Rep. Panetta Introduces Legislation to Strengthen Educational Opportunities of Enlisted Servicemembers

SALINAS, CA – Today, U.S. Representatives Jimmy Panetta (D-CA), Don Bacon (R-NE), Rick Larsen (D-WA), Mike Waltz (R-FL), and Pat Fallon (R-TX) of the House Armed Services Committee (HASC) introduced the Strengthening the Force and Fleet through Enlisted Education Act, or Smart Act. This bipartisan bill would expand advanced degree opportunities for enlisted servicemembers at the Naval Postgraduate School (NPS). Currently, enlisted servicemembers have limited opportunities to pursue higher education, and in some cases the proportion of officers with a master's degree or higher is more than six times the proportion of enlisted servicemembers with a bachelor's degree.

"Our enlisted men and women are the backbone of our military and make up about 80 percent of our Armed Forces. That's why we should invest in our enlisted servicemembers by providing them with more opportunities for higher education degrees," said Rep. Jimmy Panetta. "The Smart Act would make that investment by affording enlisted members with the chance to obtain advanced degrees and allow our Armed Forces the chance to retain and attract the best talent. This bill would not only strengthen our military and national security, it also would provide our enlisted men and women with the opportunity to further secure their careers."

"The all-volunteer force is the foundation of America's military strength," said Rep Bacon, a member of the House Armed Services Committee and retired Air force Brigadier general. "This legislation will help unleash the power of American innovation while also bolstering enlisted recruiting and retention at a critical time."

"The United States must do all it can to ensure servicemembers can meet the global challenges of today and tomorrow. This bipartisan bill ensures more enlisted women and men have opportunities to earn an advanced degree and learn the skills needed to maintain U.S. leadership in global security," said Rep. Larsen, a senior member of the Armed Services Committee.

"The U.S. Armed Forces need to stay ahead of our adversaries, who are investing billions into modernizing their military capabilities," Rep. Waltz said. "Part of that formula includes modernizing our military education and warfighting strategies and one option is expanding advanced degree opportunities at the Naval Postgraduate School to enlisted personnel to expand the swath of experiences in analyzing and developing strategies for future conflicts."

Rep. Fallon added, "Continuing education is vital to the growth and sustainability of our military. Enlisted servicemembers are not able to compete with Officers for a spot at the Naval Postgraduate School under current policy – limiting the ability to further their careers. By providing essential educational opportunities for servicemembers who seek them, The Smart Act is a key step to solving this discrepancy within our Armed Forces. I am proud to join my colleagues in this effort and look forward to pushing this legislation across the finish line."

Background:

• Currently, United States Code (USC) 10 directs the Naval Postgraduate School to offer admission to enlisted servicemembers "only on a space-available basis."
• The Smart Act updates language in 10 USC §8545 to state that enlisted servicemembers can receive admission offers at a rate "not to be conditioned by the number of officer applications." This will expand NPS' ability to offer admissions to the most qualified personnel.
• The updated language would be in place for a minimum of five years for evaluation purposes. During those five years, the Secretary of Defense would conduct a review on the anticipated benefits of expanding enlisted education on retention, recruitment, behavior, job performance, promotion, and pay.

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