- Joined
- Aug 25, 2011
- Messages
- 1,332
The lower pay level, poverty lines you speak of, junior enlisted, will still have access to the GI Bill for education benefits. Quite a few soldiers would use TA as a way to complete their degrees, saving their GI Bill for their kids college, not sure I ever really agreed with that option. The soldiers will now be required to use their GI Bill for their own education.
Officers from the Academy or those that received ROTC Scholarship will not be eligible for the GI Bill until they have gone past their original service obligation. The loss of TA will effect them more during their first 4 or 5 plus years. Need to remember that these officers did receive a free college education to start with.
There are many other things that we may see on the chopping block soon. My son received a slot at SF CDQC this summer. I would not be surprised if that is cut as well, I'm sure he will be disappointed but in the big picture, there is really no benefit to the Army that he attend this 7 week school. The savings to the Army could be spent training troops already on Active Duty. I think right now the Army needs to look at priorities. Scoutpilot is correct that TA, while nice is not a requirement when the budget is being slashed to the bone.
Congrats! Those combat diver course slots are VERY VERY rare for cadets and it is not an easy course. Best of luck, there are not many who get to wear that badge.