H. R. 5515—64 
SEC. 243. REPORT ON EFFORTS OF THE AIR FORCE TO MITIGATE 
PHYSIOLOGICAL EPISODES AFFECTING AIRCRAFT CREW-
MEMBERS. 
(a) REPORT REQUIRED.—Not later than March 1, 2019, the 
Secretary of the Air Force shall submit to the congressional defense 
committees a report on all efforts of the Air Force to reduce the 
occurrence of, and mitigate the risk posed by, physiological episodes 
affecting crewmembers of covered aircraft. 
(b) ELEMENTS.—The report required under subsection (a) shall 
include— 
(1) information on the rate of physiological episodes 
affecting crewmembers of covered aircraft; 
(2) a description of the specific actions carried out by the 
Air Force to address such episodes, including a description 
of any upgrades or other modifications made to covered aircraft 
to address such episodes; 
(3) schedules and cost estimates for any upgrades or modi-
fications identified under paragraph (3); and 
(4) an explanation of any organizational or other changes 
to the Air Force carried out to address such physiological epi-
sodes. 
(c) COVERED AIRCRAFT DEFINED.—In this section, the term 
‘‘covered aircraft’’ means— 
(1) F–35A aircraft of the Air Force; 
(2) T–6A aircraft of the Air Force; and 
(3) any other aircraft of the Air Force as determined by 
the Secretary of the Air Force. 
SEC. 244. REPORT ON DEFENSE INNOVATION UNIT EXPERIMENTAL. 
Not later than May 1, 2019, the Under Secretary of Defense 
for Research and Engineering shall submit to the congressional 
defense committees a report on Defense Innovation Unit Experi-
mental (in this section referred to as the ‘‘Unit’’). Such a report 
shall include the following: 
(1) The integration of the Unit into the broader Department 
of Defense research and engineering community to coordinate 
and de-conflict activities of the Unit with similar activities 
of the military departments, Defense Agencies, Department 
of Defense laboratories, the Defense Advanced Research Project 
Agency, the Small Business Innovation Research Program, and 
other entities. 
(2) The metrics used to measure the effectiveness of the 
Unit and the results of these metrics. 
(3) The number and types of transitions by the Unit to 
the military departments or fielded to the warfighter. 
(4) The impact of the Unit’s initiatives, outreach, and 
investments on Department of Defense access to technology 
leaders and technology not otherwise accessible to the Depart-
ment including— 
(A) identification of— 
(i) the number of non-traditional defense contrac-
tors with Department of Defense contracts or other 
transactions resulting directly from the Unit’s initia-
tives, investments, or outreach; and 
(ii) the number of traditional defense contractors 
with contracts or other transactions resulting directly 
from the Unit’s initiatives;
H. R. 5515—65 
(B) the number of innovations delivered into the hands 
of the warfighter; and 
(C) how the Department is notifying its internal compo-
nents about participation in the Unit. 
(5) The workforce strategy of the Unit, including whether 
the Unit has appropriate personnel authorities to attract and 
retain talent with technical and business expertise. 
(6) How the Department of Defense is documenting and 
institutionalizing lessons learned and best practices of the Unit 
to alleviate the systematic problems with technology access 
and timely contract or other transaction execution. 
(7) An assessment of management and bureaucratic chal-
lenges to the effective and efficient execution of the Unit’s 
missions, especially with respect to contracting and personnel 
management. 
SEC. 245. MODIFICATION OF FUNDING CRITERIA UNDER HISTORI-
CALLY 
BLACK 
COLLEGES 
AND 
UNIVERSITIES 
AND 
MINORITY INSTITUTIONS PROGRAM. 
Section 2362(d) of title 10, United States Code, is amended— 
(1) in the subsection heading, by striking ‘‘PRIORITY’’ and 
inserting ‘‘CRITERIA’’; and 
(2) by striking ‘‘give priority in providing’’ and inserting 
‘‘limit’’. 
SEC. 246. REPORT ON OA–X LIGHT ATTACK AIRCRAFT APPLICABILITY 
TO PARTNER NATION SUPPORT. 
(a) REPORT REQUIRED.—Not later than February 1, 2019, the 
Secretary of the Air Force shall submit to the congressional defense 
committees a report on the OA–X light attack aircraft experiment 
and how the program incorporates partner nation requirements. 
(b) ELEMENTS.—The report under subsection (a) shall include 
a description of— 
(1) how the OA–X light attack experiment will support 
partner nations’ low-cost counter terrorism light attack capa-
bility; 
(2) the extent to which the attributes of affordability, inter-
operability, sustainability, and simplicity of maintenance and 
operations are included in the requirements for the OA–X; 
and 
(3) how Federal Aviation Administration certification and 
a reasonable path for military type certifications for commercial 
derivative aircraft are factored into foreign military sales for 
a partner nation. 
SEC. 247. REPORTS ON COMPARATIVE CAPABILITIES OF ADVERSARIES 
IN KEY TECHNOLOGY AREAS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 180 days after the date of 
the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense shall, in 
coordination with the Director of the Defense Intelligence Agency, 
submit to the appropriate committees of Congress a set of classified 
reports that set forth a direct comparison between the capabilities 
of the United States in emerging technology areas and the capabili-
ties of adversaries of the United States in such areas. 
(b) ELEMENTS.—The reports required by subsection (a) shall 
include, for each technology area covered, the following: 
(1) An evaluation of spending by the United States and 
adversaries on such technology.
H. R. 5515—66 
(2) An evaluation of the quantity and quality of research 
on such technology. 
(3) An evaluation of the test infrastructure and workforce 
supporting such technology. 
(4) An assessment of the technological progress of the 
United States and adversaries on such technology. 
(5) Descriptions of timelines for operational deployment 
of such technology. 
(6) An assessment of the intent or willingness of adver-
saries to use such technology. 
(c) TECHNICAL AREAS.—The Secretary shall ensure that the 
reports submitted under subsection (a) cover the following: 
(1) Hypersonics. 
(2) Artificial intelligence. 
(3) Quantum information science. 
(4) Directed energy weapons. 
(5) Such other emerging technical areas as the Secretary 
considers appropriate. 
(d) COORDINATION.—The Secretary shall prepare the reports 
in coordination with other appropriate officials of the intelligence 
community and with such other partners in the technology areas 
covered by the reports as the Secretary considers appropriate. 
(e) APPROPRIATE COMMITTEES OF CONGRESS DEFINED.—In this 
section, the term ‘‘appropriate committees of Congress’’ means— 
(1) the Committee on Armed Services and the Select Com-
mittee on Intelligence of the Senate; and 
(2) the Committee on Armed Services and the Permanent 
Select Committee on Intelligence of the House of Representa-
tives. 
SEC. 248. REPORT ON ACTIVE PROTECTION SYSTEMS FOR ARMORED 
COMBAT AND TACTICAL VEHICLES. 
(a) REPORT REQUIRED.—Not later than 60 days after the date 
of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of the Army shall 
submit to the Committees on Armed Services of the Senate and 
the House of Representatives a report on technologies related to 
active protection systems (APS) for armored combat and tactical 
vehicles. 
(b) CONTENTS.—The report required by subsection (a) shall 
include the following: 
(1) With respect to the active protection systems that the 
Army has recently tested on the M1A2 Abrams, the M2A3 
Bradley, and the STRYKER, the following: 
(A) An assessment of the effectiveness of such systems. 
(B) Plans of the Secretary to further test such systems. 
(C) Proposals for future development of such systems. 
(D) A timeline for fielding such systems. 
(2) Plans for how the Army will incorporate active protec-
tion systems into new armored combat and tactical vehicle 
designs, such as Mobile Protection Firepower (MPF), Armored 
Multi-Purpose Vehicle (AMPV), and Next Generation Combat 
Vehicle (NGCV). 
SEC. 249. NEXT GENERATION COMBAT VEHICLE. 
(a) PROTOTYPE.—The Secretary of the Army shall take appro-
priate actions to ensure that all necessary resources are planned
H. R. 5515—67 
and programmed for accelerated prototyping, component develop-
ment, testing, or acquisition for the Next Generation Combat 
Vehicle (NGCV). 
(b) REPORT.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than March 1, 2019, the Sec-
retary shall submit to the Committees on Armed Services of 
the Senate and the House of Representatives a report on the 
development of the Next Generation Combat Vehicle. 
(2) ANALYSIS.— 
(A) IN GENERAL.—The report required by paragraph 
(1) shall include a thorough analysis of the requirements 
of the Next Generation Combat Vehicle. 
(B) RELEVANCE TO NATIONAL DEFENSE STRATEGY.—In 
carrying out subparagraph (A), the Secretary shall ensure 
that the requirements are relevant to the most recently 
published National Defense Strategy. 
(C) THREATS AND TERRAIN.—The Secretary shall ensure 
that the analysis includes consideration of threats and 
terrain. 
(D) COMPONENT TECHNOLOGIES.—The Secretary shall 
ensure that the analysis includes consideration of the latest 
enabling component technologies developed by the Tank 
Automotive, Research, Development, Engineering Center 
of the Army that have the potential to dramatically change 
basic combat vehicle design and improve lethality, protec-
tion, mobility, range, and sustainment. 
(c) LIMITATION.—Of the funds authorized to be appropriated 
for fiscal year 2019 by section 201 and available for research, 
development, testing, and evaluation, Army, for the Next Genera-
tion Combat Vehicle, not more than 90 percent may be obligated 
or expended until the Secretary submits the report required by 
subsection (b). 
SEC. 250. MODIFICATION OF REPORTS ON MECHANISMS TO PROVIDE 
FUNDS TO DEFENSE LABORATORIES FOR RESEARCH AND 
DEVELOPMENT OF TECHNOLOGIES FOR MILITARY MIS-
SIONS. 
