†
275
HR 1585 PP
SEC. 673. REPORT ON UTILIZATION OF TUITION ASSIST-
ANCE BY MEMBERS OF THE ARMED FORCES.
(a) REPORTS REQUIRED.—Not later than April 1,
2008, the Secretary of each military department shall sub-
mit to the congressional defense committees a report on the
utilization of tuition assistance by members of the Armed
Forces, whether in the regular components if the Armed
Forces or the reserve components of the Armed Forces, under
the jurisdiction of such military department during fiscal
year 2007.
(b) ELEMENTS.—The report with respect to a military
department under subsection (a) shall include the following:
(1) Information on the policies of such military
department for fiscal year 2007 regarding utilization
of, and limits on, tuition assistance by members of the
Armed Forces under the jurisdiction of such military
department, including an estimate of the number of
members of the reserve components of the Armed
Forces under the jurisdiction of such military depart-
ment whose requests for tuition assistance during that
fiscal year were unfunded.
(2) Information on the policies of such military
department for fiscal year 2007 regarding funding of
tuition assistance for each of the regular components
of the Armed Forces and each of the reserve compo-
†
276
HR 1585 PP
nents of the Armed Forces under the jurisdiction of
such military department.
SEC. 674. ENHANCEMENT OF EDUCATION BENEFITS FOR
CERTAIN MEMBERS OF RESERVE COMPO-
NENTS.
(a) ACCELERATED PAYMENT OF EDUCATIONAL AS-
SISTANCE FOR MEMBERS OF THE SELECTED RESERVE.—
(1) IN
GENERAL.—Chapter 1606 of title 10,
United States Code, is amended by inserting after sec-
tion 16131 the following new section:
‘‘§ 16131A. Accelerated payment of educational assist-
ance
‘‘(a) The educational assistance allowance payable
under section 16131 of this title with respect to an eligible
person described in subsection (b) may, upon the election
of such eligible person, be paid on an accelerated basis in
accordance with this section.
‘‘(b) An eligible person described in this subsection is
a person entitled to educational assistance under this chap-
ter who is—
‘‘(1) enrolled in an approved program of edu-
cation not exceeding two years in duration and not
leading to an associate, bachelors, masters, or other
degree, subject to subsection (g); and
†
277
HR 1585 PP
‘‘(2) charged tuition and fees for the program of
education that, when divided by the number of
months (and fractions thereof) in the enrollment pe-
riod, exceeds the amount equal to 200 percent of the
monthly rate of educational assistance allowance oth-
erwise payable with respect to the person under sec-
tion 16131 of this title.
‘‘(c)(1) The amount of the accelerated payment of edu-
cational assistance payable with respect to an eligible per-
son making an election under subsection (a) for a program
of education shall be the lesser of—
‘‘(A) the amount equal to 60 percent of the estab-
lished charges for the program of education; or
‘‘(B) the aggregate amount of educational assist-
ance allowance to which the person remains entitled
under this chapter at the time of the payment.
‘‘(2)(A) In this subsection, except as provided in sub-
paragraph (B), the term ‘established charges’, in the case
of a program of education, means the actual charges (as
determined pursuant to regulations prescribed by the Sec-
retary) for tuition and fees which similarly circumstanced
individuals who are not eligible for benefits under this
chapter and who are enrolled in the program of education
would be required to pay. Established charges shall be deter-
mined on the following basis:
†
278
HR 1585 PP
‘‘(i) In the case of an individual enrolled in a
program of education offered on a term, quarter, or
semester basis, the tuition and fees charged the indi-
vidual for the term, quarter, or semester.
‘‘(ii) In the case of an individual enrolled in a
program of education not offered on a term, quarter,
or semester basis, the tuition and fees charged the in-
dividual for the entire program of education.
‘‘(B) In this subsection, the term ‘established charges’
does not include any fees or payments attributable to the
purchase of a vehicle.
‘‘(3) The educational institution providing the pro-
gram of education for which an accelerated payment of edu-
cational assistance allowance is elected by an eligible person
under subsection (a) shall certify to the Secretary of Vet-
erans Affairs the amount of the established charges for the
program of education.
