The Pentagon was overwhelmed by the number of applicants, which had grown from an average of about 10,000 a month to 70,000 in January alone as the nation's economy continued to sputter. Money for the Military Spouse Career Advancement Accounts program, known as MyCAA, was rapidly running out. Rather than ask Congress for more cash, Pentagon officials decided to close the program to new applicants and stop payments to those who were already enrolled.
"This was probably, in my view, a mistake," Defense Secretary Robert Gates told the Senate Appropriations Committee's defense subcommittee last week, adding that while he expected the program to resume, it eventually could end up costing $1 billion to $2 billion.
Gates said the Pentagon had budgeted $61 million for the program in the current fiscal year and had requested $65 million in the next fiscal year.
Abrupt end of college tuition help angers military spouses
Pentagon officials have decided to withdraw 5,000 U.S. troops from Germany, a major logistical hub for...
The world’s largest aircraft carrier, the USS Gerald R Ford, will be heading home following a...
A new doctrine could soon take hold in part of the US war on drugs: psychedelic...
Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth is putting his stamp on religion and its role in the military.
He...
