The GI Bill Countdown Is On

Yesterday I interviewed Stephen Warren, principal deputy assistant secretary for the Veterans Affair's Office of Information and Technology and acting chief information officer. He showed me that he has a handy tool that reminds him exactly how much he has left to get a system in place to process payments to veterans under the new GI Bill, which goes into effect on Aug 1.

Warren reached under his computer monitor and pulled out a small battery operated clock, which had a "GI bill" label on the front and displays the exact number of days, hours and minutes until the bill goes into effect and when checks need to be mailed to veterans. Warren said everyone on his IT team has a clock -- as well as Rear Adm. Patrick Dunn, VA undersecretary for benefits, and his staff.

Today, VA has 183 days before the system must be in operation - and as the clock ticks on, Warren says it serves as a good reminder of a real deadline that must be met.