Comments on: McCain rolls out his own GI Bill. http://thinkprogress.org/2008/04/22/mccain-rolls-out-his-own-gi-bill/ Thu, 26 Nov 2009 14:29:28 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.5 hourly 1 By: Current Soldier in Afghanistan http://thinkprogress.org/2008/04/22/mccain-rolls-out-his-own-gi-bill/comment-page-1/#comment-4989626 Current Soldier in Afghanistan Sun, 01 Jun 2008 13:07:11 +0000 http://thinkprogress.org/2008/04/22/mccain-rolls-out-his-own-gi-bill/#comment-4989626 There are some fairly good comments here, however want to correct something that McWars said... <em>...Once they’re commissioned, they can attend many schools and colleges within their service to attain master’s degrees — again, free of charge and with the ability to collect their normal salary. Enlisted members don’t have this range of opportunity. They have to pay in ($1200) in order to get out of somewhat meager GI benefits. </em> First, the military will pay for college classes free of charge while serving on active duty. This is regardless of whether you are an officer or enlisted. I should know, the Army paid for about 60 of my credits this way before I went ROTC (on a scholarship and GI Bill). It also does this for graduate work for all ranks (finishing my last class for my master’s degree on the Army’s tab right now). I also disagree as far as enlisted not having the same opportunities. Again, that is how I started off. The military is not going to force someone to go to school or use the incredible amount of benefits that it offers. It is incumbent upon the individual to decide to better themselves. On the same token however, I found it very difficult to make it through school even with the scholarship and GI Bill (had a wife and child at the time as well), so I will never complain about them increasing the benefits to those Soldiers who answer the call of duty. There are some fairly good comments here, however want to correct something that McWars said…

…Once they’re commissioned, they can attend many schools and colleges within their service to attain master’s degrees — again, free of charge and with the ability to collect their normal salary. Enlisted members don’t have this range of opportunity. They have to pay in ($1200) in order to get out of somewhat meager GI benefits.

First, the military will pay for college classes free of charge while serving on active duty. This is regardless of whether you are an officer or enlisted. I should know, the Army paid for about 60 of my credits this way before I went ROTC (on a scholarship and GI Bill). It also does this for graduate work for all ranks (finishing my last class for my master’s degree on the Army’s tab right now). I also disagree as far as enlisted not having the same opportunities. Again, that is how I started off. The military is not going to force someone to go to school or use the incredible amount of benefits that it offers. It is incumbent upon the individual to decide to better themselves.
On the same token however, I found it very difficult to make it through school even with the scholarship and GI Bill (had a wife and child at the time as well), so I will never complain about them increasing the benefits to those Soldiers who answer the call of duty.

]]> By: Red Pill http://thinkprogress.org/2008/04/22/mccain-rolls-out-his-own-gi-bill/comment-page-1/#comment-4926022 Red Pill Wed, 23 Apr 2008 12:02:37 +0000 http://thinkprogress.org/2008/04/22/mccain-rolls-out-his-own-gi-bill/#comment-4926022 Good job, McCain! Because volunteering to risk your life in the service of the country for a measly one or two years isn't nearly as impressive or deserving as TWELVE! Good job, McCain! Because volunteering to risk your life in the service of the country for a measly one or two years isn’t nearly as impressive or deserving as TWELVE!

]]> By: lokywoky http://thinkprogress.org/2008/04/22/mccain-rolls-out-his-own-gi-bill/comment-page-1/#comment-4925962 lokywoky Wed, 23 Apr 2008 05:44:40 +0000 http://thinkprogress.org/2008/04/22/mccain-rolls-out-his-own-gi-bill/#comment-4925962 Some of the guys who are interested in "getting out" have been in Iraq and/or Afghanistan now for 3 or 4 tours, have been stop-lossed, and extended until they are sick to death. The Pentagon's own records show that the more tours of duty served, the higher the rate of deaths, suicides, PTSD, and everything else. And McInsane thinks they don't DESERVE to have FULL education benefits because they haven't been in for 12 years? Can we please send him back to Hanoi or somewhere he'll stop yammering and making a total *ss out of himself? Some of the guys who are interested in “getting out” have been in Iraq and/or Afghanistan now for 3 or 4 tours, have been stop-lossed, and extended until they are sick to death. The Pentagon’s own records show that the more tours of duty served, the higher the rate of deaths, suicides, PTSD, and everything else.

