H. R. 1735—66 
‘‘(6) The term ‘landowner’ means a person or other legal 
entity that owns a fee interest in real property on which a 
proposed energy project is planned to be located.’’. 
SEC. 315. EXCLUSIONS FROM DEFINITION OF ‘‘CHEMICAL SUBSTANCE’’ 
UNDER TOXIC SUBSTANCES CONTROL ACT. 
Section 3(2)(B)(v) of the Toxic Substances Control Act (15 U.S.C. 
2602(2)(B)(v)) is amended by striking ‘‘, and’’ and inserting ‘‘and 
any component of such an article (limited to shot shells, cartridges, 
and components of shot shells and cartridges), and’’. 
Subtitle C—Logistics and Sustainment 
SEC. 322. REPEAL OF LIMITATION ON AUTHORITY TO ENTER INTO 
A CONTRACT FOR THE SUSTAINMENT, MAINTENANCE, 
REPAIR, OR OVERHAUL OF THE F117 ENGINE. 
Section 341 of the Carl Levin and Howard P. ‘‘Buck’’ McKeon 
National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2015 (Public 
Law 113–291; 128 Stat. 3345) is repealed. 
SEC. 323. PILOT PROGRAMS FOR AVAILABILITY OF WORKING-CAPITAL 
FUNDS FOR PRODUCT IMPROVEMENTS. 
(a) PILOT PROGRAMS REQUIRED.—During fiscal year 2016, each 
of the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Acquisition, Logistics, 
and Technology, the Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Research, 
Development, and Acquisition, and the Assistant Secretary of the 
Air Force for Acquisition shall initiate a pilot program pursuant 
to section 330 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal 
Year 2008 (Public Law 110–181; 122 Stat. 68), as amended by 
section 332 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal 
Year 2013 (Public Law 112–239; 126 Stat. 1697). 
(b) LIMITATION ON AVAILABILITY OF FUNDS.—A minimum of 
$5,000,000 of working-capital funds shall be used for each of the 
pilot programs initiated under subsection (a) for fiscal year 2016. 
Subtitle D—Reports 
SEC. 331. MODIFICATION OF ANNUAL REPORT ON PREPOSITIONED 
MATERIEL AND EQUIPMENT. 
Section 2229a(a)(8) of title 10, United States Code, is amended 
to read as follows: 
‘‘(8) A list of any equipment used in support of contingency 
operations slated for retrograde and subsequent inclusion in 
the prepositioned stocks.’’. 
SEC. 332. REPORT ON MERGER OF OFFICE OF ASSISTANT SECRETARY 
FOR OPERATIONAL ENERGY PLANS AND DEPUTY UNDER 
SECRETARY FOR INSTALLATIONS AND ENVIRONMENT. 
The Secretary of Defense shall submit to Congress a report 
on the merger of the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense 
for Operational Energy Plans and the Office of the Deputy Under 
Secretary of Defense for Installations and Environment under sec-
tion 901 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 
2015 (Public Law 113–291; 128 Stat. 3462). Such report shall 
include—
H. R. 1735—67 
(1) a description of how the office is implementing its 
responsibilities under sections 138(b)(9), 138(c), and 2925(b) 
of title 10, United States Code, and Department of Defense 
Directives 5134.15 (Assistant Secretary of Defense for Oper-
ational Energy Plans and Programs) and 4280.01 (Department 
of Defense Energy Policy); 
(2) a description of any efficiencies achieved as a result 
of the merger; and 
(3) the number of Department of Defense personnel whose 
responsibilities are focused on energy matters specifically. 
SEC. 333. REPORT ON EQUIPMENT PURCHASED NONCOMPETITIVELY 
FROM FOREIGN ENTITIES. 
(a) REPORT REQUIRED.—Not later than March 30, 2016, the 
Secretary of Defense shall submit to the congressional defense 
committees a report containing a list of each contract awarded 
to a foreign entity outside of the national technology and industrial 
base, as described in section 2505(c) of title 10, United States 
Code, by the Department of Defense during fiscal years 2011 
through 2015— 
(1) using procedures other than competitive procedures; 
and 
(2) for the procurement of equipment, weapons, weapons 
systems, components, subcomponents, or end-items with a value 
of $10,000,000 or more. 
(b) ELEMENTS OF REPORT.—The report required by subsection 
(a) shall include, for each contract listed, each of the following: 
(1) An identification of the items purchased under the 
contract— 
(A) described in section 8302(a)(1) of title 41, United 
States Code, and purchased from a foreign manufacturer 
by reason of an exception under section 8302(a)(2)(A) or 
section 8302(a)(2)(B) of such title; 
(B) described in section 2533b(a)(1) of title 10, United 
States Code, and purchased from a foreign manufacturer 
by reason of an exception under section 2533b(b); and 
(C) described in section 2534(a) of such title and pur-
chased from a foreign manufacturer by reason of a waiver 
exercised under paragraph (1), (2), (4), or (5) of section 
2534(d) of such title. 
(2) The rationale for using the exception or waiver. 
(3) A list of potential alternative manufacturing sources 
from the public and private sector that could be developed 
to establish competition for those items. 
Subtitle E—Other Matters 
SEC. 341. PROHIBITION ON CONTRACTS MAKING PAYMENTS FOR HON-
ORING MEMBERS OF THE ARMED FORCES AT SPORTING 
EVENTS. 
(a) PROHIBITION.—Subchapter I of chapter 134 of title 10, 
United States Code, is amended by inserting after section 2241a 
the following new section:
H. R. 1735—68 
‘‘§ 2241b. Prohibition on contracts providing payments for 
activities at sporting events to honor members 
of the armed forces 
‘‘(a) PROHIBITION.—The Department of Defense may not enter 
into any contract or other agreement under which payments are 
to be made in exchange for activities by the contractor intended 
to honor, or giving the appearance of honoring, members of the 
armed forces (whether members of the regular components or the 
reserve components) at any form of sporting event. 
‘‘(b) CONSTRUCTION.—Nothing in subsection (a) shall be con-
strued as prohibiting the Department of Defense from taking actions 
to facilitate activities intended to honor members of the armed 
forces at sporting events that are provided on a pro bono basis 
or otherwise funded with non-Federal funds if such activities are 
provided and received in accordance with applicable rules and regu-
lations regarding the acceptance of gifts by the military depart-
ments, the armed forces, and members of the armed forces.’’. 
(b) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The table of sections at the begin-
ning of subchapter I of chapter 134 of title 10, United States 
Code, is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 
2241a the following new item: 
‘‘2241b. Prohibition on contracts providing payments for activities at sporting events 
to honor members of the armed forces.’’. 
SEC. 342. MILITARY ANIMALS: TRANSFER AND ADOPTION. 
(a) AVAILABILITY FOR ADOPTION.—Section 2583(a) of title 10, 
United States Code, is amended by striking ‘‘may’’ in the matter 
preceding paragraph (1) and inserting ‘‘shall’’. 
(b) AUTHORIZED RECIPIENTS.—Subsection (c) of section 2583 
of title 10, United States Code, is amended to read as follows: 
‘‘(c) AUTHORIZED RECIPIENTS.—(1) A military animal shall be 
made available for adoption under this section, in order of rec-
ommended priority— 
‘‘(A) by former handlers of the animal; 
‘‘(B) by other persons capable of humanely caring for the 
animal; and 
‘‘(C) by law enforcement agencies. 
‘‘(2) If the Secretary of the military department concerned deter-
mines that an adoption is justified under subsection (a)(2) under 
circumstances under which the handler of a military working dog 
is wounded in action, the dog shall be made available for adoption 
only by the handler. If the Secretary of the military department 
concerned determines that such an adoption is justified under cir-
cumstances under which the handler of a military working dog 
is killed in action or dies of wounds received in action, the military 
working dog shall be made available for adoption only by a parent, 
child, spouse, or sibling of the deceased handler.’’. 
(c) TRANSFER FOR ADOPTION.—Subsection (f) of section 2583 
of title 10, United States Code, is amended in the matter preceding 
paragraph (1) by striking ‘‘may transfer’’ and inserting ‘‘shall 
transfer’’. 
(d) LOCATION OF RETIREMENT.—Subsection (f) of such section 
is further amended— 
(1) by redesignating paragraphs (1) and (2) as subpara-
graphs (A) and (B), respectively; 
(2) by inserting ‘‘(1)’’ before ‘‘If the Secretary’’;
H. R. 1735—69 
(3) in paragraph (1), as designated by paragraph (2) of 
this subsection— 
(A) by striking ‘‘, and no suitable adoption is available 
at the military facility where the dog is located,’’; and 
(B) in subparagraph (B), as designated by paragraph 
(1) of this subsection, by inserting ‘‘within the United 
States’’ after ‘‘to another location’’; and 
(4) by adding at the end the following new paragraph 
(2): 
‘‘(2) Paragraph (1) shall not apply if at the time of retirement— 
‘‘(A) the dog is located outside the United States and a 
United States citizen or service member living abroad adopts 
the dog; or 
‘‘(B) the dog is located within the United States and suitable 
adoption is available where the dog is located.’’. 
(e) PREFERENCE IN ADOPTION FOR FORMER HANDLERS.—Such 
section is further amended— 
(1) by redesignating subsection (g) as subsection (h); and 
(2) by inserting after subsection (f) the following new sub-
section (g): 
‘‘(g) PREFERENCE IN ADOPTION OF RETIRED MILITARY WORKING 
DOGS FOR FORMER HANDLERS.—(1) In providing for the adoption 
under this section of a retired military working dog described in 
paragraph (1) or (3) of subsection (a), the Secretary of the military 
department concerned shall accord a preference to the former han-
dler of the dog unless the Secretary determines that adoption of 
the dog by the former handler would not be in the best interests 
of the dog. 
‘‘(2) In the case of a dog covered by paragraph (1) with more 
than one former handler seeking adoption of the dog at the time 
of adoption, the Secretary shall provide for the adoption of the 
dog by such former handler whose adoption of the dog will best 
serve the interests of the dog and such former handlers. The Sec-
retary shall make any determination required by this paragraph 
with respect to a dog following consultation with the kennel master 
of the unit at which the dog was last located before adoption 
under this section. 
‘‘(3) Nothing in this subsection shall be construed as altering, 
revising, or overriding any policy of a military department for 
the adoption of military working dogs by law enforcement agencies 
before the end of the dogs’ useful lives.’’. 
SEC. 343. TEMPORARY AUTHORITY TO EXTEND CONTRACTS AND 
LEASES UNDER THE ARMS INITIATIVE. 
Contracts or subcontracts entered into pursuant to section 
4554(a)(3)(A) of title 10, United States Code, on or before the 
date that is five years after the date of the enactment of this 
Act may include an option to extend the term of the contract 
or subcontract for an additional 25 years. 
SEC. 344. IMPROVEMENTS TO DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE EXCESS 
PROPERTY DISPOSAL. 
(a) PLAN REQUIRED.—Not later than March 15, 2016, the Sec-
retary of Defense shall submit to the congressional defense commit-
tees a plan for the improved management and oversight of the 
systems, processes, and controls involved in the disposition of excess 
non-mission essential equipment and materiel by the Defense Logis-
tics Agency Disposition Services.
H. R. 1735—70 
(b) CONTENTS OF PLAN.—At a minimum, the plan shall address 
each of the following: 
(1) Backlogs of unprocessed property at disposition sites 
that do not meet Defense Logistics Agency Disposition Services 
goals. 
(2) Customer wait times. 
(3) Procedures governing the disposal of serviceable items 
in order to prevent the destruction of excess property eligible 
for utilization, transfer, or donation before potential recipients 
are able to view and obtain the property. 
(4) Validation of materiel release orders. 
(5) Assuring adequate physical security for the storage 
of equipment. 
(6) The number of personnel required to effectively manage 
retrograde sort yards. 
(7) Managing any potential increase in the amount of excess 
property to be processed. 
(8) Improving the reliability of Defense Logistics Agency 
Disposition Services data. 
(9) Procedures for ensuring no property is offered for public 
sale until all requirements for utilization, transfer, and dona-
tion are met. 
(10) Validation of physical inventory against database 
entries. 
(c) CONGRESSIONAL BRIEFING.—By not later than March 15, 
2016, the Secretary shall provide to the congressional defense 
committees a briefing on the actions taken to implement the plan 
required under subsection (a). 
SEC. 345. LIMITATION ON USE OF FUNDS FOR DEPARTMENT OF 
DEFENSE SPONSORSHIPS, ADVERTISING, OR MARKETING 
ASSOCIATED WITH SPORTS-RELATED ORGANIZATIONS OR 
SPORTING EVENTS. 
Of the amounts authorized to be appropriated for the Depart-
ment of Defense by this Act or otherwise made available to the 
Department for sponsorship, advertising, or marketing associated 
with sports-related organizations or sporting events, not more than 
75 percent may be obligated or expended until the date on which 
the Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness, in 
consultation with the Director of Accessions Policy— 
(1) conducts a review of current contracts and task orders 
for such sponsorships, advertising, and marketing (as awarded 
by the regular and reserve components of the Armed Forces) 
in order to assess— 
(A) whether such sponsorships, advertising, and mar-
keting are effective in meeting the recruiting objectives 
of the Department; 
(B) whether consistent metrics are used to evaluate 
the effectiveness of each such activity in generating leads 
and recruit accessions; and 
(C) whether the return on investment for such activi-
ties is sufficient to warrant the continuing use of Depart-
ment funds for such activities; and 
(2) submits to the Committees on Armed Services of the 
Senate and the House of Representatives a report that 
includes—
H. R. 1735—71 
(A) a description of the actions being taken to coordi-
nate efforts of the Department relating to such sponsor-
ships, advertising, and marketing, and to minimize duplica-
tive contracts for such sponsorships, advertising, and mar-
keting, as applicable; and 
(B) the results of the review required by paragraph 
(1), including an assessment of the extent to which the 
continuing use of Department funds for such sponsorships, 
advertising, and marketing is warranted in light of the 
review and the actions described pursuant to subparagraph 
(A). 
SEC. 346. REDUCTION IN AMOUNTS AVAILABLE FOR DEPARTMENT OF 
DEFENSE HEADQUARTERS, ADMINISTRATIVE, AND SUP-
PORT ACTIVITIES. 
(a) PLAN FOR ACHIEVEMENT OF COST SAVINGS.— 
(1) IN
GENERAL.—Commencing not later than 120 days 
after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary 
of Defense shall implement a plan to ensure that the Depart-
ment of Defense achieves not less than $10,000,000,000 in 
cost savings from the headquarters, administrative, and support 
activities of the Department during the period beginning with 
fiscal year 2015 and ending with fiscal year 2019. The Secretary 
shall ensure that at least one half of the required cost savings 
are programmed for fiscal years before fiscal year 2018. 
(2) TREATMENT OF SAVINGS PURSUANT TO HEADQUARTERS 
REDUCTION.—Documented savings achieved pursuant to the 
headquarters reduction requirement in subsection (b), other 
than savings achieved in fiscal year 2020, shall count toward 
the cost savings required by paragraph (1). 
(3) TREATMENT
OF
SAVINGS
PURSUANT
TO
MANAGEMENT 
ACTIVITIES.—Documented savings in the human resources 
management, health care management, financial flow manage-
ment, information technology infrastructure and management, 
supply chain and logistics, acquisition and procurement, and 
real property management activities of the Department during 
the period referred to in paragraph (1) may be counted toward 
the cost savings required by paragraph (1). 
(4) TREATMENT OF SAVINGS PURSUANT TO FORCE STRUCTURE 
REVISIONS.—Savings or reductions to military force structure 
or military operating units of the Armed Forces may not count 
toward the cost savings required by paragraph (1). 
(5) REPORTS.—The Secretary shall include with the budget 
for the Department of Defense for each of fiscal years 2017, 
2018, and 2019, as submitted to Congress pursuant to section 
1105 of title 31, United States Code, a report describing and 
assessing the progress of the Department in implementing the 
plan required by paragraph (1) and in achieving the cost savings 
required by that paragraph. 
(6) COMPTROLLER GENERAL ASSESSMENTS.—Not later than 
90 days after the submittal of each report required by para-
graph (5), the Comptroller General of the United States shall 
submit to the congressional defense committees a report setting 
forth the assessment of the Comptroller General of the report 
and of the extent to which the Department of Defense is in 
compliance with the requirements of this section. 
(b) HEADQUARTERS REDUCTIONS.—
H. R. 1735—72 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 90 days after the date 
of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense shall 
modify the headquarters reduction plan required by section 
904 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 
2014 (Public Law 113–66; 127 Stat. 816; 10 U.S.C. 111 note) 
to ensure that it achieves savings in the total funding available 
for major Department of Defense headquarters activities by 
fiscal year 2020 that are not less than 25 percent of the baseline 
amount. The modified plan shall establish a specific savings 
objective for each major headquarters activity in each fiscal 
year through fiscal year 2020. The budget for the Department 
of Defense for each fiscal year after fiscal year 2016 shall 
reflect the savings required by the modified plan. 
(2) BASELINE AMOUNT.—For the purposes of this subsection, 
the baseline amount is the amount authorized to be appro-
priated by this Act for fiscal year 2016 for major Department 
of Defense headquarters activities, adjusted by a credit for 
reductions in such headquarters activities that are documented, 
as of the date that is 90 days after the date of the enactment 
of this Act, as having been accomplished in earlier fiscal years 
in accordance with the December 2013 directive of the Secretary 
of Defense on headquarters reductions. The modified plan 
issued pursuant to paragraph (1) shall include an overall base-
line amount for all of the major Department of Defense head-
quarters activities that credits reductions accomplished in ear-
lier fiscal years in accordance with the December 2013 directive, 
and a specific baseline amount for each such headquarters 
activity that credits such reductions. 
(3) MAJOR DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE HEADQUARTERS ACTIVI-
TIES DEFINED.—In this subsection, the term ‘‘major Department 
of Defense headquarters activities’’ means the following: 
(A) Each of the following organizations: 
(i) The Office of the Secretary of Defense and the 
Joint Staff. 
(ii) The Office of the Secretary of the Army and 
the Army Staff. 
(iii) The Office of the Secretary of the Navy, the 
Office of the Chief of Naval Operations, and Head-
quarters, Marine Corps. 
(iv) The Office of the Secretary of the Air Force 
and the Air Staff. 
(v) The Office of the Chief, National Guard Bureau, 
and the National Guard Joint Staff. 
(B)(i) Except as provided in clause (ii), headquarters 
elements of each of the following: 
(I) The combatant commands, the sub-unified com-
mands, and subordinate commands that directly report 
to such commands. 
(II) The major commands of the military depart-
ments and the subordinate commands that directly 
report to such commands. 
(III) The component commands of the military 
departments. 
(IV) The Defense Agencies, the Department of 
Defense field activities, and the Office of the Inspector 
General of the Department of Defense.
H. R. 1735—73 
(V) Department of Defense components that report 
directly to the organizations specified in subparagraph 
(A). 
(ii) Subordinate commands and direct-reporting compo-
nents otherwise described in clause (i) that do not have 
significant functions other than operational, operational 
intelligence, or tactical functions, or training for oper-
ational, operational intelligence, or tactical functions, are 
not headquarters elements for purposes of this subsection. 
(4) IMPLEMENTATION.—Not later than 120 days after the 
date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall revise 
applicable guidance on the Department of Defense major head-
quarters activities as needed to— 
(A) incorporate into such guidance the definition of 
the term ‘‘major Department of Defense headquarters 
activities’’ as provided in paragraph (3); 
(B) ensure that the term ‘‘headquarters element’’, as 
used in paragraph (3)(B), is consistently applied within 
such guidance to include— 
(i) senior leadership and staff functions of 
applicable commands and components; and 
(ii) direct support to senior leadership and staff 
functions of applicable commands and components and 
to higher headquarters; 
(C) ensure that the budget and accounting systems 
of the Department of Defense are modified to track funding 
for the major Department of Defense headquarters activi-
ties as separate funding lines; and 
(D) identify and address any deviation from the specific 
savings objective established for a headquarters activity 
in the modified plan issued by the Secretary pursuant 
to the requirement in paragraph (1). 
(c) COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW OF HEADQUARTERS AND ADMINIS-
TRATIVE AND SUPPORT ACTIVITIES.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary of Defense shall conduct 
a comprehensive review of the management and operational 
headquarters of the Department of Defense for purposes of 
consolidating and streamlining headquarters functions and 
administrative and support activities. 
(2) ELEMENTS.—The review required by paragraph (1) shall 
address the following: 
(A) The extent, if any, to which the staff of the Secre-
taries of the military departments and the Chiefs of Staff 
of the Armed Forces have duplicative staff functions and 
services and could be consolidated into a single service 
staff. 
(B) The extent, if any, to which the staff of the Office 
of the Secretary of Defense, the military departments, the 
Defense Agencies, and temporary organizations have 
duplicative staff functions and services and could be 
streamlined with respect to— 
(i) performing oversight and making policy; 
(ii) performing staff functions and services specific 
to the military department concerned; 
(iii) performing multi-department staff functions 
and services; and
H. R. 1735—74 
(iv) performing functions and services across the 
Department of Defense with respect to intelligence 
collection and analysis. 
(C) The extent, if any, to which the Joint Staff, the 
combatant commands, and their subordinate service compo-
nent commands have duplicative staff functions and serv-
ices that could be shared, consolidated, eliminated, or other-
wise streamlined with— 
(i) the Joint Staff performing oversight and execu-
tion; 
(ii) the staff of the combatant commands per-
forming only staff functions and services specific to 
the combatant command concerned; and 
(iii) the staff of the service component commands 
of the combatant commands performing only staff func-
tions and services specific to the service component 
command concerned. 
(D) The extent, if any, to which reductions in military 
and civilian end-strength in management or operational 
headquarters could be used to create, build, or fill shortages 
in force structure for operational units. 
(E) The extent, if any, to which revisions are required 
to the Defense Officers Personnel Management Act, 
including requirements for officers to serve in joint billets, 
the number of qualifying billets, the rank structure in 
the joint billets, and the joint qualification requirement 
for officers to be promoted while serving for extensive 
periods in critical positions such as program managers 
of major defense acquisition programs, and officers in units 
of component forces supporting joint commands, in order 
to achieve efficiencies, provide promotion fairness and 
equity, and obtain effective governance in the management 
of the Department of Defense. 
(F) The structure and staffing of the Joint Staff, and 
the number, structure, and staffing of the combatant com-
mands and their subordinate service component commands, 
including, in particular— 
(i) whether or not the staff organization of each 
such entity has documented and periodically validated 
requirements for such entity; 
(ii) whether or not there are an appropriate 
number of combatant commands relative to the 
requirements of the National Security Strategy, the 
Quadrennial Defense Review, and the National Mili-
tary Strategy; and 
(iii) whether or not opportunities exist to consoli-
date staff functions and services common to the Joint 
Staff and the service component commands into a 
single staff organization that provides the required 
functions, services, capabilities, and capacities to the 
Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and supported 
combatant commanders, and if so— 
(I) where in the organizational structure such 
staff functions, services, capabilities, and capac-
ities would be established; and 
(II) whether or not the military departments 
could execute such staff functions, services,
H. R. 1735—75 
capabilities, and capacities while executing their 
requirements to organize, train, and equip the 
Armed Forces. 
