The Department of the Navy recently released an ALNAV message outlining the immediate impact sequestration will have on Navy and Marine Corps operations and support activities. In addition to deferring ship maintenance, deployment cancellations and civilian furloughs, paragraph 3E of the message states that the Marine Corps will cease processing new tuition assistance requests. To date, this is the first benefit cut to be announced in response to the sequestration.
Read the full article by Richard Sisk on Military.com
The official ALNAV message:
FM SECNAV WASHINGTON DC
TO ALNAV
INFO ZEN/SECNAV WASHINGTON DC
ZEN/CMC WASHINGTON DC
ZEN/CNO WASHINGTON DC
BT
UNCLAS
QQQQ
SUBJ: DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY RESPONSE TO SEQUESTRATION UNCLASSIFIED/ FM SECNAV WASHINGTON DC TO ALNAV INFO SECNAV WASHINGTON DC CMC WASHINGTON DC CNO WASHINGTON DC BT UNCLAS ALNAV 014/13 MSGID/GENADMIN/SECNAV WASHINGTON DC/-/MAR// PAGE 02 RUEOMFL2337 UNCLAS SUBJ/DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY RESPONSE TO SEQUESTRATION//
RMKS/1. LAST NIGHT, BECAUSE NO BUDGET DEAL HAD BEEN REACHED, THE BUDGET CONTROL ACT REQUIRED SETTING IN MOTION THE AUTOMATIC, GOVERNMENT-WIDE CUTS KNOWN AS SEQUESTRATION. GIVEN THAT REALITY AND THE ASSOCIATED IMPACT OF BUDGETARY UNCERTAINTY IMPOSED BY AN INDEFINITE CONTINUING RESOLUTION, THE DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY INTENDS TO COMMENCE SOME REDUCTIONS IMMEDIATELY.
2. NAVY PLANS TO:
A. SHUT DOWN CARRIER AIR WING TWO (CVW-2) IN APRIL. THIS WILL INITIATE THE PREPARATIONS TO GRADUALLY STAND-DOWN FLYING IN AT LEAST THREE ADDITIONAL AIR WINGS WITH TWO MORE AIR WINGS BEING REDUCED TO MINIMUM SAFE FLYING LEVELS BY THE END OF THE YEAR;
B. DEFER USNS COMFORT HUMANITARIAN DEPLOYMENT TO CENTRAL AND SOUTH AMERICA, “CONTINUING PROMISE 2013″, INCLUDING SUPPORTING SHIPS, SEABEES, AND MEDICAL UNITS;