And McInsane thinks they don’t DESERVE to have FULL education benefits because they haven’t been in for 12 years?

Can we please send him back to Hanoi or somewhere he’ll stop yammering and making a total *ss out of himself?

]]> By: Chocolate Jesus http://thinkprogress.org/2008/04/22/mccain-rolls-out-his-own-gi-bill/comment-page-1/#comment-4925906 Chocolate Jesus Wed, 23 Apr 2008 04:30:43 +0000 http://thinkprogress.org/2008/04/22/mccain-rolls-out-his-own-gi-bill/#comment-4925906 56 sponsors,,make them fillibuster it....come on guys.. 56 sponsors,,make them fillibuster it….come on guys..

]]> By: MCMetal http://thinkprogress.org/2008/04/22/mccain-rolls-out-his-own-gi-bill/comment-page-1/#comment-4925796 MCMetal Wed, 23 Apr 2008 03:20:18 +0000 http://thinkprogress.org/2008/04/22/mccain-rolls-out-his-own-gi-bill/#comment-4925796 <i>“McCain rolls out his own GI Bill.”</i> Did they roll his bill out alongside him , Warner , and all the other members of the zombie army he leads ? “McCain rolls out his own GI Bill.”

Did they roll his bill out alongside him , Warner , and all the other members of the zombie army he leads ?

]]> By: MCMetal http://thinkprogress.org/2008/04/22/mccain-rolls-out-his-own-gi-bill/comment-page-1/#comment-4925750 MCMetal Wed, 23 Apr 2008 02:58:29 +0000 http://thinkprogress.org/2008/04/22/mccain-rolls-out-his-own-gi-bill/#comment-4925750 <i>McCain has stated that he opposes Webb’s more generous bill because of concerns it does not have “incentives for people to remain in the military.”</i> Because McStupid needs all the bodies he can get to invade Iran ............. McCain has stated that he opposes Webb’s more generous bill because of concerns it does not have “incentives for people to remain in the military.”

Because McStupid needs all the bodies he can get to invade Iran ………….

]]> By: sbogill http://thinkprogress.org/2008/04/22/mccain-rolls-out-his-own-gi-bill/comment-page-1/#comment-4925682 sbogill Wed, 23 Apr 2008 01:51:16 +0000 http://thinkprogress.org/2008/04/22/mccain-rolls-out-his-own-gi-bill/#comment-4925682 So is this supposed to be a "trickle down" GI Bill?! So is this supposed to be a “trickle down” GI Bill?!

]]> By: barfly http://thinkprogress.org/2008/04/22/mccain-rolls-out-his-own-gi-bill/comment-page-1/#comment-4925606 barfly Wed, 23 Apr 2008 00:53:01 +0000 http://thinkprogress.org/2008/04/22/mccain-rolls-out-his-own-gi-bill/#comment-4925606 <em>McCain has stated that he opposes Webb’s more generous bill because of concerns it does not have “incentives for people to remain in the military.”</em> <em>But, Senator, according to your campaign speeches, the re-enlistment levels are just fine. Why do you want to offer more incentives to improve something you claim isn't broken in the first place? </em> This is a delicious sound-bite attack ad to use against McCain in the general. McCain has stated that he opposes Webb’s more generous bill because of concerns it does not have “incentives for people to remain in the military.”

But, Senator, according to your campaign speeches, the re-enlistment levels are just fine. Why do you want to offer more incentives to improve something you claim isn’t broken in the first place?

This is a delicious sound-bite attack ad to use against McCain in the general.

]]> By: Zappatero http://thinkprogress.org/2008/04/22/mccain-rolls-out-his-own-gi-bill/comment-page-1/#comment-4925596 Zappatero Wed, 23 Apr 2008 00:48:26 +0000 http://thinkprogress.org/2008/04/22/mccain-rolls-out-his-own-gi-bill/#comment-4925596 sounds <em><strong>ELITIST</strong></em> to me. sounds ELITIST to me.