(G) The statutory and regulatory authority of the 
combatant commands to establish subordinate joint com-
mands or headquarters, including joint task forces, led 
by a general or flag officer, and the extent, if any, to 
which 
the 
combatant 
commands 
have 
used 
such 
authority— 
(i) to establish temporary or permanent subordi-
nate joint commands or headquarters, including joint 
task forces, led by general or flag officers; 
(ii) to disestablish temporary or permanent 
subordinate joint commands or headquarters, including 
joint task forces, led by general or flag officers; 
(iii) to increase requirements for general and flag 
officers in the joint pool which are exempt from the 
end strength limitations otherwise applicable to gen-
eral and flag officers in the Armed Forces; 
(iv) to participate in the management of joint 
officer qualification in order to ensure the efficient 
and effective quality and quantity of officers needed 
to staff headquarters functions and services and return 
to the services officers with required professional 
experience and skills necessary to remain competitive 
for increased responsibility and authority through sub-
sequent assignment or promotion, including by identi-
fying— 
(I) circumstances, if any, in which officers 
spend a disproportionate amount of time in their 
careers to attain joint officer qualifications with 
corresponding loss of opportunities to develop in 
the service-specific assignments needed to gain the 
increased proficiency and experience to qualify for 
service and command assignments; and 
(II) circumstances, if any, in which the mili-
tary departments detail officers to joint head-
quarters staffs in order to maximize the number 
of officers receiving joint duty credit with a focus 
on the quantity, instead of the quality, of officers 
achieving joint duty credit; 
(v) to establish commanders’ strategic planning 
groups, advisory groups, or similar parallel personal 
staff entities that could risk isolating function and 
staff processes, including an assessment of the justifica-
tion used to establish such personal staff organizations 
and their impact on the effectiveness and efficiency 
of organizational staff functions, services, capabilities, 
and capacities; and 
(vi) to ensure the identification and management 
of officers serving or having served in units in subordi-
nate service component or joint commands during com-
bat operations and did not receive joint credit for such 
service. 
(3) CONSULTATION.—The Secretary shall, to the extent prac-
ticable and as the Secretary considers appropriate, conduct 
the review required by paragraph (1) in consultation with such
H. R. 1735—76 
experts on matters covered by the review who are independent 
of the Department of Defense. 
(4) REPORT.—Not later than March 1, 2016, the Secretary 
shall submit to the congressional defense committees a report 
setting forth the results of the review required by paragraph 
(1). 
TITLE IV—MILITARY PERSONNEL 
AUTHORIZATIONS 
Subtitle A—Active Forces 
Sec. 401. End strengths for active forces. 
Sec. 402. Revisions in permanent active duty end strength minimum levels. 
Subtitle B—Reserve Forces 
Sec. 411. End strengths for Selected Reserve. 
Sec. 412. End strengths for reserves on active duty in support of the reserves. 
Sec. 413. End strengths for military technicians (dual status). 
Sec. 414. Fiscal year 2016 limitation on number of non-dual status technicians. 
Sec. 415. Maximum number of reserve personnel authorized to be on active duty 
for operational support. 
Subtitle C—Authorization of Appropriations 
Sec. 421. Military personnel. 
Sec. 422. Report on force structure of the Army. 
Subtitle A—Active Forces 
SEC. 401. END STRENGTHS FOR ACTIVE FORCES. 
The Armed Forces are authorized strengths for active duty 
personnel as of September 30, 2016, as follows: 
(1) The Army, 475,000. 
(2) The Navy, 329,200. 
(3) The Marine Corps, 184,000. 
(4) The Air Force, 320,715. 
SEC. 402. REVISIONS IN PERMANENT ACTIVE DUTY END STRENGTH 
MINIMUM LEVELS. 
Section 691 of title 10, United States Code, is amended— 
(1) in subsection (b), by striking paragraphs (1) through 
(4) and inserting the following new paragraphs: 
‘‘(1) For the Army, 475,000. 
‘‘(2) For the Navy, 329,200. 
‘‘(3) For the Marine Corps, 184,000. 
‘‘(4) For the Air Force, 317,000.’’; and 
(2) in subsection (e), by striking ‘‘0.5 percent’’ and inserting 
‘‘2 percent’’. 
Subtitle B—Reserve Forces 
SEC. 411. END STRENGTHS FOR SELECTED RESERVE. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Armed Forces are authorized strengths 
for Selected Reserve personnel of the reserve components as of 
September 30, 2016, as follows: 
(1) The Army National Guard of the United States, 342,000. 
(2) The Army Reserve, 198,000.
H. R. 1735—77 
(3) The Navy Reserve, 57,400. 
(4) The Marine Corps Reserve, 38,900. 
(5) The Air National Guard of the United States, 105,500. 
(6) The Air Force Reserve, 69,200. 
(7) The Coast Guard Reserve, 7,000. 
(b) END STRENGTH REDUCTIONS.—The end strengths prescribed 
by subsection (a) for the Selected Reserve of any reserve component 
shall be proportionately reduced by— 
(1) the total authorized strength of units organized to serve 
as units of the Selected Reserve of such component which 
are on active duty (other than for training) at the end of 
the fiscal year; and 
(2) the total number of individual members not in units 
organized to serve as units of the Selected Reserve of such 
component who are on active duty (other than for training 
or for unsatisfactory participation in training) without their 
consent at the end of the fiscal year. 
(c) END STRENGTH INCREASES.—Whenever units or individual 
members of the Selected Reserve of any reserve component are 
released from active duty during any fiscal year, the end strength 
prescribed for such fiscal year for the Selected Reserve of such 
reserve component shall be increased proportionately by the total 
authorized strengths of such units and by the total number of 
such individual members. 
SEC. 412. END STRENGTHS FOR RESERVES ON ACTIVE DUTY IN SUP-
PORT OF THE RESERVES. 
Within the end strengths prescribed in section 411(a), the 
reserve components of the Armed Forces are authorized, as of 
September 30, 2016, the following number of Reserves to be serving 
on full-time active duty or full-time duty, in the case of members 
of the National Guard, for the purpose of organizing, administering, 
recruiting, instructing, or training the reserve components: 
(1) The Army National Guard of the United States, 30,770. 
(2) The Army Reserve, 16,261. 
(3) The Navy Reserve, 9,934. 
(4) The Marine Corps Reserve, 2,260. 
(5) The Air National Guard of the United States, 14,748. 
(6) The Air Force Reserve, 3,032. 
SEC. 413. END STRENGTHS FOR MILITARY TECHNICIANS (DUAL 
STATUS). 
The minimum number of military technicians (dual status) 
as of the last day of fiscal year 2016 for the reserve components 
of the Army and the Air Force (notwithstanding section 129 of 
title 10, United States Code) shall be the following: 
(1) For the Army National Guard of the United States, 
26,099. 
(2) For the Army Reserve, 7,395. 
(3) For the Air National Guard of the United States, 22,104. 
(4) For the Air Force Reserve, 9,814. 
SEC. 414. FISCAL YEAR 2016 LIMITATION ON NUMBER OF NON-DUAL 
STATUS TECHNICIANS. 
(a) LIMITATIONS.— 
(1) NATIONAL GUARD.—Within the limitation provided in 
section 10217(c)(2) of title 10, United States Code, the number
H. R. 1735—78 
of non-dual status technicians employed by the National Guard 
as of September 30, 2016, may not exceed the following: 
(A) For the Army National Guard of the United States, 
1,600. 
(B) For the Air National Guard of the United States, 
350. 
(2) ARMY RESERVE.—The number of non-dual status techni-
cians employed by the Army Reserve as of September 30, 2016, 
may not exceed 595. 
(3) AIR FORCE RESERVE.—The number of non-dual status 
technicians employed by the Air Force Reserve as of September 
30, 2016, may not exceed 90. 
(b) NON-DUAL STATUS TECHNICIANS DEFINED.—In this section, 
the term ‘‘non-dual status technician’’ has the meaning given that 
term in section 10217(a) of title 10, United States Code. 
SEC. 415. MAXIMUM NUMBER OF RESERVE PERSONNEL AUTHORIZED 
TO BE ON ACTIVE DUTY FOR OPERATIONAL SUPPORT. 
During fiscal year 2016, the maximum number of members 
of the reserve components of the Armed Forces who may be serving 
at any time on full-time operational support duty under section 
115(b) of title 10, United States Code, is the following: 
(1) The Army National Guard of the United States, 17,000. 
(2) The Army Reserve, 13,000. 
(3) The Navy Reserve, 6,200. 
(4) The Marine Corps Reserve, 3,000. 
(5) The Air National Guard of the United States, 16,000. 
(6) The Air Force Reserve, 14,000. 
Subtitle C—Authorization of 
Appropriations 
SEC. 421. MILITARY PERSONNEL. 
(a) AUTHORIZATION
OF APPROPRIATIONS.—Funds are hereby 
authorized to be appropriated for fiscal year 2016 for the use 
of the Armed Forces and other activities and agencies of the Depart-
ment of Defense for expenses, not otherwise provided for, for mili-
tary personnel, as specified in the funding table in section 4401. 
(b) CONSTRUCTION OF AUTHORIZATION.—The authorization of 
appropriations in subsection (a) supersedes any other authorization 
of appropriations (definite or indefinite) for such purpose for fiscal 
year 2016. 
SEC. 422. REPORT ON FORCE STRUCTURE OF THE ARMY. 
(a) REPORT REQUIRED.—Not later than 90 days after the date 
of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense shall submit 
to Congress a report containing the following: 
(1) An assessment by the Secretary of Defense of reports 
by the Secretary of the Army on the force structure of the 
Army submitted to Congress under section 1066 of the National 
Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2013 (Public Law 
112–239; 126 Stat. 1943) and section 1062 of the National 
Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2015 (Public Law 
113–291; 128 Stat. 3503). 
(2) An evaluation of the adequacy of the Army force struc-
ture proposed for the future-years defense program for fiscal
H. R. 1735—79 
years 2017 through 2021 to meet the goals of the national 
military strategy of the United States. 
(3) An independent risk assessment by the Chairman of 
the Joint Chiefs of Staff of the proposed Army force structure 
and the ability of such force structure to meet the operational 
requirements of combatant commanders. 
(4) A description of the planning assumptions and scenarios 
used by the Department of Defense to validate the size and 
force structure of the Army, including the Army Reserve and 
the Army National Guard. 
(5) A certification by the Secretary of Defense that the 
Secretary has reviewed the reports by the Secretary of the 
Army and the assessments of the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs 
of Staff and determined that an end strength for active duty 
personnel of the Army below the end strength level authorized 
in section 401(1) of the National Defense Authorization Act 
for Fiscal Year 2015 (Public Law 113–291; 128 Stat. 3348) 
will be adequate to meet the national military strategy of 
the United States. 
(6) A description of various alternative options for allocating 
funds to ensure that the end strengths of the Army do not 
fall below levels of significant risk, as determined pursuant 
to the risk assessment conducted by the Chairman of the Joint 
Chiefs of Staff under paragraph (3). 
(7) Such other information or updates as the Secretary 
of Defense considers appropriate. 
(b) FORM.—The report required by subsection (a) shall be sub-
mitted in unclassified form, but may include a classified annex. 
TITLE V—MILITARY PERSONNEL 
POLICY 
Subtitle A—Officer Personnel Policy 
Sec. 501. Reinstatement of enhanced authority for selective early discharge of war-
rant officers. 
Sec. 502. Equitable treatment of junior officers excluded from an all-fully-qualified- 
officers list because of administrative error. 
Sec. 503. Enhanced flexibility for determination of officers to continue on active 
duty and for selective early retirement and early discharge. 
Sec. 504. Authority to defer until age 68 mandatory retirement for age of a general 
or flag officer serving as Chief or Deputy Chief of Chaplains of the 
Army, Navy, or Air Force. 
Sec. 505. General rule for warrant officer retirement in highest grade held satisfac-
torily. 
Sec. 506. Implementation of Comptroller General recommendation on the definition 
and availability of costs associated with general and flag officers and 
their aides. 
Subtitle B—Reserve Component Management 
Sec. 511. Continued service in the Ready Reserve by Members of Congress who are 
also members of the Ready Reserve. 
Sec. 512. Clarification of purpose of reserve component special selection boards as 
limited to correction of error at a mandatory promotion board. 
Sec. 513. Increase in number of days of active duty required to be performed by re-
serve component members for duty to be considered Federal service for 
purposes of unemployment compensation for ex-servicemembers. 
Sec. 514. Temporary authority to use Air Force reserve component personnel to 
provide training and instruction regarding pilot training. 
Sec. 515. Assessment of Military Compensation and Retirement Modernization 
Commission recommendation regarding consolidation of authorities to 
order members of reserve components to perform duty.
H. R. 1735—80 
Subtitle C—General Service Authorities 
Sec. 521. Limited authority for Secretary concerned to initiate applications for cor-
rection of military records. 
Sec. 522. Temporary authority to develop and provide additional recruitment incen-
tives. 
Sec. 523. Expansion of authority to conduct pilot programs on career flexibility to 
enhance retention of members of the Armed Forces. 
Sec. 524. Modification of notice and wait requirements for change in ground combat 
exclusion policy for female members of the Armed Forces. 
Sec. 525. Role of Secretary of Defense in development of gender-neutral occupa-
tional standards. 
Sec. 526. Establishment of process by which members of the Armed Forces may 
carry an appropriate firearm on a military installation. 
Sec. 527. Establishment of breastfeeding policy for the Department of the Army. 
Sec. 528. Sense of Congress recognizing the diversity of the members of the Armed 
Forces. 
Subtitle D—Military Justice, Including Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence 
Prevention and Response 
Sec. 531. Enforcement of certain crime victim rights by the Court of Criminal Ap-
peals. 
Sec. 532. Department of Defense civilian employee access to Special Victims’ Coun-
sel. 
Sec. 533. Authority of Special Victims’ Counsel to provide legal consultation and as-
sistance in connection with various Government proceedings. 
Sec. 534. Timely notification to victims of sex-related offenses of the availability of 
assistance from Special Victims’ Counsel. 
Sec. 535. Additional improvements to Special Victims’ Counsel program. 
Sec. 536. Enhancement of confidentiality of restricted reporting of sexual assault in 
the military. 
Sec. 537. Modification of deadline for establishment of Defense Advisory Committee 
on Investigation, Prosecution, and Defense of Sexual Assault in the 
Armed Forces. 
Sec. 538. Improved Department of Defense prevention and response to sexual as-
saults in which the victim is a male member of the Armed Forces. 
Sec. 539. Preventing retaliation against members of the Armed Forces who report 
or intervene on behalf of the victim of an alleged sex-related offence. 
Sec. 540. Sexual assault prevention and response training for administrators and 
instructors of Senior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps. 
Sec. 541. Retention of case notes in investigations of sex-related offenses involving 
members of the Army, Navy, Air Force, or Marine Corps. 
Sec. 542. Comptroller General of the United States reports on prevention and re-
sponse to sexual assault by the Army National Guard and the Army Re-
serve. 
Sec. 543. Improved implementation of changes to Uniform Code of Military Justice. 
Sec. 544. Modification of Rule 104 of the Rules for Courts-Martial to establish cer-
tain prohibitions concerning evaluations of Special Victims’ Counsel. 
Sec. 545. Modification of Rule 304 of the Military Rules of Evidence relating to the 
corroboration of a confession or admission. 
Subtitle E—Member Education, Training, and Transition 
Sec. 551. Enhancements to Yellow Ribbon Reintegration Program. 
Sec. 552. Availability of preseparation counseling for members of the Armed Forces 
discharged or released after limited active duty. 
Sec. 553. Availability of additional training opportunities under Transition Assist-
ance Program. 
Sec. 554. Modification of requirement for in-resident instruction for courses of in-
struction offered as part of Phase II joint professional military edu-
cation. 
Sec. 555. Termination of program of educational assistance for reserve component 
members supporting contingency operations and other operations. 
Sec. 556. Appointments to military service academies from nominations made by 
Delegates in Congress from the Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, 
and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. 
Sec. 557. Support for athletic programs of the United States Military Academy. 
Sec. 558. Condition on admission of defense industry civilians to attend the United 
States Air Force Institute of Technology. 
Sec. 559. Quality assurance of certification programs and standards for professional 
credentials obtained by members of the Armed Forces. 
Sec. 560. Prohibition on receipt of unemployment insurance while receiving post-9/ 
11 education assistance.
H. R. 1735—81 
Sec. 561. Job Training and Post-Service Placement Executive Committee. 
Sec. 562. Recognition of additional involuntary mobilization duty authorities ex-
empt from five-year limit on reemployment rights of persons who serve 
in the uniformed services. 
Sec. 563. Expansion of outreach for veterans transitioning from serving on active 
duty. 
Subtitle F—Defense Dependents’ Education and Military Family Readiness Matters 
Sec. 571. Continuation of authority to assist local educational agencies that benefit 
dependents of members of the Armed Forces and Department of Defense 
civilian employees. 
Sec. 572. Impact aid for children with severe disabilities. 
Sec. 573. Authority to use appropriated funds to support Department of Defense 
student meal programs in domestic dependent elementary and sec-
ondary schools located outside the United States. 
Sec. 574. Family support programs for immediate family members of members of 
the Armed Forces assigned to special operations forces. 
Subtitle G—Decorations and Awards 
Sec. 581. Authorization for award of the Distinguished-Service Cross for acts of ex-
traordinary heroism during the Korean War. 
Subtitle H—Miscellaneous Reports and Other Matters 
Sec. 591. Coordination with non-government suicide prevention organizations and 
agencies to assist in reducing suicides by members of the Armed Forces. 
Sec. 592. Extension of semiannual reports on the involuntary separation of mem-
bers of the Armed Forces. 
Sec. 593. Report on preliminary mental health screenings for individuals becoming 
members of the Armed Forces. 
Sec. 594. Report regarding new rulemaking under the Military Lending Act and 
Defense Manpower Data Center reports and meetings. 
Sec. 595. Remotely piloted aircraft career field manning shortfalls. 
Subtitle A—Officer Personnel Policy 
SEC. 501. REINSTATEMENT OF ENHANCED AUTHORITY FOR SELECTIVE 
EARLY DISCHARGE OF WARRANT OFFICERS. 
Section 580a of title 10, United States Code, is amended— 
(1) in subsection (a), by striking ‘‘November 30, 1993, and 
ending on October 1, 1999’’ and inserting ‘‘October 1, 2015, 
and ending on October 1, 2019’’; and 
(2) in subsection (c)— 
(A) by striking paragraph (3); and 
(B) by redesignating paragraphs (4) and (5) as para-
graphs (3) and (4), respectively. 
SEC. 502. EQUITABLE TREATMENT OF JUNIOR OFFICERS EXCLUDED 
FROM AN ALL-FULLY-QUALIFIED-OFFICERS LIST BECAUSE 
OF ADMINISTRATIVE ERROR. 
(a) OFFICERS ON ACTIVE-DUTY LIST.—Section 624(a)(3) of title 
10, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the 
following new subparagraph: 
‘‘(E) If the Secretary of the military department concerned 
determines that one or more officers or former officers were not 
placed on an all-fully-qualified-list under this paragraph because 
of administrative error, the Secretary may prepare a supplemental 
all-fully-qualified-officers list containing the names of any such 
officers for approval in accordance with this paragraph.’’. 
(b) OFFICERS
ON
RESERVE
ACTIVE-STATUS
LIST.—Section 
14308(b)(4) of title 10, United States Code, is amended by adding 
at the end the following new subparagraph: 
‘‘(E) If the Secretary of the military department concerned 
determines that one or more officers or former officers were not
H. R. 1735—82 
placed on an all-fully-qualified-list under this paragraph because 
of administrative error, the Secretary may prepare a supplemental 
all-fully-qualified-officers list containing the names of any such 
officers for approval in accordance with this paragraph.’’. 
(c) CONFORMING AMENDMENTS TO SPECIAL SELECTION BOARD 
AUTHORITY.— 
(1) REGULAR COMPONENTS.—Section 628(a)(1) of title 10, 
United States Code, is amended by striking ‘‘or the name of 
a person that should have been placed on an all-fully-qualified- 
officers list under section 624(a)(3) of this title was not so 
placed,’’. 
(2) RESERVE COMPONENTS.—Section 14502(a)(1) of title 10, 
United States Code, is amended by striking ‘‘or whose name 
was not placed on an all-fully-qualified-officers list under sec-
tion 14308(b)(4) of this title because of administrative error,’’. 
SEC. 503. ENHANCED FLEXIBILITY FOR DETERMINATION OF OFFICERS 
TO CONTINUE ON ACTIVE DUTY AND FOR SELECTIVE 
EARLY RETIREMENT AND EARLY DISCHARGE. 
Section 638a(d)(2) of title 10, United States Code, is amended 
by striking ‘‘officers considered—’’ and all that follows and inserting 
‘‘officers considered.’’. 
SEC. 504. AUTHORITY TO DEFER UNTIL AGE 68 MANDATORY RETIRE-
MENT FOR AGE OF A GENERAL OR FLAG OFFICER SERVING 
AS CHIEF OR DEPUTY CHIEF OF CHAPLAINS OF THE ARMY, 
NAVY, OR AIR FORCE. 
(a) DEFERRAL AUTHORITY.— Section 1253 of title 10, United 
States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new 
subsection: 
‘‘(c) DEFERRED RETIREMENT OF CHAPLAINS.—(1) The Secretary 
of the military department concerned may defer the retirement 
under subsection (a) of an officer serving in a general or flag 
officer grade who is the Chief of Chaplains or Deputy Chief of 
Chaplains of that officer’s armed force. 
‘‘(2) A deferment of the retirement of an officer referred to 
in paragraph (1) may not extend beyond the first day of the month 
following the month in which the officer becomes 68 years of age. 
‘‘(3) The authority to defer the retirement of an officer referred 
to in paragraph (1) expires December 31, 2020. Subject to paragraph 
(2), a deferment granted before that date may continue on and 
after that date.’’. 
(b) CLERICAL AMENDMENTS.— 
(1) SECTION HEADING.—The heading of section 1253 of title 
10, United States Code, is amended to read as follows: 
‘‘§ 1253. Age 64: regular commissioned officers in general 
and flag officer grades; exceptions’’. 
(2) TABLE OF SECTIONS.—The table of sections at the begin-
ning of chapter 63 of title 10, United States Code, is amended
H. R. 1735—83 
by striking the item relating to section 1253 and inserting 
the following new item: 
‘‘1253. Age 64: regular commissioned officers in general and flag officer grades; ex-
ceptions.’’. 
SEC. 505. GENERAL RULE FOR WARRANT OFFICER RETIREMENT IN 
HIGHEST GRADE HELD SATISFACTORILY. 
Section 1371 of title 10, United States Code, is amended to 
read as follows: 
‘‘§ 1371. Warrant officers: general rule 
‘‘Unless entitled to a higher retired grade under some other 
provision of law, a warrant officer shall be retired in the highest 
regular or reserve warrant officer grade in which the warrant 
officer served satisfactorily, as determined by the Secretary con-
cerned.’’. 
SEC. 506. IMPLEMENTATION OF COMPTROLLER GENERAL REC-
OMMENDATION ON THE DEFINITION AND AVAILABILITY 
OF COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH GENERAL AND FLAG OFFI-
CERS AND THEIR AIDES. 
(a) DEFINITION OF COSTS.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—For the purpose of providing a consistent 
approach to estimating and managing the full costs associated 
with general and flag officers and their aides, the Secretary 
of Defense shall direct the Director, Cost Assessment and Pro-
gram Evaluation, to define the costs that could be associated 
with general and flag officers since 2001, including— 
(A) security details; 
(B) Government and commercial air travel; 
(C) general and flag officer per diem; 
(D) enlisted and officer aide housing and travel costs; 
(E) general and flag officer additional support staff 
and their travel, equipment, and per diem costs; 
(F) general and flag officer official residences; and 
(G) any other associated costs incurred due to the 
nature of their position. 
(2) COORDINATION.—The Director, Cost Assessment and 
Program Evaluation, shall prepare the definition of costs under 
paragraph (1) in coordination with the Under Secretary of 
Defense for Personnel and Readiness and the Secretaries of 
the military departments. 
(b) REPORT ON COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH GENERAL AND FLAG 
OFFICERS AND AIDES.—Not later than June 30, 2016, the Secretary 
of Defense shall submit to the Committees on Armed Services 
of the Senate and the House of Representatives a report describing 
the costs associated with general and flag officers and their enlisted 
and officer aides. 
Subtitle B—Reserve Component 
Management 
SEC. 511. CONTINUED SERVICE IN THE READY RESERVE BY MEMBERS 
OF CONGRESS WHO ARE ALSO MEMBERS OF THE READY 
RESERVE. 
