STOP HR 475 - Protect Veterans Post 9/11 GI Bill Benefits
Public Comments (7,815)
-
Dec 13th, 2017Colin H. from Ventura, CA writes:
Our Veterans deserve higher education opportunities after all they fought for the right for everyone in this country to have them! -
Nov 14th, 2017Mike S. from Palm Coast, FL writes:
The following communique was sent to my congressional representatives a month or so ago. I'm posting it here in the hope that: (1) it might inspire others to do likewise, and (2) to solicit feedback if my take on matter gives rise to questions or counter positions. ____________________ This message is coming to you from a Florida resident, Air Force veteran, and on-call staffer with FAPA.aero, an Internet entity focused on helping pilots of all experience levels achieve their flying career goals. I am writing in hopes of addressing your attention to H.R. 3016: The Veterans Employment, Education, and Healthcare Improvement Act (specifically Title III, Section 306 thereof), and the earlier GI Bill Education Quality Enhancement Act of 2015 (H.R. 476). Reportedly referred to the U.S. Senate Committee on Veterans Affairs on 02/10/2016, H.R. 3016, if passed, would derail the plans of untold numbers of military personal and veterans who thought that they were, or hoped to become, securely established on a preparatory track leading to the fulfillment of their flying career aspirations. Scores of the affected student population are enrolled in Florida’s four public professional pilot (pro-pilot) degree-offering institutions of higher learning (IHLs). Hundreds of pro-pilot degree-seeking military personnel/veterans in over 40 other states will be similarly impacted. H.R. 3016 proposes to slash Post-9/11 GI Bill education benefits nation-wide by more than $800 million over ten years, and impose a $20,235 annual VA tuition and flight training benefit cap. Although these funding limits are unlikely to significantly impact veterans’ ability to pay their tuition and incidental fees, they would fall woefully short with respect to their degree-required flight training assessments. Currently these variable-by-institution five-six digit charges can be reduced by 40-100 percent under existing Post-9/11 GI Bill provisions. Such cost-saving measures are not included in the above-cited congressional bills. Persons aspiring to most entry-level airline pilot positions usually must possess at least an Associate Degree and a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)-issued Restricted Airline Transport Pilot (RATP) Certificate. While the academic hiring prerequisite can sometimes be waived or met by the completion of virtually any regionally accredited college degree program, FAA RATP certification requires a minimum of 1,500 hours of specified aeronautical experience. If the pilot job seeker is a graduate of an FAA-approved two- or four-year pro-pilot college degree program, total flight time minimums can be significantly reduced. These RATP qualification adjustments are moot, however, for military personal and veterans that, absent VA funding support, cannot afford the afore-mentioned flight training costs. The pro-pilot career pathway disruption imposed by H.R. 3016/476 also threatens to eventually impinge on the nation’s airlines--an industry that, according to Boeing Commercial Airplane Company forecasts, will require 112,000 pilots in North America alone during the 2016-2036 time period. Historically, military trained aviators have been a reliable, if not preferred, “go-to” source of new airline pilot hires. This demographic is changing, however, as fewer mid-career military pilots are understandably loath to leave the service to pursue a civilian flying position. As a result, the current airline pilot accession pipeline is becoming increasingly civilian source-focused, and the major players in this newly emerging scenario are the nation’s pro-pilot degree-offering IHLs. The above developments appear to be giving rise to two potentially troubling and interdependent human resource demands: the airlines’ need for a reliable conduit of entry-level IHL-prepared pilots, and academia’s need for adequate pro-pilot program-sustaining enrollments. The fulfillment of either requirement is questionable if the Senate concurs with the above-mentioned House of Representative proposals. The issues prompting the radical Post-9/11 GI Bill benefit cut-backs warrant careful deliberation by a select bipartisan committee of affected academic, governmental and airline industry stakeholders. If changes to the proposed legislative changes are subsequently deemed to be in order, hopefully they will at least be consensus-based and less damaging to the futures of those that have devoted a significant portion of their productive years to our nation’s defense. Please add your voice/vote in support of our country’s pro-pilot degree-seeking military personnel and veterans, and public aviation program-offering colleges that, together, are critical components in ongoing efforts to insure that our national air transportation industry’s next generation personnel requirements are met!REPORT COMMENTS
Do you want to report these comments to the moderator for removal? They should be offensive, threatening, a duplicate submission, or spam.
No, Cancel -
Oct 17th, 2017MALLORY M. from Ojai, CA signed.
