canceling tuition assistance for rest of fiscal year?

[ERAUMattmom]

I just read this in AirForceTimes article just posted..
"A Pennsylvania lawmaker proposed saving the military’s tuition assistance program by cutting foreign aid to Egypt.

The effort has almost no chance of success, at least not soon enough to make a difference before next year in the fate of the education program.

Rep. Mike Fitzpatrick, R-Pa., introduced HR 1039 on Monday, when only the Army and Marine Corps had announced they were canceling tuition assistance because of budget cuts resulting from sequestration. The Coast Guard and Air Force have since announced that they also are ceasing new tuition assistance agreements for the rest of this fiscal year.

Rep. Walter B. Jones, R-N.C., is an original cosponsor of the bill.

Fitzpatrick called the services’ decision to shut down tuition assistance “disappointing and unacceptable.”

“As a nation, we must more carefully set our budget priorities,” he said in a statement. “This program, which provides our soldiers and Marines with educational support they have earned, must take precedence over assistance to foreign governments.” The U.S. released $250 million in aid to Egypt on March 3."

What exactly does this mean for AFROTC ICS?

 

[Tgun]

"TA" (Federal Tuition Assistance) is NOT connected to ROTC Scholarships (high school or in-college).

TA is a benefit given primarily to active duty, reserve, and national guard enlisted and commissioned members. No direct connection to ROTC scholarships. $4500 annually.

ROTC Scholarships and TA are mutually exclusive. You can't receive both simultaneously (not even SMP: simultaneous membership program folks).

I spoke with a Battalion ROO just a week ago, said he thought the high-school ROTC scholarshps were ok for now, but come Fall, there might not be funds available for additional detachment or battalion in-school scholarships (beyond the numbers allocated for the high school scholarships).

Now, that said, lets all hope and pray that there are no further "cuts" which may impact ROTC accessions, scholarships, etc.

Perhaps with North Korea rattling their sabres now, and perhaps even instigating a military skirmish, these actions might sway our representatives in D.C. to take action to restore funding to DoD and cut the rate of growth for entitlement programs, foreign aid, etc.

 

[ERAUMattmom]

Thank you for the clarification.

 

[Jcleppe]

One thing to remember as well, is that soldiers can still use their GI Bill to pay for education while they are serving. TA was an added benefit, some soldiers would use TA to pay for their degree while saving their GI Bill to use for a son or daughters college, Not entirely sure I agree with that process, but that's for another discussion. Soldiers are still getting the educational benefits they have earned, the GI Bill, which they can use to pay for education.

 

[LineInTheSand]

GI Bill benefits are much better once you've separated....

 

[Dspusmc]

TA was an added benefit but very well deserved. It may be primarily used by enlisted but is used by officers as well. It is nothing more then many civilian employers offer, but in my opinion better earned by these young hard chargers that are serving our country. Having experience in both the enlisted and officer side of of the USMC, and having a DS enlisted Marine 0311 and a DD AROTC scholarship student, I take offense to JCleppe's post which to me insinuates the current victims of this decision did not earn TA. Tell that to my LCpl and his squad mates sitting in the Middle East right now. I can confidently say in my experience I have seen many of the TA receiving enlisted personnel earn their $4500 (at most and most are lucky to break $1000) more then numerous full scholarship ROTC recipients. There are always individuals that game the system, but most (speaking from my experience in the combat arms mos and my DD) do not have the time to get much more than a handful of courses a year. Well deserved in my book.

 

[Jcleppe]

TA was an added benefit but very well deserved. It may be primarily used by enlisted but is used by officers as well. It is nothing more then many civilian employers offer, but in my opinion better earned by these young hard chargers that are serving our country. Having experience in both the enlisted and officer side of of the USMC, and having a DS enlisted Marine 0311 and a DD AROTC scholarship student, I take offense to JCleppe's post which to me insinuates the current victims of this decision did not earn TA. Tell that to my LCpl and his squad mates sitting in the Middle East right now. I can confidently say in my experience I have seen many of the TA receiving enlisted personnel earn their $4500 (at most and most are lucky to break $1000) more then numerous full scholarship ROTC recipients. There are always individuals that game the system, but most (speaking from my experience in the combat arms mos and my DD) do not have the time to get much more than a handful of courses a year. Well deserved in my book.

