With Twenty Years of Navy Service, What Are My GI Bill Benefits?

Back in 1989 Wayne, you would have been eligible for the Montgomery GI Bill. Do you recall paying the $1,200 contribution ($100 per month payroll deduction for 12 months)? If you paid the contribution, you should have the Montgomery GI Bill (MGIB).

If you remember signing the declaration or didn’t make the contribution, then don’t have the MGIB, but you would qualify for the Post 9/11 GI Bill by having 36 months of active duty after September 10, 2001.

The best of both worlds is if you have the MGIB, and we know you have the Post 9/11 GI Bill, you can get up to 48 months of combined benefits verses 36 months if you are eligible for only one GI Bill.

To get the extra 12 months though, you have to first exhaust your MGIB, then apply for the Post 9/11 G.I. Bill.  If you don’t first exhaust your MGIB before switching, then you only get the months you have left on your MGIB.

The only benefit of the Post 9/11 GI Bill you won’t get is the transfer of eligibility. To get this you had to make the transfer on or after August 1, 2009.