Stay up-to-date with news and information about your military education. You can get the information you need to make informed decisions about your online and military correspondence programs. Learn what's going on with military education and how you can make a smooth military transition. Your civilian career awaits you!

Army Tackles G.I. Bill Questions

Wednesday, October 28, 2009

In response to the Post-9/11 GI Bill which went into effect on August 1, Soldiers in the Army's Enlisted Policy Division have been flooded with questions from the field, often up to 100 inquiries per day. The Army's G-1 recently launched a new GI Bill Web as a resource for finding answers to frequently-asked questions as well as to obtain the latest updates regarding the Bill (www.armyg1.army.mil/post911gibill.asp).



Under the Post-9/11 Bill, eligible soldiers can apply to use their benefits through the Department of Veterans Affairs (www.gibill.va.gov). Since it does not replace any existing VA education program, be sure to explore your options before deciding which program is best for you and your family.

One of those most commonly asked questions, according to Lt. Col. Thomas Erickson, chief of G-1 Enlisted Professional Development, is "How do I transfer benefits?"

All requests to transfer benefits to a spouse or child are handled by the Department of Defense on the official DOD Transferability of Education Benefits (TEB) web site at www.dmdc.osd.mil/TEB. Once the application is submitted electronically, processing should be complete within 48 hours. Since e-mail notifications are not sent out, soldiers will need to go back to the web page to find out whether or not their request has been approved.

In order to receive benefits, the service member must be on active duty or in active reserve at the time. Regarding children, they must be dependents on the date the benefits are transferred and can then use it up until the age of 26. Following approval of the requested transfer, dependents between the ages of 18-26 can sign up for GI Bill benefits on the VA Web site.

After a soldier submits his or her application for benefits to the VA, explains Erikson, they need to notify their career counselors at battalion or higher level since they are the service-certifying officials for the active-duty applicants.

One of the issues addressed on the newly launched web page is how opting for the Post-9/11 GI Bill affects benefits under the old Montgomery GI Bill or the Veterans Educational Assistance Program (VEAP). In short, while soldiers can qualify for multiple programs, they may only receive benefits from one at a time.

Key benefits of the Post-9/11 Bill:

- Provides for tuition and fees up to the highest in-state undergraduate tuition at a public higher education institution in the state where the student will attend school. (If the benefits are used while a soldier is serving on active duty, the full cost of tuition is covered even if attending a private graduate school. While this is also applicable to spouses who utilize transferred benefits while the soldier is on active duty, it does not apply to dependent children.)
- Monthly housing payments equal to the military's basic allowance for someone at the E-5 rank with dependents, adjusted to the cost of living in the area where the soldier or family member is attending school.
- Up to $1,000 annually for books and supplies.

Who Can Use the Post-9/11 GI Bill?

Any soldier who has served on qualifying active duty service on or after September 11, 2001, may be eligible. Spouses and children may also be eligible to receive transferred benefits under certain conditions. However, G-1 experts strongly recommend that soldiers consider and weigh the benefits of GI Bill programs carefully before making a decision to change.

Labels: Army's enlisted, GI Bill, Post 9/11 GI Bill Benefit, Post-9/11 GI Bill

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Posted by Allied Blogger Admin @ 9:09 AM • 0 comments

Preparing for a Military Transition? EC Says it Starts with Utilizing Your Military Education Benefits

Tuesday, October 27, 2009

Chris Hodges, an Education Coordinator (EC) at Allied Schools, brings real-world experience and knowledge to his career counseling and helping service members with their education options. With almost ten years of military service behind him, he knows first-hand what service members need from their career training. He can assist with their military education benefits - including military tuition assistance, GI Bill and military spouse scholarships - as well as help them get the career training to advance their civilian or military careers.

When students partner with Allied, they have access to staff members who understand what it means to an active-duty service member - and Chris Hodges is a prime example. He works with service members to understand their benefits and helps them realize the full potential of their future career. What could be better than being fully prepared for your military transition?

Here's what Chris has to say:

Q: In what branch of the military did you serve?
A: Navy

Q: How many years did you serve with the Navy?
A: Nine

Q: Where were you deployed?
A: The Persian Gulf, Tunisia, Bahrain and Sri Lanka (tsunami relief)

Q: When and why did you decide to transition to civilian life?
A: In 2008, I had accomplished what I wanted to in the Navy and wanted to focus on my family.

Q: Were you aware you had military TA benefits? If so, why did you choose not to use your benefits?
A: Yes I was aware that I had military TA available to me. I never used my TA benefits because no one really explained the whole process to me and I didn't have a firm grasp on how to take advantage of those military education benefits.

Q: Did you ever consider using TA to enhance your chances for a military promotion?
A: No

Q: Did your spouse utilize her military spouse scholarship? If so, what was her experience? If not, was she aware that she had military spouse education benefits available to her?
A: No, my wife had no idea that there were military spouse scholarships available to her for being a service member's spouse.

