From protecting our borders and state capitals to delivering pandemic aid, supporting local law enforcement, and serving in combat, National Guard and Reserve servicemembers have been increasingly called upon to confront unique challenges. They often leave their families and civilian employers for lengthy periods of time, sometimes taking significant pay cuts. Yet, despite all we ask of them and all they contribute, they are often denied a cornerstone benefit of service: the GI Bill.  

  

Despite the expanding roles of Guardsmen and Reservists, the V.A. recognizes little of their service. Currently, National Guard and Reserve servicemembers only earn credit toward their Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits when they mobilize and deploy for federal missions. National Guard and Reserve servicemembers activated under state orders do not accrue eligibility for Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits.    

   

H.R. 7543 – the Guard and Reserve GI Bill Parity Act of 2024 is crucial to rectifying this inequity. It proposes to count every day spent on weekend drills, annual training, attending military school, participating in an exercise, or responding to a disaster toward GI Bill eligibility.  

 

The American Legion firmly believes that every day in uniform counts. Guardsmen and Reservists who serve alongside their Active-Duty counterparts deserve the same GI Bill eligibility. 

  

The American Legion urges you to contact your members of Congress today and encourage them to pass the Guard and Reserve GI Bill Parity Act!