FY24HouseNational Defense 

Authorization Act (NDAA)\

Summary of H.R. 2670

The National Defense Authorization Act 

for Fiscal Year 2024

As of July07th, 2023

Passed in 

Committee

Passed in 

Chamber Agreement Final Passage

Signed into 

Law

House June 22, 2023

Senate June 23, 2023
Table of Contents

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

ARMY NATIONAL GUARD - AUTHORIZATION OF FUNDING (ALL DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS).......- 2 -

AIR NATIONAL GUARD - AUTHORIZATION OF FUNDING (ALL DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)............- 2 -

LEGISLATIVE PROVISIONS...................................................................................................................................- 2 -

AIR FORCE PROGRAMS..........................................................................................................................................- 2 -

OPERATIONS AND MAINTENANCE.....................................................................................................................- 3 -

REPORTS AND OTHER MATTERS........................................................................................................................- 3 -

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

MILITARY PERSONNEL POLICY .........................................................................................................................- 4 -

GENERAL SERVICE AUTHORITIES AND MILITARY RECORDS.................................................................- 4 -

MEMBER TRAINING ................................................................................................................................................- 5 -

OTHER PERSONNEL MATTERS, REPORTS, AND BRIEFINGS .....................................................................- 5 -

BASIC PAY, RETIRED PAY, AND LEAVE............................................................................................................- 6 -

ALLOWANCES ...........................................................................................................................................................- 6 -

HEALTH CARE PROVISIONS.................................................................................................................................- 6 -

DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE ORGANIZATION AND MANAGEMENT ........................................................- 7 -

COUNTERDRUG ACTIVITIES................................................................................................................................- 7 -

GENERAL PROVISIONS ..........................................................................................................................................- 7 -

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

HASC COMMITTEE REPORT REQUIREMENTS / ITEMS OF INTEREST..................................................- 11 -
- 1 -

Executive Summary

This guide provides a short summary of the House Armed Services Committee’s Fiscal Year 2024

National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). 

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

the actual bill text. Bill text and the conference report can be found on NGB-LL’s website: 

https://www.nationalguard.mil/leadership/joint-staff/personal-staff/legislative-liaison/. 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 for their own situational awareness. 

Status: 

On June 22, 2023, the House Armed Services Committee passed their FY24 National Defense 

Authorization Act. The bill authorizes $886.3 billion for FY24 national defense programs, an 

increase of $28 billion over the FY23 enacted level.

Highlights: 

• Elevates the position of the Vice Chief of the National Guard Bureau to the rank of General

• Authorizes TRICARE Dental Plan for the Selected Reserve 

• Establishes a Space National Guard

• Establishes the eligibility of the Chief of the National Guard Bureau to be appointed 

Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff

• Authorizes transfer of officers between the active and inactive reserve NG

• Authorizes Dual Basic Allowance for Housing for Training

• Authorizes ANG membership of the Air Force Reserve Forces Policy Committee

• Prohibits terminating any ANG fighter flying mission until a notional recapitalization plan is 

provided to congress by the SecAf

• Reduces minimum quantity of Primary Mission A-10 Aircraft Inventory 

• Retains C-130 total Aircraft Inventory and prohibits reducing aircraft assigned to the ANG

• Authorizes a 5.2% pay raise for service members

• Authorizes NG support for the Fireguard Program
- 2 -

National Guard Accounts Overview

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

Army 

National 

Guard

FY24 PB

Request

HASC 

Mark

Delta 

from PB

SASC 

Mark 

Delta 

from 

PB

Conference 

Report

FY24

Delta 

from PB

O&M $8,683,104 $8,687,104 $4,000

MILCON $340,186 $590,942 $250,756

Army National Guard End Strength

Army National 

Guard

FY24 PB 

Request

HASC 

Mark

Delta 

from PB

SASC 

Mark 

Delta 

from 

PB

Conference 

Report

FY24

Delta from 

PB

End Strength 325,000 325,000 -

AGR 30,845 30,845 -

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

FY24 PB

Request

HASC 

Mark

Delta from 

PB

SASC 

Mark

Delta 

from 

PB

Conference 

Report

FY24

Delta from 

PB

O&M $7,253,694 $7,234,194 -$19,500

MILCON $178,722 $331,064 $152,342

Air National Guard End Strength

Air National 

Guard

FY24 PB 

Request

HASC 

Mark

Delta 

from PB

SASC 

Mark

Delta 

from 

PB

Conference 

Report

FY24

Delta from 

PB

End Strength 108,400 108,400 -

AGR 25,713 25,713 -

Dual Status 

Technicians 9,830 9,830 -

ADOS 16,000 16,000 -

LEGISLATIVE PROVISIONS

Air Force Programs

Sec. 151. Extension of Requirements Relating to C-130 Aircraft.

This section would extend the prohibition on reduction of C-130 aircraft assigned to the National 

Guard and would keep the C-130 total aircraft inventory at 271 with a sunset date of October 1, 

2024.

RECOMMENDED FUNDING AUTHORIZATIONS DO NOT EQUAL FINAL FUNDING. FINAL FUNDING 

LEVELS WILL BE DECIDED BY APPROPRIATIONS BILLS 
- 3 -

Sec. 154. Modification of Minimum Inventory Requirements for A–10 Aircraft.

This section would reduce the minimum A-10 aircraft primary mission aircraft inventory requirement 

to 135 total aircraft and requires the Secretary of Defense to evaluate any A-10 aircraft that is 

retired, during fiscal year 2023 or later fiscal years, for potential transfer to military forces of an ally 

or partner nation of the United States.

Sec. 156. KC-135 Aircraft Recapitalization Program.

This section would require the Secretary of the Air Force to provide the congressional defense 

committees the business case analysis and Joint Staff validated requirements for the KC-135 

recapitalization program along with the analysis of alternative for the Next Generation Air Refueling 

System before deciding on an acquisition strategy for the KC-135 recapitalization program.

Sec. 157. Prohibition on Reduction of KC–135 Aircraft in PMAI of the Reserve Components.

This section would prevent the Air Force from reducing the number of primary mission aircraft 

inventory KC-135 aircraft from the Air Force Guard and Reserve.

Sec. 159. Limitation on Termination of Fighter Squadrons.

This section would prohibit the termination of any fighter flying mission of any fighter squadron of 

the Air National Guard until a period of 180 days after the Secretary of the Air Force, in 

coordination with the Director, Air National Guard, develops a notional plan to recapitalize all 

fighter squadrons of the Air National Guard with replacement aircraft and submits the results of the 

plan to the congressional defense committees.

Sec. 160. Limitation on Divestment of F–16 Aircraft. 

This section would prohibit the divestment of any F–16 aircraft beginning on January 1, 2024, until 

the Secretary of the Air Force provides to the congressional defense committees a report, including 

certain plans and assessments, not less than 180 days prior to divesting or preparing to divest any 

F–16 aircraft.

Sec. 161. Limitation on Procurement of KC–46A Aircraft.

This section would limit the Air Force from buying more than 179 KC-46A on the current contract 

until the Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Acquisition, Technology, and Logistics certifies to 

the congressional defense committees that there are validated needs and provide long-term cost 

estimates.

Sec. 162. Limitation on Actions Relating to Remote Vision Systems of KC-46A Aircraft.

This section would require a certification from the Secretary of the Air Force before retrofitting KC46A aircraft with Remote Vision System 2.0.

Operations and Maintenance

Sec. 311. Equivalent Authority to Carry Out Certain Projects at Facilities of the

National Guard and the Air National Guard.

This section would amend section 2700 of title 10, United States Code to include National Guard 

facilities as those eligible for Defense Environmental Restoration Program and Environmental 

Restoration Account funds.

Reports and Other Matters

Sec. 364. Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Personnel Grade Cap.

This section prohibits the Secretary of Defense from appointing or employing a military or civilian 

employee whose duties include diversity, equity, and inclusion with a rank or grade in excess of 

GS-10.
- 4 -

Military Personnel Authorizations

Sec. 411. End Strength for Selected Reserve.

This provision authorizes 325,000 personnel for the Army National Guard and 108,400 personnel 

for the Air National Guard.

Sec. 412. End Strength for Reserve on Active Duty.

This provision authorizes 30,845 ARNG positions for the Army National Guard and 25,713

positions for the Air National Guard.

Sec. 413. End Strength for Military Technicians (Dual Status).

This provision authorizes 22,294 dual status technicians for the Army National Guard and 9,830 for 

the Air National Guard.

Sec. 414. Maximum Number of Reserve Personnel Authorized to be on Active Duty for 

Operational Support.

This provision authorizes 17,000 ADOS positions for the Army National Guard and 16,000 ADOS 

positions for the Air National Guard.

Military Personnel Policy

Sec. 511. Grades of Certain Chiefs of Reserve Components.

This section would authorize the Chief of each military service Reserve Component to be in the 

grade of three-star officer, but excludes the DANG and DARNG.

Sec. 512. Removal of Prohibition on Active Duty Members of the Air Force Reserve Policy 

Committee.

This section would remove the prohibition on Active Duty members of the Air Force Reserve Policy 

Committee.

Sec. 513. Removal of Prohibition on Active Duty Members of the Air Force Reserve Policy 

Committee.

This section would remove the prohibition on Active Duty members of the Air Force Reserve Policy 

Committee. Appears to be a duplicate of section 512.

Sec. 514. Grade of Vice Chief of the National Guard Bureau.

This section would authorize the elevation of the Vice Chief of the National Guard Bureau to serve 

in the grade of general.

Sec. 515. Transfers of officers between the active and inactive National Guard.

This section would authorize the transfer for officers between the active and inactive National 

Guard.

Sec. 516. Authorization for FireGuard Program.

This section would authorize the Secretary of Defense to use members of the National Guard to 

carry out a program to aggregate, analyze, and assess multisource remote sensing information for 

interagency partnerships in the detection and monitoring of wildfires, and to support any

emergency response to such wildfires.

