US Departments of Education, Defense, and Veterans Affairs Shirk Responsibilities to Servicemembers, Veterans, and Their Families

As a military veteran working to expose some of the most predatory practices by subprime colleges, the idea that anyone at the US Department of Education, US Department of Defense (DOD) or Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) would say "Thank you for your service" rings hollow, especially on the 4th of July.

The US  government has systematically shirked its oversight of subprime colleges that target servicemembers, veterans, and their families, especially during the Trump Administration.

I have to give some credit to President Obama for trying to do something against these schools, with Executive Order 13607, but much of that work has been undermined by DOD and VA officials.

• Instead of exposing poor performing schools that get DOD Tuition Assistance, officials in 2018 decided that protecting these schools from a "witch hunt" was more important.
• In 2019, DOD continued to protect even the worst 50-100 subprime schools from public scrutiny.
• VA Office of Inspector General reported that $474 million had been inappropriately allocated to subprime schools, but I have seen no attempt to claw back the money for US taxpayers.
• Purdue University Global, one of the worst schools for misleading consumers, has faced no consequences for their unethical behavior as they targeted servicemembers in the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marine Times, as well as social media.

I have filed a FOIA and a complaint about Waste, Fraud, and Abuse to DOD, but have been told not to hold my breath. And I have also filed a complaint with the VA, but have even less faith that they will do their job.

Related article: 8 tips to help vets pick the right college (Military Times)