Section 10149 of title 10, United States Code, is amended—
H. R. 1735—84 
(1) by redesignating subsection (b) as subsection (c); and 
(2) by inserting after subsection (a) the following new sub-
section: 
‘‘(b)(1) In applying Ready Reserve continuous screening under 
this section, an individual who is both a member of the Ready 
Reserve and a Member of Congress may not be transferred to 
the Standby Reserve or discharged on account of the individual’s 
position as a Member of Congress. 
‘‘(2) The transfer or discharge of an individual who is both 
a member of the Ready Reserve and a Member of Congress may 
be ordered— 
‘‘(A) only by the Secretary of Defense or, in the case of 
a Member of Congress who also is a member of the Coast 
Guard Reserve, the Secretary of the Department in which the 
Coast Guard is operating when it is not operating as a service 
in the Navy; and 
‘‘(B) only on the basis of the needs of the service, taking 
into consideration the position and duties of the individual 
in the Ready Reserve. 
‘‘(3) In this subsection, the term ‘Member of Congress’ includes 
a Delegate or Resident Commissioner to Congress and a Member- 
elect.’’. 
SEC. 512. CLARIFICATION OF PURPOSE OF RESERVE COMPONENT SPE-
CIAL SELECTION BOARDS AS LIMITED TO CORRECTION 
OF ERROR AT A MANDATORY PROMOTION BOARD. 
Section 14502(b) of title 10, United States Code, is amended— 
(1) in paragraph (1)— 
(A) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by 
striking ‘‘a selection board’’ and inserting ‘‘a mandatory 
promotion board convened under section 14101(a) of this 
title’’; and 
(B) in subparagraphs (A) and (B), by striking ‘‘selection 
board’’ and inserting ‘‘mandatory promotion board’’; and 
(2) in the first sentence of paragraph (3)— 
(A) by striking ‘‘Such board’’ and inserting ‘‘The special 
selection board’’; and 
(B) by striking ‘‘selection board’’ and inserting ‘‘manda-
tory promotion board’’. 
SEC. 513. INCREASE IN NUMBER OF DAYS OF ACTIVE DUTY REQUIRED 
TO BE PERFORMED BY RESERVE COMPONENT MEMBERS 
FOR DUTY TO BE CONSIDERED FEDERAL SERVICE FOR 
PURPOSES OF UNEMPLOYMENT COMPENSATION FOR EX- 
SERVICEMEMBERS. 
(a) INCREASE OF NUMBER OF DAYS.—Section 8521(a)(1) of title 
5, United States Code, is amended by striking ‘‘90 days’’ in the 
matter preceding subparagraph (A) and inserting ‘‘180 days’’. 
(b) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The amendment made by subsection (a) 
shall take effect on the date of the enactment of this Act, and 
shall apply with respect to periods of Federal service commencing 
on or after that date. 
SEC. 514. TEMPORARY AUTHORITY TO USE AIR FORCE RESERVE 
COMPONENT PERSONNEL TO PROVIDE TRAINING AND 
INSTRUCTION REGARDING PILOT TRAINING. 
(a) AUTHORITY.—
H. R. 1735—85 
(1) IN GENERAL.—During fiscal year 2016, the Secretary 
of the Air Force may authorize personnel described in para-
graph (2) to provide training and instruction regarding pilot 
training to the following: 
(A) Members of the Armed Forces on active duty. 
(B) Members of foreign military forces who are in the 
United States. 
(2) PERSONNEL.—The personnel described in this paragraph 
are the following: 
(A) Members of the reserve components of the Air 
Force on active Guard and Reserve duty (as that term 
is defined in section 101(d) of title 10, United States Code) 
who are not otherwise authorized to conduct the training 
described in paragraph (1) due to the limitations in section 
12310 of title 10, United States Code. 
(B) Members of the Air Force who are military techni-
cians (dual status) who are not otherwise authorized to 
conduct the training described in paragraph (1) due to 
the limitations in section 10216 of title 10, United States 
Code, and section 709(a) of title 32, United States Code. 
(3) LIMITATION.—Not more than 50 members described in 
paragraph (2) may provide training and instruction under the 
authority in paragraph (1) at any one time. 
(4) FEDERAL TORT CLAIMS ACT.—Members of the uniformed 
services described in paragraph (2) who provide training and 
instruction pursuant to the authority in paragraph (1) shall 
be covered by the Federal Tort Claims Act for purposes of 
any claim arising from the employment of such individuals 
under that authority. 
(b) REPORT.—Not later than 180 days after the date of the 
enactment of this Act, the Secretary of the Air Force shall submit 
to the Committees on Armed Services of the Senate and the House 
of Representatives a report setting forth a plan to eliminate short-
ages in the number of pilot instructors within the Air Force using 
authorities available to the Secretary under current law. 
SEC. 515. ASSESSMENT OF MILITARY COMPENSATION AND RETIRE-
MENT MODERNIZATION COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION 
REGARDING CONSOLIDATION OF AUTHORITIES TO ORDER 
MEMBERS OF RESERVE COMPONENTS TO PERFORM DUTY. 
(a) ASSESSMENT REQUIRED.—The Secretary of Defense shall 
conduct an assessment of the recommendation of the Military Com-
pensation and Retirement Modernization Commission regarding 
consolidation of statutory authorities by which members of the 
reserve components of the Armed Forces may be ordered to perform 
duty. The Secretary shall specifically assess each of the six broader 
duty statuses recommended by the Commission as replacements 
for the 30 reserve component duty statuses currently authorized 
to determine whether consolidation will increase efficiency in the 
reserve components. 
(b) SUBMISSION OF REPORT.—Not later than 180 days 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 containing the results 
of the Secretary’s assessment. If, as a result of the assessment,
H. R. 1735—86 
the Secretary determines that an alternate approach to consolida-
tion of the statutory authorities described in subsection (a) is pref-
erable, the Secretary shall submit the alternate approach, including 
a draft of such legislation as would be necessary to amend titles 
10, 14, 32, and 37 of the United States Code and other provisions 
of law in order to implement the Secretary’s approach by October 
1, 2018. 
Subtitle C—General Service Authorities 
SEC. 521. LIMITED AUTHORITY FOR SECRETARY CONCERNED TO INI-
TIATE APPLICATIONS FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY 
RECORDS. 
Section 1552(b) of title 10, United States Code, is amended— 
(1) in the first sentence— 
(A) by striking ‘‘or his heir or legal representative’’ 
and inserting ‘‘(or the claimant’s heir or legal representa-
tive) or the Secretary concerned’’; and 
(B) by striking ‘‘he discovers’’ and inserting ‘‘discov-
ering’’; and 
(2) in the second sentence, by striking ‘‘However, a board’’ 
and inserting the following: ‘‘The Secretary concerned may file 
a request for correction of a military record only if the request 
is made on behalf of a group of members or former members 
of the armed forces who were similarly harmed by the same 
error or injustice. A board’’. 
SEC. 522. TEMPORARY AUTHORITY TO DEVELOP AND PROVIDE ADDI-
TIONAL RECRUITMENT INCENTIVES. 
(a) ADDITIONAL RECRUITMENT INCENTIVES AUTHORIZED.—The 
Secretary of a military department may develop and provide incen-
tives, not otherwise authorized by law, to encourage individuals 
to accept an appointment as a commissioned officer, to accept an 
appointment as a warrant officer, or to enlist in an Armed Force 
under the jurisdiction of the Secretary. 
(b) RELATION TO OTHER PERSONNEL AUTHORITIES.—A recruit-
ment incentive developed under subsection (a) may be provided— 
(1) without regard to the lack of specific authority for 
the recruitment incentive under title 10 or 37, United States 
Code; and 
(2) notwithstanding any provision of such titles, or any 
rule or regulation prescribed under such provision, relating 
to methods of providing incentives to individuals to accept 
appointments or enlistments in the Armed Forces, including 
the provision of group or individual bonuses, pay, or other 
incentives. 
(c) NOTICE AND WAIT REQUIREMENT.—The Secretary of a mili-
tary department may not provide a recruitment incentive developed 
under subsection (a) until— 
(1) the Secretary submits to the congressional defense 
committees a plan regarding provision of the recruitment incen-
tive, which includes— 
(A) a description of the incentive, including the purpose 
of the incentive and the potential recruits to be addressed 
by the incentive;
H. R. 1735—87 
(B) a description of the provisions of titles 10 and 
37, United States Code, from which the incentive would 
require a waiver and the rationale to support the waiver; 
(C) a statement of the anticipated outcomes as a result 
of providing the incentive; and 
(D) a description of the method to be used to evaluate 
the effectiveness of the incentive; and 
(2) the expiration of the 30-day period beginning on the 
date on which the plan was received by Congress. 
(d) LIMITATION ON NUMBER OF INCENTIVES.—The Secretary of 
a military department may not provide more than three recruitment 
incentives under the authority of this section. 
(e) LIMITATION ON NUMBER OF INDIVIDUALS RECEIVING INCEN-
TIVES.—The number of individuals who receive one or more of 
the recruitment incentives provided under subsection (a) by the 
Secretary of a military department during a fiscal year for an 
Armed Force under the jurisdiction of the Secretary may not exceed 
20 percent of the accession objective of that Armed Force for that 
fiscal year. 
(f) DURATION OF DEVELOPED INCENTIVE.—A recruitment incen-
tive developed under subsection (a) may be provided for not longer 
than a three-year period beginning on the date on which the incen-
tive is first provided, except that the Secretary of the military 
department concerned may extend the period if the Secretary deter-
mines that additional time is needed to fully evaluate the effective-
ness of the incentive. 
(g) REPORTING REQUIREMENTS.—If the Secretary of a military 
department provides an recruitment incentive under subsection 
(a) for a fiscal year, the Secretary shall submit to the congressional 
defense committees a report, not later than 60 days after the 
end of the fiscal year, containing— 
(1) a description of each incentive provided under sub-
section (a) during that fiscal year; and 
(2) an assessment of the impact of the incentives on the 
recruitment of individuals for an Armed Force under the juris-
diction of the Secretary. 
(h) TERMINATION OF AUTHORITY TO PROVIDE INCENTIVES.—Not-
withstanding subsection (f); the authority to provide recruitment 
incentives under this section expires on December 31, 2020. 
SEC. 523. EXPANSION OF AUTHORITY TO CONDUCT PILOT PROGRAMS 
ON CAREER FLEXIBILITY TO ENHANCE RETENTION OF 
MEMBERS OF THE ARMED FORCES. 
(a) REPEAL OF LIMITATION ON ELIGIBLE PARTICIPANTS.—Sub-
section (b) of section 533 of the Duncan Hunter National Defense 
Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2009 (Public Law 110–417; 10 
U.S.C. prec. 701 note) is repealed. 
(b) REPEAL
OF LIMITATION
ON NUMBER
OF PARTICIPANTS.— 
Subsection (c) of section 533 of the Duncan Hunter National Defense 
Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2009 (Public Law 110–417; 10 
U.S.C. prec. 701 note) is repealed. 
(c) CONFORMING AMENDMENTS.—Section 533 of the Duncan 
Hunter National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2009 
(Public Law 110–417; 10 U.S.C. prec. 701 note) is further 
amended— 
(1) by redesignating subsections (d) through (m) as sub-
sections (b) through (k), respectively; and
H. R. 1735—88 
(2) in subsections (b)(1), (d), and (f)(3)(D) (as so redesig-
nated), by striking ‘‘subsection (e)’’ each place it appears and 
inserting ‘‘subsection (c)’’. 
SEC. 524. MODIFICATION OF NOTICE AND WAIT REQUIREMENTS FOR 
CHANGE IN GROUND COMBAT EXCLUSION POLICY FOR 
FEMALE MEMBERS OF THE ARMED FORCES. 
(a) RULE FOR GROUND COMBAT PERSONNEL POLICY.—Section 
652(a) of title 10, United States Code, is amended— 
(1) in paragraph (1)— 
(A) in the first sentence, by striking ‘‘before any such 
change is implemented’’ and inserting ‘‘not less than 30 
calendar days before such change is implemented’’; and 
(B) by striking the second sentence; and 
(2) by striking paragraph (5). 
(b) CONFORMING AMENDMENT.—Section 652(b)(1) of title 10, 
United States Code, is amended by inserting ‘‘calendar’’ before 
‘‘days’’. 
SEC. 525. ROLE OF SECRETARY OF DEFENSE IN DEVELOPMENT OF 
GENDER-NEUTRAL OCCUPATIONAL STANDARDS. 
Section 524(a) of the National Defense Authorization Act for 
Fiscal Year 2015 (Public Law 113–291; 128 Stat. 3361; 10 U.S.C. 
113 note) is amended— 
(1) by striking ‘‘and’’ at the end of paragraph (1); 
(2) by striking the period at the end of paragraph (2) 
and inserting ‘‘; and’’; and 
(3) by adding at the end the following new paragraph: 
‘‘(3) measure the combat readiness of combat units, 
including special operations forces.’’. 
SEC. 526. ESTABLISHMENT OF PROCESS BY WHICH MEMBERS OF THE 
ARMED FORCES MAY CARRY AN APPROPRIATE FIREARM 
ON A MILITARY INSTALLATION. 
Not later than December 31, 2015, the Secretary of Defense, 
taking into consideration the views of senior leadership of military 
installations in the United States, shall establish and implement 
a process by which the commanders of military installations in 
the United States, or other military commanders designated by 
the Secretary of Defense for military reserve centers, Armed Serv-
ices recruiting centers, and such other defense facilities as the 
Secretary may prescribe, may authorize a member of the Armed 
Forces who is assigned to duty at the installation, center or facility 
to carry an appropriate firearm on the installation, center, or facility 
if the commander determines that carrying such a firearm is nec-
essary as a personal- or force-protection measure. 
SEC. 527. ESTABLISHMENT OF BREASTFEEDING POLICY FOR THE 
DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY. 
The Secretary of the Army shall develop a comprehensive policy 
regarding breastfeeding by female members of the Army who are 
breastfeeding. At a minimum, the policy shall address the following: 
(1) The provision of a designated room or area that will 
provide the member with adequate privacy and cleanliness 
and that includes an electrical outlet to facilitate the use of 
a breast pump. Restrooms should not be considered an appro-
priate location.
H. R. 1735—89 
(2) An allowance for appropriate breaks, when practicable, 
to permit the member to breastfeed or utilize a breast pump. 
SEC. 528. SENSE OF CONGRESS RECOGNIZING THE DIVERSITY OF THE 
MEMBERS OF THE ARMED FORCES. 
(a) FINDINGS.—Congress finds the following: 
(1) The United States military includes individuals with 
a variety of national, ethnic, and cultural backgrounds that 
have roots all over the world. 
(2) In addition to diverse backgrounds, members of the 
Armed Forces come from numerous religious traditions, 
including Christian, Hindu, Jewish, Muslim, Sikh, non-denomi-
national, non-practicing, and many more. 
(3) Members of the Armed Forces from diverse backgrounds 
and religious traditions have lost their lives or been injured 
defending the national security of the United States. 
(4) Diversity contributes to the strength of the Armed 
Forces, and service members from different backgrounds and 
religious traditions share the same goal of defending the United 
States. 
(5) The unity of the Armed Forces reflects the strength 
in diversity that makes the United States a great nation. 
(b) SENSE
OF CONGRESS.—It is the sense of Congress that 
the United States should— 
(1) continue to recognize and promote diversity in the 
Armed Forces; and 
(2) honor those from all diverse backgrounds and religious 
traditions who have made sacrifices in serving the United 
States through the Armed Forces. 
Subtitle 
D—Military 
Justice, 
Including 
Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence 
Prevention and Response 
SEC. 531. ENFORCEMENT OF CERTAIN CRIME VICTIM RIGHTS BY THE 
COURT OF CRIMINAL APPEALS. 
Subsection (e) of section 806b of title 10, United States Code 
(article 6b of the Uniform Code of Military Justice), is amended 
to read as follows: 
‘‘(e) ENFORCEMENT BY COURT OF CRIMINAL APPEALS.—(1) If 
the victim of an offense under this chapter believes that a prelimi-
nary hearing ruling under section 832 of this title (article 32) 
or a court-martial ruling violates the rights of the victim afforded 
by a section (article) or rule specified in paragraph (4), the victim 
may petition the Court of Criminal Appeals for a writ of mandamus 
to require the preliminary hearing officer or the court-martial to 
comply with the section (article) or rule. 
‘‘(2) If the victim of an offense under this chapter is subject 
to an order to submit to a deposition, notwithstanding the avail-
ability of the victim to testify at the court-martial trying the accused 
for the offense, the victim may petition the Court of Criminal 
Appeals for a writ of mandamus to quash such order. 
‘‘(3) A petition for a writ of mandamus described in this sub-
section shall be forwarded directly to the Court of Criminal Appeals, 
by such means as may be prescribed by the President, and, to
H. R. 1735—90 
the extent practicable, shall have priority over all other proceedings 
before the court. 
‘‘(4) Paragraph (1) applies with respect to the protections 
afforded by the following: 
‘‘(A) This section (article). 
‘‘(B) Section 832 (article 32) of this title. 
‘‘(C) Military Rule of Evidence 412, relating to the admis-
sion of evidence regarding a victim’s sexual background. 
‘‘(D) Military Rule of Evidence 513, relating to the 
psychotherapist-patient privilege. 
‘‘(E) Military Rule of Evidence 514, relating to the victim 
advocate-victim privilege. 
‘‘(F) Military Rule of Evidence 615, relating to the exclusion 
of witnesses.’’. 
SEC. 532. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE CIVILIAN EMPLOYEE ACCESS 
TO SPECIAL VICTIMS’ COUNSEL. 
Section 1044e(a)(2) of title 10, United States Code, is amended 
by adding the following new subparagraph: 
‘‘(C) A civilian employee of the Department of Defense 
who is not eligible for military legal assistance under section 
1044(a)(7) of this title, but who is the victim of an alleged 
sex-related offense, and the Secretary of Defense or the Sec-
retary of the military department concerned waives the condi-
tion in such section for the purposes of offering Special Victims’ 
Counsel services to the employee.’’. 
SEC. 533. AUTHORITY OF SPECIAL VICTIMS’ COUNSEL TO PROVIDE 
LEGAL CONSULTATION AND ASSISTANCE IN CONNECTION 
WITH VARIOUS GOVERNMENT PROCEEDINGS. 
Section 1044e(b) of title 10, United States Code, is amended— 
(1) by redesignating paragraph (9) as paragraph (10); and 
(2) by inserting after paragraph (8) the following new para-
graph (9): 
‘‘(9) Legal consultation and assistance in connection with— 
‘‘(A) any complaint against the Government, including 
an allegation under review by an inspector general and 
a complaint regarding equal employment opportunities; 
‘‘(B) any request to the Government for information, 
including a request under section 552a of title 5 (commonly 
referred to as a ‘Freedom of Information Act request’); 
and 
‘‘(C) any correspondence or other communications with 
Congress.’’. 
SEC. 534. TIMELY NOTIFICATION TO VICTIMS OF SEX-RELATED 
OFFENSES OF THE AVAILABILITY OF ASSISTANCE FROM 
SPECIAL VICTIMS’ COUNSEL. 
(a) TIMELY NOTICE DESCRIBED.—Section 1044e(f) of title 10, 
United States Code, is amended— 
(1) by redesignating paragraph (2) as paragraph (3); and 
(2) by inserting after paragraph (1) the following new para-
graph (2): 
‘‘(2) Subject to such exceptions for exigent circumstances as 
the Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of the Department 
in which the Coast Guard is operating may prescribe, notice of 
the availability of a Special Victims’ Counsel shall be provided 
to an individual described in subsection (a)(2) before any military
H. R. 1735—91 
criminal investigator or trial counsel interviews, or requests any 
statement from, the individual regarding the alleged sex-related 
offense.’’. 
(b) CONFORMING AMENDMENT TO RELATED LEGAL ASSISTANCE 
AUTHORITY.—Section 1565b(a) of title 10, United States Code, is 
amended— 
(1) by redesignating paragraph (3) as paragraph (4); and 
(2) by inserting after paragraph (2) the following new para-
graph (3): 
‘‘(3) Subject to such exceptions for exigent circumstances as 
the Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of the Department 
in which the Coast Guard is operating may prescribe, notice of 
the availability of a Special Victims’ Counsel under section 1044e 
of this title shall be provided to a member of the armed forces 
or dependent who is the victim of sexual assault before any military 
criminal investigator or trial counsel interviews, or requests any 
statement from, the member or dependent regarding the alleged 
sexual assault.’’. 
SEC. 
535. 
ADDITIONAL 
IMPROVEMENTS 
TO 
SPECIAL 
VICTIMS’ 
COUNSEL PROGRAM. 
(a) TRAINING
TIME
PERIOD
AND
REQUIREMENTS.—Section 
1044e(d) of title 10, United States Code, is amended— 
(1) by inserting ‘‘(1)’’ before ‘‘An individual’’; 
(2) by designating existing paragraphs (1) and (2) as sub-
paragraphs (A) and (B), respectively; and 
(3) by adding at the end the following new paragraph: 
‘‘(2) The Secretary of Defense shall— 
‘‘(A) develop a policy to standardize the time period within 
which a Special Victims’ Counsel receives training; and 
‘‘(B) establish the baseline training requirements for a Spe-
cial Victims’ Counsel.’’. 
(b) 
IMPROVED
ADMINISTRATIVE
RESPONSIBILITY.—Section 
1044e(e) of title 10, United States Code, is amended by adding 
at the end the following new paragraph: 
‘‘(3) The Secretary of Defense, in collaboration with the Secre-
taries of the military departments and the Secretary of the Depart-
ment in which the Coast Guard is operating, shall establish— 
‘‘(A) guiding principles for the Special Victims’ Counsel 
program, to include ensuring that— 
‘‘(i) Special Victims’ Counsel are assigned to locations 
that maximize the opportunity for face-to-face communica-
tion between counsel and clients; and 
‘‘(ii) effective means of communication are available 
to permit counsel and client interactions when face-to- 
face communication is not feasible; 
‘‘(B) performance measures and standards to measure the 
effectiveness of the Special Victims’ Counsel program and client 
satisfaction with the program; and 
‘‘(C) processes by which the Secretaries of the military 
departments and the Secretary of the Department in which 
the Coast Guard is operating will evaluate and monitor the 
Special Victims’ Counsel program using such guiding principles 
and performance measures and standards.’’. 
(c) CONFORMING AMENDMENT REGARDING QUALIFICATIONS.— 
Section 1044(d)(2) of chapter 53 of title 10, United States Code 
is amended by striking ‘‘meets the additional qualifications specified
H. R. 1735—92 
in subsection (d)(2)’’ and inserting ‘‘satisfies the additional qualifica-
tions and training requirements specified in subsection (d)’’. 
SEC. 536. ENHANCEMENT OF CONFIDENTIALITY OF RESTRICTED 
REPORTING OF SEXUAL ASSAULT IN THE MILITARY. 
(a) PREEMPTION OF STATE LAW TO ENSURE CONFIDENTIALITY 
OF REPORTING.—Section 1565b(b) of title 10, United States Code, 
is amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph: 
‘‘(3) In the case of information disclosed pursuant to paragraph 
(1), any State law or regulation that would require an individual 
specified in paragraph (2) to disclose the personally identifiable 
information of the adult victim or alleged perpetrator of the sexual 
assault to a State or local law enforcement agency shall not apply, 
except when reporting is necessary to prevent or mitigate a serious 
and imminent threat to the health or safety of an individual.’’. 
(b) CLARIFICATION OF SCOPE.—Section 1565b(b)(1) of title 10, 
United States Code, is amended by striking ‘‘a dependent’’ and 
inserting ‘‘an adult dependent’’. 
(c) DEFINITIONS.—Section 1565b of title 10, United States Code, 
is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection: 
‘‘(c) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
‘‘(1) SEXUAL ASSAULT.—The term ‘sexual assault’ includes 
the offenses of rape, sexual assault, forcible sodomy, aggravated 
sexual contact, abusive sexual contact, and attempts to commit 
such offenses, as punishable under applicable Federal or State 
law. 
‘‘(2) STATE.—The term ‘State’ includes the District of 
Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the Common-
wealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, and any territory 
or possession of the United States.’’. 
