1. The purpose of the Military Tuition Assistance Program (MTAP) is to provide financial aid to active duty service members earning college credits.1 The Tuition Assistance program is one of the most frequently cited reasons for re-enlistment among the enlisted corps.2 In recent weeks, a Department of Defense (DoD) family council has recommended expanding the MTAP to include licenses and technical certifications.3 As stated by the Sergeant Major of the Army, Dan Dailey, “one of his priorities for 2016 has been to push for expanding tuition assistance to pay for credentialing…”4 Furthermore, the family council has recommended expanding MTAP to incorporate spouses. The Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force James Cody has said the “DoD
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To conclude, expanding the MTAP to include licenses and technical certifications would bring about a host of benefits to not only service members, but the organizations they work for and the American economy as a whole. As stated, undergraduate degrees are no longer a job guarantee. Companies are looking for candidates with more focused expertise.18 Giving service members the financial means to earn these certificates would bring increased job knowledge to the military and increase their probability of earning a civilian job. While this would cost the government more, much like the GI Bill, there would be a greater return on investment. Through extending Tuition Assistance to spouses, the aforementioned benefits would also apply to them. Additionally, they would benefit from the increased family well-being that is commonly associated with higher education. Should the DoD accept the recommendation of the DoD family council it will mean a new-era in education assistance for military service members and their spouses. It is important to ensure that members of the United States Armed Forces are receiving all the aid that is possible to offer them to help them, their families, and the United States as a whole. In order to adapt to the changes circumstances of the 21 century, the DoD needs to put these changes into effect for the greater good of all
To conclude, expanding the MTAP to include licenses and technical certifications would bring about a host of benefits to not only service members, but the organizations they work for and the American economy as a whole. As stated, undergraduate degrees are no longer a job guarantee. Companies are looking for candidates with more focused expertise.18 Giving service members the financial means to earn these certificates would bring increased job knowledge to the military and increase their probability of earning a civilian job. While this would cost the government more, much like the GI Bill, there would be a greater return on investment. Through extending Tuition Assistance to spouses, the aforementioned benefits would also apply to them. Additionally, they would benefit from the increased family well-being that is commonly associated with higher education. Should the DoD accept the recommendation of the DoD family council it will mean a new-era in education assistance for military service members and their spouses. It is important to ensure that members of the United States Armed Forces are receiving all the aid that is possible to offer them to help them, their families, and the United States as a whole. In order to adapt to the changes circumstances of the 21 century, the DoD needs to put these changes into effect for the greater good of all