AFRC/ANG and the Post 9/11 GI-Bill

[slc]

I've already burned my MGIB-30 in the 1990's and am now totaling up what I can receive under Post 9/11

The Post 9/11 GI bill current eligibility standards

Qualifying active duty includes:

– Full-time duty in the Armed Forces, other than

active duty for training

– A call or order to active duty under section 688,

12301(a), 12301(d), 12301(g), 12302, or 12304 of

Title 10

• Active duty periods may begin at any time,

however, only portion served after 09/10/01

can be used to establish eligibility

Based on the above, does this mean I can tally up all my Man days (MPA), Active Duty for Special Work, deployments, etc. and use these for benefits? All AT (annual tour), Active Duty for Training, and SCH (school) tour days cannot be used. If so, what documents do I need to submit to the VA to show the breakdown. Any one done this yet? Thanks for any input.

[SocialD]

I've already burned my MGIB-30 in the 1990's and am now totaling up what I can receive under Post 9/11

The Post 9/11 GI bill current eligibility standards

Qualifying active duty includes:

– Full-time duty in the Armed Forces, other than

active duty for training

– A call or order to active duty under section 688,

12301(a), 12301(d), 12301(g), 12302, or 12304 of

Title 10

• Active duty periods may begin at any time,

however, only portion served after 09/10/01

can be used to establish eligibility

Based on the above, does this mean I can tally up all my Man days (MPA), Active Duty for Special Work, deployments, etc. and use these for benefits? All AT (annual tour), Active Duty for Training, and SCH (school) tour days cannot be used. If so, what documents do I need to submit to the VA to show the breakdown. Any one done this yet? Thanks for any input.

This has been a big question lately. I would go into the base retention people or whoever run the GI Bill at your base. They should have nailed down, what you can and can't use. I haven't looked into it in a while, but I'm pretty sure they are getting it changed so you can count your title 32 time as well. From what I understand, you can only use a total of 48 months worth of GI-Bill from any of the various benefits (AD, Reserve, Post 9-11). I used the Reserve GI-Bill for college, so I only have 9 months left on mine...but it's still a years worth for the kiddo!

Edited April 18, 2011 by SocialD

[slc]

Interesting little tidbit I found which answers the above question. Click on the link or read the attached (same thing) Amazing how something so important can be buried or not even addressed.

https://www.afrc.af.mil/library/post-911-gi-bill.asp

POST 9/11 G.I. BILL INFORMATION

Some Reservists are experiencing difficulties applying for certification of eligibility, transfer of and payment of Post-9/11 GI Bill Benefits.

Interagency Data Transfer Issues: The VA began accepting applications for certification of eligibility in May. To determine eligibility, VA primarily relies on active duty service history reflected in DoD databases for verification.

However, these databases reflect reservists' contingency active duty service and AGR duty service history.

For many of you, active duty service in support of a contingency will comprise the bulk of your post 9/11 active service. Still, the Post 9/11 GI Bill credits most active duty service - not just contingency service. DoD is now rectifying this shortfall by providing VA with records of all qualifying active duty service, and will continually supplement this database so that the VA has a current record of your active duty service.

This story in PDF

Post 9/11 GI Bill Difficulties

The VA has traditionally relied on DD Form 214 for verifying eligibility for benefits, indeed the Post 9/11 GI Bill application instructs that it will help the VA process your claim if you send a copy your DD Form 214.

For many Reservists, the DD Forms 214 reflect only periods involuntary active duty service of any length and periods of active duty service 90 days or more. These will not provide a complete active duty service history upon which the VA can rely to process your application.

Moreover, not all active duty service that might be reflected on a DD 214 is qualifying service under the Post-9/11 GI Bill. Accordingly, DD 214s are not a reliable source of service information for Reservists applying to the VA for Post-9/11 GI Bill certification of eligibility or transferability.

Some of you may have already applied to the VA for certification of eligibility and/or transferability and may not have received proper credit for your active duty service. You may have been denied the benefit to which you are entitled. If you have applied for a certificate of eligibility or transferability and have not yet received VA certification, you can work through ARPC, AFRC or your WETO to have a Letter of Certification issued to the VA in connection with your application (see process outlined below).

AFR is providing an interim solution to these problems that VA and OSD are permitting

ARPC and AFRC have provided an interim solution for those Reservists applying for a certificate of eligibility/transferability from the VA :

· VA regional processing offices have agreed to accept a Letter of Certification from the Education office at AFRC, ARPC or the WETO as proof of military service for Reservists.

· DOD has approved this interim solution until a permanent solution can be implemented.