SEC. 537. MODIFICATION OF DEADLINE FOR ESTABLISHMENT OF 
DEFENSE ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON INVESTIGATION, 
PROSECUTION, AND DEFENSE OF SEXUAL ASSAULT IN THE 
ARMED FORCES. 
Section 546(a)(2) of the Carl Levin and Howard P. ‘‘Buck’’ 
McKeon National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2015 
(Public Law 113–291; 128 Stat. 3374; 10 U.S.C. 1561 note) is 
amended by striking ‘‘not later than’’ and all that follows and 
inserting ‘‘not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment 
of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2016.’’. 
SEC. 538. IMPROVED DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE PREVENTION AND 
RESPONSE TO SEXUAL ASSAULTS IN WHICH THE VICTIM 
IS A MALE MEMBER OF THE ARMED FORCES. 
(a) PLAN TO IMPROVE PREVENTION AND RESPONSE.—The Sec-
retary of Defense, in collaboration with the Secretaries of the mili-
tary departments, shall develop a plan to improve Department 
of Defense prevention and response to sexual assaults in which 
the victim is a male member of the Armed Forces. 
(b) ELEMENTS.—The plan required by subsection (a) shall 
include the following: 
(1) Sexual assault prevention and response training to more 
comprehensively and directly address the incidence of male 
members of the Armed Forces who are sexually assaulted and 
how certain behavior and activities, such as hazing, can con-
stitute a sexual assault.
H. R. 1735—93 
(2) Methods to evaluate the extent to which differences 
exist in the medical and mental health-care needs of male 
and female sexual assault victims, and the care regimen, if 
any, that will best meet those needs. 
(3) Data-driven decision making to improve male-victim 
sexual assault prevention and response program efforts. 
(4) Goals with associated metrics to drive the changes 
needed to address sexual assaults of male members of the 
Armed Forces. 
(5) Information about the sexual victimization of males 
in communications to members that are used to raise awareness 
of sexual assault and efforts to prevent and respond to it. 
(6) Guidance for the department’s medical and mental 
health providers, and other personnel as appropriate, based 
on the results of the evaluation described in paragraph (2), 
that delineates these gender-specific distinctions and the care 
regimen that is recommended to most effectively meet those 
needs. 
SEC. 539. PREVENTING RETALIATION AGAINST MEMBERS OF THE 
ARMED FORCES WHO REPORT OR INTERVENE ON BEHALF 
OF THE VICTIM OF AN ALLEGED SEX-RELATED OFFENCE. 
(a) STRATEGY
REQUIRED.—The Secretary of Defense shall 
develop a comprehensive strategy to prevent retaliation carried 
out by members of the Armed Forces against other members who 
report or otherwise intervene on behalf of the victim of an alleged 
sex-related offence. 
(b) ELEMENTS.—The comprehensive strategy required by sub-
section (a) shall include, at a minimum, the following: 
(1) Bystander intervention programs emphasizing the 
importance of guarding against retaliation. 
(2) Department of Defense and military department policies 
and requirements to ensure protection for victims of alleged 
sex-related offences and members who intervene on behalf of 
victims from retaliation. 
(3) Additional training for commanders on methods and 
procedures to combat attitudes and beliefs that result in retalia-
tion. 
(c) DEFINITIONS.—For purposes of this section: 
(1) The term ‘‘alleged sex-related offence’’ has the meaning 
given that term in section 1044e(g) of title 10, United States 
Code. 
(2) The term ‘‘retaliation’’ has such meaning as may be 
given that term by the Secretary of Defense in the development 
of the strategy required by subsection (a). 
SEC. 540. SEXUAL ASSAULT PREVENTION AND RESPONSE TRAINING 
FOR ADMINISTRATORS AND INSTRUCTORS OF SENIOR 
RESERVE OFFICERS’ TRAINING CORPS. 
The Secretary of a military department shall ensure that the 
commander of each unit of the Senior Reserve Officers’ Training 
Corps and all Professors of Military Science, senior military instruc-
tors, and civilian employees detailed, assigned, or employed as 
administrators and instructors of the Senior Reserve Officers’ 
Training Corps receive regular sexual assault prevention and 
response training and education.
H. R. 1735—94 
SEC. 541. RETENTION OF CASE NOTES IN INVESTIGATIONS OF SEX- 
RELATED OFFENSES INVOLVING MEMBERS OF THE ARMY, 
NAVY, AIR FORCE, OR MARINE CORPS. 
(a) RETENTION OF ALL INVESTIGATIVE RECORDS REQUIRED.— 
Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this 
Act, the Secretary of Defense shall update Department of Defense 
records retention policies to ensure that, for all investigations 
relating to an alleged sex-related offense (as defined in section 
1044e(g) of title 10, United States Code) involving a member of 
the Army, Navy, Air Force, or Marine Corps, all elements of the 
case file shall be retained as part of the investigative records 
retained in accordance with section 586 of the National Defense 
Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2012 (Public Law 112–81; 10 
U.S.C. 1561 note). 
(b) ELEMENTS.—In updating records retention policies as 
required by subsection (a), the Secretary of Defense shall address, 
at a minimum, the following matters: 
(1) The elements of the case file to be retained must include, 
at a minimum, the case activity record, case review record, 
investigative plans, and all case notes made by an investigating 
agent or agents. 
(2) All investigative records must be retained for no less 
than 50 years. 
(3) No element of the case file may be destroyed until 
the expiration of the time that investigative records must be 
kept. 
(4) Records may be stored digitally or in hard copy, in 
accordance with existing law or regulations or additionally pre-
scribed policy considered necessary by the Secretary of the 
military department concerned. 
(c) CONSISTENT EDUCATION
AND POLICY.—The Secretary of 
Defense shall ensure that existing policy, education, and training 
are updated to reflect policy changes in accordance with subsection 
(a). 
(d) UNIFORM APPLICATION
TO MILITARY DEPARTMENTS.—The 
Secretary of Defense shall ensure that, to the maximum extent 
practicable, the policy developed under subsections (a) is imple-
mented uniformly by the military departments. 
SEC. 542. COMPTROLLER GENERAL OF THE UNITED STATES REPORTS 
ON PREVENTION AND RESPONSE TO SEXUAL ASSAULT BY 
THE ARMY NATIONAL GUARD AND THE ARMY RESERVE. 
(a) INITIAL REPORT.—Not later than April 1, 2016, the Comp-
troller General of the United States shall submit to Congress a 
report on the preliminary assessment of the Comptroller General 
(made pursuant to a review conducted by the Comptroller General 
for purposes of this section) of the extent to which the Army 
National Guard and the Army Reserve— 
(1) have in place policies and programs to prevent and 
respond to incidents of sexual assault involving members of 
the Army National Guard or the Army Reserve, as applicable; 
(2) provide medical and mental health care services to 
members of the Army National Guard or the Army Reserve, 
as applicable, following a sexual assault; and 
(3) have identified whether the nature of service in the 
Army National Guard or the Army Reserve, as the case may
H. R. 1735—95 
be, poses challenges to the prevention of or response to sexual 
assault. 
(b) ADDITIONAL
REPORTS.—If after submitting the report 
required by subsection (a) the Comptroller General makes addi-
tional assessments as a result of the review described in that 
subsection, the Comptroller General shall submit to Congress such 
reports on such additional assessments as the Comptroller General 
considers appropriate. 
SEC. 543. IMPROVED IMPLEMENTATION OF CHANGES TO UNIFORM 
CODE OF MILITARY JUSTICE. 
The Secretary of Defense shall examine the Department of 
Defense process for implementing statutory changes to the Uniform 
Code of Military Justice for the purpose of developing options for 
streamlining such process. The Secretary shall adopt procedures 
to ensure that legal guidance is published as soon as practicable 
whenever statutory changes to the Uniform Code of Military Justice 
are implemented. 
SEC. 544. MODIFICATION OF RULE 104 OF THE RULES FOR COURTS- 
MARTIAL TO ESTABLISH CERTAIN PROHIBITIONS CON-
CERNING EVALUATIONS OF SPECIAL VICTIMS’ COUNSEL. 
Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of 
this Act, Rule 104(b) of the Rules for Courts-Martial shall be modi-
fied to provide that the prohibitions concerning evaluations estab-
lished by that Rule shall apply to the giving of a less favorable 
rating or evaluation to any member of the Armed Forces serving 
as a Special Victims’ Counsel because of the zeal with which such 
counsel represented a victim. 
SEC. 545. MODIFICATION OF RULE 304 OF THE MILITARY RULES OF 
EVIDENCE RELATING TO THE CORROBORATION OF A 
CONFESSION OR ADMISSION. 
To the extent the President considers practicable, the President 
shall modify Rule 304(c) of the Military Rules of Evidence to conform 
to the rules governing the admissibility of the corroboration of 
admissions and confessions in the trial of criminal cases in the 
United States district courts. 
Subtitle E—Member Education, Training, 
and Transition 
SEC. 551. ENHANCEMENTS TO YELLOW RIBBON REINTEGRATION PRO-
GRAM. 
(a) SCOPE
AND
PURPOSE.—Section 582(a) of the National 
Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2008 (Public Law 110– 
181; 10 U.S.C. 10101 note) is amended by striking ‘‘combat veteran’’. 
(b) ELIGIBILITY.— 
(1) DEFINITION.—Section 582 of the National Defense 
Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2008 (Public Law 110–181; 
10 U.S.C. 10101 note) is amended by adding at the end the 
following new subsection: 
‘‘(l) ELIGIBLE INDIVIDUALS DEFINED.—For the purposes of this 
section, the term ‘eligible individual’ means a member of a reserve 
component, a member of their family, or a designated representative
H. R. 1735—96 
who the Secretary of Defense determines to be eligible for the 
Yellow Ribbon Reintegration Program.’’. 
(2) 
CONFORMING
AMENDMENTS.—Section 
582 
of 
the 
National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2008 (Public 
Law 110–181; 10 U.S.C. 10101 note) is amended— 
(A) in subsection (a), by striking ‘‘National Guard and 
Reserve members and their families’’ and inserting ‘‘eligible 
individuals’’; 
(B) in subsection (b), by striking ‘‘members of the 
reserve components of the Armed Forces, their families,’’ 
and inserting ‘‘eligible individuals’’; 
(C) in subsection (d)(2)(C), by striking ‘‘members of 
the Armed Forces and their families’’ and inserting ‘‘eligible 
individuals’’; 
(D) in subsection (h), in the matter preceding para-
graph (1)— 
(i) by striking ‘‘members of the Armed Forces and 
their family members’’ and inserting ‘‘eligible individ-
uals’’; and 
(ii) by striking ‘‘such members and their family 
members’’ and inserting ‘‘such eligible individuals’’; 
(E) in subsection (j), by striking ‘‘members of the Armed 
Forces and their families’’ and inserting ‘‘eligible individ-
uals’’; and 
(F) in subsection (k), by striking ‘‘individual members 
of the Armed Forces and their families’’ and inserting 
‘‘eligible individuals’’. 
(c) OFFICE FOR REINTEGRATION PROGRAMS.—Section 582(d) of 
the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2008 (Public 
Law 110–181; 10 U.S.C. 10101 note) is amended— 
(1) in subparagraph (1)(B), by striking ‘‘substance abuse 
and mental health treatment services’’ and inserting ‘‘substance 
abuse, mental health treatment, and other quality of life serv-
ices’’; and 
(2) by adding at the end the following new paragraph: 
‘‘(3) GRANTS.—The Office for Reintegration Programs may 
make grants to conduct data collection, trend analysis, and 
curriculum development and to prepare reports in support of 
activities under this section.’’. 
(d) OPERATION OF PROGRAM.— 
(1) ENHANCED FLEXIBILITY.—Subsection (g) of section 582 
of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2008 
(Public Law 110–181; 10 U.S.C. 10101 note) is amended to 
read as follows: 
‘‘(g) OPERATION OF PROGRAM.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—The Office for Reintegration Programs 
shall assist State National Guard and Reserve organizations 
with the development and provision of information, events, 
and activities to support the health and well-being of eligible 
individuals before, during, and after periods of activation, 
mobilization, or deployment. 
‘‘(2) FOCUS
OF
INFORMATION, EVENTS, AND
ACTIVITIES.— 
‘‘(A) BEFORE
ACTIVATION, MOBILIZATION, OR
DEPLOY-
MENT.—Before a period of activation, mobilization, or 
deployment, 
the 
information, 
events, 
and 
activities 
described in paragraph (1) should focus on preparing
H. R. 1735—97 
eligible individuals and affected communities for the rigors 
of activation, mobilization, and deployment. 
‘‘(B) DURING
ACTIVATION, MOBILIZATION, OR
DEPLOY-
MENT.—During such a period, the information, events, and 
activities described in paragraph (1) should focus on— 
‘‘(i) helping eligible individuals cope with the chal-
lenges and stress associated with such period; 
‘‘(ii) decreasing the isolation of eligible individuals 
during such period; and 
‘‘(iii) preparing eligible individuals for the chal-
lenges associated with reintegration. 
‘‘(C) AFTER
ACTIVATION, MOBILIZATION, OR
DEPLOY-
MENT.—After such a period, but no earlier than 30 days 
after demobilization, the information, events, and activities 
described in paragraph (1) should focus on— 
‘‘(i) reconnecting the member with their families, 
friends, and communities; 
‘‘(ii) 
providing 
information 
on 
employment 
opportunities; 
‘‘(iii) helping eligible individuals deal with the chal-
lenges of reintegration; 
‘‘(iv) ensuring that eligible individuals understand 
what benefits they are entitled to and what resources 
are available to help them overcome the challenges 
of reintegration; and 
‘‘(v) providing a forum for addressing negative 
behaviors related to operational stress and reintegra-
tion. 
‘‘(3) MEMBER PAY.—Members shall receive appropriate pay 
for days spent attending such events and activities. 
‘‘(4) MINIMUM NUMBER OF EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES.—The 
State National Guard and Reserve Organizations shall provide 
to eligible individuals— 
‘‘(A) one event or activity before a period of activation, 
mobilization, or deployment; 
‘‘(B) one event or activity during a period of activation, 
mobilization, or deployment; and 
‘‘(C) two events or activities after a period of activation, 
mobilization, or deployment.’’. 
(2) 
CONFORMING
AMENDMENTS.—Section 
582 
of 
the 
National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2008 (Public 
Law 110–181; 10 U.S.C. 10101 note) is amended— 
(A) in subsection (a), by striking ‘‘throughout the entire 
deployment cycle’’; 
(B) in subsection (b)— 
(i) by striking ‘‘well-being through the 4 phases’’ 
through the end of the subsection and inserting ‘‘well- 
being.’’; 
(ii) in the heading, by striking ‘‘; DEPLOYMENT 
CYCLE’’; 
(C) in subsection (d)(2)(C), by striking ‘‘throughout the 
deployment cycle described in subsection (g)’’; and 
(D) in the heading of subsection (f), by striking ‘‘STATE 
DEPLOYMENT CYCLE’’. 
(e) ADDITIONAL PERMITTED OUTREACH SERVICE.—Section 582(h) 
of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2008
H. R. 1735—98 
(Public Law 110–181; 10 U.S.C. 10101 note) is amended by adding 
at the end the following new paragraph: 
‘‘(16) Stress management and positive coping skills.’’. 
(f) SUPPORT
OF
DEPARTMENT-WIDE
SUICIDE
PREVENTION 
EFFORTS.—Section 582 of the National Defense Authorization Act 
for Fiscal Year 2008 (Public Law 110–181; 10 U.S.C. 10101 note) 
is amended by inserting after subsection (h) the following new 
subsection: 
‘‘(i) SUPPORT
OF SUICIDE PREVENTION EFFORTS.—The Office 
for Reintegration Programs shall assist the Defense Suicide Preven-
tion Office and the Defense Centers of Excellence for Psychological 
Health and Traumatic Brain Injury to collect and analyze informa-
tion, suggestions, and best practices from State National Guard 
and Reserve organizations with suicide prevention and community 
response programs.’’. 
(g) NAME
CHANGE.—Section 582(d)(1)(B) of the National 
Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2008 (Public Law 110– 
181; 10 U.S.C. 10101 note) is amended by striking ‘‘Substance 
Abuse and the Mental Health Services Administration’’ and 
inserting ‘‘Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Adminis-
tration’’. 
SEC. 552. AVAILABILITY OF PRESEPARATION COUNSELING FOR MEM-
BERS OF THE ARMED FORCES DISCHARGED OR RELEASED 
AFTER LIMITED ACTIVE DUTY. 
Section 1142(a)(4) of title 10, United States Code, is amended— 
(1) in subparagraph (A), by striking ‘‘that member’s first 
180 days of active duty’’ and inserting ‘‘the first 180 continuous 
days of active duty of the member’’; and 
(2) by adding at the end the following new subparagraph: 
‘‘(C) For purposes of calculating the days of active duty of 
a member under subparagraph (A), the Secretary concerned shall 
exclude any day on which— 
‘‘(i) the member performed full-time training duty or annual 
training duty; and 
‘‘(ii) the member attended, while in the active military 
service, a school designated as a service school by law or by 
the Secretary concerned.’’. 
SEC. 553. AVAILABILITY OF ADDITIONAL TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES 
UNDER TRANSITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM. 
Section 1144 of title 10, United States Code, is amended by 
adding at the end the following new subsection: 
‘‘(f) ADDITIONAL TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES.—(1) As part of the 
program carried out under this section, the Secretary of Defense 
and the Secretary of the Department in which the Coast Guard 
is operating, when the Coast Guard is not operating within the 
Department of the Navy, shall permit a member of the armed 
forces eligible for assistance under the program to elect to receive 
additional training in any of the following subjects: 
‘‘(A) Preparation for higher education or training. 
‘‘(B) Preparation for career or technical training. 
‘‘(C) Preparation for entrepreneurship. 
‘‘(D) Other training options determined by the Secretary 
of Defense and the Secretary of the Department in which the 
Coast Guard is operating, when the Coast Guard is not oper-
ating within the Department of the Navy.
H. R. 1735—99 
‘‘(2) The Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of the Depart-
ment in which the Coast Guard is operating, when the Coast 
Guard is not operating within the Department of the Navy, shall 
ensure that a member of the armed forces who elects to receive 
additional training in subjects available under paragraph (1) is 
able to receive the training.’’. 
SEC. 
554. 
MODIFICATION 
OF 
REQUIREMENT 
FOR 
IN-RESIDENT 
INSTRUCTION FOR COURSES OF INSTRUCTION OFFERED 
AS PART OF PHASE II JOINT PROFESSIONAL MILITARY 
EDUCATION. 
Section 2154(a)(2)(A) of title 10, United States Code, is amended 
by inserting ‘‘, or offered through,’’ after ‘‘taught in residence at’’. 
SEC. 555. TERMINATION OF PROGRAM OF EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE 
FOR 
RESERVE 
COMPONENT 
MEMBERS 
SUPPORTING 
CONTINGENCY OPERATIONS AND OTHER OPERATIONS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Chapter 1607 of title 10, United States Code, 
is amended by adding at the end the following new section: 
‘‘§ 16167. Sunset 
‘‘(a) SUNSET.—The authority to provide educational assistance 
under this chapter shall terminate on the date that is four years 
after the date of the enactment of the National Defense Authoriza-
tion Act for Fiscal Year 2016. 
‘‘(b) LIMITATION
ON
PROVISION
OF
ASSISTANCE
PENDING 
SUNSET.—Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter, 
during the period beginning on the date of the enactment of the 
National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2016 and ending 
on the date that is four years after the date of the enactment 
of that Act, educational assistance may be provided under this 
chapter only to a member otherwise eligible for educational assist-
ance under this chapter who received educational assistance under 
this chapter for a course of study at an educational institution 
for the enrollment period at the educational institution that imme-
diately preceded the date of the enactment of that Act.’’. 
(b) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The table of sections at the begin-
ning of chapter 1607 of title 10, United States Code, is amended 
by adding at the end the following new item: 
‘‘16167. Sunset.’’. 
SEC. 556. APPOINTMENTS TO MILITARY SERVICE ACADEMIES FROM 
NOMINATIONS MADE BY DELEGATES IN CONGRESS FROM 
THE VIRGIN ISLANDS, GUAM, AMERICAN SAMOA, AND THE 
COMMONWEALTH OF THE NORTHERN MARIANA ISLANDS. 
(a) UNITED STATES MILITARY ACADEMY.—Section 4342(a) of title 
10, United States Code, is amended— 
(1) in paragraph (6), by striking ‘‘Three’’ and inserting 
‘‘Four’’; 
(2) in paragraph (8), by striking ‘‘Three’’ and inserting 
‘‘Four’’; 
(3) in paragraph (9), by striking ‘‘Two’’ and inserting 
‘‘Three’’; and 
(4) in paragraph (10), by striking ‘‘Two’’ and inserting 
‘‘Three’’. 
(b) UNITED STATES NAVAL ACADEMY.—Section 6954(a) of title 
10, United States Code, is amended—
H. R. 1735—100 
(1) in paragraph (6), by striking ‘‘Three’’ and inserting 
‘‘Four’’; 
(2) in paragraph (8), by striking ‘‘Three’’ and inserting 
‘‘Four’’; 
(3) in paragraph (9), by striking ‘‘Two’’ and inserting 
‘‘Three’’; and 
(4) in paragraph (10), by striking ‘‘Two’’ and inserting 
‘‘Three’’. 
(c) UNITED STATES AIR FORCE ACADEMY.—Section 9342(a) of 
title 10, United States Code, is amended— 
(1) in paragraph (6), by striking ‘‘Three’’ and inserting 
‘‘Four’’; 
(2) in paragraph (8), by striking ‘‘Three’’ and inserting 
‘‘Four’’; 
(3) in paragraph (9), by striking ‘‘Two’’ and inserting 
‘‘Three’’; and 
(4) in paragraph (10), by striking ‘‘Two’’ and inserting 
‘‘Three’’. 
(d) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The amendments made by this section 
shall apply with respect to the nomination of candidates for appoint-
ment to the United States Military Academy, the United States 
Naval Academy, and the United States Air Force Academy for 
classes entering these military service academies after the date 
of the enactment of this Act. 
SEC. 557. SUPPORT FOR ATHLETIC PROGRAMS OF THE UNITED STATES 
MILITARY ACADEMY. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Chapter 403 of title 10, United States Code, 
is amended by adding at the end the following new section: 
‘‘§ 4362. Support of athletic programs 
‘‘(a) AUTHORITY.— 
‘‘(1) CONTRACTS AND COOPERATIVE AGREEMENTS.—The Sec-
retary of the Army may enter into contracts and cooperative 
agreements with the Army West Point Athletic Association 
for the purpose of supporting the athletic programs of the 
Academy. Notwithstanding section 2304(k) of this title, the 
Secretary may enter such contracts or cooperative agreements 
on a sole source basis pursuant to section 2304(c)(5) of this 
title. Notwithstanding chapter 63 of title 31, a cooperative 
agreement under this section may be used to acquire property 
or services for the direct benefit or use of the Academy. 
‘‘(2) FINANCIAL CONTROLS.—(A) Before entering into a con-
tract or cooperative agreement under paragraph (1), the Sec-
retary shall ensure that such contract or agreement includes 
appropriate financial controls to account for Academy and 
Association resources in accordance with accepted accounting 
principles. 
‘‘(B) Any such contract or cooperative agreement shall con-
tain a provision that allows the Secretary, at the Secretary’s 
discretion, to review the financial accounts of the Association 
to determine whether the operations of the Association— 
‘‘(i) are consistent with the terms of the contract or 
cooperative agreement; and 
‘‘(ii) will not compromise the integrity or appearance 
of integrity of any program of the Department of the Army.
H. R. 1735—101 
‘‘(3) LEASES.—Section 2667(h) of this title shall not apply 
to any leases the Secretary may enter into with the Association 
for the purpose of supporting the athletic programs of the 
Academy. 
‘‘(b) SUPPORT SERVICES.— 
‘‘(1) AUTHORITY.—To the extent required by a contract or 
cooperative agreement under subsection (a), the Secretary may 
provide support services to the Association while the Associa-
tion conducts its support activities at the Academy. The Sec-
retary may provide support services described in paragraph 
(2) only if the Secretary determines that the provision of such 
services is essential for the support of the athletic programs 
of the Academy. 
