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Q: Am I eligible for Montgomery GI Bill (education) benefits? How about "GI Bill for the 21st Century"?
A: To see the criteria, go to http://usmilitary.about.com/cs/education/a/admgib.htm (regular active) or http://usmilitary.about.com/cs/education/a/reservemgib.htm (reserves).
For the new GI Bill, which goes into effect August 1, 2009, see http://usmilitary.about.com/od/gibillandta/a/newgibill.htm.
Q: Based on the characterization of service for my discharge, Honorable, General, Other than Honorable, Bad Conduct, or Dishonorable, what benefits am I eligible for?
A: Click here to see which benefits you are eligible for and what problems can cause you to lose some of them.
Q: How can I get a copy of my discharge papers (DD-214)?
A: Go to www.archives.gov/veterans/evetrecs/
Q: I've heard that discharges are automatically upgraded six months after you're discharged. Is that true?
A: Absolutely not. Call the GI Rights Hotline to find out how you may possibly improve your discharge before you get discharged or to upgrade your discharge afterwards (which is usually harder to do).
Q: You say I can get out of the DEP but my recruiter says that you don't know what you're talking about or you're lying. Why should I believe you?
A: We do know what we're talking about and we're not lying, but you can see for yourself: just click on the DEP box for your branch of service on the regulations page to see the military's own regulations.
Q: I've heard that if I go AWOL and wait 30 days, then I can turn myself in and get a quick discharge. Is that true?
A: It's not easy to say what is true about going AWOL (and UA) in general, because each case depends on a number of factors and the situation keeps changing, but it is easy to say that what you've heard is in general not true. Our counselors keep up with the latest information about the consequences of going AWOL (and UA). Call the GI Rights Hotline to find out the facts.
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