Expansion of Tuition Assistance for Spouses and Technical Careers Headed to DoD

By Debbie Gregory.

Using TA for technical credentials is one of five ideas that will go to the secretary of defense as part of the family council’s yearly recommendations for improving the lives of military families. The idea would have to go through a number of steps in any approval process.

A DoD family council wants service members to be able to use college tuition assistance (TA) for licensing and technical certifications — and to expand TA to military spouses. The DoD has worked with the Departments of Labor, Education and Veteran’s Affairs to develop many ways for you to pursue vocational and technical licensing and certification.

According to the U.S. Department of Labor electricians, carpenters, construction workers, police, and computer systems specialists will be the most sought after and highest paid workers in the U.S., making them ideal military veteran jobs.

Sergeant Major of the Army Dan Dailey has said one of his priorities for 2016 has been to push for expanding tuition assistance to pay for credentialing opportunities for soldiers — to allow soldiers to use TA to pay for civilian-equivalent credentials. Not every soldier wants to attend college, and this would help prepare them for their transition to civilian life and jobs for military veterans, Dailey contends.

The Military Spouse Career Advancement Account (MyCAA) program, which is separate from service members’ TA, is only available to spouses of lower-ranking troops. MyCAA helps pay for spouses’ costs associated with pursuing licenses, certificates, certifications or associate degrees.

But again, this program excludes spouses of more senior troops.

Furthermore, there may be times when the service member is unable to use the tuition assistance benefit due to circumstances, including deployment, but it might be the perfect time for the spouse to take classes.

Military Connection salutes and proudly serves veterans and service members in the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard, Guard and Reserve,  and their families.