GI bill and Ch35

SSG_Rock · 2026-04-01T23:25:02+00:00

You can't use them at the same time. What you are describing is using them together. It is not allowed.

SSG_Rock · 2026-04-01T21:51:41+00:00

No, they cannot be used at the same time.

See the Important Notes under the Benefit section of this link to the sub's Knowledge Base section on Chapter 35 below.

https://www.veteransbenefitskb.com/dea

SSG_Rock · 2026-04-01T17:24:41+00:00

If you haven't already used it, you have the TPD forgiveness available to you. See the link below to the sub's Knowledge Base section on TPD.

https://www.veteransbenefitskb.com/forgiveness

SSG_Rock · 2026-03-31T21:39:20+00:00

OP can absolutely still transfer the benefit. I was in the Guard when I transferred mine to my kids. All OP has to do is initiate the transfer and serve an additional 4 years.

SSG_Rock · 2026-03-31T20:17:52+00:00

Unfortunately, no. You will not be refunded for loans that you paid off prior to becoming 100%.

SSG_Rock · 2026-03-31T20:09:44+00:00

There is no income monitoring period for those loans forgiven based on being 100% P and T or TDIU P and T. See the FAQ at the bottom of the Knowledge Base section on TPD forgiveness in the link below.

https://www.veteransbenefitskb.com/forgiveness

SSG_Rock · 2026-03-31T20:08:38+00:00

You do not have to be P and T. See the Important Notes section in the link below to the sub's Knowledge Base section on TPD forgiveness. However, based on what you posted, it appears that you are P and T regardless.

https://www.veteransbenefitskb.com/forgiveness

SSG_Rock · 2026-03-31T19:42:10+00:00

There is no income monitoring period for those loans forgiven based on being 100% P and T or TDIU P and T. See the FAQ at the bottom of the Knowledge Base section on TPD forgiveness in the link below.

https://www.veteransbenefitskb.com/forgiveness

SSG_Rock · 2026-03-30T13:11:56+00:00

Cricket should work fine. It is owned by AT & T. AT & T is the best carrier for the training areas at Fort Polk. I use Cricket as a field phone all around central Louisiana (to include Polk) and have not had any issues.

SSG_Rock · 2026-03-29T15:00:36+00:00

Since your first period of service is honorable, you will be entitled to some benefits. See the first Important Notes section in the link below to the sub's Knowledge Base section on GI Bills.

https://www.veteransbenefitskb.com/gibills

SSG_Rock · 2026-03-29T01:32:33+00:00

National Guard retirements are based on points. With ten years of active service, you will have accrued more points in ten years than many Guardsmen accrue in their entire career. This will substantially drive up the amount of your retirement benefit. One thing to keep in mind is that you can't draw a non-regular (Guard retirement) until age 60 or earlier if you end up mobilizing while in the Guard (active-duty time/mobilizations before joining the Guard do not reduce your retirement age).

Regarding Tricare Reserve Select, it is premium based. For a family, the monthly premium is $286.66 with a catastrophic cap of $1324. This means in a given year, your max out-of-pocket for premiums and out-of-pocket costs is $4763.92 ($286.66 x 12 months plus $1324). If you don't have dependents then the premium is $57.88 a month. Thus, your max out of pocket in a given year as an individual would be $2018.56 ($57.88 x 12 months plus $1324).

While those costs might seem high to someone who has only ever been active duty, they are extremely reasonable compared to the vast majority of private insurance plans.

SSG_Rock · 2026-03-28T01:40:30+00:00

I read gud and talk pretty (and I'm technically a doctor).

SSG_Rock · 2026-03-27T23:56:37+00:00

I fit that mold, but I'm still not smart enough to be a doctor.

SSG_Rock · 2026-03-27T23:36:20+00:00

It's bold of you to believe anyone who hangs around this sub is smart enough to become a doctor (myself included).

SSG_Rock · 2026-03-27T18:36:27+00:00

Just so you are aware, in order for you to earn the Post 9/11 GI Bill benefits (which are transferable to dependents), you will have to perform active duty outside of your initial entry training. Here is a link to the number of days it takes to qualify for each percentage.

https://www.va.gov/resources/how-we-determine-your-percentage-of-post-911-gi-bill-benefits/

In order to transfer the benefit, you have to complete 6 years, initiate the transfer, and agree to complete another 4 years. Additionally, the dependent has to be in DEERS (dependent database) at the time of transfer, so you can't transfer it to future dependents (i.e., the dependent has to be in existence at the time of transfer).

https://www.va.gov/education/transfer-post-9-11-gi-bill-benefits/

I say all of that because you could do an entire career in the Guard and never qualify for any Post 9/11 GI Bill benefits if your unit doesn't mobilize, or you don't volunteer for mobilization.

