The Virginian-Pilot
©
WASHINGTON
Senators moved Wednesday toward creation of a "Veterans Corps" of up to 5,000 paid volunteers to work on aid programs for vets, their families and the families of active-duty troops.
The corps is part of a group of service initiatives backed by the Obama administration and a bipartisan coalition in Congress. Participants would work directly with veterans and bolster existing aid programs run by state and local governments and nonprofit groups.
With civilian jobs increasingly hard to come by, the corps would give people leaving the military another way of serving their country and staying off unemployment, said U.S. Sen. Mark Warner, D-Va.
Warner introduced legislation last week to create the corps, then lobbied to have it included in a bill expanding the AmeriCorps service program, which was launched in the mid-1990s. His proposal is similar to a Veterans Corps plan approved by the House in its version of the national service bill.
The combined bills also would create an Education Corps, a Healthy Futures Corps and a Clean-Energy Corps.
It would provide federal aid for colleges and universities that include service programs in their offerings in nursing, medicine, criminal justice and public policy.
The bills, which would add 175,000 people to the Ameri- Corps work force over five years, would cost $5.7 billion. The current legislation approves the program, but the money would have to come from an appropriations bill.
Sen. Tom Coburn, R-Okla., complained Monday that the program is too expensive. "It's not paid for.... What are we going to eliminate?" he asked.
But the AmeriCorps idea enjoys the support of President Barack Obama and a bipartisan coalition led by liberal Democrat Ted Kennedy of Massachusetts and conservative Republican Orrin Hatch of Utah.
Warner said his interest in the Veterans Corps grows in part out of work he did as governor to streamline veterans' service efforts. The Old Dominion is eighth among the states in veteran population, with about 800,000.
Veterans Corps jobs would carry a modest living allowance. Exact amounts vary.
Warner acknowledged that could limit participation by vets who have families, an increasingly common occurrence in today's military. Some of the jobs created would be in rural areas, where living costs often are relatively low, he added.
Dale Eisman, (703) 913-9872, dale.eisman@pilotonline.com
Delicious
Digg
Reddit
Facebook
Twitter
Google
Yahoo
Veteran Corps
I believe in making a positive difference in the world. I think National Service is a great way to show caring and concern and do great things for the community.
Programs for Veterans are badly needed and there are not too many of them. You cannot have enough. If you are against the veterans corps, then you are against creating jobs for veterans.
I think caring for our country does begin in the community. I am a returning veteran who served in Iraqi Freedom. So, I know and I understand what is needed. I think the Veteran Corps program is wonderful and needs to continue to expand (not a drain on our economy).
I say, let's reach out to the veterans who have a hard time asking for help.
ISN'T BEING A "PAID" VOLUNTEER
something of an oxymoron? I thought we sent Mark Warner to Washington to offer innovative solutions to the major issues of our time-like the crisis in the economy. I am so disappointed to see that he's just another elected person that freely spends other people's money on something like this program.
Hodge Podge of Programs
As I understand it from talking to vet and military family representatives, there are already a range of existing programs and services that are available, but may potential beneficiaries of these programs don't know about them or can't easily used them for various reasons. So the first think is to see what works, what does not work, fix the ones that could be cost effective, and stop the ones that are waste of money. Second, these military family service programs appear to have been a set of bandaids to solve one problem or another; therefore, they should be consolidated to make them more efficient and effective. Third, use Internet and database technology to improve access and effectiveness.
There are people that can help with a range of things from school menntoring, environment, border security, health, wildlife management. I think they should be consolidated into a single organization for better command and control and resource allocation.
I agree that the idea of "paid volunteers" is silly.
huh
I really don't see this as having more government or more socialist. I plan on joining the Peace Corps or Teach for America after college and before Grad School. One of the perks is that I would get money to go to Grad School.
If you remember Tom Lehrer's quote, "Life is a sewer, what you get out of it, depends on what you put in it". I think this holds true with our country. Imagine if Americans helped out one another, or went abroad to help other countries. Not only would we feel psychologically better as a country, but just imagine having a stronger rapport with other nations. This isn't a matter of government; this presents the opportunity to make our country a better place.
Those of you who are against National Service make it appear that you take living in this great country for granted.
Throwing good $$$ after bad.
Just what we need.... more government. At least the war on terror is over. Who won ? Where is PRESBO.......shooting hoops with the troops ?
The $6 Billion Dollar Volunteer
This bill gives birth to many new government programs, and enlarges others:
· Clean Energy Corps
· Education Corps
· National Civilian Community Corps expansion
· Foster Grandparent Program
· Learn and Serve America
· Retired and Senior Volunteer Program
· Senior Companion Program
· $12M yearly for Silver Scholarships and Encore Fellowships
· $10M yearly for “Volunteers for Prosperity”
· $360M over the next 4 years for Social Innovation Fund and Volunteer Generation Fund
As a Vet, I'd have to say we already have an abundance of volunteer organizations available to us. Do we really need another taxpayer-supported program? I thought Warner had better business sense than to vote for every government expansion program that crosses his desk, with no thought to its impact on our growing national debt.
huh?
Paid volunteers?
Foolish idea and the true cost is way more.
Re-read this part,"In addition to Veterans Corps, the combined bills would create an education corps, a healthy futures corps, and a clean-energy service corps" also "provide federal aid for colleges and universities that include service programs in their academic offerings in nursing, medicine, criminal justice, and public policy. The combined bills, which would add 175,000 people to the AmeriCorps workforce over five years, would cost $5.7 billion over that period. The current legislation approves the program, but the money will have to come from a separate appropriations bill." The figures given come down to $32K per person if all the $5.7B goes to salaries. That given, the REAL cost of all this will be ten times $5.7B. The other give away and socialist programs are hiding behind the alleged help for Veterans. This bill is so bogus and such a big sham it's ridiculous. What a conn of the taxpayers and waste of our tax dollars this is. Use of the word "volunteer" here is really a stretch of the word, this is an employee of the government NOT a volunteer.
WHAT ?
What is a 'paid ' volunteer? Does this mean that Police and Fire are "paid" volunteers because they voluntarily applied for the job? What the hell is wrong with using vocabulary correctly?
Wonderful
I think this is a wonderful idea. National Service should be emphasized a lot more in this country. We live in the best country in the world. Our country has done a lot for us, as Americans. It is only fitting that we give back in some way if possible. I don't mean just paying taxes, but to truly and willingly give of yourself to better the country, that is one of the most patriotic things you can do.