Not really sure what it is you took offense of.

I never stated that any soldier did not earn the right to use TA, I simply said that the GI Bill was still an available option, which in itself is a benefit that far surpasses anything most civilian employers offer.

TA is a terrific program and every Soldier, Marine, Sailor, Airman, and Coast Guardsmen have earned the right to everything that is available to them.

We can get into whether TA should or should not stay intact while the military tries to work within the budget Congress and the White House can't seem to remidy another time.

My only thought right now is that our military personell receive the training and equipment they need, if that means the Blue Angels/Thunderbirds don't fly or TA is suspended until the budget is taken care of, then that is something that will have to be dealt with, hopefully for the short term. I truley believe that our military has earned it.

 

[CoachBart]

I think...

Not really sure what it is you took offense of.

I never stated that any soldier did not earn the right to use TA, I simply said that the GI Bill was still an available option, which in itself is a benefit that far surpasses anything most civilian employers offer.

TA is a terrific program and every Soldier, Marine, Sailor, Airman, and Coast Guardsmen have earned the right to everything that is available to them.

We can get into whether TA should or should not stay intact while the military tries to work within the budget Congress and the White House can't seem to remidy another time.

My only thought right now is that our military personell receive the training and equipment they need, if that means the Blue Angels/Thunderbirds don't fly or TA is suspended until the budget is taken care of, then that is something that will have to be dealt with, hopefully for the short term. I truley believe that our military has earned it.

I think the cuts are a slap in the face of our soldiers. I wrote the President, my Govenor, Congressman, Senators, local delegates, and even the Secretary of the Army to express my displeasure and encouraged them to support TA in the future if its revisited. However, shamefully I have not recieved one replay back from any of them.

 

[homewith4]

some soldiers would use TA to pay for their degree while saving their GI Bill to use for a son or daughters college

Post 9/11 GI bill benefits for dependents should go long before TA. If TA must be trimmed, limiting funds to those pursuing first bachelor's degree would be a logical first step.

 

[LineInTheSand]

I think the cuts are a slap in the face of our soldiers. I wrote the President, my Govenor, Congressman, Senators, local delegates, and even the Secretary of the Army to express my displeasure and encouraged them to support TA in the future if its revisited. However, shamefully I have not recieved one replay back from any of them.

And others think referring to service members as "soldiers" is a slap in the face, as well.


First, the President doesn't read or answer your letters. Neither do the other people you listed. Your letter is shuffled into the heep of similar letters. If it has to do with a specific branch, some staffer will talk to the service liaisons, but besides your money and your vote, this is being handled and responded to, by staff members.

 

[LineInTheSand]

Tell that to my LCpl and his squad mates sitting in the Middle East right now.

I'd be happy to tell him that. He has earned his pay. He has earned his healthcare benefits. He has earned his medals and ribbons. He has likely earned the Post-9/11 G.I. Bill.

Tuition Assistance? Well now, he MAY earn it, but you know what? Not everyone gets it. So how do we reconcile that?

I think TA is a quick "Let's make it painful and visible" by the Obama Administration to pressure Republicans to make a deal. Just like canceling White House tours. Why restrict GI Bill benefits from dependents? Again, to make it visible and painful.


Your LCpl and his squadmates will have PLENTY of benefits for sitting in the Middle East right now. As will their buddies sitting in the middle of the ocean and their buddies hanging out at the exchange in Fort Hood, Tx., so don't give me the "tell that to..."

My friends are being affected too. I see it as nothing more than a political decision by the White House to punish members of the military and pressure Congressmen. Nothing more.

 

[Dspusmc]

Apology to JCleppe

Sorry for misinterpreting the "earned" portion of your post. I have been a lurker here for a while since I have children interested and active in the programs, but have never felt the need to post since my own experience is dated. I will only say I get a little defensive when it involves one of my 6 DD/DS. I too am affected by the sequester, but when it involves them, I may get a little hot under the collar. I guess when they start impacting ROTC my DD can be part of the family affair and I can rant again.

