RE: http://www.military.com/NewsContent/0,13319,156474,00.html

No comment.

I need this program in rhode island for my wife. She hasn't any job skills and we can't afford to get her into any local trade schools.

Does anyone know if this is available to all active duty spouses (for the ranks stated in the article)...i.e. for people in kings bay, ga

I'm an active duty female member so I don't personally have a need for this program, however I believe it should be offered to ALL spouses and not just by paygrades. All spouses have the need for "portable" job skills. They shouldn't be penalized because there husbands or wives don't fall into the appropriate pay bracket. Maybe if anything, give the lower ranks a preference.

quote:

Originally posted by marlaj:
I'm an active duty female member so I don't personally have a need for this program, however I believe it should be offered to ALL spouses and not just by paygrades. All spouses have the need for "portable" job skills. They shouldn't be penalized because there husbands or wives don't fall into the appropriate pay bracket. Maybe if anything, give the lower ranks a preference.

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Why should "lower ranks" get an preference?

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Originally posted by Pomelesk:

quote:

Originally posted by marlaj:
I'm an active duty female member so I don't personally have a need for this program, however I believe it should be offered to ALL spouses and not just by paygrades. All spouses have the need for "portable" job skills. They shouldn't be penalized because there husbands or wives don't fall into the appropriate pay bracket. Maybe if anything, give the lower ranks a preference.

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Why should "lower ranks" get an preference?

They typically earn less, and are less educated. You have to draw the line somewhere, since funds are limited. I fully support this, and I am of higher rank.

quote:

Originally posted by Spec4Conley:
I need this program in rhode island for my wife. She hasn't any job skills and we can't afford to get her into any local trade schools.

This is just a pilot program. Eventually, they hope to get it started all over the country. I sure hope it does--not only for your sake, but for everyone else's as well! By the way, you don't necessarily have to have "job skills" to get a job. Try the want ads and see what is available. Don't give up hope! There is something out there for you!

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Originally posted by clarkpaton:

quote:

Originally posted by Pomelesk:

quote:

Originally posted by marlaj:
I'm an active duty female member so I don't personally have a need for this program, however I believe it should be offered to ALL spouses and not just by paygrades. All spouses have the need for "portable" job skills. They shouldn't be penalized because there husbands or wives don't fall into the appropriate pay bracket. Maybe if anything, give the lower ranks a preference.

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Why should "lower ranks" get an preference?

They typically earn less, and are less educated. You have to draw the line somewhere, since funds are limited. I fully support this, and I am of higher rank.

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I think this program should be used for those motivated to achieve an higher education....irregardless of rank.............

I am an o' wife and I had my degree before I got married, as many others, which means the motivation to achieve was already in place irregardless to "marriage"....

This program should be for all who wants to achieve not because of rank...Afterall, everyone is not college material nor do they want to go to college...It has to start with ones own goals and ambitions in life first....

Not to mention higher ranking spouses are called upon to do more,.......

quote:

Originally posted by marlaj:
I'm an active duty female member so I don't personally have a need for this program, however I believe it should be offered to ALL spouses and not just by paygrades. All spouses have the need for "portable" job skills. They shouldn't be penalized because there husbands or wives don't fall into the appropriate pay bracket. Maybe if anything, give the lower ranks a preference.

why does it not surprise me that those who need it most are shut out..
my kid, an E5 makes a base salary of $21k/yr. That suxs.. and lower ranks make a lot less.. How do you feed a family on less than that? not offering help to the privates, specialists family just is rotten.. complain to your congressman.. complain and complain again.. till the shits cave in.. laters, off to work my cell phone.. all the reps and both florida senators..

Coastline Community College is offering a reduced tuition with free textbooks program for any and all spouses of active duty. All courses are distance learning, so there's actual time after the kids are in bed to get your degree.

http://military.coastline.edu/index_sp.cfm

Military Spouses Program

You can even take the same course as your active duty partner and share books. Check it out.

