Also, some of these soldiers accumulated the debt before military service.
Some enlist to pay off their loans, some go officer (ROTC, etc).
Interestingly, my loan was forgiven (up to $17,500) for service in public Title 1 schools or critical needs area (Special Education). If I'd known that BEFORE getting my degree, I'd borrowed 17.5 as it was, I borrowed just enough to pay for classes, then filled out a piece of paper for forgiveness.
Really funny, the bureaucracy, the HR person or Personnel Director couldn't sign to verify my employment, it HAD to be the Principal - of which I wen t through 3, and my latest one had taken a job with the state, thus the Principal that signed had no way of knowing my history (5 years Title 1 schools) but he signed and all was forgiven.
