If the pentagon goes forward with only allowing members to transfer their Chapter 33, Post 9/11 GI Bill benefits to those who have between 6 and 16 years of service, it will have quite a few negative impacts to me and everyone else who has more than 16 years of service or reaches 16 years of service in the future who is or becomes eligible for the Chapter 33, Post 9/11 GI Bill.

I have been serving in the New Jersey Army National Guard for over 17 years. I have deployed to Afghanistan, Kuwait and Qatar and was mobilized for 2.5 years to help run the mobilization station at Fort Dix, New Jersey during the early part of my career. I am serving on Active Guard Reserve (AGR) status and I am at the 100% tier eligibility for the Chapter 33, Post 9/11 GI Bill. I am not married and I don't have any children. I am in my early 30's and could still possibly have a family. With this new rule, if I don't get married or have a child by July of 2019, I will never be able to transfer my Chapter 33, Post 9/11 GI bill to any of my dependents.

I was told since transferability came about that I could transfer my benefit as long as I had at least 6 years in (which I had prior to becoming eligible for this as I joined in Jan 2001) and as long as I don't get separated from the military in general and have the ability to serve for four more years. I can serve for 25-27 more years until I reach mandatory retirement, but as of July of next year, I won't be able to transfer my education benefit that I was told that I could all along. It was always said to make sure you transfer prior to getting out. They should not just change this on me and force me to make a life changing decision to get married or have a child.

What if I did decide to start a family and my child is born two days after it goes into effect? I would not be able to transfer my benefit to my child. What if I did have a child, but I have another one any time after this takes effect? I could transfer to my first child, but not my second. What if I got married any time after this takes effect? I would not be able to transfer my benefit to my spouse.

I gave up a lot to serve and defend this country, and in return, the military has an obligation to provide me with the benefits I have been promised. I am not alone. This impacts every service member whose status may change in some form or another.  We all deserve what we have been promised all along. We are fighting to keep America safe and it is the right thing to do to scrap the plan to deny transferability of the Chapter 33, Post 9/11 GI Bill to those with more than 16 years of service. We gave the military 16 years of our life and our families supported us through those 16 years, so you take away our ability to give them the benefit that so many have been able to give that didn't reach 16 years. Just doesn't make sense. WE SHOULD GET WHAT WE EARNED!