Washington – U.S. Sens. Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA), Jerry Moran (R-KS), and 12 colleagues have asked Acting Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness Ashish Bajrani to It called for greater cooperation with the Ministry of Education. Strive to better recognize military service and enlistment as a rewarding and successful career option.
“We feel that our schools need insight into the post-high school outcomes of all students, including those who will serve in the military.” wrote the senators. “Educators’ ability to accurately communicate the benefits of all available career paths, including joining the military, is essential when preparing students for college and other future careers. We emphasize the importance of their request and encourage the Department of Defense to prioritize working with states on this issue, as they are committed to supporting their military and education systems.”
Cassidy and Moran are joined by Shelley Moore Capito (R-West Virginia), Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), Bill Hagerty (R-TN), Maggie Hassan (D-NH) and Tim・Senators Kaine (D-Va.) and Catherine participated. Cortez Masto (D-Nevada), Roger Marshall (R-Kansas), Chris Murphy (D-Connecticut), Patty Murray (D-Washington), Mitt Romney (R-Utah), Kyrsten Sinema (Iowa-Ariz.), Tom Tillis (R-NC).
Read the full letter here or below.
Dear Mr. Vazirani,
Today we are asking the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) to commit to working with state education and data officials to develop safe and effective protocols for sharing military service data with states. I am writing this document to encourage you. We are rapidly responding to state education officials' requests for the Department of Defense to access this data and the complete information and perspectives needed to maximize students' chances of career success, including military service. We request that you do so.
We believe our schools must have insight into the post-high school career paths of all students, including those who will join the military. Educators' ability to accurately communicate the benefits of all available career paths, including military service, is essential when preparing students for college and other future careers. To assist states in this effort, federal agencies, including the Department of Defense and the U.S. Department of Education and Labor, should work with states to share necessary information about post-high school success, including military enlistment.
State education officials stressed that without access to data on career outcomes for those who serve in the military, their ability to support graduates will be challenged. The lack of military service data leaves state data systems incomplete and schools unsure whether their students are successfully preparing to commit to military service. It is clear that improved data sharing will benefit schools, high school graduates, and the military by making military service more clearly seen as a viable and rewarding career option. Students need to hear this not only from military recruiters but also from their educators.
On November 13, 2023, 31 top U.S. state and territorial education officials sent a letter to the Department of Defense sharing the above concerns and requesting support for providing accurate, timely, and secure data on military service. requested the Department's cooperation in developing data sharing protocols. Given the senator's commitment to supporting our military and education systems, we emphasize the importance of that request and encourage the Department of Defense to prioritize collaboration with states on this issue.
To that end, we request an update on the Department of Defense's response to this letter. Specifically, by April 5, 2024, a cross-agency effort to create a standard and secure process for states to access military enlistment data and other data the task force deems appropriate. We request a written update on the establishment of the working group.
Thank you for your attention to this issue. We look forward to your prompt reply. I look forward to working with you as the Department of Defense develops pathways to better share military information between the federal government and the states.
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