Senior Airman Erica Nihiser joined the Air National Guard in December 2004 in hopes of fulfilling a desire to get away, meet new people and receive an education.

Now, more than three years later she has not only filled the void, but she, along with many other military members, will be reaping more benefits of being an American solider.

President Bush signed a new GI Bill on Monday, which will allow soldiers participating in active duty after 9/11 to receive educational benefits reflecting those of the original GI Bill created in 1944.

The total benefits depend upon a soldier's state of residence, active-duty since 9/11, and hours of college coursework.

"Hopefully it (recruitment) will go up, but with the National Guard, the biggest thing is education," said Muncie Army National Guard Recruiter Sgt. Chad Thomas. "Really, it will just mean a little more money for students."

Troops can currently receive up to $39,600, which is 70 to 90 percent of the average cost of a four-year degree at a public college or university, and less than two years at a private college.

The new GI Bill, which goes into effect on Aug. 1, 2009, will pay for full tuition to a public in-state college or university, capped at the most expensive in-state school.

According to Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America, Ball State University is ranked the most expensive Indiana school at $6,672 a year. The new bill will add an additional stipend for housing, averaging $1,000 a month nationally, and $943 a month for Ball State students. It also entitles student military members a maximum of $1,000 for books and other supplies.

The new bill will no longer require a buy-in requirement of $1,200, which was originally required before active duty members were eligible for Montgomery GI benefits.
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"I think they give more than enough money, personally," Nihiser said. "I think they could use the money toward other things."

Nihiser said the military really wants everyone to get a college degree and the extra money is good incentive.

Thomas said most National Guard members are aware of the free education, so the new GI bill will not mean a lot to them.

"Most want to do more with their lives, be part of something bigger," Thomas said. "A lot of them don't just do it for the money."

Better benefits are likely to mean bigger goals. The U.S. Defense Secretary, Robert Gates, said he hopes to increase recruitment goals by 13 percent annually during the next five years.

Between May and September, which the Marines call summer ship season, the highest numbers of Marine recruits are sent to boot camp.

"Recruits are always looking for talented young men and women who are ready to serve their country," said Sgt. Jay Edwards, Indiana's Marine Corps recruiting spokesman.

Edwards said Muncie is on track to meet recruiting goals this year. At the end of June, they had signed contracts from 57 to-be-Marines, nearly 90 percent of the target 63. Edwards said information from previous years was not available for comparison.

Thomas said the past few months have been steady with the recruitment process. The National Guard recruiting station in Muncie has not had any problems filling positions.

"Where most of the people come from are referrals from previous people who have joined," Thomas said.

National recruitment numbers for active and reserve duties in the 2008 fiscal year, Oct. 1, 2007, to May 31, 2008, so far show that all branches met or exceeded recruitment goals.

For the 2007 fiscal year, Oct. 1, 2006, to Sept. 30, 2007, statistics show that active duty met or exceeded all benchmarks. However, reserve recruits were slightly lower with the Army National Guard and Air National Guard missing their target by 5 and 7 percent, respectively.

The Marine Corps has seen a jump in the number of recruits between the past two fiscal years. The Corps recruited 74 individuals last year compared to 54 the year before. Last year, 53 of the recruits joined right after high school and 13 the previous fiscal year.

"More money is a good thing, but most individuals do not join for the benefits," Edwards said. "The Corps' Values attract them to the Corps."

Source: newslinkindiana.com