The play is called Memphis, and it is a musical. At least it’s rock ‘n’ roll.

According to the Orpheum Web site, Memphis the Musical, a Tony Award winning musical, takes place in the underground dance clubs of Memphis during the 1950s, a time when the segregation of race was the norm and rock ‘n’ roll was just taking root. A thrilling tale of fame and forbidden love that was inspired by actual events, Memphis the Musical is about a white male radio disk jockey who wants to change the world and a black club singer who is ready for her big break.

Why are we going? I am taking Theatre Appreciation this semester in pursuit of my degree while using the GI-Bill, and one of the requirements of the class is to go see an actual stage play. I chose this play because I am a lover of everything rock ‘n’ roll, and my wife enjoys a good love story – Memphis the Musical has both ingredients; moreover, the Orpheum Theatre is located on Beale Street. Beale Street is Memphis’ version of New Orleans’ Bourbon Street, so even if the play is a yawner, it should still prove to be a good night.

My thoughts about the show:

The Tony Award winning Broadway musical, Memphis, was performed at the Orpheum Theatre in the city that it is set from October 14-23, 2011. First written and produced in 2003, Memphis, the musical by Joe Dipietro (book and lyrics) and David Bryan (music and lyrics), takes place in the underground dance clubs of Memphis, TN, during the 1950s, a time when the segregation of race was the norm and the genre of rock and roll music was just taking root. With its captivating storyline and incredible music, the sold-out, October 15, 2011, performance of Memphis proved that musical theatre is alive and well in America.

Inspired by actual events, the story of Memphis follows an aspiring white radio disc jockey, Huey, performed by Bryan Fenkart, and an African American, Beale Street nightclub singer, Felicia Farrell, performed by Felicia Boswell, who is ready for her big break. The story begins with Huey being drawn to the music he hears permeating through the walls of a black nightclub, music he describes as the music of his soul. As Huey entered the nightclub that touched him so, a deafening silence fell over its occupants because in the 1950s it just wasn’t normal for white folks to enter black folk’s clubs. Delray Farrell, the nightclub’s owner played by Quentin Earl Darrington, angrily confronts him about his attendance in the club, but Huey is able to quickly convince Delray of his passion for the music, and is allowed to stay; as a matter of fact, he befriends a number of the patrons and is allowed to return to the club in the future at his leisure. It is during his second visit that Delray’s sister, Felicia, captures Huey’s heart, setting them both on a path of forbidden love. The dramatic and loving relationship that ensued weathered the disapproval of family, the ethnocentric expectations of society, and the outright aggression of bigots, but, although their love and admiration for one another would continue, the relationship would not be able to stay the course when confronted with Felicia’s career ambitions and Huey’s stubborn desire to stay in Memphis, TN.

Whereas the story line of Memphis by itself is more than worth the price of admission, likewise that of the 20 songs performed by the cast. You will find yourself reflecting on your own identity during, The Music of My Soul, performed by Huey, Felicia and Company, and later, you will find yourself stomping your feet and clapping your hands to, Everybody Wants to be Black on a Saturday Night. From beginning to end, this sound track of life and love challenges the emotions. Prepare to ignite your passion with songs like, Ain’t Nothin’ But a Kiss; performed by Felicia, Huey, and The Memphis Band; and Love Will Stand When All Else Falls, performed by Felicia and Company, as they magically transport you to a welcome and wonderful moment in your own history of love. Then you won’t be able to help leaning forward in your seat to pray for tolerance and forgiveness with Gator, played by Rhett George, as he sings, Say a Prayer. Amazing songs all, but these songs are just a taste of the brilliance from the totality of the work known as Memphis.

The masterfully written and compelling story of Memphis could be played out as a drama, and the audience would sing its praises. The heart-pumping and inspirational music of Memphis could be been performed as a concert, and the audience would provide much acclaim. However, it isn’t until you combine the wonderful story with the fantastic music that you get the masterpiece that is Memphis, the masterpiece that proves American musical theatre is alive and well.