Subsection (c) of section 2363 of title 10, United States Code, 
is amended to read as follows: 
‘‘(c) RELEASE AND DISSEMINATION OF INFORMATION ON CON-
TRIBUTIONS FROM USE
OF AUTHORITY
TO MILITARY MISSIONS.— 
‘‘(1) COLLECTION
OF
INFORMATION.—The Secretary shall 
establish and maintain mechanisms for the continuous collec-
tion of information on achievements, best practices identified, 
lessons learned, and challenges arising in the exercise of the 
authority in this section. 
‘‘(2) RELEASE OF INFORMATION.—The Secretary shall estab-
lish and maintain mechanisms as follows: 
‘‘(A) Mechanisms for the release to the public of 
information on achievements and best practices described 
in paragraph (1) in unclassified form. 
‘‘(B) Mechanisms for dissemination to appropriate 
civilian and military officials of information on achieve-
ments and best practices described in paragraph (1) in 
classified form.’’.
H. R. 5515—68 
SEC. 251. BRIEFINGS ON MOBILE PROTECTED FIREPOWER AND 
FUTURE VERTICAL LIFT PROGRAMS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than March 1, 2019, the Secretary 
of the Army shall provide a briefing to the Committee on Armed 
Services of the Senate and the Committee on Armed Services of 
the House of Representatives on the requirements of the Army 
for Mobile Protected Firepower (MPF) and Future Vertical Lift 
(FVL). 
(b) CONTENTS.—The briefing provided pursuant to subsection 
(a) shall include the following: 
(1) With respect to the Mobile Protected Firepower pro-
gram, the following: 
(A) An explanation of how Mobile Protected Firepower 
could survive against the effects of anti-armor and anti- 
aircraft networks established within anti-access, area- 
denial defenses. 
(B) An explanation of how Mobile Protected Firepower 
would improve offensive overmatch against a peer 
adversary. 
(C) Details regarding the total number of Mobile Pro-
tected Firepower systems needed by the Army. 
(D) An explanation of how the Mobile Protected Fire-
power system will be logistically supported within light 
formations. 
(E) Plans to integrate active protection systems into 
the designs of the Mobile Protected Firepower program. 
(2) With respect to the Future Vertical Lift program, the 
following: 
(A) An explanation of how Future Vertical Lift could 
survive against the effects of anti-aircraft networks estab-
lished within anti-access, area-denial defenses. 
(B) An explanation of how Future Vertical Lift would 
improve offensive overmatch against a peer adversary. 
(C) A review of the doctrine, organization, training, 
materiel, leadership, education, personnel, and facilities 
applicable to determine the total number of Future Vertical 
Lift Capability Set 1 or Future Attack Reconnaissance Air-
craft (FARA), required by the Army. 
(D) An implementation plan for the establishment of 
Future Vertical Lift, including a timeline for achieving 
initial and full operational capability. 
(E) A description of the budget requirements for Future 
Vertical Lift to reach full operational capability, including 
an identification and cost of any infrastructure and equip-
ment requirements. 
(F) A detailed list of all analysis used to determine 
the priority of Future Vertical Lift and which programs 
were terminated, extended, de-scoped, or delayed in order 
to fund Future Vertical Lift Capability Set 1 or Future 
Attack Reconnaissance Aircraft in the Future Year’s 
Defense Plan. 
(G) An assessment of the analysis of alternatives on 
the Future Vertical Lift Capability Set 3 program. 
(H) An identification of any additional authorities that 
may be required for achieving full operational capability 
of Future Vertical Lift.
H. R. 5515—69 
(I) Any other matters deemed relevant by the Sec-
retary. 
SEC. 252. IMPROVEMENT OF THE AIR FORCE SUPPLY CHAIN. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Assistant Secretary of the Air Force 
for Acquisition, Technology, and Logistics may use funds described 
in subsection (b) as follows: 
(1) For nontraditional technologies and sustainment prac-
tices (such as additive manufacturing, artificial intelligence, 
predictive maintenance, and other software-intensive and soft-
ware-defined capabilities) to— 
(A) increase the availability of aircraft to the Air Force; 
and 
(B) decrease backlogs and lead times for the production 
of parts for such aircraft. 
(2) To advance the qualification, certification, and integra-
tion of additive manufacturing into the Air Force supply chain. 
(3) To otherwise identify and reduce supply chain risk 
for the Air Force. 
(4) To define workforce development requirements and 
training for personnel who implement and support additive 
manufacturing for the Air Force at the warfighter, end-item 
designer and equipment operator, and acquisition officer levels. 
(b) FUNDING.—Of the amounts authorized to be appropriated 
for fiscal year 2019 by section 201 for research, development, test, 
and evaluation for the Air Force and available for Tech Transition 
Program (Program Element (0604858F)), up to $42,800,000 may 
be available as described in subsection (a). 
SEC. 253. REVIEW OF GUIDANCE ON BLAST EXPOSURE DURING 
TRAINING. 
(a) INITIAL REVIEW.—Not later than 180 days after the date 
of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense shall review 
the decibel level exposure, concussive effects exposure, and the 
frequency of exposure to heavy weapons fire of an individual during 
training exercises to establish appropriate limitations on such expo-
sures. 
(b) ELEMENTS.—The review required by subsection (a) shall 
take into account current data and evidence on the cognitive effects 
of blast exposure and shall include consideration of the following: 
(1) The impact of exposure over multiple successive days 
of training. 
(2) The impact of multiple types of heavy weapons being 
fired in close succession. 
(3) The feasibility of cumulative annual or lifetime exposure 
limits. 
(4) The minimum safe distance for observers and instruc-
tors. 
(c) UPDATED TRAINING GUIDANCE.—Not later than 180 days 
after the date of the completion of the review under subsection 
(a), each Secretary of a military department shall update any rel-
evant training guidance to account for the conclusions of the review. 
(d) UPDATED REVIEW.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than two years after the initial 
review conducted under subsection (a), and not later than two 
years thereafter, the Secretary of Defense shall conduct an 
updated review under such subsection, including consideration
H. R. 5515—70 
of the matters set forth under subsection (b), and update 
training guidance under subsection (c). 
(2) CONSIDERATION
OF
NEW
RESEARCH
AND
EVIDENCE.— 
Each updated review conducted under paragraph (1) shall take 
into account new research and evidence that has emerged since 
the previous review. 
(e) BRIEFING REQUIRED.—The Secretary of Defense shall brief 
the Committees on Armed Services of the Senate and the House 
of Representatives on a summary of the results of the initial review 
under subsection (a), each updated review conducted under sub-
section (d), and any updates to training guidance and procedures 
resulting from any such review or updated review. 
SEC. 254. COMPETITIVE ACQUISITION STRATEGY FOR BRADLEY 
FIGHTING VEHICLE TRANSMISSION REPLACEMENT. 
(a) PLAN REQUIRED.—The Secretary of the Army shall develop 
a strategy to competitively procure a new transmission for the 
Bradley Fighting Vehicle family of vehicles. 
(b) ADDITIONAL STRATEGY REQUIREMENTS.—The plan required 
by subsection (a) shall include the following: 
(1) An analysis of the potential cost savings and perform-
ance improvements associated with developing or procuring 
a new transmission common to the Bradley Fighting Vehicle 
family of vehicles, including the Armored Multipurpose Vehicle 
and the Paladin Integrated Management artillery system. 
(2) A plan to use full and open competition as required 
by the Federal Acquisition Regulation. 
(c) TIMELINE.—Not later than February 15, 2019, the Secretary 
of the Army shall submit to the congressional defense committees 
the strategy developed under subsection (a). 
(d) LIMITATION.—None of the funds authorized to be appro-
priated for fiscal year 2019 by this Act for Weapons and Tracked 
Combat Vehicles, Army, may be obligated or expended to procure 
a Bradley Fighting Vehicle replacement transmission until the date 
that is 30 days after the date on which the Secretary of the Army 
submits to the congressional defense committees the plan required 
by subsection (a). 
SEC. 255. INDEPENDENT ASSESSMENT OF ELECTRONIC WARFARE 
PLANS AND PROGRAMS. 
(a) AGREEMENT.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary of Defense shall seek to 
enter into an agreement with the private scientific advisory 
group known as ‘‘JASON’’ to perform the services covered by 
this section. 
(2) TIMING.—The Secretary shall seek to enter into the 
agreement described in paragraph (1) not later than 120 days 
after the date of the enactment of this Act. 
(b) INDEPENDENT ASSESSMENT.—Under an agreement between 
the Secretary and JASON under this section, JASON shall— 
(1) assess the strategies, programs, order of battle, and 
doctrine of the Department of Defense related to the electronic 
warfare mission area and electromagnetic spectrum operations; 
(2) assess the strategies, programs, order of battle, and 
doctrine of potential adversaries, such as China, Iran, and 
the Russian Federation, related to the same; 
(3) develop recommendations for improvements to the 
strategies, programs, and doctrine of the Department of Defense
H. R. 5515—71 
in order to enable the United States to achieve and maintain 
superiority in the electromagnetic spectrum in future conflicts; 
and 
(4) develop recommendations for the Secretary, Congress, 
and such other Federal entities as JASON considers appro-
priate, including recommendations for— 
(A) closing technical, policy, or resource gaps; 
(B) improving cooperation and appropriate integration 
within the Department of Defense entities; 
(C) improving cooperation between the United States 
and other countries and international organizations as 
appropriate; and 
(D) such other important matters identified by JASON 
that are directly relevant to the strategies of the Depart-
ment of Defense described in paragraph (3). 
(c) LIAISONS.—The Secretary shall appoint appropriate liaisons 
to JASON to support the timely conduct of the services covered 
by this section. 
(d) MATERIALS.—The Secretary shall provide access to JASON 
to materials relevant to the services covered by this section, con-
sistent with the protection of sources and methods and other criti-
cally sensitive information. 
(e) CLEARANCES.—The Secretary shall ensure that appropriate 
members and staff of JASON have the necessary clearances, 
obtained in an expedited manner, to conduct the services covered 
by this section. 