I think the concept of the program is great. I don't believe a pilot is necessary. I am an ex-active duty army spouse and as one earlier stated, the ambition and desires has to be self driven. Everyone is not interested in a college career or in furthering their abilities through education. I believe all spouses should be considered regardless of rank, setting guidelines and stipulations on submission deadlines per year and award amount granted based on income, such as the Federal Aid Program. Many of us, the desired, put our careers and educational strides on hold or default as we support the careers of our spouses as we travel around the world in support of their career and duty to the country. Why should we as spouse not be untitled to some of the same entitlements as they are or at least be entitled to part of their educational benefits. I was a victim of a halted career as well as education because of the rotations of my spouse. We were never station any place long enough to consider concentrating on completing my degree. I had one full year to complete when we where transferred to another station. At least, military and spouses as well as all dependents should be given some type of consideration with colleges because of the sacrifices and duty to this country.

I think this is a great start for the military services to take care of military spouses. And I believe that more job skills should be added to provide for a well-rounded education, knowledge, and abilities required for today's workplace. Additionally, once we get the first class of spouses through the final phase, everything should be done to provide them the media to transition into the employment workforce. What I want to know is how will this affect the Uniform Services Former Spouse Support Act? this is a question that should be considered down the line, after successful applicants complete their courses and are successfully employed as a result of this program.

I LEARN ABOUT FINANCIAL SERVICES FOR ABOUT $200.00,AND I LEARN SO MUCH THAT I CAN TAKE IT FROM STATE TO STATE,OR COUNTRY TO COUNTRY, AND ALWAY MAKE MONEY,IN THE FINANCIAL FIELD AND OWN MY OWN BUSINESS, THAT I CAN TAKE ANYWHERE WE MOVE,ITS BACK BY THE #1 COMPANY IN THE WORLD,I HAVE FREEDOM AND CONTROL OF MY TIME,I'M LOVING IT,AND I MY AN EXTRA $1000.00 A MONTH PART-TIME.

Although I understand the frustration of having a rank cut off, this is a just a pilot program. It will likely be expanded because it is likely to be successful.

Also, to clarify, what are higher ranking spouses called on to do more of that lower ranking spouses are not?

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Originally posted by Pomelesk:

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Originally posted by clarkpaton:

quote:

Originally posted by Pomelesk:

quote:

Originally posted by marlaj:
I'm an active duty female member so I don't personally have a need for this program, however I believe it should be offered to ALL spouses and not just by paygrades. All spouses have the need for "portable" job skills. They shouldn't be penalized because there husbands or wives don't fall into the appropriate pay bracket. Maybe if anything, give the lower ranks a preference.

\

-----------------------------------------------
Why should "lower ranks" get an preference?

They typically earn less, and are less educated. You have to draw the line somewhere, since funds are limited. I fully support this, and I am of higher rank.

------------------------------------------------
I think this program should be used for those motivated to achieve an higher education....irregardless of rank.............

I am an o' wife and I had my degree before I got married, as many others, which means the motivation to achieve was already in place irregardless to "marriage"....

This program should be for all who wants to achieve not because of rank...Afterall, everyone is not college material nor do they want to go to college...It has to start with ones own goals and ambitions in life first....

Not to mention higher ranking spouses are called upon to do more,.......

I totally agree w/marlaj! I think rank should not be a consideration! I have a serious problem with an O-3 who makes nearly 50% more money I do that can get his wife on the program but I can't as an E-7!?! If rank plays any reasonable qualifying/disqualifying role at all, it should be for "E"'s only & not for "O"'s at all!

PS: Pomelesk - You are so far out of reality it is friggin scary! No wonder there is such a chasm between O & E. It's elitist thinking like that that keeps it nice & wide!

"Called upon to do more"...? Like what; preaching to the lowly unmotivated, unambitious (underpaid) enlisted minions about their lack of educational achievments? Here's an epiphany for you Mrs. O - Having the money in the first place is a SUPREME MOTIVATOR to ambition and education!!!

