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Senate Panel Presses Services on Delays Implementing Childcare Wage Reforms for Military Centers
Summary
Senators pressed service leaders about missed deadlines to redesign compensation for child development center workers; witnesses said some services increased wages but could not provide a single, final implementation date for the statutory redesign.
WASHINGTON — Senators on the Senate Armed Services Personnel Subcommittee pressed military personnel leaders on June 1 about delayed implementation of a congressionally required redesign of compensation for Department of Defense child development center workers, saying the delay threatens childcare capacity and readiness for military families.
“Childcare continues to be a top barrier to employment for active duty spouses,” Sen. Elizabeth Warren, the subcommittee’s ranking member, said. She reminded witnesses that last year’s National Defense Authorization Act required the services to redesign compensation models and begin implementation by April 1.
Witnesses answered that services had taken steps but gave no single, committee-ready date for completion. Lieutenant General Brian Eifler, speaking for the Army, said the services were working with the Department of Defense and noted continuing-resolution funding could affect implementation; he said he would follow up with a specific timetable. Vice Admiral Richard Cheeseman Jr. said the Navy was coordinating with DOD partners and would provide an implementation date when confirmed. Lieutenant General Michael Borgschulte said the Marine Corps had increased wages and would provide a specific date to the committee. Lt. Gen. Caroline M. Miller said the Air Force had increased wages, had a compensation plan and would send committee staff the plan the service has begun implementing.
“We need to make sure that service members have access to high quality, affordable childcare,” Warren said. “Failing to address these shortfalls threatens retention and will drive out the military families we need.”
Some witnesses highlighted the scale of the DOD child care enterprise: Borgschulte told the committee the services’ child and youth programs serve more than 40,000 children, which he described as a retention issue that supports operational readiness.
Senators also raised concerns that proposed civilian workforce cuts could force closure of child development centers or shift care capacity away from military families. Witnesses, when asked directly, said they had not shut down child development centers for lack of staff and that some services have increased staffing levels; Vice Admiral Cheeseman said Navy staffing in child care increased 10% over the last year and that the Navy had decreased its wait list by about 1,000 spots. Several witnesses said the redesign requirement is underway but that they would provide the committee with written plans and implementation timelines.
Ending — Senators directed the services to provide the redesigned compensation model, implementation dates and data on wait lists and staffing. No formal votes were taken at the hearing.