Steps Reservists should take before applying to VA for a certificate of eligibility and/or transferability of Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits

First, get counseling on your GI Bill options. The Post 9/11 GI Bill may not be the right GI Bill for everyone and converting to the Post 9/11 GI Bill is an irrevocable decision. Unit Reservists can contact the Wing Education and Training Office (WETO) or ARPC DPSD 2 at 1-800-525-0102; Individual Mobilization Augmentees (IMAs) should contact ARPC DPSD 2 at 1-800-525-0102

Second, determine the amount of Post-9/11 qualifying active duty service you have - this amount determines your benefit level

· Examine your Point Credit Summary (PCARS on vMPF) Type Duty Codes (TD) that qualify you for the Post 9/11 GI Bill are: 1, 2, 3, and 5.

· Orders

· DD 214s

Based on your counseling discussion with WETO, ARPC and your calculation of your expected benefit, determine whether you wish to apply for benefits now or delay to increase the amount of your benefit based on your expected future active duty service. Members who apply now and later have additional qualifying active duty days can have their days and percentage adjusted by providing documentation for the additional period to the VA.

Apply online at https://www.gibill.va.gov/ for Post-9/11 GI Bill Certificate of Eligibility

· Click on "Apply for GI Bill Benefits"

· Scroll down and click on "Education"

· Click on the red oval entitled "VONAPP"

· Submit VA Form 22-1990 (you can submit your Form 22-1990 without supporting documentation

· Copy/Print the Confirmation Number/ Date submitted and Regional Office to which your application is submitted (you will need to submit this information to ARPC, AFRC, or WETO when you request a Letter of Certification (see below))

If working through ARPC, Log onto vPC-GR

· Launch the Dashboard (fourth item on left)

· Click on "Action Requests"

· Click on " New Request" (first item on right)

· For "Request Category" select "Education" from drop down menu

· For "Request Type" select "GI Bill" from drop down menu

· For "Request Subject" type "Letter of Certification"

· For "Request Details" type in, e.g.: "I want a letter of certification through ARPC to attach to my VA application. Confirmation # XXXXX (or SSN if you already have an established account), dates submitted XX ### XX and the regional office that is handling your request.

· You may also provide any pertinent information. For example, "I want a letter of certification through ARPC to attach to my VA application. I am already in the system so my confirmation number is _______; acct number is xx-###-xxxx (social security number), my regional office is St Louis. I sent my application by snail mail approximately 16 July 09. The VA approved me at 40% and counted 146 days 15 Jan 09 - 9 June 09. Looking at PCARS, I show over 600 AD days since 2001."

ARPC will work your request and respond back to you within a target time of 1-2 weeks via the e-mail address listed in your vPC-GR account. They will ask you to examine your PCARS report to ensure it is accurate; and that the number of days of qualifying active duty service they will certify to VA is accurate (agrees with number of days you believe you have served).

· NOTE: It is the member's responsibility to ensure this time is accurate. Member must supply documentation to support claims to contrary. NOTE: Member must respond back to ARPC before ARPC will provide a letter of certification to VA.; ARPC will not provide a letter of certification until member responds to ARPC.

If you are working through the WETO or AFRC

Contact those offices and request a Letter of Certification. Provide the VA Form 1990 confirmation number to either WETO or AFRC. The education office will issue a Letter of Certification for your review, and upon your approval, issue the Letter of Certification to the VA regional processing office responsible for your certification of eligibility/transferability. Most of these are accomplished within a few days.

Airmen must have at least four years left of retainability before transferring benefits, unless retirement-eligible. We encourage Airmen who need additional retainability to visit their servicing military personnel section for counseling on re-enlisting or extending their current enlistment before applying to transfer their benefits. Ensuring the retainability is up-to-date prevents a delay in your transferability approval.

Airmen planning to transfer their benefits should verify family member information is accurate in the Defense Eligibility Enrollment Reporting System. If your family members are not in DEERS, you will not be able to transfer benefits to them. Transferability to children must be done prior to their 23rd birthday.

Members can apply for transferability via the website: https://www.dmdc.osd.mil/TEB/.

If the applicant is eligible for the transfer option WETO or ARPC will update the member's Service Commitment. The transferability application will be approved via the TEB site by AFRC or ARPC. Service members can check the status of their application at any time by logging in to the TEB site.

If for some reason an applicant doesn't meet eligibility requirements, the application will be returned to the TEB site. AFRC or ARPC will provide the applicant with a statement of why it was disapproved and date of disapproval. The disapproval reason explains what a member must do to be granted the benefit.

Additional Air Force guidance is currently in coordination and is expected to be incorporated in forthcoming AFI; Wing Education and Training Offices/ARPC will be notified when it is released.