]]> By: Chocolate Jesus http://thinkprogress.org/2008/04/22/mccain-rolls-out-his-own-gi-bill/comment-page-1/#comment-4925584 Chocolate Jesus Wed, 23 Apr 2008 00:44:49 +0000 http://thinkprogress.org/2008/04/22/mccain-rolls-out-his-own-gi-bill/#comment-4925584 welcome to McPander's attempt to outfox the dems trying to outfox him...he knows he will get eaten alive by screwball freeps if he signs onto ANYTHING involving democrats... some advice dems..next time, start the bill in the house, where we have a comfortable majority, so there is a good reason to vote for the dems bill first welcome to McPander’s attempt to outfox the dems trying to outfox him…he knows he will get eaten alive by screwball freeps if he signs onto ANYTHING involving democrats…

some advice dems..next time, start the bill in the house, where we have a comfortable majority, so there is a good reason to vote for the dems bill first

]]> By: Xisithrus http://thinkprogress.org/2008/04/22/mccain-rolls-out-his-own-gi-bill/comment-page-1/#comment-4925562 Xisithrus Wed, 23 Apr 2008 00:30:50 +0000 http://thinkprogress.org/2008/04/22/mccain-rolls-out-his-own-gi-bill/#comment-4925562 Lowering the requirements to join, such as criminal records is sure to create career officers. snark Lowering the requirements to join, such as criminal records is sure to create career officers.

snark

]]> By: dixie blood http://thinkprogress.org/2008/04/22/mccain-rolls-out-his-own-gi-bill/comment-page-1/#comment-4925558 dixie blood Wed, 23 Apr 2008 00:28:58 +0000 http://thinkprogress.org/2008/04/22/mccain-rolls-out-his-own-gi-bill/#comment-4925558 <b>DOA!!! Just like the McLame campaign!!!</b> DOA!!! Just like the McLame campaign!!!

]]> By: Doc Rock http://thinkprogress.org/2008/04/22/mccain-rolls-out-his-own-gi-bill/comment-page-1/#comment-4925546 Doc Rock Wed, 23 Apr 2008 00:18:08 +0000 http://thinkprogress.org/2008/04/22/mccain-rolls-out-his-own-gi-bill/#comment-4925546 Why don't we just have a slave Army? Why don’t we just have a slave Army?

]]> By: RUCerious http://thinkprogress.org/2008/04/22/mccain-rolls-out-his-own-gi-bill/comment-page-1/#comment-4925542 RUCerious Wed, 23 Apr 2008 00:16:36 +0000 http://thinkprogress.org/2008/04/22/mccain-rolls-out-his-own-gi-bill/#comment-4925542 from a news bulletin may 07 Webb proposes paying tuition, room and board and a $1,000 monthly stipend to veterans who have served on active duty for at least two years. from a news bulletin may 07
Webb proposes paying tuition, room and board and a $1,000 monthly stipend to veterans who have served on active duty for at least two years.

]]> By: McWars http://thinkprogress.org/2008/04/22/mccain-rolls-out-his-own-gi-bill/comment-page-1/#comment-4925540 McWars Wed, 23 Apr 2008 00:13:32 +0000 http://thinkprogress.org/2008/04/22/mccain-rolls-out-his-own-gi-bill/#comment-4925540 Try again, McCain. Aspiring officers already receive access to military scholarships (a prime example, ROTC). They also have the option to apply for and, if admitted, attend a number of service academies free of charge, with a monthly stipend. Once they're commissioned, they can attend many schools and colleges within their service to attain master's degrees -- again, free of charge and with the ability to collect their normal salary. Enlisted members don't have this range of opportunity. They have to pay in ($1200) in order to get out of somewhat meager GI benefits. Enlisted service members could use the boost in educational benefits. Post-military, they find it more difficult than officers to secure gainful employment. Try again, McCain. Aspiring officers already receive access to military scholarships (a prime example, ROTC). They also have the option to apply for and, if admitted, attend a number of service academies free of charge, with a monthly stipend. Once they’re commissioned, they can attend many schools and colleges within their service to attain master’s degrees — again, free of charge and with the ability to collect their normal salary. Enlisted members don’t have this range of opportunity. They have to pay in ($1200) in order to get out of somewhat meager GI benefits.

