GI Bill pay for Gear?

[208diver]

I don't know about any shops scamming the VA. I have all of the legitimate paperwork from both the shop and the VA. I used the last 4 months I had left of my GI Bill.

I think the main thing is you have to be enrolled in a full program with the understanding you are completing the courses with the goal of using the certification as a career. I am hoping to be an instructor eventually so I am completing the entire course through Divemaster. If anyone would like to see the actual paperwork, I can send it to you privately.

I would love to see that if you’re willing. Maybe this is an Idaho problem but it seems off that most others are able to have the GI Bill cover everything as long as the end goal is professional.

 

[DizzyWizard]

I'd like to see the paperwork. I went through SSI for Open Water and logged 7 dives. Can I transition those to PADI to pursue the same course? I live in PA unfortunately but I would like to become an instructor along with getting cave diving certified. Gear wise I was looking around 4-5k through scubapro since the shop near me works on scubapro only.

 

[Hahnsie1]

Does anyone know of a school in Arizona that I can use either my G.I. Bill or Voc Rehab at

 

[jay040]

I'd like to see the paperwork. I went through SSI for Open Water and logged 7 dives. Can I transition those to PADI to pursue the same course? I live in PA unfortunately but I would like to become an instructor along with getting cave diving certified. Gear wise I was looking around 4-5k through scubapro since the shop near me works on scubapro only.

Not 100% certain but probably. I took PADI open water initially and paid out of pocket, not realizing I could use the GI bill. 9 years after that I took NAUI advanced with the GI bill (no gear, though) and they accepted my PADI open water cert.

 

[RogerOrange]

Hello, I joined this years ago, but fell out of diving. Can't really dive in the sandbox... Anyway, I'm retired now, 100% disabled and am looking to get my Dive Master Certification through SDI. I just completed my advanced diver certification today and want to start purchasing my own gear, but have the GI Bill pay for it, the GEAR. I know it pays for the certifications, which I am glad, but I am getting conflicting answers on the gear, so I'm wondering if anyone here has the correct answer, or could point me in the right direction. Thank you!

isn’t the GI Bill to learn a profession? Become a commercial diver…

 

[jay040]

isn’t the GI Bill to learn a profession? Become a commercial diver…

GI Bill is for any degree or professional certification. I believe the path towards dive master/instructor is what qualifies scuba certs for the GI bill.

 

[NothingClever]

I encourage any veteran thinking of expending his/her VA education benefits on SCUBA instructor certification to really dig into publications from Darcy Kieran's Business of Diving Institute. The conclusions and statistics aren't pretty. The likelihood of a comfortable living (if that's what you're intending) is uncertain at best.

The certifying organizations are long on marketing and short on offering the degree-to-employment launch trajectory that a University provides.

Already have an undergrad, steady employment figured out and/or assets (i.e, family resourcing or a military retirement pension) to really jump start your career in a significant way? Great, knock yourself out.

About to transition from active duty and enjoy the freedom in your "next big move"? The short term thrill may quickly erode upon the realization that a certifying organization made it excessively easy to get between you and your entitlements. When I look at what NAUI and PADI charge for the classes they offer (and see the quality of instuctors they produce), I'm sincerely disgusted. It's NOT a fair trade of money and educational services compared to getting an undergraduate degree.

Once your entitlements are expended, they're really gone. And the chances of earning enough money as a dive instructor to pay your way through college to get the degree you wish you had pursued in the first place are unlikely.

Only one round. Make it a well aimed shot.