veterans, active-duty military, and dependents. As they still have 15 years from their discharge date to use up all their G.I. Bill benefits, or they will lose them.

* Reservists

Any Reservist called to active duty (When a Government request federal assistance in responding to a major disaster or emergency) are now eligible to use the new G.I. Bill.

Prior to only reservist called by the President as a result of a national emergency were eligible.This would apply to reservist who were mobilized after August 1 2009, Reservist can only receive payment for classes that start August 1st 2018.

* Dependents

Fry Scholarship recipients are now eligible for the Yellow Ribbon Program.

Dependents Education Assistance (DEA) payments will increase to 50 percent, but the maximum number of months a dependent can get DEA decreases from 45 to 36 months and is effective Aug. 1, 2018.

Some changes will be made to the transferred Post-9/11 GI Bill to make it easier to reallocate transferred benefits if the sponsor or dependent passes away.

* Housing Allowance

Housing allowance is now based on the campus location where you attend classes.

* Institution Closings

For those attending a school that has closed or lost accreditation and you lose credit for the classes you took, you don’t have to pay back any G.I. Bill benefits you received at that school. It is not retroactive either.

* Benefit Tiers

G.I. Bill is currently based on the amount of active duty time you have. If one were to have less than 36 months of active duty you could possibly get less than the full amount. So the new law makes it where anyone who receives a Purple Heart will get the full G.I. Bill no matter how long they served active duty.

* STEM Classes

There is a huge emphasis on getting veterans enrolled in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) programs. The new G.I. Bill creates the

“Edith Nourse Rogers Scholarship.” 

 (Very important person, perhaps another post in itself)

This pays veterans $30,000 if they are enrolled in a STEM program, have used up all their G.I. Bill benefits, and have at least 60 semester/90 quarter hours credit toward a STEM degree, effective Aug. 1, 2018.

* Taxation

So from all of this we see clearly that more people are now eligible for the G.I. Bill, there is more types of training, and also more money paid to veterans.

This will be paid for by reducing the amount of monthly housing allowance the new users get.

A provision was  made in 2015 about slowing the increase of basic allowance housing, active duty no longer pays the full amount of the housing cost.

Active duty BAH is being reduced to 1 percent every year from 2015 to 2019, when 2020 hits BAH will only cover 95% of military members housing cost.

January 1st 2018, the G.I. Bill housing allowance will also decrease. So anyone eligible will get an average of about $100.00 less housing allowance.

Please feel free to let me know your thoughts about the new forever G.I. Bill, as I’ve already heard that a large majority of vets aren’t happy. Many feel this is nothing more than a recruiting scheme to get younger people to serve yet nothing is being done for the actual current Veteran.

Isaac J. Hall II

#SemperKill

Conversing With A P.I.G.

Today we’ll be speaking with Nathaniel Hall. This gentleman was a part of Surveillance and Target Acquisition platoon.

**What made you want to make this move as you were already an Infantry Marine?

Honestly, I joined the Marines because I knew nothing about the military but always loved the Special Forces mentality and training.  After realizing I couldn’t lateral move out of my battalion, Scout Snipers was the next best move to make.  

**What was indoctrination like and how challenging was it for you both mentally and physically?

The indoc was extremely sleep deprived, mentally and physically draining.  We started off running a PFT which was a 3-mile timed run which had to be done under 19 minutes.  Then we ran 10+ miles after while conducting a gear inspection in between all of this.  Then we had to head out to the field where the rest of the training began.  We conducted a lot of land navigation, mission planning, classes, physical training and stalking movements.

** What are Marines like in S.T.A. Platoon??

For the most part they are A-Type personalities which to me is a combination of mentally and physically tough individuals, peak conditioning, motivated, leaders and team players.  

** Explain the difference between P.I.G.’s –&– H.O.G.’s

 P.I.G.S: Professionally Instructed Gunmen

 H.O.G.S: Hunter of Gunmen.

HOGS are school trained snipers where PIGS are taught by the HOGS throughout their time in the STA Platoon.

** In S.T.A. you work in smaller teams when patrolling, explain the rationale behind this?We work in smaller teams because we conduct most of our missions over night.  You need to be able to be agile and tactical which calls for smaller teams.

