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Octopus Dive Academy

taking advantage of GI Bill

Have you already heard about the GI Bill Program? – If not let’s get the facts together.

The GI Bill, established in 1944 during WWII, is a federal program which provides a broad spectrum of education and training benefits for veterans, active service members, and associated families. These programs can range from traditional collegiate pathways to vocational rehabilitation programs.

Scuba Diving International (One Dive Family) is proud to be able to offer 37 approved certifications to qualifying US Veterans. The programs include certifications, from entry level to professional levels. These certifications are pre-approved, which means a service member who meets the requirements, can take one of the courses, complete the certification and then submit for reimbursement to the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Wounded in action or have disabilities? No problem, most of the courses, even the pro-levels, can be adjusted to assist with special needs, thanks to the approved SDI Scubility Diver Program (add link). Similarly, Scuba Diving International takes pride in allowing instructors to modify safe diving methodologies to best ensure quality learning for individuals with differing abilities.

What about veterans and service members overseas, especially Germany? There are over 35,000 active-duty US military personnel currently in Germany, serving at 46 different installations. The resources associated with the GI Bill are available to all US Service members serving anywhere in the world. This means that while serving overseas, service members and their families are able to take advantage of GI Bill programs.

Dennis and Bibi, owners of the Octopus Dive Academy in Germany, asked the simple question of what do all those military personnel, and their families, do with time off-duty or after service? They wanted to find a way to support military personnel in a way that could provide education, training, vocation, or even rehabilitation. That question has now led Dennis and Bibi to provide not only underwater adventures to those personnel, but also a possible path to a future career.

Both Dennis and Bibi are strongly connected to the United States, and that is exactly the reason they want to offer and give back something great to the men and women in service. After talking with SDI headquarters, the idea has become a reality. Octopus Dive Academy is now offering approved GI Bill certifications beginning in March 2025. They will also be able to support service members throughout all of Europe.

The GI Bill is a series of educational programs that are available to all current service members on some level. The reality is that any SDI approved facility has the potential to offer the certifications. SDI has already managed the responsibilities associated with putting these approvals in place. If you are interested in learning more, contact SDI World Headquarters, and if you are a service member hoping to find a supportive scuba program somewhere in and around Europe, simply reach out to Octopus Dive Academy.

Please contact us: info@octopusdiveacademy.com

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