Moulton unveils youth service plan
Seth Moulton wants you to serve.
The Massachusetts congressman and presidential hopeful unveiled a new policy Sunday to increase service among the nation’s youth — modeled on the GI Bill and based on his own experience serving with the U.S. Marines, which he called the “greatest honor of my life.”
“I’m calling for a National Service Education Guarantee because I want every American to have an opportunity to serve like I did — a chance to confront the challenges our country faces today, be a part of something bigger than themselves, and earn a promise that they will be rewarded for their efforts,” Moulton said in a statement.
Moulton’s plan would ask all 33.4 million Americans between the ages of 17 and 24 to serve, but it would not be mandatory. They’d receive education or job training benefits based on years of service: 60% of in-state tuition for one year of service; 80% for two years; or 100% for three years. For job training, those benefits would be $14,000 for one year; $19,000 for two years; or $24,000 for three years.
Moulton would also build a Federal Green Corps to combat climate change, restructure the Corporation for National and Community Service into the National and Community Service Administration, and create a cabinet position for its administrator.
Those who answer the call to service could join the Federal Green Corps and work on projects that range from keeping communities safe from flooding to making buildings more energy efficient, his campaign said. Or they could serve in Moulton’s expanded AmeriCorps, FEMA Corps or AmeriCorps VISTA programs, taking on infrastructure and anti-poverty projects, among other aims.
Moulton, an Iraq War combat veteran, has staked his nascent presidential bid on service and patriotism, and is hoping to build a coalition of service and veterans groups.
Moulton launched his presidential bid in April, but continues to trail in the polls — some of which have him at 0%.