‘‘(2) SUPPORT SERVICES DEFINED.—(A) In this subsection, 
the term ‘support services’ includes utilities, office furnishings 
and equipment, communications services, records staging and 
archiving, audio and video support, and security systems in 
conjunction with the leasing or licensing of property. 
‘‘(B) Such term includes— 
‘‘(i) housing for Association personnel on United States 
Army Garrison, West Point, New York; and 
‘‘(ii) enrollment of dependents of Association personnel 
in elementary and secondary schools under the same cri-
teria applied to dependents of Federal employees under 
section 2164(a) of this title, except that educational services 
provided pursuant to this clause shall be provided on a 
reimbursable basis. 
‘‘(3) NO LIABILITY OF THE UNITED STATES.—Any such sup-
port services may only be provided without any liability of 
the United States to the Association. 
‘‘(c) ACCEPTANCE OF SUPPORT.— 
‘‘(1) SUPPORT RECEIVED FROM THE ASSOCIATION.—Notwith-
standing section 1342 of title 31, the Secretary may accept 
from the Association funds, supplies, and services for the sup-
port of the athletic programs of the Academy. For the purposes 
of this section, employees or personnel of the Association may 
not be considered to be employees of the United States. 
‘‘(2) FUNDS
RECEIVED
FROM
NCAA.—The Secretary may 
accept funds from the National Collegiate Athletic Association 
to support the athletic programs of the Academy. 
‘‘(3) LIMITATION.—The Secretary shall ensure that contribu-
tions under this subsection and expenditure of funds pursuant 
to subsection (e) do not reflect unfavorably on the ability of 
the Department of the Army, any of its employees, or any 
member of the armed forces to carry out any responsibility 
or duty in a fair and objective manner, or compromise the 
integrity or appearance of integrity of any program of the 
Department of the Army, or any individual involved in such 
a program. 
‘‘(d) TRADEMARKS AND SERVICE MARKS.— 
‘‘(1) LICENSING, MARKETING, AND
SPONSORSHIP
AGREE-
MENTS.—An agreement under subsection (a) may, consistent 
with section 2260 of this title (other than subsection (d) of 
such section), authorize the Association to enter into licensing, 
marketing, and sponsorship agreements relating to trademarks 
and service marks identifying the Academy, subject to the 
approval of the Secretary of the Army.
H. R. 1735—102 
‘‘(2) LIMITATIONS.—No licensing, marketing, or sponsorship 
agreement may be entered into under paragraph (1) if— 
‘‘(A) such agreement would reflect unfavorably on the 
ability of the Department of the Army, any of its employees, 
or any member of the armed forces to carry out any respon-
sibility or duty in a fair and objective manner; or 
‘‘(B) the Secretary determines that the use of the trade-
mark or service mark would compromise the integrity or 
appearance of integrity of any program of the Department 
of the Army, or any individual involved in such a program. 
‘‘(e) RETENTION AND USE OF FUNDS.—Any funds received by 
the Secretary under this section may be retained for use in support 
of the athletic programs of the Academy and shall remain available 
until expended. 
‘‘(f) SERVICE
ON
ASSOCIATION
BOARD
OF
DIRECTORS.—The 
Association is a designated entity for which authorization under 
sections 1033(a) and 1589(a) of this title may be provided. 
‘‘(g) CONDITIONS.—The authority provided in this section with 
respect to the Association is available only so long as the Association 
continues— 
‘‘(1) to qualify as a nonprofit organization under section 
501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 and operates 
in accordance with this section, the law of the State of New 
York, and the constitution and bylaws of the Association; and 
‘‘(2) to operate exclusively to support the athletic programs 
of the Academy. 
‘‘(h) ASSOCIATION DEFINED.—In this section, the term ‘Associa-
tion’ means the Army West Point Athletic Association.’’. 
(b) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The table of sections at the begin-
ning of chapter 403 of title 10, United States Code, is amended 
by adding at the end the following new item: 
‘‘4362. Support of athletic programs.’’. 
SEC. 
558. 
CONDITION 
ON 
ADMISSION 
OF 
DEFENSE 
INDUSTRY 
CIVILIANS TO ATTEND THE UNITED STATES AIR FORCE 
INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY. 
Section 9314a(c)(2) of title 10, United States Code, is amended 
by striking ‘‘will be done on a space-available basis and not require 
an increase in the size of the faculty’’ and inserting ‘‘will not 
require an increase in the permanently authorized size of the fac-
ulty’’. 
SEC. 559. QUALITY ASSURANCE OF CERTIFICATION PROGRAMS AND 
STANDARDS FOR PROFESSIONAL CREDENTIALS OBTAINED 
BY MEMBERS OF THE ARMED FORCES. 
Section 2015 of title 10, United States Code, as amended by 
section 551 of the Carl Levin and Howard P. ‘‘Buck’’ McKeon 
National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2015 (Public 
Law 113–291; 128 Stat. 3376), is further amended— 
(1) by redesignating subsections (c) and (d) as subsections 
(d) and (e), respectively; and 
(2) by inserting after subsection (b) the following new sub-
section (c): 
‘‘(c) QUALITY ASSURANCE
OF CERTIFICATION PROGRAMS
AND 
STANDARDS.—(1) Commencing not later than three years after the 
date of the enactment of the National Defense Authorization Act 
for Fiscal Year 2016, each Secretary concerned shall ensure that
H. R. 1735—103 
any credentialing program used in connection with the program 
under subsection (a) is accredited by an accreditation body that 
meets the requirements specified in paragraph (2). 
‘‘(2) The requirements for accreditation bodies specified in this 
paragraph are requirements that an accreditation body— 
‘‘(A) be an independent body that has in place mechanisms 
to ensure objectivity and impartiality in its accreditation activi-
ties; 
‘‘(B) meet a recognized national or international standard 
that directs its policy and procedures regarding accreditation; 
‘‘(C) apply a recognized national or international certifi-
cation standard in making its accreditation decisions regarding 
certification bodies and programs; 
‘‘(D) conduct on-site visits, as applicable, to verify the docu-
ments and records submitted by credentialing bodies for 
accreditation; 
‘‘(E) have in place policies and procedures to ensure due 
process when addressing complaints and appeals regarding its 
accreditation activities; 
‘‘(F) conduct regular training to ensure consistent and reli-
able decisions among reviewers conducting accreditations; and 
‘‘(G) meet such other criteria as the Secretary concerned 
considers appropriate in order to ensure quality in its accredita-
tion activities.’’. 
SEC. 560. PROHIBITION ON RECEIPT OF UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE 
WHILE RECEIVING POST-9/11 EDUCATION ASSISTANCE. 
(a) EFFECT OF RECEIPT OF POST-9/11 EDUCATION ASSISTANCE.— 
Section 8525(b) of title 5, United States Code, is amended— 
(1) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by striking ‘‘he 
receives’’ and inserting ‘‘the individual receives’’; 
(2) in paragraph (1), by striking ‘‘or’’ after the semicolon; 
(3) by redesignating paragraph (2) as paragraph (3); and 
(4) by inserting after paragraph (1) the following new para-
graph (2): 
‘‘(2) except in the case of an individual described in sub-
section (a), an educational assistance allowance under chapter 
33 of title 38; or’’. 
(b) EXCEPTION.—Section 8525 of title 5, United States Code, 
is amended by inserting before subsection (b) the following new 
subsection: 
‘‘(a) Subsection (b)(2) does not apply to an individual who— 
‘‘(1) is otherwise entitled to compensation under this sub-
chapter; 
‘‘(2) is described in section 3311(b) of title 38; 
‘‘(3) is not receiving retired pay under title 10; and 
‘‘(4) was discharged or released from service in the Armed 
Forces or the Commissioned Corps of the National Oceanic 
and Atmospheric Administration (including through a reduction 
in force) under honorable conditions, but did not voluntarily 
separate from such service.’’. 
SEC. 561. JOB TRAINING AND POST-SERVICE PLACEMENT EXECUTIVE 
COMMITTEE. 
Section 320 of title 38, United States Code, is amended— 
(1) in subsection (b)(2), by inserting ‘‘a subordinate Job 
Training and Post-Service Placement Executive Committee,’’ 
before ‘‘and such other committees’’;
H. R. 1735—104 
(2) by adding at the end the following new subsection: 
‘‘(e) JOB TRAINING AND POST-SERVICE PLACEMENT EXECUTIVE 
COMMITTEE.—The Job Training and Post-Service Placement Execu-
tive Committee described in subsection (b)(2) shall— 
‘‘(1) review existing policies, procedures, and practices of 
the Departments (including the military departments) with 
respect to job training and post-service placement programs; 
and 
‘‘(2) identify changes to such policies, procedures, and prac-
tices to improve job training and post-service placement.’’; and 
(3) in subsection (d)(2), by inserting ‘‘, including with 
respect to job training and post-service placement’’ before the 
period at the end. 
SEC. 562. RECOGNITION OF ADDITIONAL INVOLUNTARY MOBILIZATION 
DUTY AUTHORITIES EXEMPT FROM FIVE-YEAR LIMIT ON 
REEMPLOYMENT RIGHTS OF PERSONS WHO SERVE IN THE 
UNIFORMED SERVICES. 
Section 4312(c)(4)(A) of title 38, United States Code, is amended 
by inserting after ‘‘12304,’’ the following: ‘‘12304a, 12304b,’’. 
SEC. 563. EXPANSION OF OUTREACH FOR VETERANS TRANSITIONING 
FROM SERVING ON ACTIVE DUTY. 
(a) EXPANSION OF PILOT PROGRAM.—Section 5(c)(5) of the Clay 
Hunt Suicide Prevention for American Veterans Act (Public Law 
114–2; 38 U.S.C. 1712A note) is amended— 
(1) in subparagraph (C), by striking ‘‘; and’’ and inserting 
a semicolon; 
(2) in subparagraph (D), by striking the period at the 
end and inserting ‘‘; and’’; and 
(3) by adding at the end the following new subparagraph: 
‘‘(E) conducts outreach to individuals transitioning 
from serving on active duty in the Armed Forces who 
are participating in the Transition Assistance Program of 
the Department of Defense or other similar transition pro-
grams to inform such individuals of the community oriented 
veteran peer support network under paragraph (1) and 
other support programs and opportunities that are avail-
able to such individuals.’’. 
(b) INCLUSION OF INFORMATION IN INTERIM REPORT.—Section 
5(d)(1) of the Clay Hunt Suicide Prevention for American Veterans 
Act (Public Law 114–2; 38 U.S.C. 1712A note) is amended— 
(1) in subparagraph (C), by striking ‘‘; and’’ and inserting 
a semicolon; 
(2) in subparagraph (D), by striking the period at the 
end and inserting ‘‘; and’’; and 
(3) by adding at the end the following new subparagraph: 
‘‘(E) the number of veterans who— 
‘‘(i) received outreach from the Department of Vet-
erans Affairs while serving on active duty as a member 
of the Armed Forces; and 
‘‘(ii) participated in a peer support program under 
the pilot program for veterans transitioning from 
serving on active duty.’’.
H. R. 1735—105 
Subtitle 
F—Defense 
Dependents’ 
Edu-
cation and Military Family Readiness 
Matters 
SEC. 571. CONTINUATION OF AUTHORITY TO ASSIST LOCAL EDU-
CATIONAL AGENCIES THAT BENEFIT DEPENDENTS OF 
MEMBERS OF THE ARMED FORCES AND DEPARTMENT OF 
DEFENSE CIVILIAN EMPLOYEES. 
(a) ASSISTANCE TO SCHOOLS WITH SIGNIFICANT NUMBERS OF 
MILITARY DEPENDENT STUDENTS.—Of the amount authorized to 
be appropriated for fiscal year 2016 by section 301 and available 
for operation and maintenance for Defense-wide activities as speci-
fied in the funding table in section 4301, $25,000,000 shall be 
available only for the purpose of providing assistance to local edu-
cational agencies under subsection (a) of section 572 of the National 
Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2006 (Public Law 109– 
163; 20 U.S.C. 7703b). 
(b) LOCAL EDUCATIONAL AGENCY DEFINED.—In this section, 
the term ‘‘local educational agency’’ has the meaning given that 
term in section 8013(9) of the Elementary and Secondary Education 
Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7713(9)). 
SEC. 572. IMPACT AID FOR CHILDREN WITH SEVERE DISABILITIES. 
Of the amount authorized to be appropriated for fiscal year 
2016 pursuant to section 301 and available for operation and 
maintenance for Defense-wide activities as specified in the funding 
table in section 4301, $5,000,000 shall be available for payments 
under section 363 of the Floyd D. Spence National Defense 
Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2001 (as enacted into law by 
Public Law 106–398; 114 Stat. 1654A–77; 20 U.S.C. 7703a). 
SEC. 573. AUTHORITY TO USE APPROPRIATED FUNDS TO SUPPORT 
DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE STUDENT MEAL PROGRAMS IN 
DOMESTIC DEPENDENT ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY 
SCHOOLS LOCATED OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES. 
(a) AUTHORITY.—Section 2243 of title 10, United States Code, 
is amended— 
(1) in subsection (a)— 
(A) by striking ‘‘the defense dependents’ education 
system’’ and inserting ‘‘overseas defense dependents’ 
schools’’; and 
(B) by striking ‘‘students enrolled in that system’’ and 
inserting ‘‘students enrolled in such a school’’; 
(2) in subsection (d), by striking ‘‘Department of Defense 
dependents’ schools which are located outside the United 
States’’ and inserting ‘‘overseas defense dependents’ schools’’; 
and 
(3) by adding at the end the following new subsection: 
‘‘(e) OVERSEAS DEFENSE DEPENDENTS’ SCHOOL DEFINED.—In 
this section, the term ‘overseas defense dependents’ school’ means 
the following: 
‘‘(1) A school established as part of the defense dependents’ 
education system provided for under the Defense Dependents’ 
Education Act of 1978 (20 U.S.C. 921 et seq.).
H. R. 1735—106 
‘‘(2) An elementary or secondary school established pursu-
ant to section 2164 of this title that is located in a territory, 
commonwealth, or possession of the United States.’’. 
(b) CLERICAL AMENDMENTS.— 
(1) SECTION HEADING.—The heading of section 2243 of title 
10, United States Code, is amended to read as follows: 
‘‘§ 2243. Authority to use appropriated funds to support stu-
dent meal programs in overseas defense depend-
ents’ schools’’. 
(2) TABLE OF SECTIONS.—The table of sections at the begin-
ning of subchapter I of chapter 134 of title 10, United States 
Code, is amended by striking the item relating to section 2243 
and inserting the following new item: 
‘‘2243. Authority to use appropriated funds to support student meal programs in 
overseas defense dependents’ schools.’’. 
SEC. 574. FAMILY SUPPORT PROGRAMS FOR IMMEDIATE FAMILY MEM-
BERS OF MEMBERS OF THE ARMED FORCES ASSIGNED 
TO SPECIAL OPERATIONS FORCES. 
(a) EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY TO CONDUCT PROGRAMS .—Section 
554(f) of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 
2014 (Public Law 113–66; 10 U.S.C. 1785 note) is amended by 
striking ‘‘2016’’ and inserting ‘‘2018’’. 
(b) MODIFICATION OF REPORTING REQUIREMENT.—Subsection (g) 
of section 554 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal 
Year 2014 (Public Law 113–66; 10 U.S.C. 1785 note) is amended 
to read as follows: 
‘‘(g) REPORT REQUIRED.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than March 1, 2016, and each 
March 1 thereafter though the conclusion of the pilot programs 
conducted under subsection (a), the Commander, in coordina-
tion with the Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and 
Readiness, shall submit to the congressional defense committees 
a report describing the progress made in achieving the goals 
of the pilot programs. 
‘‘(2) ELEMENTS OF REPORT.—Each report under this sub-
section shall include the following for each pilot program: 
‘‘(A) A description of the pilot program to address 
family support requirements not being provided by the 
Secretary of a military department to immediate family 
members of members of the Armed Forces assigned to 
special operations forces. 
‘‘(B) An assessment of the impact of the pilot program 
on the readiness of members of the Armed Forces assigned 
to special operations forces. 
‘‘(C) A comparison of the pilot program to other pro-
grams conducted by the Secretaries of the military depart-
ments to provide family support to immediate family mem-
bers of members of the Armed Forces. 
‘‘(D) Recommendations for incorporating the lessons 
learned from the pilot program into family support pro-
grams conducted by the Secretaries of the military depart-
ments. 
‘‘(E) Any other matters considered appropriate by the 
Commander or the Under Secretary of Defense for Per-
sonnel and Readiness.’’.
H. R. 1735—107 
Subtitle G—Decorations and Awards 
SEC. 581. AUTHORIZATION FOR AWARD OF THE DISTINGUISHED- 
SERVICE CROSS FOR ACTS OF EXTRAORDINARY HEROISM 
DURING THE KOREAN WAR. 
Notwithstanding the time limitations specified in section 3744 
of title 10, United States Code, or any other time limitation with 
respect to the awarding of certain medals to persons who served 
in the Armed Forces, the Secretary of the Army may award the 
Distinguished-Service Cross under section 3742 of such title to 
Edward Halcomb who, while serving in Korea as a member of 
the United States Army in the grade of Private First Class in 
Company B, 1st Battalion, 29th Infantry Regiment, 24th Infantry 
Division, distinguished himself by acts of extraordinary heroism 
from August 20, 1950, to October 19, 1950, during the Korean 
War. 
Subtitle H—Miscellaneous Reports and 
Other Matters 
SEC. 591. COORDINATION WITH NON-GOVERNMENT SUICIDE PREVEN-
TION ORGANIZATIONS AND AGENCIES TO ASSIST IN 
REDUCING SUICIDES BY MEMBERS OF THE ARMED 
FORCES. 
(a) DEVELOPMENT OF POLICY.—The Secretary of Defense, in 
consultation with the Secretaries of the military departments, may 
develop a policy to coordinate the efforts of the Department of 
Defense and non-government suicide prevention organizations 
regarding— 
(1) the use of such non-government organizations to reduce 
the number of suicides among members of the Armed Forces 
by comprehensively addressing the needs of members of the 
Armed Forces who have been identified as being at risk of 
suicide; 
(2) the delineation of the responsibilities within the Depart-
ment of Defense regarding interaction with such organizations; 
(3) the collection of data regarding the efficacy and cost 
of coordinating with such organizations; and 
(4) the preparation and preservation of any reporting mate-
rial the Secretary determines necessary to carry out the policy. 
(b) SUICIDE PREVENTION EFFORTS.—The Secretary of Defense 
is authorized to take any necessary measures to prevent suicides 
by members of the Armed Forces, including by facilitating the 
access of members of the Armed Forces to successful non-govern-
mental treatment regimen. 
SEC. 592. EXTENSION OF SEMIANNUAL REPORTS ON THE INVOLUN-
TARY SEPARATION OF MEMBERS OF THE ARMED FORCES. 
Section 525(a) of the National Defense Authorization Act for 
Fiscal Year 2013 (Public Law 112–239; 126 Stat. 1724) is amended 
by striking ‘‘calendar years 2013 and 2014’’ and ‘‘each of calendar 
years 2013 through 2017’’.
H. R. 1735—108 
SEC. 593. REPORT ON PRELIMINARY MENTAL HEALTH SCREENINGS 
FOR INDIVIDUALS BECOMING MEMBERS OF THE ARMED 
FORCES. 
(a) REPORT
ON
RECOMMENDATIONS
IN
CONNECTION
WITH 
SCREENINGS.—Not later than 180 days after the date of the enact-
ment 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 the feasibility of conducting, before 
the enlistment or accession of an individual into the Armed Forces, 
a mental health screening of the individual to bring mental health 
screenings to parity with physical screenings of prospective mem-
bers. 
(b) ELEMENTS.—The report under subsection (a) shall include 
the following: 
(1) Recommendations with respect to establishing a secure, 
electronically-based preliminary mental health screening of new 
members of the Armed Forces. 
(2) Recommendations with respect to the composition of 
the mental health screening, evidenced-based best practices, 
and how to track changes in mental health screenings relating 
to traumatic brain injuries, post-traumatic stress disorder, and 
other conditions. 
SEC. 594. REPORT REGARDING NEW RULEMAKING UNDER THE MILI-
TARY LENDING ACT AND DEFENSE MANPOWER DATA 
CENTER REPORTS AND MEETINGS. 
(a) REPORT ON NEW MILITARY LENDING ACT RULEMAKING.— 
Not later than 60 days after the issuance by the Secretary of 
Defense of the regulation issued with regard to section 987 of 
title 10, United States Code (commonly known as the Military 
Lending Act), and part of 232 of title 32, Code of Federal Regula-
tions (its implementing regulation), the Secretary shall submit to 
the congressional defense committees a report that discusses— 
(1) the ability and reliability of the Defense Manpower 
Data Center in meeting real-time requests for accurate informa-
tion needed to make a determination regarding whether a 
borrower is covered by the Military Lending Act; or 
(2) an alternate mechanism or mechanisms for identifying 
such covered borrowers. 
(b) 
DEFENSE
MANPOWER
DATA
CENTER
REPORTS
AND 
MEETINGS.— 
(1) REPORTS ON ACCURACY, RELIABILITY, AND INTEGRITY OF 
SYSTEMS.—The Director of the Defense Manpower Data Center 
shall submit to the congressional defense committees reports 
on the accuracy, reliability, and integrity of the Defense Man-
power Data Center systems used to identify covered borrowers 
and covered policyholders under military consumer protection 
laws. The first report is due six months after the date of 
the enactment of this Act, and the Director shall submit addi-
tional reports every six months thereafter through December 
31, 2020, to show improvements in the accuracy, reliability, 
and integrity of such systems. 
(2) REPORT ON PLAN TO STRENGTHEN CAPABILITIES.—Not 
later than six months after the date of the enactment of this 
Act, the Director of the Defense Manpower Data Center shall 
submit to the congressional defense committees a report on 
plans to strengthen the capabilities of the Defense Manpower
H. R. 1735—109 
Data Center systems, including staffing levels and funding, 
in order to improve the identification of covered borrowers 
and covered policyholders under military consumer protection 
laws. 
(3) MEETINGS WITH PRIVATE SECTOR USERS OF SYSTEMS.— 
The Director of the Defense Manpower Data Center shall meet 
regularly with private sector users of Defense Manpower Data 
Center systems used to identify covered borrowers and covered 
policyholders under military consumer protection laws to learn 
about issues facing such users and to develop ways of 
addressing such issues. The first meeting pursuant to this 
requirement shall take place with three months after the date 
of the enactment of this Act. 
SEC. 595. REMOTELY PILOTED AIRCRAFT CAREER FIELD MANNING 
SHORTFALLS. 
(a) LIMITATION.—Of the funds authorized to be appropriated 
by this Act or otherwise made available for fiscal year 2016 for 
operation and maintenance for the Office of the Secretary of the 
Air Force, not more than 85 percent may be obligated or expended 
until a period of 15 days has elapsed following the date on which 
the Secretary of the Air Force submits to the congressional defense 
committees the report described in subsection (b). 
(b) REPORT REQUIRED.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 60 days after the date 
of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of the Air Force shall 
submit to the congressional defense committees a report on 
remotely piloted aircraft career field manning levels and actions 
the Air Force will take to rectify personnel shortfalls. 
(2) ELEMENTS.—The report required under paragraph (1) 
shall include the following elements: 
(A) A description of current and projected manning 
requirements and inventory levels for remotely piloted air-
craft systems. 
(B) A description of rated and non-rated officer and 
enlisted manning policies for authorization and inventory 
levels in effect for remotely piloted aircraft systems and 
units, to include whether remotely piloted aircraft duty 
is considered as a permanent Air Force Specialty Code 
or treated as an ancillary single assignment duty, and 
if both are used, the division of authorizations between 
permanently assigned personnel and those who will return 
to a different primary career field. 
