FY19

House Armed Services 

National Defense Authorization 

Act (NDAA)

Summary of H.R. 5515

The National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2010

As of May 18th, 2018

Passed in 

Committee

Passed in 

Chamber Agreement Final Passage Signed into Law

House May 10th, 2018

Senate
Table of Contents

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY...........................................................................................................- 1 -

ARMY NATIONAL GUARD - AUTHORIZATION OF FUNDING......................................- 2 -

AIR NATIONAL GUARD - AUTHORIZATION OF FUNDING...........................................- 2 -

BILL TEXT ...................................................................................................................................- 3 -

PROCUREMENT PROVISIONS ...............................................................................................- 3 -

RESEARCH, DEVELOPMENT, TEST AND EVALUATION PROVISIONS .....................- 3 -

OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE PROVISIONS .............................................................- 3 -

MILITARY PERSONNEL AUTHORIZATIONS ....................................................................- 4 -

RESERVE COMPONENT MANAGEMENT PROVISIONS .................................................- 6 -

COMPENSATION, PERSONNEL BENEFITS AND RETIREMENT...................................- 6 -

DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE ORGANIZATION AND MANAGEMENT ........................- 6 -

MILITARY CONSTRUCTION PROVISIONS ........................................................................- 7 -

BASE REALIGNMENT AND CLOSURE ACTIVITIES ........................................................- 8 -

OTHER PROVISIONS.................................................................................................................- 8 -

COMMITTEE REPORT LANGUAGE .....................................................................................- 9 -
- 1 -

Executive Summary

This guide provides a short summary of the House Armed Services Fiscal Year 2019 National Defense 

Authorization Act (NDAA).

To obtain a complete understanding of any particular provision, users are encouraged to review the actual 

legislative language. Bill text and the committee report can be found on NGB-LL’s website: 

www.nationalguard.mil/ll. Beyond the legislative provisions, there are a number of directive reports with 

specific relevance to the National Guard. Readers are encouraged to review this report language (starting on 

page 9) for their own situational awareness. 

Status: 

On May 9th, 2018, the House Armed Services Committee (HASC) conducted its full-committee markup of the 

FY2019 National Defense Authorization Act. The bill authorizes $708.1 billion in discretionary spending, 

including $69 billion for overseas operations. The funding authorization is at the levels set by the 2018 

Budget Agreement.

Highlights: 

• Authorizes an end strength of 343,500 for ARNG and 107,100 for ANG. (Sec. 411)

• Increases the authorized AGR end strength for the ANG by 3,601. (Sec. 412)

• Retains military technicians who lose dual status under certain circumstances. (Sec. 506)

• Designates dual-status technicians converted to Title 5 positions as competitive, not excepted, 

service. (Sec. 511)

• Increases the total number of available control grade positions authorized for the ANG. (Sec. 512)

• Authorizes a National Guard officer’s date of rank to be backdated after federal recognition is 

granted. (Sec. 513)

• Establishes a National Commission on Military Aviation Safety. (Sec. 1078)

• Authorizes the Secretary of the Army to establish a pilot program creating a National Guard cyber 

security training center for the ARNG. (Sec. 1635)

• Requires the Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of Homeland Security to conduct a study of the 

feasibility and advisability of establishing reserve component cyber civil support teams. (Sec. 1638)

• Authorizes the Secretary of Defense to close or realign a military installation if a Governor 

recommends the realignment or closure within the Governor’s state or territory. (Sec. 2702)

• Requires the Secretary of the Army and Secretary of the Air Force review and report on processes 

for Federal Recognition of promotions of National Guard officers. (Committee Report Language)

• Requires the Chief of the National Guard Bureau to provide a report on the effectiveness of National 

Guard Bureau behavioral health programs. (Committee Report Language)

• Requires the Chief of the National Guard Bureau, in coordination with NORTHCOM and the 

Directors of the Army and Air National Guard, provide a report that provides an Incident Awareness 

and Assessment capability and capacity roadmap for the FY19-23 Future Years Defense Program. 

(Committee Report Language) 
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National Guard Accounts Overview

Army National Guard - Authorization of Funding (All Dollars in Thousands)

Army National 

Guard

FY19 PB

Request HASC Mark

Delta 

from PB

SASC 

Mark 

Delta 

from PB

Conference 

Report

FY19

Delta 

from PB

O&M $7,399,295 $7,469,295 +$70,000

OCO O&M $110,729 $110,729 -

MILCON $180,122 $191,122 +$11,000

Army National Guard End Strength

Army National 

Guard

FY19 PB 

Request HASC Mark

Delta from 

PB

SASC 

Mark 

Delta 

from PB

Conference 

Report

FY19

Delta from 

PB

End Strength 343,500 343,500 -

AGR 30,595 30,595 -

Dual Status 

Technicians 22,294 22,294 -

ADOS 17,000 17,000 -

Air National Guard - Authorization of Funding (All Dollars in Thousands) 

Air National 

Guard

FY19 PB

Request

HASC 

Mark

Delta from 

PB

SASC 

Mark

Delta 

from 

PB

Conference 

Report

FY19

Delta from 

PB

O&M $6,427,622 $6,451,522 +$23,900

OCO O&M $15,870 $15,870 -

MILCON $129,126 $191,126 +$62,000

Air National Guard End Strength

Air National 

Guard

FY19 PB 

Request

HASC 

Mark

Delta from 

PB

SASC 

Mark

Delta 

from 

PB

Conference 

Report

FY19

Delta from 

PB

End Strength 106,600 107,100 -

AGR 19,861 19,861 -

Dual Status 

Technicians 18,969 18,969 -

ADOS 16,000 16,000 -

RECOMMENDED FUNDING AUTHORIZATIONS DO NOT EQUAL FINAL FUNDING. FINAL FUNDING 

LEVELS WILL BE DECIDED BY APPROPRIATIONS BILLS 
- 3 -

BILL TEXT

PROCUREMENT PROVISIONS

Sec. 111. National Guard and reserve component equipment report.

This section would modify the annual National Guard and Reserve Component Equipment report, as 

required by section 10541 of title 10, United States Code, to include an assessment by the Chief of Staff of 

the Army and the Chief of the National Guard Bureau regarding modernization equipment parity between the 

active component, Army Reserve, and Army National Guard.

Sec. 142. Limitation on use of funds for KC-46A aircraft pending submittal of certification.

