by Roger Huff

Created on: October 11, 2008   Last Updated: January 22, 2012

It seems that the one benefit that you do receive from being a Veteran is your education benefits. There is no wrenching or prying or getting the run-around when it comes to this part of the VA. Trust me. I spent 7 years in the Marine Corps and was released on a medical plan and I am still fighting to get my disability. The Education department however, is very efficient and quick. It truly is the only simple and painless process to life after the military. It is a great program and really is worth its weight in gold.

One big thing that you have to do is sign up for it. This was entirely too simple for me, since in the Marine Corps they walk you through single file and you sign where they tell you and grab what they tell you and just overall consign yourself to doing everything exactly when and where they tell you to. One of the many forms was the Montgomery GI Bill. It automatically sets up your pay to be deducted the set amount ($100 per month then) and you never even notice that it is happening. At least not until you are done paying for a year and your check goes up that amount. Really that is all it takes.

Once you get out and enroll in school, the money starts to flow in. You do not even have to fill out the paperwork. All you do is sign the application that is filled out by your VA representative at the school and you are done. The last day of every month (or 9 o' clock the day prior to that) you call the 800 number, enter your file number and zip code and that is all. In about a week and a half you get paid. It is very painless and reliable. The only thing that changes is the day that your check arrives.

I strongly urge anyone that is in the military or going to go in to sign up for the GI Bill. You need it. I thought I was going to stay in aviation my whole life and never use it. I was dead wrong. Not only can I physically not fly anymore, but I wouldn't want to. Even if you are happy doing what you have always done or have another college fund set aside, sign up. It is free money and if you never use it, your kids can. You can transfer it to them as long as they start college within 13 years of your discharge. Personally, I would just take the free money. You can go to school full time and with grants and loans, take a much needed break from everything after putting your life on the line for a couple years. Regardless of how you use it, you earned it.

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