General Service Authorities and Military Records

Sec. 525. Protections for Members of Certain Armed Forces Who Refuse to Receive 

Vaccinations against COVID–19.
- 5 -

This section would prohibit adverse action against a member of the Armed Forces solely on the 

basis that such member refuses to receive a COVID–19 vaccine. Additionally, this section would 

direct the Secretary of the military department to consider reinstating service members separated 

for failure to get vaccinated against COVID–19.

Sec. 526. Reviews of Characterization of Administrative Discharges of Certain Members on 

the Basis of Failure to Receive COVID–19 Vaccine.

This section would require a board of review established under section 1553 of title 10, United 

States Code, to grant a priority request to review discharge or dismissals on the basis of failure to

obey a lawful order to receive a vaccine for COVID–19.

Sec. 527. Certain Members Discharged or Dismissed on the Sole Basis of Failure to Obey a 

Lawful Order to Receive a Vaccine for COVID–19: Communication Strategy regarding 

Reinstatement Process.

This section would require the Secretary of Defense to communicate the established process by 

which a covered individual who was separated due to a failure to receive the COVID–19 

vaccination may be reinstated. This section would also require the Secretary of Defense to provide 

a report on the implementation of the communication strategy.

Member Training

Sec. 565. Training on the National Defense Strategy for Members of Certain Armed Forces.

This section would require annual National Defense Strategy awareness training for certain 

members of the Armed Forces.

Sec. 566. Prohibition on Use of Federal Funds for Certain Training or Education That 

Promotes Critical Race Theory.

This section would prohibit the use of funds to promote critical race theory at a Service Academy, 

in military training, or in professional military education.

Sec. 567. Sex-Neutral High Fitness Standards for Army Close Combat Force Military 

Occupational Specialties.

This section would require the Army to create sex-neutral fitness standards for certain military 

occupational specialties.

Other Personnel Matters, Reports, and Briefings

Sec. 591. Armed Forces Workplace Surveys.

This section would require the Armed Forces workplace survey to include indicators of sexual 

assault that give reason to believe that the victim was targeted or discriminated against for a status 

in a group.

Sec. 594. Posting of Promotional Materials for the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at Military 

Installations.

This section would direct the Secretary of a military departments to post promotional materials for 

the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at each jurisdictional military installation.

Sec. 595. Prohibition on Drag Shows and Drag Queen Story Hour.

This section would prohibit the Department of Defense from using authorized funds for a drag 

show or similar event.

Sec. 598. Prohibition on Federal Funds for the Department of Defense Countering 

Extremism Work Group.
- 6 -

This section would prohibit the Department of Defense from using authorized funds for the 

Department of Defense Extremism Work Group.

Basic Pay, Retired Pay, and Leave

Sec. 601. Parental Leave Parity for Members of Certain Reserve Components of the Armed 

Forces.

This section would authorize leave for members of certain components of the Armed Forces. This 

provision would allow a member of a reserve component parental leave for a duration of up to 12 

inactive-duty training periods during the one-year period beginning after the birth or adoption of a 

child of the member and to care for such child or the placement of a minor child with the member 

for adoption or long-term foster care.

Allowances

Sec. 624. Dual Basic Allowance for Housing for Training.

This section would authorize dual basic allowance for housing for Reserve Component members 

for training. This provision addresses dual BAH for members of a reserve component without 

dependents who are called or ordered to active duty to attend training for at least 40 days but 

fewer than 365 days.

Health Care Provisions

Sec. 701. TRICARE Dental Plan for the Selected Reserve.

This section would waive fees and copays on the TRICARE Dental Program for all members of the 

Selected Reserve.

Sec. 702. Extension of Period of Eligibility for Health Benefits Under TRICARE Reserve 

Select for Survivors of a Member of the Selected Reserve.

This section would amend section 1076d(c) of title 10, United States Code, to extend TRICARE 

benefits to 3 years for family members of Guard and Reserve personnel killed while on orders for

less than 30 days.

Sec. 703. Clarification of Applicability of Required Mental Health Self-Initiated Referral 

Process for Members of the Selected Reserve.

This section would clarify the applicability of required mental health self-initiated referral process 

per section 1090b(e) of title 10, United States Code ["Brandon Act"], to exempt the Individual 

Ready Reserve.

Sec. 704. Non-Medical Counseling Services for Military Families.

This section would authorize license portability for mental health professionals who provide nonmedical counseling services.

Sec. 712. Psychological Evaluations for Certain Members of the Armed Forces Who Served 

in Kabul.

This section would direct the Secretary of Defense to provide an initial mental health counseling 

evaluation to each member of the Armed Forces who served at Hamid Karzai International Airport

during the Afghanistan noncombatant evacuation between August 15 and August 29, 2021.

Sec. 729. Task Force of Department of Defense on Mental Health.

This section would require the Secretary of Defense to establish a task force to examine matters 

relating to the mental health of members of the Armed Forces and a plan to implement the 

recommendations of the task force. The appointees shall include at least one member of each of 

the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, and the National Guard.
- 7 -

Department of Defense Organization and Management

Sec. 923. Eligibility of Chief of the National Guard Bureau for Appointment as Chairman of 

the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

This section would authorize the Chief of the National Guard Bureau to be eligible to be appointed 

Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

Sec. 929. Membership of the Air Force Reserve Forces Policy Committee.

This section would add four nonvoting advisors to the Air Force Reserve Forces Policy Committee.

The four nonvoting members, who shall be the Chief Master Sergeants of the Air Force, the Air

Force Reserve, the Air National Guard, and the Space Force.

Sec. 951. Establishment of Space National Guard.

This section would establish a Space National Guard comprised of National Guard forces in the 

States and U.S. territories in which the Space Force operates.

Sec. 952. No Effect on Military Installations.

This section would clarify that nothing in this subtitle would require or authorize the relocation of 

any facility, infrastructure, or military installation of the Space National Guard or Air National Guard.

Sec. 953. Implementation of Space National Guard.

This section would require the Secretary of the Air Force and the Chief of the National Guard 

Bureau to implement the provisions of this subtitle not later than 18 months after the date of the 

enactment of this Act.

Counterdrug Activities

Sec. 1006. Drug Interdiction and Counter-Drug Activities.

This section would raise a $5,000 spending cap to $15,000 on counter-drug equipment procured or 

leased by the National Guard requiring advance approval from Secretary of Defense.

General Provisions

Sec. 1085. Guidance for use of Unmanned Aircraft Systems by National Guard.

This section would require the Secretary of Defense to provide guidance for the use of unmanned 

aircraft systems by the National Guard and be no more restrictive than the use of other aircraft for 

covered activities.

Sec. 1205. Modifications to Security Cooperation Workforce Development Program and 

Establishment of Defense Security Cooperation University.

This section would modify section 384 of title 10, United States Code, regarding the Security 

Cooperation Workforce Development Program (SCWDP) and would establish the defense security 

cooperation university structure. This section would also require the Secretary of Defense to 

develop and submit an implementation plan for the structure of the defense security cooperation 

university. Additionally, this section would require the Secretary to submit a report on the

Department of Defense security cooperation workforce. Finally, this section would require the 

Comptroller General of the United States to submit a report containing an independent evaluation 

of the actions of the Secretary to carry out this section.

MILITARY CONSTRUCTION

Sec. 2408. Extension of Authority to Carry Out Certain Fiscal Year 2021 Energy Resilience 

and Conservation Investment Projects.
- 8 -

This section would extend the authorization of certain fiscal year 2021 Environmental Resilience 

and Conservation Investment Program projects until October 1, 2024.

ERCIP Projects: Extension of 2021 Project Authorizations 

State Installation Project Original 

Authorized 

Amount

Arkansas Ebbing ANG Base PV Arrays and Battery Storage $2,600

Sec. 2601. Authorized Army National Guard Construction and Land Acquisition Projects.

This section would contain the list of authorized Army National Guard construction projects for 

fiscal year 2024. The authorized amounts are listed on an installation-by-installation basis. The 

State list contained in this Act is intended to be the binding list of the specific projects authorized at 

each location.

Army National Guard

State Location FY2024 

Request

House 

Agreement

Arizona Surprise Readiness Center $15,000 $15,000

Florida Camp Blanding, Automated Multipurpose 

Machine Gun Range

-- $11,000

Florida Camp Blanding Training Aids Center (P&D) -- $1,200

Florida Camp Blanding, Wedge Infantry Squad 

Battle Course (P&D)

-- $840

Idaho Jerome County Regional Site, NG Vehicle 

Maintenance Shop

$17,000 $17,000

Illinois North Riverside NG Maintenance Center, NG 

Vehicle Maintenance Shop

$24,000 $24,000

Kentucky Burlington, Vehicle Maintenance Shop -- $16,400

Missouri Belle Fontaine, NG Readiness Center $28,000 $28,000

New Hampshire Littleton, NG Vehicle Maintenance Shop 

Add

$23,000 $23,000

New Mexico Rio Rancho Training Site, NG Vehicle 

Maintenance Shop Add

$11,000 $11,000

New York Lexington Avenue Armory, NG Readiness 

Center Add/Alt

-- $45,000

Ohio Camp Perry Joint Training Center, NG 

Readiness Center

$19,200 $19,200

Oklahoma Shawnee Readiness Center, NG Readiness 

Center (P&D)

-- $1,800

Oregon Washington County Readiness Center $26,000 $26,000

Pennsylvania Fort Indiantown Gap, FTIG Auto MPMG 

Range (P&D)

-- $1,550

Pennsylvania Hermitage Readiness Center $13,600 $13,600

South Carolina Aiken County Readiness Center $20,000 $20,000

South Carolina McCrady Training Center, Auto MPMG 

Range

$7,900 $7,900

Texas Fort Hood, General Purpose Instruction Bldg 

(P&D)

-- $2,685

Virginia Sandston RC & FMS 1, Aircraft Maintenance 

Hangar

$20,000 $20,000
- 9 -

Wisconsin Viroqua, NG Readiness Center $18,200 $18,200

Worldwide 

Unspecified 

Cost to Complete-Army National Guard -- $134,881

Worldwide 

Unspecified

Planning and Design $34,286 $44,686

Worldwide 

Unspecified

Unspecified Minor Construction $63,000 $73,000

Worldwide 

Unspecified

Unspecified Minor Military Construction

Demolition

-- $15,000

Military Construction, Army National Guard Total $340,186 $590,942

Sec. 2604. Authorized Air National Guard Construction and Land Acquisition Projects.

