When I opened the mail today, I got this notice from my education lender:

Dear Borrower:
Effective July 1, 2006, for all loan programs ... a new military deferment has been created [for borrowers] serving on active duty during a war or other military operation ... .

I was shocked -- that this was a new idea. I'd assumed all of our soldiers, getting shot at for minimal wages (and already drowning in debt), could have at least counted on student loan deferrals while they were dodging bullets.

I assumed wrong. Getting military deferral concessions is a lender-by-lender battle. And the victory is far from complete.

If you're shocked like me, contact your alma mater. Ask them if they deal with lenders without military deferrals. And demand an explanation.