Oct 17th, 2017MALLORY M. from Ojai, CA signed.
Oct 5th, 2017Someone from Ventura, CA signed.
Aug 29th, 2017Someone from Thousand Oaks, CA writes:
Our military men and women deserve the opportunity to have good jobs after they serve and give us all the freedom we take for granted.REPORT COMMENTS
Do you want to report these comments to the moderator for removal? They should be offensive, threatening, a duplicate submission, or spam.
No, CancelAug 16th, 2017Shelly F. from Santa Ana, CA writes:
This is just not a Fair thing to do for all those who have Worked so hard to Fight for our Country and for those who are just starting their Career in the Military!REPORT COMMENTS
Do you want to report these comments to the moderator for removal? They should be offensive, threatening, a duplicate submission, or spam.
No, CancelJul 13th, 2017Nicole M. from Sacramento, CA writes:
We need to do everything we can to give our soldiers the opportunity to have good jobs after they serve. Don't discount their experience gained serving our country!REPORT COMMENTS
Do you want to report these comments to the moderator for removal? They should be offensive, threatening, a duplicate submission, or spam.
No, CancelJul 13th, 2017Nicole M. from Sacramento, CA writes:
We need to do everything we can to give our soldiers the opportunity to have good jobs after they serve. Don't discount their experience gained serving our country!REPORT COMMENTS
Do you want to report these comments to the moderator for removal? They should be offensive, threatening, a duplicate submission, or spam.
No, CancelJul 10th, 2017Someone from Oxnard, CA writes:
I am a veteran, and a single mom. Without the Post 911 GI Bill I wouldn't have been able to get my bachelors degree nor the career that is taking care of my child. My brothers and sisters are dying and we are trying to put another limit on those that come home to get an education??!! Really!? That is their/our entitlement! Just ridiculous!REPORT COMMENTS
Do you want to report these comments to the moderator for removal? They should be offensive, threatening, a duplicate submission, or spam.
No, CancelJul 3rd, 2017Major General John M C. from Marietta, GA writes:
I need you to explain how this is a benefit for the minority of our population (veterans) who volunteered to defend their Republic. Obtaining pilot training is a technical education program of many challenging facets. General aviation and commercial airline employers hunger for these graduates. One of your promises to constituents in this last election was job growth... put your energy where your rhetoric was and vote for a bill that actually maintains current and future aviation benefits... not reduce resources for this valuable veterans job program.REPORT COMMENTS
Do you want to report these comments to the moderator for removal? They should be offensive, threatening, a duplicate submission, or spam.
No, CancelApr 27th, 2017Mark M. from Woodland Hills, CA writes:
GI bill allowed me to go to college and buy our first home (Korean Vet) There is no excuse for short-changing our vets. They are protecting the very freedoms you are, the difference is they can get killed doing their job. I am so ashamed.REPORT COMMENTS
Do you want to report these comments to the moderator for removal? They should be offensive, threatening, a duplicate submission, or spam.
No, CancelApr 27th, 2017Lasha W. from Saint Petersburg, FL signed.
Apr 22nd, 2017Sandra F. from Piscataway, NJ writes:
NO! Isn't that the incentive for having these men and women write this nation a blank check of their lives to do with as see fit? This must never happen. LEAVE THEIR GI BILL ALONE.REPORT COMMENTS
Do you want to report these comments to the moderator for removal? They should be offensive, threatening, a duplicate submission, or spam.
No, CancelApr 15th, 2017alisa v. from Oxnard, CA signed.
Apr 12th, 2017Stephen T. from Ventura, CA writes:
Leave the veteran's benefits alone. If someone wants to become a pilot, so be it. They are attempting to become viable tax paying citizens.REPORT COMMENTS
Do you want to report these comments to the moderator for removal? They should be offensive, threatening, a duplicate submission, or spam.
No, CancelApr 2nd, 2017Barnypok D. from New Tazewell, TN writes:
RypcuM http://www.LnAJ7K8QSpkiStk3sLL0hQP6MO2wQ8gO.comREPORT COMMENTS
Do you want to report these comments to the moderator for removal? They should be offensive, threatening, a duplicate submission, or spam.
No, CancelMar 21st, 2017Barbara P. from Fort Myers, FL signed.