According to a recent DoD release, new family members can be added to a member's TEB application as long as that member is in the military, but not after separating or retiring. Thus, defense officials advise erring on the side of caution and including every eligible family member on the application, even if they receive just one month of benefit.

Once an Airman's transfer of benefits has been approved, they can always go back in and change which family member receives what amount of their benefit, if any, as long as that family member was included before the Airman leaves the service.

In addition, customers are asked to be patient with the processing of applications, especially during the first few months of the program. Benefits and service commitment will be based on the date of application, but in no case earlier than Aug. 1, the effective date of the program.

In all instances, do your best to keep track of your records. Ensure that your service history is accurately reflected in your records at the earliest possible opportunity, and provide MPFs and the VA with complete records to help expedite these processes.

Please proceed with patience and the understanding that each agency and each individual is doing their best to ensure you receive this wonderful benefit that you have earned.

Even if it takes a significant amount of time to process your application, your service commitment clock will be retroactive to the date you applied, but no earlier than Aug. 1. The VA will allow you to seek reimbursement of benefits paid during the application approval process

For basic details on transferability of the Post 9/11 GI Bill benefit, contact the Total Force Service Center - Denver at 800-525-0102. Unit Reservists should contact their Wing Education and Training office for specific program details.

[Junglejett]

I am sure there are some folks out there who have applied for the Post 9/11 GI-Bill. Now that we can use more than just Title 10 orders for eligibility, how did you fill out the application? In the past 10 years, I have had some lengthy periods of service and some short ones...overall, there is a LOT of days in there. While filling out the application, do I have to make an entry for every little period of qualifying service or is there a more efficient way?

Does that make sense?

Thanks in advance.

[JS]

I am in the process of doing it right now. My understanding is that there are two parts to the puzzle - each takes about a month for the paperwork to go through:

1) Fill out an application for VA benefits, called a VONAPP, I believe. There is an online form for it. I don't think you need to be exact with the cost and dates of the program you are looking for - just best guesses. I think I just put the dates of my last full 5 month activation on the question about years of service (and attached that DD-214 as well.)

2) Contact ARPC through VPCGR for a certification letter. I was told that this letter will have your total points/active duty days and will clearly state that you are eligible for XX% of the post-9/11 GI bill based on XXX number of active duty days. I think they send a copy of this to the VA as well.

From there, I think you just get with the school or whatever and try to get them to file the paperwork for you. I am hearing that you might have to front the money and then file to get reimbursed as opposed to the old way of the VA paying the school directly.

I am still in the process of waiting for the paperwork from both the VA and ARPC, so I will let you know if the process is any different from what I described above.

[slc]

https://www.afrc.af.mil/library/post-911-gi-bill.asp

Enjoy this little gem I found a year ago buried in some obscure site under layers of shit (why nobody knows about this shit when it is vitally important to guard/reserve i do not know)

Been through this process several months ago, fairly seamless, let me know if you have hangups. ARPC will send you within 6 weeks a nice printout tallying all your manday time since 9/11

[Junglejett]

Yeah, I found that too and it was a huge eye opener and increased my percentage dramatically. I too find it "curious" this was not well known...but really not surprised.

JS..thanks for the guidance!

Lets see how this progresses.

https://www.afrc.af.mil/library/post-911-gi-bill.asp Enjoy this little gem I found a year ago buried in some obscure site under layers of shit (why nobody knows about this shit when it is vitally important to guard/reserve i do not know) Been through this process several months ago, fairly seamless, let me know if you have hangups. ARPC will send you within 6 weeks a nice printout tallying all your manday time since 9/11

[Junglejett]

https://www.afrc.af.m...911-gi-bill.asp

Enjoy this little gem I found a year ago buried in some obscure site under layers of shit (why nobody knows about this shit when it is vitally important to guard/reserve i do not know)

Been through this process several months ago, fairly seamless, let me know if you have hangups. ARPC will send you within 6 weeks a nice printout tallying all your manday time since 9/11

Having some issues reaching ARPC. The Dashboard section does not have a place to get the cert letter...or any information on who to get it from. Or, maybe I am not looking in the right section. Any input?

[JS]

I think you have to click on "My Account" on the top, and it brings you to a different looking section. From there, there should be a "Email Us" section in the upper right that eventually brings you to a web-based form that you can submit to them. You could also choose the "request other documents" on the bottom left. I was told to put something like this in the email:

I want a letter of certification through ARPC to attach to my VA application. Confirmation # XXXXX (or SSN if you already have an established account), dates submitted XX XXX XX and office that is handling your request.

