(a) The General Assembly recognizes that:
(1) Modern warfare and the corresponding advancements in weapons require a higher level of intelligence and skill and, therefore, a better educated soldier. Minimum enlistment criteria are increasing with the passage of time and the advent of new technology;
(2) While enlistment incentives have remained the same for Reserve forces, they have steadily declined or have been eliminated for the National Guard;
(3) States surrounding Arkansas have increased incentives to National Guard members, including tuition exemptions and waivers of out-of-state tuition for qualified active National Guard members;
(4) Other states have lost National Guard units but, because of Arkansas's historically high strength, the state has been selected to receive high-priority, high-strength units, actually increasing strength requirements for certain high-readiness units;
(5) The combined effect of these factors has caused assigned personnel strength relative to authorized strength levels in the Arkansas National Guard to decline steadily since early 1994; and
(6) As educational requirements increase, there are fewer enlistees who can qualify for critical specialties and as officer candidates.
(b) The General Assembly further recognizes that:
(1) In the absence of additional incentives, Arkansas's potential enlistees and current members will be attracted to active duty or to Reserve or National Guard units in surrounding states;
(2) While tuition incentives may replace other incentives that have been eliminated and may encourage college-qualified persons to enlist and continue their education, a loan repayment program encourages personal responsibility and long-term commitment to pursuit of educational goals;
(3) Utilizing a combined program of education loans and tuition incentives for new recruits and education loans for eligible existing members encourages a better-educated population while rewarding bright and responsible young persons for long-term community service in the National Guard; and
(4) An incentive that is targeted as an educational loan repayment has the dual benefit of encouraging and assisting the pursuit of postsecondary education while making enlistment in the Arkansas National Guard more attractive. The program also brings Arkansas's incentives for enlistment more in parity with surrounding states.