Mar 10th, 2017Someone from Oxnard, CA writes:
Why is this even an issue. Leave our Vets and their benefits alone!!REPORT COMMENTS
Do you want to report these comments to the moderator for removal? They should be offensive, threatening, a duplicate submission, or spam.
No, CancelJan 22nd, 2017Danielle k. from Gladstone, OR writes:
Wow I can't believe that America is coming to this you wanted to take away land that you already gave the Indians to do that stupid Pipeline and now you want to take away the resources selection to just went and save your f***********pursue their future when they get out of the military that's so fuc king wrongREPORT COMMENTS
Do you want to report these comments to the moderator for removal? They should be offensive, threatening, a duplicate submission, or spam.
No, CancelJan 20th, 2017Lynette S. from Ventura, CA signed.
Jan 20th, 2017Douglas E. from Ventura, CA writes:
Please help stop HR475 veterans should be allowed to become professional pilots.REPORT COMMENTS
Do you want to report these comments to the moderator for removal? They should be offensive, threatening, a duplicate submission, or spam.
No, CancelJan 6th, 2017Someone from Blanchard, OK signed.
Jan 6th, 2017Someone from Oxnard, CA writes:
Typical govt lack of logic -- pay for illegal aliens to go to college, but not our vets!REPORT COMMENTS
Do you want to report these comments to the moderator for removal? They should be offensive, threatening, a duplicate submission, or spam.
No, CancelDec 21st, 2016Danny R. from Brownsville, TX writes:
My contract stated I can attend ANY college in the United States. Stop paying foreigners for opening businesses in America and leave your veterans budget alone. If you need more budget cuts, set a cap on Congress salaries at 100k.REPORT COMMENTS
Do you want to report these comments to the moderator for removal? They should be offensive, threatening, a duplicate submission, or spam.
No, CancelNov 4th, 2016Someone from Pensacola, FL signed.
Nov 4th, 2016Michael M. from Milton, FL signed.
REPORT COMMENTS
Do you want to report these comments to the moderator for removal? They should be offensive, threatening, a duplicate submission, or spam.
No, CancelOct 24th, 2016Someone from Richlands, NC writes:
Please DEMAND that the Pentagon LEAVE bonuses recv'd by CA Nat'l Guardsmen ALONE!!!REPORT COMMENTS
Do you want to report these comments to the moderator for removal? They should be offensive, threatening, a duplicate submission, or spam.
No, CancelREPORT COMMENTS
Do you want to report these comments to the moderator for removal? They should be offensive, threatening, a duplicate submission, or spam.
No, CancelOct 23rd, 2016Sarah D. from Mason, OH signed.
Oct 23rd, 2016Someone from Fort Riley, KS writes:
This is not the right thing to do, and our government knows it.REPORT COMMENTS
Do you want to report these comments to the moderator for removal? They should be offensive, threatening, a duplicate submission, or spam.
No, CancelOct 23rd, 2016Tony G. from Woodbridge, VA writes:
There are few more effective killers of morale and retention than taking away benefits that were promised and earned. This is a pathetic attempt at making the budgetary needle quiver a bit--not move, just tremble--at the expense of people trying to better their lives and careers.REPORT COMMENTS
Do you want to report these comments to the moderator for removal? They should be offensive, threatening, a duplicate submission, or spam.
No, CancelOct 23rd, 2016Ronald H. from Tulsa, OK writes:
Removing legitimate flight schools from GI Bill funding is wrong and punishes Veterans who want to achieve their pilots license for a career in aviation.REPORT COMMENTS
Do you want to report these comments to the moderator for removal? They should be offensive, threatening, a duplicate submission, or spam.
No, CancelOct 23rd, 2016Brian B. from Virginia Beach, VA writes:
Please do not do this. This is backsliding on the promise made to veterans.REPORT COMMENTS
Do you want to report these comments to the moderator for removal? They should be offensive, threatening, a duplicate submission, or spam.
No, CancelOct 22nd, 2016Someone from Peterborough, NH writes:
We need to take care of all the military past and present. They have suffered and sacrificed enoughREPORT COMMENTS
Do you want to report these comments to the moderator for removal? They should be offensive, threatening, a duplicate submission, or spam.
No, CancelOct 22nd, 2016Robert M. from Christiansburg, VA signed.
REPORT COMMENTS
Do you want to report these comments to the moderator for removal? They should be offensive, threatening, a duplicate submission, or spam.
No, Cancel
Do you want to report these comments to the moderator for removal? They should be offensive, threatening, a duplicate submission, or spam.