Sequester Cut
There
are a variety of reasons for why men and women join the military;
health and education benefits are often two of the most important
factors for people when deciding to sign on the dotted line. In our
article today, we are going to discuss the budgetary cuts to the Tuition
Assistance Programs, which are one of the most common tactical
recruitment and retention tools used by the Military.
In
today’s news, a federal spending cut of 11% has been implemented to
military Tuition Assistance Programs that has surprised many. This
sequester cut affects the Army and the Marines because both institutions
have decided that they will no longer be taking new applications for
programs that offer tuition assistance to active-duty service members.
Consequently, if you are in the Army or Marines pay close attention
because this will affect you. While this critical decision does not
negatively affect your VA benefits such as the GI Bill, neither the Army
nor the Marines will have new tuition assistance any longer.
This
change will hurt both service member retention and interest from new
recruits to enlist. Many young adults enlist in our armed forces in
hopes of receiving tuition assistance so that they can earn college
credit while serving in the military. Tuition assistance is an essential
way that the military can benefit its members and their careers outside
of the military. If this assistance is taken away, there will be less
incentive for new recruits to join up and enlistment numbers could drop
immensely. Thankfully, however, veterans and the service members who are
currently enrolled in tuition benefits will not be affected.
"The
Army understands the impacts of this action and will re-evaluate should
the budgetary situation improve," said Lt. Col. Tom Alexander,
spokesman for the Army's personnel chief.
Recently
as of March 26, 2013, President Obama signed a bill into law that will
restore military Tuition Assistance Programs. Although this bill has
been signed, research has stated that Military officials are unsure
about the timing for the Tuition Assistance Programs restoration.
Unfortunately, this means that until this bill is fully restored,
military personnel can not receive their tuition assistance. Even though
there is a wait on this bill, it once again provides hope to the men
and women of the armed forces that they will receive the benefits they
deserve from enlisting in the military.
Follow 108 Solutions Military Loans and Financing!
Sources:
Senators rally to reinstate military tuition assistance after sequester cut:
Obama Signs Bill Restoring Military Tuition Aid and Cutting Poli-Sci Research
Senators Demand Answers on Restoration of Military Tuition Assistance
Army Tuition Assistance Program Loses Funding Due to Sequestration