This section would limit the funds authorized to be appropriated to procure three KC-46A aircraft until the 

Secretary of the Air Force certifies that both supplemental and military type certifications have been 

approved and that the first aircraft has been accepted by the Air Force.

Sec. 145. Multiyear Procurement Authority for C-130J Aircraft

This section would authorize the Secretary of the Air Force to enter into one or more multiyear contracts for 

up to 52 C-130J aircraft beginning in fiscal year 2019, in accordance with section 2306b of title 10, United 

States Code.

Sec. 147. Findings and sense of Congress regarding KC–46 aerial refueling tankers.

This section would express the sense of Congress in support of industry and Air Force ensuring that the first 

KC-46A tanker is delivered in fiscal year 2018.

RESEARCH, DEVELOPMENT, TEST AND EVALUATION PROVISIONS

Sec. 213. Prohibition on Availability of Funds for the Weather Common Component Program

This section would restrict funding for further development of meteorological situational awareness sensor 

programs for unmanned aircraft systems, and require the Secretary of the Air Force to submit a report to the\

congressional defense committees that describes requirements, existing technologies, current program 

efforts, testing and evaluation, and a fielding plan for capabilities associated with providing meteorological 

situational awareness to unmanned aircraft aircrews.

Sec. 214. Limitation pending certification on the Joint Surveillance Target Attack Radar System 

recapitalization program.

This section would restrict obligation of funding for the Advanced Battle-Management System (ABMS) of 

Systems initiative of the Department of the Air Force, as well as a portion of the proposed divestment of 

legacy E-8C aircraft contained in the fiscal year 2019 budget request. The restriction would remain in effect 

until the Secretary of the Air Force certifies to the congressional defense committees that the Joint 

Surveillance Target Attack Radar System (JSTARS) Recapitalization (Recap) program, as submitted and 

described in the fiscal year 2018 budget request, is proceeding unhindered with originally planned activities

associated with engineering, manufacturing, and development; low-rate initial production; production; and 

initial contractor support. This section also would require the Comptroller General of the United States to 

provide a report to the congressional defense committees that assesses the acquisition strategy associated

with ABMS, and would require the Secretary of the Air Force to submit a report to the congressional defense 

committees that includes a strategy for accelerating the JSTARS Recap program, while also managing 

appropriately the legacy fleet of E-8C aircraft. This section would also authorize use of JSTARS Recap 

program funding to maintain the program office’s functionality.

OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE PROVISIONS

NSTR
- 4 -

MILITARY PERSONNEL AUTHORIZATIONS 

Sec. 411. End strengths for Selected Reserve.

This section would authorize the following end strengths for Selected Reserve personnel, including the end 

strength for Reserves on Active Duty in support of the Reserves, as of September 30, 2019:

Army National Guard—343,500

Air National Guard—107,100

Sec. 412. End strengths for reserves on active duty in support of the reserves.

This section would authorize the following end strengths for Reserves on Active Duty in support of the 

Reserves as of September 30, 2019:

Army National Guard—30,595

Air National Guard—19,861

Sec. 413. End strengths for military technicians (dual status).

This section would authorize the following end strengths for military technicians (dual status) as of 

September 30, 2019:

Army National Guard—22,294

Air National Guard—18,969

Sec. 414. Maximum number of reserve personnel authorized to be on active duty for operational 

support.

This section would authorize, as required by section 115(b) of title 10, United States Code, the maximum 

number of Reserve Component personnel who may be on Active Duty or full-time National Guard duty during 

fiscal year 2019 to provide operational support. The personnel authorized here do not count against the end 

strengths authorized by section 401 or section 412 of this Act unless the duration on Active Duty exceeds the 

limitations in section 115(b)(2) of title 10, United States Code.

Army National Guard—17,000

Air National Guard—16,000

Sec. 501. Expansion of authority to award constructive service credit for advanced education, 

experience, or training, upon original appointment as a commissioned officer.

This section would amend sections 533 and 12207 of title 10, United States Code, to permit the Secretaries 

of the military departments additional discretion to determine the grade of certain individuals receiving an 

original appointment as a regular or reserve commissioned officer.

Sec. 503. Authority of selection boards to recommend officers of particular merit be placed at the top 

of the promotion list.

This section would amend sections 616, 618, and 624 of title 10, United States Code, to allow officer 

promotion boards to recommend officers of particular merit be placed at the top of the promotion list, and to 

allow the Secretary of the military department concerned to re-order the promotion list accordingly.

Sec. 504. Deferred deployment for members who give birth.

This section would standardize new mother deployment deferral policy across the military services, to 

include the Coast Guard.

Sec. 506. Retention of military technicians who lose dual status under certain circumstances.

This section would amend section 10216 of title 10, United States Code, to prevent dual-status military 

technicians who reach their time-in-service end date from losing their jobs due to separation from military 

service.
- 5 -

Sec. 522. Statement of Benefits

This section would require the Secretary of Defense to provide Active Duty and Reserve service members an 

authoritative assessment of their earned GI Bill benefits prior to separation, retirement, or release from Active 

Duty or demobilization.

Sec. 526. Public availability of reports related to senior leader misconduct.

This section would require the Secretary of Defense and the Secretaries of the military departments to 

publish, on a public website, redacted reports of substantiated investigations of misconduct in which the 

subject of the investigation was an officer in the grade of O-7 and above, including officers who have been

selected for promotion to O-7, or a civilian member of the Senior Executive Service.

Sec. 541. Security clearance reinvestigation of certain personnel who commit certain offenses.

This section would amend section 1564 of title 10, United States Code, to require the Secretary of Defense 

to conduct a security clearance background reinvestigation under expedited procedures for flag officers and 

Senior Executive Service personnel employed by the Department of Defense convicted of sexual assault, 

sexual harassment, fraud against the United States, or other serious crimes.

Sec. 555. Extension of pilot program to assist members in obtaining post-service employment.

This section would amend section 555 of the Carl Levin and Howard P. "Buck" McKeon National Defense 

Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2015 (Public Law 113-291) to extend the authority for the pilot program 

under this section to September 30, 2023.

Sec. 556. Direct employment pilot program for members of the reserve components and veterans.

This section would allow the Secretary of Defense to carry out a pilot program that provides enhanced job 

placement and employment assistance for members of the National Guard and Reserve.

Sec. 564. Department of Defense Education Activity misconduct database.

This section would require the Secretary of Defense to establish a comprehensive policy and database 

regarding juvenile misconduct occurring in Department of Defense Education Activity schools.

