According to Pennsylvania state capitol reporter Brad Bumsted, both groups have a strong interest in keeping funding intact for early childhood programs “and, ideally, to increase spending for pre-K programs.” In a June 2 article in the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, Bumsted writes about the goals of Mission Readiness, a non-profit group of retired military leaders who believe that the future of our nation’s security depends on a large enough well-educated, crime-free populace from which recruits can be drawn.

A recent Pentagon study showing that “7 of 10 people ages 17-24 are unfit to serve in the military because they lack high school diplomas, have criminal backgrounds or are physically incapable” has this group worried. Because research shows that kids who experienced pre-school are less likely to drop out or commit crimes, Mission Readiness is lobbying the Pennsylvania legislature to avoid balancing the budget with a reduction in pre-k programs. The “former brass” seem to be successful in bringing some lawmakers around to their way of thinking. While it seems somewhat counterintuitive that pre-k proponents and retired military would join forces in lobbying their state officeholders, the old adage that politics makes for strange bedfellows comes to mind. What also comes to mind is that we should all push the envelope and look for non-traditional allies in our work to promote the well-being of America’s children.

Read “For security’s sake, state must aid youngsters, former brass say”

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