(f) REPORT.—Not later than October 1, 2019, the Secretary 
shall submit to the congressional defense committees a report on— 
(1) the findings of JASON with respect to the assessments 
carried out under subsection (b); and 
(2) the recommendations developed by JASON pursuant 
to such subsection. 
(g) ALTERNATE CONTRACT SCIENTIFIC ORGANIZATION.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—If the Secretary is unable within the 
period prescribed in paragraph (2) of subsection (a) to enter 
into an agreement described in paragraph (1) of such subsection 
with JASON on terms acceptable to the Secretary, the Secretary 
shall seek to enter into such agreement with another appro-
priate scientific organization that— 
(A) is not part of the government; and 
(B) has expertise and objectivity comparable to that 
of JASON. 
(2) TREATMENT.—If the Secretary enters into an agreement 
with another organization as described in paragraph (1), any 
reference in this section to JASON shall be treated as a ref-
erence to the other organization. 
TITLE III—OPERATION AND 
MAINTENANCE 
Subtitle A—Authorization of Appropriations 
Sec. 301. Authorization of appropriations. 
Subtitle B—Energy and Environment 
Sec. 311. Explosive Ordnance Disposal Defense Program. 
Sec. 312. Further improvements to energy security and resilience.
H. R. 5515—72 
Sec. 313. Use of proceeds from sales of electrical energy derived from geothermal 
resources for projects at military installations where resources are lo-
cated. 
Sec. 314. Operational energy policy. 
Sec. 315. Funding of study and assessment of health implications of per- and 
polyfluoroalkyl substances contamination in drinking water by agency 
for toxic substances and disease registry. 
Sec. 316. Extension of authorized periods of permitted incidental takings of marine 
mammals in the course of specified activities by Department of Defense. 
Sec. 317. Department of Defense environmental restoration programs. 
Sec. 318. Joint study on the impact of wind farms on weather radars and military 
operations. 
Sec. 319. Core sampling at Joint Base San Antonio, Texas. 
Sec. 320. Production and use of natural gas at Fort Knox, Kentucky. 
Subtitle C—Logistics and Sustainment 
Sec. 321. Authorizing use of working capital funds for unspecified minor military 
construction projects related to revitalization and recapitalization of de-
fense industrial base facilities. 
Sec. 322. Examination of Navy vessels. 
Sec. 323. Limitation on length of overseas forward deployment of naval vessels. 
Sec. 324. Temporary modification of workload carryover formula. 
Sec. 325. Limitation on use of funds for implementation of elements of master plan 
for redevelopment of Former Ship Repair Facility in Guam. 
Sec. 326. Business case analysis for proposed relocation of J85 Engine Regional Re-
pair Center. 
Sec. 327. Report on pilot program for micro-reactors. 
Sec. 328. Limitation on modifications to Navy Facilities Sustainment, Restoration, 
and Modernization structure and mechanism. 
Subtitle D—Reports 
Sec. 331. Reports on readiness. 
Sec. 332. Matters for inclusion in quarterly reports on personnel and unit readi-
ness. 
Sec. 333. Annual Comptroller General reviews of readiness of Armed Forces to con-
duct full spectrum operations. 
Sec. 334. Surface warfare training improvement. 
Sec. 335. Report on optimizing surface Navy vessel inspections and crew certifi-
cations. 
Sec. 336. Report on depot-level maintenance and repair. 
Sec. 337. Report on wildfire suppression capabilities of active and reserve compo-
nents. 
Sec. 338. Report on relocation of steam turbine production from Nimitz-class and 
Ford-class aircraft carriers and Virginia-class and Columbia-class sub-
marines. 
Sec. 339. Report 
on 
Specialized 
Undergraduate 
Pilot 
Training 
production, 
resourcing, and locations. 
Sec. 340. Report on Air Force airfield operational requirements. 
Sec. 341. Report on Navy surface ship repair contract costs. 
Subtitle E—Other Matters 
Sec. 351. Coast Guard representation on explosive safety board. 
Sec. 352. Transportation to continental United States of retired military working 
dogs outside the continental United States that are suitable for adoption 
in the United States. 
Sec. 353. Scope of authority for restoration of land due to mishap. 
Sec. 354. Repurposing and reuse of surplus Army firearms. 
Sec. 355. Study on phasing out open burn pits. 
Sec. 356. Notification requirements relating to changes to uniform of members of 
the uniformed services. 
Sec. 357. Reporting on future years budgeting by subactivity group. 
Sec. 358. Limitation on availability of funds for service-specific Defense Readiness 
Reporting Systems. 
Sec. 359. Prioritization of environmental impacts for facilities sustainment, restora-
tion, and modernization demolition. 
Sec. 360. Sense of Congress relating to Soo Locks, Sault Sainte Marie, Michigan. 
Sec. 361. U.S. Special Operations Command Civilian Personnel.
H. R. 5515—73 
Subtitle A—Authorization of 
Appropriations 
SEC. 301. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS. 
Funds are hereby authorized to be appropriated for fiscal year 
2019 for the use of the Armed Forces and other activities and 
agencies of the Department of Defense for expenses, not otherwise 
provided for, for operation and maintenance, as specified in the 
funding table in section 4301. 
Subtitle B—Energy and Environment 
SEC. 311. EXPLOSIVE ORDNANCE DISPOSAL DEFENSE PROGRAM. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Chapter 136 of title 10, United States Code, 
as amended by section 851, is further amended by inserting after 
section 2283, as added by such section 851, the following new 
section: 
‘‘SEC. 2284. EXPLOSIVE ORDNANCE DISPOSAL DEFENSE PROGRAM. 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary of Defense shall carry out 
a program to be known as the ‘Explosive Ordnance Disposal Defense 
Program’ (in this section referred to as the ‘Program’) under which 
the Secretary shall ensure close and continuous coordination 
between military departments on matters relating to explosive ord-
nance disposal support for commanders of geographic and functional 
combatant commands. 
‘‘(b) ROLES, RESPONSIBILITIES, AND AUTHORITIES.—The plan 
under subsection (a) shall include provisions under which— 
‘‘(1) the Secretary of Defense shall— 
‘‘(A) assign the responsibility for the direction, 
coordination, integration of the Program within the Depart-
ment of Defense to an Assistant Secretary of Defense; 
‘‘(B) the Assistant Secretary of Defense to whom 
responsibility is assigned under paragraph (1) shall serve 
as the key individual for the Program responsible for devel-
oping and overseeing policy, plans, programs, and budgets, 
and issuing guidance and providing direction on Depart-
ment of Defense explosive ordnance disposal activities; 
‘‘(C) designate the Secretary of the Navy, or a designee 
of the Secretary’s choice, as the executive agent for the 
Department of Defense responsible for providing oversight 
of the joint program executive officer who coordinates and 
integrates joint requirements for explosive ordnance dis-
posal and carries out joint research, development, test, 
and evaluation and procurement activities on behalf of 
the military departments and combatant commands with 
respect to explosive ordnance disposal; 
‘‘(D) designate a combat support agency to exercise 
fund management responsibility of the Department of 
Defense-wide program element for explosive ordnance dis-
posal research, development, test, and evaluation, trans-
actions other than contracts, cooperative agreements, and 
grants related to section 2371 of this title during research 
projects including rapid prototyping and limited procure-
ment urgent activities, and acquisition; and
H. R. 5515—74 
‘‘(E) designate an Army explosive ordnance disposal- 
qualified general officer from the combat support agency 
designated under subparagraph (D) to serve as the Chair-
man of the Department of Defense explosive ordnance dis-
posal defense program board; and 
‘‘(2) the Secretary of each military department shall assess 
the needs of the military department concerned with respect 
to explosive ordnance disposal and may carry out research, 
development, test, and evaluation activities, including other 
transactions and procurement activities to address military 
department unique needs such as weapon systems, manned 
and unmanned vehicles and platforms, cyber and communica-
tion equipment, and the integration of explosive ordnance dis-
posal sets, kits and outfits and explosive ordnance disposal 
tools, equipment, sets, kits, and outfits developed by the depart-
ment. 
‘‘(c) ANNUAL BUDGET JUSTIFICATION DOCUMENTS.— 
‘‘(1) For fiscal year 2021 and each fiscal year thereafter, 
the Secretary of Defense shall submit to Congress with the 
defense budget materials a consolidated budget justification 
display, in classified and unclassified form, that includes all 
of activities of the Department of Defense relating to the Pro-
gram. 
‘‘(2) The budget display under paragraph (1) for a fiscal 
year shall include a single program element for each of the 
following: 
‘‘(A) Civilian and military pay. 
‘‘(B) Research, development, test, and evaluation. 
‘‘(C) Procurement. 
‘‘(D) Other transaction agreements. 
‘‘(E) Military construction. 
‘‘(3) The budget display shall include funding data for each 
of the military department’s respective activities related to 
explosive ordnance disposal, including— 
‘‘(A) operation and maintenance; and 
‘‘(B) overseas contingency operations.’’. 
(b) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The table of sections at the begin-
ning of such chapter, as amended by section 851, is further amended 
by inserting after the item relating to section 2283, as added by 
such section 851, the following new section: 
‘‘2284. Explosive Ordnance Disposal Defense Program.’’. 
SEC. 312. FURTHER IMPROVEMENTS TO ENERGY SECURITY AND RESIL-
IENCE. 
(a) ENERGY POLICY AUTHORITY.—Section 2911(b) of title 10, 
United States Code, is amended— 
(1) by redesignating paragraphs (1), (2), and (3) as para-
graphs (3), (4), and (5), respectively; and 
(2) by inserting before paragraph (3), as so redesignated, 
the following new paragraphs: 
‘‘(1) establish metrics and standards for the assessment 
of energy resilience; 
‘‘(2) require the Secretary of a military department to per-
form mission assurance and readiness assessments of energy 
power systems for mission critical assets and supporting infra-
structure, applying uniform mission standards established by 
the Secretary of Defense;’’.
