An official website of the United States government
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

The Post 9-11 GI Bill

  • Published
  • By Senior Master Sgt Linda Sturgeon
  • 315th Education and Training Office
CHARLESTON AFB, S.C. --  The Post-9-11 GI Bill (Chap 33) provides the most comprehensive educational benefit package since the original bill, officially known as the Servicemen's Readjustment Act of 1944, was signed into law. Reserve members meet the eligibility requirement by serving at least 90 days on active duty orders after 11 September 2001 (excluding BMT and Technical School training). 

You can get more detailed information on this program and the application process from the Department of Veterans Affairs website: http://www.gibill.va.gov/ or stop by the 315 AW Education & Training Office or call at 963-2073, 2071, 2706. 

The transfer of benefits option is a landmark benefit, however it only applies to the Post 9-11 GI Bill. Under the transferability provisions the service member's 36 months of benefits can be transferred to a spouse, one or more children or any combination provided the member has served at least 6 years in either the Regular Component or in the Selected Reserve and agrees to continue service for a specified amount of time. The member must be a participating member on 1 Aug 09 to be able to transfer their benefits and the member must have 4 years of retainability to transfer benefits. Members who are retirement eligible (20 years of service) are not required to obtain the retainability. 

DoD is now accepting applications for transferability of benefits at: https: //www.dmdc.osd.mil/TEB/. 

Before applying to transfer benefits, an Airman should do the following to ensure a smooth and efficient application process: 

· Get counseling from your Education Center on your GI Bill options . 
· Ensure you have the required retainability (at least 4 years of retainability unless retirement-eligible. 
           -- Airmen needing additional retainability should visit their servicing military
              personnel section for counseling on reenlisting or extending their current 
              enlistment before applying to transfer their benefits. 
· Airmen planning to transfer their benefits should verify family member information is accurate in the Defense Eligibility Enrollment Reporting System. If your family members are not in DEERS, you will not be able to transfer benefits to them.

Note: · The DoD asks that members with dependents not of college age wait to apply to transfer their benefits to allow the members' applications with college-age dependents to be processed more quickly.