‘‘(d) An accelerated payment of educational assistance
allowance made with respect to an eligible person under this
section for a program of education shall be made not later
than the last day of the month immediately following the
month in which the Secretary of Veterans Affairs receives
a certification from the educational institution regarding—
‘‘(1) the person’s enrollment in and pursuit of
the program of education; and
†
279
HR 1585 PP
‘‘(2) the amount of the established charges for the
program of education.
‘‘(e)(1) Except as provided in paragraph (2), for each
accelerated payment of educational assistance allowance
made with respect to an eligible person under this section,
the person’s entitlement to educational assistance under this
chapter shall be charged the number of months (and any
fraction thereof) determined by dividing the amount of the
accelerated payment by the full-time monthly rate of edu-
cational assistance allowance otherwise payable with re-
spect to the person under section 16131 of this title as of
the beginning date of the enrollment period for the program
of education for which the accelerated payment is made.
‘‘(2) If the monthly rate of educational assistance al-
lowance otherwise payable with respect to an eligible person
under section 16131 of this title increases during the enroll-
ment period of a program of education for which an acceler-
ated payment of educational assistance allowance is made
under this section, the charge to the person’s entitlement
to educational assistance under this chapter shall be deter-
mined by prorating the entitlement chargeable, in the man-
ner provided for under paragraph (1), for the periods cov-
ered by the initial rate and increased rate, respectively, in
accordance with regulations prescribed by the Secretary of
Veterans Affairs.
†
280
HR 1585 PP
‘‘(f) The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall prescribe
regulations to carry out this section. The regulations shall
include requirements, conditions, and methods for the re-
quest, issuance, delivery, certification of receipt and use,
and recovery of overpayment of an accelerated payment of
educational assistance allowance under this section. The
regulations may include such elements of the regulations
prescribed under section 3014A of title 38 as the Secretary
of Veterans Affairs considers appropriate for purposes of
this section.
‘‘(g) The aggregate amount of educational assistance
payable under this section in any fiscal year for enroll-
ments covered by subsection (b)(1) may not exceed
$4,000,000.’’.
(2) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The table of sec-
tions at the beginning of chapter 1606 of such title is
amended by inserting after the item relating to sec-
tion 16131 the following new item:
‘‘16131A. Accelerated payment of educational assistance.’’.
(3) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The amendments made
by this subsection shall take effect on October 1, 2008,
and shall only apply to initial enrollments in ap-
proved programs of education after such date.
(b) ACCELERATED PAYMENT OF EDUCATIONAL AS-
SISTANCE
FOR RESERVE COMPONENT MEMBERS SUP-
†
281
HR 1585 PP
PORTING CONTINGENCY OPERATIONS AND OTHER OPER-
ATIONS.—
(1) IN
GENERAL.—Chapter 1607 of title 10,
United States Code, is amended by inserting after sec-
tion 16162 the following new section:
‘‘§ 16162A. Accelerated payment of educational assist-
ance
‘‘(a) The educational assistance allowance payable
under section 16162 of this title with respect to an eligible
member described in subsection (b) may, upon the election
of such eligible member, be paid on an accelerated basis in
accordance with this section.
‘‘(b) An eligible member described in this subsection
is a member of a reserve component entitled to educational
assistance under this chapter who is—
‘‘(1) enrolled in an approved program of edu-
cation not exceeding two years in duration and not
leading to an associate, bachelors, masters, or other
degree, subject to subsection (g); and
‘‘(2) charged tuition and fees for the program of
education that, when divided by the number of
months (and fractions thereof) in the enrollment pe-
riod, exceeds the amount equal to 200 percent of the
monthly rate of educational assistance allowance oth-
†
282
HR 1585 PP
erwise payable with respect to the member under sec-
tion 16162 of this title.
‘‘(c)(1) The amount of the accelerated payment of edu-
cational assistance payable with respect to an eligible mem-
ber making an election under subsection (a) for a program
of education shall be the lesser of—
‘‘(A) the amount equal to 60 percent of the estab-
lished charges for the program of education; or
‘‘(B) the aggregate amount of educational assist-
ance allowance to which the member remains entitled
under this chapter at the time of the payment.