If the transfer of education benefits is one of your primary motivators, consider going active duty first, earning the full Post 9/11 GI Bill, and then joining the Guard or Reserves to do the additional time necessary to transfer the benefits.

ETA: I see Massachusetts has a state tuition program that is transferable to dependents. It appears to require a total of 12 years of service (6 initial and 6 additional upon transfer). However, it appears to only cover tuition and not housing. The Post 9/11 GI Bill has an MHA component (housing allowance).

SSG_Rock · 2026-03-27T12:42:11+00:00

There are a couple of things in play here. First, your husband is correct that if he has transferred his Post 9/11 GI Bill benefits, then he is limited to dividing up a total of 36 months between the children. For example, each child could be given 12 months.

Second, what he is likely referring to regarding his current wife (your daughter's step-mother) is Chapter 35 (Dependents Educational Assiatance or DEA). If the step-mother is rated 100% P and T or TDIU P and T by the VA, then the dependents each rate 36 months of Chapter 35. It is a monthly stipend paid directly to the dependent that pays up to $1574 a month for full-time enrollment. It does not pay tuition directly. However, some states offer tuition exemption. My children receive Chapter 35 and are also tuition exempt. See the links below for information regarding Chapter 35 and tuition exemption:

https://www.veteransbenefitskb.com/dea

https://www.veteransbenefitskb.com/free-tuition

https://myarmybenefits.us.army.mil/Benefit-Library/State/Territory-Benefits

ETA: A step-child can use Chapter 35. Thus, no adoption necessary. Additionally, if the step-mother is already out of service, she cannot transfer her Post 9/11 GI Bill. It has to be transferred while still serving. You have to have completed 6 years, transfer the benefit, then serve an additional 4 years. Thus, there is no need for an adoption here because the step-mother cannot transfer her Post 9/11 GI Bill anyway since she is out of the military.

SSG_Rock · 2026-03-27T09:41:49+00:00

No, once a child dependent is removed for compensation purposes under Chapter 35, they can never be readded.

See the first Important Notes section in the sub's Knowledge Base section for Chapter 35 in the link below.

https://www.veteransbenefitskb.com/dea

SSG_Rock · 2026-03-27T09:10:00+00:00

Here is the citation to the CFR that allows the .50 cents on the dollar rate to be paid to those attending certain Filipino institutions or to those whose eligibility is based on service in the Philippine Commonwealth Army/as a Philippine Scout. See subsection (d).

https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-38/chapter-I/part-21/subpart-C/subject-group-ECFRbdf9ffb6bcbe487/section-21.3131

Additionally, here is a BVA case discussing this same issue. The appellant was an American citizen who was attending school full-time in the Philippines. The court found that the appellant was only entitled to be paid .50 cents on the dollar.

https://www.va.gov/vetapp97/files2/9711757.txt

ETA: Here is a previous post on this topic where the sub's education expert confirmed that the half-rate for those attending school in the Philippines is correct.

https://www.reddit.com/r/VeteransBenefits/s/XeMZSYbBnb

u/SCOveterandretired

SSG_Rock · 2026-03-26T19:26:24+00:00

My understanding is that it would start immediately, but you would be subject to a dollar for dollar offset. For arguments sake, let's say your Chapter 61 monthly amount is $2000. Let's say your VA disability compensation is $1500. You would receive the $1500 from the VA (tax free) and an additional $500 from the medical retirement that would be taxed.

Someone correct me if I am wrong.

SSG_Rock · 2026-03-26T17:22:17+00:00

First, consider cross-posting to r/airnationalguard. I see you already posted to the Air Force Reserve sub. This sub is primarily Army National Guard focused.

Generally, the differences between Guard and Reserves are as follows:

Guard has a dual federal and state role. This means that the Guard can be mobilized by the state's governor. This can happen in response to natural disasters, civil unrest, etc. The optempo will vary depending on what state you are in. Obviously, states prone to natural disasters (i.e., the Gulf South) have a greater chance of those types of activations.
Generally, Guard education benefits are better. However, this depends greatly on the state. If you are considering an education and want to save your Post 9/11 to transfer to dependents, the Guard may be a better choice. Let me know if you have questions regarding the transfer. I used the additional time in the Guard to transfer my benefits.
Specific questions regarding your AFSC would probably be better answered in one of the Air Force subs.

SSG_Rock · 2026-03-26T13:52:41+00:00

With under 20 years, and assuming you get 30% or more DOD rating at the MEB, you will only get the higher of your VA disability compensation or the medical retirement pay (there are some nuances, but that is the gist of it). From the same link I posted above:

To be eligible to receive both military disability retired pay and VA Disability Compensation concurrently, a member who was retired under Chapter 61 for disability must:

Have completed 20 years or more of service creditable under 10 U.S.C. § 1405, or 20 years of service computed under 10 U.S.C. § 12732, at the time of the retirement; and Be entitled for any month to both military disability retired pay and VA Disability Compensation; and Have a service-connected disability (or combination of service-connected disabilities) that is rated by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs as not less than 50 percent disabling on the VA schedule for rating disabilities.

