Policy for Transferring GI Bill Benefit

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34 Responses to “911GIBill Transfer Questions Answered”

1. Dorian says:

   June 29, 2009 at 4:57 pm

   Excellent post, veterans deserve to get rewarded for their hard work and this will help the jarring armed forces -> civilian transition.

   We all know how hard it is to adjust to the civilian life, get money for funding the necessary education to break into new careers, and to find the motivation to sit in class with a bunch of 20 year old young adults.

   Very glad to see the 9/11 GI Bill.
2. Joe Murphy says:

   July 7, 2009 at 12:18 pm

   Does the following apply to me?

   (2) Has at least 10 years of service in the Armed Forces (active duty and/or Selected Reserve) on the date of election, is precluded by either standard policy (Service or DOD) or statute from committing to 4 additional years, agrees to serve for the maximum amount of time allowed by such policy or statute, or . . .

   Based on continuation policy I HAVE to have a retirement date of 1 July, 2010. (I am a LCDR who was twice FOS, but continued in sanctuary until eligible for retirement). This is not BEFORE July 1, 2010, but I am absolutely not permitted (per PERS-801) to extend beyond July 1.

   VA isn’t tasked with determining TEB eligibility, so thank you for your input.
3. NCCM(ret) says:

   July 7, 2009 at 8:54 pm

   LCDR Murphy,
   Sir, my understanding is that the August 1, 2009 date is firm (I have a fellow Master Chief friend who fell into a similar situation with HYT) – your retirement date must be on or after that. I will be contacting the VA office in St. Louis tomorrow about a couple of other questions and I will ask yours also. I suggest you do the same in case I mis-ask/understand their response as it relates.
4. Joe Murphy says:

   July 7, 2009 at 10:40 pm

   Master,

   Thank you for the response and for taking my question to the VA. Just so that you have all the information, my retirement date will be after 1 AUG 09. Since my Pay Date is 900626, it has to be the first of the month following the date twenty years from my Pay Date, which ends up being 1 JUL 10. If you enter at section (3)(c) from above, I would be required to extend 1 year, which is absolutely not allowed for me and my continuation status after having failed to select for CDR. Since it is the Navy’s policy to not allow me to commit to 1, much less 4, years, do I not qualify for TEB as part of section (2), above?

   Please let me know if you need any additional clarification and I’ll get my work number or email to you. Thanks again for your assistance.
5. NCCM(ret) says:

   July 7, 2009 at 10:55 pm

   Sir, I think number (2) will cover you. I just completed a 13 hour drive back from Florida when I read your first comment and read it as you retiring in 2009, my mistake. I will ask the question tomorrow though to be sure.

   VR Tom
6. NCCM(ret) says:

   July 8, 2009 at 10:15 am

   LCDR,

   I contacted the VA Ed office in St. Louis and the woman told me you would be eligible to transfer your benefit to an eligible dependent. :)
7. Joe Murphy says:

   July 9, 2009 at 9:40 pm

   Great news! Thanks for checking. I did call the Navy’s office on this and they said that they’re getting a lot of questions about specific cases like mine and that there is a NAVADMIN in coordination right now that will address all of these TEB questions. I hope that it comes back with the same answer that you got from the VA.

   Also, I just checked the DoD Transfer Eligibility website where I applied to transfer the benefits to my son, and it has come back as approved. They’re supposed to check with BUPERS before making a judgement, and I checked all the blocks in good faith, so that is also good news.

   Thanks again.
8. NCCM(ret) says:

   July 10, 2009 at 10:07 pm

   Sir, my pleasure! I hope everything works as advertised :) The new GI Bill is amazing!
9. NCCM(ret) says:

   July 14, 2009 at 7:02 am

   Sir, here is the NAVADMIN concerning transferability of the Post-9/11 GI Bill.

   R 110033Z JUL 09
   FM CNO WASHINGTON DC//N1//
   TO NAVADMIN
   INFO CNO WASHINGTON DC//N1//
   BT
   UNCLAS//N01040//
   NAVADMIN 203/09
   MSGID/GENADMIN/CNO WASHINGTON DC/N1/JUL//
   SUBJ/POST 9-11 GI BILL, REAP, AND MGIB-SR TRANSFERABILITY POLICY AND INTERIM PROVISIONS FOR RETIREMENT ELIGIBLE MEMBERS//
   REF/A/DOC/P.L.110.252/30JUN08//
   REF/B/DOC/DOD DTM 09-003/22JUN09//
   NARR/REF A IS PUBLIC LAW 110-252, THE SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATIONS ACT
   OF 2008. TITLE V OF REF A IS THE POST 9-11 VETERANS EDUCATIONAL
   ASSISTANCE ACT OF 2008. REF B IS DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE (DOD) POLICY ON POST 9-11 GI BILL//
   RMKS/1. THIS NAVADMIN EXPLAINS TRANSFERABILITY POLICIES AND THE
   APPLICATION PROCESS. THIS PROCESS IS COMPLICATED AND SERVICEMEMBERS MUST CONSULT WITH THEIR CAREER COUNSELORS TO FULLY UNDERSTAND IT. THIS NAVADMIN IS BROKEN INTO FOUR PARTS: ELIGIBILITY, PROCESS, SERVICE OBLIGATION POLICY, AND REFERENCE INFORMATION.

