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.
http://www.navytimes.com/news/2008/02/military_payraiseside_080207/