H. R. 5515—75 
(b) REPORTING ON ENERGY SECURITY AND RESILIENCE GOALS.— 
Section 2911(c) of title 10, United States Code, is amended by 
adding at the end the following new paragraph: 
‘‘(3) The Secretary of Defense shall include the energy security 
and resilience goals of the Department of Defense in the installation 
energy report submitted under section 2925(a) of this title for 
fiscal year 2018 and every fiscal year thereafter. In the development 
of energy security and resilience goals, the Department of Defense 
shall conform with the definitions of energy security and resilience 
under this title. The report shall include the amount of critical 
energy load, together with the level of availability and reliability 
by fiscal year the Department of Defense deems necessary to achieve 
energy security and resilience.’’. 
(c) REPORTING
ON
INSTALLATIONS
ENERGY
MANAGEMENT, 
ENERGY RESILIENCE, AND MISSION ASSURANCE.—Section 2925(a) 
of title 10, United States Code, is amended— 
(1) by inserting ‘‘, including progress on energy resilience 
at military installations according to metrics developed by the 
Secretary’’ after ‘‘under section 2911 of this title’’; 
(2) in paragraph (3), by striking ‘‘the mission requirements 
associated with disruption tolerances based on risk to mission’’ 
and inserting ‘‘the downtimes (in minutes or hours) these mis-
sions can afford based on their mission requirements and risk 
tolerances’’; 
(3) in paragraph (4), by inserting ‘‘(including critical energy 
loads in megawatts and the associated downtime tolerances 
for critical energy loads)’’ after ‘‘energy requirements and crit-
ical energy requirements’’; 
(4) by redesignating paragraph (5) as paragraph (7); and 
(5) by inserting after paragraph (4) the following new para-
graphs: 
‘‘(5) A list of energy resilience projects awarded by the 
Department of Defense by military department and military 
installation, whether appropriated or alternative financed for 
the reporting fiscal year, including project description, award 
date, the critical energy requirements serviced (including crit-
ical energy loads in megawatts), expected reliability of the 
project (as indicated in the awarded contract), life cycle costs, 
savings to investment, fuel type, and the type of appropriation 
or alternative financing used. 
‘‘(6) A list of energy resilience projects planned by the 
Department of Defense by military department and military 
installation, whether appropriated or alternative financed for 
the next two fiscal years, including project description, fuel 
type, expected award date, and the type of appropriation or 
alternative financing expected for use.’’. 
(d) INCLUSION OF ENERGY SECURITY AND RESILIENCE AS PRIOR-
ITIES IN CONTRACTS FOR ENERGY OR FUEL FOR MILITARY INSTALLA-
TIONS.—Section 2922a(d) of title 10, United States Code, is amended 
to read as follows: 
‘‘(d) The Secretary concerned shall ensure energy security and 
resilience are prioritized and included in the provision and operation 
of energy production facilities under this section.’’. 
(e) CONVEYANCE AUTHORITY
FOR UTILITY SYSTEMS.—Section 
2688 of title 10, United States Code, is amended— 
(1) in subsection (d)(2), by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘The business case analysis must also demonstrate how a
H. R. 5515—76 
privatized system will operate in a manner consistent with 
subsection (g)(3).’’; and 
(2) in subsection (g)(3)— 
(A) by striking ‘‘may require’’ and inserting ‘‘shall 
require’’; and 
(B) by striking ‘‘consistent with energy resilience 
requirements and metrics’’ and inserting ‘‘consistent with 
energy resilience and cybersecurity requirements and asso-
ciated metrics’’. 
(f) MODIFICATION OF ENERGY RESILIENCE DEFINITION.—Section 
101(e)(6) of title 10, United States Code, is amended by striking 
‘‘task critical assets and other’’. 
(g) AUTHORITY TO ACCEPT ENERGY PERFORMANCE FINANCIAL 
INCENTIVES
FROM
STATE
AND
LOCAL
GOVERNMENTS.—Section 
2913(c) of title 10, United States Code, is amended by inserting 
‘‘a State or local government’’ after ‘‘generally available from’’. 
(h) USE
OF ENERGY COST SAVINGS TO IMPLEMENT ENERGY 
RESILIENCE
AND
ENERGY
CONSERVATION
CONSTRUCTION 
PROJECTS.—Section 2912(b)(1) of title 10, United States Code, is 
amended by inserting ‘‘, including energy resilience and energy 
conservation construction projects,’’ after ‘‘energy security meas-
ures’’. 
(i) ADDITIONAL BASIS FOR PRESERVATION OF PROPERTY IN THE 
VICINITY OF MILITARY INSTALLATIONS IN AGREEMENTS WITH NON- 
FEDERAL
ENTITIES
ON
USE
OF
SUCH
PROPERTY.—Section 
2684a(a)(2)(B) of title 10, United States Code, is amended— 
(1) by striking ‘‘(B)’’ and inserting ‘‘(B)(i)’’; and 
(2) by adding at the end of the following new clause: 
‘‘(ii) maintains or improves military installation resil-
ience; or’’. 
SEC. 313. USE OF PROCEEDS FROM SALES OF ELECTRICAL ENERGY 
DERIVED 
FROM 
GEOTHERMAL 
RESOURCES 
FOR 
PROJECTS 
AT 
MILITARY 
INSTALLATIONS 
WHERE 
RESOURCES ARE LOCATED. 
Subsection (b) of section 2916 of title 10, United States Code, 
is amended— 
(1) in paragraph (1), by striking ‘‘Proceeds’’ and inserting 
‘‘Except as provided in paragraph (3), proceeds’’; and 
(2) by adding at the end the following new paragraph: 
‘‘(3) In the case of proceeds from a sale of electrical energy 
generated from any geothermal energy resource— 
‘‘(A) 50 percent shall be credited to the appropriation 
account described in paragraph (1); and 
‘‘(B) 50 percent shall be deposited in a special account 
in the Treasury established by the Secretary concerned which 
shall be available, for military construction projects described 
in paragraph (2) or for installation energy or water security 
projects directly coordinated with local area energy or ground-
water governing authorities, for the military installation in 
which the geothermal energy resource is located.’’. 
SEC. 314. OPERATIONAL ENERGY POLICY. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 2926 of title 10, United States Code, 
is amended— 
(1) by redesignating subsections (a), (b), (c), and (d) as 
subsections (c), (d), (e), (f), respectively;
H. R. 5515—77 
(2) by inserting before subsection (c), as redesignated by 
paragraph (1), the following new subsections: 
‘‘(a) OPERATIONAL ENERGY POLICY.—In carrying out section 
2911(a) of this title, the Secretary of Defense shall ensure the 
types, availability, and use of operational energy promote the readi-
ness of the armed forces for their military missions. 
‘‘(b) AUTHORITIES.—The Secretary of Defense may— 
‘‘(1) require the Secretary of a military department or the 
commander of a combatant command to assess the energy 
supportability of systems, capabilities, and plans; 
‘‘(2) authorize the use of energy security, cost of backup 
power, and energy resilience as factors in the cost-benefit anal-
ysis for procurement of operational equipment; and 
‘‘(3) in selecting equipment that will use operational energy, 
give favorable consideration to the acquisition of equipment 
that enhances energy security, energy resilience, energy con-
servation, and reduces logistical vulnerabilities.’’; and 
(3) in subsection (c), as redesignated by subparagraph (A)— 
(A) in the subsection heading, by striking ‘‘ALTER-
NATIVE FUEL ACTIVITIES’’ and inserting ‘‘FUNCTIONS OF THE 
ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF DEFENSE FOR ENERGY, INSTALLA-
TIONS, AND ENVIRONMENT’’; 
(B) by striking ‘‘heads of the military departments 
and the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Research and 
Engineering’’ and inserting ‘‘heads of the appropriate 
Department of Defense components’’; 
(C) in paragraph (1), by striking ‘‘lead the alternative 
fuel activities’’ and inserting ‘‘oversee the operational 
energy activities’’; 
(D) in paragraph (2), by striking ‘‘regarding the 
development of alternative fuels by the military depart-
ments and the Office of the Secretary of Defense’’ and 
inserting ‘‘regarding the policies and investments that 
affect the use of operational energy across the Department 
of Defense’’; 
(E) in paragraph (3), by striking ‘‘prescribe policy to 
streamline the investments in alternative fuel activities 
across the Department of Defense’’ and inserting ‘‘rec-
ommend to the Secretary policy to improve warfighting 
capability through energy security and energy resilience’’; 
and 
(F) in paragraph (5), by striking ‘‘subsection (c)(4)’’ 
and inserting ‘‘subsection (e)(4)’’. 
(b) CONFORMING AMENDMENTS.—(1) Section 2925(b)(1) of title 
10, United States Code, is amended by striking ‘‘section 2926(b)’’ 
and inserting ‘‘section 2926(d)’’. 
(2) Section 1061(c)(55) of the National Defense Authorization 
Act for Fiscal Year 2017 (Public Law 114–328; 10 U.S.C. 111 
note) is amended by striking ‘‘Section 2926(c)(4)’’ and inserting 
‘‘Section 2926(e)(4)’’.
H. R. 5515—78 
SEC. 315. FUNDING OF STUDY AND ASSESSMENT OF HEALTH IMPLICA-
TIONS OF PER- AND POLYFLUOROALKYL SUBSTANCES 
CONTAMINATION IN DRINKING WATER BY AGENCY FOR 
TOXIC SUBSTANCES AND DISEASE REGISTRY. 
(a) FUNDING.—Paragraph (2) of section 316(a) of the National 
Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2018 (Public Law 115– 
91) is amended to read as follows: 
‘‘(2) FUNDING.— 
‘‘(A) SOURCE OF FUNDS.—The study and assessment 
performed pursuant to this section may be paid for using 
funds authorized to be appropriated to the Department 
of Defense under the heading ‘Operation and Maintenance, 
Defense-Wide’. 
