US Navy Fucks Active Duty Service Members Out Of Tuition Assistance

[unhappycamper]

unhappycamper note: Since the ‘Pentagon’ (Righthaven LLC?) has ‘requested’ that I only post one paragraph from articles on Army Times, and Airforce Times, I’ve decided to give ya’ll an unhappycamper summary of the article and a link to the OP. To keep in that same (new) tradition, I will also do the same for articles on Navy Times, Marine Corps Times, stripes.com and military.com.To keep in that same (new) tradition, I will also do the same for for articles on Navy Times, Marine Corps Times, stripes.com and military.com.

To read the article in the military's own words, you will need to click the link.

Read all about Fair Use here. It sure is beginning to smell like fascism.

unhappycamper summary of this article: Evidently the United States Navy is too busy building all those very expensive LPDs, LCSs, Zumwalt destroyers, F-35s, submarines, and brand new aircraft carriers to give a shit about educating their service members to the full extent of taxpayer supplied dollars.






Chris Kern-Garcia, director of the Strategic Communications Wing 1 Navy college office speaks with Yeoman 2nd Class Crystal Zavala. The Navy has placed restrictions on Tuition Assistance that the other services have not.


Navy restricts tuition assistance
By Andrew Tilghman - Staff writer
Posted : Monday Oct 25, 2010 5:36:57 EDT

While the Army, Air Force and Marines provide the taxpayer-funded benefit — up to $4,500 a year — to virtually any service member who requests it, the Navy has a lower yearly cap and has been ratcheting up restrictions on who can tap into tuition assistance.

[w8liftinglady]

1. of all of them...the Navy.The Air Force and Navy were the tech wizards at Ft. Meade.

There was a time when they totally encouraged...in fact,mandated...their troops continue their education.Way to go!

[Abq_Sarah]

2. I'm not seeing them being screwed

Can use it in the first year? No problem. You should be too busy your first year learning as much about your rating as possible and preparing for advancement. The focus should be on their Navy "job" first and foremost.

[unhappycamper]

3. Oops - forgot to put the link in.

If you read the linked article, it says "the Navy is the only service to see a net drop in TA (tuition assistance) usage over the past several years."

The 'only service' qualifier tells me the Navy is screwing their folks out of tuition assistance.

[jp11]

4. Who is to say they couldn't do both

on their personal time they shouldn't be 'punished' by rules set to save money when they are serving their country. This is one of those things that makes no sense to me these people for whatever reason put their lives in the hands of our leaders and then aren't paid properly or taken cared of correctly for their service, instead they are looked to when cuts need to be made instead of all the MIC BS.

Limited to one year after boot camp, this cuts down on the time one could make use of the benefit for their committed time in the service, might not be an issue but it still could be. Imagine taking courses part time while working a full time job, it is hard, but can be easier if you can do it over a longer period of time taking a year away means a year less to get it done.

I'd also add that as you get older the 'drive' to continue education wanes, for some the year spent working might be enough to dissuade them from 'going back' to school.

The article says "Sailors seeking TA funding also must be eligible for promotion, have passed their most recent fitness test and be on track for a warfare qualification.", I don't know what eligible for promotion means, is just that they don't have any 'negative' letters or whatever on their record or what? That aspect seems to qualify for the issue of them focusing on their 'navy job' first, if they aren't meeting the metrics of their service they can't take advantage of an extra benefit that could distract them.

They also speak about how some/many of those taking advantage were taking classes with no degree plan, basically aimless classes well why not put the time and effort into getting them to pick a degree or even just make it a requirement that they be pursuing a degree program to take advantage of classes in the first year otherwise make them wait, there are many ways to work the problem if one actually exists.

[ampad]

5. I think it is a little unfair

Because college credits supposedly give you a leg up when it comes to advancement.

[NJCher]

6. I think you should edit your subject title

It's offensive. Do we really need to talk like this at DU?

Cher

[ampad]

7. The Navy

is also busy kicking people out and forcing early retirement. I wonder if this is a roundabout way of downsizing? I know the AF will not allow you take college course until you have taken your rate test and pass it. I think that is reasonable and fair. I think that any young person wanting to go into the service should take it upon themselves to get some college credits in first. I know the student loans might be a pain but if they take them at a community college the cost may not be as high. That way they go in with a leg up and possible a little bit of rank. It might also help them with advancement in the long run.