   PART I – ELIGIBILITY
   1. PER REF A, TRANSFERABILITY UNDER THE POST 9-11 GI BILL IS A
   RECRUITING AND RETENTION TOOL. WHILE AN INDIVIDUAL MAY BE ELIGIBLE FOR EDUCATIONAL BENEFITS PROVIDED BY THE POST 9-11 GI BILL, GENERALLY THE OPTION TO TRANSFER A MEMBER’S UNUSED BENEFITS TO A FAMILY MEMBER (SPOUSE/CHILDREN ENROLLED IN THE DEFENSE ELIGIBILITY ENROLLMENT SYSTEM(DEERS)) REQUIRES AN ADDITIONAL SERVICE COMMITMENT IN THE ARMED FORCES (ACTIVE DUTY AND/OR SELECTED RESERVE (SELRES)).
   2. THE TRANSFERABILITY OPTION MUST BE ELECTED WHILE THE MEMBER IS
   SERVING IN THE ARMED FORCES. ACTIVE MEMBERS WHO SEPARATE, RETIRE,
   TRANSFER TO THE FLEET RESERVE OR WHO ARE DISCHARGED PRIOR TO 1 AUGUST 2009, ARE NOT ELIGIBLE TO ELECT TRANSFERABILITY. SELRES
   MEMBERS WHO TRANSFER TO THE RETIRED RESERVE (WITH OR WITHOUT PAY),
   TRANSFER TO THE INDIVIDUAL READY RESERVE OR WHO ARE DISCHARGED PRIOR TO 1 AUGUST 2009, ARE NOT ELIGIBLE TO ELECT TRANSFERABILITY.
   3. PER REF B, MEMBERS OF THE ARMED FORCES WHO ELECT TO TRANSFER
   BENEFITS:
   A. MUST HAVE SERVED SIX YEARS IN THE ARMED FORCES (ACTIVE AND/OR SELRES) AND AGREE TO SERVE FOUR ADDITIONAL YEARS IN THE ARMED FORCES FROM THE DATE OF ELECTION; OR,
   B. MUST HAVE SERVED AT LEAST TEN YEARS IN THE ARMED FORCES AND IF EITHER NAVY, DOD POLICY OR FEDERAL STATUTE RESTRICTS THE MEMBER FROM COMMITTING TO FOUR ADDITIONAL YEARS, MEMBERS MUST AGREE TO SERVE THE MAXIMUM AMOUNT OF TIME ALLOWED BY THAT POLICY OR STATUTE; OR,
   C. IS OR BECOMES RETIREMENT ELIGIBLE (COMPLETION OF 20 YEARS OF ACTIVE FEDERAL SERVICE OR 20 QUALIFYING YEARS AS COMPUTED UNDER TITLE 10, U.S.C., SECTION 12732) DURING THE PERIOD OF 1 AUGUST 2009 THROUGH 1 AUGUST 2012, AND AGREES TO SERVE THE ADDITIONAL PERIOD, IF ANY, SPECIFIED BELOW:
   (1) FOR THOSE ELIGIBLE FOR RETIREMENT ON 1 AUGUST 2009, NO
   ADDITIONAL SERVICE IS REQUIRED.
   (2) FOR THOSE WHO HAVE AN APPROVED RETIREMENT DATE AFTER
   1 AUGUST 2009 AND BEFORE 1 JULY 2010, NO ADDITIONAL SERVICE IS REQUIRED.
   (3) FOR THOSE ELIGIBLE FOR RETIREMENT AFTER 1 AUGUST 2009 AND BEFORE 1 AUGUST 2010, ONE YEAR OF ADDITIONAL SERVICE IS REQUIRED.
   (4) FOR THOSE ELIGIBLE FOR RETIREMENT ON OR AFTER 1 AUGUST 2010 AND BEFORE 1 AUGUST 2011, TWO YEARS OF ADDITIONAL SERVICE IS REQUIRED.
   (5) FOR THOSE ELIGIBLE FOR RETIREMENT ON OR AFTER 1 AUGUST 2011 AND BEFORE 1 AUGUST 2012, THREE YEARS OF ADDITIONAL SERVICE IS REQUIRED.
   4. MEMBERS ELIGIBLE FOR RETIREMENT ON OR AFTER 1 AUGUST 2012 WILL
   REQUIRE AN ADDITIONAL FOUR-YEAR SERVICE AGREEMENT. TRANSFERRING AN ENTITLEMENT COULD BE A SIGNIFICANT CONSIDERATION IN A MEMBER’S CAREER PLAN.
   5. FAILURE TO COMPLETE THE SERVICE AGREEMENT AFTER TRANSFERRING
   ENTITLEMENT MAY RESULT IN AN OVERPAYMENT OF EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE AND IS SUBJECT TO COLLECTION BY THE DEPARTMENT OF VETERAN’S AFFAIRS (DVA).
   6. WHILE THE MEMBER IS IN THE ARMED FORCES, NEW DEPENDENTS MAY BE
   ADDED, ENTITLEMENTS CHANGED OR UNUSED ENTITLEMENTS REVOKED. THESE
   CHANGES WILL BE MADE BY THE MEMBER THROUGH THE TRANSFERABILITY OF
   EDUCATIONAL BENEFITS (TEB) WEBSITE (HTTPS://WWW.DMDC.OSD.MIL/TEB).
   AFTER RETIREMENT OR SEPARATION FROM THE ARMED FORCES, THE VETERAN MAY MODIFY OR REVOKE TRANSFERRED ENTITLEMENT FOR EXISTING DESIGNATED DEPENDENTS BY SUBMITTING A REQUEST IN WRITING TO THE DVA.