This section would contain the list of authorized Air National Guard construction projects for fiscal 

year 2024. The authorized amounts are listed on an installation-by-installation basis. The State list 

contained in this Act is intended to be the binding list of the specific projects authorized at each 

location.

Air National Guard

State Location FY2024 

Request

House 

Agreement

Alabama Montgomery Regional Airport, F35 ADAL SQ 

OPS 

$7,000 $7,000

Alaska Joint Base Elmendorf Richardson, ADAL

Alert Crew Facility Hgr 18

-- $7,000

Arizona Tucson, Mcca: Aircraft Arresting System 

(New Rwy)

$11,600 $11,600

Arkansas Ebbing Field, Permanent (F-35 Multi) 

Construct F-35 FMS 3-Bay Clear Span 

Hangar

-- $53,553

Arkansas Ebbing Field, Permanent (F-35 Multi) 

Construct F-35 AFE & Step

-- $9,269

Arkansas Ebbing Field, Permanent (F-35 Multi) 

Construct F-35 FMS SAPF (Secure Facility)

-- $12,720

Colorado Buckley ANG Base, Aircraft Corrosion 

Control

$12,000 $12,000

Florida Jacksonville International Airport, ANG F-35 

Munitions Storage Area Admin (P&D)

-- $600

Indiana Fort Wayne International Airport, Fire Station $8,900 $8,900

Oregon Portland International Airport, Special 

Tactics Complex, Phase 1

$22,000 $22,000

Oregon Portland International Airport, Special 

Tactics Complex, Phase 2

$18,500 $18,500

Oregon Portland International Airport, Special 

Tactics Complex, Phase 3

-- $20,000

Oregon Portland International Airport, Special 

Tactics Complex, Phase 4

-- $11,000

Pennsylvania Harrisburg International Airport, Entry 

Control Facility

-- $8,000

Wisconsin Truax Field, F-35: MM&I Fac, B701 -- $5,200

Worldwide 

Unspecified 

Planning and Design $35,600 $35,600

Worldwide Unspecified Minor Construction $63,122 $73,122
- 10 -

Unspecified

Worldwide 

Unspecified

Unspecified Minor Military Construction 

Demolition

-- $15,000

Military Construction, Air National Guard Total $178,722 $331,064

Sec. 2606. Authorization of Appropriations, National Guard and Reserve.

This section would authorize appropriations for National Guard and Reserve military construction 

at the levels identified in section 4601 of division D of this Act.

Sec. 2607. Extension of Authority to Carry Out Certain Fiscal Year 2018 Project at Hulman 

Regional Airport, Indiana.

This section would extend the authorization of a certain fiscal year 2018 project until October 1, 

2024.

National Guard and Reserve: Extension of 2018 Project Authorization

State Installation Project Original 

Authorized 

Amount

Indiana Hulman Regional Airport Construct Small Arms 

Range

$8,000

Sec. 2608. Extension of Authority to Carry Out Certain Fiscal Year 2019 Project at Francis S. 

Gabreski Airport, New York.

This section would extend the authorization of a certain fiscal year 2019 project until October 1, 

2024.

National Guard and Reserve: Extension of 2019 Project Authorization 

State Installation Project Original 

Authorized 

Amount

New York Francis S. Gabreski 

Airport

Security Forces/ Comm. 

Training Facility

$20,000

Sec. 2609. Extension of Authority to Carry Out Certain Fiscal Year 2021 National Guard and 

Reserve Military Construction Projects.

This section would extend the authorization of certain fiscal year 2021 projects until October 1, 

2024.

National Guard and Reserve: Extension of 2021 Project Authorization 

State Installation Project Original 

Authorized 

Amount

Arkansas Fort Chaffee NG Readiness Center $15,000

California Bakersfield NG Vehicle Maintenance Shop $9,300

Colorado Peterson Space Force 

Base

NG Readiness Center $15,000

Guam Joint Region Marianas Space Control Facility #5 $20,000

Ohio Columbus NG Readiness Center $15,000

Massachusetts Devens Reserve Forces 

Training Area

Automated Multipurpose 

Machine Gun Range

$8,700

North Carolina Asheville Army Reserve Center/Land $24,000

Puerto Rico Fort Allen NG Readiness Center $37,000
- 11 -

South Carolina Joint Base Charleston NG Readiness Center $15,000

Texas Fort Worth Aircraft Maintenance Hangar 

Add/Alt

$6,000

Texas Joint Base San Antonio F-16 Mission Training Center $10,800

Virgin Islands St. Croix Army Aviation Support Facility $28,000

Virgin Islands St. Croix CST Ready Building $11,400

HASC Committee Report Requirements / Items of Interest

MQ-1C Gray Eagle National Guard Integration and Strategic Considerations.

The committee recognizes the significant contributions of the MQ-1C Gray Eagle unmanned 

aircraft system to national defense and intelligence capabilities. The MQ-1C Gray Eagle has 

proven to be a reliable and cost-effective platform for various missions, including intelligence, 

surveillance, reconnaissance, and strike operations.

To ensure a prudent allocation of resources and maintain operational effectiveness, the committee 

encourages the Army to conduct a thorough examination of the MQ-1C Gray Eagle's role within the 

broader defense strategy and to explore further opportunities to integrate the platform into the 

National Guard. The committee is interested in understanding how integration of the MQ-1C

Gray Eagle into the National Guard would provide additional, cost-effective benefits and enhance 

the overall capabilities of the defense apparatus.

Therefore, the committee directs the Secretary of the Army, in coordination with the Chief of the 

National Guard Bureau, to submit a report to the House Committee on Armed Services not later 

than February 1, 2024, on the Army’s plans for the MQ-1C Gray Eagle unmanned aircraft system. 

The report should include, but not be limited to:

(1) a status update on existing requirements for the integration of the MQ-1C Gray Eagle into the 

National Guard, including the potential roles, missions, and necessary support infrastructure for 

such integration;

(2) a roadmap for the current and future integration process, including timelines, milestones, and 

estimated costs; and

(3) the potential benefits and drawbacks of further integrating the MQ-1C Gray Eagle into the 

National Guard's operational capabilities, as well as the feasibility of such integration in light of 

current requirements and priorities.

Air National Guard Fighter Recapitalization.

The committee is concerned with the aging and shrinking nature of the Air National Guard fighter 

fleet. The committee notes that during Operation Desert Storm, Air Combat Command fielded 139 

fighter squadrons, 49 of which belonged to the Air National Guard, whereas of January 1, 2023, Air 

Combat Command fields 81 squadrons, only 25 of which are allocated to the Air National Guard.

Given the rising challenges posed by near-peer competitors such as Russia and China, and 

operational deployment commitments that may occur in other, less than highly contested threat 

environments, the committee is concerned that the shrinking of the fighter fleet, and particularly the 

loss of force structure and manpower resources in the Air National Guard, poses a serious national 

security challenge.

The committee believes that the F-15EX could serve a critical need as a cost-effective, highly 

versatile airframe capable of performing air superiority, homeland defense and interdiction 

missions. The committee encourages the Secretary of the Air Force and the Chief of the National 

Guard Bureau to commit any additional procurement of the F-15EX above the program of record 

for the purpose of full recapitalization of any Air National Guard A-10 squadrons currently planned 

to lose their fighter missions.
- 12 -

Air Force Fighter Force Structure.

The committee is concerned that the Air Force fighter fleet has declined by nearly 60 percent since 

the 1991 Gulf War and is projected to lose approximately 400 additional fighter aircraft by the end 

of fiscal year 2029. The committee notes with concern that the fighter fleet is the now smallest in 

Air Force history and lacks sufficient capacity to meet combatant command requirements today. In 

this context, the committee believes that further reductions will significantly increase operational 

demands on a diminishing inventory of fighter aircraft and personnel and create conditions for an 

impending readiness crisis. The committee acknowledges the Department of the Air Force’s stated 

intent to modernize the fighter fleet but concludes that its current procurement plan is insufficient 

and will fail to deliver the fighter capacity and capability required by the National Defense

Strategy. Finally, the committee is concerned that without procurement of additional fighter aircraft 

in the near term, fighter squadrons in the Total Force will soon be deactivated or re-missioned, 

resulting in the permanent loss of experienced fighter pilots and maintenance personnel.

Therefore, the committee directs the Secretary of the Air Force, in coordination with the 

Commander, Air Combat Command, the Director of the Air National Guard, and the Chief, Air 

Force Reserve Command to provide a report to the House Committee on Armed Services not later 

than January 19, 2024, with a plan to meet Air Force fighter capacity requirements. The report 

should include:

(1) the number of Total Force fighter squadrons required to meet steady state and war-time 

capacity requirements;

(2) how the Air Force plans to modernize and recapitalize the active, reserve, and guard 

fighter fleets to achieve the required number of Total Force squadrons;

(3) authorities and resource requirements necessary to provide sufficient demand to 

industry to increase fighter aircraft production to prevent the closure or re-missioning of Total Force 

fighter squadrons;

(4) an explanation of how Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) are accounted for in 

capacity analysis; and

(5) an explanation of how the Air Force will meet fighter capacity requirements should CCA 

operational fielding be cancelled or delayed.

Air National Guard KC-135 Association.

The committee is aware that Air National Guard active associations provide additional air refueling 

capability. The committee has also heard in testimony that aerial refueling capacity is sufficient but, 

under the new National Defense Strategy, has an elevated risk. The committee directs the 

Secretary of the Air Force to brief the House Committee on Armed Services no later than 1 

November 2023 on the potential increase in air refueling capacity to make all remaining KC-135 

units active associations, and all cost savings, to include manpower, of moving all KC-135 units to 

active associations.