Sec. 581. Public availability of top-line numbers of deployed members of the Armed Forces.

This section would require the Secretary of Defense to publicly make available the top-line numbers of 

members of the Armed Forces deployed for each country.

The Secretary would be able to waive the requirement in the case of a sensitive military operation if he 

determines the public disclosure of such numbers could reasonably be expected to provide an operational 

military advantage to an adversary, or the members of the Armed Forces are deployed for less than 30 days.

Sec. 583. Report on general and flag officer costs.

This section would require the Secretary of Defense to submit a report to the congressional defense 

committees on the costs of supporting general and flag officers.

Sec. 585. Limitation on use of funds pending submittal of report on Army Marketing and Advertising 

Program.

This section would limit the use of funds to not more than 60 percent of the amounts authorized to be 

appropriated by this Act for the Army Marketing and Research Group for fiscal year 2019, used for 

advertising and marketing activities to be obligated or expended until the Secretary of the Army submits a 

report to the Committees on Armed Services of the Senate and the House of Representatives on

recommendations of the Army Audit Agency’s audit of the Army’s Marketing and Advertising Program 

concerning contract oversight and return on investment.
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RESERVE COMPONENT MANAGEMENT PROVISIONS 

Sec. 511. Placement of National Guard military technicians (dual status) in the competitive service.

This section would amend section 10508 of title 10, United States Code, to designate dual-status military 

technician positions that were converted to title 5 civilian employees in the fiscal year 2017 and 2018 

National Defense Authorization Acts as competitive, not excepted, service positions.

Sec. 512. Authorized strength and distribution in grade.

This section would amend section 12011(a) and section 12012(a) of title 10, United States Code, to increase 

the total number of available control grade positions, which includes O-4, O-5, O-6, E-8, and E-9, authorized 

for the Air National Guard.

Sec. 513. National Guard Promotion Accountability.

This section would amend section 14308(f) of title 10, United States Code, to allow a National Guard officer's 

date of rank to be backdated, after Federal recognition is granted, and would require the Secretaries 

concerned to report to the Congress when a promotion scroll exceeds 200 days between date received and 

its date of publication.

Sec. 514. Extension of authority for pilot program on use of retired senior enlisted members of the 

Army National Guard as Army National Guard recruiters.

This section would extend the authority of the pilot program on use of retired senior enlisted members of the 

Army National Guard as Army National Guard recruiters until 2021.

COMPENSATION, PERSONNEL BENEFITS AND RETIREMENT

Sec. 557. Extended duration of availability of Military OneSource Program services for members of 

the Armed Forces upon their separation or retirement.

This section would extend the duration of availability of Military OneSource program services for members of 

the military departments and their immediate family members from 180 days following their separation or 

retirement to at least 1 year after their separation or retirement.

Sec. 611 . One-year extension of certain expiring bonus and special pay authorities.

This section would extend, through December 31, 2019, income replacement payments for Reserve 

Component members experiencing extended and frequent mobilization for Active Duty service; would extend 

two critical recruitment and retention incentive programs for Reserve Component health care professionals;

would extend accession and retention incentives for nuclear-qualified officers; and would extend the 

consolidated special and incentive pay authorities added to subchapter II of chapter 5 of title 37, United 

States Code, by the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2008 (Public Law 110-181). 

Additionally, this section would extend the authority of the Secretary of Defense to prescribe a temporary 

increase in the rates of basic allowance for housing otherwise prescribed for a military housing area or a 

portion of a military housing area if the military housing area or portion thereof is located in an area covered 

by a declaration by the President that a major disaster exists.

DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE ORGANIZATION AND MANAGEMENT

Sec. 813. Repeal of certain Department of Defense reporting requirements.

This section would repeal certain Department of Defense recurring reporting requirements. The committee 

notes that excessive reporting requirements can impose costs on the Department of Defense that outweigh 

the intended benefits of each individual report, and can potentially impede the Department’s ability to

effectively direct resources to core objectives. In the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2017 

(Public Law 114-328), Congress initially directed a large group of recurring reporting requirements to sunset 

on December 31, 2021. This section continues to advance this streamlining effort.
- 7 -

Sec. 879. Standardization of formatting and public accessibility of Department of Defense reports to 

Congress.

This section would direct the Secretary of Defense to provide a briefing not later than March 1, 2019, to the 

House Committee on Armed Services on a plan for implementing, not later than March 1, 2020, 

standardization of the formatting and public accessibility of unclassified Department of Defense reports 

required by Congress. The briefing shall address how the Department plans to ensure that reports are 

created in an open format that can be retrieved, downloaded, indexed, and searched by commonly used web 

search applications. An open format is one that is platform independent, machine readable, and made 

available to the public without restrictions that would impede reuse of that information. The briefing shall also 

address how the Department plans to provide a publicly accessible online repository of its unclassified 

reports to Congress required by provisions of law, including protocols for inclusion of reports which, although 

unclassified, may not be appropriate for public release in their entirety. The briefing shall address how the

Department plans to include in the repository unclassified reports to Congress required by provisions of law 

issued since January 1, 2010.

MILITARY CONSTRUCTION PROVISIONS

Sec. 2601. Authorized Army National Guard construction and land acquisition projects.

Sec. 2612. Modification of authority to carry out certain fiscal year 2018 project.

This section would modify the authority provided by section 2601 of the Military Construction Authorization 

Act for Fiscal Year 2018 (division B of Public Law 115-91) to authorize the Secretary of the Army to make 

certain modifications to the scope of a previously authorized construction project.
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Sec. 2604. Authorized Air National Guard construction and land acquisition projects.

Sec. 2824. Technical correction of description of Limestone Hills Training Area Land Withdrawal and 

Reservation, Montana.

This section would amend section 2931 of the Military Construction Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2014 

(division B of Public Law 113–66) to adjust the acreage of withdrawn public land in Broadwater County, 

Montana.

BASE REALIGNMENT AND CLOSURE ACTIVITIES 

Sec. 2702. Additional authority to realign or close certain military installations.

This section would provide the Secretary of Defense with authority to close or realign a military installation if 

the Secretary receives notification from the Governor of a State or territory that recommends the realignment 

or closure of a military installation within the Governor's State or territory.

Sec. 2703. Prohibition on conducting additional Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) round.

This section would affirm that nothing in this Act shall be construed to authorize an additional Base 

Realignment and Closure round.

OTHER PROVISIONS 

Sec. 1011. Department of Defense support for combating opioid trafficking and abuse.