(C) Comparisons to other Air Force manned combat 
aircraft systems and units with respect to personnel poli-
cies, manpower authorization levels, and projected per-
sonnel inventory. 
(D) Identification and assessment of mitigation actions 
to increase unit manning levels, including recruitment and 
retention bonuses, incentive pay, use of enlisted personnel, 
and increased weighting to remotely piloted aircraft per-
sonnel on promotion boards, and to ensure the school house 
for remotely piloted aircraft personnel is sufficient to meet 
increased manning demands. 
(E) Analysis demonstrating the requirements deter-
mination for how remotely piloted aircraft pilot and sensor 
operators are selected, including whether individuals are
H. R. 1735—110 
prior rated or non-rated qualified, what prerequisite 
training or experience is necessary, and required and types 
of basic and advanced qualification training for each mis-
sion design series of remotely piloted aircraft in the Air 
Force inventory. 
(F) Recommendations for changes to existing legisla-
tion required to implement mitigation actions. 
(G) An assessment of the authorization levels of govern-
ment civilian and contractor support required for suffi-
ciency of remotely piloted aircraft career field manning. 
(H) A description and associated timeline of actions 
the Air Force will take to increase remotely piloted aircraft 
career field manpower authorizations and manning levels 
to at least the equal of the normative levels of manning 
and readiness of all other combat aircraft career fields. 
(I) A description of any other matters concerning 
remotely piloted aircraft career field manning levels the 
Secretary of the Air Force determines to be appropriate. 
(3) FORM.—The report required under paragraph (1) may 
be submitted in classified form, but shall also contain an 
unclassified executive summary and may contain an unclassi-
fied annex. 
(4) NONDUPLICATION
OF
EFFORT.—If any information 
required under paragraph (1) has been included in another 
report or notification previously submitted to Congress by law, 
the Secretary of the Air Force may provide a list of such 
reports and notifications at the time of submitting the report 
required under this subsection in lieu of including such informa-
tion in the report. 
TITLE VI—COMPENSATION AND OTHER 
PERSONNEL BENEFITS 
Subtitle A—Pay and Allowances 
Sec. 601. No fiscal year 2016 increase in military basic pay for general and flag offi-
cers. 
Sec. 602. Limitation on eligibility for supplemental subsistence allowances to mem-
bers serving outside the United States and associated territory. 
Sec. 603. Phased-in modification of percentage of national average monthly cost of 
housing usable in computation of basic allowance for housing inside the 
United States. 
Sec. 604. Extension of authority to provide temporary increase in rates of basic al-
lowance for housing under certain circumstances. 
Sec. 605. Availability of information under the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008. 
Subtitle B—Bonuses and Special and Incentive Pays 
Sec. 611. One-year extension of certain bonus and special pay authorities for re-
serve forces. 
Sec. 612. One-year extension of certain bonus and special pay authorities for health 
care professionals. 
Sec. 613. One-year extension of special pay and bonus authorities for nuclear offi-
cers. 
Sec. 614. One-year extension of authorities relating to title 37 consolidated special 
pay, incentive pay, and bonus authorities. 
Sec. 615. One-year extension of authorities relating to payment of other title 37 bo-
nuses and special pays. 
Sec. 616. Increase in maximum annual amount of nuclear officer bonus pay. 
Sec. 617. Modification to special aviation incentive pay and bonus authorities for of-
ficers. 
Sec. 618. Repeal of obsolete authority to pay bonus to encourage Army personnel 
to refer persons for enlistment in the Army.
H. R. 1735—111 
Subtitle C—Travel and Transportation Allowances 
Sec. 621. Transportation to transfer ceremonies for family and next of kin of mem-
bers of the Armed Forces who die overseas during humanitarian oper-
ations. 
Sec. 622. Repeal of obsolete special travel and transportation allowance for sur-
vivors of deceased members of the Armed Forces from the Vietnam con-
flict. 
Sec. 623. Study and report on policy changes to the Joint Travel Regulations. 
Subtitle D—Disability Pay, Retired Pay, and Survivor Benefits 
PART I—RETIRED PAY REFORM 
Sec. 631. Modernized retirement system for members of the uniformed services. 
Sec. 632. Full participation for members of the uniformed services in the Thrift 
Savings Plan. 
Sec. 633. Lump sum payments of certain retired pay. 
Sec. 634. Continuation pay for full TSP members with 12 years of service. 
Sec. 635. Effective date and implementation. 
PART II—OTHER MATTERS 
Sec. 641. Death of former spouse beneficiaries and subsequent remarriages under 
the Survivor Benefit Plan. 
Subtitle E—Commissary and Non-Appropriated Fund Instrumentality Benefits and 
Operations 
Sec. 651. Plan to obtain budget-neutrality for the defense commissary system and 
the military exchange system. 
Sec. 652. Comptroller General of the United States report on the Commissary Sur-
charge, Non-appropriated Fund, and Privately-Financed Major Con-
struction Program. 
Subtitle F—Other Matters 
Sec. 661. Improvement of financial literacy and preparedness of members of the 
Armed Forces. 
Sec. 662. Recordation of obligations for installment payments of incentive pays, al-
lowances, and similar benefits when payment is due. 
Subtitle A—Pay and Allowances 
SEC. 601. NO FISCAL YEAR 2016 INCREASE IN MILITARY BASIC PAY 
FOR GENERAL AND FLAG OFFICERS. 
Section 203(a)(2) of title 37, United States Code, shall be applied 
for rates of basic pay payable for commissioned officers in pay 
grades O–7 through O–10 during calendar year 2016 by using 
the rate of pay for level II of the Executive Schedule in effect 
during 2014. The rates of basic pay payable for such officers shall 
not increase during calendar year 2016. 
SEC. 602. LIMITATION ON ELIGIBILITY FOR SUPPLEMENTAL SUBSIST-
ENCE ALLOWANCES TO MEMBERS SERVING OUTSIDE THE 
UNITED STATES AND ASSOCIATED TERRITORY. 
Section 402a(b) of title 37, United States Code, is amended— 
(1) in paragraph (1), by inserting ‘‘and paragraph (4)’’ after 
‘‘subsection (d)’’; and 
(2) by adding at the end the following new paragraph: 
‘‘(4) After September 30, 2016, a member is eligible for a supple-
mental subsistence allowance under this section only if the member 
is serving outside the United States, the Commonwealth of Puerto 
Rico, the United States Virgin Islands, or Guam.’’.
H. R. 1735—112 
SEC. 603. PHASED-IN MODIFICATION OF PERCENTAGE OF NATIONAL 
AVERAGE MONTHLY COST OF HOUSING USABLE IN COM-
PUTATION OF BASIC ALLOWANCE FOR HOUSING INSIDE 
THE UNITED STATES. 
Section 403(b)(3)(B) of title 37, United States Code, is amended 
by striking ‘‘may not exceed one percent.’’ and inserting the fol-
lowing: ‘‘may not exceed the following: 
‘‘(i) One percent for months occurring during 2015. 
‘‘(ii) Two percent for months occurring during 2016. 
‘‘(iii) Three percent for months occurring during 2017. 
‘‘(iv) Four percent for months occurring during 2018. 
‘‘(v) Five percent for months occurring after 2018.’’. 
SEC. 604. EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY TO PROVIDE TEMPORARY 
INCREASE IN RATES OF BASIC ALLOWANCE FOR HOUSING 
UNDER CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES. 
Section 403(b)(7)(E) of title 37, United States Code, is amended 
by striking ‘‘December 31, 2015’’ and inserting ‘‘December 31, 2016’’. 
SEC. 605. AVAILABILITY OF INFORMATION UNDER THE FOOD AND 
NUTRITION ACT OF 2008. 
In administering the supplemental nutrition assistance pro-
gram established under the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 
U.S.C. 2011 et seq.), the Secretary of Agriculture shall ensure 
that any safeguards that prevent the use or disclosure of informa-
tion obtained from applicant households shall not prevent the use 
of that information by, or the disclosure of that information to, 
the Secretary of Defense for purposes of determining the number 
of applicant households that contain one or more members of a 
regular component or reserve component of the Armed Forces. 
Subtitle B—Bonuses and Special and 
Incentive Pays 
SEC. 611. ONE-YEAR EXTENSION OF CERTAIN BONUS AND SPECIAL 
PAY AUTHORITIES FOR RESERVE FORCES. 
The following sections of title 37, United States Code, are 
amended by striking ‘‘December 31, 2015’’ and inserting ‘‘December 
31, 2016’’: 
(1) Section 308b(g), relating to Selected Reserve reenlist-
ment bonus. 
(2) Section 308c(i), relating to Selected Reserve affiliation 
or enlistment bonus. 
(3) Section 308d(c), relating to special pay for enlisted 
members assigned to certain high-priority units. 
(4) Section 308g(f)(2), relating to Ready Reserve enlistment 
bonus for persons without prior service. 
(5) Section 308h(e), relating to Ready Reserve enlistment 
and reenlistment bonus for persons with prior service. 
(6) Section 308i(f), relating to Selected Reserve enlistment 
and reenlistment bonus for persons with prior service. 
(7) Section 478a(e), relating to reimbursement of travel 
expenses for inactive-duty training outside of normal com-
muting distance.
H. R. 1735—113 
(8) Section 910(g), relating to income replacement payments 
for reserve component members experiencing extended and fre-
quent mobilization for active duty service. 
SEC. 612. ONE-YEAR EXTENSION OF CERTAIN BONUS AND SPECIAL 
PAY AUTHORITIES FOR HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONALS. 
(a) TITLE 10 AUTHORITIES.—The following sections of title 10, 
United States Code, are amended by striking ‘‘December 31, 2015’’ 
and inserting ‘‘December 31, 2016’’: 
(1) Section 2130a(a)(1), relating to nurse officer candidate 
accession program. 
(2) Section 16302(d), relating to repayment of education 
loans for certain health professionals who serve in the Selected 
Reserve. 
(b) TITLE 37 AUTHORITIES.—The following sections of title 37, 
United States Code, are amended by striking ‘‘December 31, 2015’’ 
and inserting ‘‘December 31, 2016’’: 
(1) Section 302c-1(f), relating to accession and retention 
bonuses for psychologists. 
(2) Section 302d(a)(1), relating to accession bonus for reg-
istered nurses. 
(3) Section 302e(a)(1), relating to incentive special pay for 
nurse anesthetists. 
(4) Section 302g(e), relating to special pay for Selected 
Reserve health professionals in critically short wartime special-
ties. 
(5) Section 302h(a)(1), relating to accession bonus for dental 
officers. 
(6) Section 302j(a), relating to accession bonus for pharmacy 
officers. 
(7) Section 302k(f), relating to accession bonus for medical 
officers in critically short wartime specialties. 
(8) Section 302l(g), relating to accession bonus for dental 
specialist officers in critically short wartime specialties. 
SEC. 613. ONE-YEAR EXTENSION OF SPECIAL PAY AND BONUS 
AUTHORITIES FOR NUCLEAR OFFICERS. 
The following sections of title 37, United States Code, are 
amended by striking ‘‘December 31, 2015’’ and inserting ‘‘December 
31, 2016’’: 
(1) Section 312(f), relating to special pay for nuclear-quali-
fied officers extending period of active service. 
(2) Section 312b(c), relating to nuclear career accession 
bonus. 
(3) Section 312c(d), relating to nuclear career annual incen-
tive bonus. 
SEC. 614. ONE-YEAR EXTENSION OF AUTHORITIES RELATING TO TITLE 
37 CONSOLIDATED SPECIAL PAY, INCENTIVE PAY, AND 
BONUS AUTHORITIES. 
The following sections of title 37, United States Code, are 
amended by striking ‘‘December 31, 2015’’ and inserting ‘‘December 
31, 2016’’: 
(1) Section 331(h), relating to general bonus authority for 
enlisted members. 
(2) Section 332(g), relating to general bonus authority for 
officers.
H. R. 1735—114 
(3) Section 333(i), relating to special bonus and incentive 
pay authorities for nuclear officers. 
(4) Section 334(i), relating to special aviation incentive 
pay and bonus authorities for officers. 
(5) Section 335(k), relating to special bonus and incentive 
pay authorities for officers in health professions. 
(6) Section 336(g), relating to contracting bonus for cadets 
and midshipmen enrolled in the Senior Reserve Officers’ 
Training Corps. 
(7) Section 351(h), relating to hazardous duty pay. 
(8) Section 352(g), relating to assignment pay or special 
duty pay. 
(9) Section 353(i), relating to skill incentive pay or pro-
ficiency bonus. 
(10) Section 355(h), relating to retention incentives for 
members qualified in critical military skills or assigned to 
high priority units. 
SEC. 615. ONE-YEAR EXTENSION OF AUTHORITIES RELATING TO PAY-
MENT OF OTHER TITLE 37 BONUSES AND SPECIAL PAYS. 
The following sections of title 37, United States Code, are 
amended by striking ‘‘December 31, 2015’’ and inserting ‘‘December 
31, 2016’’: 
(1) Section 301b(a), relating to aviation officer retention 
bonus. 
(2) Section 307a(g), relating to assignment incentive pay. 
(3) Section 308(g), relating to reenlistment bonus for active 
members. 
(4) Section 309(e), relating to enlistment bonus. 
(5) Section 316a(g), relating to incentive pay for members 
of precommissioning programs pursuing foreign language pro-
ficiency. 
(6) Section 324(g), relating to accession bonus for new offi-
cers in critical skills. 
(7) Section 326(g), relating to incentive bonus for conversion 
to military occupational specialty to ease personnel shortage. 
(8) Section 327(h), relating to incentive bonus for transfer 
between Armed Forces. 
(9) Section 330(f), relating to accession bonus for officer 
candidates. 
SEC. 616. INCREASE IN MAXIMUM ANNUAL AMOUNT OF NUCLEAR 
OFFICER BONUS PAY. 
Section 333(d)(1)(A) of title 37, United States Code, is amended 
by striking ‘‘$35,000’’ and inserting ‘‘$50,000’’. 
SEC. 617. MODIFICATION TO SPECIAL AVIATION INCENTIVE PAY AND 
BONUS AUTHORITIES FOR OFFICERS. 
(a) CLARIFICATION
OF
SECRETARIAL
AUTHORITY
TO
SET 
REQUIREMENTS
FOR AVIATION INCENTIVE PAY ELIGIBILITY.—Sub-
section (a) of section 334 of title 37, United States Code, is 
amended— 
(1) by redesignating paragraphs (1), (2), (3), (4), and (5) 
as subparagraphs (A), (B), (C), (D), and (E), respectively, and 
moving the margin of such subparagraphs, as so redesignated, 
2 ems to the right; 
(2) by striking ‘‘The Secretary’’ and inserting the following: 
‘‘(1) INCENTIVE PAY AUTHORIZED.—The Secretary’’; and
H. R. 1735—115 
(3) by adding at the end the following new paragraph 
(2): 
‘‘(2) OFFICERS NOT CURRENTLY ENGAGED IN FLYING DUTY.— 
The Secretary concerned may pay aviation incentive pay under 
this section to an officer who is otherwise qualified for such 
pay but who is not currently engaged in the performance of 
operational flying duty or proficiency flying duty if the Secretary 
determines, under regulations prescribed under section 374 
of this title, that payment of aviation incentive pay to that 
officer is in the best interests of the service.’’. 
(b) RESTORATION OF AUTHORITY TO PAY AVIATION INCENTIVE 
PAY TO MEDICAL OFFICERS PERFORMING FLIGHT SURGEON DUTIES.— 
Subsection (h)(1) of such section is amended by striking ‘‘(except 
a flight surgeon or other medical officer)’’. 
(c) INCREASE IN MAXIMUM AMOUNT OF AVIATION SPECIAL PAYS 
FOR FLYING DUTY OF REMOTELY PILOTED AIRCRAFT.—Subsection 
(c)(1) of such section is amended— 
(1) in subparagraph (A), by striking ‘‘exceed $850 per 
month; and’’ and inserting ‘‘exceed— 
‘‘(i) $1,000 per month for officers performing quali-
fying flying duty relating to remotely piloted aircraft 
(RPA); or 
‘‘(ii) $850 per month for officers performing other 
qualifying flying duty; and’’; and 
(2) in subparagraph (B), by striking ‘‘$25,000’’ and all that 
follows and inserting ‘‘, for each 12-month period of obligated 
service agreed to under subsection (d)— 
‘‘(i) $35,000 for officers performing qualifying flying 
duty relating to remotely piloted aircraft; or 
‘‘(ii) $25,000 for officers performing other quali-
fying flying duty.’’. 
(d) AUTHORITY TO PAY AVIATION BONUS AND SKILL INCENTIVE 
PAY TO OFFICERS SIMULTANEOUSLY.—Subsection (f) of such section 
is amended— 
(1) in paragraph (1), by striking ‘‘353’’ and inserting 
‘‘353(a)’’; and 
(2) in paragraph (2)— 
(A) by striking ‘‘a payment’’ and inserting ‘‘a bonus 
payment’’; and 
(B) by striking ‘‘353’’ and inserting ‘‘353(b)’’. 
(e) REPORT.—Not later than February 1, 2016, the Secretary 
of Defense shall submit to the congressional defense committees 
a report setting forth the empirical case for an increase in special 
and incentive pay for aviation officers in order to address a specific, 
statistically-based retention problem with respect to such officers. 
The report shall include the results of a study, conducted by the 
Secretary in connection with the case, on a market-based compensa-
tion approach to the retention of such officers that considers the 
pay and allowances offered by commercial airlines to pilots and 
the propensity of pilots to leave the Air Force to become commercial 
airline pilots. 
SEC. 618. REPEAL OF OBSOLETE AUTHORITY TO PAY BONUS TO 
ENCOURAGE ARMY PERSONNEL TO REFER PERSONS FOR 
ENLISTMENT IN THE ARMY. 
(a) REPEAL.—Section 3252 of title 10, United States Code, is 
repealed.
H. R. 1735—116 
(b) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The table of sections at the begin-
ning of chapter 333 of such title is amended by striking the item 
relating to section 3252. 
Subtitle C—Travel and Transportation 
Allowances 
SEC. 621. TRANSPORTATION TO TRANSFER CEREMONIES FOR FAMILY 
AND NEXT OF KIN OF MEMBERS OF THE ARMED FORCES 
WHO DIE OVERSEAS DURING HUMANITARIAN OPER-
ATIONS. 
Section 481f(e)(1) of title 37, United States Code, is amended 
by inserting ‘‘(including during a humanitarian relief operation)’’ 
after ‘‘located or serving overseas’’. 
SEC. 622. REPEAL OF OBSOLETE SPECIAL TRAVEL AND TRANSPOR-
TATION ALLOWANCE FOR SURVIVORS OF DECEASED MEM-
BERS OF THE ARMED FORCES FROM THE VIETNAM CON-
FLICT. 
(a) REPEAL
AND REDESIGNATION.—Section 481f of title 37, 
United States Code, is amended— 
(1) by striking subsection (d); and 
(2) by redesignating subsections (e), (f), (g), and (h) as 
subsections (d), (e), (f), and (g), respectively. 
(b) CONFORMING AMENDMENT TO CROSS REFERENCE.—Section 
2493(a)(4)(B)(ii) of title 10, United States Code, is amended by 
striking ‘‘section 481f(e)’’ and inserting ‘‘section 481f(d)’’. 
SEC. 623. STUDY AND REPORT ON POLICY CHANGES TO THE JOINT 
TRAVEL REGULATIONS. 
(a) STUDY.—The Comptroller General of the United States shall 
conduct a study on the impact of the policy changes to the Joint 
Travel Regulations for the Uniformed Service Members and Depart-
ment of Defense Civilian Employees related to flat rate per diem 
for long term temporary duty travel that took effect on November 
1, 2014. The study shall assess the following: 
(1) The impact of such changes on shipyard workers who 
travel on long-term temporary duty assignments. 
(2) Whether such changes have discouraged employees of 
the Department of Defense, including civilian employees at 
shipyards and depots, from volunteering for important tem-
porary duty travel assignments. 
(b) REPORT.—Not later than June 1, 2016, the Comptroller 
General shall submit to the Committee on Armed Services of the 
Senate and the Committee on Armed Services of the House of 
Representatives a report on the study required by subsection (a).
H. R. 1735—117 
Subtitle D—Disability Pay, Retired Pay, 
and Survivor Benefits 
PART I—RETIRED PAY REFORM 
SEC. 631. MODERNIZED RETIREMENT SYSTEM FOR MEMBERS OF THE 
UNIFORMED SERVICES. 
(a) REGULAR SERVICE.—Section 1409(b) of title 10, United 
States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new 
paragraph: 
‘‘(4) MODERNIZED RETIREMENT SYSTEM.— 
‘‘(A) REDUCED MULTIPLIER FOR FULL TSP MEMBERS.— 
Notwithstanding paragraphs (1), (2), and (3), in the case 
of a member who first becomes a member of the uniformed 
services on or after January 1, 2018, or a member who 
makes the election described in subparagraph (B) (referred 
to as a ‘full TSP member’)— 
‘‘(i) paragraph (1)(A) shall be applied by sub-
stituting ‘2’ for ‘21⁄2’; 
‘‘(ii) clause (i) of paragraph (3)(B) shall be applied 
by substituting ‘60 percent’ for ‘75 percent’; and 
‘‘(iii) clause (ii)(I) of such paragraph shall be 
applied by substituting ‘2’ for ‘21⁄2’. 
‘‘(B) ELECTION TO PARTICIPATE IN MODERNIZED RETIRE-
MENT SYSTEM.—Pursuant to subparagraph (C), a member 
of a uniformed service serving on December 31, 2017, who 
has served in the uniformed services for fewer than 12 
years as of December 31, 2017, may elect, in exchange 
for the reduced multipliers described in subparagraph (A) 
for purposes of calculating the retired pay of the member, 
to receive Thrift Savings Plan contributions pursuant to 
section 8440e(e) of title 5. 
‘‘(C) ELECTION PERIOD.— 
‘‘(i) IN GENERAL.—Except as provided in clauses 
(ii) and (iii), a member of a uniformed service described 
in subparagraph (B) may make the election authorized 
by that subparagraph only during the period that 
begins on January 1, 2018, and ends on December 
31, 2018. 
‘‘(ii) HARDSHIP
EXTENSION.—The Secretary con-
cerned may extend the election period described in 
clause (i) for a member who experiences a hardship 
as determined by the Secretary concerned. 
‘‘(iii) EFFECT OF BREAK IN SERVICE.—A member 
of a uniformed service who returns to service after 
a break in service that occurs during the election period 
specified in clause (i) shall make the election described 
in subparagraph (B) within 30 days after the date 
of the reentry into service of the member. 
‘‘(D) NO
RETROACTIVE
CONTRIBUTIONS
PURSUANT
TO 
ELECTION.—Thrift Savings Plan contributions may not be 
made for a member making an election pursuant to 
subparagraph (B) for any period beginning before the date 
of the member’s election under that subparagraph by rea-
son of the member’s election.
H. R. 1735—118 
‘‘(E) REGULATIONS.—The Secretary concerned shall pre-
scribe regulations to implement this paragraph.’’. 
(b) NON-REGULAR SERVICE.—Section 12739 of title 10, United 
States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new 
subsection: 
‘‘(f) MODERNIZED RETIREMENT SYSTEM.— 
‘‘(1) REDUCED MULTIPLIER FOR FULL TSP MEMBERS.—Not-
withstanding subsection (a) or (c), in the case of a person 
who first performs reserve component service on or after 
January 1, 2018, after not having performed regular or reserve 
component service on or before that date, or a person who 
makes the election described in paragraph (2) (referred to as 
a ‘full TSP member’)— 
‘‘(A) subsection (a)(2) shall be applied by substituting 
‘2 percent’ for ‘21⁄2 percent’; 
‘‘(B) subparagraph (A) of subsection (c)(2) shall be 
applied by substituting ‘60 percent’ for ‘75 percent’; and 
‘‘(C) subparagraph (B)(ii) of such subsection shall be 
applied by substituting ‘2 percent’ for ‘21⁄2 percent’. 
