§ 12-62-601 - Legislative findings.
12-62-601. Legislative findings.
(a) The General Assembly recognizes that:
(1) Modern warfare and the corresponding advancements in weapons require a higher level of intelligence and skill and, therefore, a better educated soldier. Minimum enlistment criteria are increasing with the passage of time and the advent of new technology;
(2) While enlistment incentives have remained the same for reserve forces, they have steadily declined or have been eliminated for the National Guard;
(3) States surrounding Arkansas have increased incentives to National Guard members, including tuition exemptions and waivers of out-of-state tuition for qualified active National Guard members, in part because these states have lost National Guard units;
(4) Because of Arkansas' historically high strength, the state has been selected to receive high-priority, high-strength units, with strength requirements for critical, high-skill military occupation specialties actually increasing;
(5) The combined effect of these factors has caused assigned personnel strength in the Arkansas National Guard to decline steadily since early 1994;
(6) As educational requirements increase, there are fewer enlistees who can qualify for critical specialties and as officer candidates.
(b) The General Assembly further recognizes that:
(1) In the absence of additional incentives, Arkansas' potential enlistees will be attracted to active duty, reserve, or National Guard units in surrounding states;
(2) Tuition incentives replace other incentives that have been eliminated, while encouraging college-qualified persons to enlist and continue their education;
(3) Such incentives encourage a better-educated population, while rewarding bright and responsible young persons for long-term community service in the National Guard;
(4) An incentive that is targeted as a tuition payment has the dual benefit of encouraging and assisting the pursuit of postsecondary education while making enlistment in the Arkansas National Guard more attractive. The program also brings Arkansas' incentives for enlistment more in parity with surrounding states.