weekly binder

61
205th MI BN Volume 1, Issue 29 Week ending 6 November 2009 Special points of interest: Dining Out, pg 1 Furlough Hike, pg 34 Care Fair, pg 35 Attachments: Post 9/11—GI Bill Info Dining Out BOSS Breakfast Staff Car Wash Scuffle on Schofield OMK Wet N’ Wild Special Hui Event Furlough Friday Info 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8-10 Holiday Craft Fair Ways to be Heard Babysitter’s Class 11 12 13 Religious Support ACS Info AAFES Info In Other News 14 15-20 21 22 New/Comm. Briefs Important Info MWR Information Furlough Hike BN Care Fair 23-25 26-27 28-34 35 36 Housing Info 37-39 Inside this issue: THE VIGILANT VOICE The contents of this binder are strictly for informational purposes and does not imply endorsement of any private or commercial organization by the 205th MI BN, 500th MI BDE, INSCOM or the Department of the Army.

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Page 1: Weekly Binder

205th MI BN Volume 1, Issue 29 Week ending 6 November 2009

Special points of interest:

• Dining Out, pg 1

• Furlough Hike, pg 34

• Care Fair, pg 35

Attachments: ∗ Post 9/11—GI Bill Info

Dining Out BOSS Breakfast Staff Car Wash Scuffle on Schofield OMK Wet N’ Wild Special Hui Event Furlough Friday Info

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8-10

Holiday Craft Fair Ways to be Heard Babysitter’s Class

11 12 13

Religious Support ACS Info AAFES Info In Other News

14 15-20 21 22

New/Comm. Briefs Important Info MWR Information Furlough Hike BN Care Fair

23-25 26-27 28-34 35 36

Housing Info 37-39

Inside this issue:

THE VIGILANT VOICE

The contents of this binder are strictly for informational purposes and does not imply endorsement of any private or commercial organization by the 205th MI BN, 500th MI BDE, INSCOM or the Department of the Army.

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VETERAN'S DAY CELEBRATION Come and celebrate our biggest'n'best Veteran's Day on Wednesday, November 11, 2009. All active duty, retired military, reservists and National Guard gets in FREE!! Plus your familiy and friends can get in for only $19.99 each. To puchase your discounted family and friends tickets simply present your valid military ID at the ticket booth or to bypass the line, buy online. It's the most convenient and fastest way to enter the park! There will be live bands, fun games for the entire family with lots of cool prizes, rodeo challenges, and all of your Mad'n'Massive rides and attractions. Plus the chance to win a massive all expenses paid trip to Las Vegas courtesy of Vacations Hawaii to see the National Rodeo Finals! To continue the celebration of Veteran's Day, we are extending the fun and discounted admission into the week-end. Purchase $19.99 admission for Saturday, November 14 and Sunday, November 15, 2009 by buying online. The savings continues....Spend $25.00 or more at our Surf Shack between November 11 - 15, 2009 and receive 10% OFF* your entire retail purchase when you present your Military ID. Sport the latest and hottest surf gears and accesso-ries of this season from brand names such as Quiksilver, Hurley, Billabong, Ezekiel, Roxy and much more! *Excludes food and beverage and valid miliday ID must be presented at the time of purchase. No refunds will be given once transac-tion has been completed. Not valid with any other offer, promotion, or multiple discounts.

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Serving the USAG-HI

Community

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November Furlough Fridays Survey — The U.S. Army Garrison-Hawaii has extended the Fur-lough Friday participation survey to Nov. 9. Take a mo-ment to complete this survey, as your input is vital to plan-ning and developing programs for Army student educational enrichment opportunities dur-ing these unforeseen breaks in the school year. Visit www.garrison.hawaii .army.mil, click on the “Furlough Friday” link on the left, and make your input count.

Fort Shafter USPS Hours Change — The Fort Shafter Post Office business hours have changed. The Post Office is now open Monday-Friday, 10 a.m. -noon. The Post Office is closed Saturdays, Sundays and all federal holidays. Call 832-0025. Fort Shafter Legal Assis-tance Office Relocates — The Fort Shafter Legal Assis-tance and Claims Offices have relocated due to building renovations. They are now lo-cated on Fort Shafter Flats, Building 1599. Walk-in hours are from 9:30 a.m.-4 p.m., Monday-Wednesday and Fri-

day, and from 1-3 p.m. Thurs-day. Call 438-6725. Dental Appointments Lim-ited — Due to redeployment activities, routine dental ap-pointments at all U.S. Army Dental Activity clinics at Trip-ler Army Medical Center and Schofield Barracks are limited through Dec. 18. Contact Sue Mendez-Johnson, 433-9200. Red Cross Clo-sure — The Schofield Bar-racks Red Cross service center is closed now through Nov. 12. For all emer-gency communication support, call the Service to the Armed Forces toll-free number at 877-272-7337 (available 24/7). For immediate local inquiries, call the station manager at the Kaneohe Service Center at 257-8848 or send an e-mail to [email protected]. The next CPR/First Aid class is scheduled Nov. 14, 8 a.m.-4 p.m.

