National Guard Troops Denied Benefits After Longest Deployment Of Iraq War
The 2,600 members of the Minnesota National Guard returned recently from
extended duty in Iraq, which was reportedly the longest consecutive
deployment of any outfit (22 months, counting extensions). However, the
Guardsmen still do not qualify
for government education benefits. The law allowsthe
benefits only for those on "active duty" at least 730 days, but
the
Minnesota Guard's orders (as well as some other outfits' orders), were
specifically written for "729 days."
If you follow the second link you will see that they do in fact seem to
qualify for GI benefits, but lose out on an additional $5400 in benefits
that is authorized upon 2 yrs of continuous service. Either way it's fairly
rude politics.
extended duty in Iraq, which was reportedly the longest consecutive
deployment of any outfit (22 months, counting extensions). However, the
Guardsmen still do not qualify
for government education benefits. The law allowsthe
benefits only for those on "active duty" at least 730 days, but
the
Minnesota Guard's orders (as well as some other outfits' orders), were
specifically written for "729 days."
If you follow the second link you will see that they do in fact seem to
qualify for GI benefits, but lose out on an additional $5400 in benefits
that is authorized upon 2 yrs of continuous service. Either way it's fairly
rude politics.