U.S. Army May Cut Key Education Benefits As Service Struggles To Recruit And Retain Troops

Tampa Bay Times ^ | Apr 8, 2024 | Micaela Burrow

[where's_the_Outrage?]

The Army is revisiting two education benefits seen as key recruiting and retention tools and used by more than 100,000 soldiers annually as the service struggles to hang on to troops and resources, the service confirmed to the Daily Caller News Foundation on Monday.

Two programs under review include the Credentialing Assistance (CA) program that allotted soldiers up to $4,000 per year to earn civilian qualifications, and the Tuition Assistance (TA) program that helped troops further their formal education, Military.com first reported.

But, the outlet could not determine what sparked considerations to reduce the programs or whether Congressional dictates forced the Army to move money typically devoted to continuing education toward other priorities.

“The Army recognizes the value of both to support our soldiers’ professional development and readiness levels,” Army spokesperson Bryce Dubee said in a statement to the DCNF. “However, in order to ensure their long-term sustainability, the Army is conducting a thorough review of both programs.”

Education benefits have long been a cornerstone of the Army’s recruiting and retention efforts. Soldiers who qualify for the tuition assistance program, having completed at least one year of active duty service, can receive up to $250 per semester hour for a maximum of $4,500 yearly assistance for undergraduate and graduate courses. In return, they commit to two additional years of service after completing the covered schooling concurrent to their existing service obligation.

The Army spent roughly $278 million on education benefits in fiscal year 2023, according to Military.com.

[where's_the_Outrage?]

DEI indoctrination and trans enlightenment are more important funding obligations.

[Lurker]

I’m sure this will help those recruiting numbers.

L

[Apparatchik]

And yet Brandon is about to cancel 10 grand in college debt for millions in the hope they’ll vote for his sorry, wrinkly old a$$.

[Darksheare]

“move money typically devoted to continuing education toward other priorities.”

I.E. trans BS and struggle sessions telling men they’re rapists for simply existing and whites they’re racist for being white.
General Milley and Blinken can go scratch their anal warts on a chollo cactus!

[vpintheak]

But there is plenty of money for illegal aliens...
screw these politicians.

[vpintheak]

But there is plenty of money for illegal aliens...
Plenty of money for dumb-a’d college pukes that ar ebeing trained to hate the USA and “loan forgiveness”
screw these politicians.

[OldWarBaby]

Well, sure-—cutting benefits is bound to help both recruiting and retention.?? They shoulda thot of it sooner. And when money gets tight they can pay GI’s with IOU’s-—worked before as I recall?

[A Navy Vet]

We can only hope that when Trump gets in the WH, he fires all these woke generals and others. Better yet...Don’t Ask, Don’t tell and Don’t Display when on Duty. It worked when I was in.

[Fury]

Incredible.

[ridesthemiles]

SHIFTLESS STUDENTS WALK AWAY FROM THEIR LOANS.....

[Segovia]

and do you really believe that the one policy isn’t connect to the other????

[whitney69]

“But there is plenty of money for illegal aliens...”

Please look at it for what it is: they are not illegal aliens to the liberals. They are voting investments. Just look at where a majority of them, that we know about, are placed.

wy69

[mass55th]

But hey!! Let’s start WWIII anyway!! What difference does it make?

[faithhopecharity]

let’s see,
if Detroit followed the army’s advice to recruit more car buyers, it would
1. take away the “free” tires
2. take away the radios (after all, cars originally didn’t come with radios)
3. take away the heaters and air conditioners (ditto)

gee, Sales will SKYROCKET!
/s

[Liaison]

If the army cuts the education programs then it will a massive step closer to game over for the army. This program is especially important to the reserves and national guard or improving the force and retention. Saving money here to pay for a program of record would be worse. The army need good boots on the ground in the next fight rather than a expensive weapon system that will get destroyed by a cheap drone.

[griswold3]

Cra cra. You never complete the transaction. You gotta keep the issue alive! Once you pay their debts, does he think they’ll have some smidgen of loyalty? Good luck with that.

[Grampa Dave]

Do we still have Veteran loans for home buyers and VA assistance for college?

Veterans not active duty people.

[Apparatchik]

Who are you talking to?

[Grampa Dave]

Thanks for posting this reality!

“But there is plenty of money for illegal aliens...”

Please look at it for what it is: they are not illegal aliens to the liberals. They are voting investments. Just look at where a majority of them, that we know about, are placed.

wy69

[Thank You Rush]

“”I’m sure this will help those recruiting numbers.””

Good grief - there are some things that just don’t make sense. They need to improve the numbers so the solution is to CUT programs that are one of the reasons for joining the military to begin with? I think we need a law that puts faces and names to the people coming up with these stupid ideas.