The approved 2012 Military Pay Chart for basic pay, effective January 1, 2012.
The 2013 Military Pay raise estimation based on ECI - Title 37, US Code.

With a new college semester starting at the end of this month, it was time to follow-up with the VA to ensure they received all the paperwork required to ensure the book stipend, BAH and tuition gets paid on time. Before I made the call, I realized that my oldest son, who also is in college, was doing the same thing to ensure everything is in order. He informed me that although this is his last year of school, this coming semester was the last one he would receive his GI Bill benefit. As a matter of fact, he only has 16 days of benefit left, but after reading statements like, “If an individual’s entitlement exhausts during a term, benefits may be extended until the end of the term.” he thought this upcoming semester was taken care of… he was wrong.

When my oldest completed his time in the Navy, the 911GIBill had not yet been approved. As a matter of fact, he had already completed two years of college using the Montgomery GI Bill (MGIB) before the 911GIBill had become available.

Because Servicemembers like my son who qualified for the 911GIBill benefit before it became available had already used some or all of their MGIB benefit, members could finish their 36 month of MGIB entitlement and then get an additional 12 months of 911GIBill for a maximum college benefit of 48 months.

48 months is the key.

The most benefit one can receive by law is 48 months, not 36. Now, that doesn’t mean that everyone gets 48 months of benefit, really the only people that will max out are those who use two programs like my son, but everyone else could potentially end up with as much as 40 months of full GI Bill tuition and other payments.

The rule is, if you exhaust your benefit during a semester, you will get full benefit for the remainder of the semester EVEN IF you only have ONE DAY of benefit remaining when the semester starts, UNLESS you hit the maximum of 48 months.

Again, you will NOT receive greater than a total of 48 months of GI Bill benefit!

If you exhaust your benefit mid way through a semester while hitting the maximum 48 months entitlement, your tuition, book stipend and BAH payment will be prorated, day for day.

If I left you with more questions than answers, ask!

The approved 2012 Military Pay Chart for basic pay, effective January 1, 2012.
The 2013 Military Pay raise estimation based on ECI - Title 37, US Code.

Prior to the new law signed by President Obama, between short college semester breaks, unless a member otherwise stipulated, those receiving benefit under the Post-9/11 GI-Bill would continue to receive a living stipend equal to the amount of E-5 BAH with dependents. What most beneficiaries were unaware of is that receiving the stipend reduced your future months of full GI Bill benefit.

Most of the changes take affect 1 August 2011, so if you plan on taking the first summer classes, break pay will still be an issue.

Some additional information via Navy Times;

National Guard and reserve members will get more credit toward earning the benefit. Those on full-time active duty as part of the Active Guard and Reserve program will have their time count toward benefits, and time mobilized for homeland security missions also will count.

• The $1,000-per-year book allowance becomes available to active-duty service members and to their spouses using transferred benefits, although they will still not receive the living stipend available to other students.
• Distance learning students, who currently receive no living stipend unless they are taking at least one on-campus class, will become eligible for the monthly benefit but they will be paid a reduced rate that is one-half of the national average living stipend.
• Vocational training, including apprenticeships and on-the-job training, will become covered programs where tuition costs will be covered and living stipends also paid.

In place of state caps, the new law creates a single, nationwide cap of $17,500 a year for tuition and fee reimbursement, a level that could result in some students attending private colleges — whose full costs are covered now — paying out of pocket next fall.

If you are in a state were the new $17,500 cap affects you, you may want to get information regarding the Yellow Ribbon Program. “[Yellow Ribbon Program] allows institutions of higher learning (degree granting institutions) in the United States to voluntarily enter into an agreement with VA to fund tuition expenses that exceed the highest public in-state undergraduate tuition rate. The institution can contribute up to 50% of those expenses and VA will match the same amount as the institution.”

My oldest son, who is currently attending law school, utilizes this program to cover the cost above the current cap. The application was simple and the answer back from the VA was prompt, but the school did have a cap on the number of applicants for the program, so if this affects you, get involved now so you will not be left short.