C-40 Aircraft.

The committee supports the added funding to the C-40 aircraft. The committee is concerned about 

the aging fleet given the operational demands placed on the Active Duty, Air National Guard, and 

Air Force Reserve C-40 aircraft. The committee also understands that due to economic impacts on 

the commercial airline market, there may be affordable inventory that could be converted at a low 

cost to ensure aircraft availability for Government senior leaders, including combatant

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

congressional defense committees not later than October 1, 2023, that includes a market survey of 

available aircraft that could be modified for executive airlift, the total cost impact of such an action, 

and a recommendation on the future fleet size for all C-40 aircraft.

Procurement of C-130 Engine Upgrade Kits.

The Committee recognizes that the Air National Guard C-130H fleet continues to undergo a 

comprehensive propulsion upgrade program comprised of an engine enhancement package and 
- 13 -

new eight-bladed propellers. Combined, the systems deliver significant improvements in safety, 

fuel economy, and aircraft availability.

The committee understand the Air National Guard aims to complete the installation of both engine 

and propeller upgrades across all Series 3 C-130H aircraft by calendar year 2025. The Committee 

is concerned that multiple state units remain without programmed engine upgrades. The 

Committee is also concerned there is a potential desynchronization in planning that resulted in no 

Fiscal Year 2024 base funding for engine kit procurement. 

The Committee directs the Deputy Director of Plans and Requirements, Air National Guard, in 

coordination with the Director of the Air Force Life Cycle Management Center Propulsion 

Directorate to brief the congressional defense committees not later than February 1, 2024, on the 

status of the C-130H propulsion upgrade program. This briefing shall, at a minimum, detail the 

National Guard Bureau’s execution of congressionally directed funding for Series 3.5 engine 

enhancement kit procurement over the last five fiscal years and funding requirements for 

completing fleetwide fielding of engine enhancement kits, including engine spares and parts, by the 

calendar year 2025.

Unmanned Aircraft System Units with Geographically Separated Launch and Recovery 

Elements.

The committee notes the significantly increased demand in continuation training requirements for 

the remotely piloted aircraft enterprise currently supplied wholly by Air National Guard launch and 

recovery elements. Operating a launch and recovery element not co-located with the mission 

control element produces inefficiencies.

As such, the committee directs the Secretary of the Air Force, in coordination with the Chief of the 

National Guard Bureau, to submit a report to the House Committee on Armed Services not later 

than March 1, 2024, on remotely piloted aircraft units with launch and recovery elements that are 

geographically separated from mission control and maintenance elements. Specifically, this report 

should assess the potential benefits of co-locating these activities in order to improve efficiencies 

and reduce operational costs. The report should include both a findings and recommendations 

section.

National Guard and Reserve Equipment Account.

The budget request contained no funds for a National Guard and Reserve Equipment Account. 

The committee has long been concerned about the availability of dual use and modern equipment 

needed to ensure the relevance and readiness of the National Guard and Reserve Components as 

an operational reserve and for their domestic support missions. The committee notes that the 

annual National Guard and Reserve Equipment Reports over the last several years identify 

continuing shortages in modernized equipment and challenges associated with efficiently fulfilling 

combat readiness training requirements.

The committee believes additional funds would help manage strategic risk and eliminate identified 

critical dual-use equipment shortfalls. The committee expects these funds to be used for the 

purposes of, but not limited to, the procurement and modernization of equipment and programs 

such as communications interoperability improvements for Weapons of Mass Destruction Civil 

Support Teams; Long Range, Lightweight Mesh Network Radios; Cross-Cloud Threat Hunting 

Cyber Security; Transportable Tactical Command Communications upgrades; Non-Lethal 

Capabilities for Civil Support; Joint Threat Emitter Simulators; and other critical dual-use and 

readiness unfunded procurement items for the National Guard and Reserve Components. 

The committee recommends $100.0 million for National Guard and Reserve equipment.
- 14 -

National Guard Bureau State Mission Research, Development, Test, and Evaluation 

Enhancement.

The committee notes that the National Guard is unique in that it simultaneously serves the Federal 

Government and State governments. While the missions in these two areas often overlap, there is 

a significant array of missions and requirements supporting State operations that do not directly 

map or overlap Federal requirements. While the National Guard must continue to address evolving 

and pacing national security threats, it must also address the unique non-Federal threats to the 

homeland and support domestic operations. In addition, while States take the lead in protecting the 

homeland and domestic populations, they seldom have the resources or capabilities to perform 

research, development, test and evaluation (RDT&E) to address current homeland defense and 

emerging threats.

Given both the National Guard’s unique position and the challenges of addressing Federal and 

non-Federal homeland defense in combination with national security, the committee directs the 

Director, National Guard Bureau to provide a briefing to the House Committee on Armed Services 

not later than December 31, 2023, on current gaps in how the National Guard Bureau and the 54 

State National Guard organizations would like to better deploy their array of resources (to include 

funding, equipment, and personnel) to identify, analyze, and develop requirements. The briefing 

should also address how the National Guard Bureau assesses it could optimally implement plans 

to address unique State challenges and emerging threats by acting as a liaison and coordinator 

between national RDT&E assets and State level requirements. This includes the coordination of 

RDT&E requirements and efforts to ensure that they are leveraged to the maximum extent possible 

across State boundaries and mission areas. This briefing should specifically reference current 

challenges and limitations of both State and Federal funding sources, including National Guard and 

Reserve Equipment Appropriations funding.

Mission Training Complexes.

The Committee is cognizant of the Department of Defense's (DoD) priorities laid down in the 2022 

National Defense Strategy (NDS), namely: defending the homeland, deterring strategic attacks 

against the United States, allies, and partners, deterring aggression while being prepared to prevail 

in conflict when necessary, and building a resilient Joint Force and defense ecosystem. The 

committee notes that the NDS espouses the need to enhance deterrence across all domains, and 

achieve the same through, inter alia, improving mobilization. The committee is aware that one of 

the DoD's approach to force planning recognizes the ability to quickly mobilize as critical in building 

strength and capability in key operational areas, and states that it will prioritize a force that is agile 

and responsive. Relatedly, the committee further notes that, the People's Republic of China (PRC) 

has been assessed to pose the most "comprehensive and serious challenge to the U.S. national 

security.” The Committee notes that today's security environment thus requires a force structure to 

meet heavy mobilization, deployment, and sustainment demands, and supports the DoD's efforts 

to achieve these goals. 

The Committee is aware that the U.S. Army maintains multiple Mission Training Complexes 

(MTCs). The MTCs were established prior to the present NDS, which focuses on the need for the 

U.S. military to respond to near-peer adversaries which requires the Reserve Component to 

sustain their readiness in order to rapidly mobilize. The Committee is concerned that the U.S. 

Army's current mobilization plans are heavily reliant on its Reserve Components, which lack the 

ability to mobilize swiftly to respond to the challenges outlined in the present NDS. The Committee 

has expressed interest in how the Army, and other services, can better leverage virtual training 

capabilities to sustain the readiness of the Reserve Component. The Committee is concerned that 

current MTC virtual training capabilities are not sufficient to sustain the readiness and ensure rapid 

deployability as envisioned by the current NDS.
- 15 -

As such, the Committee directs the Secretary of the Army to provide a report to the House 

Committee on Armed Services by December 1, 2023 that shall include at the minimum the 

following: 

(1) Assessment of the current capacity of existing MTCs to meet a mass mobilization 

requirement consistent with what is outlined in the National Defense Strategy; 

(2) Assessment of impact of developing additional MTCs across the United States to 

facilitate a mass mobilization to include the cost and capabilities needed at each new installation; 

(3) Identification of potential locations for future MTCs, and infrastructure existing or needed 

for upgrades to establish the new facilities as well as potential savings that could be realized from 

additional locations that reduce TDY and other associated travel cost; and, 

(4) Analysis of any previous gap analyses done to ensure the sustainment of adequate 

readiness levels for the Reserve Component and what has been done to implement any 

recommended actions from that analysis.

Exercise Northern Strike.

Exercise Northern Strike provides a realistic decisive action training environment and robust 

training experiences for units and leaders to strengthen joint all domain warfighting capabilities. 

The exercise fills a critical gap in resourced readiness building multi-domain exercises for two 

combat formations. Exercise Northern Strike is conducted twice a year (winter and summer) within 

the 4-season National All Domain Warfighting Center’s contested multi-domain operating 

environment. Using a combination of integrated live, virtual, constructive models and simulations, 

participants increase mission essential task proficiencies and build readiness through repetitive 

task iterations at echelon by training for

combat operations as part of the joint team.

Given the Department of Defense's increased reliance on Guard and Reserve Forces to meet 

operational readiness challenges, the committee encourages the Department to emphasize joint all 

domain warfighting exercises within these formations, such as Exercise Northern Strike, to ensure 

Guard and Reserve formations are capable of fulfilling this critical capability gap.

Therefore, the committee recommends a $4.0 million increase in Operations & Maintenance for the 

Army National Guard and a $1.0 million increase in Operations and Maintenance for the U.S. Air 

Force for All Domain Training Exercises.

Georgia Combat Readiness Training Center.

The committee recognizes the significance of the Combat Readiness Training Center (CRTC) 

located at the Savannah Air National Guard (ANG) Base, Savannah-Hilton Head International 

Airport. As one of four CRTCs operated by the Department of Defense, this facility provides an 

integrated, realistic training environment for U.S. fighter aircraft to enhance their air combat 

capabilities and readiness. The committee notes that this facility is the only CRTC with available 

airspace capable of replicating a high-end threat environment for 5th generation fighter aircraft and 

that it maintains regular access to the Townsend Bombing Range, the first range purpose-built for 

F-35 training.

North Carolina Air National Guard.

