WASHINGTON, D.C. (Office of the CNMI Congressional Delegate) — In response to an abrupt suspension of the Military Spouse Career Advancement Account program, Congressman Gregorio Kilili Camacho Sablan, along with other members of the Congressional Military Family Caucus, have asked Defense Secretary Robert Gates to restore it.
Congress provided for program in the National Defense Authorization Act last year. Unofficially referred to as Spouse Tuition Assistance, it makes available up to $6,000 of aid to military spouses who are pursuing degree programs, licenses, or credentials leading to employment in high-demand, high-growth, and portable careers they can pursue wherever the military may send their families.
“Over 130,000 military spouses are receiving this education help,” says Sablan.
“I understand that those who are approved will continue to receive payment. But in my view suspending the program and creating this uncertainty is not the way to support those who sacrifice so much to make our military what it is today.”
Those eligible include spouses of active duty service members, of activated members of the National Guard and Reserve Components, and of those severely injured, wounded, killed in action, prisoners of war, or missing in action.
The Military Family Caucus has heard from many military spouses who are directly impacted by this program termination.
They worry there may be a delay in the completion of their degrees — possibly without the opportunity to finish once they are relocated. Many military spouses have planned their careers and lives around the assumption that this program would continue without interruption.
“We are seeking your help to better understand the basis for this ‘pause,’ how long the ‘pause’ will be in effect, and the impact it will have on spouses,” wrote the Military Family Caucus to Gates.
“While military spouses often would like to follow a traditional education path, their lifestyles prevent them from doing so. Many access online courses as opposed to enrolling in semester long ‘in-person’ courses to better suit their family needs. The MyCAA provides the critical support that these military spouses need to succeed in school and in their careers.
“The sudden abatement of this program has significantly impacted an overwhelming number of families — preventing them from moving forward with their lives. The Department of Defense has yet to provide any detailed information as to when this program will resume.”
MyCAA Financial Assistance pays for education and training programs, tuition, and licensing/ credentialing fees. This includes degree programs (e.g. associates, bachelors, masters, doctoral and post doctoral), continuing education classes (including those offered through professional associations), Bar, CPA and other similar exams, and state certifications for teachers, medical professionals and other licensed occupations.
Founded in 2009 the Military Family Caucus is dedicated to educating Congress on resources the military has for military families and to developing legislation to support military families.
Congressman Sablan was one of the first members of the caucus. For more information see facebook.com/militaryfamilycaucus.