The approved 2012 Military Pay Chart for basic pay, effective January 1, 2012.
The 2013 Military Pay raise estimation based on ECI - Title 37, US Code.

Gah, I suck at poetry, even when I try and bastardize someone else’s work.

Anyway, the season is upon us. The time of year when the wife makes you pull down the boxes of decorations from the attic, put up the tree and start the laborious process of making the house look like the place only elves would congregate. Well, this year – just say no! Put the fun back in the holidays! Take advantage of a benefit you have been saying you’d get around to using.

Space A travel.

If you live in the United States, what better time to fly then the Christmas holiday season? Think about it – you will fly against the flow of traffic. Those living overseas will be coming home, if they have people coming to visit them, more than likely they will not be entitled the benefit and will be flying commercial – the opposite would be true coming home after New Years, making the trip home a piece of cake, even for us Cat 6 retired guys.

Find the nearest air base to you – here in the Memphis area, we have an Air National Guard base stocked with C-5 Galaxy aircraft. Each one has about 70 seats made available for passengers. With weekly flights to and from Europe, and bi-monthly flights to and from the Pacific we are abound with Space A travel opportunities in the Mid-South. With a little research, I bet you will find that you don’t have to travel far either.

For those on active duty, you can sign-up (put your name on the waiting list) for flights leaving once your leave commences. For those in other eligible categories, you can sign-up 60 days in advance. Signing up is easy. One real good resource for signing-up is online this form at TakeaHop.com

Space-available travel is a privilege (not an entitlement) that accrues to Uniformed Services members as an avenue of respite from the rigors of Uniformed Services duty. Retired Uniformed Services members are given the privilege in recognition of a career of such rigorous duty and because they are eligible for recall to active duty. The underlying criteria for extending the privilege to other categories of passengers is their support to the mission being performed by Uniformed Services members and to the enhancement of active duty Service members’ quality of life.

The approved 2012 Military Pay Chart for basic pay, effective January 1, 2012.
The 2013 Military Pay raise estimation based on ECI - Title 37, US Code.

Each school has a local form you must fill out for your VA Rep. to use as a guide that asks you questions about your enrollment; like, “Are you repeating any courses?”; “Has your major changed?”; “Are you active duty?”; another important one, “Do you require a Veteran’s Hold Agreement?” (the Hold Agreement basically tells the school the VA is paying the bills, and it allows you to proceed as if payment has been made), and what your education objective is and if it has changed (remember, to declare, change or add a secondary major, you must fill out VA form 22-1995 – and submit it to your VA Rep).

One last, very important reminder – carefully consider whether or not BREAK PAY is right for you, and ensure you notify your VA Rep. in writing of your intention NOT to use it if you wish to extend the tuition benefit the full 36 months. Getting break pay reduces your tuition benefit!

Now, go do your homework, and study – I am sure you have a test coming up.

The approved 2012 Military Pay Chart for basic pay, effective January 1, 2012.
The 2013 Military Pay raise estimation based on ECI - Title 37, US Code.

