| The United States is a global power. The Army, Air | | | | their pay. |
| force, Navy and the Marines are the projections of this | | | | In addition the Armed Forces from their own allocated |
| US power. Thus man power requirements for this | | | | budget which is approved by Congress also set aside |
| massive force are of paramount importance. To | | | | funds under the Veterans Educational Assistance |
| attract recruits the US armed forces has multiple | | | | program (VEAP). In addition the armed forces also |
| perks and incentives. One of these is education. It | | | | have another incentive in the form the Student Loan |
| should not be forgotten that the American armed | | | | Repayment Program (SLRP).This makes joining the |
| forces constitutes a significant number of Americans | | | | Army and allied services more attractive for civilians. |
| and at any given time we have almost a million and | | | | Under this program citizens receive up to $65,000 for |
| half men in fatigues. | | | | qualified educational loans if they enlist. Reservists |
| The US Army and Navy were constituted by a | | | | receive a lesser amount of $ 20,000. However SLRP |
| federal act passed by the US Congress in 1776.About | | | | must be requested by the recruit at the time of his |
| one hundred and fifty years later in 1947 to be precise | | | | joining the concerned force. However defaulters are |
| the US Air force and Coast Guard was created. A | | | | not eligible. |
| fact not known to many is that the US Air force | | | | This is not the end as there are further incentives for a |
| operated as an adjunct of the US Army during World | | | | recruit who opts for a career in the US armed forces. |
| War II. | | | | This is in the form of the Armed Forces Tuition |
| The United States Armed Forces in their endeavor to | | | | Program. Enlisted personnel of the Armed forces have |
| attract talent across the country have made available | | | | a chance to enroll for courses at accredited colleges |
| many facilities to their personnel like special education | | | | and universities. However this incentive has a ceiling of |
| loans .They provide money for school and education. | | | | $4500 for a course in a year and a $250 per credit |
| One can access and get access to the latest | | | | hour. |
| information. | | | | The Armed Forces including the Marine Corps also |
| Congress has backed the US Armed forces to treat | | | | have some more incentives up their sleeve. This is in |
| education for their personnel as very important | | | | addition to what is provided under MGIB. The Services |
| welfare measure. Education for Armed Forces | | | | Vocational aptitude battery test is the vehicle for these |
| personnel is not a present day phenomena but has its | | | | funds. The requirement is to not only get a good grade, |
| roots way back to the Service members | | | | but the recruit must give his option to serve for |
| Readjustment Act 1944. Franklin D Roosevelt has the | | | | another six years in the service he already is. These |
| distinction of signing this act into law during his last | | | | funds are to the tune of $70,000 for the Army and |
| tenure as President.Another popular name for this law | | | | $50,000 for the Navy. |
| is GI bill of rights. In 1984 significant improvements were | | | | In addition the armed forces also give the benefit of |
| made in this bill on the initiative of Senator Gillespie V. | | | | community College courses. The Air Force has a two |
| "Sonny" Montgomery of Mississippi. As a token of | | | | year course and other arms also have similar courses. |
| recognition of his work this bill, this bill is also referred to | | | | Degrees to enlisted personnel are awarded in scientific |
| as "Montgomery GI Bill." American servicemen in large | | | | and technical fields. These courses are subsidized to |
| numbers have been the beneficiaries of this bill. | | | | the tune of 100 % and degrees are awarded in all |
| The Montgomery GI Bill has an important proviso in | | | | fields including technical. |
| that all recruits are provided a cash incentive on joining | | | | Finally we have the service academies .Entry to them |
| the Armed Forces for their education. This is applicable | | | | is through a competition. These academies conduct a |
| to all forces that are part of the United States war | | | | four year training program which is free of cost. |
| machine. The MGIB is the vanguard under whose | | | | Entrants are termed as cadets and on graduation |
| aegis service men can obtain degrees and technical | | | | have an entry into the Officer cadre of the Armed |
| diplomas from colleges and technical schools including | | | | forces. Joining the Army or Air Force would lead to a |
| Correspondence courses. | | | | rank of second lieutenant and ensign for the Navy. |
| However this incentive is only available to personnel | | | | Armed Forces academy for the US Army is at West |
| who are on the active duty list or have obtained an | | | | Point. The United States Naval Academy at Annapolis, |
| honorable discharge. Personnel who have been | | | | Maryland and the Air Force academy at Colorado |
| court-marshaled, cashiered or dismissed from service | | | | Springs. The Coast guard academy is located at New |
| for any offense are not eligible for this benefit. | | | | London, Connecticut. |
| However one must be aware that there is a stipulation | | | | With all these educational benefits it's certainly a |
| in the Montgomery GI bill that recruits must give their | | | | wonderful idea to join the armed forces. Why not get |
| agreement for a deduction of $100 every month from | | | | yourself educated as well as serve the nation? |