The committee notes the 75th anniversary of the establishment of the North Carolina Air National 

Guard. The 145th Airlift Wing is operationally gained by Air Mobility Command and consists of the 

145th Operations Group, the 145th Maintenance Group, the 145th Mission Support Group, and the 

145th Medical Group, stationed at Charlotte Air National Guard Base, North Carolina. In 2018, the 

145th Airlift Wing began operating C-17 Globemaster III aircraft to perform tactical airlift and 

airdrop missions. The Wing’s Airmen have supported global and domestic operations, including by 

providing relief from Hurricane Florence and COVID-19, and conducting missions in over fifteen 

different countries since 2019. The committee applauds the efforts of the North Carolina Air 

National Guard and continues to support its mission, Airmen, and their families.
- 16 -

Briefing on the Feasibility of Transferring any Army Recruitment Shortfalls to the 

National Guard Bureau.

The committee appreciates the tremendous and unprecedented efforts of the National Guard over 

the past several years, from domestic deployments in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, to 

keeping the peace during civil unrest and natural disaster response and rescue, to their overseas 

deployments. The extraordinary circumstances of the past several years have highlighted the 

strain Guard units have been under for too long, particularly in States that have the lowest 

guardsmen-to-civilian ratios in the country. Therefore, the committee directs the Secretary of 

Defense, in consultation with the Secretary of the Army and the Chief of the National Guard 

Bureau, to provide a briefing to the House Committee on Armed Services by March 1, 2024, on the 

feasibility of transferring a portion of any projected Army recruit shortfalls to the Army National 

Guard for allocation to State Guard formations. The briefing shall include any statutory barriers to 

providing the Department this flexibility and an estimate of any costs or savings to carry out such 

transfer.

National Guard Judge Advocate and Senior Leader Title 32 Training Study.

The committee directs the Secretary of Defense, in coordination with the Chief of the National 

Guard Bureau, to submit a report to the House Committee on Armed Services, not later than March 

1, 2024, on the feasibility of requiring the Chief of the National Guard Bureau to establish and 

resource a program to assist the States in training National Guard senior leaders and legal 

advisors regarding the laws, regulations, and policies pertaining to the operations and 

administration of non-federalized National Guard forces to ensure compliance with the new 

inspection requirement of section 105(a)(8) of title 32. The report will further address whether the 

Chief of the National Guard Bureau should, after appropriate coordination with the Judge 

Advocates General of the Army and Air Force, resource programs for the provision of legal 

services to the non-federalized National Guard, such as Special Victims Counsel, Legal 

Assistance, and Trial Defense services.

Report on Dwell Times and other Concerns for Air National Guard Units Supporting Space 

Mission Deployments.

The committee recognizes the important efforts that the Department of Defense (DoD) and the 

National Guard Bureau (NGB) have taken to support space mission deployments around the globe 

in support of warfighter needs. The committee is concerned that the Air National Guard units 

supporting space mission deployments are experiencing lower dwell periods and training gaps. 

Therefore, the committee directs the Secretary of Defense in coordination with the Chief of Space 

Operations, Chief of Staff of the Air Force, and the Director of the National Guard to undertake a 

review of the quality of life for Air National Guard units and members performing space missions in 

austere locations or supporting space mission deployments. The review shall include:

(1) Analysis of deployment-to-dwell ratios for Air National Guard space units, as compared 

to other Air National Guard units;

(2) Assessment on whether deployment-to-dwell ratios for Air National Guard space units 

results in shorter mobilization timelines, and the resulting impact on accomplishing training 

requirements;

(3) Identification of factors to improve the results derived from subsection (1) and (2); and

(4) Recommendations to improve the deployment-to-dwell ratio and increase mobilization 

time to allow for sufficient training for Air National Guard units supporting space missions. 

The committee further directs the delivery of the findings of the review to the House Committee on 

Armed Services no later than March 30, 2024.
- 17 -

Report on National Guard Bureau Practices and Procedures Surrounding the “No 

Wrong Door” Policy.

The committee is concerned about allegations regarding the incorrect handling of sexual 

harassment and sexual assault cases involving National Guard members of various military 

statuses and cases involving members in mixed military status to include members of the 

Department of the Air Force and the Department of the Army. 

The National Guard functions as a unique military entity. Unlike the Active component, National 

Guard members swear an oath to two Constitutions; that of the United States of America and the 

respective State they are serving. This often confuses where the responsibilities lie in instances of 

reporting, handling, and adjudicating cases of sexual harassment and sexual assault. National 

Guard members may be misinformed on how to properly report a case and who is responsible for 

informing them of its status during the investigatory and adjudication process.

In an effort to address this gap in knowledge, the National Guard Bureau implemented the “No 

Wrong Door” Policy to encourage ease and transparency when reporting sexual harassment and 

sexual assault. While it has been shown to be beneficial within the National Guard it has brought to 

light additional gaps in coordination and case facilitation involving mixed military statuses. 

Therefore, the committee directs the Secretary of Defense, in coordination with the Chief of the 

National Guard Bureau, Secretary of the Department of the Air Force, and the Secretary of the 

Army to submit a report to the Committee on Armed Services of the House of Representatives not 

later than April 1, 2024, which shall, at minimum, include the following:

(1) a description of the current “No Wrong Door” Policy;

(2) an outline of the sexual harassment/sexual assault reporting processes from initial 

reporting to the conclusion or prosecution of a case by the Air National Guard, the Army National 

Guard, the Department of the Air Force and the Department of the Army;

(3) the action taken when a sexual harassment/ sexual assault case involves members of 

mixed military statuses;

(4) proposed statutory or regulatory changes that would create a permanent process for 

sexual harassment/ and sexual assault reporting, from initial reporting to the conclusion or 

prosecution of a case by both the Air National Guard, and the Army National Guard, the 

Department of the Air Force and the Department of the Army, involving members of mixed military 

statuses and timeline for effectuating said changes; 

(5) data provided on the following:

a. number of sexual harassment/sexual assault cases across the 54 States and Territories 

with a standing National Guard, including the District of Columbia, sorted by State or Territory;

b. number of sexual harassment/sexual assault cases involving members of mixed military 

statuses;

c. number of sexual harassment/sexual assault cases that involved a ‘warm hand-off’ to a 

sexual harassment/sexual assault office different from the initial report;

d. number of reported sexual harassment/sexual assault cases that ended in administrative 

action and prosecution by the National Guard Bureau;

e. number of reported sexual harassment/sexual assault cases involving National Guard 

members that ended in administrative action and prosecution by the Department of the Air Force 

and the Department of the Army;

f. number of National Guard members identified as victims in a sexual harassment or 

sexual assault report who transitioned out of the military, did not renew their enlistment or 

commission, or transferred to another State or duty status within one to five years of filing a sexual 

assault or sexual harassment incident report.

Report on Tricare Coverage Issues for National Guardsmen and Reservists.

The Committee applauds the efforts by the Defense Health Agency to improve quality of care for 

members of the Armed Services covered by TRICARE. However, the Committee finds that 
- 18 -

individuals in the National Guard and Reserves still face numerous financial and administrative 

barriers to healthcare coverage through TRICARE. In particular, individuals that switch between 

National Guard and Reserve components often lose access to TRICARE Reserve Select coverage 

during their transition. Additionally, given that senior military leadership expect the Department of 

Defense to rely more on the National Guard in the future, members will continue to switch between 

TRICARE Reserve Select and TRICARE Prime as they shift to Active-Duty service and back. The 

resulting change in insurance creates a gap in TRICARE Reserve Select coverage that leaves 

reservists and national guardsmen responsible for paying insurance deductibles multiple times per 

year, requires individuals to switch between doctors, and necessitates that service members obtain 

repetitive reauthorizations for specialty medicine. 

In response to these concerns, the Committee directs the Secretary of Defense provide to report to 

the House Committee on Armed Service by December 1, 2024 that outlines the cost and feasibility 

of:

(1) Expanding access to Tricare Reserve Select for 60 days for members of the National 

Guard and Reserves already covered by TRICARE Reserve Select as they transfer between

components,

(2) Allowing members of the National Guard and Reserves to maintain TRICARE Reserve 

Select coverage during active-duty service, and

(3) Waiving the required TRICARE Reserve Select deductible and lowering the initial 

premium payment from a two- to one-month premium for individuals who have already paid these 

fees and experience lapses in coverage due to active duty service.

Suicide Prevention Among National Guard and Reservists.

The committee remains concerned about suicide rates across both the Active and Reserve 

Components of the military. However, service in the National Guard offers several unique 

challenges not faced by Active Component service members. Therefore, the committee directs the 

Chief of the National Guard Bureau to submit a report to the House Committee on Armed Services 

by February 1, 2024, on the following:

(1) identify current suicide prevention training efforts to include delivery format and 

frequency;

(2) identify any gaps in suicide prevention training prevention and services;

(3) identify States that do not offer virtual suicide prevention services;

(4) provide the measures of effectiveness for suicide prevention training; and

(5) any other matters the Chief considers relevant.

Comptroller General Review of Reserve Component Capabilities to Support Challenges 

from Near-Peer Adversaries.

The shift in focus by the Department of Defense on strategic competition with near-peer 

adversaries such as Russia and China necessitates different capabilities than those required for 

counterinsurgency and regional stability operations of prior decades. The Reserve Components of 

the United States military services provide support and some unique capabilities for key mission 

areas that could be called upon in near-peer conflict scenarios. The Army and Air National Guard 

also prepare for other missions, such as support of law enforcement and emergency response 

within the United States.

In this context, the committee is concerned that as the Department of Defense prepares for nearpeer conflict, the Reserve Components may not be able to train effectively for the broad range of 

missions and activities for which they are relied upon.

Therefore, the committee directs the Comptroller General of the United States to conduct a review 

of the capabilities provided by the Reserve Components to respond to near-peer conflict scenarios 

and their readiness to provide those capabilities should a conflict arise. The review should assess:
- 19 -

(1) the forces and capabilities of the Reserve Components that would be utilized in 

response to a conflict with a near-peer adversary;

(2) the unique or low-density forces of the Reserve Components that would be needed in a 

conflict with a near-peer adversary;

(3) the level of preparedness of these Reserve Component forces and how, if at all, this 

level of preparedness has changed to meet the needs of the National Defense Strategy;

(4) the extent that the Department of Defense and the military services have developed 

strategies and provided resources to prepare Reserve Component forces to perform missions 

related to responding to conflict with near-peer adversaries; and

(5) any other areas the Comptroller General deems appropriate.