As to other comments, I will say I stand behind the assertion that it is a well earned and deserved benefit that needs to stay. I know it is abused by some, but is it any worse then the abuse of ROTC or academy attendance. I have a DD on 4 year scholarship and I don' think it is any more or less earned then my DS. These are benefits that are expected, whether guaranteed or not, that decisions are made upon. They are most used by our most vulnerable and underrated Marines/Soldiers/Sailors/Airmen, the junior enlisted. These are pawns of the not just the president, but pretty much any incumbent right now. So yes, someone else can tell them and explain why they should take the brunt. Coming from an enlisted and officer Marine background, plus a parent of an enlisted Marine, I will stand by my defense of these fine young men and women and will continue to do so without any remorse.

And, yes write, scream, holler and make noise about it. You get one vote every once in a while, and how is that working right now. It may not be successful, but it is right to do. I have done it and I recommend the same. If not us, then who. It is pretty easy to only sit here and complain.

 

[CoachBart]

Hmmm, I did not know that.

And others think referring to service members as "soldiers" is a slap in the face, as well.


First, the President doesn't read or answer your letters. Neither do the other people you listed. Your letter is shuffled into the heep of similar letters. If it has to do with a specific branch, some staffer will talk to the service liaisons, but besides your money and your vote, this is being handled and responded to, by staff members.

Hmmm, I did not know that. I was never in the military and to me the name "soldier" is held in very high esteem. But I don't know everything so if folks would rather be called service members so be it. As for not answering my emails and letters I still think that is rude and unprofessional.

 

[bruno]

Saw this on Michael Yon's blog- too good not to post:

 

[dunninla]

And others think referring to service members as "soldiers" is a slap in the face, as well.

what? A soldier is a service member in the Army. A marine is a service member in the Marines. A sailor is a service member in the Navy. Why would the term "soldier" be considered a "slap in the face"? That's a legit question. Soldier is the most common, and accepted term for service members in the Army, is it not?

 

[Jcc123]

I believe LItS objected to CoachBart's implication that all of those affected by cuts are soldiers, as opposed to soldiers, sailors, Coasties, Marines, etc.

While he has a point, that seems to be a Coasties-specific chip on the shoulder. When I hear "soldier", my brain automatically translates that to "member of the military" - not Army specific, but maybe that's just me.

 

[bruno]

It is also frequently used in a collective sense to describe anyone in a military service or cause - for example:

Definition of SOLDIER
1a : one engaged in military service and especially in the army

http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/soldier

Actually I suspect that there are very few who would see the comment : "I think this is a slap in the face of our soldiers" as being a slap in the face of other services. In the context the OP has used it's a common usage in the English language for all who serve in the military. Soldier on!

to continue to do something in a determined way, esp. when you know you may not succeed

 

[LineInTheSand]

It is also frequently used in a collective sense to describe anyone in a military service or cause - for example:http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/soldier

Actually I suspect that there are very few who would see the comment : "I think this is a slap in the face of our soldiers" as being a slap in the face of other services. In the context the OP has used it's a common usage in the English language for all who serve in the military. Soldier on!

Ah, can always rest assured that Bruno will figure out how to use a dictionary to prove a point.

Saying "soldier" for service members is just a typical, however, uneducated way of referring to a member of the military. Refer to a Marine as a soldier and you'll generally get a response that isn't "thanks."

 

[LineInTheSand]

Hmmm, I did not know that. I was never in the military and to me the name "soldier" is held in very high esteem. But I don't know everything so if folks would rather be called service members so be it. As for not answering my emails and letters I still think that is rude and unprofessional.

It's fine. Now you know.

I'm not saying it isn't rude or unprofessional, but then, DC tends to be a rude town and staffers tend to be unprofessional. We (people in DC) think the world revolves around us (DC). People are surprised here, when they realize that isn't the case.