Post 9/11 GI Bill retirement exemptions expire soon Published Sept. 11, 2011 By Master Sgt. Eric W. Keys 315 AW Force Development & Education Office JOINT BASE CHARLESTON, S.C. -- Most members of the armed forces are aware of the Chapter 33 (Post 9/11 GI Bill) and the educational benefits associated with it. One of the significant parts of the Bill is the ability of eligible servicemembers to transfer their benefits to their dependents. Qualified members who wish to transfer their benefits are required to have served six years in the military and agree to serve an additional four years of service. However, lawmakers were cognizant of members whose service placed them in the "retirement eligibility window" and implemented exemptions to the four-year service obligation requirement. Following are the current exemptions: · Members eligible for retirement before August 1, 2009 incur no additional service commitment · Members eligible for retirement after August 2, 2009 but before August 1, 2010 incur a one-year service commitment. · Members eligible for retirement after August 2, 2010 but before August 1, 2011 incur a two-year service commitment. · Members eligible for retirement after August 2, 2011 but before August 1, 2012 incur a three-year service commitment. It is very important to note, the above exemptions expire August 2, 2012. All servicemembers submitting a transfer application on August 2, 2012 or later will incur a four-year service commitment regardless of retirement eligibility date. The service commitment incurred for transferring the Post 9/11 GI Bill starts on the date the member applied to transfer his/her benefits, therefore eligible members intending to transfer their benefits should do so sooner rather than later. For more information members are encouraged to contact the 315 AW Force Development & Education Office at (843) 963-2073/2071. Stay up to date with the 315th Airlift Wing at http://www.315aw.afrc.af.mil/. Follow the 315 AW on Facebook, YouTube and Twitter.