Yellow Ribbon Program

In 1918, during “The Great War,” also known as World War I, the Allies and Germany agreed to sign a ceasefire agreement halting fighting on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month. November 11, 1918, became symbolic as the end of “the war to end all wars.” In November 1919, President Woodrow Wilson declared November 11 as the first Armistice Day saying these words: “To us in America, the reflections of Armistice Day will be filled with solemn pride in the heroism of those who died in the country’s service and with gratitude for the victory, both because of the thing from which it has freed us and because of the opportunity it has given America to show her sympathy with peace and justice in the councils of the nations…”

Growing up in Mountain City, Tennessee, as a young boy, Jason had been influenced by those around him that had been in the military.

After high school, Jason enlisted in the Marine Corps and served from 2007-2012. While in the military, he was an 0651 – Data Network Specialist installing and managing data systems and was assigned to the ship the USS Dubuque and was able to experience the world, speaking candidly about Japan, California, and especially Australia. He indicated that his time spent at a port in Australia was the most memorable of all the destinations. His least favorite were those endless days out in the middle of the ocean tucked away in cramped quarters. “I only got seasick once,” he said. “There was a lot of boredom and downtime, but I do sometimes miss it. Other times I don’t.”

After his stint in the military, Jason took a job at the Mountain Home VA in the IT department. He also learned about the “Yellow Ribbon Program” that helps pay for higher education tuition that the Post-9/11 GI Bill® doesn’t cover. You have to find out if you qualify and if the school you want to attend takes part in this program.

To be eligible for the Yellow Ribbon Program, you must have:

• Served at least 36 months on active duty, or • Received a purple heart on or after September 11, 2001, and were honorably discharged after any amount of service, or

•Served for at least 30 continuous days on or after September 11, 2001, and were discharged after 60 days with a service-connected disability, or

• Are a dependent child using benefits transferred by a Veteran or a service member who has served for at least 36 months on active duty and qualifies at the 100% level, or

• Are a Fry Scholar (Child or surviving spouse of an active-duty service member who died in the line of duty on or after September 11, 2001 [eligible for the Yellow Ribbon Program on or after August 1, 2018]).

Jason met the requirement for the Yellow Ribbon Program, and King meets the requirements to offer the benefits, and so he was able to receive money for tuition, money for housing, and money for books and supplies. He enrolled at King and earned an Associate of General Studies as a fully online student. He says, “I would not have been able to go to King without the ‘Yellow Ribbon Project.’” He was also working full-time and said, “I loved it. I never felt overloaded with coursework.”

Today Jason continues to work at the VA as an IT Supervisor though he hopes to return to King to advance his education and career even further. Jason is the type of student and alumni that helps King to thrive as an institution of the highest learning. And with Jason’s perseverance, focus, and dedication to consistently improving himself, he can go as far as he wants.

For those veterans out there that qualify and are interested in the yellow ribbon program please contact one of our enrollment representatives.