US Army They don't honor their college fund Washington District of Columbia
I entered the US Army in the mid '80's. I will not fault the recruiter, there was a lot he ought to have known, but he just didn't, due to crummy training I guess. Part of the reason I went in was the Army College Fund. I made deposits to it, all through my time in the Army. I got out, and got a job. Within the 10 year window, I took a series of courses. I took my receipt for tuition, and sent it to my U.S. Representative, knowing full well the VA would lose at least the first 5 applications, like they do with everything else. What do you know- the VA got it, when it came in on Congressional letterhead. And they refused to honor the college fund. I included a copy of the form from my military contract. And, check this out- usually Congressional aides will help you- in this case, they refused to do so.
Sooooo, the $25,000 I should have gotten, which my recruiter assurred me I would get [but I don't blame him-it's the VA's fault], couldn't be gotten. They simply refused to honor it. Well, not much I can do now. Except, of course, as a veteran, I talk to young men thinking about the military service.
I wrote an 8 page single spaced letter to my cousin's son, on why entering the Army was a bad idea for him. I wasted my time. He was going in for the college money, and when he saw they didn't honor their written contracts- they never honor verbal contracts, and often refuse to honor written contracts- he decided to do other things with his life. Other people in my unit were told they could get Army College Fund money for airplane lessons, which is not true, it has to be accredited college courses. Military recruiters, by court decision, can lie, and the government does not have to honor even written contracts.
I tell this story as a joke on me, which it certainly was. Well, life goes on. My family has had people in the military since before the Revolutionary War. I had a great Uncle who was a general in the Army National Guard, a grandfather served in WWI, an Uncle who graduated West Point, and served in the Army in WWII, my father during the Korean War, my brother in the National Guard, and this is the thanks they have. I would have gone into the Reserves, except that I had so much experience with them screwing the troops that I didn't, and I was so glad, when the Gulf War came along. I was fluent in Arabic, and I tried to get that in my military record for 2 years, in the Army, but I never could. Well, I guess God was taking care of me.
I think I will be able to talk my family into avoiding military service in the US Army. I tell stories in a funny way. My name will not be cited here, because I've seen the Army retaliate, and because of course the VA wouldn't even honor my written Army College Fund contract within the 10 year window, much less now.
If you go into at least the US Army, just keep in mind that you will have to fight even to get them to honor written contracts, and anything you are told verbally is a lie. You will need to be on first name terms with you US Representative's aide for military affairs. Also, keep every piece of paper they give you, to at least 20 years after you get out, because you will find yourself needing some of them. I know a guy who got out of the Army, and they lost the paperwork showing he returned his equipment. Hey, if you don't return your equipment, they won't clear you to go to the Separation station. So, 2 years later, they sent him a bill, and liened his bank account, for that equipment. And, God help you if you have physical problems after you get out, I have back and knee injuries, too, and the VA won't do anything about that, either. I don't know about the other services, though.
No College Fund
from a military family, Maine
U.S.A.
3 Updates & Rebuttals
Aline
Atlanta,Georgia,
U.S.A.
There We Go...
#4Consumer Comment
Wed, April 23, 2008
I see that the U.S Forces may not honor some people and certain policies they have bloggle the mind, however... I will relay my 'war story'.
I've been active duty for 7 yrs and the U.S. Army is a good opportunity IF you do your homework, have a strong character and KNOW how to be an opportunist. Carpe Diem. I came in a little before 9/11, by the time I graduated AIT and went to my new duty station 9/11 stroke. I am now out of service and enlisted in the NG.
I was supposed to come in the Army as a linguist but due to the fact that personnel at MEPS stations are lazy or dazed (and my ignorance at the time) they told me the security clearance necessary for a better job would not be granted or guaranteed to me at the time.
I took a run of the mill (saturated) job and rolled with it and volunteered to go to a place where they PAY ME MORE! I asked Korea and they paid me 10k bonus to go there! AND YES after taxes is less but it was ALL paid after I reported to KOREA. So moral of the story is: PICK A MARKETABLE JOB (MOS) and DO NOT BE ALIENATED (you will not sit at home being in the Army)! GO away to a place where they pay you MORE! If you cannot get a marketable job cuz of your ASVAB score ( u gotta score more than 110pts!!!) u can take the test again and pick another JOB! I re-enlisted within less than 3 yrs in service for a total of 4 yrs (7 total) and got another 10K just for that.