Arbor Day Tree Giveaway — In celebration of Arbor Day, Hawaiian Electric Com-pany (HECO) and its partners will give away 2,600 native and exotic trees and shrubs at six sites on Oahu, Nov. 7.

A variety of patio plants, flowering trees, fruit trees, and shade trees will be given away, one per family. Certified arborists will be on hand to offer advice on plant selection, and attendees will receive brochures with tips on tree placement, plant-ing, and care. The tree giveaways will take place at the following lo-cations at 7 a.m., unless oth-erwise noted: •Waianae: HECO Kahe Power Plant •Pearl City: Urban Garden Center •Honolulu: HECO Ward Avenue •Kailua: HECO Koolau Base Yard •Wahiawa: Botanical Gar-den, 9 a.m. •North Shore: Waimea Valley, 9 a.m. Visit www.arbordayhawaii.org. Ewa Beach Tree Give-away — The Hoakalei Cul-tural Foundation will conduct its 3rd annual tree giveaway at the Keoneula Elementary School, Ewa Beach, Nov. 7, 8-10 a.m. Three hundred native white hibiscus plants, kokio keokeo (Hibiscus arnot-tianus), will be given away, one plant per household.

News and Community Briefs

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Seasonal Flu Shots — Sea-sonal flu immunizations will be administered at all ex-change sites listed, from 9 a.m.-2 p.m., on the following dates: Nov. 7, Pearl Harbor Navy Exchange (NEX); Nov. 13, Pearl Harbor NEX; Nov. 15, Kaneohe Bay Marine Corps Exchange; Nov. 21, Schofield Barracks Main Post Exchange. Holiday Craft Sale — The Hawaii Plantation Village, in Waipahu, is con-ducting a pre-holiday rum-mage, crafts and baked goods sale, Nov. 7, 9 a.m.–1 p.m. Event is open to the public. Free parking is available. Contact the Village at 677-0110 or visit www.hawaiiplantationvillage.org. Youth Talent Competition — The “Our Youth Has Tal-ent” committee, Tripler Army Medical Center Sergeant Audie Murphy Club and AAFES are sponsoring an “Our Youth Has Talent" sing-ing competition. Fifteen con-testants will compete in three elimination rounds starting with the preliminary round, Nov. 7. See the semi-finals, Nov. 14, and the final round, Nov.

21. All rounds take place, 5-8 p.m., at the Sgt. Smith Thea-ter, Schofield Barracks. Ad-mission is $5. Contact [email protected]. Fort Shafter PX Parking Lot Repaving — The Fort Shafter PX Market parking lot is being repaved, Nov. 2-14. From Nov. 2-7, work will affect the east side of the parking lot (near the tennis courts and the Credit Union), and customers will be redi-rected to the entrance located on Pierce Street. From Nov. 9-14, work will affect the west side (Pierce Street), and cus-tomers will be redirected to the entrance at Wis-ser/Arsenal near the gas sta-tion. Hui O Na Wahine Basket Auction — The north com-munity spouses' club, the Hui O Na Wahine, is hosting its annual “Make it, Bake it, Fake it” basket and wreath auction, Nov. 12, 6-8 p.m., at the Nehelani, Schofield Bar-racks. A variety of themed bas-kets and items will be auc-tioned off with all proceeds going towards scholarship and welfare grants. While bidding, participants can enjoy heavy pupus and cocktails.

Tickets are $15 and avail-able until Nov. 8 by contact-ing [email protected]. Child care is not available. Visit www.schofieldspousesclub.com. Hula Festival — The 18th Annual Hula Festival will be held Nov. 12-14, at the Wai-kiki Shell. Doors open at 4 p.m. each day. Hula artists from 16 countries will cele-brate everything natural in Hawaiian culture. Performances, although judged by 21 of hula's most prestigious keepers of the art, remain a continuous cultural education and spiritual disci-pline. Tickets are from $10-$35 a day, to $90 for the entire weekend. Visit www.world hula.com for more informa-tion.