This section would express the sense of Congress regarding the nationwide opioid epidemic affecting 

millions of U.S. citizens. The section would also increase, by $20.0 million, Department of Defense National 

Guard counterdrug programs to support the Federal Government's efforts to combat the opioid crisis.

Sec. 1078. National Commission on Military Aviation Safety.

This section would establish a National Commission on Military Aviation Safety. The commission would 

undertake a comprehensive study and deliver a report not later than June 1, 2019, on military aviation 

mishaps occurring between fiscal years 2013-18.
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Sec. 1634. Pilot program authority to enhance cybersecurity and resiliency of critical infrastructure.

This section would authorize the Secretary of Defense, in coordination with the Secretary of Homeland 

Security, to provide technical personnel to the Department of Homeland Security to enhance cooperation, 

collaboration, and unity of government efforts in support of the protection of critical infrastructure from cyber 

incidents and significant cyber incidents.

Sec. 1635. Pilot program on regional cyber security training center for the Army National Guard.

This section would authorize the Secretary of the Army to carry out a pilot program to establish a National 

Guard cyber security training center for members of the Army National Guard.

Sec. 1638. Study and report on reserve component cyber civil support teams.

This section would require the Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of Homeland Security to conduct a 

study on the feasibility and advisability of establishing cyber civil support teams comprised of Reserve 

Component members, primarily operating under the command and control of the Governor of each State, to 

prepare for and respond to cyber incidents, cyber emergencies, and cyber attacks. The Secretaries 

concerned shall provide a report to the congressional defense committees, the Committee on Homeland 

Security of the House of Representatives, and the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental 

Affairs of the Senate not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act on the results of the 

study, to include their final determination on the feasibility of, advisability and necessity of establishing 

Reserve Component cyber civil support teams for each State, and if so, proposed legislation.

Sec. 1664. Layered defense of the United States homeland.

This section would express the sense of Congress in support of the Department of Defense's efforts to 

provide layered defense of the homeland, and would require the Director of the Missile Defense Agency, in 

coordination with the Under Secretary of Defense for Policy, Commander of U.S. Northern Command, and

Commander of U.S. Pacific Command, to provide a briefing to the Committees on Armed Services of the 

Senate and the House of Representatives by January 31, 2019, on options to increase layered protection of 

the U.S. homeland, to include the continental United States, Hawaii, and Alaska, from both the Democratic 

People's Republic of Korea and the Islamic Republic of Iran.

OTHER FUNDING AUTHORIZATIONS 

Authorizes $192M for AH-64E to address ARNG shortfalls (Army Procurement)

Authorizes $85M for additional UH-60Ms for ARNG (Army Procurement)

Authorizes $25M for ARNG HMMWV Modernization Program (Army Procurement)

Authorizes $55M for C-130 propeller upgrade (Air Force Procurement)

Authorizes $74M for C-130 engine enhancement program (Air Force Procurement)

COMMITTEE REPORT LANGUAGE

Apache attack helicopters

The committee understands the Army’s current aviation modernization and equipping strategy that resulted 

from the Army’s Aviation Restructure Initiative currently resources the Army National Guard (ARNG) to retain 

4 attack reconnaissance battalions for a total of 72 AH-64 Apache attack helicopters. The committee notes 

that these ARNG attack reconnaissance battalions would be equipped with 18 AH-64 attack helicopters as 

compared to the Active Component battalions that are equipped with 24 AH-64 attack helicopters. The 

committee is aware the ARNG is no longer solely the strategic reserve of the past, but also an operational 

force, and provides significant capability through rotational support to combatant commanders. The 

committee believes that given the current global threat environment, reliance on ARNG capabilities is 

expected to increase.
- 10 -

Therefore, the committee believes that all 4 ARNG attack reconnaissance battalions should be equipped with 

24 AH-64 attack helicopters, the same as Active Component battalions, in order to improve overall readiness 

and compatibility between the ARNG and Active Component. The committee encourages the Secretary of 

the Army to plan, program, and budget for 24 additional AH-64 attack helicopters to address ARNG 

requirements across the Future Years Defense Program.

Light utility helicopter

The budget request included $6.4 million for utility helicopter modifications to the UH-60 Black Hawk and the 

UH-72A Lakota helicopters, but contained no funding for UH-72A life-cycle sustainment and product 

improvements. The UH-72A Lakota helicopter provides general aviation support for aviation units in the 

Active and Reserve Components. The committee supports the requirement to conduct midlife sustainment 

and product improvement activities for the UH-72A, and includes funding to conduct the analysis, 

engineering, certification, and risk reduction activities necessary to update the UH-72A Life Cycle Support 

Plan. The committee also recognizes that the UH-72A was initially fielded without aircraft survivability

equipment, which could potentially limit the Active Component and Army National Guard’s utilization of the 

UH-72A platform. As reflected in Division D of this Act, the committee recommends additional funding for the 

National Guard and Reserve Component Equipment Account (NGREA). The committee understands that 

while no requirements have been formally identified for UH-72A Lakota ballistic armor or aircraft survivability 

equipment by the National Guard Bureau, should a requirement be put forth, the committee expects the 

Army National Guard to utilize NGREA funds.

The committee recommends $16.4 million, an increase of $10.0 million, in utility helicopter modifications for 

UH-72A life-cycle sustainment and product improvements. Further, the committee directs the Secretary of 

the Army to provide a briefing to the House Committee on Armed Services by February 8, 2019, on the

Army's long-term sustainment strategy for the UH-72A Lakota helicopter fleet.

Unmanned aerial system units for Army National Guard

The committee understands the Army’s current fielding plan for MQ-1C Gray Eagle units includes Active 

Duty combat aviation brigades and intelligence units, and that at present no systems are planned for fielding 

to the Army National Guard. However, the committee notes that there are many missions involving military 

support to civilian authorities for which the MQ-1C Gray Eagle could contribute, including wildfire response, 

search and rescue, border security, counternarcotics, and communications support during emergencies. 

Therefore, the committee directs the Secretary of the Army to provide a briefing to the House Committee on 

Armed Services by March 1, 2019, on the potential utility, feasibility, and cost of establishing MQ-1C Gray 

Eagle units in the Army National Guard. The briefing shall include, at a minimum, a detailed analysis of the 

resources needed to create a minimum of two Gray Eagle companies in the Army National Guard, and an 

analysis of how such units could provide support to civilian authorities for domestic emergencies.

