New GI Bill makes the grade

Getting tuition assistance on GoArmyEd is something 1st Sgt. Crispin Bryant, from the 357th Air Missile Defense Detachment, knows very well. He completed his asso-ciate, bachelor’s and master’s degrees during his 25 years in the Army.

What he didn’t know about was the new GI Bill (Chapter 33) – commonly called the Post 9/11 GI Bill – and that’s why he attended one the U.S. Army Garrison Kaiserslautern’s classes held Nov. 17 to 20.

In observance of American Education Week, the garrison held these classes at each of its education centers on Kleber Kaserne, Rhine Ordnance Barracks, Landstuhl Regional Medical Center and Miesau Army Depot.

More than 100 Soldiers throughout the KMC attended the four presentations – touted as lunch-and -learn classes.

“Knowledge is power, and as (educational professionals), we’re in the business to empower learners – adult learners – to become the best that they can be,” said Norris Johnson, the garrison’s education services specialist at the Landstuhl education center, on the importance of these presentations. “With this information (provided at these classes), I believe Soldiers will be armed to go out and make positive choices that will not only impact their families, but also their communities.”

Strong Soldiers, strong families and strong communities was the theme for this year’s garrison-sponsored American Education Week events. Topics discussed were GoArmyEd, a computer portal that Soldiers must use for tuition assistance, and the Post 9/11 GI Bill that goes into effect Aug. 1.

Mr. Johnson told the attendees about this new GI Bill, which boasts the most comprehensive education benefits package since the original one was signed into law in 1944. The new bill, he said, goes well beyond helping to pay for tuition.

Many veterans who served after Sept. 10, 2001, will qualify for full tuition and fees, a new monthly housing stipend and a $1,000 a year allowance for books and supplies.

“Once you get your master’s degree, the Army won’t pay anymore TA so I came here today to find out about the new GI Bill and to get this infor-mation out to Soldiers who have not yet pursed their education,” said First Sergeant Byrant, who attended the class at the ROB education center.

He was not alone. Sgt. 1st Class Diwata Reynolds, from the Medical Transition Detachment on LRMC, attended the class at the Landstuhl education center.

“I decided to come out because I wanted to find out more information about the new GI Bill,” said Sergeant 1st Class Reynolds. “There’s a lot of information that I can take back to my unit and pass on to my Soldiers.”

Passing the information along is what the garrison’s Education Services Officer Ramona Kausch asked attendees to do once they got back to their units.

“Tell your fellow Soldiers to come to the education center – we are your first stop,” said Ms. Kausch, a former Army captain, who has close to 20 years experience working in education centers. “Ask them – ask yourself – am I missing out on something great here?”

All the presentations ended with the garrison’s education services specialists assisting Soldiers with creating a new user account with GoArmyEd.

Spc. Billy Williams, from the 5-7 Air Defense Artillery, was one of about 50 Soldiers who created a new GoArmyEd account at the ROB education center.

“I want to see what classes they have to offer,” said Specialist Williams, who has been in the Army for two years.

Also present at the presentations were college representatives from University of Maryland University College Europe, Central Texas College, University of Oklahoma and Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. They were there to explain what classes and degree programs they can offer to the Soldiers attending the briefings.

American Education Week was first observed in December 1921. It is held in American communities each year during the week prior to Thanksgiving to inform citizens of the accomplishments and needs of public schools.

For details on what the garrison education centers can offer, call: Kleber at 483-8125 or 0631-411-8125; Landstuhl at 486-6822 or 06371-86-6822; Miesau at 481-3863 or 06372-842-3863; and ROB at 493-2592 or 0631-3406-2592.
For eligibility requirements and details on the new GI Bill, visit http://education.military.com/money-for-school/gi-bill/new-gi-bill-overview.