Bill Overview
Title: Military STUDY Act
Description: This bill permits the military departments to authorize temporary duty status, and travel and transportation allowances, for members who are reassigned between duty stations within the United States for not more than one year for the purpose of participating in professional military education or training classes with orders to return to the duty station of primary residence and where the dependents of such members reside. If the military department assigns permanent duty status to such a member, the member must be eligible for travel and transportation allowances at specified rates, including per diem while traveling between the permanent duty station and professional military education institution or training site.
Sponsors: Rep. Kahele, Kaiali'i [D-HI-2]
Target Audience
Population: Military personnel reassigned for professional education or training within the U.S.
Estimated Size: 30000
- The bill affects military personnel who are reassigned within the United States for professional military education or training.
- This group includes members from different branches of the military including Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, and Space Force.
- Understanding the typical size of classes for professional military education would indicate how many individuals might be reassigned temporarily.
- The target population includes both US and non-US citizens within the US military.
Reasoning
- The policy is likely to impact military personnel who temporarily relocate for educational purposes. This will not apply to family members, so wellbeing changes will be personal to the military personnel.
- The diversity within the military (age, gender, roles) suggests varied impacts, with younger personnel potentially benefiting more from the education opportunities.
- The budget implies a limited allocation per individual, suggesting that not all educational transfers will be granted the same financial support.
- Given the temporary nature, the main effects on wellbeing would be related to educational growth and minor logistic changes, rather than permanent lifestyle impacts.
- We need to simulate both direct beneficiaries (those who get transferred) and those unaffected (who stay at their current duty station), to understand spectrum of policy impact.
- Potential stressors from temporary relocation could minimally affect family dynamics indirectly, thus limiting the long-term impact on dependents.
Simulated Interviews
Marine Corps Officer (San Diego, CA)
Age: 30 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 1.0 years
Commonness: 15/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The temporary duty assignment will be good for my career development.
- It's tough to leave the family but the benefits are worth it.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
Navy Sailor (Norfolk, VA)
Age: 25 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 1.0 years
Commonness: 20/20
Statement of Opinion:
- A change in duty station is exciting and a great opportunity for learning.
- I hope the costs covered make it easy to move.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
Air Force Pilot (Colorado Springs, CO)
Age: 35 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 0.5 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy eases the burden of temporary relocation for training.
- It provides necessary support for career advancement.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 7 |
Army Ranger (Fort Bragg, NC)
Age: 40 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 1.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Slight financial relief for educational transfers, which is welcomed.
- Would have liked more permanent support options.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 6 |
Navy SEAL (Seattle, WA)
Age: 28 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 9
Duration of Impact: 1.0 years
Commonness: 18/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Additional support makes these transfers hassle-free.
- Looking forward to learning and growing in my career.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 7 |
Air Force Logistics Officer (Lackland AFB, TX)
Age: 32 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 1.0 years
Commonness: 14/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The temporary nature of duty reassignment provides flexibility.
- I can focus on education without worrying about moving constantly.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
Pentagon Military Analyst (Washington, D.C.)
Age: 45 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 0.5 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Temporary position won't affect me much as I'm close to retirement.
- Budget for travel is helpful.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 5 |
Navy Nurse (Tampa, FL)
Age: 50 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 0.5 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm used to relocations, but this policy provides a smoother experience.
- The support system is crucial when managing a family.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
Army Intelligence Officer (Salt Lake City, UT)
Age: 26 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 1.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The transition support allows me to focus on education without stress.
- This policy encourages further studies.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
Space Force Commander (Anchorage, AK)
Age: 38 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 1.0 years
Commonness: 9/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Space Force's focus on innovation translates well into educational benefits.
- It's a reassuring policy for individual development.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 7 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $700000000 (Low: $500000000, High: $900000000)
Year 2: $720000000 (Low: $520000000, High: $920000000)
Year 3: $740000000 (Low: $540000000, High: $940000000)
Year 5: $780000000 (Low: $580000000, High: $980000000)
Year 10: $850000000 (Low: $630000000, High: $1070000000)
Year 100: $2000000000 (Low: $1500000000, High: $2500000000)
Key Considerations
- Accurate estimation of affected personnel based on current and projected educational and training enrollments is crucial.
- The evolving costs of travel and transportation directly influence budget allocations.
- Inflation and cost-of-living differences across states can impact budgetary needs.
- Longevity of the assignments and varying class durations need to be built into the model.
- Long-term cost projections need to account for potential changes in defense educational policies.