Stitt signs two senate bills that help Oklahoma National Guard members

Oct. 18—Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt signed two bills that will help Oklahoma National Guard members pay for higher education.

Senate Bills 1416 and 1418, signed at the Oklahoma Military Academy Museum on Monday, created the Oklahoma National Guard Educational Assistance Program to provide tuition and fee assistance to Oklahoma National Guard members.

"I am so so proud of our Oklahoma National Guard," Stitt said.

Stitt said Oklahoma was No. 1 in the nation for recruiting state guard members, as of July.

"These two pieces of legislation are so important to continue that momentum on," he said.

The Oklahoma National Guard ranks 13th in overall enlistments in the nation, he said.

"From the governor on down, we're going to make sure that this is available, and we make this available for all of our young people," he said.

Adjutant General for Oklahoma and commander of the Oklahoma Army and Air National Guard Brig. Gen. Thomas H. Mancino said Oklahoma had a tuition waiver for about 20 years.

"But over the years, tuition and fees have grown and inflation has kicked in and that benefit shrank," he Mancino said. "We went to the governor, we went to the Legislature, we described the problem and they came up with the solution."

Mancino said when COVID hit, everyone was able to see how the Oklahoma National Guard can help in extreme situations.

"I thank God that we live in Oklahoma — we live in a state that still puts its soldiers and airmen first," he said. "And I'm thankful for that every day."

Mancino said it was gratifying to work with the governor and Legislature to come up with a solution to benefit soldiers and help with providing ways to receive an education.

"I just think that for Oklahoma and Oklahomans the ability to get an education, to be in the military is a wonderful benefit," he said. "It helped me in my life."

Stitt said this is a pathway that provides additional opportunities that could change lives.

"It's a way to pay for your way through college," he said. "It's a way to learn discipline. It's a way to serve your country. I just love the program. The National Guard is an amazing organization, is one weekend a month, and you've got flexibility, you can go full time if you want, you get great leadership training. And man, when people see that on your resume, as you've gone through the military, it puts you a step above everyone else. So I encourage every young person to take a hard look at military service serving their country."