I think the program is great. i dont think that the higher ranks should be included. it is based on need which is based on income, and we all know that the income of E-6 is much greater than E-3 (which is what Im dealing with) those members can afford help their spouses with education expenses. mine cannot. we have a 10 month old child and we are barely making it. there is a limited amount of money available for assistance and I really think that as much of it as possible should be used to help those that are TRULY in need. If pieces of the pie are spread out among the ranks, less money is available to those that need it. Those higher ranking individuals should know this. don't you remember what it was like at E-3 pay grade? It is almost impossible to find daycare for an infant where I live and even if I could get daycare for my child, the pay here would barely cover it. If my husband had NOT joined the Air Force, I would still be working and HE would be looking for a job. I was the one that gave up everything so he could pursue a career in the Air Force. I dont feel that Im entitled to pity or free money every day of the week, but if it's there, I feel that those of us whose household income falls below the poverty level should be the ones taking advantage.

Why is it that Florida always seems to have the service men and women at the top of the state's priorities? Why can't other states take the hint and realize that all of these young people are the future of this country then and now. It isn't a matter of showing favortism to a special group of people that have given out of their lives blood sweet and tears but it is just a way to give back to those that have give so much. If only we could get our politicons to give as much as our service personnel do we would have a much greater country. Semper Fi I did my 20+.

There used to be a good program called a PELL grant. That program was drastically cut since This President was in office. There would be no need for this pilot if PELL grants were back with more money.
So why do very young people have 3-4 children and buy new vehicles that guzzle gas and get free housing, medical etc and then complain about low pay? Try this; STOP having kids, stop buying expensive vehicles you don't need and stop complaining your underpaid because if you add all the benefits you are probably getting overpaid! Then you can buy your kids some new shoes and some healthy food too. You might have some money left over to pay for some tuition too. You can always leave the military when your time is up and make it on the economy if you think you are getting underpaid. Don't forget your new employer will give you 5 days off a year for vacation in America! WOW, a whole 5 days! So to reiterate, STOP MAKING BABIES and stop buying tons of stuff you don't need and can NOT afford!!!

some of us arent 17 year old tramps popping out babies trying to cling to a servicemember to take care of us. I am 25 yrs old and before my husband joined, i had an EXCELLENT job (that I cant go back to because I want to spend time with my daughter) and it paid fairly well. I only have one child and I WANTED that child. I drive a POS car and my husband has a car that is PAID for that we let sit with no insurance because we cant afford to have 2 vehicles insured at this moment. we buy healthy food for our baby, and our baby has everything she needs. we get help from relatives and we spend not one dime on anything pleasurable or recreational. My husbands pay covers car payment, car insurance, food, and internet bill to keep in touch with family far away AND to look for jobs, and of course gas (in my 34 MPG economy car that still costs 160 bucks per month just to and from his job AND WE LIVE ON BASE)Yes the leave is great, yes the health coverage is great (I wont go there on housing. im greatful to have it all paid for but MAN have you heard about Eglin? worst housing in the Air Force-that was said by a member in a commanding position) And when you add it all up, the pay looks much better, but enough? NOT EVEN CLOSE. Oh, and I invite you to come to my home and see for yourself all the "stuff I don't need" We have an old TV with NO CABLE no DVD player, a fake wood cabinet from Walmart to house our imaginary electronic equipment. We have a computer that was built in 1999 that cant process crap, a 15 year old matress set that sits on the floor and a chair thats missing a wheel. we dont have clothes that fit, my husband has been wearing the same pair of running shoes since basic (2 years ago) I would like to start a day care in my home that i am almost certified to do, BUT i cannot afford the initial investment. I would LOVE to be able to fill your stereotype but Im sorry, i dont

This is fantastic. Where do I sign up. Oh wait, its only in Florida.
Now if the Government would just realize they dont need a pilot program to know this is a good idea and hurry up and approve this idea for those in other states.
If only we could get transfered to Florida ASAP!
This is too good of an idea to waist precious time on. The program will not fail. Money is the one issue Mil families struggle with to get a spouse through school.