‘‘(B) TRANSFER AUTHORITY.—(i) Of the amounts author-
ized to be appropriated for the Department of Defense 
for fiscal year 2018, not more than $10,000,000 shall be 
transferred by the Secretary of Defense, without regard 
to section 2215 of title 10, United States Code, to the 
Secretary of Health and Human Services to pay for the 
study and assessment required by this section. 
‘‘(ii) Without regard to section 2215 of title 10, United 
States Code, the Secretary of Defense may transfer not 
more than $10,000,000 a year during fiscal years 2019 
and 2020 to the Secretary of Health and Human Services 
to pay for the study and assessment required by this sec-
tion. 
‘‘(C) EXPENDITURE
AUTHORITY.—Amounts transferred 
to the Secretary of Health and Human Services shall be 
used to carry out the study and assessment under this 
section through contracts, cooperative agreements, or 
grants. In addition, such funds may be transferred by the 
Secretary of Health and Human Services to other accounts 
of the Department for the purposes of carrying out this 
section. 
‘‘(D) RELATIONSHIP TO OTHER TRANSFER AUTHORITIES.— 
The transfer authority provided under this paragraph is 
in addition to any other transfer authority available to 
the Department of Defense.’’. 
(b) REPORT TO CONGRESS ON DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE ASSESS-
MENT AND REMEDIATION PLAN.—Not later than 180 days after the 
date on which the Administrator of the Environmental Protection 
Agency establishes a maximum contaminant level for per- and 
polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) contamination in drinking water 
in a national primary drinking water regulation under section 1412 
of the Safe Drinking Water Act (42 U.S.C. 300g-1), the Secretary 
of Defense shall submit to the congressional defense committees 
a report containing a plan to— 
(1) assess any contamination at Department of Defense 
installations and surrounding communities that may have 
occurred from PFAS usage by the Department of Defense; 
(2) identify any remediation actions the Department plans 
to undertake using the maximum contaminant level established 
by the Environmental Protection Agency; 
(3) provide an estimate of the cost of such remediation 
and a schedule for accomplishing such remediation; and
H. R. 5515—79 
(4) provide an assessment of past expenditures by local 
water authorities to address contamination before the Environ-
mental Protection Agency established a maximum contaminant 
level and an estimate of the cost to reimburse communities 
that remediated water to a level not greater than such level. 
(c) ASSESSMENT OF HEALTH EFFECTS OF PFAS EXPOSURE.— 
The Secretary of Defense shall conduct an assessment of the human 
health implications of PFAS exposure. Such assessment shall 
include— 
(1) a meta-analysis that considers the current scientific 
evidence base linking the health effects of PFAS on individuals 
who served as members of the Armed Forces and were exposed 
to PFAS at military installations; 
(2) an estimate of the number of members of the Armed 
Forces and veterans who may have been exposed to PFAS 
while serving in the Armed Forces; 
(3) the development of a process that would facilitate the 
transfer between the Department of Defense and the Depart-
ment of Veterans Affairs of health information of individuals 
who served in the Armed Forces and may have been exposed 
to PFAS during such service; and 
(4) a description of the amount of funding that would 
be required to administer a potential registry of individuals 
who may have been exposed to PFAS while serving in the 
Armed Forces. 
SEC. 316. EXTENSION OF AUTHORIZED PERIODS OF PERMITTED INCI-
DENTAL TAKINGS OF MARINE MAMMALS IN THE COURSE 
OF SPECIFIED ACTIVITIES BY DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE. 
Section 101(a)(5)(A) of the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 
1972 (16 U.S.C. 1371(a)(5)(A)) is amended— 
(1) in clause (i), by striking ‘‘Upon request’’ and inserting 
‘‘Except as provided by clause (ii), upon request’’; 
(2) by redesignating clauses (ii) and (iii) as clauses (iii) 
and (iv), respectively; and 
(3) by inserting after clause (i) the following new clause 
(ii): 
‘‘(ii) In the case of a military readiness activity (as defined 
in section 315(f) of the Bob Stump National Defense Authorization 
Act for Fiscal Year 2003 (Public Law 107–314; 16 U.S.C. 703 
note), clause (i) shall be applied— 
‘‘(I) in the matter preceding clause (I), by substituting 
‘seven consecutive years’ for ‘five consecutive years’; and 
‘‘(II) in clause (I), by substituting ‘seven-year’ for ‘five- 
year’.’’. 
SEC. 317. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE ENVIRONMENTAL RESTORATION 
PROGRAMS. 
(a) FINDINGS.—Congress makes the following findings: 
(1) The Department of Defense has identified nearly 39,500 
sites that fall under the installation restoration program sites 
and munitions response sites. 
(2) The installation response program addresses contamina-
tion from hazardous substances, pollutants, or contaminants 
and active military installations, formerly used defense site 
properties, and base realignment and closure locations in the 
United States.
H. R. 5515—80 
(3) Munitions response sites are known or suspected to 
contain unexploded ordnance, discarded military munitions, or 
munitions constitutes are addressed through the military muni-
tions response program. 
(4) The installation restoration program sites and muni-
tions response sites have had significant impacts on state and 
local governments that have had to bear the increased costs 
of environmental degradation, notably groundwater contamina-
tion, and local populations that have had to live with the 
consequences of contaminated drinking, including increased 
health concerns and decreasing property values. 
(5) Through the end of fiscal year 2017, the Department 
of Defense had achieved response complete at 86 percent of 
installation restoration program sites and munitions response 
sites, but projects that it will fall short of meeting its goal 
of 90 percent by the end of fiscal year 2018. 
(6) The fiscal year 2019 budget request for environmental 
restoration and base realignment and closure amounted to 
nearly $1,318,320,000, a decrease of $53,429,000 from the 
amount authorized in the National Defense Authorization Act 
for Fiscal Year 2018 (Public Law 115–91). 
(b) SENSE OF CONGRESS.—It is the sense of Congress that— 
(1) the environmental restoration and base realignment 
and closure programs are important for the protection of the 
environment, the health of the military and civilian personnel 
and their families who live and work on military installations, 
to ensure that current and legacy military operations do not 
adversely affect the health or environments of surrounding 
communities; 
(2) the Department of Defense and the Armed Forces should 
seek to reduce the financial burden on state and local govern-
ment who are bearing significant costs of cleanup stemming 
from defense related activities; 
(3) the Department of Defense and the Armed Forces should 
expedite and streamline cleanup at locations where contamina-
tion is having a direct impact on civilian access to clean 
drinking water; 
(4) the Department of Defense and the Armed Forces should 
continue to engage with and help allay local community con-
cerns about the safety of the drinking water due to environ-
mental degradation caused by defense related activities; and 
(5) the Department of Defense should seek opportunities 
to accelerate environmental restoration efforts where feasible, 
to include programming additional resources for response 
actions, investing in technology solutions that may expedite 
response actions, improving contracting procedures, increasing 
contracting capacity, and seeking opportunities for partnerships 
and other cooperative approaches. 
SEC. 318. JOINT STUDY ON THE IMPACT OF WIND FARMS ON WEATHER 
RADARS AND MILITARY OPERATIONS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary of Defense shall enter into 
an arrangement with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
Administration to conduct a study on how to improve existing 
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and National 
Weather Service tools to reflect the latest data and policies to 
improve consistency in weather radars, with a focus on a research
H. R. 5515—81 
and development and field test evaluation program to validate 
existing mitigation options and develop additional options for 
weather radar impact, in collaboration with the National Weather 
Service, the Department of Energy, and the Federal Aviation 
Administration, and with input from academia and industry. 
(b) ELEMENTS.—The study required pursuant to subsection (a) 
shall include the following: 
(1) The potential impacts of wind farms on NEXRAD radars 
and other Federal radars for weather forecasts and warnings 
used by the Department of Defense, the National Oceanic and 
Atmospheric Administration, and the National Weather Service. 
(2) Recommendations to reduce, mitigate, or eliminate the 
potential impacts. 
(3) Recommendations for addressing the impacts to 
NEXRADs and weather radar due to increasing turbine heights. 
(4) Recommendations to ensure wind farms do not impact 
the ability of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Adminis-
tration and the National Weather Service to warn or forecast 
hazardous weather. 
(5) The cumulative impacts of multiple wind farms near 
a single radar on the ability of the National Oceanic and 
Atmospheric Administration and the National Weather Service 
to warn or forecast hazardous weather. 
(6) An analysis of whether certain wind turbine projects, 
based on project layout, turbine orientation, number of turbines, 
density of turbines, proximity to radar, or turbine height result 
in greater impacts to the missions of Department of Defense, 
the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and 
the National Weather Service, and if so, how can those projects 
be better cited to reduce or eliminate NEXRAD impacts. 
(7) Case studies where the Department of Defense, the 
National Weather Service, and industry have worked together 
to implement solutions. 
(8) Mitigation options, including software and hardware 
upgrades, which the National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
Administration and the National Weather Service have 
researched and analyzed, and the results of such research 
and analysis. 
(9) A review of mitigation research performed to date by 
the Government and or academia. 
(10) Identification of future research opportunities, require-
ments, and recommendations for the SENSR program to miti-
gate energy development. 
(c) SUBMITTAL TO CONGRESS.—Not later than 12 months after 
the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit 
to the congressional defense committees a report on the study 
conducted pursuant to subsection (a). 
SEC. 319. CORE SAMPLING AT JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS. 
(a) SITE INVESTIGATION REQUIRED.—The Secretary of the Air 
Force shall conduct a core sampling study along the proposed route 
of the W–6 wastewater treatment line on Air Force real property, 
in compliance with best engineering practices, to determine if any 
regulated or hazardous substances are present in the soil along 
the proposed route. 
(b) REPORT REQUIRED.—Not later than 15 months after the 
date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of the Air Force
H. R. 5515—82 
shall submit to the Committees on Armed Services of the Senate 
and the House of Representatives a report on the results of the 
core samples taken pursuant to subsection (a). 