** Please tell us the story behind your Purple Heart…

Honestly, this link (2/8 Scout Snipers) does a better job explaining this than I can.  Due to a concussion and severe hearing loss led to the Purple Heart.

** Do you feel you’ve been taken care of as far as education and medical benefits since your EAS from Marines?

Education, VA and benefits has always been a hot topic.  One of the things I learned the quickest when I was getting out of the Marines was that no one is going to do their job so you need to get what is yours.  This simply means whatever you are entitled to then follow through with those claims.  I have pursued my bachelors thanks to my benefits and currently in school for my masters as well thanks to my benefits.

** What are your true thoughts on the services aimed to help veterans transition to civilian life??

There is still a lack for these services, however there are plenty of motivated individuals who have paved the way for other veterans.  It is up to the veteran to seek these services and do not stop until you get what is yours.

** 22 Veterans commit suicide per day. Hence the hashtag #22 what are your thoughts and how can we prevent more suicide attempts??

There are groups out there trying to fight this but this is a battle that is hard to fight due to mental illnesses.  However, as a band of brothers we can call each other monthly, text, email and facebook one another in order to maintain communication.  SITREPS are always essential to weekend libo, training operations and team unity.

** Advice to Marines who want to go S.T.A. platoon???

Be able to carry more than 70+ lbs, have a good PFT score, understand the fundamentals behind land navigation, be a team player, be proficient in field craft and marksmanship.  

** Last question, what was your PFT score and can you still put those same numbers up??

My PFT score was always around 290 but unfortunately I could never get that one-two last pull ups.  Beats me as I have always trained for the pull-ups and lifted weights as well.  

 I appreciate your time in this interview. As well as your sacrifice for this country, thank you.

Isaac J. Hall II

#SemperKill

Veteran lies equates to $750,000

Prosecutors are saying a former soldier lied about injuries during deployments which resulted in a purple heart and cheated the federal government out of more than $750,000, he was originally charged in 2014.

Prosecutors are wanting a five-year prison term. Stating that Darryl Wright falsified statements from other soldiers to obtain awards. This included a combat action ribbon, purple heart from there used other benefits which includes over $40,000 in student debt which was forgiven due to disabilities.

There were applications where Wright claimed to be so disabled that he could only focus on anything for more than 10 seconds. In actuality he was a basketball coach, and had a full time federal job in Seattle Washington.

U.S. attorneys David Reese, stated that Darryl Wright created an empire based on a myth system he built. There was also argument that he obstructed justice by accusing a co-worker of violating his privacy rights. There was a discovery that he fabricated order in order to get paid for a week of skipped work.

Cristina Jackson, is responsible for uncovering the truth in this mater. She actually had to hire an employment lawyer to fight off the discipline. 

Wright pleaded guilty to two counts of fraud early this year. Wright’s attorney, filed his sentencing recommendation under seal, stating it contained sensitive personal information. There are other defensive filings which suggest that Wright continues to suffer PTSD from his deployment.

Attorney said he is seeking a sentence of one year for Wright, and also that Wright was entitled to most of the benefits he received.

Veterans Affairs Department has rescinded its earlier determination that Wright should receive benefits for PTSD.

In 2010, Wright successfully applied for a Purple Heart. In his paperwork, he claimed he was involved in a rocket attack and was violently thrown and knocked unconscious from the percussion of the rockets’ impact.

Wright claimed social security disability benefits. Claiming he was bedridden, the V.A. then paid his sister to be his live in caregiver, however after a thorough investigation no such services were performed. 

By May 2013, the siblings were bringing in benefits upwards of $10,000 per month. The crazy thing here is even Wright’s mother was in on the fraud. She submitted paperwork as a nurse without disclosing her relationship Wright.

Prosecutors stated that Darryl Wright sullied the reputations of people, institutions, and agencies. Worst of all, he hurt the heroes who fully deserve recognition, respect, and honor.

A mental health expert hired by the defense had suggested that Wright suffers from a condition in which he concocts his own reality and believes it is acceptable to lie or falsify documents to match that reality. Also Wrights purple heart has not been rescinded as of yet.

Isaac J. Hall II

Semper Kill