A-10 replacement wings

The base budget request contained $98.7 million for A-10 aircraft modifications, of which $79.2 million was 

included for the A-10 wing replacement program. The committee notes that increases for fiscal years 2017 

and 2018 will enable the Department of the Air Force to begin a second wing replacement program for an 

additional 110 A-10 replacement wings.

The committee continues to believe that sustainment of the 281-aircraft A-10 fleet helps to meet Air Force 

fighter aircraft capacity requirements. The committee notes that A-10 force structure consists of five Air 

Reserve Component and four Active Duty squadrons, and that any fewer than nine squadrons will not meet 

future combatant commander demand for A-10 aircraft. Consequently, subsequent to the test and evaluation 

of the F-35A and A-10C required by section 134 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 

2017 (Public Law 114-328), the Department should not take any action to reduce the number of A-10

squadrons. Accordingly, the committee believes the Department of the Air Force should accelerate the A-10 

wing replacement program.
- 11 -

The committee recommends $163.7 million in the base budget for A-10 modifications, an increase of $65.0 

million for the A-10 wing replacement program. The committee also notes that multiyear contracting 

strategies have resulted in more efficient and cost effective acquisition programs, and believes such a 

strategy could also result in cost savings for the A-10 wing replacement program. Therefore, the committee 

directs the Secretary of the Air Force to provide a briefing to the House Committee on Armed Services not 

later than February 15, 2019, on Department of the Air Force plans to utilize a multiyear contracting strategy 

to procure A-10 replacement wings.

Additionally, the committee notes that exercising the option to deliver the remaining 110 wings on the 

contract that expired in September 2016 could have resulted in cost savings compared to current plans to 

contract separately for a second wing replacement program. Therefore, the committee directs the Secretary

of the Air Force to provide a report to the House Committee on Armed Services, not later than February 15, 

2019, on the cost of the additional 110 A-10 replacement wings using a second contract compared to the 

cost of exercising the option to procure the 110 A-10 replacement wings on the original contract.

Air Force enlisted pilot implementation initiatives

The committee directs the Secretary of the Air Force to provide a briefing to the House Committee on Armed 

Services not later than March 4, 2019, on the plan to implement the enlisted pilot aircrew requirements of 

Section 1052 of the FY17 NDAA for the MQ-9 enterprise of the Active, Guard, and Reserve components of 

the Air Force. Furthermore, the committee directs the Secretary of the Air Force to submit a report to the 

congressional defense committees not later than April 1, 2019, on the costs, benefits, and feasibility of 

authorizing enlisted Airmen or Warrant Officers as pilots, navigators, or weapon systems operators on all Air 

Force aircraft or rotorcraft platforms. The report should also assess and explain any policy or guidance 

impediments that would preclude enlisted Airmen or Warrant Officers from serving as pilots, navigators, or 

weapon systems operators.

C-130H modernization efforts

The committee notes that the C-130H aircraft that are flown primarily by the Air National Guard and Air Force 

Reserve continue to provide critical tactical airlift capabilities and will continue to support this mission for 

years to come. The committee further notes that in order to sustain mission capability and effectiveness, 

various sustainment and improvement initiatives are currently underway. The committee supports all of these 

initiatives however, it does recognize that shortfalls still remain. Specifically, the C-130H Avionics 

Modernization Program (AMP) addresses cockpit modernization needs of the aircraft however; the AMP 

program does not include the flight engineers control panel, which is a key component of the cockpit. Failure 

to upgrade the flight engineer control panel could leave the C-130H fleet with continued obsolescence issues 

post AMP. If the Air Force were to decide to upgrade this equipment at a later date, they will have missed the 

efficiencies of conducting those upgrades concurrent with the AMP upgrades. Therefore, the committee 

encourages the Air Force to explore the possibility of upgrading the C-130H flight engineer overhead control 

panel using readily available off the shelf technology. Furthermore, if the Air Force determines that these 

upgrades are necessary, they should make every effort to upgrade the aircraft in parallel with the AMP 

program in order to minimize disruption to the operation of the C-130H fleet and mission.

C-130H propulsion systems upgrade

The budget request contained $22.1 million for procurement of C-130 modifications but no funds for C-130H 

propulsion systems upgrades. The committee continues to support the upgrade of C-130H/LC-130H aircraft 

with the T56 3.5 engine enhancement and NP2000 8-bladed propeller. The committee notes that the Air 

National Guard (ANG) completed testing of the T56 3.5 engine enhancement and reported results that 

exceeded expectations for fuel savings and performance. The committee understands that the ANG expects 

to issue a full test report in the summer of 2018, to be followed by a business case analysis for upgrading the 

entire fleet of C-130H/LC-130H aircraft. Additionally, the committee is aware that fiscal year 2016 and 2017 

propulsion upgrade funds have been put on contract. The committee expects the Air Force to include the

necessary funds to accelerate C-130H/LC-130H upgrades in future base budgets. The committee 

recommends $129.0 million for the C-130H/LC-130H propulsion systems upgrade program.
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Total Force C-17 Fleet Management Plan

The committee notes that the Air Force must carefully manage the life cycle of each of its 222 C-17 strategic 

airlift aircraft assigned to the Regular, Reserve, and Air National Guard Components from an enterprise point 

of view in order to extract the maximum amount of utility from this limited resource. The committee is also

aware that the Air Force is unable to meet its current requirement for strategic airlift as outlined by the fiscal 

year 2013 Mobility Capability Requirements Study (MCRS). Furthermore, the National Defense Authorization 

Act for Fiscal Year 2018 (Public Law 115-91) directed the Secretary of Defense to carry out a new MCRS.

This study is to take into account attrition for the first time, which is likely to result in a higher requirement for 

strategic airlift.

Therefore, the committee directs the Secretary of the Air Force to provide a briefing to the House Committee 

on Armed Services by February 1, 2019, on the Total Force C-17 Fleet Management Plan. This briefing 

should include: (1) a table and timeline that shows when C-17s will be retired by tail

number; (2) various courses of action that could be pursued and the impact to meeting the strategic airlift 

requirements; (3) limitation or impediments to controlling the retirement timeline of C-17 aircraft; and (4) 

legislative relief that could enable better management of the fleet through retirement.

Total Force KC-135R net centric operations and battlespace awareness

The committee is aware that all three Air Force components of the Total Force (Regular, Air National Guard, 

and Reserve) operate the KC-135 Stratotanker, which is Air Mobility Command’s primary air refueling 

platform. The KC-135 provides approximately 87 percent of air refueling support to U.S., allied, and coalition 

military aircraft.

