Senator Webb's Proposed GI Bill - How to Destroy an Effective Military

Recently, Senator Jim Webb of Virginia (my home state) has proposed a revision to the GI Bill that would provide a rich set of educational benefits to veterans who complete a three year enlistment. While I agree that we should address Veterans issues in part by improving GI Bill benefits, I disagree with the manner in which Webb's bill introduces these benefits. The benefits should be graduated based on years of service and extended in a manner that encourages continued service, not short term enlistment.

I am a veteran: been there and done that. Webb does not speak for me on this issue. His approach is no different than Charlie Wrangle's proposal to reinstitute the draft and thereby destroy our country's ability to effectively wage a war -- just more subtle by offering a benefit. By offering benefits that would keep a sailor, marine, soldier, or airmen in for only two to three years, he effectively makes it more difficult to attract and retain experienced NCOs -- the backbone of the military.