Soldier, Sailor... Student

TENS of thousands of soldiers, sailors and airmen are to be given FREE places at university and college, the News of the World can reveal. Read the full story HERE

Is the Government doing enough for our boys?

Click HERE and let us know what you think

Comments

[B Clark]

Well, as an ex-British Army Serviceman who has been out of the mob for over 30 years, will I be able to apply for a free course to do further education? You see I am over 60 and want to learn how to knit!

I jest, but there is a serious side to this. Just who, as far as ex-service personnel, can apply for these grants. I understand that you have to have served 6 years or more to be entitled.

[Terry Szulc]

I think its a good thing how ever what about the men and women that have already left and are finding it hard to do the same.. will the offer exstend to them i dont think so but it would be nice if it did as a exservice man im trying hard to find the funds to do the same.

[green salior]

Well good to see the brown administration doing something positive to entice people to stay. This may persuade second line folk to push out another couple of years,Although it wont persuade front line guys such as myself who have seen enough action in three years and don't wish to keep risking our lives year in year out!

Most guys Leave the corps after 4 years because it sees them off ,so doing another couple of years will not be a very enticing prospect!

[EMMA]

i know they are out there every day risking there lifes each nd every day for us and it is a good idea but if our goverment gave a monkeys about this country and its people uni would be free for anyone!

[Theo Blackwell]

The G.I. Bill helped my father, the son of an army sergeant. 18 months of military service in 1946 entitled him (my father) to free university education, where his aptitude for history was first recognised.

From there he accessed scholarships which took him to Ivy League universities, a doctorate in Russian history and a life as an academic and a teacher.

He was just one example of a popular and long-running programme which successfully links public service with greater opportunity for individual advancement for the working- and middle- class in the services.

Time magazine writes of the 1940s Bill this year as “among the most significant pieces of legislation ever passed by the U.S. Congress.”

“Its education benefits threw open the doors of élite academies to the masses: in 1947, veterans made up almost half the nation's college students...it effectively created the American middle class.” (in America 'middle class' means something different to here).

While university education is largely taken care by the state here already, this move to help troops is a welcome one and together with other schemes to many young service-men and women university-ready (by having in servcie training / recognition of qualifications) will make a difference.

As local councillor representing an inner-city ward which is also home to many service personnel, I have often wondered why programmes like this weren't already in operation in the UK. The government should surely look at further measures which promote public service and individual advancement.

[richie]

Empty gesture from a government in meltdown, those of us serving will never forget the lack of investment from LABOUR, or the illegal wars/operations in support of American greed for oil and gas.
Who gets the major contracts from these newly "elected" governments Americans!!
Served 22 years and constantly let down by the military, cant wait to leave soon.

[kams]

I just wish the UK government showed more true respect to people who put everything on the line for them. Im a foreigner here but even I can see the forces are not treated well. How can it be that they and their families have to struggle financially - or in any other way - after the service is finished?!? Thats a disgrace to this country. Which used to be a really wonderful and good place some long time ago.. I salute all the soldiers all over the world.

[Andy Salmon]

Is this the govt's way of trying to get more votes, its not working, I can't wait for the conservatives to come back into power.
how about a decent payrise, this years and last years were a joke, you give it with one had and take it away with the other. Quarter rent goes up along with everything else. Gordon you need to come up with something better than this

[kelly]

never mind uni places!! what about better accomodation for married families and single soldiers, how about better equipment for soldiers in war zones,and a pay that reflects what our lads and lasses do and give up to serve this sorry ass country!!!

[Graham Barker]

I left the RN in 1976 and while training and serving was told that I could have resettlement courses when I finished my service.

All lies, I got nothing when I left,zilch

I walked out of HMS Victory barracks after handing in my ID card and had a voucher for my train fare home

Don,t believe what you read, once your service is over they have no more need for you, end of story.

Bill Rammell is the biggest liar in the labour party, I trust him no more than a hoodie

[gary]

What a joke the Govt are. Another gimmick by the Govt to keep them in. Survey shows they want out mmmm. What can we do to keep them in?
Give them free education. Let them put there lives on the line. My ass would they.

[susan]

What a damn shame they're not giving them what they really need NOW-the proper equipment to do the job when our guys are laying their lives on the line on active duty in pointless wars!
I'd also like to know-since most officers already have degrees how it works for them.

[patricia]

am married to a commonwealth service man and l have been trying for years to go to university to do a nursing course but the nhs wont fund my course because i dont have settled status in england . they should also consider the service man spouses too. we do our bit.

[old soldier 1943=47]

the u.s. had this scheme after the war for all service people . cheap mortgages and university fees and grants and loans. it was called the G.I.bill we got a hand shake and some medals. i have yet to see this come about for our forces .promises promises.until you get
it dont hold your breath.

[keith]

Nice to know i can go to university for free and myself and my family won't be penalised on hospital waiting lists when we move its just a shame my wife who is a civil servant can't get back to work because she has moved despite being a civil servant and does the government care? well i'm still waiting on their reply weeks later this is just more smoke and mirrors and dosn't address the real problems of the armed forces and their dependants.

[Paul]

After serving 25 years and still serving its good to see the population starting to appreciate the the service the forces do.

However, is it enough?

The biggest gripe those serving have is the TV licence.

Why is it that every serving soldier living in barracks, in a block with upto a hundred other people has to have, by law, a tv licence.

Murder some one, go to jail and a TV awaits for free.

When away on operations we do not see that TV for upto 8 months(inclusive of pre tour training.

This must be the rip off of the century.

Most troops especially trainees sit in thier rooms every evening for not being able to afford this cost.

Some blocks do have communial TV rooms, the Battalions pay for that licence. But these a few and far between. And nown again we like time on our own.

[Tom]

About time there was some payback! what a pity it has taken so long. Those of us who served throughout the 60s 70s & 80s should also have some payback after all these university educated Joe's running company's have no respect for the 'life long learning' we experienced and those of us who can do but don't have a bit of paper that says we spent four years enjoying life don't get a look in

[Phillip]

An empty meaningless gesture.

I'm off to uni next year after serving nine years in the forces. My local authority will be paying my fees and giving me a grant as I am over 21, have lived independently for over 5 years and have a low income.

Every soldier who serves five years will be able to get free uni education without this scheme.

[michael campbell]

Ah! come of it the average solder is as thick as two planks bar the officers.

[Stu]

As a serving member oh HM Forces I apprciate the goodwill gesture of free education upon leaving the service. The only question I have got to ask is how with a family, a mortgage will I be able to live if I was in full time education with no income from a job. Surely they would be better to pay for us to do Open University now so we can secure a good job when leaving the service.

[Amanda Williams]

Not only am I paying the wages for these people to fight in wars in far flung lands which have nothing to do with us, I will now also be paying for their tuition fees! Amazing!

[Dennis]

About bloody time the forces got something back but what about the forces that served in Ireland, Boreno, Falklands ect; what do they get ????????

[Jez]

Is this similar to the US G.I Bill?? This is where US Forces serve in the forces to get the college education paid for ($1100 dollars per month towards training for 36 months)

What do British Forces get? A degree that used to be free to get.. What about living costs?

If the govt, decided that all soldiers who served six years would get all tuition fees and loans free on completion...

[OberonFoto]

Superb!! About time!

[David thomas]

About time this penny pinching Gov't gave something back to our troops, beware there is no such thing as a free lunch.
No doubt they will take something back, or cut equipment levels, manning levels, you know what this shower are like.
They hate anyone in uniform, untill they want to use them

[Tom]

Surely they deserve more than this ?