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Senators Klobuchar and Coleman: Army Secretary Agrees to Expedite Review of Education Benefits for Minnesota National Guard Members

MN National Guard soldiers were discharged days before being eligible for education benefits

October 1, 2007

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Norm Coleman and Amy Klobuchar received word today from Army Secretary Pete Geren that members of the Minnesota National Guard’s 1/34th Brigade Combat Team could receive educations benefits under the Montgomery G.I. bill following efforts by Coleman and Klobuchar requesting the secretary to review why these troops were demobilized only days before they would have become eligible.  Secretary Geren told both senators that he was forwarding the request to the Army Board of Corrections who has the statutory authority to award the benefits, and recommending to the Board that they expedite the request and allow members of the Guard to quality for the benefits their service warrants.

“As the longest serving combat unit in Iraq, we owe the members of the 1/34th Brigade Combat Team the benefits they have earned,” said Klobuchar.  “The path of opportunity and success shouldn’t be tied up in red tape.  Secretary Geren has personally assured me that these cases will be reviewed on an expedited basis, so that those who qualify can attend school next semester.”

“It is simply irresponsible to deny education benefits to these soldiers who just completed the longest tour of duty of any unit in Iraq, especially given the fact that they were demobilized just days before they would become eligible,” Coleman said. “Many of these soldiers have put their education on hold in order to serve our nation, and awarding these benefits is the least we can do for them when they return. I have personally spoken to Army Secretary Geren and I appreciated his work to quickly address our concerns on this issue.” 

Normally, soldiers who would request a review would have to each file a personal appeal, however due the unique nature of the situation, Secretary Geren has requested that the Army Board review all soldiers as one group to expedite the process and ensure the soldiers cases are treated equally.

Both Klobuchar and Coleman had personally requested that Secretary Geren review why these troops were demobilized just days before they would qualify for extended educational benefits mandated by the 730-day requirement of the Montgomery GI bill.

If approved, the change would affect more than 1,100 of the 2,600 Minnesota members of the First Brigade Combat Team of the 34th Infantry Division who recently completed serving the longest tour of duty in Iraq of any U.S. military unit, active duty or reserve.

Klobuchar and Coleman are also co-sponsors of the Total Force Educational Assistance Enhancement and Integration Act, which would provide more equitable educational benefits to the Selected Reserve (National Guard members and Reservists who are most ready and first to be mobilized).