Boozman Hears Testimony on Total Force GI Bill
Press Release
U.S. Representative John Boozman (R-AR), Ranking Member of the Veterans Economic Opportunity Subcommittee, today heard testimony from the Adjutant General of the Arkansas National Guard on modernizing the G.I. Bill.
The hearing was on H.R. 1012, the Total Force G.I. Bill, offered by fellow Arkansan Rep. Vic Snyder (D-AR02). The "Total Force G.I. Bill" aims to better reflect a comprehensive "total force" concept that ensures members of the Selected Reserve receive educational benefits that match their increased service to the nation.
"You cannot retain someone you don't recruit. A benefit must first attract someone to military service," said Boozman. "Hopefully, once someone joins, aspects of military life such as comradeship, adventure, training, and just plain old patriotism will convince members to stay regardless of whether there are post-discharge benefits. For those who choose to leave, we should be wise enough to thank them profusely for their service and make them aware that they are always welcome back to the family."
"I believe that if we structure this modernization correctly, the extension of G.I. Bill eligibility after a member is discharged will not have a negative impact on retention," Boozman said. "Improved benefits can lead to an additional recruiting incentive. Also, offering a month-for-month G.I. Bill benefit at the active duty rate for each month of activation (up to 36 months), creates an incentive for all members who have not yet been activated for 36 months to continue serving."
"Major General (William) Wofford did a great job this afternoon speaking about the importance of extending the GI Bill to cover members of the Arkansas National Guard and Reserve," Boozman, an original co-sponsor of the legislation, said. "The Total Force G.I. Bill is a common-sense solution to which grants the same benefits to the Guard and Reserve for the work they are doing shoulder-to-shoulder with our active duty troops in Iraq and Afghanistan."
Here are Rep. Boozman's remarks to the subcommittee, as prepared:
Honorable John Boozman
Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity
Hearing on Modernizing the GI Bill
March 22, 2007
Madame Chairwoman, Thank you for holding this hearing. I know that we were originally scheduled to conduct a joint hearing with Chairman Snyder's Subcommittee on Military Personnel but events at Walter Reed necessitated he change his focus for the moment, and rightly so.
Today we will hear from several witnesses on modernizing the GI Bill, especially as those benefits apply to members of the National Guard and Reserves. As you know, you and I are both original co-sponsors of Chairman Snyder's HR 1102, and I look forward to working with you and my fellow Arkansan to craft changes that complement our ability to recruit and retain the forces we need, while providing fair treatment to those who defend us. That will not be an easy task, and today's hearing is an important part of that process.
I suppose my basic approach is that you cannot retain someone you don't recruit. So, a benefit must first attract someone to military service. Hopefully, once someone joins, aspects of military life such as comradeship, adventure, training, and just plain old patriotism will convince members to stay regardless of whether there are post-discharge benefits. For those who choose to leave, we should be wise enough to thank them profusely for their service and make them aware that they are always welcome back to the family.
Of course, none of us on this committee can ignore the fiscal realities facing Congress. We have to be cautious in how we spend taxpayers' money, but we must make sure we provide what is needed to continue attracting good people to military service.
I believe we must balance the levels of benefits with what is needed to recruit and retain members and ensure that veterans receive the benefits they have earned.
Madame Chairwoman, I am looking forward to hearing from today's witnesses including Major General Wofford, the Adjutant General of the Arkansas National Guard. I found his written testimony particularly poignant and recommend it as a good read.
Again, thank you for testifying at this important hearing, and I look forward to continuing to work with you and the committee on this very important issue.
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