Sample VEAP letter:

Dear Representative/Senator,

As a [rank] with [number of years] in the Air Force and a proud member of the Air Force Sergeants Association, I write today to bring your attention to large group of military members (myself included) with no educational benefits. There are literally thousands of individuals, many now approaching retirement, who never enrolled in the Veterans Education Assistance Program (VEAP). This education program was available only to members who entered active between 1977 and 1985. On top of the large up-front investment, I felt that the program was not a substantial benefit. For my $2,700 contribution, I would only gain $5,400 (2-for-1 matching) to use for education. Many education counselors and unit career advisors suggested to me that a new and improved program would be coming along and that it would be best to hold off contributing the $2,700. Upon this advice, many service members and I never enrolled in VEAP. In 1996, Congress passed Public Law 104-275, allowing VEAP participants to transfer their education accounts to Montgomery G.I. Bill (MGIB) and 41,041 veterans and servicepersons took advantage of the opportunity. The opportunity to convert to MGIB is very important because the benefits available are much greater. The MGIB calls for a $1,200 member contribution for a government return of over $30,000 in benefits. Unfortunately, since I did not participate in VEAP, I was not eligible to sign-up for MGIB. Congress has voted several times in the last decade to allow VEAP participants opportunities to transfer to MGIB, but there has not been an opportunity for those of us who did not have VEAP accounts to sign up for the new program, excluding them from taking advantage of this great educational benefit.  On Tuesday, February 25, 2003, Rep. Dave Camp, R-MI, introduced H.R. 879, a bill, which would create an open enrollment window for certain, service members to become eligible for educational assistance under the MGIB. Specifically, H.R. 879 would provide a one-year, open enrollment period for those of us who declined to enroll in the VEAP to sign up for the MGIB. In the Air Force alone, there are nearly 35,000 individuals who never enrolled in the VEAP. Sir, I urge you to support and co-sponsor this legislation that would correct this unjust situation and make the Air Force a better place to serve. HR 879 provides a one-year open enrollment period for individuals falling into this gap. Education assistance has been a cornerstone of military benefits for over 50 years. Congress recognized that military service often prevented young people from attending school and attaining higher levels of education. Our country should not neglect career military personnel; they have served honorably. Now is the opportunity to ensure that we have the same benefits that are available to other members of the Armed Forces. Please help. I salute you!

 

                                    Sincerely,

                                    YOUR NAME, RANK, USAF

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