WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Eugene Vindman (D-Va.-07) and Congressman Cory Mills (R-Fla.-07) introduced the bipartisan Military Family GI Bill Promise Act. This will fix an outdated Department of Defense (DoD) policy that prevents many service members from transferring their earned Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits to dependents — particularly children born or adopted later in their military careers.
“As a 25-year Army veteran, I’ve seen just how much military families sacrifice to serve this country, and I’ll never stop fighting for them. Right now, if a service member earns the ability to transfer GI bill benefits but retires or is honorably discharged before they start a family, they lose the ability to transfer those benefits – and that is just plain wrong,” said Vindman. “This bill is a commonsense fix to an unfair policy. This legislation upholds the promise we made to those who serve.”
“As an Army veteran I am proud to co-sponsor this legislation that protects our service members’ and veterans’ earned benefits. I firmly believe that these heroes deserve the flexibility to transfer their hard-earned Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits to their dependents, regardless of when those dependents are added to their family. This commonsense legislation removes unnecessary barriers and ensures that our military families are not penalized for growing later in their careers. By preserving the current retention incentives while allowing transfers at any time, we are keeping our promise to those who have sacrificed so much for our nation,” said Mills.
Specifically, the Military Family GI Bill Promise Act would:
- Allows eligible service members and veterans to transfer GI Bill benefits to dependents at any time, regardless of when a dependent is added to DEERS;
- Removes the requirement for additional obligated service once transfer eligibility has been met;
- Ensures no one is penalized for starting or expanding their family later in their career.
Constituents of the Seventh District share support for this bill and discuss why their families would directly benefit from this legislation:
“After serving for 11 years, earning the GI Bill benefit, and waiting to start a family until after leaving active duty, I was shocked to discover I had lost the ability to transfer my benefits to my children. The policy is completely unfair and penalizes single service members, who in many cases due to OPTEMPO, aren’t in a position to even think about starting a family,” said Chris from Spotsylvania County.
“I have all but resolved to let my GI Bill benefits go to waste until hearing about this bill. I was unable to transfer my benefits to my children at the time and have followed a post military career that does not need continuing education. As a father of 4, this bill changes the discussion when we talk about college with our children,” said Steve from Fredericksburg, USMC/Retired.
“My wife and I made a conscious decision to not have children while I was on active duty. My heart and mind at that time was with giving 100% to my country. I retired from active duty in 2013 and used my Post 9/11 GI Bill for graduate school. In 2016, we had an amazing daughter. I hope to transfer the remaining education benefit to her and supplement her VA 529. This bill would help me worry less about needing to work well into my 60’s to provide an education for her,” said Isaac from Spotsylvania County.
“The Post 9/11 GI Bill didn’t just fund my education—it transformed my future. Because of this legislation, I earned a Master of Science degree in Psychology with dual specialization, equipping me to serve my community in ways that once felt out of reach. This is proof that investing in veterans isn’t charity—it’s nation-building,” said Liz of Prince William County.
Under current law, service members can only transfer their GI Bill benefits while on active duty and must commit to four additional years of service after reaching six years in uniform. Transfers must also be made only to dependents already registered in the Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System (DEERS) — effectively excluding children born or adopted after separation or even after ten years of service unless the member extends their service commitment.
Importantly, the bill maintains all current retention incentives. Service members will still need to complete six years of service before becoming eligible to transfer benefits and can still opt to extend their service for earlier transfer under existing rules. The legislation simply allows more flexibility in designating eligible dependents.
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