C. CANCEL OR DEFER THE DEPLOYMENTS OF UP TO SIX SHIPS TO VARIOUS AORS THROUGHOUT THE MONTH OF APRIL;
D. LAY UP FOUR COMBAT LOGISTICS FORCE (CLF) UNITS IN PACOM STARTING IN APRIL;
E. RETURN USS SHOUP (DDG 86) TO HOMEPORT EARLY AND NOT PROCEED AS USS NIMITZ (CVN 68) ESCORT TO CENTCOM;
F. RETURN USS THACH (FFG 43) TO HOMEPORT EARLY FROM DEPLOYMENT TO SOUTHCOM.
3. WE WILL ALSO IMMEDIATELY:
A. BEGIN NEGOTIATING CONTRACT MODIFICATIONS TO DE-OBLIGATE EFFORTS FOR ANY INVESTMENT PROGRAMS FOR WHICH THE REMAINING UNOBLIGATED BALANCE WILL BE INSUFFICIENT AFTER THE SEQUESTRATION REDUCTION IS APPLIED. MAJOR PROGRAMS AFFECTED INCLUDE VIRGINIA-CLASS SSN ADVANCE PROCUREMENT, REACTOR POWER UNITS AND JOINT HIGH SPEED VESSEL (JHSV 10);
B. COMMENCE FINAL PLANNING TO SLOW MARINE CORPS DEPOT MAINTENANCE ACTIVITIES, INCLUDING REDUCTIONS IN THE NON-PERMANENT WORKFORCE;
C. CANCEL MARCH INTRODUCTORY FLIGHT SCREENING FOR FUTURE PILOTS/NFOS;
D. ANNOUNCE INTENT TO CANCEL BLUE ANGELS SHOWS SCHEDULED FOR APRIL 2013 [FOUR SHOWS: MACDILL AFB (TAMPA, FL), NAS CORPUS CHRISTI TX, VIDALIA GA, MCAS BEAUFORT SC];
E. CEASE NEW USMC ENROLLMENTS IN VOLUNTARY EDUCATION TUITION ASSISTANCE;
F. CANCEL MARCH NAVY RECRUITING MEDIA SUPPORT AND REDUCE THE MAJORITY OF ADVERTISING CONTRACTS AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE UNDER CONTRACTUAL CONDITIONS.
4. THESE ACTIONS ARE BEING TAKEN TO PRESERVE SUPPORT FOR THOSE FORCES STATIONED OVERSEAS AND CURRENTLY FORWARD-DEPLOYED. REDUCTIONS IN LOWER-PRIORITY FORWARD OPERATIONS, AND SIGNIFICANT REDUCTIONS IN ALL OTHER OPERATIONS, TRAINING, AND MAINTENANCE ARE THE RESULTS OF THIS SELECTION PROCESS. WE MADE THESE CHOICES CAREFULLY, WHILE TRYING TO PRESERVE OUR ABILITY TO REVERSE OR QUICKLY RESTORE NEGATIVE EFFECTS IF AND WHEN FUNDING IS RESTORED.
5. ACTIONS WE HAVE TAKEN TO DATE WILL CONTINUE, TO INCLUDE THOSE AFFECTING THE DEFERRAL OF MAINTENANCE FOR USS ABRAHAM LINCOLN (CVN 72); THE DEFERRAL OF REPAIR WORK FOR USS MIAMI (SSN 755) AND USS PORTER (DDG 78); THE DELAYED DEPLOYMENT OF USS HARRY S TRUMAN (CVN 75) AND USS GETTYSBURG (CG 64); THE CIVILIAN HIRING FREEZE; THE PLANNING FOR CIVILIAN FURLOUGHS; AND THE REDUCTION OF ALL TRAINING NOT RELATED TO THE READINESS OF DEPLOYED OR NEXT-TO-DEPLOY FORCES.
6. NAVY DEPARTMENT LEADERSHIP UNDERSTANDS THE UNCERTAINTY THAT THESE AND OTHER DECISIONS CREATE BOTH AMONGST OUR PEOPLE AND IN THE DEFENSE INDUSTRY UPON WHICH WE RELY. THE LACK OF A LEGISLATIVE SOLUTION TO AVOID SEQUESTRATION IS DEEPLY REGRETTABLE. THAT SAID, WE MUST ENDEAVOR TO DEAL WITH THE SITUATION AS WE FACE IT, NOT AS WE WISH IT COULD OTHERWISE BE. WE WILL CONTINUE TO KEEP THE SAFETY AND WELL-BEING OF OUR PEOPLE FOREMOST IN MIND, EVEN AS WE TRY HARD TO KEEP WHOLE THE FORCE STRUCTURE WHICH SUPPORTS THEM. WE WILL ALSO CONTINUE TO KEEP THE FLEET AND FLEET MARINE FORCE FULLY INFORMED AS FOLLOW-ON DECISIONS ARE MADE.
7. RELEASED BY RAY MABUS, SECRETARY OF THE NAVY.// BT
#2337
NNNN
UNCLASSIFIED//
That has got to be some personal hate and discontent.
The only real benefit to date, and it's an education benefit (in tough employment times), and strictly the Marines, and directly from SECNAV, not even the branch head.
A significant blow to Naval readiness, and then a slap to some Marine Corps benefit, doesn't seem relevant, are Marines that incredibly over-educated?
Errr,
I've always felt it was great having Tuition Assistance (TA) and the GI Bill both. I had a friend that earned a 4 year degree while on active duty, and then had the GI Bill when he retired.