SEC. 320. PRODUCTION AND USE OF NATURAL GAS AT FORT KNOX, 
KENTUCKY. 
(a) AUTHORITY.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary of the Army is authorized 
to continue production, treatment, management, and use of 
the natural gas from covered wells at Fort Knox, without regard 
to section 3 of the Mineral Leasing Act for Acquired Lands 
(30 U.S.C. 352), with the limitation that the Secretary of the 
Army shall comply with the Mineral Leasing Act, Mineral 
Leasing Act for Acquired Lands, and the Federal Oil and Gas 
Royalty Management Act, for additional oil or natural gas 
drilling operations and production activities beyond the produc-
tion from the covered wells at Fort Knox. 
(2) CONTRACT AUTHORITY.—The Secretary is authorized to 
enter into a contract with an appropriate entity to carry out 
paragraph (1), with the limitation that the authority provided 
in this section does not affect or authorize any interference 
with the Muldraugh Gas Storage Facility at Fort Knox. 
(b) ROYALTIES TO THE STATE OF KENTUCKY.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—In implementing this section— 
(A) The Secretary of the Interior shall calculate the 
value of royalty payments, calculated on a calendar year 
basis beginning on the date of enactment of this section, 
that the State of Kentucky would have received under 
the Mineral Leasing Act for Acquired Lands (30 U.S.C. 
352) for future natural gas produced at Fort Knox under 
the authority of this section as though the natural gas 
had been produced under the Mineral Leasing Act for 
Acquired Lands, and provide the calculation to the Sec-
retary of the Army. 
(B) Upon request of the Secretary of the Interior, the 
Secretary of the Army or its contractor shall promptly 
provide all information, documents, or other materials the 
Secretary of the Interior deems necessary to conduct this 
calculation. 
(C) The Secretary of the Army shall pay to the 
Treasury of the United States the value of royalty cal-
culated under this section upon receipt of the calculation 
from the Secretary of the Interior. 
(D) The Secretary of the Interior shall disburse the 
sums collected from the Secretary of the Army pursuant 
to this paragraph to the State of Kentucky as though 
the funds were being disbursed to the State under section 
6 of the Mineral Leasing Act for Acquired Lands (30 U.S.C. 
355) no later than 6 months after the date of the enactment 
of this Act. 
(E) Regardless of the value of the royalty payments 
calculated under subparagraph (A), in no case may the 
amount of the sums disbursed under subparagraph (D) 
for any calendar year exceed $49,000. 
(2) WAIVER AUTHORITY.—The Governor of Kentucky may 
waive paragraph (1) by providing written notice to the Secretary 
of the Interior to that effect.
H. R. 5515—83 
(c) OWNERSHIP OF FACILITIES.—The Secretary of the Army may 
take ownership of any gas production and treatment equipment 
and facilities and associated infrastructure from an entity with 
which the Secretary has entered into a contract under subsection 
(a) in accordance with the terms of the contract. The Secretary 
of the Interior shall have no responsibility for the plugging and 
abandonment of the covered wells at Fort Knox, the reclamation 
of the covered wells at Fort Knox, or any environmental damage 
caused or associated with the production of the covered wells at 
Fort Knox. 
(d) APPLICABILITY.—The authority of the Secretary of the Army 
under this section is effective as of August 2, 2007. 
(e) LIMITATION
ON USES.—Any natural gas produced under 
the authority of this section may be used only to support energy 
security and energy resilience at Fort Knox. For purposes of this 
section, energy security and energy resilience include maintaining 
and continuing to produce natural gas from the covered wells at 
Fort Knox, and enhancing the Fort Knox energy grid through 
acquisition and maintenance of battery storage, loop transmission 
lines and pipelines, sub-stations, and automated circuitry. 
(f) SAFETY STANDARDS
FOR GAS WELLS.—The covered wells 
at Fort Knox shall meet the same technical installation and oper-
ating standards that they would have had to meet had they been 
installed under a lease pursuant to the Mineral Leasing Act for 
Acquired Lands. Such standards include the gas measurement 
requirements in the Federal Oil and Gas Royalty Management 
Act and the operational standards in the Onshore Oil and Gas 
Operating and Production regulations issued by the Bureau of 
Land Management. The Bureau of Land Management shall inspect 
and enforce the Army’s and its contractor’s compliance with the 
standards of the Mineral Leasing Act for Acquired Lands, the 
Federal Oil and Gas Royalty Management Act, and the Bureau 
of Land Management Onshore Oil and Gas Operating and Produc-
tion regulations. 
(g) COVERED WELLS AT FORT KNOX.—In this section, the term 
‘‘covered wells at Fort Knox’’ means the 26 wells located at Fort 
Knox, Kentucky, as of the date of the enactment of this Act. 
Subtitle C—Logistics and Sustainment 
SEC. 321. AUTHORIZING USE OF WORKING CAPITAL FUNDS FOR 
UNSPECIFIED 
MINOR 
MILITARY 
CONSTRUCTION 
PROJECTS RELATED TO REVITALIZATION AND RECAPITAL-
IZATION OF DEFENSE INDUSTRIAL BASE FACILITIES. 
Section 2208 of title 10, United States Code, is amended by 
adding at the end the following new subsection: 
‘‘(u) USE
FOR UNSPECIFIED MINOR MILITARY CONSTRUCTION 
PROJECTS TO REVITALIZE AND RECAPITALIZE DEFENSE INDUSTRIAL 
BASE FACILITIES.—(1) The Secretary of a military department may 
use a working capital fund of the department under this section 
to carry out an unspecified minor military construction project 
under section 2805 for the revitalization and recapitalization of 
a defense industrial base facility owned by the United States and 
under the jurisdiction of the Secretary.
H. R. 5515—84 
‘‘(2) Section 2805 shall apply with respect to a project carried 
out with a working capital fund under the authority of this sub-
section in the same manner as such section applies to any unspec-
ified minor military construction project under section 2805. 
‘‘(3) In this subsection, the term ‘defense industrial base facility’ 
means any Department of Defense depot, arsenal, shipyard, or 
plant located within the United States. 
‘‘(4) The authority to use a working capital fund to carry out 
a project under the authority of this subsection expires on Sep-
tember 30, 2023.’’. 
SEC. 322. EXAMINATION OF NAVY VESSELS. 
(a) NOTICE OF EXAMINATIONS.—Subsection (a) of section 7304 
of title 10, United States Code, is amended— 
(1) by striking ‘‘The Secretary’’ and inserting ‘‘(1) The Sec-
retary’’; and 
(2) by adding at the end the following new paragraph: 
‘‘(2)(A) Except as provided in subparagraph (B), any naval 
vessel examined under this section on or after January 1, 2020, 
shall be examined with minimal notice provided to the crew of 
the vessel. 
‘‘(B) Subparagraph (A) shall not apply to a vessel undergoing 
necessary trials before acceptance into the fleet.’’. 
(b) ANNUAL REPORT.—Such section is further amended by 
adding at the end the following new subsection: 
‘‘(d) ANNUAL REPORT.—(1) Not later than March 1 each year, 
the board designated under subsection (a) shall submit to the 
congressional defense committees a report setting forth the fol-
lowing: 
‘‘(A) An overall narrative summary of the material readi-
ness of Navy ships as compared to established material require-
ments standards. 
‘‘(B) The overall number and types of vessels inspected 
during the preceding fiscal year. 
‘‘(C) For in-service vessels, material readiness trends by 
inspected functional area as compared to the previous five 
years. 
‘‘(2) Each report under this subsection shall be submitted in 
an unclassified form that is releasable to the public without further 
redaction. 
‘‘(3) No report shall be required under this subsection after 
October 1, 2021.’’. 
SEC. 323. LIMITATION ON LENGTH OF OVERSEAS FORWARD DEPLOY-
MENT OF NAVAL VESSELS. 
(a) LIMITATION.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Chapter 633 of title 10, United States 
Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new 
section: 
‘‘§ 7320. Limitation on length of overseas forward deployment 
of naval vessels 
‘‘(a) LIMITATION.—The Secretary of the Navy shall ensure that 
no naval vessel specified in subsection (b) that is listed in the 
Naval Vessel Register is forward deployed overseas for a period 
in excess of ten years. At the end of a period of overseas forward 
deployment, the vessel shall be assigned a homeport in the United 
States.
H. R. 5515—85 
‘‘(b) VESSELS SPECIFIED.—A naval vessel specified in this sub-
section is any of the following: 
‘‘(1) Aircraft carrier. 
‘‘(2) Amphibious ship. 
‘‘(3) Cruiser. 
‘‘(4) Destroyer. 
‘‘(5) Frigate. 
‘‘(6) Littoral Combat Ship. 
‘‘(c) WAIVER.—The Secretary of the Navy may waive the limita-
tion under subsection (a) with respect to a naval vessel if the 
Secretary submits to the congressional defense committees notice 
in writing of— 
‘‘(1) the waiver of such limitation with respect to the vessel; 
‘‘(2) the date on which the period of overseas forward 
deployment of the vessel is expected to end; and 
‘‘(3) the factors used by the Secretary to determine that 
a longer period of deployment would promote the national 
defense or be in the public interest.’’. 
(2) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The table of sections at the 
beginning of such chapter is amended by adding at the end 
the following new section: 
‘‘7320. Limitation on length of overseas forward deployment of naval vessels.’’. 
(b) TREATMENT OF CURRENTLY DEPLOYED VESSELS.—In the case 
of any naval vessel that has been forward deployed overseas for 
a period in excess of ten years as of the date of the enactment 
of this Act, the Secretary of the Navy shall ensure that such 
vessel is assigned a homeport in the United States by not later 
than three years after the date of the enactment of this Act. 