Hawaiian Music Jam Ses-sion — Music lovers of all ages are invited to participate in the next “Kanikapila," Nov. 15, 1-4 p.m., at Waimea Val-ley’s Pikake Pavilion. Kanikapila is a traditional Hawaiian music jam session where musicians of all ages and skill levels are invited to perpetuate the mele (music), and the tradition in which

News and Community Briefs Continued

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music was passed on from generation to generation. Amplification will be avail-able, so bring an instrument cable if you would like to plug in. Sound check begins at noon. This event is free and takes place the third Sunday of every month. E-mail [email protected].

Special Forces Recruiting — 1st Special Forces Opera-tional Detachment-DELTA (AIRBORNE) is conducting recruiting briefings for its Spring 2010 Assessment and Selection Course, Nov. 16, 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., at the Schofield Barracks Army Edu-cation Center, Room 211. The briefing will last ap-proximately one hour. Ensure your chain of command is aware that you will be attend-ing. All military occupational specialties (MOS) are encour-aged to apply. For questions, e-mail [email protected] or call 910-643-5833. For infor-mation or for a pre-application visit https://smrecruiting.us.army.mil/index.aspx.

Ongoing MCCW Fall Retreat — The

Aliamanu Military Reserva-tion Chapel, Military Council of Catholic Women (MCCW) fall retreat to the North Shore Benedictine Monastery has been rescheduled and it will now take place Jan. 21, 9 a.m.-2 p.m. The theme will be “Stewardship,” with discus-sions and Mass. Child care is available. Children must be registered to receive this service. For reservations or child care, contact Katie Hanna at 744-1285 or [email protected]. Pacific Aviation Museum Offer — The Pacific Aviation Museum Pearl Harbor is of-fering one free keiki admis-sion (4 -12 years old) with each paid adult admission every Saturday and Sunday. Children under 4 are always free. Adult ticket rates are $14; $10 for kamaaina and military. The museum is open 9 a.m.-5 p.m. daily. Tickets are available at www.PacificAviationMuesum.org. For more information call 441-1000.

Friends of the Waikiki Aquarium Membership — Now through Nov. 30, marine life enthusiasts can bring in

UPCs from any Kraft Foods product, along with a mem-bership application, and save $5 off a family-level member-ship (with 3 UPCs), or $10 off a family-plus membership (with five UPCs). Friends of the Waikiki Aquarium members enjoy unlimited admission for one year, invitations to exclusive events, discounts, advance no-tice on classes and educa-tional programs, among other benefits. For more informa-tion, visit www.waquarium.org or call the Waikiki Aquarium Mem-bership Office at 440-9015. Kolekole Pass Hours of Op-eration — Kolekole Pass, the road that connects Schofield Barracks to the Waianae coast through Naval Maga-zine-Lualualei, is open Mon-day-Friday, 7 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Traffic is permitted to drive from Waianae to Schofield, 7-11:45 a.m., and traffic is permitted to drive from Schofield to Waianae, noon-5:30 p.m. The pass is closed weekends and holidays, and operation times are sub-ject to change due to training or inclement weather. Motorists are urged to call 668-3007 before attempting to access the pass.

News and Community Briefs Continued

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Obama declares Military Family Month By Karen Jowers - Staff writer Posted : Tuesday Nov 3, 2009 14:09:03 EST

For 14 years, the Armed Forces YMCA and others have celebrated November as Military Family Month. Now, President Barack Obama has made it official throughout the country — at least for this November.

“I call on all Americans to honor military families through private actions and public service for the tremendous contributions they make in the support of our service members and our nation,” Obama stated in his proclamation, signed Oct. 30, designating November 2009 as Military Family Month.

Obama included the parents of service members in his message, as well as spouses and children. “As sons and daughters, husbands and wives, and mothers and fathers are deployed, military fami-lies endure with exceptional resilience and courage,” he wrote. “They provide our troops with invalu-able encouragement and love, and serve our nation in their own right.”

During this month, he said, “we honor the families of our Armed Forces and thank them for their dedication to our country.”

“The strength of our nation is measured not just by our success on the battlefield, but also by our ability to support those families who have made so many sacrifices for us. Time and again, military families have shown their heart in the face of adversity.”

Obama urged the nation to support not only those in uniform and their families, but also the families of wounded and fallen warriors.

November 11th is Veteran’s Day All Federal and State offices will be closed to include ACS and MWR offices.

