Cut military ed funding? Read this first

Post date: 
Sep 1 2011 - 4:45pm
Author Information
Heather Physioc's picture
Author: 
Heather Physioc

For transparency’s sake, I am an Army wife of a deployed soldier in Afghanistan who is pursuing his degree using U.S. Army tuition assistance and – later – the original G.I. Bill.

Career College Central recently posted part of an Inside Higher Ed article on their site titled, “End of a Military Full Ride?” The article detailed Washington rumors that the Department of Defense is looking to change its tuition assistance by making active-duty military students responsible for up to 25 percent of tuition costs.  While there is no official confirmation yet, insiders are claiming that it’s only a matter of time before the DOD announces some kind of tuition assistance cut.

Let me begin by saying that giving soldiers a full ride on education is a small price to pay for what they do. U.S. military service members of all branches have more than paid for their rights to free or low-cost education by unconditionally serving this country, as well as protecting our freedom, safety and missions. Service members sign their names on the dotted line to agree to pay whatever price necessary in order to protect and serve this great nation. And for many soldiers and their families, that means paying the ultimate sacrifice.

The sacrifice of lives, the very real possibility that a loved one overseas may not make it back home, is a constant risk and fear for military families of soldiers who are or will be deployed. Let's face it – soldiers get paid less to get shot at for a living than most of us do in our comfy office jobs. The Department of Defense’s tuition assistance already doesn't necessarily cover 100% of the costs for active-duty soldiers, and the Post-9/11 GI Bill system has had its flaws from the beginning. (See my article “G.I. Jolt” in the January 2010 of Career College Central magazine about just that.) In addition to these proposed military education cuts, they've also put health insurance and other benefits that military families receive on the chopping block more than once. It's a real shame.

In my humble opinion, it is our duty and responsibility to make it possible for military individuals to pursue a worthwhile education at little or no cost in order to make up for that enormous gap in their contribution and sacrifice and their actual compensation. Most loyal Americans would be greatly disheartened to learn the salaries of our soldiers who spend a year at a time away from their families, travel to third-world countries and live in tents without common luxuries, and are in constant life-threatening risk during that time. These education and health benefits, among a few others, are crucial components for repaying these service members for their hard work and dedication.

Finding a new career path and landing a job post-deployment or post-military has proved to be a frequent topic of discussion lately. According to the L.A. Times last month, unemployment is in the double digits for recently returned veterans and is “poised to get worse.” My husband will attest to the fact that many soldiers feel uncertainty and fear for what will happen to them as they transition from military career to a civilian career.

A great education from a trade school or university can make the difference between veterans who succeed and veterans who don't after they have completed their military service. We can and should provide that for them.

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Comments

Submitted by Mike (not verified) on .

Great post Heather.  As a country we definitely have to start thinking about where we can save money and be realistic about what all the government can support. The last place we need to be doing that though is benefits to members of the military.

Submitted by Dad Phyz (not verified) on .

 "Cut Military Ed Funding?  Read this first?"  In my opinion, it is exceptionally well written article, and conveys the point in an effective manner.  I do hope that articles like this one will move the powers that be to do what is right for those who serve in harm's way. It really is the least we can do.  

Submitted by Carly (not verified) on .

First of all, I think it is important to mention here that the ever since the GI Bill was instituted after the second world war, it has contributed a massive amount to the United States.  The military, by way of proffessional training and educational benefits, is one of the last routes availiable to people to work their way out of the lower middle class or poverty.  As someone who has several yearsexperience teaching liberal arts courses to service members, I know first hand that not all bright, promising and hard working people can afford to go to college.  The military gives these people the only opportunity they would have to earn a college degree.

I am also concerned about the decrease in incentives to join the military.  As a military spouse myself, I can say that it was the healthcare and educational benefits that initially attracted my husband to the military.  If we demand so much of our military members and their families but give so little back how do we expect to attract the cream of the crop leaders, soldiers, sailors and airmen the military depends on?  Being in the military has lots of benefits but it is strange and stressful at times and for some it is violent, dangerous and damaging.  The cost is high but the benefits have always been high, too.  What happens if that goes away?

I do belive some reforms are needed.  I have seen some abuse and waste of benefits but those cases are rare.  The overwhelming fact of the matter is, we ask so much of so few.  We ask them to give us their time, their safety, their freedom of choice, their creature comforts, their loved ones and sometimes we even ask them to give up their lives.  In many cases, the people who come home from war zones continue sacrificing and suffering even aafter they come home but education is a humanizing endeavor.  It nurtures the spirit and it opens doors to a brighter future that these people deserve.  

I would gladly pay higher taxes so that somone in the military can go to school.  It's apalling that this, of all things, might be taken away. 

 

Submitted by Dawn (not verified) on .

As one who witnesses basic training graduations every week of hundreds, if not thousands of new soldiers...I hear too many conversations as to why soldiers come into the Army.  Most often education is one of the main reasons these soldiers, young and older, sign on the dotted line.  Some view education as a way out and others as a way in...but no matter how one looks at it, education is a prime mover.  

Only 1% of our citizens wear the uniform to defend our rights, freedoms and give us hope in this very scary and tired world.  The LEAST we can do is provide them opportunites to advance themselves.