   PART II – PROCESS TO TRANSFER POST 9-11 GI BILL, RESERVE EDUCATION
   ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (REAP) CHAPTER 1607, AND MONTGOMERY GI BILL-SELECTED RESERVE (MGIB-SR) CHAPTER 1606 ENTITLEMENTS.
   1. ENSURE SPOUSE/CHILD(REN) IS/ARE ENROLLED IN DEERS PRIOR TO MAKING ELECTION TO TRANSFER ENTITLEMENT.
   2. ENSURE ADDITIONAL SERVICE OBLIGATION (OFFICER AND ENLISTED) IS
   PROPERLY DOCUMENTED IN ELECTRONIC SERVICE RECORD (ESR) PRIOR TO
   INITIATING TRANSFERABILITY REQUEST. REFER TO PARAGRAPH 9 FOR SPECIFIC SITUATIONS TO ACHIEVE REQUIRED SERVICE OBLIGATIONS. REQUESTS WILL BE DISAPPROVED FOR MEMBERS WHOSE ESR DOES NOT REFLECT THE REQUIRED ADDITIONAL SERVICE. MEMBERS WHOSE APPLICATIONS ARE DISAPPROVED WILL BE REQUIRED TO REAPPLY FOR TRANSFERABILITY WITH A NEW SERVICE OBLIGATION DATE. IT IS CRITICAL THAT MEMBERS VISIT THEIR COMMAND CAREER COUNSELOR AND COMPLETE SERVICE OBLIGATION DOCUMENTATION AS SOON AS PRACTICAL AND
   BEFORE APPLYING ON-LINE FOR TRANSFERABILITY.
   A. SERVICE MEMBERS WHO DO NOT REQUIRE AN ADDITIONAL SERVICE
   OBLIGATION TO TRANSFER BENEFITS SHOULD GO TO HTTPS://WWW.DMDC.OSD.MIL/TEB TO COMPLETE THE ON-LINE APPLICATION.
   THIS INCLUDES RETIREMENT ELIGIBLE SERVICE MEMBERS (PART I PARAS 3C(1) AND 3C(2) ABOVE) AND SERVICE MEMBERS WITH EXISTING AGREEMENTS THAT WILL COVER THE REQUIRED SERVICE OBLIGATION.
   B. ENLISTED SERVICE MEMBERS WHO REQUIRE ADDITIONAL SERVICE
   OBLIGATION SHOULD CONSULT WITH THEIR CAREER COUNSELOR TO ENSURE THEIR EAOS/EOS IS SUFFICIENT TO MEET THE REQUIRED ADDITIONAL SERVICE OBLIGATION AND/OR DISCUSS OBLIGATED SERVICE OPTIONS.
   3. COMPLETE ELECTRONIC TRANSFER ELECTION USING TEB.
   A. MEMBER MAY BE ELIGIBLE FOR MULTIPLE EDUCATIONAL BENEFIT
   PROGRAMS. BY CHOOSING TRANSFERABILITY UNDER THE POST 9-11 GI BILL, OR REAP, OR MGIB-SR, THE MEMBER IS MAKING AN IRREVOCABLE DECISION TO CONVERT OVER TO THAT EDUCATION BENEFIT PROGRAM.
   B. MEMBER’S DEPENDENTS WILL BE LISTED ON THE APPLICATION, PRE-
   POPULATED FROM DEERS.
   C. AN INDIVIDUAL TRANSFERRING POST 9-11 ENTITLEMENT MUST DESIGNATE THE ELIGIBLE DEPENDENTS(S), THE NUMBER OF MONTHS OF ENTITLEMENT TO BE TRANSFERRED AND SPECIFY THE PERIOD OF USE. THE NUMBER OF MONTHS TRANSFERRED MAY NOT EXCEED THE LESSER OF THE MONTHS OF UNUSED ENTITLEMENT AVAILABLE UNDER THE POST 9-11 GI BILL, 36 MONTHS OR THE NUMBER OF MONTHS SPECIFIED BY DOD.
   D. THE MEMBER CAN ONLY MODIFY THEIR REQUEST ONCE IT HAS BEEN
   APPROVED BY BUPERS-26/COMNAVRESFORCOM (N1C21).
   4. MEMBERS MAY CHECK TEB PERIODICALLY FOR STATUS OF THEIR APPLICATION.
   A. IF REQUEST IS DISAPPROVED, MEMBER MUST TAKE CORRECTIVE ACTION AND REAPPLY. APPROVED APPLICATIONS WILL BE SENT ELECTRONICALLY TO DVA VIA THE DEFENSE MANPOWER DATA CENTER.
   B. REQUESTS THAT HAVE BEEN APPROVED WILL REFLECT A PROJECTED
   OBLIGATION END DATE (POED), NORMALLY FOUR YEARS. REQUESTS FOR THOSE INDIVIDUALS APPROACHING HIGH YEAR TENURE (HYT) WILL REFLECT A FOUR-YEAR POED; HOWEVER, IF UNABLE TO COMPLETE THIS OBLIGATION DUE TO HYT DISCHARGE, MEMBERS WILL BE CONSIDERED TO HAVE COMPLETED THEIR TRANSFERABILITY OBLIGATION.
   5. A COPY OF THE APPROVED TEB APPLICATION AND VA FORM 22-1990E MUST BE COMPLETED BY THE DEPENDENT AND FORWARDED TO THE VA FOR PROCESSING. FORM IS LOCATED ON http://WWW.GIBILL.VA.GOV. THE VA WILL PROVIDE THE DEPENDENT WITH A CERTIFICATE OF ELIGIBILITY WHICH WILL BE TAKEN TO THE ACADEMIC INSTITUTION FOR ENROLLMENT. THE ACADEMIC INSTITUTION WILL COMPLETE ENROLLMENT VERIFICATION AND FORWARD TO THE VA FOR PAYMENT.

