The military services are going to be more aggressive in identifying reservists who receive Montgomery GI Bill/Selected Reserve benefits and fail to satisfactorily complete their Reserve duty obligation.

"Under provisions of a new law that goes into effect Oct. 1, 1998, all reserve components will begin recouping benefits from those people who became unsatisfactory participants after Oct. 1, 1997," said Pete Wheeler, Georgia commissioner of Veterans Affairs.

Individuals who have received benefits and are unsatisfactory participants will be identified through a computer match. This will include those who were forced out because they missed nine drills in a year without permission or a valid excuse, or who, for other reasons, received unsatisfactory marks for nine drills.

The computer match information will be referred to the Defense Finance and Accounting Service. Collection efforts will begin Oct. 1, 1998.

"I believe the services will be very aggressive in their collection efforts because the money that is recouped goes to the reserve component rather than to the U.S. Treasury," Wheeler said.

The amount of benefits owed to the government is determined by a mathematical formula based on the number of months remaining in the individual's reserve obligation. Those with questions should contact a Georgia Dept. of Veterans Service field office, listed in the telephone directory under Georgia Government.

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