Child, Youth and School Services

CYSS will be implementing Key FOBs/Swipe Cards that patrons will be able to attach to their key chains. Keep your eye out for the new cards.

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USARPAC Run Scheduled Fort Shafter—Motorists are urged to drive with caution and plan for potential delays, Novem-ber 10, during U.S. Army-Pacific’s (USARPAC) “One Team Warrior Run” beginning at 6:30 a.m. The four mile run, which starts and ends at Palm Circle, is estimated to last 1.5 hours and will take runners throughout the installation, which may cause traffic delays. No roads will be closed during the run. For more information, call Master Sgt. Kualii Makaneole, USARPAC operations, at 438-2438.

Furlough Fridays @ SGT Yano Library (Open to school age children)

November 6, 2009

3:00—3:45 PM Thanksgiving Story and Craft

November 20, 2009 2:00—5:00 PM

Make Thank You Cards for Deployed Single Soldiers

December 4, 2009

3:00 –3:45 PM Homemade Holiday Gift Boxes

December 11, 2009 3:00-3:45 PM

Polar Express Story and Craft

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MWR Briefs

November Card Making & Rubber Stamping — Learn new tech-niques with stamps, inks and more, and make your very own holiday cards, Nov. 10, 6-8 p.m., at the Schofield Bar-racks Arts and Crafts Center. Cost is $10 and covers the class and all supplies. The class will be offered again, Nov. 24. Call 655-4202. Create A Card — Family members of deployed Soldiers are invited to create a special holiday card to send to their Soldier, Nov. 12, 3-4 p.m. at the Sgt. Yano Library, Schofield Barracks. The com-munity is also invited to cre-ate a special card for deployed single Soldiers. Bring your creativity, and we will supply the materials. Call 655-8002. Fort Shafter Holiday Craft Sale — The annual Fort Shafter Holiday Craft Sale is on again, Nov. 13, 11 a.m.-6 p.m., and Nov. 14, 9 a.m.-4 p.m., at the Fort Shafter Arts and Crafts Center. Great deals will be offered on some of the most unique hand-crafted holiday gifts on the island. Call 438-1315.

Holiday Scrapbooking — Bring your own supplies and use our tools in this holiday layout challenge, Nov. 17, 6-8 p.m., at the Schofield Bar-racks Arts and Crafts Center. Cost is $5. Project ideas will be supplied or work on your own. Call 655-4202. High School Musical 2 — The sequel to last year's smash Army Community Theatre Hit, High School Mu-sical 2, premiers at Richard-son Theatre, Fort Shafter, Nov. 19, 7:30 p.m. Additional performances are scheduled Nov. 20, 21, 27, 28 and Dec. 4 and 5, at 7:30 p.m. each eve-ning. Tickets cost $12-$20, and are available at www.armytheatre.com. Call 438-4480. Poker Tournament — The next Texas Hold ‘Em tourna-ment takes place, Nov. 19, 6:30-9:30 p.m., at the Tropics, Schofield Barracks. Card players can test their skills against the best-of-the-best poker players on post. All ID cardholders 18 and older are welcome. Call 655-5698. Precious Metal Clay Work-shop — Learn the basics of working with precious metal clay, Nov. 19, 9 a.m.-noon, at

the Schofield Barracks Arts and Crafts Center. Cost is $35 and includes all sup-plies. Crafters will walk away from this program with a new pendant or a pair of earrings. Call 655-4202. BSC Theatre Night — Blue Star Card (BSC) members are invited to the Nov. 20 Army Community Theatre perform-ance of High School Musical 2. The show starts at 7:30 p.m., at Richardson Theatre, Fort Shafter. Limited child care and roundtrip transportation from Schofield Barracks is avail-able. Light appetizers will be available at the theatre before the show. Registration is re-quired. Call 655-0112/3. A Chorus Line Audition Workshop — Curious about theatre and interested in audi-tioning for the upcoming Army Community Theatre perform-ance of “A Chorus Line”? Get over your stage fright ahead of time at an auditions workshop, Nov. 22, 4 p.m., at Richardson Theatre, Fort Shafter. The workshop is perfect for anyone new to theatre or just looking for inside tips on what to expect during auditions. Call 438-4480.

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U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

1Military Transition

April 2009

Chapter 33, Title 38United States Code

The Post-9/11 GI Bill

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U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

2Military Transition

April 2009

Post-9/11 GI Bill Eligibility

An individual who served on active duty after 09/10/01 may be eligible for the Post-9/11 GI Bill if the individual—

• Served for an aggregate period of at least 90 days.

