A member of the House Armed Services Committee is trying to solidify into law a 10 year personnel program that lets military members take a sabbatical from service.

The career intermission pilot program has been touted by military leadership as one way to retain service members who need to care of a sick loved one or want to go back to school to better their career.

The program, which has been around since 2008, allows troops to take time off to pursue other areas of life. In return they promise to pay back every year they take off with two years in the service when they return.

Rep. Jim Banks (R-Ind.) introduced a bill last week to make that program permanent. The program is set to expire at the end of 2019.

“Encouraging our men and women in uniform to continue their service while maintaining a healthy work-life balance will help to create a more well-rounded military,” Banks said in a statement. “As we look for new and innovative ways to boost the recruitment and retention of our armed forces, preserving the highly successful Career Intermission Program will offer our dedicated soldiers, sailors, pilots and marines the opportunity to pursue career paths they couldn’t explore otherwise.”

Congress has gradually expanded the program since its conception, but reviews have been mixed.

The Army has had a low number of recruits to the program, according to a study from last year.

A total of 37 soldiers applied into the program from 2014 to 2016, but only 23 were accepted and 13 actually participated, stated a report to Congress from the Army.

The study stated “high performers are looking for career flexibility to manage competing life priorities. Lacking flexibility and courses of actions that protect their careers, soldiers often leave the Army. The Army is offering CIPP to provide valuable alternatives to help retain these valuable service members while allowing them to pursue personal and/or professional goals.”

Eight of the 13 soldiers left active duty to go study for bachelors, masters, doctorate or law degrees. Four soldiers left to spend more time with their families, care for an ailing family members, adopt or care for children or align assignments with a military spouse. The final soldier chose to pursue civilian professional opportunities overseas.

Since the creation of the program only two soldiers have returned to duty. One officer was able to finish her first year of required study to become a physical therapist. She is currently enrolled in her second year and will complete her studies using a previously authorized educational entitlement.

The second soldier was not hired for the overseas civilian position and returned to active duty after 2 months, the study stated.

Four participants were sergeants, five were staff sergeants and one was a sergeant first class. On the officer side one was a captain and two were majors. Out of those who applied, the rank most interested in the program was sergeant, with 10 applying. Eight majors also applied for the program.

Read more of the DoD Personnel Notebook.

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