Pentagon Chief Defense Secretary Ash Carter have proposed a series of billings that are beneficial to military families who are currently in service. The proposals aim to increase parental leave, child care and health care scope and coverage to recognize efforts, to recruit and spark interest to new ones, and retain high-quality service military members.
According to Mashable, Defense Secretary Ash Carter have informed Pentagon that he is intending to double the paid benefits from its original allocation. These include fully paid maternity leave for female service members, and health care priority, among other things. Also, he graced that he would want to work with the Congress to give almost the same benefit for paternity leave and to those who are considering adoption.
The Defense Secretary wants to work and carry on the implementation of expanding health care coverage to include more benefits for women who are trying to get pregnant. In addition, he is also looking at prolonging the hours of military child care facilities so more children can be accommodated. These future reforms were announced on Thursday, January 28, 2016, Herald Courier cited.
The said changes to various bills will cost an estimate of $385 million over the next five years. These are all part of Ash Carter's ongoing effort for the members of military service which aims to make it more modernize and attract more job seekers, The Sun Chronicle shared. He also expressed that this will strengthen the competitive mission in the battle for top talent.
As per the Defense Secretary, estimate 52 percent (52%) of the enlisted military force, and 70% of its officers are already married; hence, the changes and improvement for family leave, child care, and health incentives are necessary.
The expansion of family leave benefits is noted to be the second phase in a broader campaign by Carter to help troops better balance their family commitments with their desire to serve their country.
Last year, he notably proposed series of initiatives aimed at attracting and retaining quality service members. They ranged from increasing internships to changing the retirement system.
