veteran’s corner

Tom Krabbenhoft

Anyone ever involved on talking points why someone should join the military a few things come up. Travel, adventure, serving your country and the great food (obviously kidding about the food). If you have completed your first enlistment, pay and retirement also become incentives to serve.

One of the huge draws and incentives of serving has always been the GI Bill. No matter where you are in your military career the GI Bill remains a big factor. Recently this has become less of a draw, why?

The Biden-Harris Administration’s Student Debt Relief Plan. The Public Service Loan Forgiveness or (PSLF). According to and taken from Studentaid.gov it is a three part plan to forgive up to $20,000 in student loans. It then goes into the plan details for applying for relief.

I know many doctors, lawyers, engineers and other careers that require many years of education. They joined the military just for GI Bill benefits.

According to the VA, $25,162.14 if you’re eligible for 100% of Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits is the maximum paid out. With the GI Bill and its many tentacles to qualify it is much more than a three step process to receive benefits. To receive maximum benefits several hoops need to be hopped through and it can be taken away easier than it’s given.

I’m not complaining about the (PSLF) it’s not my job. When we join the service we are well aware of the benefits and what is required of us. In the service it’s always been “you get but you give first.” Sometimes the getting part is paid in blood.

I’m curious why this PSLF was handed out without any “give to get.” Is there not a need in our local areas for volunteers? Could this not have enhanced our communities across the country if PSLF recipients served in a volunteer capacity?

Recruiting numbers are hurting very badly. The military is lowering test scores, raising obesity guidelines and other things. These help quantities but hurts quality. The military speculation is all over the board why numbers are hurting. Maybe the smart and fit kids are seeing that serving and not serving now hold the same monetary value. Why put yourself in harms way for equal incentives?

The GI Bill is not the deadly arrow in the quiver it once was for attracting quality troops.

The PSLF could very well be hurting recruiting members into the service. I’ve stated many times before a professional, volunteer force is expensive. It could be a cheaper force if ALL our sons and daughters were forced to serve. It’s all my opinion and food for thought.

Anything Veteran related contact me at 11btwk@gmail.com.