EARNED The EARNED Act
The EARNED Act would recognize an honorable four-year military enlistment with an accredited bachelor's degree, a Bachelor of Arts in Defense of Freedom, with a concentration in the service member's specialty. The GI Bill stays fully intact, and veterans who have already served could claim the degree with their service records. It is a citizen proposal that started in Surprise, Arizona.
Four years served. One nation defended. One degree earned.
We respond to all media requests by email.
Key facts
- The gap: military training is already evaluated for college credit by the American Council on Education and recorded on each veteran's Joint Services Transcript, but that credit helps only veterans who go back to school.
- Already in place: the Community College of the Air Force has recognized enlisted airmen's training with accredited associate degrees since 1972. Enlisted Marines, soldiers and sailors have no degree-granting college of their own.
- Parity: service academy graduates serve four years and leave with a bachelor's degree. The EARNED Act extends that recognition to enlisted members.
- The trend: the Chance to Compete Act (Public Law 118-188, 2024) and later federal actions moved federal hiring toward skills. Veterans applying to cities, hospitals and manufacturers are still screened out by degree requirements.
- Path to law: an amendment to the annual National Defense Authorization Act, with a standalone bill in the new Congress. Locally, cities can let veterans substitute documented military experience for degree requirements now, as Miami-Dade County does.
- Nonpartisan: skills-based hiring has drawn support from both parties. The campaign welcomes support from anyone who wants veterans' service to count.
Images and documents
Images may be used freely in coverage of the EARNED Act.
About the campaign
The EARNED Act is a volunteer citizen campaign, not affiliated with the Department of Defense, any branch of service, any candidate or any political party. EARNED stands for Education Achieved for Real-world National service, Excellence and Duty.