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Late last week, a new petition was launched on the White House's "We the People" website, and it's already caused quite a stir, generating about 86,000 signatures as of this morning. The topic may not be front-page news, but it's important: veterans' benefits cut under the military's Tuition Assistance program.
What's this all about? For all the Beltway assumptions about sequestration cuts not having a real-world effect, there are examples like these that suggest otherwise.
Service members hoping to get financial aid to further their education will be out of luck as the Army's Tuition Assistance program becomes the latest casualty of budget cuts.
The Army announced on Friday that soldiers would no longer be able to submit new requests for tuition assistance. The decision will exempt those service members already enrolled in courses and receiving aid.
"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.
In this case, "should the budgetary situation improve" is a polite way of saying "should congressional Republicans stop screwing around."
The Marine Corps has also suspended its Tuition Assistance program.
It's not altogether clear whether the sequester is the only reason for the TA cuts, and the branches may be facing unrelated budget pressures, but the timing certainly suggests there's a connection -- both the Army and the Marines announced the move shortly after the sequestration deadline passed -- and Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA) said the sequester helped lead to cuts.
Student Veterans of America's executive director, Michael Dakduk added, "It is utterly unacceptable that the first casualties of Congress' inability to act are education benefits for servicemembers."
IAVA also noted there are other programs for veterans that help with education costs, but the fact Tuition Assistance is being cut at all is a problem.
Sen. James Inhofe (R-Okla.) said last week he's "looking into" the problem, though it's unclear if he's done any work on the issue since.
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Oh I'm SURE Bolling, Hannity and Trump will want to 'sponsor' college education for these heroes...RIGHT???
(Note: How did this get up here? It's suppose to be a reply to # 3. I did have to reload after signing in, nothing new there. But this time it reassigned the post I was replying to ... Oh well)
Tried telling them ... Sure, you're a Hero today, but wait till their done with you and they'll figure out a way to weasel out of the deal.
Did they listen?
NOoooo!
I was called Unpatriotic and a Traitor!!
I was hated and despised for, they said, being Un-American!!
Just trying to give you a heads up, Kids,
And here we are!
I suspect the new plan is to keep Vets without training so the Corporations can get highly disciplined people for China Wage. Or would that be a side benefit?
.
Our paranoia seems to dovetail, Rob Berman. First, they keep the economy on the skids, so that better qualified young folks join the service because there are no jobs. Then, the poor men and women with stress reactions to combat are labeled malingerers and given less than honorable discharges to save money on the care they need and don't get. Now, those that survived, mature and disciplined, are denied education benefits to force them to accept lower wages in civilian life. It's socially destructive in the long run, but in the short run, there'll be a lot of very disciplined laborers who'll work long and hard hours for not much money.
Veterans getting screwed by the government gets me so damn mad.
But still the administration can give the Muzzy-Bros in Egypt $250M their sacrifice to their country.
" The brave Egyptians who stood vigil in Tahrir Square did not risk their lives to see that opportunity for a brighter future squandered,” Mr. Kerry said.
A complete slap in the face to all service members.
No tuition but the "Comander in Chief" can continue the expenses of flying around the Country to play Golf. Now that is a Leader: Everyone needs to sacrifice a little, but not the top leader of the Military. That is great leadership, great motivator...
I would like to see some public spirited lawyer take this on. I haven't seen the enlistment agreement, but it sure seems like there would be a contract here.
The soldiers agreed to serve the United States Government when they enlisted, agreeing to serve for a certain period of time in exchange for certain pay and benefits, one of which is tuition assistance.
They've performed their duty--their part of the contract. Now the US needs to live up to its part. I would think the former soldiers would have a very strong case here.
This would not have been part of the "contract." It's a voluntary program for those serving who want to "get ahead," not a guarantee.
The question becomes if the promises of these benefits that recruiters make to recruits can be considered binding, or at least reason for the soldiers to be released from their contracts if they choose to based on misrepresentation of the contract terms by the recruiter?
I highly doubt it in either case, but it would be interesting to see it argued.
