• I was a U.S. Air Force general medical officer, commissioned in 1969 and treated military dependants and active duty and wounded soldiers ;
• I became hospital commander at Pope Air Force Base at Fort Bragg near the end of my tenure;
• I am a life member of Vietnam Veterans of America;
• I am a member of the American Legion.
• It is appropriate to alter and improve our veterans' benefits for Alabamians who volunteer to serve in the armed forces, due to the military's increasing reliance on Reserve and National Guard units.
• We must honor the service of Alabama's veterans by helping them as much as possible upon their separation from the military.
  
  GENERAL BACKGROUND

I am a proud veteran of the U.S. Air Force.  I received my commission as a general medical officer in 1969 after completing my residency at Carraway Methodist Hospital.  Subsequently, the Air Force assigned me to Pope Air Force Base at Fort Bragg. While there I treated many military dependants, active duty service members, and wounded soldiers.  Near the end of my tenure I became hospital commander. Following my military service, I began his three year residency at the University of Alabama.

Dr. Bentley's Legislative Efforts to Help Veterans

I have never forgotten my military background, and while serving in the Alabama House of Representatives I have sponsored legislation to improve educational benefits for disabled veterans. In fact last month I introduced a bill (HB 400) which will make veterans eligible for education benefits if they have been a resident of Alabama for 30 days prior to application and were a resident of Alabama for at least 30 days prior to entering the service.  Current Alabama law requires veterans to live in Alabama for at least one year before applying for benefits, and to have lived in Alabama for at least one year before entering the service.

Because of the military's increasing reliance on Reserve and National Guard units, it is appropriate to alter veterans' benefits for Alabamians who serve in the armed forces. If we do not change our laws, many deserving Alabama veterans will continue to wait to become eligible for the benefits they earned through their service. We must honor their service by helping them as much as possible upon their separation from the military.