V.A. Stops Paying For Veterans To Attend Flight School

Local veterans relying on the G.I. Bill to pay for OU Flight School say “Uncle Sam” has betrayed them. They were notified earlier this week that if they want to take further flight school classes, they’ll have to pay for it on their own.

At least 19 veterans attending OU’s Flight School received the notice. Oklahoma’s V.A. is referring all questions to the “Oklahoma State Accrediting Agency”. Their executive director sent News 9 a long statement that said a 2015 Los Angeles Times article detailing gross excesses at flight schools that teach veteran students, is one reason why V.A. funding is being cut off. 

Edmond Native and Air Force Veteran Leland Kearns is in his first year of flight school at OU. He said the government is pulling the rug out from under veterans who deserve the benefits they earned.

“You know since I was that tall, my dad told me if you’re going to tell somebody you’re going to do something, do it. Nobody told the V.A. that,” said Kearns.

Oklahoma City-based “Honoring America’s Warriors” Executive Director Scotty Dee has been investigating the situation since Tuesday. He said what he’s found out is veteran students at four different Oklahoma flight schools are being affected, because of wrongs that were committed at flight schools in other states and not Oklahoma.

“What we have found out is that the V.A. in Muskogee has made a decision. Now in order for that decision to be rectified, it’s going to involve some congressional help,” said Dee.

Dee said Congressman Scott Russell is looking at the situation. News 9 has learned U.S. Senator Jim Inhofe is also now involved.