The committee directs the Comptroller General to provide a briefing to the House Committee on 

Armed Services not later than April 1, 2024, on the initial findings, and submit a final report to the 

Senate Committee on Armed Services and the House Committee on Armed Services at a date 

mutually agreed upon at the time of the briefing.

Domestic Response Training Center.

Disaster response missions, as defined in the National Response Framework (NRF), may include a 

mix of civilian agencies at the federal, state, and local levels, and military units with little practical 

experience working together. When the NRF is activated, the Federal Emergency Management 

Agency (FEMA) may request that the Department of Defense provide an appropriate level of 

Defense Support of Civil Authorities (DSCA) capability that is to be carried out by the military 

services, including the Army. Installation commanders may also provide assistance to local first 

responders. FEMA is the primary agency

coordinating the overall federal disaster response, including that provided by the military.

However, at present, the Army is ill-prepared to coordinate its disaster response with state and 

local civilian agencies and there is a large disparity in DSCA experience between Title 10 and Title 

32 personnel. There are many valuable training courses, such as the U.S. Northern Command’s 

Joint Task Force Commanders Training (JTFC), performed at multiple locations, agencies, and 

governments. However, there is no established collective training center to bring these diverse 

elements together and operate cohesively in a domestic disaster response. To fill that gap, the

House Committee on Armed Services believes the Army should consider establishing a Domestic 

Response Training Center to provide collective training for these missions for itself and for National 

Guard and Reserve

units, other Federal agencies, and State and local first responders. To provide maximum capability, 

the committee recommends that the Army consider creating the center and locating it at a Army 

Training and Doctrine Command installation that possesses branch schools relevant to domestic 

disaster response and encroachment free training areas.

Therefore, the committee directs the Secretary of Defense to provide a report to the House 

Committee on Armed Services not later than January 31, 2024, on current DSCA capabilities. The 

report shall:

(1) assess the collective training requirements for domestic response;

(2) identify gaps in meeting those requirements;

(3) assess possible locations for a Domestic Response Training Center; and

(4) assess the need for such a center.

Less-Lethal Force Requirements for the National Guard Bureau and Department of the 

Navy.

The committee recognizes the expansive deployment of conducted electrical weapons (CEWs, or 

TASER devices) by civilian law enforcement and the resulting reduction in encounters requiring the 

use of lethal force. The committee believes a governing policy should exist for less-lethal devices 
- 20 -

and CEWs for the National Guard Bureau and the Department of the Navy, especially given the 

fact that they are already deployed by the Department of the Army. 

The National Guard Bureau is the Department of Defense entity most frequently called upon to 

engage in civilian environments, but maintains no independent policy for procurement, training, or 

deployment of CEWs.

While the committee recognizes the significant differences in tasks and duties between military and 

civilian law enforcement personnel, the committee believes that in certain circumstances, 

Department of the Navy personnel, including U.S. Marines, would also benefit from the option to 

use less lethal force, and is concerned that the Department has no policy requirement to deploy 

CEWs and has not budgeted to field them. 

Therefore, the committee directs the Secretary of Defense to submit a report to the House 

Committee on Armed Services by January 1, 2024, assessing less-lethal force needs. The report 

shall include, at a minimum, the following: 

(1) a description of the duties and scenarios where both Air and Army National Guard 

personnel would be able to utilize, and would benefit from, a lesslethal force option; 

(2) an assessment of the less-lethal force options, to include tools and training, that might 

be available to National Guard personnel in current Department of Defense inventory in the open 

market; 

(3) an evaluation of the necessary policies required to ensure the National Guard can begin 

procuring its own inventory of CEWs and less-lethal devices; 

(4) an assessment of the viability of using CEWs by Department of the Navy law 

enforcement and security personnel; 

(5) a description of the duties where CEW use would be most appropriate and effective; 

(6) a discussion of what policies would need to be in place to govern Navy and Marine 

Corps training and usage of CEWs; 

(7) a cost estimate of deployment and storage of CEWs for the National Guard Bureau and 

the Department of the Navy; and 

(8) to the extent that CEWs are deemed appropriate and necessary for use by National 

Guard, Navy, and Marine Corps personnel, an implementation plan for deployment and use.

Report on Large-Scale, Government-Owned Remotely Piloted Aircraft Flight Operations.

The committee is aware that remotely piloted aircraft (RPA) continue to become more ubiquitous in 

military operations. At the same time, national airspace restrictions have impacted RPA operations 

and have had potentially detrimental effects. In order to assess the potentially deleterious effects of 

airspace regulations on RPA operations, the committee directs the Secretary of the Air Force to 

provide a report to the House Committee on Armed Services not later than March 1, 2024 on 

current flight operations of all active duty, reserve, and air national guard largescale, governmentowned RPA. The report shall include:

(1) Regulatory challenges to unescorted flight operations within the National Airspace 

System, including any unique challenges to individual basing locations;

(2) Review of MQ-9 limiting factors preventing unescorted instrument flight

rules transit in the National Airspace System, to include platform sensor limitations and platform 

optical limitations potentially preventing satisfaction of “see and avoid” requirements;

(3) Average delay in acquiring certificates of waiver or authorization (COA) and impacts of 

those delays on operational readiness and real-world training;

(4) Review of safety impacts of chase plane requirements on operational readiness and 

real-world training, to include the cost to units and safety challenges of dissimilar formation and 

dissimilar aircraft performance in close proximity;

(5) Review of spectrum allocation limitations in ground-based sense and avoid systems;

(6) Total MQ-1 and MQ-9 flight hours outside the National Airspace System without chase 

plane or ground-based sense and avoid systems to include any data pertaining to the total number 
- 21 -

of mid-air collisions or near midair collisions and frequency of non-cooperative traffic encountered; 

and

(7) Any data on foreign governments seeking to impose a regulatory regime similar to that 

found in the National Airspace System on MQ-9 operations.

Department of Defense State Partnership Program.

The committee acknowledges that the Department of Defense State Partnership Program supports 

the National Defense Strategy priorities and campaign objectives of the combatant commands 

through enduring, mutually beneficial relationships. These relationships build partner defense 

capability and provide persistent engagement with our partners, both of which foster regional 

security and stability. Therefore, the committee directs the Secretary of Defense to provide a 

briefing to the House Committee on Armed Services not later than March 1, 2024, on the 

opportunities to enhance the State Partnership Program that includes:

(1) A discussion of the feasibility and opportunities to improve the admission of new 

countries to the program;

(2) A review of the activities conducted by the State Partnership Program that provide the 

most effective contributions to meeting U.S. national security objectives; 

(3) An assessment of the funding and other investments required to broaden the pool of 

partner countries appropriately while ensuring the program remains cost effective;

(4) Any other matter the Secretary of Defense considers appropriate.

Utilization of National Guard and Reserve Forces in Cyberspace Operations.

Over the last 10 years, Congress has expressed its position that the Department of Defense can 

bolster its operational capacity in cyberspace through improved utilization of the National Guard. 

This has resulted in 10 legislative provisions over a decade's worth of National Defense

Authorization Acts and is most pertinently expressed through sections 1729 and 1730 of the 

William M. (Mac) Thornberry National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021 (Public Law 

116-283). Despite these calls for change, the Department of Defense and the military services 

appear not to have made any meaningful change in how the expertise resident within the National 

Guard and the Reserve Component can be better leveraged.

Therefore, the committee directs the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Cyber Policy, in 

coordination with the Commander, U.S. Cyber Command, to submit a report to the Senate 

Committee on Armed Services and the House Committee on Armed Services not later than May 

31, 2024, on the specific actions and institutional obstacles that have prevented change from being 

instantiated after the requirements directed in the following legislative provisions:

(1) section 1651 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2017 (Public Law 

114328);

(2) section 1653 of the John S. McCain National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 

2019 (Public Law 115-232); and

(3) section 1729 and 1730 of the William M. (Mac) Thornberry National Defense 

Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021 (Public Law 116-283).

Chemical, Biological, Radiological & Nuclear Response Enterprise.

The committee is concerned with the Department’s investment plans to modernize mission 

essential equipment for the set of forces sourced to respond rapidly to Chemical, Biological, 

Radiological or Nuclear and high yield explosives (CBRNE) incidents. The committee directs the 

Secretary of Defense by March 1, 2024, to provide a brief to the House Committee on Armed 

Services on modernization plans for Mass Casualty Decontamination Systems, CBRN

reconnaissance items, and Personal Protective Equipment for National Guard Civil Support 

Teams, CBRN Enhanced Response Force Packages, and Homeland Response Forces as well as 

Title 10 Task Force Operations. This briefing should also include the cost, scope and schedule for 

the fielding of this mission essential equipment for fiscal years 2023 to 2028.
- 22 -

General Officer Promotion Process Transparency.

The committee is concerned with the transparency of the process in place in the services for 

selection of general and flag officer candidates to three-star and four-star and their further selection 

for specific positions within the service or in a joint duty position at that grade, and the process 

used to forward the selections for formal nominations. The committee understands that each 

service has a general or flag officer matters office and would want to understand what part that 

office has in the overall process for selections. Therefore, the committee directs the Secretary of 

each military department to provide a briefing to the House Committee on Armed Services by 

March 1, 2024, that describes the service’s internal process for selection of an officer from two-star 

to three-star grade and from three-star to four-star grade and for the formal nomination of such an 

officer to the Senate for confirmation to include required interviews with senior leaders.

Guam Overseas Cost of Living Allowance Adjustment Report.

The committee is concerned that reductions in the Overseas Cost of Living Allowance in Guam 

would have a negative impact on quality of life for service members, and have an outsized impact 

on the local economy. The committee directs the Secretary of Defense to submit a report to the 

House Committee on Armed Services, by December 1, 2023, outlining what authorities the 

Secretary of Defense has to prevent a reduction in the Overseas Cost of Living Allowance for 

service members in Guam, and how economic factors including Typhoon Mawar and shipping 

challenges have been factored into any adjustment to the Overseas Cost of Living Allowance for 

Guam.

