The "GI Bill" has been shaped and reshaped many times throughout its existence. Each generation of veterans has witnessed a "GI Bill" with many different provisions, coverages, limits, and time periods different than the last.

The question is what is its purpose? If the "GI Bill" is to be part of a comprehensive benefit/compensation package for servicepersons, so be it at the level in place. if it supposed to be some kind of after-action reward plan, that's another thing in entiriety. If it is an inducement for retention or recruitment, that's a third.

The current "GI Bill" was enacted in 1985 to align with the all-volunteer military concept, pay levels placed into effect and other factors of military compensation.

I don't believe you can ever compensate a disabled veteran "adequately" for his/her service. I do believe that "GI Bill" education benefits available for all veterans are indeed "compensation" just like those offered by many companies, and the level of this "compensation" will vary with the times and the need. I used my GI Bill education benefits, and considered it part of my overall pay - not something that I should feel grateful for as some welfare program or "conscience money" from the public at large.

We place candidates in a precarious position, and I mean all four of them. We want them to be open-hearted and generous, and at the same time we expect them to demonstrate sound executive judgment regarding work forces, budget-balancing and getting the most for our money. On any issue which has a "feel good" factor to it, it's easy to condemn any candidate for not embracing it fully - just as it is easy to condemn for making "objective" decisions based on education, training and logical judgment.