   PART III – SERVICE OBLIGATION POLICY
   1. ENLISTED SERVICE MEMBERS WITH LESS THAN 12 MONTHS TO THEIR EAOS/EOS WILL REENLIST PER STANDARD PROCEDURES.
   2. NON-SRB/ESRP ELIGIBLE SERVICE MEMBERS WITH GREATER THAN 12 MONTHS AND LESS THAN 24 MONTHS TO THEIR EAOS/EOS ARE GRANTED AN EXCEPTION TO THE REENLISTMENT POLICY. REENLISTMENTS WILL BE ROUTED THROUGH THE STANDARD PROCESS FOR PAY-GRADE AND ZONE. THIS EXCEPTION TO POLICY EXPIRES 1 JANUARY 2010.
   3. SRB/ESRP-ELIGIBLE SERVICE MEMBERS WITH GREATER THAN 12 MONTHS AND LESS THAN 24 MONTHS TO THEIR EAOS/EOS AND WHO HAVE ALREADY REENLISTED ONCE FOR A BONUS IN THEIR CURRENT ZONE, ARE ELIGIBLE TO APPLY FOR A SHORT TERM EXTENSION TO MEET THE TRANSFERABILITY SERVICE REQUIREMENT TO BE APPROVED BY NAVPERSCOM (PERS-811 FOR ACTIVE/PERS-812 FOR SELRES, FULL-TIME SUPPORT (FTS), AND CANVASSER RECRUITER (CANREC)). SERVICE MEMBERS WHO REQUIRE GREATER THAN 23 MONTHS ADDITIONAL SERVICE MUST SIGN A PAGE 13 STATING THE SERVICE MEMBER AGREES TO REENLIST TO COMPLETE THEIR FULL COMMITMENT FOR TRANSFERABILITY. AN ADDITIONAL SHORT TERM EXTENSION WILL NOT BE APPROVED FOR THE PURPOSE OF MEETING THE TRANSFERABILITY SERVICE REQUIREMENT. ALL SHORT TERM EXTENSION REQUESTS MUST BE RECEIVED BEFORE 1 JANUARY 2010.
   4. SERVICE MEMBERS IN ZONES A, B AND C THAT WILL REQUIRE PERFORM TO SERVE (PTS) APPROVAL PRIOR TO APPLYING FOR REENLISTMENT WILL BE ALLOWED TO SUBMIT EARLY APPLICATION REQUESTS BY UTILIZING THE EARLY APPLY (“STAR”) QUESTION ON THE PTS APPLICATION. THIS EXCEPTION TO POLICY EXPIRES 1 JANUARY 2010.
   5. SERVICE MEMBERS WITH GREATER THAN 24 MONTHS AND LESS THAN 48 MONTHS TO THEIR EAOS/EOS CAN APPLY FOR A SHORT TERM EXTENSION TO BE APPROVED BY NAVPERSCOM (PERS-811 FOR ACTIVE/PERS-812 FOR SELRES, FTS, AND CANREC). SAILORS ARE NOT REQUIRED TO HAVE PTS APPROVAL AS LONG AS THE EXTENSION DOES NOT CAUSE THEM TO CROSS INTO A NEW ZONE. ALL SHORT TERM EXTENSION REQUESTS MUST BE RECEIVED BEFORE 1 JANUARY 2010.
   6. ALL SERVICE MEMBERS MUST BE ELIGIBLE TO REENLIST OR EXTEND TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THESE OPPORTUNITIES. SERVICE MEMBERS SHOULD CAREFULLY CONSIDER ANY REENLISTMENT AND/OR EXTENSION OF OBLIGATED SERVICE WHICH COULD CROSS ZONE BOUNDARIES AND THEREBY REMOVE THEIR ELIGIBILITY TO REENLIST FOR A BONUS. SERVICE MEMBERS ARE HIGHLY ENCOURAGED TO CONSULT WITH THEIR CAREER COUNSELORS AND WEIGH ALL OPTIONS BEFORE MAKING DECISIONS.
   7. ALL OFFICERS, OTHER THAN THOSE IN CATEGORIES LISTED IN PART I PARAS 3C, AND SELRES ENLISTED MEMBERS: THE ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER WILL COMPLETE A PAGE 13 IN THE NAVY STANDARD INTEGRATED PERSONNEL SYSTEM (NSIPS) ESR AGREEING TO SERVE THE REQUIRED ADDITIONAL YEARS OF SERVICE. PAGE 13 WILL READ: “I UNDERSTAND BY SIGNING THIS PAGE 13, I AGREE TO COMPLETE FOUR MORE YEARS IN THE ARMED FORCES (ACTIVE OR SELECTED RESERVE) FROM THE DATE I REQUEST TRANSFERABILITY OF POST 9-11, REAP OR MGIB-SR EDUCATION BENEFITS TO MY DEPENDENTS/FAMILY MEMBERS. I UNDERSTAND THAT FAILURE TO COMPLETE THIS FOUR YEAR OBLIGATION MAY LEAD TO AN OVERPAYMENT BY THE DEPARTMENT OF VETERAN’S AFFAIRS THAT MAY BE RECOUPED FOR ANY PAYMENTS MADE TO DEPENDENTS/ FAMILY MEMBERS.” THE PAGE 13 WILL BE SIGNED BY MEMBER, WITNESSED AND DATED.