Remotely Piloted Aircraft Crews Tax Relief.

The committee is concerned that remotely piloted aircraft (RPA) crews are conducting combat 

missions and experiencing many of the stressors of combat; however, they are not currently 

eligible to earn the same tax-free income as those who are physically in a combat zone. Therefore 

the committee directs the Secretary of Defense to submit a report to the House Committee on 

Armed Services not later than March 1, 2024, on the following:

(1) a comparison of the duties between RPA crews supporting operations

from domestic locations or those in combat zones;

(2) a comparison of the income disparities between RPA crews

and those who are physically in a combat zone;

(3) an assessment on where the authority lies to expand the

Combat Zone Tax Exclusion eligibility and rationale for how the

Department of Defense is exercising them; and

(4) any additional information the Secretary determines appropriate.

Report on Congressional Increases to Defense Spending.

The committee directs the Secretary of Defense to submit a report to the congressional defense 

committees, as an unclassified appendix to the fiscal year 2025 Department of Defense budget 

request, on the programs and activities of the Department for which Congress provided 

authorization or appropriations levels in the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 

2024 or the fiscal year 2024 Defense Appropriations Act that exceeded the amount requested for 

such program or activity in the budget for the Department of Defense submitted to Congress by the 

President for fiscal year 2024. The report shall include information on:

(1) any program or activity that the Department of Defense

sought to divest from entirely or in part, or requested zero or a reduced

number of units, but that was restored wholly or in part by

Congress;

(2) any program or activity that Congress authorized or appropriated

at a level exceeding the amount requested by the Department

of Defense in its fiscal year 2024 budget request by $20.0 million

or more, and the sum of these increases expressed as a percentage

of the Department of Defense’s total enacted budget; and
- 23 -

(3) each program or activity listed in this report shall include an

assessment of whether and how the program or activity does or

does not meet requirements in support of the priorities articulated

in the 2022 National Defense Strategy.

In addition to being appended to the Department of Defense’s fiscal

year 2025 budget request, this report shall be made publicly

available on the website of the Under Secretary of Defense (Comptroller).

Cooperation Among U.S. Defense Partners.

The committee recognizes the importance of providing military training and capacity building to 

Taiwan to enhance its self-defense capabilities across all domains. With the assistance of the

United States, Taiwan has made significant improvements. The committee also notes that some 

United States partners face security challenges that are similar to those of Taiwan and may be

able to provide specialized training and advice. Therefore, the committee directs the Secretary of 

Defense to provide a briefing to the House Armed Services Committee not later than January 1, 

2024, about the ways in which the Department can encourage and work with partner countries to 

provide advice and assistance to Taiwan. The briefing shall include efforts to address security 

challenges involving cybersecurity, reserve force management and conscription, counterdisinformation campaigns, and civil missile defense.

Explanation of Funding Adjustments.

The committee recommends the inclusion of funding for the following projects requested by the 

Department of the Army for the National Guard and Reserve components but not contained in the 

budget request for military construction and family housing:

(1) $40,000,000 for a Network Enterprise Center at Fort Hunter Liggett, California;

(2) $11,000,000 for a Camp Blanding Automated Multipurpose Machine Gun Range at 

Camp Blanding, Florida;

(3) $40,000,000 for an Army Reserve Center at USMC Logistics Base Albany, Georgia; and

(4) $16,400,000 for a Vehicle Maintenance Shop at Burlington, Kentucky;

The committee also recommends the inclusion of funding for the following planning and design 

activities requested by the Department of the Army and the National Guard and Reserve 

components but not contained in the budget request for military construction:

(1) $1,200,000 for a Training Aids Center at Camp Blanding, Florida;

(2) $840,000 for a Wedge Infantry Squad Battle Course at Camp Blanding, Florida;

(3) $1,800,000 for an National Guard Readiness Center at Shawnee Readiness Center, 

Oklahoma;

(4) $1,550,000 for a FTIG Auto MPMG Range at Fort Indiantown Gap, Pennsylvania; and

(5) $2,685,000 for a General Purpose Instruction Building at Fort Hood, Texas

The budget request submitted by the Department of the Army for the National Guard component 

also included $34,286,000 for planning and design activities at unspecified worldwide locations. 

The committee recommends an authorization of appropriation of $44,686,000, an increase of 

$10,400,000, for planning and design activities at unspecified worldwide locations.

The budget request submitted by the Department of the Army for the National Guard component 

included $63,000,000 for Unspecified Minor Construction at unspecified worldwide locations. The 

committee recommends an authorization of appropriation of $88,000,000, an increase of 

$25,000,000, which includes $15,000,000 for Unspecified Minor Military Construction Demolition, 

and an increase of $10,000,000, for Unspecified Minor Construction at unspecified worldwide 

locations.

The budget request submitted by the Army for the Reserve included $14,687,000 for Unspecified 

Minor Construction at unspecified worldwide locations. The committee recommends an 
- 24 -

authorization of appropriation of $29,687,000, which includes an increase of $10,000,000 for 

Unspecified Minor Construction at unspecified worldwide locations and $5,000,000 for Unspecified 

Minor Military Construction Demolition.

The committee also recommends authorizing $90,000,000 million for a Lexington Armory National 

Guard Readiness Center Addition/Alteration at Lexington Avenue Armory, New York. However, the 

committee believes that the Department of the Army cannot fully expend the requested funding in 

fiscal year 2024, and therefore, consistent with committee practice, recommends an appropriation 

of $45,000,000 for a Lexington Armory National Guard Readiness Center Addition/Alteration at 

Lexington Avenue Armory, New York.

The committee also recommends the inclusion of $134,881,000 for Cost to Complete projects for 

the Department of the Army National Guard, and the inclusion of $23,000,000 for the Reserve, 

both requested by the Department of the Army but not contained in the budget request for military 

construction and family housing.

The budget request submitted by the Department of the Navy for the Reserve component includes 

$7,847,000 for Unspecified Minor Construction at unspecified worldwide locations. The committee 

recommends the authorization of appropriation of $22,847,000, an increase of $15,000,000, which 

includes an increase of $10,000,000, for MCNR Unspecified Minor Construction and $5,000,000

for Unspecified Minor Military Construction Demolition at unspecified worldwide locations.

The committee recommends the inclusion of funding for the following projects requested by the 

Department of the Air Force for the National Guard and Reserve components but not contained in 

the budget request for military construction and family housing:

(1) $7,000,000 for an ADAL Alert Crew Facility Hangar at Joint Base Elmendorf 

Richardson, Alaska; and

(2) $8,500,000 for a Guardian Angel POTFF Facility at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, 

Arizona;

(3) $53,553,000 for a Permanent (F-35 Multi) Construct F-35 FMS 3-Bay Clear Span 

Hangar at Ebbing Field, Arkansas;

(4) $9,269,000 for a Permanent (Multi F-35) Construct F-35 FMS AFE & Step at Ebbing 

Field, Arkansas;

(5) $12,720,000 for a Permanent (Multi F-35) Construct F-35 FMS SAPF (Secure Facility) 

at Ebbing Field, Arkansas;

(6) $22,000,000 for a Security Forces Facility at Dobbins Air Reserve Base, Georgia;

(7) $7,000,000 for a 307 Bomb Wing Medical Facility Expansion at Barksdale Air Force 

Base, Louisiana;

(8) $20,000,000 for a Special Tactics Complex, Phase 3 at Portland International Airport, 

Oregon;

(9) $11,000,000 for a Special Tactics Complex, Phase 4 at Portland International Airport, 

Oregon;

(10) $8,000,000 for an Entry Control Facility at Harrisburg International Airport, 

Pennsylvania; and

(11) $5,200,000 for a F-35: MM&I Fac, B701 at Truax Field, Wisconsin

The committee also recommends the inclusion of $600,000 for a Air National Guard F-35 

Munitions Storage Area Admin at Jacksonville International Airport, Florida (P&D) requested by the 

Department of the Air Force for the National Guard component but not contained in the budget 

request for military construction.

The budget request submitted by the Air Force for the Reserve component included $9,926,000 for 

Unspecified Minor Military Construction at unspecified worldwide locations. The committee 

recommends an authorization of appropriation of $24,926,000, which includes an increase of 
- 25 -

$10,000,000 for Unspecified Minor Military Construction at unspecified worldwide locations and 

$5,000,000 for Unspecified Minor Military Construction Demolition at unspecified worldwide

locations.

The budget request submitted by the Air Force for the National Guard component included 

$63,122,000 for Unspecified Minor Construction at unspecified worldwide locations. The committee 

recommends an authorization of appropriation of $88,122,000, which includes an increase of 

$10,000,000 for Unspecified Minor Construction at unspecified worldwide locations and 

$15,000,000 for Unspecified Minor Military Construction Demolition at unspecified worldwide 

locations.

Air National Guard Facility Modernization.

The committee notes that the Air National Guard serves a critical role as a reserve force that 

supports operational readiness, augments active duty personnel, and provides valuable capability 

to state governments. The committee also notes that to ensure these units are properly trained and 

equipped, infrastructure and facilities for the Air National Guard require the same planning for 

modernization and sustainment as active component facilities. However, the committee is 

concerned that current investment in the modernization of Air National Guard facilities and 

infrastructure is insufficient. The committee directs the Secretary of the Air Force to provide a 

briefing to the House Committee on Armed Services not later than December 1st, 2023, on facility 

modernization plans for Air National Guard installations in Alabama. The briefing shall include:

1) information on the condition of Air National Guard facilities in the state;

2) current facility needs and the impact on mission requirements, personnel safety, and the 

risk to aircraft;

3) any future infrastructure projects planned at such Air National Guard installations.

Briefing on Telecommunications Infrastructure at Alabama Army National Guard 

Facilities.