[slc]

Yes, JS has it right. About a year ago the VPCGR/ARPC whatever had a section specifically for requesting a cert letter. Magically, it has disappeared since then. Just use the misc. "request other documents" link and they'll process the app. Expect a phone call (which was unexpected but nice) from ARPC in a few weeks just confirming the information they have calculated.

[IRL2422]

I'm a Reserve Flight Engineer and I also use my Post 9/11 GI Bill to go to school full-time at a college in NH. I noticed I did not receive a payment from the VA for housing for the month of October so I called the VA to find out what the problem was. Apparently because I flew on a 4 day mission down-range the first week in October, I’m not allowed to receive BAH from the VA for the entire month. The VA Rep said that it is considered being on active duty and active duty service members are not entitled to BAH through the VA. I spoke with another member of my squadron who uses the GI Bill and he said he’s been paid BAH but it was pro-rated for the time he was away on a mission. The difference in his case was the mission was not down-range so it’s considered Reserve duty. Aircrew members be careful what type of mission you go on because it may affect your benefits. Has anyone else experienced this problem and if so did you find a way to get the VA to pay you?

[JarheadBoom]

I work with several folks using Post-9/11 GIBill; none (that I've heard about) have had this happen to them.

My 2 cents...

[LoadClear]

Same, I got my Masters on the Post-911 and was guard bumming at least half the month, every month.

The key to your issue may be the "down range" 4 day trip you were on and the way it was coded. Sorry about your troubles. If you get a real reason from a real person at the VA, post up what you know to avoid others having the same problems.

[dfgyu76]

I'm a Reserve Flight Engineer and I also use my Post 9/11 GI Bill to go to school full-time at a college in NH. I noticed I did not receive a payment from the VA for housing for the month of October...

I just enlisted in the ANG with the intent to finish university as soon as I'm able. I'm not entirely familiar with the educational benefits but I've never heard of a 'housing payment'. What is the stipulation to receive this? I believe my contract includes post 9/11, TA, and GI bill kicker (6 yr contract) in NC. Any thoughts? I basically planned on letting TA do what it can then use GI bill/kicker to pay rent so I don't necessarily have to have a job until I finish school.

Thanks

[LoadClear]

If youre just joining, you don't need to worry about the Post-9/11 GI Bill. Its reserved for those that have deployed and the BAH rate is based on how many days youve done on active duty. You'll be getting the Chapter 1607 (REAP).

Here is your payment rates: https://www.gibill.va.gov/resources/benefits_resources/rates/CH1607/ch1607rates100112.htm

Did you enlist in the Charlotte or Stanley County unit? I'm out of Charlotte. What section did you enlist with?

Just a heads up, you may want to comb over your contract a little more if you're not certain what benefits your getting. I've signed stuff before I didnt fully read but an enlistment contract is a little more important than a cell phone.

[LoadClear]

Have you brought this to the attention of your VA rep at your college and whoever handles VA stuff for students at your base? Probably the retention person in customer service. They may have more answers.

[ViperStud]

Didn't find exact answer and the VA website is vague, talking about "military service" while not specifying AD or guard. I'm contemplating separating and joining the guard. I have not transferred benefits to the Frau yet (with eyes on giving them to kid once we have one) so will I be able to transfer benefits after I separate and serve an adsc in the guard? Anyone done this?

[nsplayr]

Yes, "military service" includes Guard or Reserves, even part-time. About to do this myself in the fall. There have been threads on this on BO.net, honestly that's how I found out about that possibility. 4 years as a part-time guard dude is a much different opportunity cost vs 4 more years on AD.

Documentation found here:

"(1) Time for Transfer. An individual approved to transfer entitlement to educational assistance under this section may transfer such entitlement to the individual’s family member only while serving in the Military Services (active duty or Selected Reserve.), NOAA Corps, or PHS. An individual may not add family members after retirement or separation from the Uniformed Services."

[kla9]

My base Education Office said that I have to have served 36 months AFTER my initial commitment from ROTC in order to tx benefits. I only served something like 24 months ACTIVE DUTY after my commitment was up. (6.5 total years) Now I'm in the reserves though. Anyone know if this is true, that you have to have many active duty months after initial commitment served before transferring? My husband and I have an investment decision to make and if I can tx to my son now, we won't have to save for his college. I understand there's been a lot of changes with our education benefits in recent months esp as reservists so I wonder if this is one of them?

Anyone transfer recently and get the lowdown? Can't find anything in the usual places VA, DOD, Milconnect, et cetera

[romeas]

I am not sure if this can help but here is a link.

- https://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill/post911_transfer.asp

Good Luck.