‘‘(2) ELECTION TO PARTICIPATE IN MODERNIZED RETIREMENT 
SYSTEM.— 
‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—Pursuant to subparagraph (B), a 
person performing reserve component service on December 
31, 2017, who has performed fewer than 12 years of service 
as of December 31, 2017 (as computed in accordance with 
section 12733 of this title), may elect, in exchange for 
the reduced multipliers described in paragraph (1) for pur-
poses of calculating the retired pay of the person, to receive 
Thrift Savings Plan contributions pursuant to section 
8440e(e) of title 5. 
‘‘(B) ELECTION PERIOD.— 
‘‘(i) IN GENERAL.—Except as provided in clauses 
(ii) and (iii), a person described in subparagraph (A) 
may make the election described in that subparagraph 
during the period that begins on January 1, 2018, 
and ends on December 31, 2018. 
‘‘(ii) HARDSHIP
EXTENSION.—The Secretary con-
cerned may extend the election period described in 
clause (i) for a person who experiences a hardship 
as determined by the Secretary concerned. 
‘‘(iii) PERSONS EXPERIENCING BREAK IN SERVICE.— 
A person returning to reserve component service after 
a break in reserve component service in which falls 
the election period specified in clause (i) shall make 
the election described in subparagraph (A) on the date 
of the reentry into service of the person. 
‘‘(C) NO
RETROACTIVE
CONTRIBUTIONS
PURSUANT
TO 
ELECTION.—Thrift Savings Plan contributions may not be 
made for a person making an election pursuant to subpara-
graph (A) for any pay period beginning before the date 
of the person’s election under that subparagraph by reason 
of the person’s election. 
‘‘(3) REGULATIONS.—The Secretary concerned shall pre-
scribe regulations to implement this subsection.’’. 
(c) COORDINATING
AMENDMENTS
TO
OTHER
RETIREMENT 
AUTHORITIES.—
H. R. 1735—119 
(1) DISABILITY, WARRANT OFFICERS, AND DOPMA RETIRED 
PAY.— 
(A) COMPUTATION OF RETIRED PAY.—The table in sec-
tion 1401(a) of title 10, United States Code, is amended— 
(i) in paragraph (1) in column 2 of formula number 
1, by striking ‘‘21⁄2% of years of service credited to 
him under section 1208’’ and inserting ‘‘the retired 
pay multiplier determined for the member under sec-
tion 1409 of this title’’; and 
(ii) in paragraph (1) in column 2 of formula number 
2, by striking ‘‘21⁄2% of years of service credited to 
him under section 1208’’ and inserting ‘‘the retired 
pay multiplier determined for the member under sec-
tion 1409 of this title’’; and 
(iii) in column 2 of each of formula number 4 
and formula number 5, by striking ‘‘section 1409(a)’’ 
and inserting ‘‘section 1409’’. 
(B) CLARIFICATION
REGARDING
MODERNIZED
RETIRE-
MENT SYSTEM.—Section 1401a(b) of title 10, United States 
Code, is amended— 
(i) by redesignating paragraph (5) as paragraph 
(6); and 
(ii) by inserting after paragraph (4) the following 
new paragraph (5): 
‘‘(5) ADJUSTMENTS
FOR
PARTICIPANTS
IN
MODERNIZED 
RETIREMENT
SYSTEM.—Notwithstanding paragraph (3), if a 
member or former member participates in the modernized 
retirement system by reason of section 1409(b)(4) of this title 
(including pursuant to an election under subparagraph (B) of 
that section), the Secretary shall increase the retired pay of 
such member in accordance with paragraph (2).’’. 
(2) 15-YEAR CAREER STATUS BONUS.—Section 354 of title 
37, United States Code, is amended— 
(A) in subsection (f)— 
(i) by striking ‘‘If a’’ and inserting ‘‘(1) If a’’; and 
(ii) by adding at the end the following new para-
graph: 
‘‘(2) If a person who is paid a bonus under this section subse-
quently makes an election described in section 1409(b)(4)(B) of 
title 10, the person shall repay any bonus payments received under 
this section in the same manner as repayments are made under 
section 373 of this title.’’; and 
(B) by adding at the end the following new subsection: 
‘‘(g) SUNSET AND CONTINUATION OF PAYMENTS.—(1) A Secretary 
concerned may not pay a new bonus under this section after 
December 31, 2017. 
‘‘(2) Subject to subsection (f)(2), the Secretary concerned may 
continue to make payments for bonuses that were awarded under 
this section on or before the date specified in paragraph (1).’’. 
(3) APPLICATION TO NATIONAL OCEANIC AND ATMOSPHERIC 
ADMINISTRATION COMMISSIONED CORPS.—Paragraph (2) of sec-
tion 245(a) of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Adminis-
tration Commissioned Officer Corps Act of 2002 (33 U.S.C. 
3045(a)) is amended to read as follows: 
‘‘(2) the retired pay multiplier determined under section 
1409 of such title for the number of years of service that 
may be credited to the officer under section 1405 of such title
H. R. 1735—120 
as if the officer’s service were service as a member of the 
Armed Forces.’’. 
(4) APPLICATION
TO
PUBLIC
HEALTH
SERVICE.—Section 
211(a)(4) of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 212(a)(4)) 
is amended— 
(A) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by 
striking ‘‘at the rate of 2 1⁄2 per centum of the basic pay 
of the highest grade held by him as such officer’’ and 
inserting ‘‘calculated by multiplying the retired pay base 
determined under section 1406 of title 10, United States 
Code, by the retired pay multiplier determined under sec-
tion 1409 of such title for the numbers of years of service 
credited to the officer under this paragraph’’; and 
(B) in the matter following subparagraph (B)(iii)— 
(i) in subparagraph (C), by striking ‘‘such pay, 
and’’ and inserting ‘‘such pay,’’; and 
(ii) in subparagraph (D), by striking ‘‘such basic 
pay.’’ and inserting ‘‘such basic pay, and (E) in the 
case of any officer who participates in the modernized 
retirement system by reason of section 1409(b) of title 
10, United States Code (including pursuant to an elec-
tion under subparagraph (B) of that section), subpara-
graph (C) shall be applied by substituting ‘40 per 
centum’ for ‘50 per centum’ each place the term 
appears.’’. 
(d) REPEAL
OF REDUCED COST-OF-LIVING ADJUSTMENTS
FOR 
MEMBERS UNDER THE AGE OF 62.—The following amendments shall 
not take effect: 
(1) The amendments to be made by section 403 of the 
Bipartisan Budget Act of 2013 (Public Law 113–67; 127 Stat. 
1186), as amended by section 10001(a) of the Department of 
Defense Appropriations Act, 2014 (division C of Public Law 
113–76; 128 Stat. 151), section 2 of Public Law 113–82 (128 
Stat. 1009), and section 623 of the Carl Levin and Howard 
P. ‘‘Buck’’ McKeon National Defense Authorization Act for 
Fiscal Year 2015 (Public Law 113–291; 128 Stat. 3403). 
(2) The amendments to be made by section 10001(b) of 
the Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2014. 
SEC. 632. FULL PARTICIPATION FOR MEMBERS OF THE UNIFORMED 
SERVICES IN THE THRIFT SAVINGS PLAN. 
(a) MODERNIZED RETIREMENT SYSTEM.— 
(1) DEFINITIONS.—Section 8440e(a) of title 5, United States 
Code, is amended by striking paragraphs (1) and (2) and 
inserting the following new paragraphs: 
‘‘(1) the term ‘basic pay’ means basic pay payable under 
section 204 of title 37; 
‘‘(2) the term ‘full TSP member’ means a member described 
in subsection (e)(1); 
‘‘(3) the term ‘member’ has the meaning given the term 
in section 211 of title 37; and 
‘‘(4) the term ‘Secretary concerned’ has the meaning given 
the term in section 101 of title 37.’’. 
(2) TSP CONTRIBUTIONS.—Subsection (e) of section 8440e 
of title 5, United States Code, is amended to read as follows: 
‘‘(e) MODERNIZED RETIREMENT SYSTEM.—
H. R. 1735—121 
‘‘(1) TSP 
CONTRIBUTIONS.—Notwithstanding any other 
provision of law, the Secretary concerned shall make contribu-
tions to the Thrift Savings Fund, in accordance with section 
8432 (except to the extent the requirements under such section 
are modified by this subsection), for the benefit of a member— 
‘‘(A) who first enters a uniformed service on or after 
January 1, 2018; or 
‘‘(B) who— 
‘‘(i) first entered a uniformed service before 
January 1, 2018; 
‘‘(ii) has completed fewer than 12 years of service 
in the uniformed services as of December 31, 2017; 
and 
‘‘(iii) makes the election described in section 
1409(b)(4)(B) or 12729(f)(2) of title 10 to receive Thrift 
Savings Plan contributions under this subsection in 
exchange for the reduced multipliers described in sec-
tion 1409(b)(4)(A) or 12739(f)(1) of title 10, as 
applicable, for purposes of calculating the retired pay 
of the member. 
‘‘(2) MAXIMUM AMOUNT.—The amount contributed under 
this subsection by the Secretary concerned for the benefit of 
a full TSP member for any pay period shall not be more 
than 5 percent of the member’s basic pay for such pay period. 
Any such contribution under this subsection, though in accord-
ance with section 8432 as provided in paragraph (1), is instead 
of, and not in addition to, amounts contributable under section 
8432 as provided in section 8432(c). 
‘‘(3) TIMING AND DURATION OF CONTRIBUTIONS.— 
‘‘(A) AUTOMATIC CONTRIBUTIONS.—The Secretary con-
cerned shall make a contribution described in section 
8432(c)(1) under this subsection for the benefit of a member 
described in paragraph (1) for any pay period during the 
period that— 
‘‘(i) begins— 
‘‘(I) on or after the day that is 60 days afer 
the date the member first enters a uniformed 
service, in the case of a member described in para-
graph (1)(A); or 
‘‘(II) on or after the date the member makes 
the election described in paragraph (1)(B), in the 
case of a member making such an election; and 
‘‘(ii) ends on the day such member completes 26 
years of service as a member of the uniformed services. 
‘‘(B) MATCHING
CONTRIBUTIONS.—The Secretary con-
cerned shall make a contribution described in section 
8432(c)(2) under this subsection for the benefit of a member 
described in paragraph (1) for any pay period during the 
period that— 
‘‘(i) begins— 
‘‘(I) on or after the day that is 2 years and 
1 day after the date the member first enters a 
uniformed service, in the case of a member 
described in paragraph (1)(A); or 
‘‘(II) on or after the date the member makes 
the election described in paragraph (1)(B), in the 
case of a member making such an election; and
H. R. 1735—122 
‘‘(ii) ends on the day such member completes 26 
years of service as a member of the uniformed services. 
‘‘(4) PROTECTIONS FOR SPOUSES AND FORMER SPOUSES.— 
Section 8435 shall apply to a full TSP member in the same 
manner as such section is applied to an employee or Member 
under such section.’’. 
(b) AUTOMATIC ENROLLMENT IN THRIFT SAVINGS PLAN.—Section 
8432(b)(2) of title 5, United States Code, is amended— 
(1) in subparagraph (D)(ii), by striking ‘‘Members’’ and 
inserting ‘‘(ii) Except in the case of a full TSP member (as 
defined in section 8440e(a)), members’’; 
(2) in subparagraph (E), by striking ‘‘8440e(a)(1)’’ and 
inserting ‘‘8440e(b)(1)’’; and 
(3) by adding at the end the following new subparagraph: 
‘‘(F) Notwithstanding any other provision of this paragraph, 
if a full TSP member (as defined in section 8440e(a)) has declined 
automatic enrollment into the Thrift Savings Plan for a year, the 
full TSP member shall be automatically reenrolled on January 
1 of the succeeding year, with contributions under subsection (a) 
at the default percentage of basic pay.’’. 
(c) VESTING.— 
(1) TWO-YEARS OF SERVICE.—Section 8432(g)(2) of title 5, 
United States Code, is amended— 
(A) in subparagraph (A)(iii), by striking ‘‘or’’ after the 
semicolon; 
(B) in subparagraph (B), by striking the period at 
the end and inserting ‘‘; or’’; and 
(C) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(C) 2 years of service in the case of a member of the 
uniformed services.’’. 
(2) SEPARATION.—Section 8432(g) of title 5, United States 
Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new 
paragraph: 
‘‘(6) For purposes of this subsection, a member of the uniformed 
services shall be considered to have separated from Government 
employment if the member is discharged or released from service 
in the uniformed services.’’. 
(d) THRIFT SAVINGS PLAN DEFAULT INVESTMENT FUND.—Section 
8438(c)(2) of title 5, United States Code, is amended— 
(1) in subparagraph (A), by striking ‘‘(A) Consistent with 
the requirements of subparagraph (B), if an’’ and inserting 
‘‘If an’’; and 
(2) by striking subparagraph (B). 
(e) 
REPEAL
OF
SEPARATE
CONTRIBUTION
AGREEMENT 
AUTHORITY.— 
(1) REPEAL.—Section 211 of title 37, United States Code, 
is amended— 
(A) by striking subsection (d); and 
(B) by redesignating subsection (e) as subsection (d). 
(2) CONFORMING
AMENDMENT.—Section 8432b(c)(2)(B) of 
title 5, United States Code, is amended by striking ‘‘(including 
pursuant to an agreement under section 211(d) of title 37)’’. 
SEC. 633. LUMP SUM PAYMENTS OF CERTAIN RETIRED PAY. 
(a) LUMP SUM PAYMENTS OF CERTAIN RETIRED PAY.—
H. R. 1735—123 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Chapter 71 of title 10, United States 
Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new 
section: 
‘‘§ 1415. Lump sum payment of certain retired pay 
‘‘(a) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
‘‘(1) COVERED RETIRED PAY.—The term ‘covered retired pay’ 
means retired pay under— 
‘‘(A) this title; 
‘‘(B) title 14; 
‘‘(C) the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Adminis-
tration Commissioned Officer Corps Act of 2002 (33 U.S.C. 
3001 et seq.); or 
‘‘(D) the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 201 et 
seq.). 
‘‘(2) ELIGIBLE PERSON.—The term ‘eligible person’ means 
a person who— 
‘‘(A)(i) first becomes a member of a uniformed service 
on or after January 1, 2018; or 
‘‘(ii) 
makes 
the 
election 
described 
in 
section 
1409(b)(4)(B) or 12739(f)(2) of this title; and 
‘‘(B) does not retire or separate under chapter 61 of 
this title. 
‘‘(3) RETIREMENT AGE.—The term ‘retirement age’ has the 
meaning given the term in section 216(l) of the Social Security 
Act (42 U.S.C. 416(l)). 
‘‘(b) ELECTION OF LUMP SUM PAYMENT OF CERTAIN RETIRED 
PAY.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—An eligible person entitled to covered 
retired pay (including an eligible person who is entitled to 
such pay by reason of an election described in subsection 
(a)(2)(A)(ii)) may elect to receive— 
‘‘(A) a lump sum payment of the discounted present 
value at the time of the election of an amount of the 
covered retired pay that the eligible person is otherwise 
entitled to receive for the period beginning on the date 
of retirement and ending on the date the eligible person 
attains the eligible person’s retirement age equal to— 
‘‘(i) 50 percent of the amount of such covered 
retired pay during such period; or 
‘‘(ii) 25 percent of the amount of such covered 
retired pay during such period; and 
‘‘(B) a monthly amount during the period described 
in subparagraph (A) equal to— 
‘‘(i) in the case of an eligible person electing to 
receive an amount described in subparagraph (A)(i), 
50 percent of the amount of monthly covered retired 
pay the eligible person is otherwise entitled to receive 
during such period; and 
‘‘(ii) in the case of an eligible person electing to 
receive an amount described in subparagraph (A)(ii), 
75 percent of the amount of monthly covered retired 
pay the eligible person is otherwise entitled to receive 
during such period 
‘‘(2) DISCOUNTED
PRESENT
VALUE.—The Secretary of 
Defense shall compute the discounted present value of amounts 
of covered retired pay that an eligible person is otherwise
H. R. 1735—124 
entitled to receive for a period for purposes of paragraph (1)(A) 
by— 
‘‘(A) estimating the aggregate amount of retired pay 
the person would receive for the period, taking into account 
cost-of-living adjustments under section 1401a of this title 
projected by the Secretary at the time the person separates 
from service and would otherwise begin receiving covered 
retired pay; and 
‘‘(B) reducing the aggregate amount estimated pursu-
ant to subparagraph (A) by an appropriate percentage 
determined by the Secretary— 
‘‘(i) using average personal discount rates (as 
defined and calculated by the Secretary taking into 
consideration applicable and reputable studies of per-
sonal discount rates for military personnel and past 
actuarial experience in the calculation of personal dis-
count rates under this paragraph); and 
‘‘(ii) in accordance with generally accepted actu-
arial principles and practices. 
‘‘(3) TIMING OF ELECTION.—An eligible person shall make 
the election under this subsection not later than 90 days before 
the date of the retirement of the eligible person from the 
uniformed services. 
‘‘(4) SINGLE PAYMENT OR COMBINATION OF PAYMENTS.—An 
eligible person may elect to receive a lump sum payment under 
this subsection in a single payment or in a combination of 
payments. 
‘‘(5) COMMENCEMENT OF PAYMENT.—An eligible person who 
makes an election under this subsection shall receive the lump 
sum payment, or the first installment of a combination of 
payments of the lump sum payment if elected under paragraph 
(4), as follows: 
‘‘(A) Not later than 60 days after the date of the retire-
ment of the eligible person from the uniformed services. 
‘‘(B) In the case of an eligible person who is a member 
of a reserve component, not later than 60 days after the 
earlier of— 
‘‘(i) the date on which the eligible person attains 
60 years of age; or 
‘‘(ii) the date on which the eligible person first 
becomes entitled to covered retired pay. 
‘‘(6) NO SUBSEQUENT ADJUSTMENT.—An eligible person who 
accepts payment of a lump sum under this subsection may 
not seek the review of or otherwise challenge the amount of 
the lump sum in light of any variation in cost-of-living adjust-
ments under section 1401a of this title, actuarial assumptions, 
or other factors used by the Secretary in calculating the amount 
of the lump sum that occur after the Secretary pays the lump 
sum. 
‘‘(c) RESUMPTION OF MONTHLY ANNUITY.— 
‘‘(1) GENERAL RULE.—Subject to paragraph (2), an eligible 
person who makes an election described in subsection (b)(1) 
shall be entitled to receive the eligible person’s monthly covered 
retired pay calculated in accordance with paragraph (2) after 
the eligible person attains the eligible person’s retirement age. 
‘‘(2) RESTORATION OF FULL RETIREMENT AMOUNT AT RETIRE-
MENT AGE.—The retired pay of an eligible person who makes
H. R. 1735—125 
an election described in subsection (a) shall be recomputed, 
effective on the first day of the first month beginning after 
the person attains the eligible person’s retirement age, so as 
to be an amount equal to the amount of covered retired pay 
to which the eligible person would otherwise be entitled on 
that date if the annual increases, in the retired pay of the 
eligible person made to reflect changes in the Consumer Price 
Index, had been made in accordance with section 1401a of 
this title. 
‘‘(d) PAYMENT OF RETIRED PAY TO PERSONS NOT MAKING ELEC-
TION.—An eligible person who does not make the election described 
in subsection (b)(1) shall be paid the retired pay to which the 
eligible person is otherwise entitled under the applicable provisions 
of law referred to in subsection (a)(1). 
‘‘(e) REGULATIONS.—The Secretary of Defense concerned shall 
prescribe regulations to carry out the provisions of this section.’’. 
(2) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The table of sections at the 
beginning of chapter 71 of such title is amended by adding 
at the end the following new item: 
‘‘1415. Lump sum payment of certain retired pay.’’. 
(3) PAYMENTS
FROM
DEPARTMENT
OF
DEFENSE
MILITARY 
RETIREMENT FUND.—Section 1463(a)(1) of title 10, United States 
Code, is amended by striking ‘‘or 1414’’ and inserting ‘‘, 1414, 
or 1415’’. 
(b) OFFSET
OF VETERANS PENSION
AND COMPENSATION
BY 
AMOUNT OF LUMP SUM PAYMENTS.—Section 5304 of title 38, United 
States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new 
subsection: 
‘‘(d)(1) Other than amounts payable under section 1413a or 
1414 of title 10, the amount of pension and compensation benefits 
payable to a person under this title shall be reduced by the amount 
of any lump sum payment made to such person under section 
1415 of title 10. 
‘‘(2) The Secretary shall collect any reduction under paragraph 
(1) from amounts otherwise payable to the person under this title, 
including pension and compensation payable under this title, before 
any pension and compensation payments under this title may be 
paid to the person.’’. 
SEC. 634. CONTINUATION PAY FOR FULL TSP MEMBERS WITH 12 YEARS 
OF SERVICE. 
(a) CONTINUATION PAY.—Subchapter II of chapter 5 of title 
37, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the 
following new section: 
‘‘§ 356. Continuation pay: full TSP members with 12 years 
of service 
‘‘(a) CONTINUATION PAY.—The Secretary concerned shall make 
a payment of continuation pay to each full TSP member (as defined 
in section 8440e(a) of title 5) of the uniformed services under 
the jurisdiction of the Secretary who— 
‘‘(1) completes 12 years of service; and 
‘‘(2) enters into an agreement with the Secretary to serve 
for an additional 4 years of obligated service.
H. R. 1735—126 
‘‘(b) AMOUNT.—The amount of continuation pay payable to a 
full TSP member under subsection (a) shall be the amount that 
is equal to— 
‘‘(1) in the case of a member of a regular component— 
‘‘(A) the monthly basic pay of the member at 12 years 
of service multiplied by 2.5; plus 
‘‘(B) at the discretion of the Secretary concerned, the 
monthly basic pay of the member at 12 years of service 
multiplied by such number of months (not to exceed 13 
months) as the Secretary concerned shall specify in the 
agreement of the member under subsection (a); and 
‘‘(2) in the case of a member of a reserve component— 
‘‘(A) the amount of monthly basic pay to which the 
member would be entitled at 12 years of service if the 
member were a member of a regular component multiplied 
by 0.5; plus 
‘‘(B) at the discretion of the Secretary concerned, the 
amount of monthly basic pay described in subparagraph 
(A) multiplied by such number of months (not to exceed 
6 months) as the Secretary concerned shall specify in the 
agreement of the member under subsection (a). 
‘‘(c) ADDITIONAL DISCRETIONARY AUTHORITY.—In addition to the 
continuation pay required under subsection (a), the Secretary con-
cerned may provide continuation pay under this subsection to a 
full TSP member described in subsection (a), and subject to the 
service agreement referred to in paragraph (2) of such subsection, 
in an amount determined by the Secretary concerned. 
‘‘(d) TIMING OF PAYMENT.—The Secretary concerned shall pay 
continuation pay under subsection (a) to a full TSP member when 
the member completes 12 years of service. If the Secretary con-
cerned also provides continuation pay under subsection (c) to the 
member, that continuation pay shall be provided when the member 
completes 12 years of service. 
‘‘(e) LUMP SUM OR INSTALLMENTS.—A full TSP member may 
elect to receive continuation pay provided under subsection (a) 
or (c) in a lump sum or in a series of not more than four payments. 
‘‘(f) RELATIONSHIP TO OTHER PAY AND ALLOWANCES.—Continu-
ation pay under this section is in addition to any other pay or 
allowance to which the full TSP member is entitled. 
‘‘(g) REPAYMENT.—A full TSP member who receives continuation 
pay under this section (a) and fails to complete the obligated service 
required under such subsection shall be subject to the repayment 
provisions of section 373 of this title. 
‘‘(h) REGULATIONS.—Each Secretary concerned shall prescribe 
regulations to carry out this section.’’. 
(b) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The table of sections at the begin-
ning of chapter 5 of title 37, United States Code, is amended 
by adding at the end the following new item: 
‘‘356. Continuation pay: full TSP members with 12 years of service.’’. 
SEC. 635. EFFECTIVE DATE AND IMPLEMENTATION. 
(a) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The amendments made by this part shall 
take effect on January 1, 2018. 