GOTP TO US - Yeah, yeah, whatever, WE only "support the troop" when WE send them to war! You don't really think that WE want you educated do you?!
GOTP = Generally Obtructing True Progress!
ALL WAYS & ALL THE TIME!
(better put my post in the correct place)
Tried telling them ... Sure, you're a Hero today, but wait till their done with you and they'll figure out a way to weasel out of the deal.
Did they listen?
NOoooo!
I was called Unpatriotic and a Traitor!!
I was hated and despised for, they said, being Un-American!!
Just trying to give you a heads up, Kids,
And here we are!
I suspect the new plan is to keep Vets without training so the Corporations can get highly disciplined people for China Wage. Or would that be a side benefit?
Just to be clear. Tuition assistance is NOT the same as the GI Bill which is used to pay for college AFTER they leave the service. Tuition assistance is for taking courses while you are on active duty. I used both - tuition assistance while going to school part time while I was on active duty and then the GI Bill when I got out. Just want to clarify that the GI Bill benefits are not being cut or suspended ...at this point.
This program should not be terminated or suspended. Other cuts should be made. Educating our troops is definitely a win-win. It makes for better troops while they are in the service and also when they are out.
Skip: we agree on this, the last people we need to shortsheet are our military. But you are the deficit man, you post each and every day on here about the end of our society due to debt/deficit. You have cheerleaded the sequestration, and gone as far as calling it a drop in the bucket, like it's not nearly enough for you. Now look at you, we are only in week two and you are decrying cuts. Do you want cuts, or not?
Lebowsky,
I am still the deficit man. I said:
Other cuts should be made.
As for the sequester, I would have favored a better approach to the cuts. I never "cheerleaded" for the sequester - I would have rather had an alternative. So I never said I am all of a sudden against the cuts, just smart cuts. The sequester was put into law for the purpose of forcing (which in itself is rather funny - forcing Congress to do their job) Congress to come up with a plan to reduce the deficits. They didn't so the sequester happened. Not my first choice, but at least some cuts are happening. And yes, even the sequstration is a drop in the bucket. Sooner or later we will have to do more. Unfortunately the later we do it, the more painful. This tuition assistance is an example of the pain. I don't like it, and I would like to see cuts in overseas deplyments, some hardware, etc. I do fear that in the future the cuts will include things like tuition assistance and everything else listed.
I am for cutting the deficits and debt. That doesn't mean I have to like it.
Except the GOP have spent the last 40 years gutting all social programs so today they find themselves out of social programs to cut because everything has been cut to the bone and whats left won't make a dent in the budget. The problem is righties are stuck in 1981 and refuse to accept that everything they whine about either doesn't exist or had been changed to help very few. But then righties keep insisting that ACORN is stealing elections, so we know just how thick the bubble is that they live in.
Never having been in the military I'm a little confused--if the GI bill is still intact then why do we need the tuition assistance? Isn't it redundant?
smb - No, the GI Bill (depending on which one you're under) not only pays for schooling once you leave the military, but also enables you to apply for a mortgage loan and other benefits once you've completed your 25 - 30 years of service; whereas Tuition Assistance is only available while you are active duty.
How would that be "redundant?" You don't think our services members have earned this? GI and Tuition assistance is different! Zora Renee is right! GOTP! Why would the people that are willing to DIE NOT have this right? Why cut military? Our lives are in NO WAY "Lavish"!!!! You expect what ? them to fight ? work free ? jump through hoops?? Get real people!!! Sequestration cuts are KILLING US military!!! If the USA doesn't believe they need military have fun fighting ALONE!!!!! Look more into military cuts.... think to youself (would you fight over seas with 1/2 the training 1/3 your earnings and need to pay out of your own pocket for insurance? AND have more taken from you and your family???) REALLY!!!!!
Amanda, most people outside of the "military" don't really know how it operates. They see the "DOD budget" and actually believe that "the troops" are being paid lavishly for what they do. They have NO idea that if you are an E3/E4 with a spouse & children there are states in which they are eligible for food-stamps - most of that "bloated DOD budget" goes to pay for contracting out for things that the military used to do (pre VietNam) for itself, and for all those shiny new toys that the Generals/Congress want....