• Exception: An individual discharged due to a service-connected disability after serving at least 30 continuous days on active duty after 9/10/01, may also be eligible.

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U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

3Military Transition

April 2009

Eligibility CriteriaService Requirements

(after 9/10/01 an individual must serve anaggregate of)

Payment Tiers Percentage

At least 36 months 100

At least 30 continuous days on active duty(Must be discharged due to service-connected disability)

100

At least 30 months, but less than 36 months 90

At least 24 months, but less than 30 months 80

*At least 18 months, but less than 24 months 70

*At least 12 months, but less than 18 months 60

*At least 06 months, but less than 12 months 50

*At least 90 days, but less than 06 months 40

*Excludes time in Basic Military Training and/or Skill Training

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U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

4Military Transition

April 2009

Payment Tiers

Calculating qualifying service to determine tier level—

Less than 24 months: Entry level training and skill training performed after 9/10/01 must be excluded from the total aggregate service.

At least 24 months but less than 30 months: VA must exclude entry level and skill training time to see if the individual qualifies at the 70% tier level. If so, VA must pay 70% instead of 80%.

At least 30 months of service: Entry level and skill training is included in total service.

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U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

5Military Transition

April 2009

Eligibility Criteria

Qualifying active duty does not include the following:

• Title 32 AGR; or

• Service Academy Contract Period; or

• ROTC contract period under 10 U.S.C.2107(b); or

• Service terminated due to an erroneous ordefective enlistment; or

• Service used for loan repayment; or

• Selected Reserve Service used to establisheligibility under chapter 30, 1606, or 1607.

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U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

6Military Transition

April 2009

Eligibility Criteria

In order to retain eligibility after meeting the service requirements, an individual must—

• Continue on active duty; or

• Be honorably discharged from Armed Forces; or

• Be honorably discharged for further service in a reserve component; or

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U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

7Military Transition

April 2009

Eligibility Criteria

• Be honorably discharged and placed on retired list, temporary disability retired list; or

• Be transferred to Fleet Reserve or to Fleet Marine Corps Reserve; or

• Be discharged or released for:

• Injury Existing Prior to Service (EPTS),

• Hardship (HDSP), or

• Condition Interfered with Service (CIWD).

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U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

8Military Transition

April 2009

Period of EligibilityGenerally, individuals will remain eligible for benefits for 15 years from:

• Date of last discharge; or

• Release from active duty service of at least 90 continuous days.

If eligibility is based on aggregate service of less than 90 continuous days, individual will have 15 years from the last period of service used to meet the minimum service requirements for eligibility.

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U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

9Military Transition

April 2009

Post-9/11 GI Bill Elections

VA’s GI Bill website has some case scenarios to review to help individuals to compare VA benefit programs.

When reviewing them, keep in mind that—

• Each student’s situation is unique.

• Case scenarios should be used as ―things to consider‖ but not as hard and fast rules.

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U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

10Military Transition

April 2009

Post-9/11 GI Bill ElectionsAn individual who, as of August 1, 2009, is—

• Eligible for MGIB-AD (chapter 30), MGIB-SR (chapter 1606) orREAP (chapter 1607);

• A member of the Armed Forces who is eligible to receivechapter 30 benefits and who is making the basic $1200 contribution toward chapter 30; or

• A member of the Armed Forces who previously declined to elect chapter 30

AND who is eligible for chapter 33 (on the date of election), may elect chapter 33 in lieu of either chapter 30, 1606, or 1607. The election is an irrevocable election.

• Election must be in writing

• Use newly revised VA Form 22-1990 (will be available on VA’s website by May 1st)

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U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

11Military Transition

April 2009

Things to Consider When Electing• If tuition is waived at your school (you are not charged), you are enrolled more than ½ time, and you are not on active duty or taking all of your classes online, then you should consider—

–Whether or not the housing stipend for your school’s ZIP code is more than your MGIB, MGIB-SR, or REAP monthly amount (if you paid $600 for ―buy-up,‖ include appropriate amount per month, up to $150 for full-time training).

–If you are not eligible for the 100% tier (based on your length of service), reduce the amount of the monthly housing stipend by the appropriate percentage (40%-90%) and compare to MGIB, MGIB-SR, or REAP (include buy-up) monthly amount.

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U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

12Military Transition

April 2009

Things to Consider When Electing

• If tuition is waived at your school (you are not charged) and you are enrolled at exactly ½ time training, you should consider the following—

–You are not eligible to receive a tuition and fees payment or the monthly housing allowance under chapter 33.

