Form 2366-2 MGIB Transferability Program Guide

Form 2366-2 MGIB Transferability Program Guide – Service members and veterans seeking to share Montgomery GI Bill Active Duty (MGIB-AD, Chapter 30) education benefits with family members rely on DD Form 2366-2. This official Department of Defense form documents approval to transfer entitlement under the Montgomery GI Bill Act of 1984 Transferability Program. Below is a clear, up-to-date overview for U.S. service members, veterans, and their dependents.

What Is DD Form 2366-2?

DD Form 2366-2 is the official Department of Defense form titled “Montgomery GI Bill Act of 1984 (MGIB), Transferability Program.” The current edition is dated June 1, 2002, and is maintained by the Washington Headquarters Services, Executive Services Directorate.

The form serves as official proof that a service department has authorized an eligible individual to transfer a portion of their unused MGIB-AD educational assistance entitlement to one or more dependents. The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) accepts a completed copy of this form (or an equivalent service-department-signed document) when processing claims for transferred benefits.

You can view the official form listing on the DoD Forms Management Program site: DD Form 2366-2 Official Page.

Understanding the Montgomery GI Bill Transferability Program

The Montgomery GI Bill Active Duty program (38 U.S.C. Chapter 30) provides education benefits to eligible veterans and service members who paid into the program through monthly pay reductions. Under 38 U.S.C. § 3020 and implementing regulations at 38 CFR § 21.7080, certain individuals may transfer up to 18 months of unused entitlement to eligible dependents when approved by their service department.

This transferability option is distinct from the more widely used Post-9/11 GI Bill (Chapter 33) Transfer of Education Benefits (TEB) process managed through milConnect. The MGIB transfer program is narrower and requires specific service-department approval documented on DD Form 2366-2 or an equivalent signed document.

Key authority is found in the Code of Federal Regulations: 38 CFR § 21.7080 – Transfer of entitlement.

Eligibility for Transferring MGIB Benefits

To transfer MGIB-AD entitlement, the service member (transferor) must:

  • Be entitled to educational assistance under the Montgomery GI Bill–Active Duty based on their own active-duty service.
  • Receive approval from their service department to participate in the transferability program.
  • Have available unused entitlement.

Eligible dependents generally include:

  • A spouse (as defined in 38 CFR § 3.50).
  • One or more children (as defined in 38 CFR § 3.57), provided designation occurs before the child reaches age 23 in most cases.

Approval is at the discretion of the service secretary and has historically been linked in some services (such as certain Army pilot programs) to reenlistment in critical skills or other service needs. Always verify current service-specific policy with your personnel or education office.

How to Complete and Use DD Form 2366-2?

The form is typically completed at the time of service-department approval (often during reenlistment counseling or when transfer authority is granted). The transferor designates:

  • The dependent(s) receiving entitlement.
  • The number of months of entitlement transferred to each dependent.
  • The beginning and ending dates of the period for which the transfer is effective.

A copy of the completed and signed DD Form 2366-2 (or an equivalent service-department document) must be submitted to the VA by the transferor or the dependent when applying for benefits. The VA reduces the transferor’s remaining entitlement by one month for each month used by a dependent.

The transferor may later modify designations or revoke unused portions by providing written notice to both the VA and the service department. Changes apply only to unused entitlement.

Maximum Entitlement Transferable

Under 38 CFR § 21.7080(f), the maximum amount that may be transferred is the lesser of:

  • 18 months of entitlement, or
  • The amount of unused entitlement the transferor still has available.

Entitlement may be given entirely to one dependent or divided among multiple designated dependents. Dependents using transferred benefits are generally subject to the same program rules that would apply to the transferor, with certain exceptions (for example, payment rates and restrictions on on-the-job training or apprenticeship while the transferor remains on active duty).

How Dependents Use Transferred Benefits?

Once approved and documented, an eligible dependent applies to the VA for education benefits using the transferred entitlement. Payment rates follow MGIB-AD rules as if payable to the transferor (with limited adjustments). Children generally must use benefits before age 26, subject to possible extensions in specific circumstances.

Dependents should apply through VA systems and provide the required proof of transfer (DD Form 2366-2 or equivalent). For general information on MGIB-AD benefits and rates, visit the official VA page: Montgomery GI Bill Active Duty (MGIB-AD).

Download DD Form 2366-2

The official PDF of DD Form 2366-2 is available from the Department of Defense forms repository. Download it here:

Download DD Form 2366-2 (PDF)

Always obtain the form through official channels and have it completed and certified by the appropriate service department official. Contact your military personnel office, education center, or the Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness forms office for assistance if needed.

Important Considerations and Limitations

  • Transferability under MGIB is more limited than under the Post-9/11 GI Bill and requires specific service-department approval.
  • If the transferor fails to complete any required additional service obligation, dependents may become ineligible (with limited exceptions for death, disability, or hardship).
  • Overpayments create joint and several liability between the transferor and the dependent.
  • The form and underlying authority remain referenced in current federal regulations, but service-specific availability and procedures can change. Confirm with your branch’s current guidance.
  • Modern service members interested in transferring education benefits more commonly use the Post-9/11 GI Bill TEB process via milConnect.

Related Resources and Official Sources

For personalized guidance, contact your service’s education office, a VA education call center, or a qualified veterans service organization. Policies and form availability can be updated; always verify information against the latest official DoD and VA sources.