What is the name of your state? California
Hello all, my name is Christopher, I enlisted in the Marine Corps of the United States in August of 2004, served active duty until the beginning of May of 2005, was de-activated for two weeks (receiving my first DD214 of Honorable Discharge), and reactivated upon approval by my C.O. mid May of 2005 to deploy to Iraq, serving from then until approx. Jan - Feb of 2006 (5 months in Iraq + several months back in the States) receiving my second DD214 Honorable Discharge paperwork.
My question is this: When I apply for education benefits, I meet the requirements of a Reservist who has been deployed to Iraq, but only for greater than 90 days, but less than a year, giving me substantially less funds for college because "The V.A. cannot add DD214's." I've never felt cheated 'til this, because I have served more than a year! I talked to my V.A. counselor at my college, who says I should write my congressmen... Ya, right...
Any help / advice is MUCH appreciated!
Christopher
To make more clear:
Chapter 1607 - Reserved Education Assistance Program (REAP)
Signed into law by President Bush in October 2004, Chapter 1607 provides enhanced benefits to those eligible for Chapter 1606 benefits who have been federally activated for a period of at least 90 days since September 1, 2001. The bill provides for increased monthly payments based upon the length of activation as follows:
* Activation period of at least 90 days but less than 1 year - benefit equal to 40% of current Chapter 30 rate
* Activation period of at least 1 year but less than 2 years - benefit equal to 60% of current Chapter 30 rate
* Activation period of at least 2 years - benefit equal to 80% of current Chapter 30 rate
As of this time, the exact eligibility requirements for 1607 have not been established by the VA and the Department of Defense.
Hello all, my name is Christopher, I enlisted in the Marine Corps of the United States in August of 2004, served active duty until the beginning of May of 2005, was de-activated for two weeks (receiving my first DD214 of Honorable Discharge), and reactivated upon approval by my C.O. mid May of 2005 to deploy to Iraq, serving from then until approx. Jan - Feb of 2006 (5 months in Iraq + several months back in the States) receiving my second DD214 Honorable Discharge paperwork.
My question is this: When I apply for education benefits, I meet the requirements of a Reservist who has been deployed to Iraq, but only for greater than 90 days, but less than a year, giving me substantially less funds for college because "The V.A. cannot add DD214's." I've never felt cheated 'til this, because I have served more than a year! I talked to my V.A. counselor at my college, who says I should write my congressmen... Ya, right...
Any help / advice is MUCH appreciated!
Christopher
To make more clear:
Chapter 1607 - Reserved Education Assistance Program (REAP)
Signed into law by President Bush in October 2004, Chapter 1607 provides enhanced benefits to those eligible for Chapter 1606 benefits who have been federally activated for a period of at least 90 days since September 1, 2001. The bill provides for increased monthly payments based upon the length of activation as follows:
* Activation period of at least 90 days but less than 1 year - benefit equal to 40% of current Chapter 30 rate
* Activation period of at least 1 year but less than 2 years - benefit equal to 60% of current Chapter 30 rate
* Activation period of at least 2 years - benefit equal to 80% of current Chapter 30 rate
As of this time, the exact eligibility requirements for 1607 have not been established by the VA and the Department of Defense.