| Copyright 2007 Colorado Veterans Alliance |
REBUILDING THE MILITARY BY PROVIDING AN AFFORDABLE
EDUCATION FOR VETERANS
Eight million veterans got their education thanks to the World War II
GI Bill, which covered tuition, fees, and books, and gave veterans a
living stipend while they were in school. Presidents Gerald Ford and
George H.W. Bush, Senators Bob Dole and Patrick Moynihan, and
authors Norman Mailer and Frank McCourt all used the GI Bill. A
1988 Congressional study proved that every dollar spent on
educational benefits under the original GI Bill added seven dollars to
the national economy in terms of productivity, consumer spending
and tax revenue.
The current educational benefits offered to veterans are far lower
than the original GI Bill. Today, after contributing a nonrefundable
$1,200-$1,800 from their first military paychecks, troops can receive
a total of roughly $45,000 towards their education. Unfortunately,
this covers only 60-70% of the average cost of four years at a public
college or university, or less than two years at a typical private
college.
In addition, structural problems and bureaucratic delays discourage
veterans from using their GI Bill benefits. Although 95% of veterans
pay the nonrefundable $1,200 contribution, only 8% of veterans use
their whole benefit and 30% of veterans don’t use their GI Bill at all.
These veterans have contributed $230 million to the national
treasury, but received nothing in return.
At the same time, military recruiting and retention is suffering.
Despite investing $5 billion dollars in recruiting and retention
annually, the military has had serious problems recruiting high-
caliber enlistees and retaining qualified personnel. The Army, Army
Reserves, National Guard, and Marines all missed recruiting goals in
2004 and 2005, despite increasing their recruiter pool. The military
has responded by lowering standards of age, aptitude and education
in new enlistees, and by increasing the amount spent on retention by
a factor of six. These stop-gap measures have temporarily upped
troop numbers, but will not address long-term problems with
recruiting, especially in light of new plans to expand the size of our
Armed Forces.
Rather than continuing to lower standards and spend billions in
bonuses, increasing the Montgomery GI Bill benefits would
encourage high-aptitude young people to join the military. The GI Bill
is the military’s single most effective recruitment tool; the number one
reason civilians join the military is to get money for college. As our
military recovers and resets in the coming years, an expanded GI Bill
will play a crucial role in ensuring that our military remains the
strongest and most advanced in the world.
EDUCATION FOR VETERANS
Eight million veterans got their education thanks to the World War II
GI Bill, which covered tuition, fees, and books, and gave veterans a
living stipend while they were in school. Presidents Gerald Ford and
George H.W. Bush, Senators Bob Dole and Patrick Moynihan, and
authors Norman Mailer and Frank McCourt all used the GI Bill. A
1988 Congressional study proved that every dollar spent on
educational benefits under the original GI Bill added seven dollars to
the national economy in terms of productivity, consumer spending
and tax revenue.
The current educational benefits offered to veterans are far lower
than the original GI Bill. Today, after contributing a nonrefundable
$1,200-$1,800 from their first military paychecks, troops can receive
a total of roughly $45,000 towards their education. Unfortunately,
this covers only 60-70% of the average cost of four years at a public
college or university, or less than two years at a typical private
college.
In addition, structural problems and bureaucratic delays discourage
veterans from using their GI Bill benefits. Although 95% of veterans
pay the nonrefundable $1,200 contribution, only 8% of veterans use
their whole benefit and 30% of veterans don’t use their GI Bill at all.
These veterans have contributed $230 million to the national
treasury, but received nothing in return.
At the same time, military recruiting and retention is suffering.
Despite investing $5 billion dollars in recruiting and retention
annually, the military has had serious problems recruiting high-
caliber enlistees and retaining qualified personnel. The Army, Army
Reserves, National Guard, and Marines all missed recruiting goals in
2004 and 2005, despite increasing their recruiter pool. The military
has responded by lowering standards of age, aptitude and education
in new enlistees, and by increasing the amount spent on retention by
a factor of six. These stop-gap measures have temporarily upped
troop numbers, but will not address long-term problems with
recruiting, especially in light of new plans to expand the size of our
Armed Forces.
Rather than continuing to lower standards and spend billions in
bonuses, increasing the Montgomery GI Bill benefits would
encourage high-aptitude young people to join the military. The GI Bill
is the military’s single most effective recruitment tool; the number one
reason civilians join the military is to get money for college. As our
military recovers and resets in the coming years, an expanded GI Bill
will play a crucial role in ensuring that our military remains the
strongest and most advanced in the world.
| Our Mission: To ensure the enactment of policies that properly provide for our Troops and Veterans, keep our military strong, and guarantee our national security for the purpose of a stronger America. CVA uniquely empowers Veterans to use their credibility and experiences to speak truth to power, shape public opinion, and place a priority on these issues. |
| COLORADO VETERANS ALLIANCE |
| "The willingness with which our young people are likely to serve in any war, no matter how justified, shall be directly proportional to how they perceive how the veterans of earlier wars were treated and appreciated by their nation." - George Washington |
