Golden Handshake

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USAUSA

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If one gets a golden handshake, does that mid fall under the veteran status/ yellow ribbon program/ post 9/11?
 
You’re going to have to help me out with “golden handshake” in this context. Mids can leave USNA either voluntarily or involuntarily, for both good and bad reasons, with varying consequences depending on whether they leave before they incur their service obligation at the start of 2/c year.

Eligibility and definitions of veteran status and Post-9/11 GI Bill guidance are laid out in detail on va.gov

The Yellow Ribbon program is between the VA and the college/university. All Fed veteran status rules apply.

Graduates of SAs and ROTC programs have to do 36 months AD past their original AD service obligation, for the 100% GI Bill benefit, last time I looked at va.gov

Each state has their own definition of “veteran” for benefit purposes. Former SA mids and cadets may be eligible for their state veteran agency program, unique to that state, and different from the Fed VA benefit.
 
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re: "golden handshake", i assume you are talking about a mid who graduates, but does not commission?
 
I am curious about this golden handshake thing, as well. The definition I found was "a payment given to someone who is laid off or retires early."
 
For context, a golden handshake is as stated above, when a Mid or Cadet graduates but does not commission. Normally the only reason this happens is for medical disqualifications close to the time of graduation.
 
The eligibility for VA medical care in cases of grad-but-not-comm has been discussed in several threads. The Fed educational benefits do not apply, as I read va.gov, though some states’ definition of veteran may allow eligibility for state vet benefits.
 
ekb1398 said:
a golden handshake is as stated above, when a Mid or Cadet graduates but does not commission
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Wow, in what alternative universe is attending USNA, graduating, and not commissioning a "golden handshake?" Putting 4 years into getting through USNA and not wanting to serve seems alien to me.
 
Short answer is: to be eligible for Post 9-11 GI Bill benefits as a graduate of ROTC or an Academy, you need to serve your obligated service PLUS some additional time, @Capt MJ is correct as usual, 36 months additional service is required to receive FULL BENEFITS. If you are discharged and receive a 100% disability rating from a MEB you would be eligible for VA medical and Chapter 35 educational benefits.
 
Old Navy BGO said:
Wow, in what alternative universe is attending USNA, graduating, and not commissioning a "golden handshake?" Putting 4 years into getting through USNA and not wanting to serve seems alien to me.
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totally agree, however it appears that some look at it that way

in my day, during the clinton drawdown in the early 90s, the golden handshake was getting your wings, completing a fleet tour and around 1000 hours, then the Navy giving you 75K to leave early and go to the airlines
 
...not wanting to serve...
Back in the 90s a friend of ours graduated with his NROTC scholarship and was told Thanks, Go Home. I'm not even sure if he had reserve responsibilities. He was pretty broken up, as he'd really joined to serve. That drawdown was significant.
 
The "Golden Handshake" is an act of good faith on the part of the academy/service and has nothing to do with lack of desire to serve.

In fact, it refers to someone with a desire to serve who is being denied that opportunity after putting in four years of work towards that goal.
 
ekb1398 said:
For context, a golden handshake is as stated above, when a Mid or Cadet graduates but does not commission. Normally the only reason this happens is for medical disqualifications close to the time of graduation.
Click to expand...

Medical is usually the biggie, but there have been numerous 1C's in every Academy that are not Commissioned upon graduation for physical fitness reasons. Failure to pass the Commissioning fitness testing is also grounds for separation, and even up to graduation if the academy grants that student the maximum time to pass. Many times it is the weight standard that causes problems, if you can't meet weight standards you don't Commission.
 
The majority of golden handshakers are guys who are pretty beat up about that decision (one from my class, Kevin Hillery, was paralyzed in a mountain biking accident).
I'm not going to say it hasn't happened that someone faked or played up an ailment in order to not serve because I'm sure it has. What I would imagine is more common would be people whose issue is not necessarily visible (I e. Mental health) not being allowed to commission and the rumor Mill making assumptions. You better believe the USN wants its pound of flesh after paying through the nose for a Mid's degree.
 
Impulsive said:
Medical is usually the biggie, but there have been numerous 1C's in every Academy that are not Commissioned upon graduation for physical fitness reasons. Failure to pass the Commissioning fitness testing is also grounds for separation, and even up to graduation if the academy grants that student the maximum time to pass. Many times it is the weight standard that causes problems, if you can't meet weight standards you don't Commission.
Click to expand...

At least in the classes that graduated during my four years those that didn’t graduate due to weight/fitness still had to pay back monetarily or enlist.

Golden handshake is more about not having to owe the government something else after being denied commissioning not the fact that you “got away” without having to serve.
 
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