| If your thinking of ways to make the transition back | | | | fees, the Montgomery Bill will also cover any |
| to the civilized world and you are interested in the | | | | certifications or licenses needed in order to get a job |
| field of technology, you have the opportunity to use | | | | in the civilian world. |
| your generous GI Bill benefits to kick start your | | | | Why Military Technology Skills Translates into an IT |
| career. | | | | Degree |
| About The New GI Bill and Montgomery Bill | | | | Many of the duties performed while in the military are |
| In July of 2008, the new Post 9/11 GI Bill was signed | | | | centered around the use and application of different |
| into law and the benefits have been described as | | | | forms of technology. Serving in the military is often |
| highly robust. Of course, the benefits are tiered | | | | cited as a kind of testing ground for the use of one's |
| based on the amount of days served on active duty. | | | | skills out in the field where one can "try on" different |
| In general, the benefits are for service members and | | | | types of jobs that might suit their interests and skills |
| veterans who would like to attend education and | | | | in the civilian world. Those who have enjoyed using |
| training programs through an accredited school. You | | | | technology skills in the military have found potential |
| must have served as a member of the Armed | | | | for a civilian career in information technology. |
| Forces, National Guard, or Reserves for a minimum of | | | | It can be frustrating to learn that even though you |
| 90 days after September 10, 2001. | | | | have work experience using IT skills in the military, |
| The new benefits of the Post 9/11 bill include: | | | | many employers in the civilian realm are unsure how |
| | | | it translates into the type of job candidate they need |
| 1. Up to 100% coverage of tuition and fees. | | | | for a particular job. This is where completing a formal |
| 2. A monthly living (housing) payment. | | | | education to supplement your experience is the |
| 3. Up to $1000 per year for books and supplies. | | | | necessary ingredient to your success. Once you |
| 4. A one time relocation allowance if you want to | | | | complete your IT degree, you will have the |
| relocate to attend a school. | | | | advantage of being able to show both formal |
| 5. An option to transfer benefits to other family | | | | education and applied experience on your resume. |
| members. This is not an exhaustive list of the | | | | Some of the more common transitions into IT |
| benefits; however, it does highlight some of the | | | | careers using military experience occur in the sub field |
| most important aspects of the bill. If you are going | | | | of Computer Forensics, IT Project Management, and |
| to pursue a degree completely online or through a | | | | Computer Networking, just to name a few. The |
| distance learning program, you may not be eligible for | | | | military often conducts it's own investigations into |
| the housing stipend. You can inquire about your | | | | matters using computer forensics. Forensics is the |
| personal benefits eligibility by calling the Department | | | | use and application of technology to solve crimes. |
| of Veteran's Affairs hotline at 1-888-GIBILL-1. | | | | Other options include Information Security, Graphic |
| The Montgomery Bill | | | | Design, and Multimedia. The military works closely |
| The Montgomery Bill is similar to the GI Bill, but it is | | | | with private companies to develop 3-D interactive |
| specifically for those who have agreed to be on the | | | | training software. |
| Reserves programs for a period of 6 years. It | | | | All of these possibilities within the field of Information |
| doesn't require that you have actual service in the | | | | Technology are within your reach with the generous |
| Armed Forces in order to qualify. You can use your | | | | benefits of your post 9/11 GI and Montgomery Bill. |
| benefits to attend both traditional colleges and | | | | Be sure to take advantage of them and get your |
| universities as well as Technical Schools and colleges | | | | career started. |
| that offer IT programs. In addition to the education | | | | |