Enlisted service members could use the boost in educational benefits. Post-military, they find it more difficult than officers to secure gainful employment.

]]> By: impeachcheneythenbush http://thinkprogress.org/2008/04/22/mccain-rolls-out-his-own-gi-bill/comment-page-1/#comment-4925534 impeachcheneythenbush Wed, 23 Apr 2008 00:05:58 +0000 http://thinkprogress.org/2008/04/22/mccain-rolls-out-his-own-gi-bill/#comment-4925534 I'm far from being a McCain supporter, but this is some spinning here. The article clearly says that the bill would increase educational funds from $1100 per month to $1500 per month for <strong>ALL</strong> active duty military. For those who stay in the military 12 years or more, it would be increased to $2,000 per month. I admit I've not been following this issue as closely as perhaps I should have, but what level does the Webb bill raise the educational benefits to? I’m far from being a McCain supporter, but this is some spinning here. The article clearly says that the bill would increase educational funds from $1100 per month to $1500 per month for ALL active duty military. For those who stay in the military 12 years or more, it would be increased to $2,000 per month. I admit I’ve not been following this issue as closely as perhaps I should have, but what level does the Webb bill raise the educational benefits to?

]]> By: Wayne A. Schneider http://thinkprogress.org/2008/04/22/mccain-rolls-out-his-own-gi-bill/comment-page-1/#comment-4925528 Wayne A. Schneider Wed, 23 Apr 2008 00:03:37 +0000 http://thinkprogress.org/2008/04/22/mccain-rolls-out-his-own-gi-bill/#comment-4925528 To paraphrase the president, "Rarely is the question asked, is our McCain learning?" To paraphrase the president,

“Rarely is the question asked, is our McCain learning?”

]]> By: barfly http://thinkprogress.org/2008/04/22/mccain-rolls-out-his-own-gi-bill/comment-page-1/#comment-4925522 barfly Wed, 23 Apr 2008 00:01:05 +0000 http://thinkprogress.org/2008/04/22/mccain-rolls-out-his-own-gi-bill/#comment-4925522 While McCain's bill takes a few steps in the right direction, he offers it at a time when officers are leaving the service at a rate higher than ever before primarily because they don't want to be stop lossed anymore. His refusal to discuss withdrawl says more about his true feelings than this paltrey offering, and the officers who have already decided to leave at the end of their commitment won't re-enlist when there's a chance that another imperial president is just waiting to send them into harm's way on another ill-thought crusade. While McCain’s bill takes a few steps in the right direction, he offers it at a time when officers are leaving the service at a rate higher than ever before primarily because they don’t want to be stop lossed anymore. His refusal to discuss withdrawl says more about his true feelings than this paltrey offering, and the officers who have already decided to leave at the end of their commitment won’t re-enlist when there’s a chance that another imperial president is just waiting to send them into harm’s way on another ill-thought crusade.

]]> By: Badmoodman http://thinkprogress.org/2008/04/22/mccain-rolls-out-his-own-gi-bill/comment-page-1/#comment-4925516 Badmoodman Tue, 22 Apr 2008 23:58:48 +0000 http://thinkprogress.org/2008/04/22/mccain-rolls-out-his-own-gi-bill/#comment-4925516 McCain: <em>"...it does not have “incentives for people to remain in the military.”</em> - - Ya know, for that 100 years war stuff. Gotta keep the pipeline goin', and yes, that's a double entendre. McCain: “…it does not have “incentives for people to remain in the military.”

- – Ya know, for that 100 years war stuff. Gotta keep the pipeline goin’, and yes, that’s a double entendre.

]]> By: RUCerious http://thinkprogress.org/2008/04/22/mccain-rolls-out-his-own-gi-bill/comment-page-1/#comment-4925510 RUCerious Tue, 22 Apr 2008 23:56:29 +0000 http://thinkprogress.org/2008/04/22/mccain-rolls-out-his-own-gi-bill/#comment-4925510 Watch how many co-sponsors he gets. 1. Lindsay buttlick Hunter Watch how many co-sponsors he gets.
1.
Lindsay buttlick Hunter

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