WASHINGTON – Congressman Bart Stupak (D-Menominee) has introduced legislation that will allow members of the National Guard and Reserve who serve abroad to take full advantage of the Montgomery G.I. Bill to pursue a higher education. 

“Under current law, members of the National Guard and the Reserves can only use their G.I. Bill education benefits while they are serving in the Reserves or the Guard, not after they are discharged from the service,” Stupak said.  “However, today, with so many members of the Guard and Reservists deployed in Iraq and Afghanistan for extended tours of duty, it can be difficult for these young men and women to utilize their education benefits while they are overseas.”

Stupak’s legislation would correct the problem by allowing Reservist and members of the National Guard to take advantage of the G.I. Bill for up to 10 years after they complete their last federal deployment. 

“Those members of the Guard or the Reserves who serve abroad have sacrificed and risked their lives, just like those in active duty military units,” Stupak said.  “Guard members and Reservists who serve abroad should be able to take advantage of the G.I. Bill after they have completed their service and return home.”

Stupak introduced the legislation after hearing the story of Sergeant Matthew Mattson, a member of the Michigan Army National Guard from Felch, Michigan.  Mattson recently returned from Iraq and is now serving with the 759th Military Police Battalion based out of Fort Carson, Colorado.  Mattson’s father informed Stupak that Sergeant Mattson will complete six years of service in the Army National Guard in February but, under the current rules, he will not be able to take advantage of the Montgomery G.I. Bill-Select Reserve program to pay for his education.

“I am sure there are many stories like Sergeant Mattson's,” Stupak said.  “As we ask our Guard members and Reservists to spend more time deployed abroad in Afghanistan and Iraq, it becomes more difficult for them to take advantage of the G.I. Bill.  My legislation would ensure that our reservists and Guard members can pursue their education after they leave the service.”

Stupak’s legislation would apply retroactively, making every member of the Reserves or the Guard who served in the military conflicts in Iraq or Afghanistan eligible for education benefits under the G.I. Bill for up to ten years after their last federal deployment.  The bill would continue to apply for future deployments.  The 107th Engineers Battalion from Ishpeming, Michigan is currently serving their second deployment in Iraq.  The 46th Military Police based out of Iron Mountain-Kingsford, Michigan in Stupak’s district recently returned from Iraq.  

The Montgomery GI Bill provides up to 36 months of education benefits for college, business, technical, or vocational courses, correspondence courses, apprenticeships and job training for members of the military.  Members of the Reserve and National Guard who agree to a 6 year service commitment, can receive $288 per month for 36 months of education benefits ($10,368 in total).

# # #