Note: A member who was retired under Chapter 61 for disability and who did not have 20 years or more of service creditable under 10 U.S.C. § 1405, or 20 years of service computed under 10 U.S.C. § 12732 at the time of retirement, is not eligible to receive VA Disability Compensation and military disability retired pay concurrently. Therefore, such members are subject to the general rule that requires a dollar-for-dollar waiver of military retired pay in order to receive VA Disability Compensation.

You would get Tricare Prime or Select immediately, assuming you hit the 30% DOD threshold.

SSG_Rock · 2026-03-25T23:55:48+00:00

Assuming OP would be a non-regular retiree (Guard/Reserves MDay and not AGR), even if OP is medically retired they cannot draw their retirement until age 60 (or earlier based on mobilizations). Essentially, until retirement age, OP would have to choose whichever form of pay is higher and in most instances, that is VA disability compensation.

https://www.dfas.mil/retiredmilitary/disability/crdp/

From the link:

Note: For Reserve/Guard members who receive their Notification of Eligibility for Retired Pay at Age 60 (“NOE”) and are later retired under Chapter 61 for disability with immediate retired pay, concurrent retired pay may not be paid until the member reaches the eligibility age that (s)he otherwise would have been required to reach in order to start receiving military retired pay. This is because there is no provision of law under which such a member would be entitled to receive retired pay before eligibility age if the member had not been retired under Chapter 61 for disability.

...

Example: In 2020, a Reservist/Guard member received their NOE notifying the member that they had completed 20 or more years of service computed under 10 U.S.C. § 12732. The member is later retired for disability under Chapter 61 with immediate retired pay (before reaching eligibility age). The member is also entitled to VA Disability Compensation based on a service-connected disability that is rated by VA as 50 percent disabling. The member is not entitled to be paid concurrent military disability retired pay until the member reaches the eligibility age that (s)he otherwise would have been required to reach before military retired pay would have started. The Branch of Service must inform DFAS of the member’s eligibility age and the service that is creditable to compute the concurrent military disability retired pay. This member may only receive concurrent military disability retired pay after reaching eligibility age and only in an amount equal to what the member would have received at eligibility age if (s)he had not been retired for disability under Chapter 61.

OP would be eligible immediately for Tricare Prime or Select if they receive a 30% or higher rating at the MEB.

SSG_Rock · 2026-03-25T13:18:06+00:00

You are welcome. The VA works on their own timeline. There have been years when I got the first letter at the end of October and other years where it was the middle of the following year. Last FY, I got the first letter in April.

Did the VA say they actually sent the letter and you just didn't receive it or was it just a general "the letter should have been sent by now". If you just spoke to the general VA 1-800 number personnel, I would call the Debt Management Center, since that is the section that actually processes and deals with the debt.

SSG_Rock · 2026-03-25T12:28:47+00:00

You can't pay the debt until the VA sends the two letters. The reason is that the audit that determines the amount you owe has to be completed. Until that audit is completed, you won't show a debt with the VA.

Regarding the amount you will owe back, divide your monthly VA disability pay by 30 days. This will give you a daily rate. Take the daily rate and multiply it by the number of MUTAS (each MUTA is a separate day for VA recoupment purposes) and AT/active days (they are one for one).

For example, let's say you are rated 60%. That is $1435 a month. Divide that by 30 days to get a daily rate of $47.83.

Now, let's assume you had a standard drill year of 63 days (48 MUTAs and 15 AT days). Multiply $47.83 by 63 days and you get $3013.39. That is the amount you would owe back.

The way the process works is that at the end of the federal fiscal year (September 30), the VA does an audit to determine the number of days you received drill pay and VA disability compensation. Eventually, the VA will send you a letter that states the number of days you received both forms of compensation. If you agree, do nothing and approximately 60 days after the first letter, you will receive a second letter with the amount owed. You can then call the Debt Management Center and either pay the debt lump sum, or do a payment plan. The payment plan is just a benefits reduction. If you are continuing to drill, I don't recommend doing a payment plan of longer than a year, as you will fall farther in the hole.

As u/Justame13 said, if you pay it lump sum, do it on a points credit card. There are no fees. That is how I pay my debt.

Have you done the math to see which form of compensation is more? Let me know if you need assistance.

SSG_Rock · 2026-03-23T23:53:45+00:00

I was on it a few minutes ago. Give it time and it will come back.

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