Servicemen's Readjustment Pros And Cons

In 1944, President Franklin D. Roosevelt passed a controversial bill, the Servicemen’s Readjustment Bill. The Servicemen’s Readjustment Bill, better known as the G.I. Bill expanded the benefits of World War II veterans, giving them a stipend to attend high school, college or a technical school. This stipend also provided them with living benefits, which helped pay for housing and everyday necessities. The passing of this bill is viewed as a resounding legislative achievement and is only the beginning for higher education benefits provided to the United States Veterans. Throughout history, this bill has been halted, renamed and altered to meet the current needs of veterans, economically and politically. There has been controversy and scandal,

The Servicemen’s Readjustment Bill was signed into effect in 1944. It was drafted by Harry W. Colmery, the Republican National Chair committee of the time. This bill granted servicemen education benefits and stipends to live. However, this bill was extremely close to failure because the House and the Senate had difficulty coming to an agreement on their versions of the bill. One of the most controversial aspects of this bill was the stipend it provided to veterans, many believed that it was not necessary. In the end the bill passed; the government hoped that by providing education benefits it would spark the nation’s economic boom, following the great depression. Those entitled to the benefits included, “…any person who served in the active military or naval forces on or after September 16, 1940,” who was discharged or released from such service under conditions other than dishonorable.” After the introduction of the education benefits, nearly 49 percent of college enrollment was Veterans. It was responsible for a successful reintegration of veterans back into civilian life and respired the idea of the American Dream. Unfortunately, the original G.I. Bill came to an end in 1952, thankfully, many veterans had taken advantage of what the benefits had to

The second bill known as the Veterans Readjustment Benefits Act of 1966, created during the Vietnam Era, revised the original G.I. Bill. The modifications included, a monthly educational assistance allowance which would help cover the payments of tuition from education and training. The purpose of reintroducing the bill was to boost the appeal of joining the armed services. Requirements for eligibility included, serving on active duty for more than 180 days, any part which occurred after January 31st, 1955 and before January 1st, 1977 and who was discharged honorably. This bill broadened the benefits to those who served in wartime and peacetime, allowing for more individuals to profit from the education benefits. Veterans were granted up to forty-five months of education assistance and had until the end of 1989 to use these benefits. Millions of veterans were assisted in education with the Vietnam Era G.I. Bill, helping grow the