Military Readiness and Early Childhood: What Is the Link?
Event Summary
On Tuesday, AEI hosted an event to discuss the connection between military readiness and early childhood. Following an introduction by AEI’s Katharine B. Stevens, a panel of distinguished retired military leaders remarked on the importance of early childhood to America’s armed forces.
The panelists offered their opinions on why it is important to view early childhood in its proper context: as the foundation for all subsequent human development. By sharing lessons learned from both their military careers and postretirement civic life, these leaders demonstrated the importance of early childhood to all institutions: from families to the military to the nation at-large.
Event Description
Current and retired military leaders are sounding an alarm: Too many of America’s young men and women are not ready for the demands of military service. In fact, 71 percent of Americans of prime recruitment age do not qualify to serve, primarily due to poor education, obesity, drug abuse, or a criminal record.
Some senior military leaders, who have trained and led men and women in battle, are arguing that one root cause of this problem lies in children’s earliest years, before they even enter kindergarten. Why? What do they see as the stakes for military readiness and for early care and education in America?
Join AEI’s Katharine B. Stevens for a discussion with retired military leaders from Mission: Readiness 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.
AGENDA
9:15 AM
Registration
9:30 AM
Welcome and introduction:
Katharine B. Stevens, AEI
9:35 AM
Panel discussion
Panelists:
Jack Bergman, US House of Representatives (R-MI); Lieutenant General, US Marine Corps (ret.)
Gregory G. “Grog” Johnson, Admiral, US Navy (ret.)
Craig R. McKinley, General, US Air Force (ret.)
Moderator:
Katharine B. Stevens, AEI
10:20 AM
Q&A
10:30 AM
Adjournment
See Also
Op-Ed ~ February 1, 2018
Report ~ April 8, 2021
Op-Ed ~ October 22, 2017