The committee believes that upgrades to KC-135 defensive systems, including tactical data link 

technologies, situational awareness displays that bring real-time threat information, and secure radio 

capability, greatly enhance KC-135 air refueling, airlift, and aeromedical evacuation missions. These systems 

are meant to protect the aircraft during takeoff, landing, and refueling flight regimes. Also, the systems offer 

protection during normal refueling flight operations against both infrared and radar-guided air-to-air missiles. 

Furthermore, the committee believes that upgrades to the KC-135 Real-Time Information in the Cockpit 

(RTIC) system would enhance network capability and provide a common processing and display platform 

resulting in consolidated situational awareness.

As reflected in division D of this Act, the committee recommends additional funding for the National Guard 

and Reserve Equipment Account. The committee expects the Secretary of the Air Force to consider using 

these funds to modernize the Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve with RTIC and self-protection

commercial off-the-shelf solutions through a competitive process.

Future Vertical Lift

The committee understands that dedicated investment in incremental rotorcraft upgrades has kept America’s 

current vertical lift aviation capabilities viable, and will continue to enable the fleet to bridge capability gaps 

through the near term. The committee believes that as more dangerous threats emerge at an accelerated 

pace in the mid-term, unwavering investment in advanced future disruptive technologies like Future Vertical 

Lift (FVL) will enable rotorcraft aviation to retain overmatch through significant capability improvements in 

reach, speed, protection, and lethality.

The committee notes that the Army leads the Department of Defense’s rotorcraft technology portfolio, which 

needs additional research and development funding to regain America’s world leadership in rotorcraft 

innovation. Because of America’s eroding lead in rotorcraft capability, the committee encourages the

Department to explore opportunities to accelerate the FVL program in order to meet national security 

challenges. The committee expects the Department to maximize full and open competition in doing so.

The committee believes that fiscal years 2019 and 2020 are pivotal years for the FVL modernization efforts, 

as critical technology demonstrations provide essential evidence during the completion of the FVL analysis of 

alternatives, and the Army uses this data and analysis to inform its path forward. Therefore, the committee 

directs the Secretary of the Army to provide a briefing to the House Committee on Armed Services by 
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December 3, 2018, on the outcome of the analysis of alternatives and on any other analysis utilized in 

deciding the Army’s priority of rotorcraft investment for FVL prior to the release of a request for proposal.

Improved Turbine Engine Program

The Improved Turbine Engine Program (ITEP) is a competitive acquisition program designed to develop a 

more fuel efficient and powerful engine to upgrade and enhance the performance and operational readiness 

of the current Black Hawk and Apache helicopter fleets. This new engine will increase operational 

capabilities in high altitudes and hot conditions while reducing operating and support costs. The committee 

has supported significant Army investments into competitive technology development programs for turbine 

engines over the past decade. During this time, the Army has made significant progress in maturing 

technologies that will lower ITEP programmatic risk with the goal of improving warfighting capabilities. In

addition, the committee has encouraged the Army to prioritize maintenance and sustainment costs for ITEP 

to ensure the continued affordability of the program.

The committee also acknowledges the benefits of improved fuel efficiencies through lower specific fuel 

consumption that the ITEP will bring to the battlefield. This program represents a cost-effective approach to 

modernizing Army aviation and the committee continues to encourage the Army to pursue opportunities to

accelerate the fielding of this capability. The committee recognizes 2019 as a crucial year for the program 

with Engineering Manufacturing Development (EMD) source selection slated for first quarter fiscal year 2019. 

Given the positive progress of this critical program, the committee is fully funding ITEP in fiscal year 2019 

and encourages the Army to robustly fund ITEP in the EMD phase of the program.

Briefing on Security Forces Assistance Brigade Location Plan

The committee recognizes that a future Security Forces Assistance Brigade (SFAB) construct should highly 

encourage an expansion of alliances and partnerships as called for in the 2018 National Defense Strategy. 

Therefore, the committee directs the Secretary of the Army to provide a briefing to the House Committee on 

Armed Services, not later than January 1, 2019, on the strategic alignment decision matrix and installations 

plan for the fielding of the Security Forces Assistance Brigades. The plan shall include an assessment of the 

feasibility and advisability of stationing SFABs appropriately to address the requirements of the geographic 

combatant commands.

Air Refueling Capability and Capacity

The committee notes that air refueling capability is a critical component of logistical capacity and that the Air 

National Guard fulfills the majority of air refueling requirements. The committee notes that section 144 of the 

National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2018 (Public Law 115-91) required the Secretary of 

Defense to carry out a mobility capability and requirements study that includes an assessment of the air 

refueling tanker aircraft military requirement. Upon completion of the study, the committee is interested in 

how the Air Force will support the requirements for force structure and strategic laydown of aircraft

necessary to implement the study.

Therefore, the committee directs the Secretary of the Air Force to provide a briefing to the House Committee 

on Armed Services, not later than March 1, 2019, on how the Air Force will support the requirements for 

aerial refueling. At a minimum, the briefing shall include:

(1) the current and future laydown plans for air refueling locations;

(2) an overview of air refueling operations per air refueling wing locations to include the number of 

sortie requests, the number of sorties fulfilled, and the locations or missions the sorties supported;

(3) fully mission capable and aircraft availability rates for all air refueling wings over the past 5 years;

(4) an assessment of how the Air National Guard force structure, across all States and territories, 

can be leveraged to support current and emerging air refueling requirements;

(5) a description of the long-term plan to maintain adequate refueling capability to meet current and 

emerging requirements;

(6) a review of manpower levels across the air refueling force, an identification of current and 

projected skill set gaps, and recommendations on how to address these gaps; and

(7) an overview of how the Air Force will determine the disposition of KC-135 aircraft as they are 

replaced by arrival of KC-46 aircraft.
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Report on Processes for Federal Recognition of Promotion of Commissioned National Guard Officers

The committee is concerned that delays in federal recognition of National Guard promotions may be 

increasing and that these lengthy delays result in National Guard officers being deployed and doing the work 

of the rank to which they are being promoted while receiving the pay of their current rank. The committee 

notes that such delays deprive National Guard members of the pay to which they are entitled, reduce their 

time in rank, and may pose retention problems by giving National Guard members an incentive to leave 

military service.

