Army slashes popular education benefit in half, leaving soldiers’ futures hanging in the balance.
At a Glance
- Army Credentialing Assistance program cut from $4,000 to $2,000 annually
- Officers no longer eligible, focusing on enlisted personnel
- Program costs soared from $31 million in 2021 to $70 million in 2023
- Changes aimed at ensuring long-term sustainability of education benefits
- Critics argue reduced benefit insufficient for quality civilian courses
Army’s “Catastrophic Success” Leads to Drastic Cuts
The U.S. Army has announced significant cutbacks to its Credentialing Assistance (CA) program. This popular education benefit, which allows soldiers to acquire civilian job certifications, has been slashed in half, from $4,000 to $2,000 annually. The decision comes as a response to the program’s overwhelming success and subsequent strain on the Army’s budget.
Army Secretary Christine Wormuth described the situation as a “catastrophic success” during a recent budget hearing on Capitol Hill. The program’s costs have skyrocketed from $31 million in 2021 to a staggering $70 million this year, prompting urgent action to ensure its sustainability.
The Army is eyeing a dramatic cut to the Army Credentialing Assistance program, or Army CA, next year to curb costs in what could be one of the biggest benefit shifts aimed at enlisted troops in years.https://t.co/UmZTOMhU1a
— EANGUS (@EANGUS72) April 2, 2024
Impact on Soldiers and Their Futures
The cuts to the CA program are not just about numbers; they represent a significant blow to many soldiers’ hopes for a smooth transition to civilian life. The program, which covers certifications in fields such as coding, cybersecurity, and commercial driving, has been a lifeline for enlisted personnel looking to build careers beyond their military service.
“Active-duty, Guard and reserve soldiers can now secure a competitive advantage — on and off the battlefield,” said then-Sergeant Major of the Army Michael Grinston, highlighting the program’s importance.
Critics argue that the reduced benefit will be insufficient to cover the costs of quality civilian courses. Jeff Frisby, a vocal opponent of the cuts, stated, “I hope we realize this $1,000 coverage isn’t going to cover anything.” This sentiment echoes throughout the ranks, with many soldiers feeling that the Army is reneging on its promises.
Officers Excluded, Enlisted Focus
In a controversial move, the Army has decided to exclude officers from the CA program entirely. This decision aims to focus the limited resources on enlisted troops, who often face greater challenges when transitioning to civilian careers. While this may seem logical from a resource allocation standpoint, it’s likely to create discord within the ranks and potentially impact officer retention and recruitment.
“The changes we are making to these programs will help ensure their long-term sustainability,” explained Dr. Agnes Gereben Schaefer, defending the Army’s decision.
However, this explanation does little to soothe the concerns of those affected. The new policy limits soldiers to one credentialing course per year and no more than three courses in a decade, severely restricting their ability to diversify their skill sets or keep pace with rapidly evolving industries.
Broader Implications for Military Education Benefits
The cuts to the CA program are part of a larger trend of tightening military education benefits. While the Army is increasing annual tuition assistance for traditional college from $4,000 to $4,500, aligning it with other services, the overall landscape of military education benefits is changing rapidly.
“We appreciate the Service’s interest in ensuring that they’re stewards of taxpayer dollars,” said Will Hubbard, a veterans’ advocate. “But Tuition Assistance dollars serve a long-term purpose of being valuable both to the individual and the Service, and therefore, any cuts to this program, now or in the future, would be met with strong opposition.”
These changes come at a time when the military is already struggling with recruitment and retention. Education benefits have long been a key selling point for military service, and these cuts could potentially make it harder for the Army to attract and retain talent in an increasingly competitive job market.