   PART IV – REFERENCE INFORMATION
   1. USE OF TRANSFERRED ENTITLEMENT BY FAMILY MEMBERS.
   A. SEE DVA’S WEB SITE FOR DETAILED INFORMATION REGARDING USE AND BENEFITS OF TRANSFERRED POST 9-11 ENTITLEMENT.
   B. FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS AND A SERVICEMEMBER TRANSFERABILITY PROCESS CHECKLIST ARE AVAILABLE ON NAVY KNOWLEDGE ONLINE (NKO) AND BUPERS WEBSITE. HTTP://WWW.NPC.NAVY.MIL/CAREERINFO/EDUCATION/GIBILL.
   2. POINTS OF CONTACT:
   - ANN HUNTER, OPNAV N153, AT (703) 614-9629/DSN 224, OR EMAIL
   ANN.HUNTER(AT)NAVY.MIL.
   - THE NPC CUSTOMER SERVICE CENTER 1-866-U-ASK-NPC (1-866-827-5672)/DSN
   882-5672.
   3. RELEASED BY VADM MARK FERGUSON, N1.//
   BT
   #0000
   NNNN
10. Jim Seerden says:

    August 20, 2009 at 9:09 am

    This is a terrific benefit but it does lack specific guidance relative to HYT cases. It affects my wife’s case. Based upon her planned retirement date, she’d need to OBLISERVE – for an additional two years – which would take her over a year beyond her HYT date.

    There is a nice flow chart that’s been making the rounds and, working through it, the chart drives her her to the box that says “Action. Service member contact CCC to obligate required additional service.” But what if she tries this and is denied (I assume the denial being the likely outcome in most HYT cases)? She was willing but determined ineligible.

    We’re not sure who to talk to about this. She tried the local VA Office (three hour wait) only to be told they don’t handle this program or field this sort of question.
11. NCCM(ret) says:

    August 20, 2009 at 9:30 am

    Jim,
    It sounds like your wife will fall under the same section (number 2 above) of the policy as LCDR Murphy in the comments of this thread. I contacted the VA (was on hold about an hour and understand some of your pain) and the lady who answered was able and ready to answer the specific question as it related to the LCDR, they should be able to do the same for your wife. The right VA number to contact is 1-888-442-4551 and follow the prompts to a human. Good luck and let us know how it works out!
12. NCCM(ret) says:

    December 11, 2009 at 10:47 am

    Another NAVADMIN in the 911GIBill series:

