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GI BILL
Public Law 110-181, commonly known as the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) of 2008 made several changes to the GI Bill for reservists. The highlights are listed below. For more detailed information, please go to www.gibill.va.gov.
Accelerated payment for MGIB-SR and REAP
Effective 10/1/2008 reservists otherwise eligible for MGIB-SR or REAP may receive accelerated payments for a non-degree program lasting two years or less.
Qualification for the 80% rate for REAP based on aggregate service of 3 or more years
The monthly REAP payment is based on the amount of time you are mobilized. The new legislation has made the 80% rate available to anyone who was mobilized for at least two continuous years of active duty OR served multiple mobilizations totaling three years or more. All qualifying mobilization periods beginning on or after 9/11/2001 may be used to determine eligibility for the 80% rate.
Payment of the higher rate is not authorized prior to January 28, 2008, the effective date of the law.
$600 buy-up program for REAP participants
Eligible REAP participants may now participate in the “buy-up” program. Eligible reservists may pay up to $600.00 to increase their monthly rate of pay by as much as $150.00 per month. You must be a member of a Ready Reserve component (Selected Reserve, Individual Ready Reserve, or Inactive National Guard) to pay into the “buy-up” program.
This increased benefit is effective January 28, 2008, the effective date of the law.
Modified ending dates for REAP participants separated from the Selected Reserve
REAP participants who separated from the Selected Reserve after completing their service contract under other than dishonorable conditions are now eligible for REAP benefits for 10 years after they are separated from the Selected Reserve.
Details of the new provision
(1) Members who were called up from the Selected Reserve, completed their REAP qualifying period of active duty service, and then returned to the Selected Reserve for the remainder of their service contract are now eligible for REAP benefits for 10 years upon separation. In addition, members who were called up from the Individual Ready Reserve (IRR) or the Inactive National Guard (ING), completed their REAP qualifying period of active duty service, and then entered the Selected Reserve to complete their service contract are now eligible for REAP benefits for 10 years upon separation.
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Example 1: Member A has an 8-year service contract. His contract requires him to serve 4 years on active duty and 4 years in the Selected Reserve. He is called up to active duty from the Selected Reserve and, when released from active duty, returns to the Selected Reserve. He completes his service contract and is separated from the Selected Reserve. Member A will be eligible for REAP benefits for 10 years upon separation from the Selected Reserve.
Example 2: Member B has an 8-year service contract. His contract requires him to serve 4 years on active duty, 2 years in the Selected Reserve, and 2 years in the IRR. Member B is called up to active duty from the Selected Reserve and, when released from active duty, returns to the Selected Reserve. Member B subsequently decides to complete his service contract in the Selected Reserve instead of transferring to the IRR. Member B will be eligible for REAP benefits for 10 years upon separation from the Selected Reserve.
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Example: Member A has an 8-year service contract. His contract requires him to serve 4 years in the Selected Reserve and 4 years in the IRR. He is called up from the IRR and, when released from active duty, returns to the IRR. Member A is not eligible for the 10-year post service eligibility period because he did not separate from the Selected Reserve.
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Example: Member A has an 8-year service contract. His contract requires him to serve 6 years in the Selected Reserve and 2 years in the IRR. He is called up from the Selected Reserve, serves on active duty, and when released from active duty returns to the Selected Reserve. He then completes his 6-year Selected Reserve obligation and transfers to the IRR/ING to fulfill his commitment. Member A is not eligible for the 10-year post service eligibility period because he transferred to the IRR and did not separate from the Selected Reserve.
Modified ending dates for MGIB-SR participants involuntarily separated
A member who is involuntarily separated from the Selected Reserve due to a deactivation of his or her unit is now eligible for MGIB-SR for a period of 14 years from their original date of eligibility. The deactivation must occur between 10/31/2007 and 9/30/2014.
This provision is effective January 28, 2008, the effective date of the law. Reservists who were separated between 10/31/2007 and 1/28/2008 may receive benefits for training beginning on or after January 28, 2008.
Retention of REAP eligibility during breaks in Selected Reserve service for members who remain in the Ready Reserve during those breaks
Under previous regulations reservists who had a break in service of 90 days or less maintained their eligibility to REAP. The new law has expanded that eligibility to anyone having a break in service (regardless of length) as long as they continue to serve in another component of the Ready Reserve (such as IRR or ING) during the break in service. You may be eligible for REAP during the break in service, however DoD or DHS make the eligibility determination, for more information contact your unit.
This provision of the law is retroactive to 9/11/2001.