G.I. Bill of Rights

[TexasTiger 13,016]

On June 6, 1944, more than 150,000 Allied troops stormed the beaches of Normandy and began the liberation of Europe during World War II.

Then, just 16 days after D-Day, President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed the "GI Bill of Rights" into law - landmark legislation honoring the sacrifice of our men and women in uniform, providing key education and training benefits to thank them for their service.

This Monday marks the 61st Anniversary of D-Day, an epic event in the history of our nation and the world. While we take time to remember this historic day and thank those brave liberators who defended freedom in Europe and around the world, it's also important to ask whether we're doing everything we can to honor the sacrifice of today's armed forces and veterans, as America did with the first GI Bill.

In just the past 2 1/2 years, more than 400,000 of our National Guard and Reserves have been called up to active duty. In fact, Reserve Components make up nearly half of our forces in Iraq.

Last week, House Democrats, led by my friend Rep. Gene Taylor of Mississippi, attempted to do more to honor our Guard and Reserves for their sacrifice. The House Armed Services Committee passed a bipartisan amendment to provide full access to TRICARE - the military health program - to all members of the Guard and Reserves and their families, a gap in our military health system that is long overdue to be fixed.

Yet despite the fact that 20% of our Reservists lack health insurance, Republican Chairman Duncan Hunter stripped this common sense amendment from the bill, denying our Guard and Reserve the health care benefits they deserve, claiming we couldn't afford it.

That's plain wrong. If we can afford tax cuts for the wealthiest Americans, we can certainly afford health care benefits for our brave men and women in harm's way halfway around the world.

Tell your Members of Congress to support the GI Bill of Rights for the 21st Century today!

Providing the National Guard and Reserves with the same health care benefits as our active duty troops is the right thing to do. After all, they're bearing a significant burden in Iraq and Afghanistan, making sacrifices alongside the rest of our men and women in uniform.

Furthermore, at a time that our military is struggling to meet its recruitment targets, we should be doing everything we can from a practical standpoint to encourage Americans to serve and to stay in the service once they've joined. Why should we make it difficult to recruit and retain our National Guard and Reserves by denying them health insurance?

Providing adequate health care is just one of many things we should be doing to honor the service and sacrifice of our armed forces. And Democrats are leading the way. I was proud to join House Democratic leaders on Capitol Hill in April to introduce the new GI Bill of Rights for the 21st Century.

Now it's time for us to call on Congress to act on this critical legislation. Our brave men and women in uniform deserve better from their government.

Tell your Members of Congress to support the new GI Bill today! Then, after you've contacted your Members of Congress, invite everyone you know to join us.

As we celebrate the 61st Anniversary of D-Day this Monday, let us rededicate ourselves to doing everything we can to honor our brave men and women in uniform for their service and sacrifice. Our armed forces deserve no less.

Sincerely,

Wes Clark

http://www.securingamerica.com/?q=node/171

[TitanTiger 20,510]

I would love to hear a reasonable explanation for opposing this provision. Seems rather asinine to me.

[Guest Tigrinum Major]

I would love to hear a reasonable explanation for opposing this provision.  Seems rather asinine to me.

162692[/snapback]

Plain and simple, money. As an active member of the Army Reserves, I can tell you that is the only reason. The cost of the benefit versus the benefit of the cost for the government does not compute to a viable expenditure. The people that are mobilized as a result of operations that require a service member to leave their civilian job do receive this benefit, but those who are not mobed do not get coverage. Also, when a person comes off mobilization, their health benefits are terminated after a certain period of time.

While I don't agree with the denial of these benefits, I can certainly understand it. The cost to provide this benefit would, in some cases, exceed the annual income from the normal weekend and annual training duty requirements of the Guardsman or Reservist Soldier.

The almighty dollar is the reason, Titan.

[AUJarhead 70]

The cost to provide this benefit would, in some cases, exceed the annual income from the normal weekend and annual training duty requirements of the Guardsman or Reservist Soldier.

162693[/snapback]

And it's not like these guys are making lots of money, to begin with. My freshman year at Auburn, as an E-3 in the USMCR, I made a whopping 98 bucks a drill weekend. And when you consider I had to drive to New Orleans from Auburn, I made maybe 70 bucks when you take out gas and food.

I did think it was nice that beginning in 1995 or 1996, I was allowed to go on base any time to shop at the PX (prior to that, I believe it was only on drill weekends).

[Tiger in Spain 0]

KBTCYK and Jarhead, correct me if I'm wrong here. Reservists and National Guardsmen are fully covered by Tricare while they are serving with the active force, in other words whenever they are called to active duty or during their 2 week annual stint with the active force. I hardly see the critical epidemic Wes Clark is harping about. It sounds to me like another subliminal call for the USA to go to a more Europeanized socialized medical plan. The botom line is they are covered while they are called up.

There is no way the military medical community could take on full time care for 400,000 - 1 million more persons under our current structure. Hell, we active duty guys do good to see a doctor as it is now. At the risk of ticking off the reservists, one of the benefits to rogering up full time in the military is free medical care. Guard and Reserves get it when mobilized.

Providing adequate health care is just one of many things we should be doing to honor the service and sacrifice of our armed forces. And Democrats are leading the way. I was proud to join House Democratic leaders on Capitol Hill in April to introduce the new GI Bill of Rights for the 21st Century.

