DoD an Obstacle in Aid Boost for Vets

The Associated Press is reporting that the Pentagon is actually the biggest obstacle between soldiers and expanded G.I. Bill aid for college.

The Defense Department is lobbying against a bill backed by Sen. Jim Webb, D-Va., that would provide a free ride to any instate public college for soldiers serving at least three years. The Pentagon believes that making troops eligible so soon would hurt retention rates -- providing too much of an incentive to leave -- and instead suggests collegiate benefits be made available after six years of service.

Webb counters that any losses in retention would be offset by the number of new troops the measure would attract.

-Dippold

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