When initially implemented, the Post-9/11 GI Bill education transfer program was phased in to enable Airmen nearing retirement to accept a 1-, 2-, or 3-year active-duty service commitment.
That phase-in period expired July 31, 2012 and all active-duty Airmen now incur a 4-year ADSC, said Bruce Houseman, Air Force Personnel Center education services and benefits chief.
“Because the program was new, many otherwise eligible members would have been unable to take advantage of it without the phased-in service commitments,” said Houseman. “However, those exceptions are no longer offered, so members who wait until they are close to retirement to transfer benefits may not be able to do so.”
High year of tenure, for one, may affect a member’s ability to transfer benefits.
“If you have 20 years of active federal service, but still have four years before your HYT, you may still be able to apply to transfer benefits, but you will definitely incur a 4-year commitment, so it’s best to act quickly,” said Houseman.
Airmen interested in transferring a portion or all of their GI Bill education benefits to family members can contact the education services team at [email protected].
Eligible Airmen can apply to transfer benefits through the MilConnect website at www.dmdc.osd.mil/milconnect, or through the Virtual Military Personnel Flight self-service actions section, accessible via the myPers website or the Air Force Portal.
“If you think you might be interested, we want to help you with the process. Don’t wait until it’s too late,” said Houseman.
For more information about the Post 9/11 GI Bill and transferring education benefits, go to myPers at https://mypers.af.mil, and enter “Post 9/11 GI Bill” or “9083” in the search window.
