JROTC Cyber Training Act

To direct the Secretary of Defense to carry out a program to enhance the preparation of students in the Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps for careers in computer science and cybersecurity, and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the JROTC Cyber Training Act 2. JROTC computer science and cybersecurity program (a) Program required (1) In general Chapter 102 2036. Computer science and cybersecurity program (a) Requirement The Secretary of Defense shall carry out a program to enhance the preparation of students in the Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps for careers in computer science and cybersecurity. (b) Coordination In carrying out the program, the Secretary shall coordinate with the following: (1) The Secretaries of the military departments. (2) The Secretary of Education. (3) The National Science Foundation. (4) The heads of such other Federal, State, and local government entities the Secretary of Defense determines appropriate. (5) Private sector organizations the Secretary of Defense determines appropriate. (c) Activities Activities under the program may include the following: (1) Establishment of targeted internships and cooperative research opportunities in computer science and cybersecurity at defense laboratories and other technical centers for students in and instructors of the Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps. (2) Funding for training and other supports for instructors to teach evidence-based courses in computer science and cybersecurity to students. (3) Efforts and activities that improve the quality of cybersecurity and computer science educational, training opportunities, and curricula for students and instructors. (4) Development of travel opportunities, demonstrations, mentoring programs, and informal computer science and cybersecurity education for students and instructors. (d) Metrics The Secretary shall establish outcome-based metrics and internal and external assessments to evaluate the merits and benefits of activities conducted under the program with respect to the needs of the Department of Defense. (e) Authorities In carrying out the program, the Secretary shall, to the maximum extent practicable, make use of the authorities under chapter 111 and sections 2601, 2605, and 2374a of this title, section 219 of the Duncan Hunter National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2009 ( Public Law 110–417 10 U.S.C. 2358 . (2) Clerical amendment The table of sections at the beginning of chapter 102 of such title is amended by adding at the end the following new item: 2036. Computer science and cybersecurity program. . (b) Report Not later than two years after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense shall submit to the Committees on Armed Services of the Senate and the House of Representatives a report on activities carried out under the program on computer science and cybersecurity for the Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps required by section 2036 of title 10, United States Code (as added by subsection (a)).

Summary: JROTC Cyber Training Act This bill directs the Department of Defense to implement a program to prepare Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps students for careers in computer science and cybersecurity. The program may include such elements as internships and cooperative research opportunities, funding for training of instructors, activities to improve the quality of training in these fields, and informal education.