Q: Was your transition to civilian life difficult without the help of your military TA?
A: Yes, I found out the hard way that military experience will only take you so far. I was told so often that my experience would have employers beating down my door to hire me. That wasn't the case at all. So many employers want to see that you have some sort of education behind you.

Q: Do you think your military transition would have gone differently had you utilized your TA? If so, how?
A: I believe that it would have definitely helped me secure a job faster if I would have used my military TA to get an education. Having an education would have opened up so many more doors for me.

Q: What advice do you have for active duty military service members who are ready for their military transition?
A: Use your military TA benefits to get your self ready for your post-military career. It is a lot different than the military. A lot of employers don't care what you did in the military if you don't have education to go along with it.

Q: Knowing what you know now, where can active duty service members go to learn more about military scholarships and military friendly schools?
A: They can use their education service office on base, or any of the services military websites (AKO, NKO, etc.)

Q: When should active duty service members start planning for their civilian futures?
A: "Right now", "ASAP," "Immediately," "Right Away," etc. I cannot stress enough how important it is to utilize your military TA benefits, and with distance education available, it is super convenient.

Labels: Chris Hodges, Education Coordinator, military education benefit, military transition

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Posted by Allied Blogger Admin @ 9:56 AM • 0 comments

Allied Reconnects with Soldier and Past Student at Yellow Ribbon Event

Monday, October 19, 2009

Allied Schools was honored to receive an invitation to participate in a DoD Yellow Ribbon Reintegration Program event in Las Vegas, Nevada on September 12, 2009. With more than 1,300 Yellow Ribbon events held annually throughout the U.S., over 133,000 reservists and their families can learn about valuable support services available to them throughout all phases of deployment, such as using TA for online career training programs.

Curtis Gillhouse, a soldier who served in the National Guard for six years as a parachute rigger supporting joint task missions, attended the event as one of Allied's Educational Support Representatives.

"I was happy to see the Family Readiness groups increasing their efforts to provide support to the soldiers, their families and keeping them involved as much as possible," said Gillhouse. "While serving and going through deployments, I have never seen any kind of effort like this to support the soldiers and their families."

A moment that stood out for Gillhouse was his conversation with an LTC who wanted to express his appreciation not only for Allied's participation in the event, but also for touching his life personally as a former student. Allied helped him prepare for his current civilian career with an online contractor course. Now, a few years later, the soldier turned licensed contractor is the boss of his own construction company. The soldier summed up his Allied experience to Gillhouse by stating, "You guys changed my life!"



As a member of the Allied family, Gillhouse is dedicated to sharing his personal experiences with active duty service members. "I personally missed out on all my education benefits and I am very passionate about making sure soldiers do not miss out on them like I did," said Gillhouse. "Allied has great civilian career training programs that can help supplement a Military Families' income. I think it's pretty amazing when you can sell something you believe in. Education."

Labels: Curtis Gillhouse, DOD Yellow Ribbon Event, Military Education, Tuition Assistance

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Posted by Danielle Macklin @ 3:55 PM • 0 comments

Marine Tuition Assistance's Eligibility Requirements

Wednesday, October 14, 2009

The Marines offer several programs designed to support the educational goals of its members.

The Marine Corps provides up to 100 percent of the cost to service members who elect to pursue off-duty or voluntary education. This would include all active-duty and Reserve enlisted Marines on continuous active duty attending accredited colleges and universities.


Officers who are on active-duty are eligible to receive Marine Corps Tuition Assistance if they commit to staying on active duty for two continuous years after completing the course funded by the program.

Those who meet eligibility requirements and elect to enroll in courses toward a degree may not exceed $4,500 in tuition-assistance funds per fiscal year. Funding is limited to $250 per semester hour or the equivalent in undergraduate, graduate, vocational and technical classes, independent study and distance-learning programs.

Marine Corps College Fund - Marines who demonstrate a potential for academic excellence and are listed on eligible Marines' contracts during their initial enlistment into the service may be eligible to receive tuition assistance through this fund.

Montgomery G.I. Bill – At the time of their initial enlistment, service members can sign up for the Montgomery G.I. Bill. During the first year, a monthly deduction of $100 is taken out of the participant's paycheck. After that, a marine can use the Bill at any time for up to 10 years following the time of honorable discharge. Those on active duty can use is in conjunction with tuition assistance.