In addition, the ARMY covers TUITION ASSISTANCE in all, and I say, ALL units I have been to a Soldier was NEVER denied Tuition Assistance. The Army will pay up to $4,500.00 a term (in the Army 2 1/2 months) for College classes either online (EArmyU) or at the college campus in your Army post. I read and heard the civilian sector (reads "objectors") stating that Army Soldiers are not given the chance to utilize TA due to heavy workload and it is very partially the truth. I have seen the GREAT Majority of Soldiers get drunk out of their minds in bars in their 'free time' instead of going to College. It is THEIR choice. The majority choses to get drunk and all the other negative things that come with it. I have also seen a minority of soldiers put diligent effort after work into College and have their Bachelors within their initial contract in Active Duty ALL FOR FREE paid with Tuition Assistance!! I had a busy job where I was in a leadership position and was able to get over 60 credit hrs ALL Paid by the ARMY. There is one more detail that no one likes to admit: College in the Army is easier. The colleges that contract with the Army make classes shorter and easier because they know of the demands that Soldiers have and cuz simply, Army soldiers are not the brightest ones who are out there. Sorry, I had to say that cuz it is the truth. A semester of civilian credits is shorter in the Army colleges and it is called a 'term'. The trick is to make sure your Army College credits are transferable to your college of choice BEFORE you enrol. PLUS, AND BTW, I am now out of the Army and VA assisted me with a guaranteed loan to purchase my new home AND is honoring my MGI Bill already. Am I saying it is perfect? NO. But ppl just cant see the BIG PICTURE!!
PLUS, the Army more than the other sister services will allow you to change your job, it is UP to the Soldier to pick and chose what they prefer to do. I myself am changing my job for the 3rd time in less than 8 yrs of service. So, if you are trully adaptable and like doing different things you can consult with a counselor and they will work with you.
At times of war it is hard for VA to award disability when we hve soldiers missing limbs and with permanent injuries. VA is now overwhelmed. I am still waiting for their response but they never failed to notify me that they had not forgotten me. Great valuable trick here: Keep ALL your records!! Make copies of everything! I made copies of ALL my medical records because they are notorious for losing, stealing or misplacing information and documents specially when is convenient to them.
I had 2 surgeries performed in the Army for injuries I incurred while in service with NO QUESTIONS ASKED!! The surgeons were professional and went over all my choices and I had my problems fixed. I was never denied medical care and never denied it to any of my subordinates, either.
There are regulations for EVERYTHING there is to do with the service. If you feel you are being told wrong, your chain of command is worthless and you are not a wimp there is always the Inspector's General. You have to follow THROUGH! If you dont ,they win!
The Army during OIF and OEF. I went to OEF and it is so much easier than OIF. However, I have colleagues who finished their Bachelor's during OIF, got back in shape while in OIF.... They have sooo much time in their hands, and no mission in Iraq. it is sad while we have soldiers going on convoys everyday getting blown up by mortars and IEDs but it all depends on what kind of job you do. The majority of soldiers are getting paid more to have a vacation there. When you drive on the main roads in camps in Afghanistan you will see troops playing volleyball, basketball, shopping at the numerous bazars, going to the gyms 2 times a day, hanging out on the 'food courts' on a daily ALL day... Some of them had no mission there. That was a PAID vacation for a great number of soldiers!
We are at a time of war and at 'needs of the Army' mode, they could not work with me to change my duty station or my job so I did what no one thinks of doing: think out of the box. I still serve my country and always got out of the service as much as I put into it.
Robert
Bowie,Maryland,
U.S.A.
I get my FREE Medical from the VA
#4Consumer Comment
Sat, March 08, 2008
I also get a check from them each month. SWEEEEEET!
How long were you in the Army? You don't say in your post. Was your discharge Honorable? Again, you don't say.
Cory
San Antonio,Texas,
U.S.A.
So What Else Is New?
#4Consumer Comment
Sat, March 08, 2008
Recruiters have been lying to enlistees since the time of George Washington and the Contential Army. The biggest lie was the one about "FREE MEDICAL CARE FOR LIFE" if you put in your "20" years AND survive. Now all the retirees have to chip in for tri-care or whatever else or co-pays at the VA. Whereas the politicians don't have to pay a penny. I'll never forget all the screams when, at the end of bootcamp, all the newbies were crying about how their recruiters had promised them this school or that MOS and they were getting sent off as grunts. Everyone else was dying laughing, the ones that had guaranteed contracts.
Look into all the poor suckers the army's kicking out with PTSD and claiming they had personality disorders BEFORE they came into the service. Check into the numbers of suicides the army's writting up as accidental ODs so their numbers don't look so bad. The fake urine tests. The coached tests. The criminals being admitted to the armed forces. The army is now claiming to pay up to $40,000 on enlistment with certain restrictions. I'll believe that when I see it.
Know one guy who got into the military with MS. He hacked it for 2 years. They finally discharged his with a hefty disability persion. Now he's going back at the VA for more disability. AS A RESULT OF INJURIES SUSTAINED IN COMBAT. Never saw a day of combat.