    R 091924Z DEC 09
    FM CNO WASHINGTON DC//N1//
    TO NAVADMIN
    INFO CNO WASHINGTON DC//N1//
    BT
    UNCLAS//N01040//
    NAVADMIN 354/09
    MSGID/GENADMIN/CNO WASHINGTON DC/N1/DEC//
    SUBJ/POST 9-11 GI BILL UPDATE//
    REF/A/MSG/CNO WASHINGTON DC/N1/261932ZJUN09//
    REF/B/MSG/CNO WASHINGTON DC/N1/110033ZJUL09//
    NARR/REF A IS NAVADMIN 187/09, PROVIDING INFORMATION ON POST 9-11 GI BILL ELIGIBILITY AND ENTITLEMENT. REF B IS NAVADMIN 203/09, PROVIDING POLICY AND GUIDELINES FOR TRANSFERABILITY OF ENTITLEMENT TO FAMILY MEMBERS// RMKS/1. THIS IS THE THIRD IN A SERIES OF NAVADMINS THAT ADDRESS THE POST 9-11 GI BILL. THIS NAVADMIN UPDATES EXISTING GUIDANCE AND ESTABLISHES POLICY FOR LIMITED DUTY (LIMDU) PERSONNEL WHO DESIRE TO TRANSFER ENTITLEMENT.
    2. DUE TO THE HIGH NUMBER OF VETERANS, ACTIVE DUTY AND RESERVISTS FROM ALL BRANCHES WHO ARE TAKING ADVANTAGE OF THEIR GI BILL EDUCATION ENTITLEMENT, PROCESSING FOR CERTIFICATES OF ELIGIBILITY(COE) HAS SEEN DELAYS. A COE IS PROOF OF PROGRAM ELIGIBILITY AND IS USED BY THE ACADEMIC INSTITUTION TO PROCESS ENROLLMENT CERTIFICATES. TO REDUCE THE TIME IT TAKES FOR PAYMENT, THE DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS (DVA) IS PROCESSING ENROLLMENT CERTIFICATES BEFORE COES. DVA HAS ASKED ACADEMIC INSTITUTIONS TO PROCESS ENROLLMENTS WITHOUT THE COE FROM THE MEMBER. MEMBERS WHO HAVE NOT RECEIVED THEIR COE SHOULD CONTACT THE VA COUNSELOR AT THEIR ACADEMIC INSTITUTION FOR ASSISTANCE.
    MONTHLY AND BOOK STIPENDS, ON THE AVERAGE, ARE MAILED OUT 35 DAYS AFTER THE ENROLLMENT CERTIFICATE IS RECEIVED BY THE DVA.
    3. REF B PROVIDED POLICY FOR COMPLETING REQUIRED SERVICE OBLIGATION. A TRANSFERABILITY APPLICATION WILL NOT BE APPROVED UNTIL THE SERVICE OBLIGATION IS RECORDED IN THE MEMBER’S ELECTRONIC SERVICE RECORD (ESR). MEMBERS SHOULD DISCUSS THE REQUIRED SERVICE OBLIGATION WITH CAREER COUNSELORS BEFORE APPLYING FOR TRANSFERABILITY. THIS WILL ALLOW A
    SERVICEMEMBER’S APPLICATION TO BE PROCESSED IN A TIMELY MANNER AND AVOID REJECTION.
    4. PER REF B, AFTER 31 DECEMBER 2009, SHORT TERM EXTENSIONS WILL NO LONGER BE AUTHORIZED FOR THE PURPOSE OF POST 9-11 TRANSFERABILITY. IN ADDITION, THE EXCEPTION TO THE REENLISTMENT POLICY THAT ALLOWS A MEMBER TO REENLIST OUT OF CYCLE FOR LESS THAN 4 YEARS WILL NO LONGER BE IN EFFECT. ON 1 JANUARY 2010, ALL ENLISTED SERVICEMEMBERS WHO WISH TO TRANSFER ENTITLEMENT TO A FAMILY MEMBER MUST REENLIST FOR THE TIME REQUIRED TO MEET THE SERVICE OBLIGATION IN ACCORDANCE WITH CURRENT REENLISTMENT POLICY AND PROCEDURES.
    5. THE FOLLOWING POLICY APPLIES FOR PERSONNEL IN A LIMDU STATUS WHO REQUIRE AN ADDITIONAL SERVICE OBLIGATION FOR TRANSFERABILITY:
    A. SERVICEMEMBERS MUST WAIT UNTIL A FINAL DETERMINATION OF MEDICAL STATUS HAS BEEN COMPLETED.
    (1) IF CLEARED FOR DUTY AND DETERMINED TO BE ELIGIBLE FOR CONTINUED SERVICE, MEMBER MUST FOLLOW THE PROCEDURES AS PER REF B.
    (2) SERVICEMEMBERS ALREADY DESIGNATED FOR A MEDICAL DISCHARGE, AND WHO HAVE COMPLETED AT LEAST TEN YEARS OF SERVICE IN THE ARMED FORCES, MAY ELECT TRANSFERABILITY WITH NO ADDITIONAL SERVICE OBLIGATION, HOWEVER, THE ELECTION MUST BE MADE PRIOR TO SEPARATION AND THE SAILOR MUST BE AWARDED AN HONORABLE DISCHARGE.
    B. SERVICEMEMBERS WHO ARE APPROVED FOR TRANSFERABILITY AND THEN ARE SUBSEQUENTLY MEDICALLY DISCHARGED BEFORE COMPLETING THEIR SERVICE OBLIGATION MAY RETAIN TRANSFERABILITY PROVIDED THE MEDICAL DISCHARGE IS NOT A RESULT OF WILLFUL MISCONDUCT.
    6. POINTS OF CONTACT:
    - ANN HUNTER, OPNAV N153, AT (703) 614-9629/DSN 224 OR EMAIL AT
    ANN.HUNTER(AT)NAVY.MIL.
    - ACTIVE DUTY, INCLUDING FULL TIME SUPPORT: NPC CUSTOMER SERVICE
    CENTER, AT 1-866-827-5672/DSN 882.
    - NAVY RESERVES (SELRES AND IRR): CNRFC (N15), AT 1-800-621-8853 7.
    RELEASED BY MS. STEFFANIE EASTER, N1 ACTING.//
    BT
    #0000
    NNNN
13. CARLOS GONZALES says:

