Sunday, November 11, 2007
Valley Views:

Make military time eligible for college credit
BY KIERAN MICHAEL LALOR

All too often, lawmakers pay lip service to the needs of veterans when it suits their political goals while accomplishing very little to significantly improve the lives of vets.

As a former educator and Marine, improving veterans' education opportunities is of intense importance to me. Based on conversations with many who served this country, I offer a plan to immediately and meaningfully help veterans, without further burdening the Department of Veterans Affairs bureaucracy.

Military service involves a demanding and comprehensive education. Anyone earning the rank of non-commissioned officer (E-4) should be entitled to 60 transferable college credits - just as a junior college transfer would. This would cut in half both tuition bills and the time it takes to complete a bachelor's degree and dramatically increase veterans' ability to seek higher education. With the resulting better pay and benefits that come with a bachelor's degree, the demand for VA health care, housing and other services would be eased. In fact, the backlog in VA claims would actually be reduced while simultaneously helping more vets.

Academia may be skeptical that military service translates into learning worthy of an associate's degree. However, the military training regimen is more demanding and results in more practical skills than most college programs.

Consider that:

• During boot camp, recruits spend two to three months enduring the rigors of military training and learning military customs and courtesies. They also attend hours of classroom instruction on military history, basic combat tactics, first aid and nutrition while learning to operate, assemble and clean weapons systems. In-class learning is enhanced by long hours of practical application.
• After basic training, each member of the military is trained for another period of months in a Military Occupational Specialty or "MOS." Each MOS has its own school with a curriculum and graduation requirements.
• Once boot camp and MOS training are completed, military personnel spend their days and nights perfecting and employing their skills, integrating and training new recruits, traveling to foreign destinations and conducting military operations. Advanced coursework within the MOS, such as a squad leader's course for infantryman, is frequent if not universal.
• The proposal is limited to those who achieve the rank of E-4 or non-commissioned officer because NCOs have demonstrated the ability to lead, train and discipline fellow troops. The experience of having to manage and be responsible for the safety and performance of others under exceptionally stressful situations is unmatched, even by the nation's best MBA programs. Such experience has immeasurable academic value.

Legislation too slow

I applaud and support efforts to increase benefits available under the G.I. Bill. But the reality is that even a small (and widely supported) increase in funding takes an excruciatingly long time to grind through the legislative process. Take for example H.R. 1284, which increases benefits for disabled veterans and their dependents by an embarrassingly minuscule $215 per year. This measure was proposed eight months ago, passed the House unanimously, and has yet to become law. In short, even worthy expenditure bills take too long to become effective.

The program I am proposing requires very little funding and would likely receive bipartisan - if not unanimous - support and could be operational in the very near future.

Of course, higher education must take the responsible path by supporting the measure and accepting the credits. But I have every reason to believe those colleges that do not take the lead in helping America's veterans by recognizing the value of their service will just have to follow the leaders.

I call on Congress and state legislators to consider my proposals immediately, put forth an effort worthy of our brave military and have the program operational by Veterans Day 2008.

Kieran Michael Lalor, a Wappingers Falls native, is a former high school teacher and an Iraq war veteran from Peekskill.