Defense

Clinton releases plan for military families

Democratic presidential front-runner Hillary Clinton on Tuesday released a plan aimed at supporting military families. 

The plan consists of broad proposals but does include some specific initiatives.

Clinton calls for improving family leave policies and increasing access to child care for active and reserve members of the military, on- and off-base.  

She also called for allowing service members to take leave to explore educational opportunities, take care of ailing family members and raise children. 

She would also ease the transition for military members between active, National Guard or Reserve service. 

“This continuum of service has been debated for a generation. As President, Clinton will get it done,” the proposal said. 

She also calls for “enhancing opportunities” for military spouse employment and breaking down “antiquated rules,” including “onerous state credentialing.”

Currently, some military spouses who are certified in a skill face difficulties when moving to a new state that requires re-certification in that state. 

Clinton would support allowing families to live at a location for up to six months after the service member has to move, which would allow children to finish up school years or give spouses more time to find work at the new location. 

A bipartisan group of senators introduced a bill last year that would allow that. The bill, called the Military Family Stability Act of 2015, is led by Sens. Roy Blunt (R-Mo.), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.).

Clinton would also make Joining Forces — the initiative started by first lady Michelle Obama and Jill Biden to build partnerships between the military community and public, private and non-profit sectors — as a permanent part of the Executive Office of the President. 

Clinton said she would also direct the White House and the Pentagon leadership to conduct town hall meetings to hear from troops and their families about their needs. 

Clinton would then would personally request and receive a “thorough report and 12-month implementation plan on priority areas based on the town halls. 

Clinton said she would also ensure military children receive a “high-quality education and the resources to succeed,” including protecting the Post-9/11 GI Bill and its transfer to spouses and children.  

The plan comes a day after Memorial Day and on the same day presumptive Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump is readying to detail donations to veterans groups.

“Hillary Clinton’s dedication to our military families is long standing and personal. As the daughter of a Navy chief petty officer, she knows firsthand the importance of supporting our men and women in uniform and their families who serve alongside them,” a statement accompanying her plan said.

“She has fought for military families throughout her career,” it said.  

The Clinton campaign also released a statement ahead of Trump’s news conference, criticizing him for announcing he raised $6 million at a January fundraiser for veterans, but later admitting it was less. 

“Trump will surely brag, as he always does, about his supposed generosity and appreciation for our veterans, but nobody should be fooled by this stunt, only completed under immense pressure. The truth is, throughout this campaign and his entire career, he’s shown veterans an incredible amount of disrespect,” the statement said. 

The campaign is also hosting a conference call later Tuesday with Clinton surrogates to discuss Trump’s announcement. 

A recent poll shows that members of the U.S. military overwhelmingly support the Trump over Clinton. The Morning Consult poll, published last week, shows that 51 percent of members of the military surveyed would vote for Trump, compared to 36 percent for Clinton.