The Army Slashes Credentialing Assistance: Short-Sighted or Strategic?

The Army’s Credentialing Assistance (CA) program—a beacon of hope for soldiers looking to carve a life outside the uniform—has found itself on the chopping block. Designed to help service members earn certifications and licenses to boost their post-military employability, this program seemed like a no-brainer: invest in troops now so they can thrive later. But recent cuts signal a shift in priorities, leaving soldiers scrambling and critics raising hell.

This move might save money in the short term, but is it penny-wise and pound-foolish? Let’s dig into the reasoning behind this decision, where bureaucratic best intentions clash with boots-on-the-ground reality.

The Rise and Fall of Credentialing Assistance 

When the Army launched the Credentialing Assistance program in 2019, it was like opening a golden door. Soldiers could access up to $4,000 annually to pursue certifications in fields ranging from IT security and project management to automotive repair. You can pursue a pilot’s license. This was a ticket to escape the revolving door of low-skill civilian jobs that too often plague veterans.

The program offered skills and gave soldiers a sense of purpose beyond the battlefield. Certifications like CompTIA Security+, PMP, or Lean Six Sigma were more than fancy words to slap on a LinkedIn profile—they were tools for a better future. You can get your commercial driver’s license, welding certifications, barber licenses…the possibilities are almost endless. And the Army was footing the bill, betting that an empowered soldier would become a stronger veteran. It’s a fantastic program, and soldiers saw that and took advantage. Why wouldn’t they? 

Now, the bet’s off. Starting next year, the Army is imposing tighter restrictions, reducing the number of courses covered and slashing the budget per soldier. It’s a death by a thousand cuts for a program that once aimed to transform lives. 

Officers have been totally written out of the program beginning in 2025. According to Military.com, officers comprise nearly 20% of the 27,000 beneficiaries of the CA program this year.

Why the Cutbacks?

The official line is budget constraints. Leadership cites rising operational costs and the need to prioritize mission readiness over personal development programs. In classic military fashion, they’ve opted to tighten the belt on programs that don’t have an immediate payoff in combat effectiveness.

The program is actually a victim of its own success. And those aren’t just my words. Army Secretary Christine Wormuth called the program a “catastrophic success.” What did she mean by that? Probably, it was utilized by more soldiers than originally planned, and costs began to spiral. To me, it seems like a simple case of poor planning.

The Army’s reasoning stinks of short-sightedness. Sure, they need money for bullets and bombs, but how much goodwill are they losing in the ranks? Soldiers aren’t always going to be warfighters; they need to plan for life after service. Stripping away tools for that transition feels like a betrayal of trust.

To add insult to injury, the timing couldn’t be worse. As the military grapples with recruitment struggles, scaling back CA sends the wrong message. “Join the Army and get ahead in life” sounds a lot less appealing when the fine print says, “Only if we can afford it this year.”

The Bigger Picture: A Failure to Invest

Here’s where the rubber meets the road: the Army is doing more than cutting back on a program; they are cutting ties with soldiers. The CA program was one of the few initiatives that showed the Army understood its soldiers as individuals, not just assets. By scaling it back, they risk eroding the trust and loyalty that keep the wheels turning. No one, and I mean no one, likes benefits taken away. It rubs everyone involved the wrong way. 

Let’s talk numbers. The return on investment (ROI) for veteran education is astronomical. According to the RAND Corporation, every dollar spent on credentialing and education programs yields $2.50 in economic benefits. That’s good policy and sound economics. 

Yet the Army brass seems content to ignore this math. They’re playing a dangerous game, banking on soldiers sticking around despite fewer incentives. It’s a gamble that could backfire spectacularly.

A Call to Action: Keep Fighting for the Future

If there’s one thing the military teaches you, it’s resilience. It may sound cliche, but soldiers know how to adapt, improvise, and overcome. But resilience has its limits, and asking troops to bear the brunt of bureaucratic cutbacks is a bridge too far. 

For those still in uniform, this is a moment to raise hell. Speak up, write your congressman, and remind the decision-makers that soldiers aren’t expendable. For veterans, it’s a chance to rally around the next generation, ensuring they get the opportunities we once had—or wish we did.

The Credentialing Assistance program is about looking out for the future of soldiers. It is about keeping promises and the government keeping its word. If we’re willing to spend billions on weapons that we send to other countries, we can damn well afford to spend a few million on soldiers’ futures. It’s time for the Army to remember that the best investment it can make isn’t in hardware—it’s in people. It’s an investment in the future of America. 

Hunter S. Thompson famously said: “Buy the ticket, take the ride.” The Army’s leaders need to remember that the ride doesn’t end when the uniform comes off. It’s up to them to ensure that every soldier has a fighting chance at the next chapter of their life.