Is it possible to get GI Bill benefits twice?

Specialties Government

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I spoke with a Reserve Nurse Captain this weekend who told me they were able to use their GI Bill benefits twice. They said they were enlisted in the Reserves and used the MGIB-SR to get their BSN. They then commissioned, spent 16 months deployed on active duty, and are now using the Post 9/11 GI Bill to get their Masters.

I always thought once you have used 36 months of benefits, then you were done. No more.

But this nurse said that when you get a direct commission from enlisted, your old enlisted contract is nullified and you get a whole new contract which can include the 36 months of Post 9/11 GI Bil benefits (assuming some time was served on active duty.)

Anybody have any insight into this?

Seems odd, but they said this is what they are doing and they haven't had any issues.

the following paragraph was copied from the veterans administration letter to veterans explaining the post-9/11 gi bill benefit:

individuals will generally receive 36 months of full-time education benefits. this should allow an individual to receive benefits for a four-year undergraduate degree based on a nine-month academic year, however, individuals may continue to receive benefits for approved training at an institution of higher learning (degree granting institution), including graduate training, provided they have remaining entitlement. if eligible for more than one va education program, individuals are limited to a maximum of 48 months of benefits. those individuals transferring to the post-9/11 gi bill from the montgomery gi bill (chapter 30) will be limited to the amount of their remaining chapter 30 entitlement. individuals will remain eligible for benefits for 15 years from the date of their last discharge or release from active duty of at least 90 continuous days.

for further information regarding the gi bill you can visit the welcome to the gi bill website - u. s. department of veterans affairs.

i hope this information was helpful. :specs:

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