‘‘(2)(A) In this subsection, except as provided in sub-
paragraph (B), the term ‘established charges’, in the case
of a program of education, means the actual charges (as
determined pursuant to regulations prescribed by the Sec-
retary) for tuition and fees which similarly circumstanced
individuals who are not eligible for benefits under this
chapter and who are enrolled in the program of education
would be required to pay. Established charges shall be deter-
mined on the following basis:
‘‘(i) In the case of an individual enrolled in a
program of education offered on a term, quarter, or
semester basis, the tuition and fees charged the indi-
vidual for the term, quarter, or semester.
†
283
HR 1585 PP
‘‘(ii) In the case of an individual enrolled in a
program of education not offered on a term, quarter,
or semester basis, the tuition and fees charged the in-
dividual for the entire program of education.
‘‘(B) In this subsection, the term ‘established charges’
does not include any fees or payments attributable to the
purchase of a vehicle.
‘‘(3) The educational institution providing the pro-
gram of education for which an accelerated payment of edu-
cational assistance allowance is elected by an eligible mem-
ber under subsection (a) shall certify to the Secretary of
Veterans Affairs the amount of the established charges for
the program of education.
‘‘(d) An accelerated payment of educational assistance
allowance made with respect to an eligible member under
this section for a program of education shall be made not
later than the last day of the month immediately following
the month in which the Secretary of Veterans Affairs re-
ceives a certification from the educational institution
regarding—
‘‘(1) the member’s enrollment in and pursuit of
the program of education; and
‘‘(2) the amount of the established charges for the
program of education.
†
284
HR 1585 PP
‘‘(e)(1) Except as provided in paragraph (2), for each
accelerated payment of educational assistance allowance
made with respect to an eligible member under this section,
the member’s entitlement to educational assistance under
this chapter shall be charged the number of months (and
any fraction thereof) determined by dividing the amount
of the accelerated payment by the full-time monthly rate
of educational assistance allowance otherwise payable with
respect to the member under section 16162 of this title as
of the beginning date of the enrollment period for the pro-
gram of education for which the accelerated payment is
made.
‘‘(2) If the monthly rate of educational assistance al-
lowance otherwise payable with respect to an eligible mem-
ber under section 16162 of this title increases during the
enrollment period of a program of education for which an
accelerated payment of educational assistance allowance is
made under this section, the charge to the member’s entitle-
ment to educational assistance under this chapter shall be
determined by prorating the entitlement chargeable, in the
manner provided for under paragraph (1), for the periods
covered by the initial rate and increased rate, respectively,
in accordance with regulations prescribed by the Secretary
of Veterans Affairs.
†
285
HR 1585 PP
‘‘(f) The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall prescribe
regulations to carry out this section. The regulations shall
include requirements, conditions, and methods for the re-
quest, issuance, delivery, certification of receipt and use,
and recovery of overpayment of an accelerated payment of
educational assistance allowance under this section. The
regulations may include such elements of the regulations
prescribed under section 3014A of title 38 as the Secretary
of Veterans Affairs considers appropriate for purposes of
this section.
‘‘(g) The aggregate amount of educational assistance
payable under this section in any fiscal year for enroll-
ments covered by subsection (b)(1) may not exceed
$3,000,000.’’.
(2) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The table of sec-
tions at the beginning of chapter 1607 of such title is
amended by inserting after the item relating to sec-
tion 16162 the following new item:
‘‘16162A. Accelerated payment of educational assistance.’’.
(3) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The amendments made
by this subsection shall take effect on October 1, 2008,
and shall only apply to initial enrollments in ap-
proved programs of education after such date.
(c) ENHANCEMENT OF EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE FOR
RESERVE COMPONENT MEMBERS SUPPORTING CONTIN-
GENCY OPERATIONS AND OTHER OPERATIONS.—
†
286
HR 1585 PP
(1) ASSISTANCE FOR THREE YEARS CUMULATIVE
SERVICE.—Subsection (c)(4)(C) of section 16162 of
title 10, United States Code, is amended by striking
‘‘for two continuous years or more.’’ and inserting
‘‘for—
‘‘(i) two continuous years or more; or
‘‘(ii) an aggregate of three years or more.’’.
(2) CONTRIBUTIONS FOR INCREASED AMOUNT OF
EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE.—Such section is further
amended by adding at the end the following new sub-
section:
‘‘(f) CONTRIBUTIONS
FOR INCREASED AMOUNT
OF
EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE.—(1)(A) Any individual eligi-
ble for educational assistance under this section may con-
tribute amounts for purposes of receiving an increased
amount of educational assistance as provided for in para-
graph (2).