R 312100Z AUG 10
FM CNO WASHINGTON DC//N1//
TO NAVADMIN
INFO CNO WASHINGTON DC//N1//
UNCLAS//N01100// 

NAVADMIN 294/10

MSGID/GENADMIN/CNO WASHINGTON DC/N1/AUG// 

SUBJ/RECRUITING ENLISTMENT AND AFFILIATION BONUSES FOR SELECTED RESERVE
ENLISTED PERSONNEL// 

REF/A/MSG/CNO WASHINGTON DC/111640ZFEB2008//
REF/B/MSG/CNO WASHINGTON DC/060019ZSEP2008//
REF/C/DOC/COMNAVRESFOR/27MAY2010//
REF/D/DOC/COMNAVRESFOR/28DEC2009//
NARR/REF A IS NAVADMIN 041/08, REF B IS NAVADMIN 253/08, REF C IS
COMNAVRESFORINST 1001.5F, AND REF D IS COMNAVRESFORINST 1780.1B//
RMKS/1.  EFFECTIVE 1 OCTOBER 2010, THIS NAVADMIN WILL SUPERSEDE REF A
AND PROVIDE THE CURRENT BONUS LISTING OF ELIGIBLE SPECIALTIES FOR
SELECTED RESERVE (SELRES) PRIOR SERVICE AFFILIATION BONUSES.  EFFECTIVE
IMMEDIATELY, THIS NAVADMIN SUPERSEDES REF B AND PROVIDES THE CURRENT
BONUS LISTING OF ELIGIBLE SPECIALTIES FOR SELRES NEW ACCESSION TRAINING
(NAT) ENLISTMENT BONUSES (EB).  EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY, THIS NAVADMIN
UPDATES REF C.  WHERE REF C AND THIS NAVADMIN DIFFER, THIS NAVADMIN
TAKES PRECEDENCE.

2.  TO MAINTAIN OPERATIONAL EFFECTIVENESS, OUR NAVY MUST ATTRACT THE
HIGHEST QUALITY RECRUITS AND PRIOR SERVICE VETERANS.  A VIGOROUS
RECRUITING PLAN REQUIRES FLEXIBLE TOOLS TO ENSURE WE ARE RECRUITING THE
CORRECT NUMBER OF SAILORS WITH THE RIGHT SKILLS TO OPTIMIZE OUR WAR-
FIGHTING CAPABILITY. 

3.  THE FOLLOWING PARAGRAPHS IDENTIFY EACH BONUS PROGRAM.
    A.  GENERAL:  ALL BONUSES GOVERNED BY THIS MESSAGE WILL BE PAID AS
FOLLOWS.  AN INITIAL BONUS PAYMENT WILL BE EQUAL TO ONE HALF OF THE
TOTAL BONUS AMOUNT FOLLOWED BY SUBSEQUENT EQUAL ANNIVERSARY PAYMENTS
COMMENSURATE WITH THE NUMBER OF YEARS A MEMBER ENLISTED.  ELIGIBILITY
FOR CONTINUED ANNIVERSARY PAYMENTS IS CONTINGENT UPON MEMBER
MAINTAINING SATISFACTORY DRILLING RESERVE PARTICIPATION, PER REF C, IN
THE DESIGNATED RATE/RATING OR SPECIALTY FOR EACH YEAR OF THEIR BONUS
CONTRACT.  PRIOR SERVICE SAILORS ARE HIGHLY ENCOURAGED TO ENLIST FOR A
SIX-YEAR DRILLING RESERVE (IN A PAY STATUS) OBLIGATION TO MAXIMIZE
THEIR BONUS OPPORTUNITY.
    B.  PRIOR SERVICE AFFILIATION BONUS
        (1) ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA FOR SAILORS TO GAIN ENTITLEMENT FOR AN
AFFILIATION BONUS ARE AS FOLLOWS:
            (A) MUST HAVE SATISFACTORILY COMPLETED ANY PRIOR OBLIGATED
ACTIVE DUTY MILITARY SERVICE.
            (B) MUST ENLIST AND AGREE TO PARTICIPATE AS A SELRES IN THE
NAVY RESERVE IN A PAY STATUS FOR A MINIMUM OF THREE YEARS TO QUALIFY
FOR A THREE-YEAR BONUS OR A MINIMUM OF SIX YEARS TO QUALIFY FOR A SIX-
YEAR BONUS.  SAILORS WHO ENLIST FOR FOUR OR FIVE YEARS WILL QUALIFY FOR
A THREE-YEAR BONUS.
            (C) MUST NOT HAVE COMPLETED MORE THAN 16 YEARS OF TOTAL
MILITARY SERVICE FROM THEIR PAY ENTRY BASE DATE (PEBD) PRIOR TO THEIR
CURRENT AFFILIATION/ENLISTMENT DATE.
            (D) MUST NOT HAVE BEEN DRILLING IN THE NAVY RESERVE AT ANY
TIME WITHIN THE 12 MONTHS PRECEDING THEIR CURRENT
AFFILIATION/ENLISTMENT DATE.
            (E) FOR MEMBERS RECRUITED VIA PRIOR SERVICE REENLISTMENT
ELIGIBILITY - RESERVE (PRISE-R) PROGRAM THE FOLLOWING APPLIES:
                (1) PRIOR SERVICE ACTIVE DUTY SAILORS, APPROVED FOR
ENLISTMENT VIA THE PRISE-R PROGRAM IN AN ELIGIBLE RATING, MAY APPLY FOR
A PRIOR SERVICE AFFILIATION BONUS PROVIDED THEY MEET ELIGIBILITY
CRITERIA STIPULATED ABOVE IN PARA 3.B.
                (2) SAILORS WHO OBLIGATE FOR THE MINIMUM FOUR YEARS IN
A PAY STATUS, REQUIRED OF THIS PROGRAM, WILL ONLY BE ENTITLED TO
RECEIVE A THREE-YEAR PRIOR SERVICE ENLISTMENT BONUS. 