To me TA is great as long as the money is flowing. Unfortunately with the budget cuts this (not an entitlement) needs to go, not only for the Marine Corps but for all services.
First to go should be the TA for spouses.
Whew yup, I did just read that? Charles are you ok with cuts to retirement benefits? As in retirement PAY? Perhaps no more free funerals for vets? Retirement pay for ALL vets that start at 65 regardless of when you served? Cut Tricare to ONLY active duty and no beneficiaries? Give us your vision for saving the government money. Those proposals would save a ton of money. Which ones would you propose? If none then perhaps you have a few others in mind. Share with us.
idmedic,
So, what is your opinion about the Tuition Assistance cuts?????
Cuts? Charles you already know what I think. So what is next? Still waiting for the CON-gressional cuts. No white house tours? When are the PAINFUL cuts going to affect our leaders, and I use that term loosely.
idmedic,
Again, let me direct you to the subject of this blog (Marine Corps to Stop Tuition Assistance).
Seems to me, that the last 756 posts you've made to all the different BLOGS, have been made to me directly. Seems you need a lesson about what these blogs are about!
You ask all these very stupid questions as though I have the answers, and even when I do, they just cloud the issue's.
Since you won't stop asking me questions, I have one or two for you. You said you retired as an E-6, the pay for an E-6 starts at under 2 years. I understand MOST ALLl E-6's don't start out as an E-6 under 2 years. My question for you, is how does one retire as only an E-6?????
Feel free to post you answer on my website:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/MyMilitaryHistory/?…
Later 6
Lmao, well Charles, let's start with this. The fact I was an E-6 is because I chose to turn down testing twice. Why you ask? For one, I don't and never will enjoy riding a desk, nor enjoy countless meetings with coffee and doughnuts. My satisfaction came from using my skills AND training new recruits. The deployments were to double in my line of work, and for me, not worth it. I studied my craft and not the PFE. As I see it, if the quality of an E-8 is you……..cough cough, doughnuts and meetings match perfectly….lmao
By the way I wanted to respond on your site however I needed to set up another email address with yahoo. I got enough messages on my other account. How about we share personal email accounts and then I can truly tell you what I think of you and your stance on veterans issues?
idmedic,
You wil find your answer on my site in that most of what you post doesn't belong here so I won't be answering many of then here.
You don't need my personal email account, just post what you must on my site.
What does or doesn't belong here is not for YOU to decide. If you don't like responses to your BS then guess you should post to yourself on your own site. Until then enjoy the responses. Hey when are you going to reveal your super secret post helper? Lmao. Great way to get a post count up.
idmedic,
Answered you at:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/MyMilitaryHistory/m…
Your little post buddy answer me too?Lmao. Cmon, anybody else have a little follower giving an extra boost for post counts? I have yet to see a response to an article from you? Only responses to other members. Mmmmmmm why is that I wonder? You two coordinate when u sign on to post? Maybe two non working blogging professionals? Now back to TA. TRY THIS CHARLES. Respond to article and not members and let's watch your post count DROP as well as your credibility. ;)
Later
Gator
The "leaders" got their automatic pay increase before sequestration. It's obvious they don't care about the Marines.I've only heard one Senator introduce a bill to cancel the increases. Check out HR 900 a bill to reverse sequestration. Probably won't even come out of committee.
SomeoneWhoStillServes,
At first, I thought I would attempt to defend myself, I then quickly changed my mind, because the subject of this blog isn't me, nor is it you. I will answer you on another site, and give you the link later.
I'd rather see you defend yourself. He certainly got ALOT right lmao!
@CharlesBryant you are out of your mind if you think that is something that should be cut when there are so many other things that are not being cut that are a huge waste. Take foreign aid for example you cannot give to charities if you cannot afford it. Take care of your own first.
The Active Duty Marine,
I agree, there are thousands of things that can be cut, but when it comes to DOD's budget, Foreign Aid isn't part of it.