‘‘(B) An individual covered by subparagraph (A) may
make the contributions authorized by that subparagraph at
any time while a member of a reserve component, but not
more frequently than monthly.
‘‘(C) The total amount of the contributions made by
an individual under subparagraph (A) may not exceed
$600. Such contributions shall be made in multiples of $20.
†
287
HR 1585 PP
‘‘(D) Contributions under this subsection shall be made
to the Secretary concerned. Such Secretary shall deposit
any amounts received as contributions under this subsection
into the Treasury as miscellaneous receipts.
‘‘(2) Effective as of the first day of the enrollment pe-
riod following the enrollment period in which an individual
makes contributions under paragraph (1), the monthly
amount of educational assistance allowance applicable to
such individual under this section shall be the monthly rate
otherwise provided for under subsection (c) increased by—
‘‘(A) an amount equal to $5 for each $20 con-
tributed by such individual under paragraph (1) for
an approved program of education pursued on a full-
time basis; or
‘‘(B) an appropriately reduced amount based on
the amount so contributed as determined under regu-
lations that the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall
prescribe, for an approved program of education pur-
sued on less than a full-time basis.’’.
SEC. 675. EXTENSION OF PERIOD OF ENTITLEMENT TO
EDUCATIONAL 
ASSISTANCE 
FOR 
CERTAIN
MEMBERS OF THE SELECTED RESERVE AF-
FECTED BY FORCE SHAPING INITIATIVES.
Section 16133(b)(1)(B) of title 10, United States Code,
is amended by inserting ‘‘or the period beginning on Octo-
†
288
HR 1585 PP
ber 1, 2007, and ending on September 30, 2014,’’ after ‘‘De-
cember 31, 2001,’’.
SEC. 676. MODIFICATION OF TIME LIMIT FOR USE OF ENTI-
TLEMENT TO EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE FOR
RESERVE 
COMPONENT 
MEMBERS 
SUP-
PORTING CONTINGENCY OPERATIONS AND
OTHER OPERATIONS.
(a) MODIFICATION.—Section 16164(a) of title 10,
United States Code, is amended by striking ‘‘this chapter
while serving—’’ and all that follows and inserting ‘‘this
chapter—
‘‘(1) while the member is serving—
‘‘(A) in the Selected Reserve of the Ready
Reserve, in the case of a member called or or-
dered to active service while serving in the Se-
lected Reserve; or
‘‘(B) in the Ready Reserve, in the case of a
member ordered to active duty while serving in
the Ready Reserve (other than the Selected Re-
serve); and
‘‘(2) in the case of a person who separates from
the Selected Reserve of the Ready Reserve after com-
pletion of a period of active service described in sec-
tion 16163 of this title and completion of a service
contract under other than dishonorable conditions,
†
289
HR 1585 PP
during the 10-year period beginning on the date on
which the person separates from the Selected Re-
serve.’’.
(b) CONFORMING AMENDMENT.—Paragraph (2) of sec-
tion 16165(a) of such title is amended to read as follows:
‘‘(2) when the member separates from the Ready
Reserve as provided in section 16164(a)(1) of this
title, or upon completion of the period provided for in
section 16164(a)(2) of this title, as applicable.’’.
(c) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The amendments made by this
section shall take effect on October 28, 2004, as if included
in the enactment of the Ronald W. Reagan National Defense
Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2005 (Public Law 108–
375), to which such amendments relate.
Subtitle F—Other Matters
SEC. 681. ENHANCEMENT OF AUTHORITIES ON INCOME RE-
PLACEMENT PAYMENTS FOR RESERVES EXPE-
RIENCING EXTENDED AND FREQUENT MOBI-
LIZATION FOR ACTIVE-DUTY SERVICE.
(a) CLARIFICATION OF GENERAL AUTHORITY.—Sub-
section (a) of section 910 of title 37, United States Code,
is amended by inserting ‘‘, when the total monthly military
compensation of the member is less than the average month-
ly civilian income’’ after ‘‘by the Secretary’’.
