Not to rain on the parade, but just so some posters don't assume it is a done deal.
http://www.airforcetimes.com/news/2...-votes-to-restore-tuition-assistance-032013w/
Sponsored by Sens. James Inhofe, R-Okla., and Kay Hagan, D-N.C., the order is part of the Senate’s version of the 2013 budget. If it becomes law — and that is not yet certain — it would apply only through the end of this fiscal year on Sept. 30.
The amendment, passed by voice vote, does not say how the cost would be covered, only that the Defense Department would have to restore funding.
“Veterans mobilized to reinstate tuition assistance, and today the Senate listened,” said Ryan Gallucci, deputy legislative director of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, who used tuition assistance when he was a civil affairs specialist to work toward a college degree.
No similar provision is included in the House version of the government funding bill, HR 933, so the fate of tuition assistance rests with negotiations to work out a compromise measure. There is a March 27 deadline for completing the bill because that is when current federal funding expires. Without the extension, a government shutdown is possible.
Honestly, I am not opposed to TA, but I side with other posters when we are discussing the fact the we are BROKE.
For the AF:
We are cutting 203K flight hrs because we can't afford the JP fuel, and the maintenance on the airframes.
We are cutting back on PME, which these airmen need for promotion.
Base hospitals are filled with civilians, they will be furloughed...good luck on getting an appointment, or at least not spending a lot longer waiting for that appointment. Same with sitting in the pharmacy waiting for your script.
We are delaying security clearance re-verifications.
These all are taking a huge hit and that included TA in the cost cutting. Placing it back means that the DoD will have to take it from somewhere else. Remember their hands are tied regarding where they can and where they can't take it from.
I understand the Army because I believe it impacts the SMP students, but I can't understand it for the AF, especially the officer side of the house. Master degrees are masked until their O5 board. Honestly, if you are an O4 up for an O5 just doing it now, that is insane. I also have no pity if you are an O4, because you are making O4 pay, same with any O5. I get the enlisted side of the house because that is a hefty chunk that many cannot afford.
JMPO, maybe the Hill should spend more time fixing the budget, than doing piece meal with issues that will now impact the DoD even more.
Let's also remember ROTC and the SAs are furloughing those civilian attached to their organizations. What if the DoD comes back and says fine now to put TA back in the mix, all GSs will be furloughed 28 days instead of 22. Or maybe they cancel all summer training for cadets and mids.
There will be an impact somewhere else, the question is where? The Hill is not giving them anymore money, they are now forcing them to put TA back in the budget. As I said they are tieing the DoD's hands, and than coming back and saying, we don't like it, do something else. What will happen when they hit something else and there is a large out cry, will they do it again, and say you can't hit that either? Will they keep doing it until there is only one thing left, if so, why not just do the DoD's job and hand them a line budget.