(c) CONGRESSIONAL BRIEFING.—Not later than October 1, 2020, 
the Secretary of the Navy shall provide to the Committees on 
Armed Services of the Senate and House of Representatives a 
briefing on the plan of the Secretary for the rotation of forward 
deployed naval vessels. 
SEC. 324. TEMPORARY MODIFICATION OF WORKLOAD CARRYOVER 
FORMULA. 
During the period beginning on the date of the enactment 
of this Act and ending on September 30, 2021, in carrying out 
chapter 9, volume 2B (relating to Instructions for the Preparation 
of Exhibit Fund-11a Carryover Reconciliation) of Department of 
Defense regulation 7000.14-R, entitled ‘‘Financial Management 
Regulation (FMR)’’, in addition to any other applicable exemptions, 
the Secretary of Defense shall ensure that with respect to each 
military department depot or arsenal, outlay rates— 
(1) reflect the timing of when during a fiscal year appropria-
tions have historically funded workload; and 
(2) account for the varying repair cycle times of the work-
load supported. 
SEC. 325. LIMITATION ON USE OF FUNDS FOR IMPLEMENTATION OF 
ELEMENTS OF MASTER PLAN FOR REDEVELOPMENT OF 
FORMER SHIP REPAIR FACILITY IN GUAM. 
(a) LIMITATION.—Except as provided in subsection (b), none 
of the funds authorized to be appropriated by this Act or otherwise 
made available for the Navy for fiscal year 2019 may be obligated 
or expended for any construction, alteration, repair, or development
H. R. 5515—86 
of the real property consisting of the Former Ship Repair Facility 
in Guam. 
(b) EXCEPTION.—The limitation under subsection (a) does not 
apply to any project that directly supports depot-level ship mainte-
nance capabilities, including the mooring of a floating dry dock. 
(c) FORMER SHIP REPAIR FACILITY IN GUAM.—In this section, 
the term ‘‘Former Ship Repair Facility in Guam’’ means the property 
identified by that name under the base realignment and closure 
authority carried out under the Defense Base Closure and Realign-
ment Act of 1990 (part A of title XXIX of Public Law 101–510; 
10 U.S.C. 2687 note). 
SEC. 326. BUSINESS CASE ANALYSIS FOR PROPOSED RELOCATION OF 
J85 ENGINE REGIONAL REPAIR CENTER. 
(a) BUSINESS CASE ANALYSIS.—The Secretary of the Air Force 
shall prepare a business case analysis on the proposed relocation 
of the J85 Engine Regional Repair Center. Such analysis shall 
include each of the following: 
(1) An overview of each alternative considered for the J85 
Engine Regional Repair Center. 
(2) The one-time and annual costs associated with each 
such alternative. 
(3) The effect of each such alternative on workload capacity, 
capability, schedule, throughput, and costs. 
(4) The effect of each such alternative on Government- 
furnished parts, components, and equipment, including mitiga-
tion strategies to address known limitations to T38 production 
throughput, especially such limitations caused by Government- 
furnished parts, equipment, or transportation. 
(5) The effect of each such alternative on the transition 
of the Air Force to the T-X training aircraft. 
(6) A detailed rationale for the selection of an alternative 
considered as part of the business case analysis under this 
section. 
(b) LIMITATION ON USE OF FUNDS FOR RELOCATION.—None of 
the funds authorized to be appropriated by this Act, or otherwise 
made available for the Air Force, may be obligated or expended 
for any action to relocate the J85 Engine Regional Repair Center 
until the date that is 150 days after the date on which the Secretary 
of the Air Force provides to the Committees on Armed Services 
of the Senate and House of Representatives a briefing on the 
business case analysis required by subsection (a). 
SEC. 327. REPORT ON PILOT PROGRAM FOR MICRO-REACTORS. 
(a) REPORT REQUIRED.—Not later than 12 months after the 
date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall develop and 
submit to the Committee on Armed Services and the Committee 
on Energy and Commerce in the House of Representatives and 
the Committee on Armed Services and the Committee on Energy 
and Natural Resources in the Senate a report describing the require-
ments for, and components of, a pilot program to provide resilience 
for critical national security infrastructure at Department of 
Defense facilities with high energy intensity and currently expen-
sive utility rates and Department of Energy facilities by contracting 
with a commercial entity to site, construct, and operate at least 
one licensed micro-reactor at a facility identified under the report 
by December 31, 2027.
H. R. 5515—87 
(b) CONSULTATION.—As necessary to develop the report required 
under subsection (a), the Secretary shall consult with— 
(1) the Secretary of Defense; 
(2) the Nuclear Regulatory Commission; and 
(3) the Administrator of the General Services Administra-
tion. 
(c) CONTENTS.—The report required under subsection (a) shall 
include— 
(1) identification of potential locations to site, construct, 
and operate a micro-reactor at a Department of Defense or 
Department of Energy facility that contains critical national 
security infrastructure that the Secretary determines may not 
be energy resilient; 
(2) assessments of different nuclear technologies to provide 
energy resiliency for critical national security infrastructure; 
(3) a survey of potential commercial stakeholders with 
which to enter into a contract under the pilot program to 
construct and operate a licensed micro-reactor; 
(4) options to enter into long-term contracting, including 
various financial mechanisms for such purpose; 
(5) identification of requirements for micro-reactors to pro-
vide energy resilience to mission-critical functions at facilities 
identified under paragraph (1); 
(6) an estimate of the costs of the pilot program; 
(7) a timeline with milestones for the pilot program; 
(8) an analysis of the existing authority of the Department 
of Energy and Department of Defense to permit the siting, 
construction, and operation of a micro-reactor; and 
(9) recommendations for any legislative changes to the 
authorities analyzed under paragraph (8) necessary for the 
Department of Energy and the Department of Defense to permit 
the siting, construction, and operation of a micro-reactor. 
(d) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
(1) The term ‘‘critical national security infrastructure’’ 
means any site or installation that the Secretary of Energy 
or the Secretary of Defense determines supports critical mission 
functions of the national security enterprise. 
(2) The term ‘‘licensed’’ means holding a license under 
section 103 or 104 of the Atomic Energy Act of 1954. 
(3) The term ‘‘micro-reactor’’ means a nuclear reactor that 
has a power production capacity that is not greater than 50 
megawatts. 
(4) The term ‘‘pilot program’’ means the pilot program 
described in subsection (a). 
(5) The term ‘‘Secretary’’ means Secretary of Energy. 
(e) FORM.—The report required under subsection (a) shall be 
submitted in unclassified form, but may include a classified 
appendix. 
(f) LIMITATIONS.—This Act does not authorize the Department 
of Energy or Department of Defense to enter into a contract with 
respect to the pilot program.
H. R. 5515—88 
SEC. 328. LIMITATION ON MODIFICATIONS TO NAVY FACILITIES 
SUSTAINMENT, 
RESTORATION, 
AND 
MODERNIZATION 
STRUCTURE AND MECHANISM. 
The Secretary of the Navy may not make any modification 
to the existing Navy Facilities Sustainment, Restoration, and Mod-
ernization structure or mechanism that would modify duty relation-
ships or significantly alter the existing structure until 90 days 
after providing notice of the proposed modification to the congres-
sional defense committees. 
Subtitle D—Reports 
SEC. 331. REPORTS ON READINESS. 
(a) 
UNIFORM
APPLICABILITY
OF
READINESS
REPORTING 
SYSTEM.—Subsection (b) of section 117 of title 10, United States 
Code, is amended— 
(1) by inserting ‘‘and maintaining’’ after ‘‘establishing’’; 
(2) in paragraph (1), by striking ‘‘reporting system is 
applied uniformly throughout the Department of Defense’’ and 
inserting ‘‘reporting system and associated policies are applied 
uniformly throughout the Department of Defense, including 
between and among the joint staff and each of the armed 
forces’’; 
(3) by redesignating paragraphs (2) and (3) as paragraphs 
(5) and (6), respectively; 
(4) by inserting after paragraph (1) the following new para-
graphs: 
‘‘(2) that is the single authoritative readiness reporting 
system for the Department, and that there shall be no military 
service specific systems; 
‘‘(3) that readiness assessments are accomplished at an 
organizational level at, or below, the level at which forces 
are employed; 
‘‘(4) that the reporting system include resources informa-
tion, force posture, and mission centric capability assessments, 
as well as predicted changes to these attributes;’’; and 
(5) in paragraph (5), as redesignated by paragraph (3) 
of this subsection, by inserting ‘‘, or element of a unit,’’ after 
‘‘readiness status of a unit’’. 
(b) CAPABILITIES OF READINESS REPORTING SYSTEM.—Such sec-
tion is further amended in subsection (c)— 
(1) in paragraph (1)— 
(A) by striking ‘‘Measure, on a monthly basis, the capa-
bility of units’’ and inserting ‘‘Measure the readiness of 
units’’; and 
(B) by striking ‘‘conduct their assigned wartime mis-
sions’’ and inserting ‘‘conduct their designed and assigned 
missions’’; 
(2) in paragraph (2)— 
(A) by striking ‘‘Measure, on an annual basis,’’ and 
inserting ‘‘Measure’’; and 
(B) by striking ‘‘wartime missions’’ and inserting 
‘‘designed and assigned missions’’; 
(3) in paragraph (3)— 
(A) by striking ‘‘Measure, on an annual basis,’’ and 
inserting ‘‘Measure’’; and
H. R. 5515—89 
(B) by striking ‘‘wartime missions’’ and inserting 
‘‘designed and assigned missions’’; 
(4) in paragraph (4), by striking ‘‘Measure, on a monthly 
basis,’’ and inserting ‘‘Measure’’; 
(5) in paragraph (5), by striking ‘‘Measure, on an annual 
basis,’’ and inserting ‘‘Measure’’; 
(6) by striking paragraphs (6) and (8) and redesignating 
paragraph (7) as paragraph (6); and 
(7) in paragraph (6), as so redesignated, by striking 
‘‘Measure, on a quarterly basis,’’ and inserting ‘‘Measure’’. 