†
290
HR 1585 PP
(b) ELIGIBILITY.—Subsection (b) of such section is
amended to read as follows:
‘‘(b) ELIGIBILITY.—Subject to subsection (c), a reserve
component member is entitled to a payment under this sec-
tion for any full month of active duty of the member—
‘‘(1) while on active duty under an involuntary
mobilization order, following the date on which the
member—
‘‘(A) completes 18 continuous months of
service on active duty under such an order;
‘‘(B) completes 730 cumulative days of serv-
ice on active duty under such an order during
the previous 1,826 days; or
‘‘(C) is involuntarily mobilized for service
on active duty for a period of 180 days or more
within 180 days following the member’s separa-
tion from a previous period of involuntary active
duty for period of 180 days or more; or
‘‘(2) while retained on active duty under sub-
paragraph (A) or (B) of section 12301(h)(1) of title
10 because of an injury or illness incurred or aggra-
vated while deployed to an area designated for special
pay under section 310 of this title after becoming en-
titled to income replacement pay under paragraph
(1).’’.
†
291
HR 1585 PP
(c) TERMINATION.—Subsection (g) of such section is
amended to read as follows:
‘‘(g) TERMINATION OF AUTHORITY.—Payment under
this section shall only be made for service performed on or
before December 31, 2008.’’.
SEC. 682. OVERSEAS NATURALIZATION OF MILITARY FAM-
ILY MEMBERS.
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 319 of the Immigration
and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1430) is amended by adding
at the end the following new subsection:
‘‘(e) Any person who is lawfully admitted for perma-
nent residence, is the spouse or child of a member of the
Armed Forces, and is authorized to accompany such mem-
ber and reside in a foreign country with the member pursu-
ant to the member’s official orders, and who is so accom-
panying and residing with the member (in marital union
if a spouse), may be naturalized upon compliance with all
the requirements of this title except that the person’s resi-
dence and physical presence in such foreign country shall
be treated as residence and physical presence in the United
States or any State for the purpose of satisfying the require-
ments of section 316 or 322 for naturalization and for the
purpose 
of 
satisfying 
the 
requirements 
of 
section
101(a)(13)(C)(i) or (ii).’’.
†
292
HR 1585 PP
(b) OVERSEAS NATURALIZATION AUTHORITY.—Sec-
tion 1701(d) of the National Defense Authorization Act for
Fiscal Year 2004 (8 U.S.C. 1443a) is amended by inserting
‘‘, and persons eligible to meet the residence or physical
presence requirements for naturalization pursuant to sub-
section (e) of section 319 of the Immigration and Nation-
ality Act (8 U.S.C. 1430),’’ after ‘‘Armed Forces’’.
(c) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The amendments made by this
section shall take effect on the date of enactment of this Act
and apply to any application of naturalization pending be-
fore the Secretary of Homeland Security on or after the date
of enactment.
SEC. 683. NATIONAL GUARD YELLOW RIBBON REINTEGRA-
TION PROGRAM.
(a) ESTABLISHMENT.—The Secretary of Defense shall
establish a national combat veteran reintegration program
to provide National Guard and Reserve members and their
families with sufficient information, services, referral, and
proactive outreach opportunities throughout the entire de-
ployment cycle. This program shall be known as the Yellow
Ribbon Reintegration Program.
(b) PURPOSE.—The Yellow Ribbon Reintegration Pro-
gram shall consist of informational events and activities for
Reserve Component members, their families, and commu-
nity members to facilitate access to services supporting their
†
293
HR 1585 PP
health and well-being through the four phases of the deploy-
ment cycle:
(1) Pre-Deployment.
(2) Deployment.
(3) Demobilization.
(4) Post-Deployment-Reconstitution.
(c) ORGANIZATION.—
(1) EXECUTIVE AGENT.—The Secretary shall des-
ignate the OSD (P&R) as the Department of Defense
executive agent for the Yellow Ribbon Reintegration
Program.
(2) ESTABLISHMENT OF THE OFFICE FOR RE-
INTEGRATION PROGRAMS.—
(A) IN GENERAL.—The OSD (P&R) shall
establish the Office for Reintegration Programs
within the OSD. The office shall administer all
reintegration programs in coordination with
State National Guard organizations. The office
shall be responsible for coordination with exist-
ing National Guard and Reserve family and
support programs. The Directors of the Army
National Guard and Air National Guard and
the Chiefs of the Army Reserve, Marine Corps
Reserve, Navy Reserve and Air Force Reserve
may appoint liaison officers to coordinate with