WASHINGTON — The Defense Credit Union Council is urging Congress to ensure military deployments do not jeopardize servicemembers’ educational standing or academic progress, arguing that education, career advancement and financial readiness are closely connected.
In a letter to the House Committee on Education and the Workforce ahead of an Aug. 25 hearing titled “Deployed, Not Disqualified: Defending Servicemembers in Our Schools,” DCUC said servicemembers should not face educational or professional penalties because they are called to military duty.
“The title of this hearing captures a principle that should unite every Member of Congress: Deployment must never become disqualification,” DCUC Chief Advocacy Officer Jason Stverak wrote.
Stverak said servicemembers do not control when they are activated, where they are deployed, how long they are away or whether they can reliably communicate while deployed.
‘Not an Abandonment of Responsibility’
“An absence caused by military orders is not an abandonment of responsibility,” Stverak wrote. “No service member should lose educational standing, academic progress, community responsibilities, or the opportunity to serve a local school because that individual answered our nation’s call.”
DCUC said the issue extends beyond protecting servicemembers’ educational opportunities, pointing to connections among education, military career advancement and financial security.
Credit unions serving military communities see firsthand how education and career advancement can contribute to higher earnings, financial stability and the overall readiness and quality of life of servicemembers, veterans and their families, the organization said.
‘Important Part of Military Readiness’
“Education is more than an opportunity for professional advancement; it is an important part of military readiness and long-term financial security,” DCUC President and CEO Anthony Hernandez, a retired U.S. Air Force colonel, said in a statement.
Hernandez said allowing servicemembers to continue their education and career development without being penalized for fulfilling military obligations can help them advance in the military, support their families and successfully transition to civilian life.
“Defense credit unions see firsthand how education, financial readiness, and career stability are interconnected, and stand ready to help servicemembers and their families build a stronger financial future,” Hernandez said.