(b) IMPLEMENTATION.—
H. R. 1735—127 
(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretaries concerned, the Director 
of the Office of Personnel Management, and the Federal Retire-
ment Thrift Investment Board shall each and jointly take appro-
priate actions to ensure the full and effective implementation 
of the amendments made by this part in order to ensure that 
members of the uniformed services will be able to participate 
in the modernized retirement plan provided by this part com-
mencing on the date specified in subsection (a). 
(2) IMPLEMENTATION PLAN.—Not later than March 1, 2016, 
the Secretaries concerned shall submit to the appropriate 
committees of Congress a report containing a plan to ensure 
the 
full 
and 
effective 
commencement 
and 
operational 
implementation of the amendments made by this part in accord-
ance with paragraph (1). 
(c) ADDITIONAL TECHNICAL AND CONFORMING AMENDMENTS.— 
The report required by subsection (b) shall contain a draft of such 
legislation as may be necessary to make any additional technical 
and conforming changes to titles 10 and 37, United States Code, 
and other provisions of law that are required or should be made 
by reason of the amendments made by this part. 
(d) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
(1) The term ‘‘appropriate committees of Congress’’ means— 
(A) the Committee on Armed Services, the Committee 
on Energy and Commerce, the Committee on Natural 
Resources, the Committee on Oversight and Government 
Reform, and the Committee on Transportation and Infra-
structure of the House of Representatives; and 
(B) the Committee on Armed Services, the Committee 
on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, the Committee 
on Energy and Natural Resources, the Committee on Home-
land Security and Governmental Affairs, and the Com-
mittee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions of the 
Senate. 
(2) The term ‘‘Secretary concerned’’ has the meaning given 
that term in section 101 of title 37, United States Code. 
PART II—OTHER MATTERS 
SEC. 641. DEATH OF FORMER SPOUSE BENEFICIARIES AND SUBSE-
QUENT REMARRIAGES UNDER THE SURVIVOR BENEFIT 
PLAN. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 1448(b) of title 10, United States 
Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph: 
‘‘(7) EFFECT OF DEATH OF FORMER SPOUSE BENEFICIARY.— 
‘‘(A) TERMINATION OF PARTICIPATION IN PLAN.—A per-
son who elects to provide an annuity to a former spouse 
under paragraph (2) or (3) and whose former spouse subse-
quently dies is no longer a participant in the Plan, effective 
on the date of death of the former spouse. 
‘‘(B) AUTHORITY FOR ELECTION OF NEW SPOUSE BENE-
FICIARY.—If a person’s participation in the Plan is discon-
tinued by reason of the death of a former spouse bene-
ficiary, the person may elect to resume participation in 
the Plan and to elect a new spouse beneficiary as follows: 
‘‘(i) MARRIED ON THE DATE OF DEATH OF FORMER 
SPOUSE.—A person who is married at the time of the 
death of the former spouse beneficiary may elect to
H. R. 1735—128 
provide coverage to that person’s spouse. Such an elec-
tion must be received by the Secretary concerned 
within one year after the date of death of the former 
spouse beneficiary. 
‘‘(ii) MARRIAGE AFTER DEATH OF FORMER SPOUSE 
BENEFICIARY.—A person who is not married at the 
time of the death of the former spouse beneficiary 
and who later marries may elect to provide spouse 
coverage. Such an election must be received by the 
Secretary concerned within one year after the date 
on which that person marries. 
‘‘(C) EFFECTIVE DATE OF ELECTION.—The effective date 
of election under this paragraph shall be as follows: 
‘‘(i) An election under subparagraph (B)(i) is effec-
tive as of the first day of the first calendar month 
following the death of the former spouse beneficiary. 
‘‘(ii) An election under subparagraph (B)(ii) is effec-
tive as of the first day of the first calendar month 
following the month in which the election is received 
by the Secretary concerned. 
‘‘(D) LEVEL OF COVERAGE.—A person making an elec-
tion under subparagraph (B) may not reduce the base 
amount previously elected. 
‘‘(E) PROCEDURES.—An election under this paragraph 
shall be in writing, signed by the participant, and made 
in such form and manner as the Secretary concerned may 
prescribe. 
‘‘(F) IRREVOCABILITY.—An election under this para-
graph is irrevocable.’’. 
(b) EFFECTIVE DATE.—Paragraph (7) of section 1448(b) of title 
10, United States Code, as added by subsection (a), shall apply 
with respect to any person whose former spouse beneficiary dies 
on or after the date of the enactment of this Act. 
(c) APPLICABILITY TO FORMER SPOUSE DEATHS BEFORE ENACT-
MENT.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—A person— 
(A) who before the date of the enactment of this Act 
had a former spouse beneficiary under the Survivor Benefit 
Plan who died before that date; and 
(B) who on the date of the enactment of this Act 
is married, 
may elect to provide spouse coverage for such spouse under 
the Plan, regardless of whether the person married such spouse 
before or after the death of the former spouse beneficiary. 
Any such election may only be made during the one-year period 
beginning on the date of the enactment of this Act. 
(2) EFFECTIVE
DATE
OF
ELECTION
IF
MARRIED
AT
LEAST 
A YEAR AT DEATH FORMER SPOUSE.—If the person providing 
the annuity was married to the spouse beneficiary for at least 
one year at the time of the death of the former spouse bene-
ficiary, the effective date of such election shall be the first 
day of the first month after the death of the former spouse 
beneficiary. 
(3) OTHER EFFECTIVE DATE.—If the person providing the 
annuity married the spouse beneficiary after (or during the 
one-year period preceding) the death of the former spouse bene-
ficiary, the effective date of the election shall be the first
H. R. 1735—129 
day of the first month following the first anniversary of the 
person’s marriage to the spouse beneficiary. 
(4) RESPONSIBILITY FOR PREMIUMS.—A person electing to 
participate in the Plan under this subsection shall be respon-
sible for payment of all premiums due from the effective date 
of the election. 
Subtitle E—Commissary and Non-Appro-
priated Fund Instrumentality Benefits 
and Operations 
SEC. 651. PLAN TO OBTAIN BUDGET-NEUTRALITY FOR THE DEFENSE 
COMMISSARY SYSTEM AND THE MILITARY EXCHANGE 
SYSTEM. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than March 1, 2016, the Secretary 
of Defense shall submit to the Committees on Armed Services 
of the Senate and the House of Representatives a report setting 
forth a comprehensive plan to achieve by October 1, 2018, budget- 
neutrality in the delivery of commissary and exchange benefits 
while meeting the benchmarks set forth in subsection (c). In pre-
paring the report, the Secretary shall consider the report required 
by section 634 of the Carl Levin and Howard P. ‘‘Buck’’ McKeon 
National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2015 (Public 
Law 113–291; 128 Stat. 3406) and any other previous reports, 
studies, and surveys of matters appropriate to the report. 
(b) REPORT ELEMENTS.—The report required by subsection (a) 
shall include the following: 
(1) A description of any modifications to the commissary 
and exchange benefit systems the Secretary considers appro-
priate to obtain budget-neutrality in the delivery of commissary 
and exchange benefits, including the following: 
(A) The establishment of common business processes, 
practices, and systems to exploit synergies between the 
operations of defense commissaries and exchanges and to 
optimize the operations of the resale system and the bene-
fits provided by the commissaries and exchanges. 
(B) The privatization of the defense commissary system 
and the military exchange system, in whole or in part. 
(C) Engagement of major commercial grocery retailers 
or other private sector entities to determine their willing-
ness to provide eligible beneficiaries with discount savings 
on grocery products and certain household goods. 
(D) The closure of commissaries in locations in close 
proximity to other commissaries or in locations where 
commercial alternatives, through major grocery retailers, 
may be available. 
(2) An analysis of different pricing constructs to improve 
or enhance the delivery of commissary and exchange benefits. 
(3) A description of the impact of any modifications 
described pursuant to paragraph (1) on Morale, Welfare and 
Recreation (MWR) quality-of-life programs. 
(4) Such recommendations for legislative action as the Sec-
retary considers appropriate to achieve by October 1, 2018, 
budget-neutrality in the delivery of commissary and exchange
H. R. 1735—130 
benefits while meeting the benchmarks set forth in subsection 
(c). 
(c) BENCHMARKS.—The report required by subsection (a) shall 
ensure— 
(1) the maintenance of high levels of customer satisfaction 
in the delivery of commissary and exchange benefits; 
(2) the provision of high quality products; and 
(3) the sustainment of discount savings to eligible bene-
ficiaries. 
(d) COMPTROLLER GENERAL ASSESSMENT OF PLAN.—Not later 
than 120 days after the submittal of the report required by sub-
section (a), the Comptroller General of the United States shall 
submit to the Committees on Armed Services of the Senate and 
the House of Representatives a report setting forth an assessment 
by the Comptroller General of the plan to achieve budget-neutrality 
in the delivery of commissary and exchange benefits while meeting 
the benchmarks set forth in subsection (c) as set forth in the 
report required by subsection (a). 
(e) PILOT PROGRAMS.— 
(1) PROGRAMS AUTHORIZED.—After the reports required by 
subsections (a) and (d) have been submitted as described in 
such subsections, the Secretary may, notwithstanding any 
requirement in chapter 147 of title 10, United States Code, 
conduct one or more pilot programs to evaluate the feasibility 
and advisability of processes and methods for achieving budget- 
neutrality in the delivery of commissary and exchange benefits 
and other applicable benchmarks in accordance with this sec-
tion. The Secretary may authorize any commissary or exchange, 
or private sector entity, participating in any such pilot program 
to establish appropriate prices in response to market conditions 
and customer demand, provided that the level of savings 
required by paragraph (3) is maintained. 
(2) BENCHMARKS.—If the Secretary conducts a pilot pro-
gram under this subsection, the Secretary shall establish spe-
cific, measurable benchmarks for measuring success in the 
provision of high quality grocery goods and products, discount 
savings to patrons, and high levels of customer satisfaction 
while achieving budget-neutrality in the delivery of commissary 
and exchange benefits under the pilot program. 
(3) REQUIRED SAVINGS TO PATRONS.—The Secretary shall 
ensure that the level of savings to commissary and exchange 
patrons under any pilot program under this subsection is not 
less than the level of savings to such patrons before the 
implementation of such pilot program, as follows: 
(A) Before commencing a pilot program the Secretary 
shall establish a baseline of savings to patrons achieved 
for each commissary or exchange to participate in such 
pilot program by comparing prices charged by such com-
missary or exchange for a representative market basket 
of goods to prices charged by local competitors for the 
same market basket of goods. 
(B) After commencement of such pilot program, the 
Secretary shall ensure that each commissary or exchange, 
or private sector entity, participating in such pilot program 
conducts market-basket price comparisons not less than 
once a month and adjusts pricing as necessary to ensure 
that pricing achieves savings to patrons under such pilot
H. R. 1735—131 
program that are reasonably consistent with the baseline 
savings for the commissary or exchange established pursu-
ant to subparagraph (A). 
(4) DURATION OF AUTHORITY.—The authority of the Sec-
retary to carry out a pilot program under this subsection shall 
expire on the date that is five years after the date of the 
enactment of this Act. However, if a pilot program achieves 
budget-neutrality in the delivery of commissary and exchange 
benefits and other applicable benchmarks, as measured using 
the benchmarks required by paragraph (2), the Secretary may 
continue the pilot program for an additional period of up to 
five years. 
(5) REPORTS.— 
(A) INITIAL REPORTS.—If the Secretary conducts a pilot 
program under this subsection, the Secretary shall, not 
later than 30 days before commencing the pilot program, 
submit to the Committees on Armed Services of the Senate 
and the House of Representatives a report on the pilot 
program, including the following: 
(i) A description of the pilot program. 
(ii) The provisions, if any, of chapter 147 of title 
10, United States Code, that will be waived in the 
conduct of the pilot program. 
(B) FINAL REPORTS.—Not later than 90 days after the 
date of the completion of any pilot program under this 
subsection or the date of the commencement of an extension 
of a pilot program under paragraph (4), the Secretary shall 
submit to the Committees on Armed Services of the Senate 
and the House of Representatives a report on the pilot 
program, including the following: 
(i) A description and assessment of the pilot pro-
gram. 
(ii) Such recommendations for administrative or 
legislative action as the Secretary considers appro-
priate in light of the pilot program. 
SEC. 652. COMPTROLLER GENERAL OF THE UNITED STATES REPORT 
ON THE COMMISSARY SURCHARGE, NON-APPROPRIATED 
FUND, AND PRIVATELY-FINANCED MAJOR CONSTRUCTION 
PROGRAM. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 180 days after the date of 
the enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General of the United 
States shall submit to the Committees on Armed Services of the 
Senate and the House of Representatives a report on the Com-
missary Surcharge, Non-appropriated Fund and Privately-Financed 
Major Construction Program of the Department of Defense. 
(b) ELEMENTS.—The report under subsection (a) shall include 
the following: 
(1) An assessment whether the Secretary of Defense has 
established policies and procedures to ensure the timely sub-
mittal to the committees of Congress referred to in subsection 
(a) of notice on construction projects proposed to be funded 
through the program referred to in that subsection. 
(2) An assessment whether the Secretaries of the military 
departments have developed and implemented policies and 
procedures to comply with the policies and directives of the
H. R. 1735—132 
Department of Defense for the submittal to such committees 
of Congress of notice on such construction projects. 
(3) An assessment whether the Secretary of Defense has 
established policies and procedures to notify such committees 
of Congress when such construction projects have been com-
menced without notice to Congress. 
(4) An assessment whether construction projects described 
in paragraph (3) have been completed before submittal of notice 
to Congress as described in that paragraph and, if so, a list 
of such projects. 
Subtitle F—Other Matters 
SEC. 661. IMPROVEMENT OF FINANCIAL LITERACY AND PREPARED-
NESS OF MEMBERS OF THE ARMED FORCES. 
(a) SENSE OF CONGRESS ON FINANCIAL LITERACY AND PREPARED-
NESS OF MEMBERS.—It is the sense of Congress that— 
(1) the Secretary of Defense should strengthen arrange-
ments with other departments and agencies of the Federal 
Government and nonprofit organizations in order to improve 
the financial literacy and preparedness of members of the 
Armed Forces; and 
(2) the Secretaries of the military departments and the 
Chiefs of Staff of the Armed Forces should provide support 
for the financial literacy and preparedness training carried 
out under section 992 of title 10, United States Code, as 
amended by subsections (b), (c), and (d). 
(b) PROVISION
OF FINANCIAL LITERACY
AND PREPAREDNESS 
TRAINING.—Subsection (a) of section 992 of title 10, United States 
Code, is amended— 
(1) in the subsection heading, by striking ‘‘CONSUMER EDU-
CATION’’ and inserting ‘‘FINANCIAL LITERACY TRAINING’’; 
(2) in paragraph (1), by striking ‘‘education’’ in the matter 
preceding subparagraph (A) and inserting ‘‘financial literacy 
training’’; 
(3) by striking paragraph (2) and inserting the following 
new paragraph: 
‘‘(2) Training under this subsection shall be provided to a 
member of the armed forces— 
‘‘(A) as a component of the initial entry training of the 
member; 
‘‘(B) upon arrival at the first duty station of the member; 
‘‘(C) upon arrival at each subsequent duty station, in the 
case of a member in pay grade E–4 or below or in pay grade 
O–3 or below; 
‘‘(D) on the date of promotion of the member, in the case 
of a member in pay grade E–5 or below or in pay grade 
O–4 or below; 
‘‘(E) when the member vests in the Thrift Savings Plan 
(TSP) under section 8432(g)(2)(C) of title 5; 
‘‘(F) when the member becomes entitled to receive continu-
ation pay under section 356 of title 37, at which time the 
training shall include, at a minimum, information on options 
available to the member regarding the use of continuation 
pay;
H. R. 1735—133 
‘‘(G) at each major life event during the service of the 
member, such as— 
‘‘(i) marriage; 
‘‘(ii) divorce; 
‘‘(iii) birth of first child; or 
‘‘(iv) disabling sickness or condition; 
‘‘(H) during leadership training; 
‘‘(I) during pre-deployment training and during post-deploy-
ment training; 
‘‘(J) at transition points in the service of the member, 
such as— 
‘‘(i) transition from a regular component to a reserve 
component; 
‘‘(ii) separation from service; or 
‘‘(iii) retirement; and 
‘‘(K) as a component of periodically recurring required 
training that is provided to the member at a military installa-
tion.’’; 
(4) in paragraph (3), by striking ‘‘paragraph (2)(B)’’ and 
inserting ‘‘paragraph (2)(J)’’; and 
(5) by adding at the end the following new paragraph: 
‘‘(4) The Secretary concerned shall prescribe regulations setting 
forth any other events and circumstances (in addition to the events 
and circumstances described in paragraph (2)) upon which the 
training required by this subsection shall be provided.’’. 
(c) SURVEY OF MEMBERS’ FINANCIAL LITERACY AND PREPARED-
NESS.—Such section is further amended— 
(1) by redesignating subsection (d) as subsection (e); and 
(2) by inserting after subsection (c) the following new sub-
section (d): 
‘‘(d) FINANCIAL LITERACY AND PREPAREDNESS SURVEY.—(1) The 
Director of the Defense Manpower Data Center shall annually 
include in the status of forces survey a survey of the status of 
the financial literacy and preparedness of members of the armed 
forces. 
‘‘(2) The results of the annual financial literacy and prepared-
ness survey— 
‘‘(A) shall be used by each of the Secretaries concerned 
as a benchmark to evaluate and update training provided under 
this section; and 
‘‘(B) shall be submitted to the Committees on Armed Serv-
ices of the Senate and the House of Representatives.’’. 
(d) FINANCIAL SERVICES DEFINED.—Subsection (e) of such sec-
tion, as redesignated by subsection (c)(1) of this section, is amended 
by adding at the end the following new paragraph: 
‘‘(4) Health insurance, budget management, Thrift Savings 
Plan (TSP), retirement lump sum payments (including rollover 
options and tax consequences), and Survivor Benefit Plan 
(SBP).’’. 
(e) CLERICAL AMENDMENTS.— 
(1) SECTION HEADING .—The heading of such section is 
amended to read as follows: 
‘‘§ 992. Financial literacy training: financial services’’. 
(2) TABLE OF SECTIONS.—The table of sections at the begin-
ning of chapter 50 of such title is amended by striking the
H. R. 1735—134 
item related to section 992 and inserting the following new 
item: 
‘‘992. Financial literacy training: financial services.’’. 
(f) IMPLEMENTATIONS.—Not later than six months after the 
date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of the military 
department concerned and the Secretary of the Department in 
which the Coast Guard is operating shall commence providing finan-
cial literacy training under section 992 of title 10, United States 
Code, as amended by subsections (b), (c), and (d) of this section, 
to members of the Armed Forces. 
SEC. 662. RECORDATION OF OBLIGATIONS FOR INSTALLMENT PAY-
MENTS OF INCENTIVE PAYS, ALLOWANCES, AND SIMILAR 
BENEFITS WHEN PAYMENT IS DUE. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Chapter 19 of title 37, United States Code, 
is amended by adding at the end the following new section: 
‘‘§ 1015. Recordation of installment payment obligations for 
incentive pays and similar benefits 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—In the case of any pay, allowance, bonus, 
or other benefit described in subsection (b) that is paid to a member 
of the uniformed services on an installment basis, each installment 
payment shall be charged to appropriations that are available for 
obligation at the time such payment is payable. 
‘‘(b) COVERED PAY AND BENEFITS.—Subsection (a) applies to 
any incentive pay, special pay, or bonus, or similar periodic payment 
of pay or allowances, or of educational benefits or stipends, that 
is paid to a member of the uniformed services under this title 
or title 10.’’. 
(b) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The table of sections at the begin-
ning of chapter 19 of such title is amended by adding at the 
end the following new item: 
‘‘1015. Recordation of installment payment obligations for incentive pays and similar 
benefits.’’. 
TITLE VII—HEALTH CARE PROVISIONS 
Subtitle A—TRICARE and Other Health Care Benefits 
Sec. 701. Access to TRICARE Prime for certain beneficiaries. 
Sec. 702. Modifications of cost-sharing for the TRICARE pharmacy benefits pro-
gram. 
Sec. 703. Expansion of continued health benefits coverage to include discharged 
and released members of the Selected Reserve. 
Sec. 704. Access to health care under the TRICARE program for beneficiaries of 
TRICARE Prime. 
Sec. 705. Expansion of reimbursement for smoking cessation services for certain 
TRICARE beneficiaries. 
Subtitle B—Health Care Administration 
Sec. 711. Waiver of recoupment of erroneous payments caused by administrative 
error under the TRICARE program. 
Sec. 712. Publication of data on patient safety, quality of care, satisfaction, and 
health outcome measures under the TRICARE program. 
Sec. 713. Expansion of evaluation of effectiveness of the TRICARE program to in-
clude information on patient safety, quality of care, and access to care 
at military medical treatment facilities. 
Sec. 714. Portability of health plans under the TRICARE program. 
Sec. 715. Joint uniform formulary for transition of care. 
Sec. 716. Licensure of mental health professionals in TRICARE program.
H. R. 1735—135 
Sec. 717. Designation of certain non-Department mental health care providers with 
knowledge relating to treatment of members of the Armed Forces. 
Sec. 718. Comprehensive standards and access to contraception counseling for 
members of the Armed Forces. 
Subtitle C—Reports and Other Matters 
Sec. 721. Provision of transportation of dependent patients relating to obstetrical 
anesthesia services. 
Sec. 722. Extension of authority for DOD–VA Health Care Sharing Incentive Fund. 
Sec. 723. Extension of authority for joint Department of Defense-Department of 
Veterans Affairs Medical Facility Demonstration Fund. 
Sec. 724. Limitation on availability of funds for Office of the Secretary of Defense. 
Sec. 725. Pilot program on urgent care under TRICARE program. 
Sec. 726. Pilot program on incentive programs to improve health care provided 
under the TRICARE program. 
Sec. 727. Limitation on availability of funds for Department of Defense Healthcare 
Management Systems Modernization. 
Sec. 728. Submittal of information to Secretary of Veterans Affairs relating to expo-
sure to airborne hazards and open burn pits. 
Sec. 729. Plan for development of procedures to measure data on mental health 
care provided by the Department of Defense. 
Sec. 730. Report on plans to improve experience with and eliminate performance 
variability of health care provided by the Department of Defense. 
Sec. 731. Comptroller General study on gambling and problem gambling behavior 
among members of the Armed Forces. 
Subtitle A—TRICARE and Other Health 
Care Benefits 
SEC. 701. ACCESS TO TRICARE PRIME FOR CERTAIN BENEFICIARIES. 
Section 732(c)(3) of the National Defense Authorization Act 
for Fiscal Year 2013 (10 U.S.C. 1097a note) is amended to read 
as follows: 
‘‘(3) RESIDENCE AT TIME OF ELECTION.— 
‘‘(A) Except as provided by subparagraph (B), an 
affected eligible beneficiary may not make the one-time 
election under paragraph (1) if, at the time of such election, 
the beneficiary does not reside— 
‘‘(i) in a ZIP code that is in a region described 
in subsection (d)(1)(B); and 
‘‘(ii) within 100 miles of a military medical treat-
ment facility. 
‘‘(B) Subparagraph (A)(ii) shall not apply with respect 
to an affected eligible beneficiary who— 
‘‘(i) as of December 25, 2013, resides farther than 
100 miles from a military medical treatment facility; 
and 
‘‘(ii) is such an eligible beneficiary by reason of 
service in the Army, Navy, Air Force, or Marine 
Corps.’’. 
SEC. 702. MODIFICATIONS OF COST-SHARING FOR THE TRICARE PHAR-
MACY BENEFITS PROGRAM. 
(a) MODIFICATION OF COST-SHARING AMOUNTS.—Subparagraph 
(A) of section 1074g(a)(6) of title 10, United States Code, is 
amended— 
(1) in clause (i)— 
(A) in subclause (I), by striking ‘‘$8’’ and inserting 
‘‘$10’’; and 
(B) in subclause (II), by striking ‘‘$20’’ and inserting 
‘‘$24’’; and