Panel Explores Connection Between Military Readiness and Early Childhood
Mission: Readiness members participated in American Enterprise Institute event on importance of high-quality early care and education
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Three Mission: Readiness members participated in a panel discussion hosted by the American Enterprise Institute (AEI) on December 5 about how high-quality early childhood programs can help prepare more children for success in school and in life, including in the military for those who choose to serve.
The panel featured U.S. Representative Jack Bergman (R-MI), a retired U.S. Marine Corps Lieutenant General who is the highest-ranking military officer ever elected to Congress; Admiral (Ret.) Gregory G. “Grog” Johnson from Maine, who was the commander of U.S. Naval Forces, Europe; and General (Ret.) Craig R. McKinley from Florida, who was the 26th chief of the National Guard Bureau. The panel was moderated by Katharine B. Stevens, Ph.D., resident scholar at AEI, where she leads the early childhood program.
Photos: John Boal Photography © American Enterprise Institute
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Panel discussion with (left to right) Admiral (Ret.) Gregory G. “Grog” Johnson, General (Ret.) Craig R. McKinley, U.S. Representative Jack Bergman, and Katharine B. Stevens, Ph.D.
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Admiral (Ret.) Gregory G. “Grog” Johnson: “71% of young Americans between 17-24 are unqualified to serve in the military. If they can’t meet the military’s qualifications, what other challenges will they face?“
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U.S. Representative Jack Bergman: "My passion as a Congressman is to do everything we can to ensure that states and other entities provide opportunities for children at an early level.”
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General (Ret.) Craig R. McKinley: “This is a national security issue. We talk about new investments in defense, but we need our future service members to be extremely capable.”
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Katharine Stevens, Ph.D., of AEI moderating the panel discussion.
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Admiral Johnson speaking during panel discussion.
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U.S. Rep. Bergman speaking during panel discussion.
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