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Tuesday, April 9, 2013

Sequester: Military Tuition Cut

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.

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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

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