Well Charles Tricare is part of the DOD budget. Foreign Aid is part of the TAXPAYERS budget. What else would you care to inform us on that should be cut? Now remember your statement that our benefits are only going up, and nothing is being cut.?
Why cut tuition assistance from just the USMC?? Sounds like they are getting the shaft.
It's the green weenie – it's normal, I'm Irate though.
LPC,
All services are different in thousands of ways. It is what it is.
Later Gator
Yes and let's see how those recruitment brochures change. So the money saved on TA will now be offered as bonuses to new recruits. The standards will again be LOWERED to reach the enlistment goals. Great plan!!!! The MARINES should have the best of the best!!!
TA was cut from Air Force as well. Orders are not being issued either – my son graduated from Basic Training on Dec. 27th and continues to sit at lackland AFB waiting for his orders to be cut so he can go on through "Tech School Training" and get to his first duty station… ALL of the military is getting the shaft and it is really pissing me off!!
Because the USMC is the branch LEAST likely to to take advantage of tuition assistance. For those who don't know, tuition assistance is not the GI Bill. It is for those who wish to go to school while they are active duty. So, for whatever reason, most marines don't use it.
That is their reasoning.
Sethmc,
Being that the Marines are the smaller of the services, are you saying that because overall percentage wise they don't use it????
They've announced the cuts are going to affect Army TA in the same way as well.
I bet an Air Force wife could still get her degree with MyCAA!!!
Nope – AF has cut out TA as well. My son currently continues to sit & wait while his technical training is on hold. He graduated from basic traing on Dec. 27 & still sits at Lackland AFB. Cuts are across the board – not just the marines & navy.
Why just the Marine Corps? This cut sends a negative message to all former, current, and potential Marines. When will the Executive, Legislative, and Judicial Branches cut their budgets and salaries?
USMC Mom,
"Why just the Marine Corps?"
Because this is about the Marine Corps budget only. For questions regarding other services, please contact them and ask "the" question.
"This cut sends a negative message to all former, current, and potential Marines."
Yep, wouldn't want to tick off former Marines, those current Marines that joined the Marine Corps for Tuition Assistance or those future Marines that have no idea what it is we are talking about. LOL
"When will the Executive, Legislative, and Judicial Branches cut their budgets and salaries?"
What did they say when you asked them?????
Pissed off,
Just calling my opinion stupid and claiming I must be or have been a Marine to even talk about this is NOT an argument.
Feel free to make an intelligent argument about why they shouldn't cut Tuition Assistance.
Also, what makes you think that Tuition Assistance is an entitlement for those in the service?????
haha,
So, you're argument against stopping Tuition Assistance is because, let me quote you "it sends a bad message"?????
A Marine calling someone brainwashed… interesting.
LMAO.
Define brainwashed? Marines are BRAINWASHED? Most idiotic statement I have seen on here. The very core of our fighting men that sacrifice so much are brainwashed?
idmedic,
Oh stop trying to make that statement sound as though it is so outlandish.
Stop insulting the Marines and every other military member that posts on these boards. Perhaps use your keen intellect, research skills and become a force for PRO-military causes. Here is a few for your non- sacrificing as#. "got your six, stop protesting at veterans funerals, stolen valor act, wounded warrior project." To name just a few and perhaps ANY VETERANS GROUP you say do nothing for you!
You remember this one right? Want to respond to the 4 year marine now? So is she brainwashed? Yet she proved her point according to you? Lmao.
idmedic,
You know you're lonely when you go back 7 weeks and ask yourself questions.
LMMFAO
Ohhh stop acting like you never made such a statement that is so outlandish. Mmmm am I making up stories?
My grandson-in-law and granddaughter are both serving as a marine and a airmen(airwoman) presently with a 7 month old baby girl. It is shameful, insensitive, and mean-spirited to cut any benefits of those who risk their lives to protect our country. I personally wish we could replace all congressmen with military men and women and run this country for the benefit of those who risk their lives for all Americans to live in accordance with Biblical teaching by loving one another, by educating the masses, caring for the aged, the insane, and our children. Fairness for all!!
