Department of Defense introduces GI Bill changes Published Sept. 10, 2018 By Senior Airman Harrison Withrow 434th ARW Public Affairs GRISSOM AIR RESERVE BASE, Ind. -- The Department of Defense has issued a change in policy regarding service members transferring their Post-9/11 GI Bill educational benefits. Effective July 12, 2019, eligibility to transfer benefits will be limited to service members with less than 16 years of total service, said Master Sgt. Debra Wilson-Strong, 434th Air Refueling Wing training technician. The requirement that a service member have at least six years of service to apply to transfer benefits remains unchanged. “I would personally encourage anyone who is approaching or beyond 16 years of service to apply to transfer their benefits very soon if they intend to give those benefits to a dependant,” said Wilson-Strong. All approvals for transferability of Post-9/11 GI bill will still require a four-year commitment in the Armed Forces in addition to the member being eligible to be retained for four years from the date of electing to transfer benefits. “It’s important for Airmen to understand the new requirements because they need to consider this when deciding how and when to use their Post-9/11 GI Bill,” she said. “We want to make sure everyone gets the most they possibly can out of the benefits they’ve earned.” To learn more about the policy, visit http://www.esd.whs.mil/Portals/54/Documents/DD/issuances/dodi/134113p.pdfThe 434th ARW is the largest KC-135R Stratotanker unit in the Air Force Reserve Command. The Citizen Airmen from the Hoosier Wing routinely deploy around the world in support of the Air Force mission.Stay connected with the 434th ARW on Facebook and Twitter.