4.  PRIOR SERVICE AFFILIATION BONUS TIER AMOUNTS.
TIER   TERM                1/2 INITIAL    ANNIVERSARY    TOTAL BONUS
1A     6-YEAR ENLISTMENT    $10,000         5 OF $2,000   $20,000
1B     3-YEAR ENLISTMENT    $5,000          2 OF $2,500   $10,000
2A     6-YEAR ENLISTMENT    $7,500          5 OF $1,500   $15,000
2B     3-YEAR ENLISTMENT    $3,750          2 OF $1,875   $7,500
3A     6-YEAR ENLISTMENT    $5,000          5 OF $1,000   $10,000
3B     3-YEAR ENLISTMENT    $2,500          2 OF $1,250   $5,000

5.  PRIOR SERVICE AFFILIATION BONUS ELIGIBLE SPECIALTIES AND BONUS
TIER LEVELS.
    A. TIER 1
SKILL       NEC      NOTE
AWO         0000
AWF         0000
AWS         0000
CTI         0000
CTN         9306     1
EOD         0000
ET          0000
ND          0000
SB          0000
SO          0000
    B. TIER 2
SKILL       NEC      NOTE
CTN         0000
CTR         9138     1
EN          4303     1
EN          4308     1
EN          4313     1
ET          1420     1
ET          1678     1
ET          9605     1
ET          14NO     1
ET          14RO     1
HT          0000
IS          3912     1
IS          3923     1
IS          3924     1
IT          2779     1
IT          2780     1
IT          2781     1
    C. TIER 3
SKILL       NEC      NOTE
AM          7225     1
AG          0000
BU          5907     1
BU          5908     1
BU          5915     1
CE          5635     1
CE          5644     1
CM          5805     1
CS          3529     1
CTR         0000
CTT         9141     1
DC          4805     1
EA          5501     1
EM          0000
EN          0000
EO          5707     1
EO          5708     1
EO          5710     1
GM          0814     1
HM          8410     1
HM          8427     1
HM          8452     1
HM          8485     1
HM          8489     1
HM          8506     1
HM          8541     1
IS          0000
IT          0000
LS          2813     1
LS          2814     1
LS          2821     1
LS          3001     1
LS          8012     1
MA          0000
MC          0000
MN          0000
MR          0000
OS          0336     1
OS          0342     1
PS          2905     1
SW          6010     1
UT          6104     1
NOTE:
    1.  SAILORS APPLYING FOR ELIGIBILITY BASED ON AN NEC MUST BE
ASSIGNED
TO A VALID INACTIVE DUTY TRAINING (IDT) DRILLING RESERVE BILLET THAT
REQUIRES THE NEC (SAILORS MAY BE CROSS-ASSIGNED TO A VALID IDT DRILLING
RESERVE BILLET) AND THEIR NEC MUST BE EITHER PRIMARY OR SECONDARY IN
THEIR NEC INVENTORY. 

