Military benefits
Military benefits encompass a range of incentives provided to service members during and after their military careers, designed to support their wellbeing and transition to civilian life. Historically rooted in colonial times, these benefits have evolved considerably, particularly in response to the mental health challenges faced by veterans, such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The establishment of federal programs to care for veterans began in earnest in the early 19th century, with significant developments following both World Wars, including the introduction of the GI Bill, which revolutionized educational support for veterans.
Today, the U.S. military, comprised largely of volunteers, offers a variety of benefits to attract and retain personnel, including competitive pay, housing allowances, and health care. Among these, the Post-9/11 GI Bill stands out, providing substantial educational funding for veterans. However, there are ongoing concerns about the exploitation of veterans by for-profit educational institutions, which may make misleading claims to attract GI Bill funds. The debate surrounding military benefits continues, focusing on ensuring adequate support for active duty members, veterans, and their families, as the effectiveness and sufficiency of these benefits remain a critical topic of discussion within society.
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Military benefits
Military benefits are the extra incentives beyond pay that service members receive while in the military and later as veterans. The history of military benefits in the United States dates back to colonial times. Over time, the benefits offered to military personnel have changed. As more research has been conducted on the mental health effects that war and active-duty service can have on those in the military, more benefits are being provided to help service members deal with issues such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Today, one of the main issues concerning military benefits is whether enough is being done to support active service members, veterans, and their families.
Brief History
Since colonial times, there have been efforts made to provide benefits to those who served in the military. The sacrifices of service members have been acknowledged since 1776, when the Continental Congress provided pensions to disabled soldiers to encourage enlistment. At the time, each state or community was tasked with providing care to veterans who needed medical attention. This changed in 1811, when the first federal medical institution for veterans was established. Also around this time, the federal government increased veterans' benefits to include pensions for widows and dependents.
During World War I (1914–1918), benefits for soldiers were reworked to include disability compensation, insurance, and vocational rehabilitation for disabled veterans. After World War I, the Veterans Bureau was established to oversee these programs and work on building hospitals for the veterans who were affected by the use of mustard gas and other chemicals during the war. Later, in 1930, the Veterans Bureau became a federal administration and was renamed the Veterans Administration (VA).
After World War II (1939–1945), the number of veterans in the United States increased again, and Congress voted to add new military benefits under a piece of legislation commonly called the GI Bill. This provided support for veterans by allowing them to return to school, buy a house, start a business, and more.
Around this time, the VA was divided into three separate administrations: the Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA), the Veterans Health Administration (VHA), and the National Cemetery Administration (NCA). The VBA administered the VA Home Loan Guaranty Program, which is the only benefit of the original GI Bill still available in the twenty-first century. The VHA became responsible for acquiring already existing hospitals and building new hospitals for the benefit of wounded veterans, and it continues to be one of the largest health care systems in the world. The NCA oversaw the upkeep and acquisition of cemeteries for soldiers who died in battle, and it maintains 131 of the United States' national cemeteries today.
In 2009, the Post-9/11 GI Bill was passed, reforming existing education benefits and granting new benefits for military service personnel. It provides funds for active service members and veterans to attend colleges, universities, and other job training programs.
Topic Today
The United States has one of the largest militaries in the world and the highest defense budget, set at $596 billion in 2015. Unlike some other countries in the world that have mandatory military service, the United States military operates using volunteers, except in times of crisis when a draft may be issued. To ensure that volunteers continue to enlist, the government must make it appealing to do so by providing benefits to soldiers and veterans.
Active service members receive a basic pay level that is determined by their rank and years of service, as well as allowances for food and housing if the government cannot specifically provide them. There are also sixty types of special and incentive pay that compensate military personnel for things such as hazardous duty assignments and special trainings. The basic pay, allowances, and special and incentive pay make up the service personnel's actual paycheck, but service members receive many additional benefits. Other benefits afforded to military personnel include health care, life insurance, and retirement pay.
Through the VBA, military personnel also have access to no-money-down mortgages and lower rate loans to make home buying easier. For pre-service credit cards, the federal government requires lenders to cap interest rates for active-duty service members, as well as waive service and renewal fees as long as the service members are on active duty.
In the twenty-first century, the Post-9/11 GI Bill is one of the biggest benefits of joining the military. It provides personnel with an almost-free college education, depending on which college or university a service member decides to attend. As long as soldiers spent ninety days in active-duty service, they are eligible for up to thirty-six months of paid tuition within fifteen years of their service. It also provides allowances for housing and books while a service member is attending school. Under certain circumstances, these education benefits can be transferred to a service member's dependent.
A big concern regarding military benefits is the exploitation of service members by for-profit colleges. Some for-profit colleges make false claims about employment after graduation in an attempt to enroll veterans and receive GI Bill funds. In early 2016, the federal government filed a lawsuit against DeVry University for false claims stating that DeVry graduates made more money and had a 90 percent chance of finding employment in their field within six months of graduating. As tuition prices for both state and private universities rose and the funding from the GI Bill stayed the same, veterans looked for economical ways to use the money they received so they could obtain their education and find employment quickly. For some veterans, the promises made by these for-profit universities were too good to pass up, even though many of these claims seemed to be exaggerated.
The topic of military benefits is under constant scrutiny. Government leaders and citizens alike question what types of benefits military personnel should receive and whether the government is doing enough to help those who protect the United States.
Bibliography
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