    December 12, 2009 at 12:34 pm

    Post 9/11 MGIB is great, my question is are there any waivers for TRANSFERRING POST 9-11 ENTITLEMENT to ELIGIBLE DEPENDENTS? My daughter just turned 23 years old and is now not eligible. thank you
14. NCCM(ret) says:

    December 12, 2009 at 12:55 pm

    Carlos,

    No waivers that I am aware of. My youngest also just turned 23.
15. PS1 DIUNUGALA, SHELTON says:

    December 29, 2009 at 3:37 am

    I actually have a question.
    I have a wife and a son and a daughter.
    I want to know the distribution method. I know it is max 36 months.
    So Can I request 36 months each dependents or
    Do I have to distribute that 36 months among the dependents such as 18 months for Son, 12 months for the daughter and 6 months for the spouse etc….?
16. NCCM(ret) says:

    December 29, 2009 at 8:07 am

    PS1,
    For those who meet the criteria for transferring the 911GIBill, there is an aggregate of 36 months benefit that could be distributed to eligible family members.
17. Audra says:

    January 28, 2010 at 11:38 am

    This is a wonderful benefit and I was excited that my husband who has served 12 years in the Navy would be able to transfer his benefits to him. When my husband re-enlisted for 4 more years last May, he had tried to get the information about getting this transferred but at the time there was no information provided to him for it. He re-enlisted and now that we are trying to transfer them because of this small technicality of him not have 4 years left AT TIME OF APPLICATION he is being denied. My husband plans to retire from the Navy, but I feel that this little loophole prevented us from accessing a benefit that we really could have used for our son. :(
18. Alison says:

    June 15, 2010 at 11:33 am

    Audra- I am in the same situation. My husband has 16 years in, and is not able to reenlist until next March at the earliest. However, since the system is all automated, and he doesn’t have 4 years of active service left on his contract, we have been denied until he reenlists. We had originally applied for transfer of benefits back in July of last year. We didn’t get denied until May of this year. In the meantime, both Senator Webb’s office (he is the one who championed this bill, by the way) and the VA stated that my husband meets all the requirements, and to just go ahead and enroll in school, and the benefits would be backdated. Come to find out we are denied, and I am now $8,000 in debt to my school, I won’t get benefits until he reenlists next year, and I won’t be able to transfer my credits from my current school either since I have an unpaid bill. So I will have to start school all over again. The message we have received from the Marine Corps/Navy is that it is strictly being used as a reenlistment incentive, and will not be approved outside that guideline. I think it is very wrong that the various branches of the military are choosing to interpret the law as they see fit, and denying members who are obviously qualified. By law, the only thing required of a member over 10 years is to sign a page 2 entry in their SRB that states that they will reenlist.
19. Melissa says:

    July 12, 2010 at 9:59 am

    Alison & Audra,
    I am in the same situation as well! Although not as extensive as Alison’s case. I feel terrible for u! It’s just frustrating that someone with a spouse of 6 years military is going to school while we cannot. Once you hit 10 years there should be no other stipulations. MAJOR loophole!
20. Sherry says:

    August 6, 2010 at 4:50 pm

    I was just wondering if there was any loop holes or anything for those service members wishing to transfer portions of their GI bill to eligible family member, if they were denied reenlistment due to the Perform To Serve program? My husband was denied reenlistment thus making him inelidgible to serve the needed 4 years after 8/2009.
    Any insight would be great.
    Thanks
    Sherry
21. NCCM(ret) says:

    August 6, 2010 at 5:45 pm

    Sherry,

    If he served the minimum 10 years, then number 2 may apply.
22. Elizabeth says:

    August 10, 2010 at 10:15 am

    We just found out that my husband’s request to transfer his education benefits to our son was denied! And we are shocked! My husband has 17 years of faithful service to the Navy, with less than 3 years to go before retirement – the “denial” details were fuzzy and incomplete, but his Master Chief stated that another person in the command had the same problem, and the reason was because his HYT and EOS were different dates and four months apart (same as my husbands) It was suggested that he might try to “route a chit” to help close the gap between these two dates – especially since my husband has every intention of fulfilling his obligation and serving the full 20 years.

    Would that help? If not, what other options do we have? The local college encouraged our son to go ahead and start classes, but was also told that if financing did not come thru within 60 days, he’ll be dropped…. and I’m sure we’ll be hit with a bill!

    Thanx in advance!
    Elizabeth
23. NCCM(ret) says:

    August 10, 2010 at 11:01 am

    Elizabeth,

    I don’t know that marrying up the current enlistment with 20 year date would do any good, only because you are assuming HYT. Theoretically, he could be advanced to CPO, even if he is currently an E-5, before the twenty year point. I suggest you contact the VA and ask the question specifically, and please let us know how that call turns out – because, as you mentioned, more and more people are coming up against this road block.

    The college should not have advised you to proceed without VA approval.
24. Elizabeth says:

    August 10, 2010 at 1:23 pm

    Thank you so much for your quick response! I agree, the college should have NEVER advised him to go ahead with attendance! I’ve been doing mega-reasearch for the past few days trying to find out where it is written that this specific issue is reason for denial, and can’t find a thing. But did find many articles, forums, NAVADMIN memos, etc. to contradict their reason for denial. I’ve contacted my local Congressman only today and am hoping his help will expidite the process, … we’ll see. I’ll keep you updated on my progress!