6.  NEW ACCESSION TRAINING (NAT) PROGRAM ENLISTMENT BONUS.
    A.  ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA FOR SAILORS TO GAIN ENTITLEMENT FOR A NAT
ENLISTMENT BONUS ARE AS FOLLOWS:
        (1) MEMBER MUST HAVE NO PRIOR MILITARY SERVICE AND BE ENLISTING
IN THE ARMED FORCES FOR THE FIRST TIME.
        (2) ENLIST AND AGREE TO PARTICIPATE AS A SELRES IN THE NAVY
RESERVE IN A PAY STATUS FOR A MINIMUM OF SIX YEARS.
        (3) AFFILIATE WITH A NAVY RESERVE ACTIVITY (NRA) IMMEDIATELY
UPON COMPLETION OF INITIAL ACTIVE DUTY FOR TRAINING (IADT).
    B.  BONUS EFFECTIVE DATE IS DETERMINED BY THE DATE A SAILOR
CONTRACTS
IN THE ARMED FORCES (ENTERS DELAYED ENTRY PROGRAM (DEP) DATE), AND NOT
THE DATE A SAILOR SHIPS TO RECRUIT TRAINING.
    C.  INITIAL BONUS AMOUNT WILL BE PAID UPON MEMBER'S SUCCESSFUL
COMPLETION OF IADT AND AFTER REPORTING TO THEIR NRA.
    D.  NAT BONUS ELIGIBLE SPECIALTIES AND BONUS TIER AMOUNTS
        (1) TIER 1 - SIX-YEAR CONTRACT = 20,000 DOLLAR
SKILL       NEC      NOTE
NONE
        (2) TIER 2 - SIX-YEAR CONTRACT = 15,000 DOLLAR
SKILL       NEC      NOTE
NONE
        (3) TIER 3 - SIX-YEAR CONTRACT = 10,000 DOLLAR
SKILL       NEC      NOTE
IS          0000
MA          0000
        (4) TIER 4 - SIX-YEAR CONTRACT = 5,000 DOLLAR
SKILL       NEC      NOTE
AECF        0000
HM          8701     1
IT          0000
RP          2401     1
NOTE:
1.  SAILORS APPLYING FOR ELIGIBILITY BASED ON AN NEC MUST BE
ASSIGNED TO A VALID INACTIVE DUTY TRAINING (IDT) DRILLING RESERVE
BILLET THAT REQUIRES THE NEC (SAILORS MAY BE CROSS-ASSIGNED TO A VALID
IDT DRILLING RESERVE BILLET) AND THEIR NEC MUST BE EITHER PRIMARY OR
SECONDARY IN THEIR NEC INVENTORY.

7.  SAILORS SERVING IN RATINGS AND SPECIALTIES LISTED IN PARA 5 AND 6
ABOVE THAT ENLIST FOR 6 YEARS MAY APPLY FOR THE MONTGOMERY GI BILL-
SELECTED RESERVE (MGIB-SR) KICKER PROGRAM, PROVIDED THEY MEET ALL OTHER
MGIB-SR KICKER PROGRAM ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA CONTAINED IN REF D.

8.  ELIGIBILITY DETERMINATION AND BONUS APPLICATION PROCEDURES
    A.  COMNAVCRUITCOM RECRUITERS SHALL:
        (1) DETERMINE SAILOR'S ELIGIBILITY FOR AFFILIATION/ENLISTMENT
BONUSES AS CONTAINED IN THIS MESSAGE.  FOR ASSISTANCE IN DETERMINING
INDIVIDUAL SAILOR ELIGIBILITY COMNAVCRUITCOM RECRUITERS MAY CONTACT
COMNAVRESFORCOM (N11) INCENTIVE PROGRAM SPECIALISTS AT COMMERCIAL
(757) 322-2648/2649/2653/2656 OR DSN 262-XXXX.
        (2) FORWARD THE COMPLETED INCENTIVE WRITTEN AGREEMENT WITH ALL
ENLISTMENT DOCUMENTATION (I.E., DD FORM 4, DD-1966, ETC.) TO THE
SAILOR'S GAINING NRA.
NOTE:  WRITTEN AGREEMENTS ARE AVAILABLE ON THE NAVY RESERVE FORCES
COMMAND SHAREPOINT WEBSITE AT 

