Pentagon starts new benefits push

Pentagon starts new benefits push
By William H. McMichael - Staff writer
Posted : Friday Feb 8, 2008 5:28:36 EST

Defense officials and lawmakers are forging ahead on a plan that would allow all troops — not just a few in critical skills — to transfer unused GI Bill education benefits to family members.

The proposal is one of several family-friendly initiatives tucked into the tail end of President Bush’s State of the Union address that the Defense Department calls the Military Community Initiatives Program.

The two other pillars of the plan would give military spouses hiring preference for federal job openings and expand child care through joint ventures with local communities.

The GI Bill proposal is moving quickly; Bill Carr, deputy undersecretary of defense for military personnel policy, said he believes a finished proposal will be ready this month. The program for the National Guard and reserves, he said, will “probably parallel” the active-duty program.

Two bills that have been introduced in Congress might move even faster. Rep. Roscoe Bartlett’s bill has been pending since 2007, but the Maryland Republican plans to introduce an amended version very soon. A similar bill was introduced in the Senate on Jan. 30 by Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison, R-Texas.


Rest of article at: http://www.armytimes.com/news/2008/02/military_payraiseside_080207/