WATERLOO -- When classes resume Monday at the University of Northern Iowa, two Waterloo-based National Guard soldiers say they'll be able to concentrate on studying instead of paying tuition.

Spc. Joshua Carlson of Sioux Rapids and Sgt. Rhys Evans of Strawberry Point were part of a group of soldiers, along with Rep. Bruce Braley, to discuss findings of a House Oversight Committee investigation released Wednesday into the initial denial of education benefits for the 1st Battalion, 133rd Infantry. A press conference was held at the Iowa National Guard Armory, 3106 Airport Blvd.

Braley said the government didn't intentionally deny benefits. The unexpected length of the deployment -- the longest thus far of the war -- created circumstances the military wasn't prepared for. The laws governing the Guard and Reserves are based on the assumption that they will see infrequent active duty for short durations, the report said.

"We assumed everyone was out to get us," Evans said. "Now everything is good. It turned out well. We'll even get back pay for the first semester (of last year)."

The 1/133rd spent nearly two years on active duty, most of which was in Iraq. When the 640 soldiers returned last August, more than 100 planned to continue or start going to college. The soldiers thought they would get about $900 a month from the Montgomery GI Bill, the same as active duty personnel who serve at least 20 months of continuous service with an honorable discharge.

Instead they got $660, the typical payment for a Guard members that don't qualify for full benefits. The investigation revealed Guard and Reserve members in Nevada and Pennsylvania faced similar circumstances.

"Initially we thought it was intentional. Just coming off the extension, it left a bad taste in our mouth," Carlson said.

The military initially justified the move saying the 1/133rd is National Guard and not active duty soldiers. Plus, deployment orders were revised when the 1/133rd was extended as part of President Bush's troop surge initiative, showing soldiers were one to five days short of being activated for 20 months. Most, though, served more than that.

Braley contacted Army Secretary Peter Geren in October of 2007 to correct the problem. An investigation followed. By March of this year, Braley informed the 1/133rd they were eligible for full benefits.

"I'm convinced nobody set out to deprive these soldiers of the benefits they rightly deserve," Braley said. "I was extremely skeptical at first, but I'm very proud of how the Department of Defense responded in a timely fashion."

The first-term congressman added, "At this time when we're increasingly relying on the Guard … it's critical we honor them with the benefits they deserve."

Soldiers at the press conference said the announcement was like a big weight lifted off their shoulders.

"I can focus solely on my studies instead of having to juggle work," said Carlson, a psychology major.

Contact Matthew Wilde

at (319) 291-1579 or

matt.wilde@wcfcourier.com.