DoD official: New GI Bill isn't hurting retention p1 - GI Bill Benefits - Tuition Assistance for the Military - Military Times EDGE

The Defense Department initially opposed creation of the Post-9/11 GI Bill, citing concerns that generous education benefits would lead first-term service members to get out of the military in unprecedented numbers to go to college. But this problem has not materialized, according to an Army manpower official.

Thomas Lamont, the assistant Army secretary for manpower and reserve affairs, said first-term retention exceeded goals for fiscal 2009 and continues to exceed goals in fiscal 2010.

"Initial signs are positive," he said of the benefit's effects on recruiting and retention.

Defense objections to the new benefit vanished when the program was modified to allow career service members to transfer benefits to a spouse or child, something military officials believe will be one of the most important retention benefits of the all-volunteer military.