The Army National Guard serves a critical role as a Reserve force that supports operational 

readiness, augments Active Duty personnel, and provides valuable capability to State

governments. To ensure these units are properly trained and equipped, infrastructure and facilities 

for the Army National Guard require the same planning for modernization and sustainment as 

Active Component facilities. However, the committee is concerned that current investment in the 

modernization of Army National Guard facilities, and specifically in telecommunications 

infrastructure, is insufficient. The committee directs the Secretary of the Army to provide a briefing 

to the House Committee on Armed Services not later than March 31, 2024, on facility 

modernization plans for Army National Guard installations in Alabama. The briefing shall include:

(1) information on the condition of Army National Guard facilities in the State; 

(2) any impacts to training efforts from facility needs; and

(3) any future infrastructure projects planned at such Army National Guard installations.

Infrared Hardware Suppression Report.

The committee directs the Secretary of Defense to provide a report by January 31, 2024 to the 

House Committee on Armed Services on the evolving threat that portable surface-to-air missile 

systems pose to joint force and the Department of Defense’s designation of engine infrared 

suppression hardware for the C-130J, and relevant variants, as a critical modernization need to 

bolster countermeasure effectiveness and left-of-launch defeat. The report should contain the 

following information:

(1) Technical challenges and programmatic delays in fielding infrared suppression 

hardware on the AC-130J gunship variant;

(2) Whether the Department of Defense conducted no wing and engine impact analysis 

flight testing prior to selecting a non-U.S. suppressor design without the blocking vane technology 

successfully fielded on AC-130W with minimize structural fatigue;
- 26 -

(3) The risk to operational readiness and operating cost should structural failures occur as a 

result of the selected AC-130J infrared suppression hardware;

(4) The structural and lifecycle cost impact analysis conducted for the selected AC-130J 

infrared suppressor technology;

(5) The plans to field engine infrared suppression equipment across the Air Force, Air 

National Guard, Navy and Marine Corps C-130J fleets; and

(6) The compounding risk to fleetwide deployment should no approved alternative C-130J 

infrared suppression source be available and whether the testing of a secondary C-130J infrared 

suppression hardware system sourced in the United States is necessary.

Northeast Multi-Domain Operations Consortium.

The committee recognizes that electronic warfare (EW), commercial telecommunications 

capabilities, and cyber operations are key enablers for Multidomain Operations (MDO). The 

committee further recognizes that China has advanced its ability to deny, disrupt, and degrade 

U.S. underlying networks and infrastructure by developing its own multi-domain capabilities. In 

response to this operational reality, the committee is concerned by the Department of Defense’s

current lack of resources and terrain to test, evaluate, and train MDO capabilities in contested EW 

environments.

The committee notes the progress of the Northeast Regional National Security Consortium in 

creating a joint, interagency MDO training environment. The consortium endeavors to promote 

research, experimentation, and training in realistic environments that represent near-peer 

adversary EW capabilities and activities. This cooperative effort between the military, industry, 

academia, and Native American organizations, throughout a multistate region, is unique in its

approach and scope.

Therefore, the committee directs the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering, in 

coordination with the Commander, Air Force Research Laboratory, the Assistant Secretary of the 

Army for Acquisition, Technology and Logistics, and others the Under Secretary deems relevant, to

provide a briefing to the House Committee on Armed Services not later than December 31, 2023, 

on how the unique environment of the Northeast can be utilized for training in EW and MDO. The 

briefing should include:

(1) a description of the current state of non-kinetic MDO training ranges for use by the 

Department of Defense, including limitations of the Department to effectively conduct MDO at 

these ranges;

(2) an assessment of existing capabilities in the Northeast region and the potential to 

expand MDO training opportunities in the Northeast region;

(3) identification of future sites, including contractor-owned, contractor operated sites, that 

are uniquely postured for MDO training;

(4) recommendations on how to streamline continuous training, testing, and evaluation 

activities that replicate an EW-contested environment; and

(5) opportunities to enhance integration of the National Guard Bureau within the 

aforementioned constructs.

Value of Spectrum Sharing.

The Department of Defense has acknowledged that spectrum sharing solutions are the key to 

ensuring that U.S. spectrum policy meets national security and economic goals, both of which are 

critical to the Nation's future. These sharing solutions will require much more dynamic operations 

than have previously been employed, including sharing among Department users, as well as 

sharing between Federal and non-Federal users. To facilitate this, the Department should pursue 

research and development and prototyping projects, in partnership with industry, that could lead to 

joint development of wireless technology and management solutions that create dual-use 

capabilities and services. If aligned with spectrum policy decisions, these dual-use capabilities 
- 27 -

could be developed with both Federal and non-Federal uses that have dynamic spectrum sharing 

capabilities built directly into the hardware.

Review of the Department of Defense's Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Programs.

The committee notes the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff has calculated the total cost in 

dollars and man-hours for the Extremism Standdown on February 5, 2021, and training in diversity, 

equity, and inclusion (DEI) topics since January 21, 2021. Therefore, the committee directs the 

Secretary of Defense to submit a report to the House Committee on Armed Services by March 1, 

2024, that includes the following:

(1) total cost of DEI training in manpower hours for the last 5 fiscal years.

(2) total cost in dollars for all training conducted in DEI, equal opportunity, and extremism 

for the last 5 fiscal years.

(3) total civilian hires and salaries for DEI-related initiatives, trainings, and policies across 

the Department of Defense and military services in the last 5 fiscal years.

(3) how the objectives of the DEI and extremism training conducted in the last 5 fiscal years 

were satisfied by the training.

(4) if and how DEI and extremism training has impacted recruitment, accessions, 

promotions, and/or separations, to include administrative separations and/or courts-martial for 

violating extremism conduct orders or regulations.

(5) a description of the current (for fiscal year 2023) DEI training each service conducts, 

how the training curriculum is chosen and/or developed, and how the services measure its 

effectiveness.

Sexual Assault and Harassment in Joint Task Forces Support Forces Antarctica.

The committee is concerned about recent reports regarding incidents of sexual harassment and 

sexual assault involving service members occurring within the National Science Foundation’s 

(NSF) United States Antarctic Program (USAP).

The committee recognizes that service members in the Air Force, Air National Guard, Air Force 

Reserve Command, Navy, and Coast Guard, serving under the direction of Joint Task Forces 

Support Forces Antarctica, as part of Operation Deep Freeze, provide important support to the 

critical research occurring at the South Pole.

In June 2022, the NSF’s Office of Polar Programs released their final Sexual Assault/Harassment 

Prevention and Response (SAHPR) report, which included findings based on information gathered 

through multiple avenues, including focus groups and an online survey that was provided to both 

civilian USAP participants and 3 military units who had previously been located in Antarctica.

The committee is concerned about the report’s findings regarding perceptions held by civilian 

USAP participants on the behaviors and accountability of service members in Antarctica.

The committee directs the Secretary of Defense to provide a briefing to the House Armed Services 

Committee by March 31, 2024 on the following:

(1) Since Fiscal Year 2018, the total number of substantiated incidents of sexual 

harassment harassment/sexual assault involving service members under the command of Joint 

Task Forces Support Forces Antarctica, including:

a. The number of substantiated reports against service members made by non-Defense 

personnel.

b. The resolution of substantiated reports of sexual misconduct and the average timeframe 

it took to come to a resolution; and

c. The number of reports unresolved or pending and how long those cases have been 

open.

(2) Overview of cross agency reporting procedures and requirements for instances of 

sexual misconduct.
- 28 -

(3) Standards that the Department has instituted to ensure interagency cooperation, 

communication, and transparency regarding incidents of sexual misconduct.

(4) Plan of action and implementation guidelines for increasing interagency outreach on 

reporting mechanisms for sexual misconduct by service members.

Study on Department of Defense Reinstatement with Backpay and Bonus, for Service 

Members Separated for Refusal to get the COVID Vaccine Report.

The committee is concerned about the lapse in recruiting that jeopardizes national security. 

According to the committee service secretary and budget meeting, numerous incentive programs 

have been executed to no-avail. allegations regarding military attorneys, who may have violated 

the ethical standards for lawyers in accordance with the American Bar association and/or their 

State Bar licensure.

Therefore, the committee directs the Secretaries of the Military Departments and the Secretary of 

Homeland Security to conduct an independently sourced report and submit the report to the 

Committee on Armed Services of the House of Representatives not later than April 1, 2024, which 

shall include the following:

1) An exact number of service members discharged for refusing the coronavirus vaccine.

2) The military occupation of each person discharged for coronavirus vaccine refusal to 

include, their rank, duty station, payrate, and estimated cost to retain on an annual basis each 

person by the Department of Defense.

3) The estimated cost to recruit, train, and house a new service member to replace the 

individuals discharged and reaching the exact rank of those discharged for vaccine refusal. The 

analysis should incorporate new bonuses, and incentive programs constituted to spur enlistment.

4) The exact number of service members who lost their lives due to the coronavirus and 

contrasted with the number discharged for refusing the vaccine, with a financial and human tool 

cost analysis, including family impact on healthcare, housing, and childcare.

5) What impact did the discharges have on the families of those discharged for vaccine 

refusal.

6) An analysis as to if the discharges hindered military readiness, training, or combat 

operations.

7) The impact of offering promotions, backpay, and $15,000 bonuses for those seeking 

reenlistment after discharge for vaccine status.

8) Any potential funding concerns the Department of Defense Inspector General has raised 

regarding waste fraud and abuse within a that could serve as a funding offset.

Review of the Department of Defense’s Telework Policy Compliance.

The committee directs the Secretary of Defense to review current telework policies and telework 

locations of employees to ensure that an employee is not receiving a higher General Schedule 

(GS) locality pay than that of the area in which they reside and perform their telework duties and 

brief the Senate Committee on Armed Services and the House Committee on Armed Services by 

January 5, 2024, on those findings. The committee also directs the Secretary of Defense to review 

telework agreements of all employees to ensure proper agreement and arrangements are in place 

regarding their telework abilities, eligibility, and location and brief the Senate Committee on Armed 

Services and the House Committee on Armed Services by January 5, 2024.