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Airmen can start GI Bill transfers

Airmen can begin the process of transferring their Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits to dependents, provided they are on duty as of Aug. 1, have served at least six years and commit to four more years of service.

More than 144,000 active duty airmen and thousands more Reservists may be eligible to transfer their benefits, according to Air Force Personnel Center. Retirement-eligible members may have a reduced service commitment.

AFPC is asking that airmen whose family members won’t use the benefits for the fall 2009 semester wait to register until mid-July or later because the center is expecting a rush of early applicants.

Benefits and service commitment will be based on the date of application, but not earlier than Aug. 1, the effective start date of the program. The Defense Department began accepting applications June 29.

AFPC recommends that airmen who want to transfer their benefits get counseling from the base education center about options and benefits; make sure they have four years of retainability remaining unless they are retirement eligible; sign a statement of understanding accepting active-duty commitment; and double-check family member information in the Eligibility Enrollment Reporting System.

For more details on the program, click on the Post-9/11 GI Bill link at www.afpc.randolph.af.mil or the “Ask” AFPC site, or call the Total Force Service Center — San Antonio at 1-800-525-0102. For details on selected Reservists transferring GI Bill benefits, contact the Total Force Service Center — Denver at 1-800-525-0102.

Additional guidance about GI Bill options can be found at www.va.govor at the DoD’s Post-9/11 GI Bill site at http://www.defenselink.mil/home/features/2009/0409_gibill/.