Troops Deserve, Nation Needs a New GI Bill

Op-Ed

Troops deserve, nation needs a new GI Bill

BY TIM BISHOP | Rep. Tim Bishop (D-Southampton) is a co-sponsor of the bipartisan Post-9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Act.

As we mark the fifth anniversary of the start of the war in Iraq this week, we should remember the fate of this war rests upon the shoulders of a surprisingly small percentage of Americans who have stepped forward to serve our country through military service.

Many of our brave troops have served two, three or four tours of duty in Iraq and Afghanistan, sacrificing years of their lives away from their homes, families and careers. But their service to their country can continue long after they have returned to civilian life.

These young men and women are often mentioned as the "next greatest generation." As our nation faces two great crises, Iraq and the economy, this "next greatest generation" has the potential to make a difference on both fronts - if it is given the right support. One promising strategy for success: a new GI Bill for the 21st century.

The damage to our military personnel, resources and capabilities as a result of the strain of fighting simultaneous wars in Iraq and Afghanistan is compounded by the difficulties the services have encountered in maintaining recruitment levels. So recruitment and retention of top candidates have become critical components of our strategy. A new and improved GI Bill would help answer this need.

Potential recruits stress that the promise of lifelong educational and health care benefits is the top reason they consider joining the service. Instead of continuing to lower our standards for qualification - the Army now waives its medical and criminal standards for more than 20 percent of recruits - we should raise our standards for education benefits.

As a former college provost, I'm confident offering a stronger education benefit, in particular, will attract a new pool of quality, eligible applicants, while investing in the future.

Building on the success of the first GI Bill, which launched America on a remarkable trajectory of scientific innovation and economic growth after World War II, we should continue to invest in the future of our returning troops by providing tuition relief, job training and related incentives.

What is the cost of such a critical investment in our military and our economic future? The staff at the Congressional Budget Office unofficially estimated the price of the bipartisan 21st Century GI Bill at approximately $2 billion a year for the near future. That's roughly the cost of only half a week of war in Iraq. One of several options being considered for funding a new GI Bill is to include it in the next war supplemental funding bill.

The positive impact for our returning troops and our nation's economy would last for decades. In fact, for every dollar invested in World War II veterans by that GI Bill, seven dollars were generated. Educated veterans have higher income levels, which over time increase tax revenues.

As the economy struggles toward recovery, veterans can help by reinforcing the U.S. workforce and answering the call of so many employers searching for skilled American workers. Those who have been serving since 9/11 deserve no less than those who served in World War II. And with a modern GI Bill we can expect no less from them in the future.

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