text: are navy servicemen allowed to combine mgib benefits with navy tuition assistance? the serviceman has been on active duty for 2 years and is eligble for mgib benefits. being an x-navy man i know this one!  no.  mgib is for when you get out of the navy. while you're in, the navy pays for everything but your books.  so there's no need to use the mgib.  books are expensive i know...but that's the rules.  when you get out, its no fun either.  you have to pay for classes up front and then get reimbursed several weeks later...get a credit card now!