The one underlying question no one has had the answer for is, why just MC TA? Hmm.. How much does a single F35 cost? Oh…. Ya… The entire TA cost for the year of everyone. “It is what it is” is a cop-out expression for brainless folks who don’t have an answer and just accept inequality/injustice. Oh, slavery…. It is what it is. National Socialism in Germany… It is what it is.
Unfortunately, theyre going to be doing the same thing with the Army. Likely branch it out to the other branches as well. Cuz theyre too concerned with supplying countries whos leaders dont even like us to look after the people here defending our own home.
So its now an out of pocket expense for us. Thank god the military pays so well…..oh wait
hahahaha…I needed that laugh :)
Me too!!! lol
New to the Marine Family as our son just graduated MCT and is now in Pensacola FL where he was told today he could be waiting a month or longer to start his MOS training. Does this mean the tuition program is now not an option for those already in the corps or the ones that are now entering the corps?
TA was cutoff on Monday at noon. No new enrollments for any Marine. Unfortunately the Maines are at the tip of the spear of insanity on this one. The Coast Guard probably has more people using TA, so it makes no sense for them to cut this. It is a very small amount of funding and the amount of damage it is going to do to morale,reputation and recruiting will far outweigh the small amount of money they save.
we can not use the tuition assistance program to pay for school, however there are other options to pay for his classes. The Pell Grant is a great aternative……… Tell him not to worry though………..Tuiton Assistance go shut down a few years ago and got reinstated shortly after….. This is only untill a new budget plan is passed.
"BUDGETARY UNCERTAINTY IMPOSED BY AN INDEFINITE CONTINUING RESOLUTION, "
BS – We have not had a budget for 4 years! Our Commander in Chief said "It will be painful" and he is determined that it will be.
This is deplorable. Rather than make meaningful cuts to over budget programs and wasteful aquisition they take from the benefits for our military. Can we please, please, please get rid of this current administration. Our current and future leaders deserve better. Also, it would be helpful to know WHO made this decision so that we can direct our congressional representatives directly at them.
Go to your local UMUC office. They'll help you with financial aid and VA options.
My son is a Marine finishing up is MOS training. He was planning on enrolling in college as soon as he finished MOS school and taking advantage of the tuition assistance. Tuition assistance is not the only reason he joined the Corps but it was one of the reasons. Why are they just cutting assistance for the Marines? So if he had chosed another branch of service he would have retained that benefit? This makes no sense whatsoever. We are all so completely frustrated by this decision. As much as I hate the saying, this is just completely "unfair".
.
Marines were the first to be affected by the budget cuts that are cutting TA for new enrollies, however it was announced later this week that the Army will also be affected in the realms of TA
the problem i have with saying there are alternatives such as fafsa and such is that you are competing against ALL college students for grants and scholarships. I am not a service member (I am currently a student and thank god I didn't switch my tuition to military), but my husband is and I can tell you that this is something we have been talking about since it came out on Monday, so although i am not a service member I amd saying my own thoughts mixed with his (we believe the same and are very upset about this). So really the alternatives that they are providing are not alternatives at all. Granted TA isn't officially considered a benefit but it really is a benefit of serving in the military and as cuts are being made to those benefits the worse it is going to be for morale of service members and that can be a very dangerous thing. We are praying that it doesn't last for a long time but everyone should prepare for the worst as messed up as it is.
Oh, I also understand that this specific one is based on the Marine Corps and Navy but they are no longer the only branches being cut off from TA. Also, only NEW applicants are being turned away. People previously enrolled in this program are said to not be effected.
jn
Really? Ya'll going to bicker about the TA being cut, and not see the bigger picture? The Navy is reducing it's size dramatically. What would happen if we were attacked? A whole CAG group being cut? And a few ships not going out on deployment? And stopping schedule maintenance? WTF? Is Obama really trying to put us in the doggy position to be royally pounded by some hostile nation?