Q: Here’s a question from one of your fellow Army Reservists (JAG)! I was in Balad in August 2009 and received the post 9/11 GI briefing. We were asked that, unless we had children who were going to attend college in September, we not go and register for the benefit.
So, here it is 2012 and I just got my 20 year letter from HRC. A couple of months ago, I attended a course at the JAG school and they briefly mentioned that there is a service obligation that goes along with passing the 9/11 benefits to our kids. I reviewed the gibill.gov web site and even set up an appointment for a counselor to call me. When I asked if, for the section that indicates if you’re eligible for retirement between August 2011 and August 2012, you have a 3 year service obligation — if that started as of August 2009 — the counselor said she had no idea!
Who the heck do we ask? I’ve now been in the USAR 3 years after the August 2009 bill creation but does the 3 years in between count or does it start when I pass the benefit to my older son (who is a rising 10th grader so I happen to have 3 more years before goes to college)? Thank you for your help!!
–Pamela, Stafford, Virginia
A: Get that transfer application started now! I’m surprised you didn’t get a better answer from the counselor you spoke with, but that service commitment clock actually starts ticking once your transfer is approved. So, the fact that you went to a briefing (apparently not very informative!) back in 2009 has no bearing on the extra service required to transfer the benefit to your son. The good news is that once the transfer is approved your son could use the benefits before your commitment is completed. If for some reason, you didn’t complete the required service the benefits received would have to be repaid. At least, you’re going to be able to take advantage of the transferability option! I retired in April of 2009, about six months too soon…oops! The VA website has a host of information on the topic. Good luck.
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