Bush wants better education benefits for Guard, reserves

CHIPPEWA FALLS, Wis. – In a gesture to troops serving unexpectedly long tours in Iraq, President Bush on Wednesday announced an election-year proposal to enhance education benefits for active-duty National Guardsmen and reservists.

“These brave Americans put their jobs on hold and leave their family behind when we call,” Bush said during a campaign bus tour through the election swing state of Wisconsin.

More than 400,000 men and women in the reserves and the National Guard have been mobilized since the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks. Today, just under 150,000 are serving.

“Under current rules, their education benefits don’t reflect the high value of service we place on their time and duty,” Bush said.

He proposed to increase monthly education benefits for all Guard members and reservists on active duty for more than 90 consecutive days.

The president also proposed giving states grants to help children in military families who have to move. “We’re going to put out grant money to help states ease the burden so it’s more seamless for families to go from one state to the next,” Bush said.

Democrat John Kerry’s campaign called the proposals political gimmicks.

“We need a president who is committed to protecting National Guard and reservists every day, not just in the days before the election,” said campaign spokesman Phil Singer.

“John Kerry is a combat-tested veteran who has spent his career advocating for veterans and their families.”

According to the Veterans Administration, the educational benefit for active-duty troops is a maximum of $800 a month. But for National Guard and reservists who have been called up for two years or more, it’s $282 – a difference of $518.