The amount spent on contractors is appalling. They make about four times what you make in service for serving in the mess tent just because they are in a combat zone, even though they never leave the base. Add into that the cut the staffing company makes, and it adds up to a big chunk of change. You could cut out the contractors, pay the troops more, and come out ahead. And don't even get me started on craptacular projects like the F-35. Time was, KP was what you did, especially at the lower levels, if you didn't perform up to standard.
I've been in dozens of mess tents in combat zones in recent years and with the exception of the person in charge - almost all the people working in the mess tents are local hires who get payed a competitive wage based on wages earned in the local economy. The fact is, many of the people who were working in the chow halls in Iraq were not Iraqis - they were Bangladeshis, Nepalese, and any number of other third world countrymen. I don't know their exact wages - but it was only a fraction of what the service members were earning.
Which has nothing to do with what the private business charges Uncle Sam for the services the workers provide, their wages are not even an issue as its CEO's and stock holders that cause the cost to go up so they can line their pockets with government handouts. The only reason the military started doing private contractors was so more military could be used for cannon fodder, when the military did everything for themselves it was cost effective because a PFC got the same pay no matter if he was in combat or feeding the combat troops.
Zora--thanks for the answer. I appreciate the information and the respectful way in which is was given.
Amanda--no I don't think people in the military live lavishly. And I don't want to see benefits to military personnel cut. I honestly didn't know the answer, that is why I asked.
couldn't find anywhere else to post this.
"the ex-pope, the sultan of brunei, and john travolta, walk into a bar,,,,,,,,"
they said, "OWWWWWW!!!!!!!!".
"the ex-pope, the sultan of brunei, and john travolta, walk into a bar,,,,,,,,"
The sultan says "I can pilot my own aircraft & have the money to buy a fleet outright.
John Travolta says "I too can pilot an aircraft and I own a small Cessna".
The ex-pope says "I too can fly a helicopter but much like Dorothy I've lost my way".
This program is based the extraordinarily valid idea that a well educated military is a more effective military. This is a military readiness program not a "government benefit." I am sure the GOP is cheering this development because many of the people benefiting from this program are young men and women men from poor backgrounds, many of them black, because there are a lot of those kind of people in the service. It is well known that the only people who should benefit from a relationship with our government are rich old white men.
The Confederacy in Congress only wants cannon fodder dumb enough to follow the example of Pickett's Charge. Educated soldiers don't do that.
Classic. Screw the men and women in uniform but cancel a few "white elephant" defense contracts? Perish the thought!
I'm sure there are more than a few contracts which could be terminated for failure to perform in accordance with representations and warranties. But that would anger the MIC, their true masters.
They haven't even touched all the marching bands!
The Pentagon is the world's most ineffecient jobs program. Would love to see an honest bottom up review of all of the budget there.
As of the other day, the Air Force has also suspended their tuition assistance program. Given the timing, how could it NOT be due to sequestration? It wouldn't surprise me to learn that this benefit was cut in order to gain attention and to put pressure on our political leaders to reach a compromise.
A few points of clarification- the GI Bill (post 9/11 or Montgomery, it doesn't matter) can be used either during active duty service or after, not just after, as another commenter mentioned. Tuition assistance is NOT part of an enlistment contract and is therefore not an entitlement, it's a benefit made available to active duty soldiers.
I agree that most likely these cuts are being made because they will put the most pressure on a certain contingent in Congress to quit playing games and grow up. Of course, cutting programs that benefit the MIC would also put a certain amount of pressure from the campaign Sugar Daddies, but hearing the Vox Populi may make them realize that people wearing hats with tea bags dangling from the brims are not the majority.
I used GI bill benefits "During Service", so I would have to agree.. But there are limits to how much it will pay for tuition.. Maybe the Tuition assistance program helped cover the difference?..
I have to put some blame at the foot of the President on this one.
The DOD budget is being cut by 46 Billion dollars.