Therefore the committee directs the Secretary of the Army and the Secretary of the Air Force to each 

undertake a comprehensive review of the policies and procedures of the Department of the Army and the 

Department Air Force, as applicable, for the Federal recognition of promotions of commissioned officers of 

the Army National Guard and the Air National Guard, as the case may be, and to report the results of this 

review to the congressional defense committees by December 1, 2018. The report shall:

(1) describe the average time between receipt by the military department concerned of scrolls (as 

defined in Department of Defense Instruction 1310.02) indicating the promotion of commissioned 

officers in the National Guard and their publication during the five-year period ending on the date of 

the House passage of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2019;

(2) describe and assess various approaches for streamlining the process by which the military 

department concerned approves Federal recognition scrolls, including through—

(A) additional automation;

(B) reduction in required steps; or

(C) delegation of authority to conduct required reviews; and

(3) make recommendations for legislative or administration action to implement an approach under 

paragraph (2) if the Secretary concerned considers such approach feasible, advisable, and 

appropriate.

Direct Report Language on National Guard Mental Health

The Committee remains concerned about the high rate of suicides in the reserve component and specifically, 

within the Army National Guard. The Committee is aware of numerous efforts by the Chief of the National 

Guard Bureau to increase access and resources for Guardsmen to receive behavioral health treatment and 

support. The Committee also supports the establishment of a more integrated and holistic approach to 

resilience and fitness across the National Guard to better assess and improve the operational readiness of 

Guardsmen by carrying out pilot programs as required. Therefore, the Committee directs the Chief of the

National Guard Bureau to provide a report to the House Committee on Armed Services not later than 1 

March 2019, on the effectiveness of National Guard Bureau behavioral health programs like resiliency, 

suicide prevention, and other mental health outreach efforts.

DOD Support to Combating the Opioid Epidemic

The committee is deeply concerned about the rising numbers of opioid-related deaths in the United States. 

This nationwide health epidemic affects millions of people and their families. The abuse of opioids, both 

prescription and illicit opioids, is a public health emergency as categorized by the President in January 2018. 

This crisis highlights national security concerns including illicit trafficking of opioids, synthetic opioids, to 

include Fentanyl, and precursors for the production of opioids by transnational criminal organizations 

(TCOs), and their networks which have supply chains that extend into south and East Asia. The committee 

believes that the Department of Defense can play a vital role in support of lead U.S. agencies to address this 

crisis.

Therefore, the committee directs the Secretary of Defense, no later than September 30, 2018, to submit a 

report to the House Committee on Armed Services with an assessment of the assistance the Department is 

providing to lead U.S. government agencies to combat the opioid crisis. This report should include an

assessment of resources available to assist other U.S. government partners in their strategy to combat the 

opioid epidemic to include the United States Postal Service, and an analysis of potential opportunities for the 

Department to provide assistance in the future.
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Assessment of Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve Involuntary Mobilization Plans to Support 

Special Operations Activities

During review of the fiscal year 2019 President's budget request and related activities in support of Air Force 

Special Operations Command (AFSOC), the committee determined that a small number of Air National 

Guard units and all Air Force Reserve Command units that support AFSOC missions and force presentation 

requirements do not possess a current, validated involuntary mobilization plan that complies with various 

Department of Defense, Department of the Air Force, and Special Operations Command instructions or 

policies. The committee is concerned that without sufficient and validated involuntary mobilization plans that 

detail how the Air National Guard and the Air Force Reserve Command intend to support AFSOC as 

operational reserve units, should the need arise for Special Operations Command to fully mobilize forces in 

support of global special operations activities, the Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve Command may 

lack the capability and capacity to support the mission.

Therefore, the committee directs the Comptroller General of the United States to provide a briefing to the 

House Committee on Armed Services not later than March 1, 2019, that assesses involuntary mobilization 

plans for Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve Command units that support Air Force Special

Operations missions and activities. The Comptroller General should assess, at a minimum:

(1) the existence and recency of an involuntary mobilization plan;

(2) the sufficiency and validity of the plan as compared to a unit's Designed Operational Capability 

statement, authorized and assigned manpower levels, authorized and assigned equipment, facilities, 

and support functions necessary to execute the plan;

(3) comparison with existing Department of Defense policy and regulations governing mobilizationto-dwell and deployment-to-dwell goals and objectives;

(4) any discrepancies, shortfalls, or gaps associated with the aforementioned areas of assessment; 

and

(5) any additional information the Comptroller General would find useful to support the briefing.

Civil Support Team Information Management System

The committee is aware that the National Guard Bureau Weapons of Mass Destruction Civil Support Teams 

(CST) currently field the CST Information Management System (CIMS). CIMS provides a common operation 

picture and promotes information sharing and real-time collaboration. CIMS also supports the CST mission 

of assisting and advising first responders and facilitating communications with other Federal resources in an 

emergency.

The committee encourages the expansion of CIMS to establish an enterprise-wide capable tool, commonly 

referred to as the National Guard Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear Response Enterprise 

Information Management System 2018+ (NG CIMS 2018+). The committee believes that expansion will 

increase the capabilities of the CIMS to support other National Guard Bureau forces, such as the Chemical, 

Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, and High-Explosive Enhanced Response Force Package and Homeland 

Defense Response Force units.

The committee notes that the timeline the Department of Defense previously presented to the committee in 

their September 8, 2015, report “Civil Support Team Information Management System” has been delayed. 

The committee, therefore, directs the Secretary of Defense to provide a briefing to the House Committee on 

Armed Services by October 1, 2018, on the plan for the development of NG CIMS 2018+, including a 

description of timelines, milestones, fielding, and completion dates.

National Guard Access to Department of Defense Owned Unmanned Aircraft Systems

The committee notes that section 1084 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2018 

(Public Law 115-91) required that not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of Public Law 115-91, 

the Secretary of Defense, in coordination with the Chief of the National Guard Bureau, the Commander, U.S. 

Northern Command, and the Commander, U.S. Pacific Command, complete an efficiency and effectiveness 

review of the governance structure, coordination processes, documentation, and timing requirements

stipulated in Department of Defense policy memorandum 15-002, “Guidance for the Domestic Use of 

Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS)." In addition, not later than 30 days after the policy review is completed, 

the Secretary of Defense is required to submit the results of the review to the congressional defense 
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committees. The committee expects that during the policy review, Department of Defense officials will 

implement a processing timeline for reviewing National Guard UAS utilization requests that appropriately 

balances reviewing the request for compliance with established policy and reviewing the request in a timely 

manner that coincides with the responsiveness, urgency, and operational planning factors dictated by the

specific mission the UAS capability is being requested to support.

