GI Bill continues to find favor among veterans seeking education

Law College

Carol Forsloff---Since the GI Bill was first enacted many millions of veterans, both men and women, have benefited from it. It allows individuals to obtain an education and offers cost of living expense money as well as tuition for many people. And since the passage of the Post-9/ll GI Bill in August 2009 1 million veterans have received benefits.

According to government reports $30 billion has been given to veterans and their families for tuition and other education-related expenses. Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki tells us, “We're proud this important benefit is making such a big difference in the lives of so many veterans and their families.

Jill Biden, wife of Vice-President Joe Biden, offers her observations as well with this statement, “Over the next few years, as more than a million service men and women end their military careers and return to civilian life, education will be at the forefront of that transition. As a community college teacher, I have seen firsthand the qualities our veterans bring to the classroom—dedication, a sense of teamwork and a commitment to their work. Helping our veterans succeed in the classroom so they can go on to find good jobs to support their families is one important way we can thank them for their service.”

The GI Bill was enacted in 1944 as the Servicemen's Readjustment Act,  and said to have been created in order to compensate for military service that is considered an “inherently selfless act.” After the war, 16 million individuals went on to receive and education, which helped to facilitate the growth of the economy and aid individuals in finding careers after their service. It didn't come easy, however, as some people were disgrunted at the fact folks were going to be paid and not working while they went to school. However , there were enough people interested in rewarding servicemen and women, understanding the time they spent in the service had prevented them from establishing careers, that the GI Bill was established to help folks plan for their futures. The history of the bill and the controversy that developed before it was enacted can be found here.

Education continues to be one of the main reasons cited by those who join the military, and the GI Bill continues to be the tool to help them get training following service, just as it did for their fathers and grandfathers as well.