–You will be able to receive the monthly rate payable for ½ time training (including an increase for the $600 buy-up, if applicable) under the program you are currently eligible for (MGIB, MGIB-SR, or REAP) if you do not elect chapter 33.

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U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

13Military Transition

April 2009

Things to Consider When Electing• If tuition is waived at your school and you are enrolled at less than ½ time, you should consider the following—

–You may receive a monthly payment for MGIB and/or MGIB-SR kickers under the program you are currently eligible for (MGIB, MGIB-SR, or REAP) if you do not elect chapter 33.

–You may receive a lump sum payment under chapter 33 for—

• MGIB and/or MGIB-SR kickers; and

• The books and supplies stipend.

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U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

14Military Transition

April 2009

Things to Consider When Electing

• The ending date of your period of eligibility for your current benefit (e.g., 10 years for MGIB) and the ending date you would receive under chapter 33.

• Individuals will receive the same amount for MGIB and MGIB-SR kickers whether they receive a lump sum payment under chapter 33 or monthly payments under their existing program.

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U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

15Military Transition

April 2009

Yellow Ribbon Program

• Only individuals entitled to the 100 percent benefit rate (based on service requirements) may receive this funding

–Spouses and children using transferred benefits from a service member are also eligible for the Yellow Ribbon Program

• IHLs may voluntarily enter into an agreement with VA to fund tuition and fees costs that exceed the highest in-state undergraduate tuition and fees for the State where the IHL is located

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U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

16Military Transition

April 2009

Transfer of Entitlement

• Only the following entities may authorize transfer of benefits—

–Secretary of Defense (when the Coast Guard is operating as a service of the Navy)

–Secretaries of Army, Navy, or Air Force

–Secretary of Homeland Security (for Coast Guard)

• PHS/NOAA members are not eligible to transfer benefits as only the Secretaries above may offer transfer of benefits

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U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

17Military Transition

April 2009

Transfer of Entitlement• To be approved to transfer member must—

–Be in Armed Forces on 8/1/09, and

–Have completed 6 years in the Armed Forces, and

–Agree to serve 4 more years

• DoD/DHS may prescribe rules to address situations when individuals cannot (by military rules or retirement) serve 4 more years after 8/1/09.

–VA can’t make these decisions

–If DoD does offer transfer of benefits to this group of individuals, VA will post this information on the GI Bill website

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U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

18Military Transition

April 2009

Transfer of Entitlement• An individual approved to transfer may—

–Transfer up to 36 months of benefits (unless DoD/DHS restricts number of months an individual may transfer).

–Transfer to spouse, child, or children in any amount up to amount transferor has available or amount approved by DoD/DHS.

–Revoke or modify a transfer request of any unused benefits unless the transferor’s 15-year eligibility period is ended.

–Not transfer benefits to a new dependent once the transferor is no longer a member of Armed Forces.

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U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

19Military Transition

April 2009

Transfer of Entitlement

Spouses—– May use after transferor completes 6 years in Armed Forces

– Paid at transferor’s rate - Cannot be paid housing allowance or books and supplies stipend if the transferor is on active duty when the spouse is receiving benefits

– Can, unless the transferor revokes transfer, continue to use benefits if divorced after the transfer

– Can use benefits up to transferor’s 15-year eligibility period expires unless transferor specifies an earlier ending date

– Under law, benefits are not marital property and are not subject to division in a divorce or other civil proceedings

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U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

20Military Transition

April 2009

Transfer of EntitlementChildren—

– Must be transferred to an unmarried child who has not reached the age of 18 or, if in school, before child is 23 years of age

– May use after transferor completes 10 years in Armed Forces

– To commence training, child must have–• attained age 18; or• completed requirements of secondary school diploma

(or equivalency certificate)

– Receives veteran rate, including housing allowance & book stipend, even if transferor is on active duty

– May use until age 26 – even if transferor’s 15-year eligibility period ended

– May continue to use benefits after marriage

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U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

21Military Transition

April 2009

Transfer of Entitlement

• IMPORTANT !!

–Transferor and individual using transferred entitlement are jointly liable for any overpayment of chapter 33 benefits

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U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

22Military Transition

April 2009

References

• GI Bill Website

– www.gibill.va.gov• Sign up for FAQ updates!

• GI Bill Call Center (VA staffed)– 1-888-GIBILL-1 (1-888-442-4551)

– https://www.dmdc.osd.mil/TEB/