Therefore, the committee directs the Secretary of Defense to provide a briefing to the House Committee on 

Armed Services not later than 30 days after the policy review required by section 1084 of Public Law 115-91 

is completed. The briefing should include information related to the processing timeline that the Secretary 

established during the policy review and how the timeline will be implemented.

Report on NORTHCOM Response to Hurricane Maria

In 2017, the United States witnessed Hurricane Maria, which had a devastating impact on Puerto Rico and 

required a Federal Government response. Therefore, the committee directs the Secretary of Defense, in 

collaboration with the Secretary of Homeland Security and the Federal Emergency Management Agency

Administrator, to submit a report by December 1, 2018 on the ongoing U.S. Government recovery effort of 

Hurricane Maria. The report shall include the following elements: (a) statistics on ongoing power outages; (b) 

the number of deaths in each U.S. state or territory affected; (c) measures to improve hurricane emergency 

response plans for insular areas and/or territories of the United States.

Review of National Guard Capabilities in Support of Incident Awareness and Assessment Mission 

Operations

The committee notes there is inconsistency among National Guard and Department of the Air Force officials 

in expressing what type of capabilities and which platforms are required to support the Incident Awareness 

and Assessment (IAA) mission of the National Guard. The committee requires clarification regarding the 

National Guard’s current and future capability and capacity requirements to execute the IAA mission in 

support of Domestic Operations (DOMOPS) when National Guard personnel are on duty or mobilized under 

title 32, United States Code, authority, and in support of Defense Support to Civil Authorities (DSCA) when 

National Guard personnel are on duty or mobilized under title 10, United States Code, authority. The 

committee believes it is critical for the Department of Defense to maintain a sufficient capability, capacity, 

and responsiveness among the Active and Reserve components of the Department when supporting 

missions related to homeland defense and responding to natural disasters or declared emergencies.

Therefore, the committee directs the Chief, National Guard Bureau, in coordination with the Commander, 

U.S. Northern Command, the Director, Air National Guard, and the Director, Army National Guard, to provide 

a report to the congressional defense committees by October 1, 2018, that provides an Incident Awareness 

and Assessment capability and capacity roadmap for the National Guard covering the 2019 to 2023 Future 

Years Defense Program (FYDP). The report should describe, at a minimum:

(1) the validated capability and capacity requirements defining the IAA mission in support of U.S. 

Northern Command, State Governors, and other Government agencies;

(2) the specific platforms and quantities of platforms the National Guard will leverage, maintain, or 

procure to support IAA capability and capacity requirements;

(3) a schedule depicting specific platforms that will be procured, maintained, or divested in support of 

IAA capabilities and capacity over the covered time period;

(4) a schedule depicting specific platforms and associated modernization and upgrades that will be 

accomplished over the covered time period;

(5) the required funding needed and currently programmed in the FYDP to support individual 

platforms within the IAA portfolio of capabilities; and

(6) any capability or capacity gaps or shortfalls that are identified over the covered time period.

National Guard and Reserve Component Equipment Account

The budget request for Overseas Contingency Operations (OCO) contained no funding for a National Guard 

and Reserve Component equipment account. Elsewhere as reflected in division D of this Act, the committee 

notes that the base budget request contained $3.4 billion for procurement of National Guard and Reserve 
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Component equipment and $219.9 million in the OCO request for Army National Guard and Army Reserve 

other procurement programs.

The committee remains concerned about the availability of equipment needed to sustain and modernize the 

National Guard and Reserve Components as an operational reserve and for their domestic support missions. 

The committee notes that National Guard and Reserve Components are often reliant upon overused and 

outdated equipment, creating a widening capability gap with the Active Component, and have been unable to 

maintain pace with rapid technological change. The committee believes additional funds are required to 

address identified equipment shortfalls and improve compatibility with Active Components. The committee 

expects these funds to be used for the purposes of, but not limited to, the procurement of rotorcraft; avionic 

and radar upgrades for legacy strike fighter aircraft to include Navy Reserve F-18 strike fighters; wheeled 

and tracked combat vehicles; tactical wheeled vehicles; ammunition; small arms; tactical radios (to include 

single channel ground and airborne radio systems); UH-72A Lakota survivability upgrades; UH-60 disaster 

response equipment, such as rescue hoists, water buckets, and radios; non-system training devices; vehicle 

convoy operations trainers; unstabilized gunnery trainers and virtual convoy operations trainers; sense and 

avoid system upgrades for unmanned air systems; and explosive ordnance disposal man-portable robots & 

lightweight X-ray systems and other unfunded procurement items for the National Guard and Reserve 

Components.

The committee recommends additional funding for a National Guard and Reserve Component equipment 

account within the Overseas Contingency Operations budget request. The committee also recommends $3.4 

billion, the full amount of the base budget request, for National Guard and Reserve Component equipment 

and also recommends $219.9 million in the OCO request for Army National Guard and Army Reserve.

Cyber Scholarship Program

The budget request contained $7.9 million in PE 33140D8Z, for the defense-wide Information Security 

Systems Program. Section 1649 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2018 (Public Law 

115-91) amended chapter 112 of title 10, United States Code, to establish the Department of Defense Cyber 

Scholarship Program. The committee believes the Cyber Scholarship program may alleviate the challenges 

the Department of Defense is experiencing in recruiting and retaining cybersecurity personnel. Additionally, 

the committee believes that providing additional opportunities under the program will be beneficial in 

addressing Department requirements for a qualified cyber workforce, especially if the Department focuses on 

educating the public and relevant academic institutions about this program. The committee also believes that 

Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) programs at universities that offer degrees in cyber studies and 

related fields provide an opportunity to leverage and expand partnerships to assist in closing the gap of

trained cyber warriors in the military.

Therefore, the committee recommends $17.9 million, an increase of $10.0 million, in PE 33140D8Z. Further, 

the committee directs the Secretary of Defense to provide a briefing to the House Committee on Armed 

Services by February 1, 2019, on the implementation and utilization of the Cyber Scholarship Program, to 

include efforts to educate the public and focus on institutions with high-quality computer science,

engineering, and cybersecurity programs, including historically black colleges and universities, and minorityserving institutions. The briefing should also include implementation and utilization of efforts to leverage 

ROTC at institutions with cyber studies as a way to expand the pool of talented technical applicants.