HTTPS://PRIVATE.NAVYRESERVE.NAVY.MIL/3447B/N1/CNRFC_N112/DEFAULT.ASPX

    B.  NAVY RESERVE ACTIVITIES SHALL:
        (1) VERIFY ACCURACY OF THE AFFILIATION/ENLISTMENT BONUS WRITTEN
AGREEMENT SUBMITTED BY NAVCRUITCOM RECRUITERS PER THIS MESSAGE.
        (2) SCAN AND FORWARD A COPY OF THE BONUS WRITTEN AGREEMENT FOR
ELIGIBILITY ESTABLISHMENT TO COMNAVRESFORCOM (N11) AT
CNRFC_BONUS_SHOP@NAVY.MIL.

9.  INTERESTED PERSONNEL ARE HIGHLY ENCOURAGED TO CONTACT A LOCAL
RECRUITER TO DETERMINE THEIR ELIGIBILITY. 

10.  POINT OF CONTACT FOR POLICY:  MR. PAUL DOWD, CNRFC (N1C21),
AT (817) 782-5040/DSN 739 OR EMAIL AT PAUL.DOWD(AT)NAVY.MIL. 

11.  RELEASED BY VADM MARK FERGUSON, N1.//

BT
#0000
NNNN

The approved 2012 Military Pay Chart for basic pay, effective January 1, 2012.
The 2013 Military Pay raise estimation based on ECI - Title 37, US Code.

Tommy is currently completing an internship with Senator Alexander (R-TN) in Washington D.C., and will be starting his second year of law school at Penn State.

A portion of the email;

So, today I got to sit at a senator’s desk on the senate floor for about an hour as Senator Alexander gave a speech. It was amazing and inspiring (both the opportunity and the speech). The Senate wasn’t in session obviously, but it was still awesome. Then it occurred to me; today is the 4 year anniversary of my discharge from the Navy. Only 4 years! Looking back at all I’ve done and accomplished during that time is really mind blowing (to me at least). Graduating college in three years, summa cum laude, with honors, top of my class, numerous honor societies, several awards, internship with Tennessee State Legislature, Internship with the U.S. Attorney’s Office, law school, law review, internship with U.S. Senator Lamar Alexander, etc., etc., etc.. I mean, if someone told me 4 years ago that I would be sitting behind a shiny wooden desk, in the royal blue senate chamber, at our nation’s Capitol, I would have thought that they were certifiably crazy. It makes me wonder what I can accomplish in the next four years to come.

I know, with his work ethic and persistence, he will be at least as successful in the next four years as the previous. I am so proud of him.

BZ, Tommy!

The approved 2012 Military Pay Chart for basic pay, effective January 1, 2012.
The 2013 Military Pay raise estimation based on ECI - Title 37, US Code.

Continuing students, who have registered for the Fall 2010 semester, have already started to receive their book stipends ($41.67 per semester hour, up to $1000 per year), and the colleges are receiving the tuition payments! Remarkable!

A reminder, if you are taking summer classes – remember the break pay issue. Any break of less than 56 days, and you do not tell the VA to stop the BAH payment, you will continue to receive BAH – when you receive the BAH during your break, it reduces your future tuition benefit payments – so, if you have 36 total months of benefit and take a single break payment of BAH, you will only have 35 months of tuition. It really becomes a problem over Christmas break, but can hurt some unsuspecting summer class attendees just the same.

