Airmen now have until July 31 to apply to transfer their Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits to family members, announced Air Force Personnel Center officials. “Air Force leaders wanted to make sure all eligible airmen have the opportunity to share this benefit with their families,” said Bruce Houseman, AFPC education services and benefits chief, in the center’s March 14 release. The Air Force implemented this extension earlier this month, according to the release. The original phase-in period expired last July. Under the Post-9/11 GI Bill education transfer program, airmen nearing retirement may pass these benefits on to family in exchange for an Active Duty service commitment of up to four years. “Eligible airmen can transfer all or some of their benefit to one or more family members, but no matter how much you transfer, you will incur the ADSC associated with your retirement eligibility date,” said Houseman. “The ADSC begins with the approved application, so if you plan to transfer benefits, don’t wait until you’re near retirement,” he added. (Randolph report by Debbie Gildea)
A provision in the fiscal 2025 defense policy bill will require the Defense Department to include the military occupational specialty of service members who die by suicide in its annual report on suicide deaths, though it remains to be seen how much data the department will actually disclose.