Lasting Impact of the GI Bill on Public Service

The views expressed are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of ASPA as an organization.

By Phil Wilkerson
July 15, 2024

This summer marked the 80th anniversary of The Servicemember’s Readjustment Act of 1944, legislation that would reshape accessibility for post-secondary training through the GI Bill. For the first time in history, groves of non-wealthy Americans would have means for earning a college degree, securing low-interest business loans and low-cost mortgages. Arguably the greatest economic stimulus of the 20th Century, this bill would combat the Great Depression by creating a highly skilled workforce and exponential mobility to the middle class. By the 1950s veterans would make up roughly half of all enrollments in post-secondary education and leaders in the housing market. The GI Bill necessitated vast expansion of community colleges and technical schools, fueling radical growth in the higher education industry and establishing a legacy for honoring service members. I find great pride in celebrating this anniversary, as I have graciously benefited from the benefits provided.

During my junior year in high school, I was a free-spirited young man, passing most of my classes and working various minimum-wage jobs. I was the owner of a 1980 Buick Regal. I consumed fast food most days of the week. My friends and I wasted time on short-term ventures and paid little attention to our future. One day during lunch period I was approached by a man in Army Class A uniform who asked me about my plans after high school. Although Staff Sergeant Vallejo seemed appreciative that I might work with my dad roofing houses, he would share an interesting proposal suggesting that I might travel the world, acquire transferrable skills and earn funding for a college education. That conversation would lead to discussions with my family and many exciting events that shaped my adult life.

Entering the US Army would be my orientation in public administration. I would come to understand the impact of public policy and get to see bureaucracy in action. Enlistment would also establish a clear understanding of public management and regulation. The Army would also provide substantial socialization and diversity training in preparation for entry into new regions. In these years of travel and training, I would hear several other recruitment stories…some of which may have been less commendable than my experience. Despite any complaints or grumbling within the ranks, everyone was keenly aware of the breadth of benefits and opportunities they were earning.

Utilizing my veteran benefits would eventually connect me with my advisor and mentor Dr. Nolan Argyle as I earned my MPA. Argyle, a Purple Heart recipient during the Vietnam era, upheld the principles of his military experiences during class lectures in public management, diversity and ethics. He often regarded the US Army as the greatest mitigator of inequality and gateway for opportunity that our nation has ever known. Despite the crippling injuries sustained during his tours of duty, Argyle attributed his professional accomplishments and personal development to serving alongside countless soldiers committed to what he regarded as the highest calling.  

During this time under the tutelage of Argyle, I would come to appreciate that the greatest benefits I earned from military service might not be summarized by the degrees I have earned but by the rich relationships and lessons I have gained. Afterward, I often told colleagues and students that I learned much more during a few years in the Army than the many years of formal education. I find this true as I meet other veterans in higher education or leadership roles in areas of public service. Stellar skills in personnel management, public speaking and time management seem commonplace for former service members in professional civilian settings. Veterans are also known for valuing diversity and teamwork as a means of meeting goals. Prioritizing these ethical values is of the utmost importance in our current climate of combative politics, polarization and culture wars.

I ponder this concept as I consider reports of the US Army falling short in recruitment goals for several consecutive years. While this report might suggest concerns for national security, one might also consider implications for economic shortfalls and quality of public service in the years ahead. Of course, one could make several optimistic suggestions regarding lower enlistment. Perhaps we are in the age of quality over quantity as reflected by increased recruitment standards. Or maybe we are on the verge of seeing new innovative recruitment incentives that appeal to a broader enlistment base? As challenges and demands in national security continue to evolve, perhaps new opportunities will arise for even more diverse representation in military personnel. And new challenges can create new opportunities in technology and workforce development. Shifts in enlistment may improve training standards that more closely reflect greater social challenges.

The GI Bill has truly been a cornerstone of my educational and professional success. As I reflect upon the depths of gratitude that fill my memories, I harbor a great deal of hope for new generations of humble public servants who might secure rewarding careers and make lasting impacts on our society.

---

Author: Philip K. Wilkerson can be reached at [email protected].

(3 votes, average: 5.00 out of 5)
Loading...