Understanding the GI Bill kicker eligibility for military jobs

Can someone explain what the GI Bill kicker is and how it affects certain military jobs? I'm hoping to use education benefits after service, so knowing about this would be really helpful.

Sure, I can definitely shed some light on this! The GI Bill kicker, often referred to as the "Army College Fund" in the Army or "Navy College Fund" in the Navy, is an additional amount of money that certain servicemembers can receive on top of the base Post-9/11 GI Bill or Montgomery GI Bill benefits. It's not a standalone benefit, but rather an enhancement to your other GI Bill benefits.

To be eligible for the GI Bill kicker, you need to qualify for, and enlist in, specific military jobs or specialties. These are usually jobs that the military has more difficulty filling or are considered high-demand occupations. The types of jobs that qualify can change from year to year based on the needs of the military.

The additional amount you receive from the kicker can vary, but it typically ranges between $100 and $350 per month, and it comes into play when you're attending school using your GI Bill benefits. It's important to also note, the kicker will match the length of your GI Bill. So if you have 36 months of the Post-9/11 GI Bill, your GI Bill kicker will also last for 36 months.

Keep in mind that not every branch of service provides a GI Bill kicker, and even within the branches that do, not every job will come with one. You want to make sure you have a thorough conversation with your recruiter about this during the enlistment process. They should be able to give you the most up-to-date information about eligible jobs and the process involved in securing the kicker.

Think of the GI Bill kicker as a bonus for choosing a high-demand job—it enhances your education benefits after you've completed your service. Good luck with your military journey and future studies!