Speaking of the Basic Allowance for Housing payment, the 2010 rates have yet to be updated for payment by the VA – you more than likely are still receiving the 2009 rate – just know, that you will be getting back payment for the difference once they get this issue resolved.

Overall, BZ to the VA! You have made great strides over this past year in processing and servicing those in the Post 9/11 GI-Bill – thank you!

The approved 2012 Military Pay Chart for basic pay, effective January 1, 2012.
The 2013 Military Pay raise estimation based on ECI - Title 37, US Code.

As you may be aware, I am attending college full time using my Post 9/11 GI-Bill. Recently, I had a couple of questions for the Veterans Administration (VA) – first question concerned two payments I received that I didn’t expect (nor did I know what they were for); one payment just before Christmas and the other at the beginning of January, and my second question had to do with why my current Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) payment didn’t equal the 2010 amount for the schools zip code.

First, the latter BAH question. The issue is that the VA is having to update all the records by hand, as the automated system hasn’t been finished; as a matter of fact, that is the reason the GI-Bill call center is only open for calls Monday-Wednesday. Thursday and Friday is spent updating records. Short answer: The BAH will be increased to the 2010 amount (if your school’s zip code realized an increase). The “when” is depending on how long it takes to hand input the changes, but you will receive back pay to catch-up, so no worries.

Payment of BAH during the winter break, the period of time between the fall and spring semesters. I was informed that I lost a month of benefit! Well, I am miss-stating that; I didn’t lose a month of benefit as I was paid BAH, but I did lose a month of future tuition payment. I now get 35 months of tuition vice the original, non-break pay, 36 months of benefit… [See how I am wording all this?! That's why I need more schooling!] Getting the BAH over the break may be the right thing for you, but know that you will be losing a month of future tuition payments if you do.

Summer break, the time off between the spring and fall semester. You will not get break pay during the summer unless you decide to take summer classes. Each month you receive BAH it will count fully against your overall benefit even if you do not realize the tuition.

Anyway, to ensure I do not experience the same thing in the future, I must ensure that I tell my VA representative at my school to write in the notes of your continuing attendance document, “Do Not Pay Break Pay.” If you don’t need the BAH over the break and you want to keep the maximum amount of tuition payment months, I suggest you do the same.

To contact the call center: 1-888-GIBILL-1 (1-888-442-4551)

The approved 2012 Military Pay Chart for basic pay, effective January 1, 2012.
The 2013 Military Pay raise estimation based on ECI - Title 37, US Code.

Grades You Receive
VA can’t pay benefits for courses that don’t count toward your graduation requirements. If your school reports that you received a grade that doesn’t count toward your graduation, you may have to repay all benefits VA paid for the course. Here are some examples:

• An “I” grade for an incomplete which is not made up during the time period required by your school or within 1 year from receipt, whichever is earlier.
• A “W” or other grade for withdrawing
• An “AU” or other grade for auditing

Generally you do not have to repay benefits for a failing grade.

If You Withdraw
If you withdraw from one or more courses after the end of your school’s drop period and receive grades that don’t count toward your graduation requirements, you may have to repay all benefits VA paid for the course from the beginning of the term.

You may not have to repay the benefits if you show the change was due to reasons beyond your control. The reasons must be unavoidable and unexpected events that directly interfered with your enrollment.

Examples of reasons that may be excepted:
• Extended illness
• Severe illness or death in your immediate family
• Unscheduled changes in your employment
• Lack of child care

Be prepared to send evidence to support your reason.

Examples of reasons that may NOT be excepted:
• Withdraw to avoid a failing grade
• Dislike of the instructor
• Too many courses attempted

Not that I plan on ever failing a class, but I was under the impression that if you did fail one you better break out your check book, or maybe that is just Tuition Assistance… Whatever, I shall do my best and I hope you do also! Now back to studying for my accounting test.

The approved 2012 Military Pay Chart for basic pay, effective January 1, 2012.
The 2013 Military Pay raise estimation based on ECI - Title 37, US Code.