NAUI GI Bill® Dive Training at Vets Recover
Use the benefits you’ve earned to build new skills, confidence, and purpose with the NAUI GI Bill® Program offered through the Helping 2 Overcome (H2O) dive program at Vets Recover. This veteran?centric training pathway allows eligible Veterans, Active Duty service members, and dependents to use their GI Bill® benefits toward approved NAUI scuba certifications and professional?level licenses in a recovery?focused, peer?support environment.
All NAUI GI Bill® courses are paid up front by the participant. After you successfully complete your course and exam, you file for reimbursement with the Department of Veterans Affairs, and the VA reimburses you directly for the approved cost of the course according to your GI Bill® eligibility level and remaining entitlement. Each level is designed so that it requires only one month of GI Bill® eligibility, giving you a clear, step?by?step path through the program.
NAUI GI Bill® Course Levels and Costs
Each level below is aligned with a VA?approved licensing/certification exam and typically uses one month of GI Bill® entitlement per level. At every level, Helping 2 Overcome provides participants with a gear credit balance that may be used toward the purchase of personal dive equipment, allowing you to build your own kit over time while reducing out?of?pocket costs.
Recreational Levels – $1,500 Each (With Two (2) Specialties)
- NAUI Open Water Diver – $1,500
Begin your journey underwater with core scuba skills, safety procedures, and comfort in open water. Your fee includes the Open Water course plus two (2) additional NAUI specialty certifications, giving you more capability than a basic entry?level class. This level requires one month of GI Bill® eligibility, and you receive a Helping 2 Overcome gear credit balance you can apply toward essential starter gear.
- NAUI Advanced Open Water Diver – $1,500
Take your skills further with deeper dives, navigation, and more complex dive scenarios. The course fee includes the Advanced Open Water course plus two (2) additional NAUI specialty certifications, letting you customize your training toward the type of diving you enjoy. This level requires one month of GI Bill® eligibility, and you receive an additional gear credit balance to help you add or upgrade equipment.
- NAUI Rescue Diver – $1,500
Learn to prevent and manage diving emergencies, assist other divers, and become a stronger, more capable teammate. Your fee covers the Rescue Diver course plus two (2) additional NAUI specialty certifications, often focused on mission?oriented or safety?related skills. This level requires one month of GI Bill® eligibility, and you receive another gear credit balance to invest in equipment that supports these more demanding roles.
- NAUI Master Scuba Diver – $1,500
Demonstrate high?level recreational proficiency with advanced academics, planning, and in?water experience. The fee includes the Master Diver course plus two (2) additional NAUI specialty certifications, helping you round out a broad and deep skill set. This level requires one month of GI Bill® eligibility, and you receive a gear credit balance that can be used toward more advanced components as you approach a complete, versatile kit.
Note: Exact specialty choices at recreational levels and gear credit amounts at all levels may vary over time and by cohort. Please contact us for current details and inclusions.
Professional / Leadership Levels – $2,000 Each (No Added Specialties)
To enroll in Professional / Leadership Levels please contact the Helping 2 Overcome Program at h2o@vetsrecover.org or bmp@vetsrecover.org
- NAUI Divemaster – $2,000
Step into leadership by supervising certified divers and assisting instructors. Your fee includes the full Divemaster course and associated evaluations, along with an increased Helping 2 Overcome gear credit balance that can be applied to professional?grade equipment. This level requires one month of GI Bill® eligibility.
- NAUI Public Safety Diver – $2,000
Prepare for specialized roles in public safety and emergency response diving. The course fee covers the complete Public Safety Diver program, including scenario?based training, plus a gear credit balance you can use toward mission?appropriate equipment. This level requires one month of GI Bill® eligibility.
- NAUI Assistant Instructor – $2,000
Begin your instructional pathway by assisting with classes and developing teaching skills. Your fee covers the full Assistant Instructor course and evaluations, and you receive a gear credit balance to help you purchase the professional?level gear you’ll rely on while teaching. This level requires one month of GI Bill® eligibility.
- NAUI Instructor – $2,000
Train to independently teach and certify new divers. The course fee includes the complete Instructor program, including academic and in?water evaluations, plus a substantial gear credit balance to support a full professional kit. This level requires one month of GI Bill® eligibility.
- NAUI Instructor Trainer – $2,000
Reach the top leadership track by training and mentoring instructors. Your fee covers the Instructor Trainer program and associated evaluations, and you receive a gear credit balance designed to help you maintain top?tier professional equipment. This level requires one month of GI Bill® eligibility.
How Payment and VA Reimbursement Work
1. Enroll in your chosen NAUI GI Bill® level and pay the full course fee up front.
2. Complete the course (and included specialties, for recreational levels) and pass the required NAUI exam(s).
3. File your claim with the Department of Veterans Affairs using the licensing/certification reimbursement process.
4. The VA reimburses you directly for the approved cost of the course, based on your GI Bill® eligibility level and remaining entitlement (typically one month per level).
This structure lets you progress one level at a time, use your GI Bill® efficiently, earn multiple certifications at the recreational levels, and steadily build your own dive gear with Helping 2 Overcome gear credits as you advance.
