Clinton releases plan for military family aid

Hillary Clinton says she will require greater flexibility in service members’ family leave time and better access to military childcare as part of her plans for military families.

The Democratic presidential front-runner released her “Military Families Agenda” on Monday, according to the Military Times.

In the policy paper, Clinton says helping military families “helps our nation attract and retain the most talented service members.” She added it is “vital to the strength of our military and the health of our nation.”

{mosads}Her plans include “enhanced gratuity payments” to the families of service members who are killed and more mental health resources for the military community.

She also plans to make President Obama’s Joining Forces Initiative, which works to bring to light the challenges military families face, a permanent program.

For her military family leave policies, Clinton wants to make service career intermission programs permanent. She wants to give service members the option to leave to care for family members or look into other education options.

She also plans to include “life-cycle and family considerations in permanent moves, by institutionalizing flexibility into the permanent moves system.”  

If elected, Clinton plans to have town hall meetings with senior White House leaders, Defense Department officials and family members to better address the needs of service members. They will be held at military bases.

“This tour will include meetings with a diverse set of military families, including those with and without children, dual-military couples, and LGBT couples as well as coordination with state governors to incorporate key issues from National Guard service members and their families,” the paper says.