Research - Rehabilitation - Re-Employment

Sgt. Shaft 08/04/2003

Dear SGT. Shaft,
My name is David. I'm a Gulf War veteran and currently serving as a  U.S. Navy Hospital Corpsman overseas in Japan. The reason I'm writing you is because I'm very concerned about the Navy's current Tuition Assistance (TA) program. In October 2001, the Congress authorized and appropriated each of the military branches funding to provide their perspective service members 100% tuition assistance for off duty education. The Army, Air Force, Marine Corps, and the Coast Guard have all complied and have authorized their service members 100% tuition assistance with an annual ceiling of $4,500.00. The Navy on the other hand, gave its service members 100% tuition assistance, but with the stipulation that we were only authorized 12 credit  hours (basically 4 classes) per year. The Navy was the only branch of service to place this stipulation on its members. This means that under the Navy's current tuition assistance policy, a sailor attending a California community college would only be authorized $132.00 per year compared to the $4,500.00 the airman, marine, coastguardsman, and soldier would have available to them for the year. Here in Okinawa, this means a Navy service member attending off duty education through the University of Maryland University College is only authorized $1,656.00 per year compared to the $4,500.00 our brethren in the other branches have available to them. Can you see the disparity? The Navy's current TA policy puts all its sailors at a very distinct disadvantage when compared to the other military branches, whether we're competing for advancement to the next pay grade, applying for advance military training and commissioning programs, or furthering our education in order to obtain a marketable job after our service. I feel this policy is a slap in the face to all of us who proudly serve in the U.S. Navy, even more so during this time of war when many of us are again being called upon to put our lives in harms way for the defense of our country. Please publish my letter to bring light to the Navy's unfair Tuition Assistance policy.

Thank you.

Sincerely,
David N
Okinawa, Japan

Dear David
It seems to the Sarge that the US Navy is traveling on educationally troubled waters. At a time when they should be looking for ways to improve the morale of their men and women, they seem to be abandoning you and your shipmates in your educational pursuits.

Shaft Kudos

Marquis Trust Group, LLC (MTG) and the National Military Family Association (NMFA) have partnered to launch the HomeFront Cards™ campaign, a national greeting card outreach program encouraging Americans to recognize the courage and sacrifices made by our nation's military families. The cards will reach thousands of deserving families across the nation, including the 3rd Infantry Division of Fort Stewart, Georgia, and help raise funds for NMFA's programs and services.

The HomeFront Cards™ campaign is a unique and inspiring way for Americans to say “Thank You” and to touch the lives of military families both domestically and overseas. HomeFront Cards™ provide a tangible means for Americans to express their personal gratitude and support by writing a sincere message to America’s military families.

“We wanted to call attention to the fact that, on any given day, there are thousands of troops deployed around the world and separated from their families while serving our country,” said Tom Neale, one of MTG’s founding members and former Army Officer with the 82nd Airborne Division. Noting that the HomeFront Cards™ campaign is not just a program to thank troops for their service in Iraq, Neale added, “Since the entire family's service and sacrifice are ongoing, we want to establish a program that is ongoing as well.”

“NMFA is an ideal non-profit partner for the HomeFront Cards™ campaign, as the campaign’s goals are so closely aligned with our mission to serve military families. A majority of the 3rd Infantry Division’s 16,500 troops were deployed to the Iraqi region and most still remain. The unit has suffered thirty-seven fatalities so far, the most of any in the armed forces. Their return trip has been postponed three times. Tired military spouses and frustrated families are eager to be reunited with their loved ones. While soldiers continue to serve in Iraq, babies are born back home, birthdays are missed and spouses work hard to keep memories of loved ones fresh in the minds of their children. Spouses continue to run the household while bracing themselves each time a U.S. casualty is announced. They rely on one another for emotional support, but HomeFront Cards™ and NMFA want the families of the 3rd Infantry Division, and all military families, to know that Americans are grateful for their ongoing sacrifices. It’s important to let these families know that their actions are appreciated.”

HomeFront Cards™ can be purchased and sent by individuals, families and small groups, or sponsored by larger organizations, to be personalized by employees, customers and/or fans. As a card sender, you add Your Name, Hometown, and A Few Words from the Heart to send a message of thanks and support to a deserving military family. HomeFront Cards™ are then deposited in a collection box, if one is provided, or sent by U.S. Mail to a predetermined screening and delivery location. From there, HomeFront Cards™, with cooperation from NMFA, delivers the cards to deserving military families in the United States and overseas.

The HomeFront Cards™ website brings together card senders' and recipients' through its "Message Exchange" feature, where both the American public and military families can share their appreciation and support. To learn more about HomeFront Cards, how you can participate or how the program works, visit www.HomeFrontCards.com

Send letters to Sgt. Shaft, c/o John Fales, P.O. Box 65900, Washington, D.C. 20035-5900; fax to 301-622-3330; call 202-462-4430 or email sgtshaft@bavf.org.

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