Copy, fill in, send

Dear Mayor [Last name], As a [City] resident [who served / married to a veteran / from a military family], I'm writing to ask you to take the lead on a simple step for our veterans looking for work: stating that military service meets the degree requirement for city jobs. Service members learn leadership, accountability, and responsibility for people and equipment under pressure, the same qualities a degree requirement is meant to find. [If your city's postings say "or equivalent":] Our city's job postings already accept "an equivalent combination of education and experience," which is a great foundation, but they don't say whether military service counts, so a veteran reading a posting can't tell. One added sentence would fix that. For example, a posting that asks for a bachelor's degree and related experience would add: "An honorable four-year military enlistment meets the degree requirement." The experience requirement would still apply. I'm asking that the City direct HR to add that sentence to job classifications that require a degree, except where a specific degree or license is required by law. Michigan has done something similar for state jobs since 2023, and Miami-Dade County for 485 county job classifications. If it would help, I'd be glad to send a one-page outline. This is part of a larger nonpartisan citizen proposal, the EARNED Act, which asks Congress to recognize every honorable four-year enlistment with a Bachelor of Arts in Defense of Freedom. You can read it at https://earnedact.org. Once the City acts, a short letter of support from you to our state lawmakers and members of Congress would carry real weight. Some earn it in a classroom. Our veterans earned it in uniform. Thank you for your consideration. I'm happy to answer any questions by email. Sincerely, [Your name] [City, State]

Dear [Name], As a [customer / neighbor / member of your team] [who served / from a military family], I'm writing with a simple idea that could help you find good people: stating in your job postings that military service meets the degree requirement. Service members learn leadership, accountability, and responsibility for people and equipment under pressure, the same qualities a degree requirement is meant to find. Many postings ask for a bachelor's degree "or equivalent experience," but a veteran reading one can't tell whether their service counts. One added sentence would fix that: "An honorable four-year military enlistment meets the degree requirement." The job's other requirements would stay the same, and roles that legally require a specific degree or license would be left as they are. Public employers are already moving this way. Federal hiring has shifted toward skills since the Chance to Compete Act of 2024, Michigan does something similar for 13 state job classifications, and Miami-Dade County for 485 county job classifications. A private employer can simply add the line. A one-page guide that shows how is at https://earnedact.org/toolkit/employer-guide.pdf This is part of a larger nonpartisan citizen proposal, the EARNED Act, which asks Congress to recognize every honorable four-year enlistment with a Bachelor of Arts in Defense of Freedom. You can read it at https://earnedact.org. If you add the line, we'd love to hear about it, and with your written OK we would list you on the site as an employer that recognizes service. Some earn it in a classroom. Veterans earned it in uniform. Thank you for considering it. I'm happy to answer any questions by email. Sincerely, [Your name] [City, State]

Dear [Senator / Representative] [Last name], I'm your constituent in [City, ZIP] and [a veteran / the spouse of a veteran / the parent of a service member / a supporter of veterans]. I'm asking you to sponsor a bill this session stating that an honorable four-year military enlistment meets the degree requirement for state jobs. Service members lead people, manage equipment and logistics, and carry real responsibility under pressure. A clear rule that names military service would keep qualified veterans from being screened out. Since 2023, Michigan has let veterans with two years at E-6 or above meet the bachelor's degree requirement in 13 state job classifications, Miami-Dade County does something similar for 485 county job classifications, and our state could go further: an honorable four-year enlistment meets the degree requirement. Specifically, I'm asking you to: - Sponsor or cosponsor a bill stating that an honorable four-year enlistment meets the degree requirement for state jobs, except where a specific degree or license is required by law, with each job's other requirements unchanged, and - Support a resolution urging Congress to pass the EARNED Act, which would recognize an honorable four-year enlistment with an accredited Bachelor of Arts in Defense of Freedom, with the GI Bill kept intact. The full proposal is at https://earnedact.org. Four years served. One nation defended. One degree earned. Thank you for your time and for your service to our state. Sincerely, [Your name] [Street address, City, State, ZIP]

Dear [Representative / Senator] [Last name], I'm your constituent in [City, State, ZIP] and [a veteran / the spouse of a veteran / the parent of a service member / a supporter of veterans]. I'm asking you to introduce or cosponsor the EARNED Act in the new Congress and to support including it in the next National Defense Authorization Act. The EARNED Act would recognize an honorable four-year enlistment with an accredited Bachelor of Arts in Defense of Freedom, with a concentration in the service member's military specialty. The GI Bill stays fully intact, and veterans who have already served honorably could claim the degree with their service records. The groundwork exists. The Air Force has recognized enlisted airmen's training with accredited associate degrees since 1977, and service academy graduates leave with a bachelor's after four years. Congress moved federal hiring toward skills with the Chance to Compete Act of 2024, but veterans applying to cities, hospitals and manufacturers are still screened out for lacking a degree. The EARNED Act would recognize the credential they already earned in uniform. Specifically, I'm asking you to: - Introduce or cosponsor the EARNED Act as a bill in the new Congress, and - Support adding it to the Fiscal Year 2028 National Defense Authorization Act. The full proposal is at https://earnedact.org. Four years served. One nation defended. One degree earned. Thank you for your time and for your service. Sincerely, [Your name] [Street address, City, State, ZIP]