    Thank you again!
    Elizabeth
25. tim craft says:

    September 13, 2010 at 1:17 pm

    I need to know if my son who is now 18 and is getting ready to graduat from high school, I retired from the service last year and I have 28 yesrs of service and I want to give him all of my benifis of the 9/11 GI bill what do I need to do please let me know thanks tim
26. NCCM(ret) says:

    September 13, 2010 at 1:47 pm

    Tim,

    From what I understand, you had to indicate, before you retired, that you would use the transferability option otherwise you would not be eligible to do so. I suggest you contact the VA at 1(888)442-4551 to ask about your specific circumstance. Let us know how it works out so others may benefit from it.
27. Byron says:

    September 15, 2010 at 5:49 pm

    Am I allowed to transfer my tuition for my son to use even though he is not on my DEERS?
28. NCCM(ret) says:

    September 15, 2010 at 5:57 pm

    Byron,

    He has to be in your DEERS.
29. pre-retiree says:

    October 25, 2010 at 4:42 pm

    On the HYT retiree question.
    Im not trying to transfer the benefits to a family member, only trying to find out if a E-6 Retiring on HYT at 20 years, is eligible for the post 9/11 gi bill. I cannot extend past HYT. which would be required normally for my May 2011 retirement date.

    quote: (4) FOR THOSE ELIGIBLE FOR RETIREMENT ON OR AFTER 1 AUGUST 2010 AND BEFORE 1 AUGUST 2011, TWO YEARS OF ADDITIONAL SERVICE IS REQUIRED.

    And of course the next quote:B. REQUESTS THAT HAVE BEEN APPROVED WILL REFLECT A PROJECTED
    OBLIGATION END DATE (POED), NORMALLY FOUR YEARS. REQUESTS FOR THOSE INDIVIDUALS APPROACHING HIGH YEAR TENURE (HYT) WILL REFLECT A FOUR-YEAR POED; HOWEVER, IF UNABLE TO COMPLETE THIS OBLIGATION DUE TO HYT DISCHARGE, MEMBERS WILL BE CONSIDERED TO HAVE COMPLETED THEIR TRANSFERABILITY OBLIGATION.

    So does this mean, person enrolled in the MGIB, can transfer programs to the Post 9/11 GIB without extending?
    Otherwise it seems that HYT retirees, if originally under the MGIB, are left in the dust should there retirement letters already be approved.
30. NCCM(ret) says:

    October 25, 2010 at 4:59 pm

    Pre-retiree,

    In a nut shell; If you served the minimum time after 9/11 (see chart for amount on (this page GI Bill)), you are eligible for the Post 9/11 GI-Bill. There is no transferring of the MGIB required – you sign-up for the Post 9/11 benefits, and when you complete them, you get your $1200 back.

    The above ONLY pertains to transferring the earned benefit to an eligible dependent, and has nothing to do with whether you are individually eligible for the Post 9/11 GI Bill.
31. Terri says:

    September 11, 2011 at 8:46 am

    Elizabeth in post #22

    I am in the same boat as you and was wondering what your outcome was? It has been almost a year since the last post was here. Can you help me? email me at terri8888[at]aol.com
32. Terri says:

    September 12, 2011 at 12:08 pm

    Someone please help…

    If I’m not able the KEY word here is ABLE to obligate for an additional 4 years of service because I’m nearing retirement of the military won’t offer me the chance to reenlist can I still be approved for transfer of entitlement under the Post-9/11 GI Bill?

    My current enlistment ends July 2012. My 20 years of service will be in April 2013. I will be High year tenure April 2015.

    According to the printed rules I must re-enlist for 4 more years to transfer my benefits. The earliest I am able to re-enlist a year before July 2012 is after July 2011, however am not allowed 4 year because of my high year tenure. I need to re-enlist soon so I can get my retirement and for fill the GI Bill obligation.

    Can I have someone call me and tell me what I have to do to get this resolved, Or who should I call? I called the 1-888-442-4551 and they said that I would have no problem re-enlisting, that some services members have been in for 35 years, I am not sure if they understood what I was asking them.

    I have called several places and get no anwsers.

    Please Help! w/ kind regards
33. NCCM(ret) says:

    September 12, 2011 at 12:31 pm

    Terri,

    I don’t understand why you can not reenlist for the required time frame – you are assuming you will not be promoted in the next 4 years??
34. Terri says:

    September 12, 2011 at 2:50 pm

    NCCM,

    My High Year Tenure will be up April 2015. If I reenlist today it puts my expiration date September 2015, thats 5 months past what I am allowed. If I reenlist for 3 years then I am able to retire but I won’t for fill the required amount of service for the GI Bill.

    So how can ESR allow me to stay longer than I am allowed so that my GI bill will be transfered?

    If I am told that I can not stay in pass April 2015 then the GI bill won’t allow me to transfer. My son will start college fall of 2012.

    It’s like a catch 22, what can I do?