Jill Biden and the defense chief visit an Alabama base to highlight expanded military benefits

WASHINGTON (AP) — First lady Jill Biden and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin are traveling to Maxwell Air Force Base in Alabama to highlight programs the Pentagon and White House are rolling out to improve the quality of life and early childhood education in the military.

At Maxwell on Friday, Biden and Austin will visit a pre-kindergarten program that the first lady has championed that funds universal preschool and help for children aged 3 and 4. The administration plans to expand that program beyond military facilities and into education systems nationwide.

Austin is expected to discuss efforts the Pentagon has made to ease some of the financial and career hurdles that military families face. Austin has made improving troop quality of life a goal during his time as defense secretary.

His aim is to retain service members and show prospective recruits the programs the Pentagon offers to support a military career, including more housing help, career assistance for spouses and pay raises.

Earlier this year the Army, Marine Corps and Air Force reported they expect to meet recruitment goals for this budget year, but the Navy said it may fall short.

It has become more difficult for the military to recruit young people to serve. Fewer families have a direct connection to the military and more young people fall short of the fitness requirements to qualify.