The BIG dollars in the DOD budget is now, and always has been, contracts for systems (including equipment), not personnel costs.
http://www.military.com/daily-news/2012/08/20/congress-pushes-for-weapons-pentagon-didnt-want.html
The tuition money is chickenfeed compared to these weapons that the DOD does NOT want.
So do you think President Obama would get Bonehead's attention if he cut funding for weapons that were being produced in OHIO?
Still trying to give Obama the powers of a king are you. Here is a clue Obama can not cut anything or spend any tax dollars, why? for the simple fact of separation of powers meaning congress decides cuts and spending. The president can only request cuts and spending its up to congress to decide if they want those or not and btw who do you think congress listens to the president or the lobbyist that line congresses pockets.
What whoitmay just said. Obama has absolutely no power as to where the cuts are made. The people who decide that are in the DoD, not the WH. A person who is knowledgeable about current affairs would know that.
Dogjuice: Obama and the Pentagon tried this. Boehner stuck further Abrams tank funding through an earmark on a must pass bill. Even though the military does not want this, it's in Boehners home turf.
Some of you need to read about these cuts some more.
There are certain items that cannot be cut. Example. They are not going to cut military pay by XX%. They also cannot cut some contracts, since there are penalty clauses in them. That's why there have been comments from departments saying that they are looking into what items they can and can not cut without penalties.
As an aside, one of the reasons the Supreme Court didn't want to give Clinton a line item veto is that Presidents could do exactly what I'm suggesting. The President would use his line item veto power to punish his opponents.
The final word from the Military though, please do enlist, we treat you very well and continue to give your blood and guts for the rich bastards. No need to worry about if you die, loose limbs, and/or get PTSD, we will take care of you. Just remember the rich bastards and Republicans always have that caring love and consideration of you. Don't worry about being raped in the military also, because that is just your imagination and just lay back and enjoy it. Bring us your middle class and especially the poor.
Damn you congress! There goes my plan to get back into school. /:
Congressional Super Committee failure. Wow, reality bites.
Husband was one of those who lose TA. will tap on GI bill. I forgot to comment this on Friday.
Sorry to hear... I guess that's the difference? The GI bill will only pay so much and it isn't infinite... I used it as well, but a long time ago.. Forgot the rules. TA was an additional resource, I guess.
What can you say, but so many of these soldiers just loved the Republicans for all those things that was done for them. Perhaps, if any of these soldiers that were so endearing to Republicans will finally wake up.
if it doesn't help a DEFENSE CONTRACTOR, the GOP has no interest in it.
they routinely vote against what benefits the average soldier.
https://petitions.whitehouse.gov/petition/reinstate-military-tuition-assistance-ta-and-block-armed-service-branches-any-further-suspension-ta/kSyVdySm
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Hey the Top Brass are the ones who are saying cut the education instead of something else. If they think that is best then fine! do i agree with the Brass no but i respect their short sighted decision
I guess everyone needs to be reminded that these are not "cuts" at all, but just a slow-down in the INCREASE of government spending. Nothing is being cut. Another reminder: the Democrat-controlled Senate and Obama have been unable to pass a single budget bill in over 4 years, despite the Constitutional mandate to do so. Without a budget in place, it's truly hard to understand what a "cut" might be anyway.
I am serving on Active Duty now and I am approaching my 14 year mark in the military. Soldiers have always known that Tuition Assistance is on a first come, first serve basis. Every semester the people who wait until the last minute do not always get funds for that respective semester. We still have access to the MGIB, State Tuition Assistance, and ROTC Scholarships and Stipends. Soldiers can also complete the fafsa and use in conjunction with the GIBILL. I am currently using Tuition Assistance myself and am faced with what to do for my next classes. The military has been very good to me and my family and if I have to pay out of pocket, I would be glad to. I'm proud to be an American and I'm proud to serve.
Text of joint letter sent by seven college and university presidents to Congress in response to suspension of Military Tuition Assistance: http://bit.ly/Yucq20
The military is not required to honor promises made by recruiters. Furthermore, the VA is not required to honor promises made by the military. But hey, we still have the support of those yellow ribbons. http://www.law.umaryland.edu/marshall/crsreports/crsdocuments/98-1006_F.pdf