Armed Forces News

Service members could use their GI Bill education benefits to cover tuition assistance for licensing, credentialing, and certification programs offered outside of higher-education institutions, under measures now pending before Congress. Lawmakers in both the House and Senate have submitted comparable bills before their respective Armed Services committees. Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, John Tester, D-Mont., and Johnny Isakson, R-Ga., are sponsoring the Senate measure, while Rep. Steve Womack, R-Ark., introduced the House bill.

“Our service members face unique challenges as they transition to civilian life and begin looking for work. Across Iowa many of the in-demand and skills-based jobs don’t require a four-year degree, but adequate training and certification is essential,” Ernst said.

“The folks who sere our nation in uniform develop unique and specialized skill sets over the course of their military careers,” said Tester, the committee’s ranking Democrat. “Our bill helps give them more flexibility to get the training and certification they need to put their skills to work as civilians.”