Labels: Marine Corps, Marine Corps College Fund, Marine tuition assistance, Montgomery G.I. Bill

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Posted by Allied Blogger Admin @ 9:46 AM • 0 comments

Marine Corps Family Education Programs and Scholarship Opportunities

Tuesday, October 13, 2009

Here are some of the Marine Corps Family Education Programs and scholarship opportunities offered to military spouses in this branch of the armed services:

SOCMAR (Service Member's Opportunity Colleges (SOC) Degree Program): This is a network of colleges that offer associate and bachelor's degree programs on or within close proximity to Marine installations worldwide. Each college in the group accepts credits from the others. SOCMAR guarantees that you can continue working toward completion of your degrees even if the Marine Corps transfers you several times. Distance learning, which requires no classroom residency, is also available.

STAP (Spouse Tuition Aid Program): The Navy and Marine Corps Relief Society (NMCRS) offers this assistance to spouses of service members who are on active duty and stationed overseas. The spouse can be a full or part-time student working toward a vocational certificate or college degree.

Amounts granted are as follows:

• Undergraduate level: a maximum of $300 per semester/$1,500 per year.
  
• Graduate level: a maximum of $350 per semester/$1,750 per year.
  

VADM EP Travers Scholarship and Loan Program: Applicants must be married to an active duty member and be enrolled as a full-time undergraduate student at an accredited college or university. A total of 1,000 grants in the amount of $2,000 are awarded each academic year. Those who apply are also evaluated for an interest-free student loan up to $3,000. The application deadline is March 1st of each year. Late applicants will not be eligible for scholarship consideration but will be evaluated for a loan.

Post-9/11 GI Bill Transferability: According to a special provision of the new Post-9/11 GI Bill, education benefits are offered to spouses of service members. Under the new law, individuals with a minimum of six years of service in the armed forces who agree to serve at least four additional years are able to transfer unused GI Bill entitlement to their spouse. In fact, when the service member reaches their 10th year, they have the option of transferring the benefit to their spouse or other dependents.

Military Spouse Career Advancement Accounts (MYCAA): This program was designed to provide assistance to spouses trying to obtain the skills and credentials they need to begin or further their careers. Through these accounts, the costs of training and education are covered, giving participants the chance to get a degree or credential in portable fields that are in demand across the country. MSCAA can be used to pay up to $3,000 in fees for one year and may be renewed for an additional year for a two-year total of up to $6,000.

Spouse and Dependents Education Assistance: This program offers up to 45 months of education benefits to eligible dependents which can be used for degree and certificate programs, apprenticeship, and on-site training.

Military Spouse Scholarships: Allied also offers in-house military spouse scholarships that allow military spouses to enroll in a career training program who are not eligible for MSCAA.Military spouses can get their tuition waived when they train at Allied Schools. Military spouses pay nothing out-of-pocket for training that will prepare them for careers.

Like every branch of the military, the Marine Corps wants to help you, the military spouse, pay for your education. You'll likely find one or more programs that will meet your needs.

Labels: MYCAA, Post-9/11 GI Bill, SOCMAR, STAP, VADM EP Travers Scholarship

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Posted by Allied Blogger Admin @ 3:01 PM • 0 comments

How to Make Your Military Resume Civilian Ready

Wednesday, October 7, 2009

As a service member preparing for a military-to-civilian transition, there are steps you can take to make your military resume civilian ready. Prepare to more effectively reach prospective employers and broaden your post-service opportunities by making a few simple adjustments to your resume.

Since most civilian employers don't know how to apply military skills to civilian work, you will need to do it for them. Bridge the military and non-military gap by translating your experience and personal qualities to language that they can understand.



Follow these steps to make your resume ready for the civilian workplace:

1. Change the Tone - Oftentimes, military resumes are too lengthy, too broadly focused, and packed with military jargon and terminology. Since all of those acronyms only serve to emphasize that you are coming from a very different background, it's best to strike them out and replace them with clear job descriptions that are more easily understood.

2. Include a Summary and Objective - While the majority of job seekers choose to begin their resume with either a career summary (what you have to offer) or an objective statement (what you want), applicants leaving the military may want to include both. Write your summary based on the job you are looking for and state the objective that you wish to transition your relevant military skills to that position.

3. Eliminate Unnecessary Information - Omit information that is not pertinent to your goal, such as long lists of unrelated military awards and training. For example, the medal you received for rifle marksmanship doesn't belong on a civilian resume. However, you may want to bring a list of those distinctions to the job interview and include in your cover letter that if the employer wishes, you will be glad to discuss your military commendations.

4. Simplify the Text - Include a short paragraph describing positions you have held with a bullet-point list of accomplishments, worded in a way that the average civilian can comprehend the importance and measurable outcomes of these achievements. For each one you cite, ask yourself, "Why might this employer care about this experience?"

As you begin to make the transition to a civilian career, a military background is invaluable testimony that you have the qualities desirable to prospective employers, such as discipline, self-motivation, and the ability to learn. Show prospective employers that you are the ideal candidate with a resume that speaks for both your military and civilian career skills.

Labels: military skills, military-to-civilian transition

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Posted by Heather Brunson @ 4:38 PM • 0 comments

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