Joe Biden’s job as commander-in-chief has been horrific. Now it’s going to get even worse.
Because the Biden regime is considering cutting off a critical program of the U.S. Army.
The Army is reassessing two crucial education benefits utilized by over 100,000 soldiers annually, amid challenges in retaining troops and managing resources, according to new reports from those with insider U.S. military sources.
Under scrutiny are the Credentialing Assistance (CA) program, providing soldiers with up to $4,000 per year for civilian qualifications, and the Tuition Assistance (TA) program, aiding troops in advancing their formal education, as initially reported by Military.com. However, it remains unclear what prompted the review or if Congressional mandates have necessitated reallocating funds from education to other priorities.
“The Army acknowledges the importance of both programs in supporting our soldiers’ professional growth and readiness,” stated Army spokesperson Bryce Dubee in response to queries from reporters at the Daily Caller News Foundation. “Nevertheless, to ensure their sustainability over the long term, the Army is conducting a comprehensive review of both initiatives.”
Education benefits have traditionally been pivotal in the Army’s recruitment and retention endeavors. Eligible soldiers, having completed a year of active duty, could receive up to $250 per semester hour, with a maximum annual assistance of $4,500 for undergraduate and graduate courses. In exchange, they commit to an additional two years of service post-education.
In the fiscal year 2023 alone, the Army allocated approximately $278 million towards education benefits, as reported by Military.com.
Despite requests, Military.com was denied interviews with Army officials, including Sergeant Major of the Army Michael Weimer, who typically oversees matters concerning enlisted troops, the primary beneficiaries of the TA program.
Since 2020, around 101,000 soldiers across all Army components have availed themselves of TA annually, amounting to approximately $218 million per year. The TA program was initially introduced in 1999 and expanded post-9/11 to serve as a recruiting incentive.
On the other hand, CA, introduced in 2020, is a smaller program aimed at helping soldiers diversify their skills to meet the evolving needs of the force, according to Military.com.
Approximately 64,500 soldiers have utilized the CA program since its inception, with popular choices including licenses and qualifications in project management, personal training, and piloting, as highlighted by Dubee. The cost of the program surged from $8 million in 2020 to $60.2 million in 2023.
Currently, the Army is considering capping the CA benefit at $1,000 annually, with a total limit of $4,000 over an entire Army career, as opposed to the prior allowance of $4,000 renewable each year, according to sources familiar with the plans cited by Military.com.
For the second consecutive year, the Army fell short of its active duty recruiting targets by thousands, achieving around 55,000 recruits against a goal of 65,000 in 2023. Moreover, due to the ongoing recruiting challenges, the Army is cutting thousands of vacant positions, exacerbating the strain caused by the shortage of personnel.
Over the past several years, the U.S. Army has faced challenges in meeting its recruitment goals, experiencing declines in enlistment numbers. Several factors have contributed to this decline.
Low unemployment rates across the United States mean fewer individuals may feel compelled to join the military for financial stability or job security. When civilian job markets are robust, the military may struggle to compete for recruits.
Some segments of the population, particularly younger generations, may hold negative perceptions of military service due to factors such as the legacy of past conflicts, concerns about deployments, or objections to specific military policies. These perceptions can deter potential recruits from considering enlistment.
While the military offers valuable educational benefits and career advancement opportunities, some individuals may prioritize pursuing higher education or entering civilian careers over enlisting in the armed forces. Access to educational grants, scholarships, and vocational training programs outside the military may further diminish the appeal of military service for certain demographics.
Cutting benefits that are utilized by tens of thousands and hundreds of thousands of recruits is one way to worsen the situation entirely by making it less enticing than ever for Americans to serve their country.
While not all of the responsibility falls on the shoulders of the sitting president, the man in the Oval Office does have to shoulder some of the blame. It’s hard to suggest that Americans are overjoyed at the prospect of signing up to join the military when someone like Joe Biden is at the top of the pyramid and is viewed as a weak commander-in-chief by millions on both ends of the political spectrum.
The Conservative Column will keep you updated on any news from the U.S. military on this matter.
