Active-duty service members who hold Purple Heart medals still will be allowed to transfer GI Bill education benefits they cannot use to family members.
When the Trump administration announced the policy change this summer, it applied to all service members. Defense Secretary James Mattis relaxed the rule for wounded warriors, allowing them to transfer their GI Bill benefits regardless of how long they served or whether they can complete their obligatory service.
The transfer restrictions still apply, however, to most other service members. Beginning next July, only service members with between six and 16 years of total active-duty or selected reserve service will be eligible to transfer their benefits.