Military.com reported that the U.S. Army is considering reductions to two important education benefits for soldiers due to ongoing challenges in meeting active duty recruiting goals. These potential cuts could impact over 100,000 troops who currently rely on the Credentialing Assistance and Tuition Assistance programs.
Maj. Andrea Kelly, an Army spokesperson, acknowledged the importance of both programs in supporting soldiers’ professional growth and readiness. However, citing the need for long-term sustainability, the Army is conducting a comprehensive review of these initiatives.
Plan to Cut Key Army Benefits Sparks Backlash (Credits: Newsweek)
The Credentialing Assistance program serves as a supplement to traditional scholarship offerings, providing up to $4,000 annually for civilian credentials. These credentials encompass a range of fields, including coding languages, cybersecurity training, and commercial driver’s licenses.
Meanwhile, the Tuition Assistance Program offers financial support to eligible members, covering up to $4,000 per year in tuition costs at a rate of up to $250 per semester credit hour. Education benefits have historically been fundamental to the Army’s recruitment efforts.
US Army Education (Credits: Army)
Despite these benefits, the Army has faced challenges in meeting its active duty recruiting targets in recent years. For the past two fiscal years, it has fallen short by thousands of recruits. In fiscal year 2023 alone, the Army allocated approximately $278 million towards education benefits, according to data from Military.com.