Where was this concern for the GI's when, back in the 90's, our pay raises were cut and many relied on food stamps to feed their families? Under Republican leadership, our pay has risen 22% and the number of military families on government assistance has decreased to less than 1% of the total force.

[Guest Tigrinum Major]

KBTCYK and Jarhead, correct me if I'm wrong here. Reservists and National Guardsmen are fully covered by Tricare while they are serving with the active force, in other words whenever they are called to active duty or during their 2 week annual stint with the active force.

162718[/snapback]

That is correct. When we are called to active duty, we are covered and the Tricare coverage is also extended to our families. During the two weeks of annual training (or any other time the soldier is on duty), only the service member is covered. By the way, for most NCOs and officers, the two week annual training is a myth. Last year, I did over four weeks of annual training in addition to the weekend stuff. Granted, I was getting paid, but it takes time away from my family.

Personally, I would not take advantage of the insurance from Tricare. I think a solution would be for it to be offered to the service members at a cost, just like insurance from a civilian employer.

There are a ton of people that sign up for the Reserves and then just stop showing up for training and battle assemblies (the new nomenclature for "drill"). Administration of the insurance for these people would be a nightmare.

[AUJarhead 70]

When we are called to active duty, we are covered and the Tricare coverage is also extended to our families.  During the two weeks of annual training (or any other time the soldier is on duty), only the service member is covered. 

162722[/snapback]

I'm pretty sure this extends to drill weekends, too. I went to sickbay once on a drill weekend, and had no problem at all, in terms of coverage. Granted, one time in 6 years isn't an abuse, but I'm sure there are limits.

[CCTAU 3,344]

I love you guys and thank you for your service. But just like in civilian life, you knew the deal before signing. The reserves for most was just a way to get free (not really free) money for school. I know that has changed in the last five years or so, but if your goal was to serve your country fully, then sign up full time. But be warned that many of the benefits you were supposed to recieve from the reserves will not transfer to full time. Especially if you are still in school and such. Every decision in life has its pros and its cons. The reserves can't be everything to everybody and I do realize that being called up to serve usually comes nowhere near your normal annual salary. But that was the trade-off that you chose at the time. You guys are doing a great job and I applaud you, but these rules have been around a long time. Like somebody already said, "it is a money thing." I'm sure if we just taxed the hell out of the top 5% and let them pay all the taxes, then we could set up everybody with free everything. But that's just not the deal and it should not ever be the deal. Socialism does not work. Military service does not have the best benefits, but in today's society, not many of us do. I pray that you all serve swiftly and safely.

[AUJarhead 70]

I totally agree, CCTAU. But I think that I still "served my country fully." My intent when I went to Auburn was to be an Officer, however, with what I got a degree in, and what I like to do (computer programming), the Marines aren't the best fit (the closest MOS I could get would be radar officer). So I decided to just do my time and get out.

My unit in Atlanta had a big problem with guys going UA (or AWOL for you old timers), and getting either a Bad Conduct Discharge or a General - Other Than Honorable discharge. My CO sat down all the NCOs and below and basically said, "You signed the line, so be a man and finish your enlistment." So true.

But the one benefit that all vets get, that I can't say enough how great it is, is the VA home loan. That more than made up for the pay on drill weekends, the missed concerts at the Supper Club, and the occasional missed AU football game (although the one time I had drill on Iron Bowl weekend, I went to a "cousin's wedding" and made that drill up the week after Thanksgiving).

[Guest Tigrinum Major]

I love you guys and thank you for your service. But just like in civilian life, you knew the deal before signing. The reserves for most was just a way to get free (not really free) money for school. I know that has changed in the last five years or so, but if your goal was to serve your country fully, then sign up full time. But be warned that many of the benefits you were supposed to recieve from the reserves will not transfer to full time. Especially if you are still in school and such. Every decision in life has its pros and its cons. The reserves can't be everything to everybody and I do realize that being called up to serve usually comes nowhere near your normal annual salary. But that was the trade-off that you chose at the time. You guys are doing a great job and I applaud you, but these rules have been around a long time. Like somebody already said, "it is a money thing." I'm sure if we just taxed the hell out of the top 5% and let them pay all the taxes, then we could set up everybody with free everything. But that's just not the deal and it should not ever be the deal. Socialism does not work. Military service does not have the best benefits, but in today's society, not many of us do. I pray that you all serve swiftly and safely.

162760[/snapback]

CC, you seem to misunderstand what I was saying.

Just for the record, I was on active duty for a period of time after college and decided to transfer to the Reserves when my wife decided that she didn't want to raise our children all over Europe. The fact of the matter is that the Army needs a lot of people to serve 4-6 years and fewer people to serve 20-30 years, based on the rank structure of the force. I decided to stay in the Reserves as a service to the country and as extra income. Based on how the Army fights today, the Reserves are an intergral part of the force. Combat units are typically active duty, as they need to train all the time to be proficient in their job. Support units tend to be Reserves that possess the same skill sets in civilian life and serve as needed to provide the necessary lifelines to the combat units. That is a simplified account of the force structure.

The benefit of insurance for reserve soldiers would be a nightmare in administration. If the benefit is extended, it should be done with some cost to the soldier, just like it is for a civilian company. That would provide the soldier a vested interest in keeping up their service. If the free insurance and health care is given across the board, it would be cost prohibitive and impossible to administer.

And I was not complaining about the "deal" concerning duty. In the past ten years, it has never been one weekend a month and two weeks a year. But it has been satisfying and enjoyable for the most part.