(c) SEMI-ANNUAL AND MONTHLY JOINT READINESS REVIEWS.— 
Such section is further amended in subsection (d)(1)(A) by inserting 
‘‘, which includes a validation of readiness data currency and 
accuracy’’ after ‘‘joint readiness review’’. 
(d) QUARTERLY REPORT
ON CHANGE
IN CURRENT STATE
OF 
UNIT READINESS.—Such section is further amended— 
(1) by redesignating subsection (f) as subsection (h); and 
(2) by inserting after subsection (e) the following new sub-
section (f): 
‘‘(f) QUARTERLY REPORT ON MONTHLY CHANGES IN CURRENT 
STATE OF READINESS OF UNITS.—For each quarter that begins after 
the date of the enactment of this subsection and ends on or before 
September 30, 2023, the Secretary shall submit to the congressional 
defense committees a report on each monthly upgrade or downgrade 
of the current state of readiness of a unit that was issued by 
the commander of a unit during the previous quarter, together 
with the rationale of the commander for the issuance of such 
upgrade or downgrade.’’. 
(e) ANNUAL REPORT TO CONGRESS ON OPERATIONAL CONTRACT 
SUPPORT.—Such section is further amended by inserting after the 
new subsection (f), as added by subsection (d)(2) of this section, 
the following new subsection: 
‘‘(g) ANNUAL REPORT ON OPERATIONAL CONTRACT SUPPORT.— 
The Secretary shall each year submit to the congressional defense 
committees a report in writing containing the results of the most 
recent annual measurement of the capability of operational contract 
support to support current and anticipated wartime missions of 
the armed forces. Each such report shall be submitted in unclassi-
fied form, but may include a classified annex.’’. 
(f) REGULATIONS.—Such section is further amended in sub-
section (h), as redesignated by subsection (d)(1) of this section, 
by striking ‘‘prescribe the units that are subject to reporting in 
the readiness reporting system, what type of equipment is subject 
to such reporting’’ and inserting ‘‘prescribe the established informa-
tion technology system for Department of Defense reporting, specifi-
cally authorize exceptions to a single-system architecture, and iden-
tify the organizations, units, and entities that are subject to 
reporting in the readiness reporting system, what organization 
resources are subject to such reporting’’. 
(g) CONFORMING AMENDMENTS.— 
(1) SECTION HEADING.—Such section is further amended 
in the section heading by striking ‘‘: establishment; reporting 
to congressional committees’’. 
(2) TABLE OF SECTIONS.—The table of sections at the begin-
ning of chapter 2 is amended by striking the item relating 
to section 117 and inserting the following new item: 
‘‘117. Readiness reporting system.’’.
H. R. 5515—90 
SEC. 332. MATTERS FOR INCLUSION IN QUARTERLY REPORTS ON PER-
SONNEL AND UNIT READINESS. 
Section 482 of title 10, United States Code, is amended— 
(1) in subsection (b)(1), by inserting after ‘‘deficiency’’ the 
following: ‘‘in the ground, sea, air, space, and cyber forces, 
and in such other such areas as determined by the Secretary 
of Defense,’’; and 
(2) in subsection (d)— 
(A) in the subsection heading, by striking ‘‘ASSIGNED 
MISSION’’; 
(B) by striking paragraph (3); 
(C) by redesignating paragraphs (2) as paragraph (3); 
and 
(D) by inserting after paragraph (1) the following new 
paragraph (2): 
‘‘(2) A report for the second or fourth quarter of a calendar 
year under this section shall also include an assessment by 
each commander of a geographic or functional combatant com-
mand of the readiness of the command to conduct operations 
in a multidomain battle that integrates ground, air, sea, space, 
and cyber forces.’’. 
SEC. 333. ANNUAL COMPTROLLER GENERAL REVIEWS OF READINESS 
OF ARMED FORCES TO CONDUCT FULL SPECTRUM OPER-
ATIONS. 
(a) REVIEWS REQUIRED.—For each of calendar years 2018 
through 2021, the Comptroller General of the United States shall 
conduct an annual review of the readiness of the Armed Forces 
to conduct each of the following types of full spectrum operations: 
(1) Ground. 
(2) Sea. 
(3) Air. 
(4) Space. 
(5) Cyber. 
(b) ELEMENTS OF REVIEW.—In conducting a review under sub-
section (a), the Comptroller General shall— 
(1) use standard methodology and reporting formats in 
order to show changes over time; 
(2) evaluate, using fiscal year 2017 as the base year of 
analysis— 
(A) force structure; 
(B) the ability of major operational units to conduct 
operations; and 
(C) the status of equipment, manning, and training; 
and 
(3) provide reasons for any variances in readiness levels, 
including changes in funding, availability in parts, training 
opportunities, and operational demands. 
(c) METRICS.—For purposes of the reviews required by this 
section, the Secretary of Defense shall identify and establish metrics 
for measuring readiness for the operations covered by subsection 
(a). In the first review conducted under this section, the Comptroller 
General shall evaluate and determine the validity of such metrics. 
(d) ACCESS TO RELEVANT DATA.—For purposes of this section, 
the Secretary of Defense shall ensure that the Comptroller General 
has access to all relevant data, including—
H. R. 5515—91 
(1) any assessments of the ability of the Department of 
Defense and the Armed Forces to execute operational and 
contingency plans; 
(2) any internal Department readiness and force structure 
assessments; and 
(3) the readiness databases of the Department and the 
Armed Forces. 
(e) REPORTS.— 
(1) ANNUAL REPORT.—Not later than February 28, 2019, 
and annually thereafter until 2022, the Comptroller General 
shall submit to the Committees on Armed Services of the Senate 
and House of Representatives an annual report on the review 
conducted under subsection (a) for the year preceding the year 
during which the report is submitted. 
(2) ADDITIONAL REPORTS.—At the discretion of the Comp-
troller General, the Comptroller General may submit to the 
Committees on Armed Services of the Senate and House of 
Representatives additional reports addressing specific mission 
areas within the operations covered by subsection (a) in order 
to provide an independent assessment of readiness in the areas 
of equipping, mapping, and training. 
SEC. 334. SURFACE WARFARE TRAINING IMPROVEMENT. 
(a) FINDINGS.—Congress makes the following findings: 
(1) In 2017, there were three collisions and one grounding 
involving United States Navy ships in the Western Pacific. 
The two most recent mishaps involved separate incidents of 
a Japan-based United States Navy destroyer colliding with 
a commercial merchant vessel, resulting in the combined loss 
of 17 sailors. 
(2) The causal factors in these four mishaps are linked 
directly to a failure to take sufficient action in accordance 
with the rules of good seamanship. 
(3) Because risks are high in the maritime environment, 
there are widely accepted standards for safe seamanship and 
navigation. In the United States, the International Convention 
on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping 
(hereinafter in this section referred to as the ‘‘STCW’’) for 
Seafarers, standardizes the skills and foundational knowledge 
a maritime professional must have in seamanship and naviga-
tion. 
(4) Section 568 of the National Defense Authorization Act 
for Fiscal Year 2017 (Public Law 114–328; 130 Stat. 2139) 
endorsed the STCW process and required the Secretary of 
Defense to maximize the extent to which Armed Forces service, 
training, and qualifications are creditable toward meeting mer-
chant mariner licenses and certifications. 
(5) The Surface Warfare Officer Course Curriculum is being 
modified to include ten individual Go/No Go Mariner Assess-
ments/Competency Check Milestones to ensure standardization 
and quality of the surface warfare community. 
(6) The Military-to-Mariner Transition report of September 
2017 notes the Army maintains an extensive STCW qualifica-
tions program and that a similar Navy program does not exist. 
(b) SENSE OF CONGRESS.—It is the sense of Congress that— 
(1) the Secretary of the Navy should establish a comprehen-
sive individual proficiency assessment process and include such
H. R. 5515—92 
an assessment prior to all operational surface warfare officer 
tour assignments; and 
(2) the Secretary of the Navy should significantly expand 
the STCW qualifications process to improve seamanship and 
navigation individual skills training for surface warfare can-
didates, surface warfare officers, quartermasters and operations 
specialists to include an increased set of courses that directly 
correspond to STCW standards. 
(c) REPORT.—Not later than March 1, 2019, the Secretary of 
the Navy shall submit to the congressional defense committees 
a report that includes each of the following: 
(1) A detailed description of the surface warfare officer 
assessments process. 
(2) A list of programs that have been approved for credit 
toward merchant mariner credentials. 
(3) A complete gap analysis of the existing surface warfare 
training curriculum and STCW. 
(4) A complete gap analysis of the existing surface warfare 
training curriculum and the 3rd mate unlimited licensing 
requirement. 
(5) An assessment of surface warfare options to complete 
the 3rd mate unlimited license and the STCW qualification. 
SEC. 335. REPORT ON OPTIMIZING SURFACE NAVY VESSEL INSPEC-
TIONS AND CREW CERTIFICATIONS. 
(a) REPORT REQUIRED.—Not later than one year after the date 
of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of the Navy shall 
submit to Congress a report on optimizing surface Navy vessel 
inspections and crew certifications to reduce the burden of inspec-
tion type visits that vessels undergo. Such report shall include— 
(1) an audit of all surface Navy vessel inspections, certifi-
cations, and required and recommended assist visits; 
(2) an analysis of such inspections, certifications, and visits 
for redundancies, as well as any necessary items not covered; 
(3) recommendations to streamline surface vessel inspec-
tions, certifications, and required and recommended assist visits 
to optimize effectiveness, improve material readiness, and 
restore training readiness; and 
(4) recommendations for congressional action to address 
the needs of the Navy as identified in the report. 
(b) CONGRESSIONAL BRIEFING.—Not later than January 31, 
2019, the Secretary of the Navy shall provide to the Senate Com-
mittee on Armed Services and the House Committee on Armed 
Services an interim briefing on the matters to be included in the 
report required by subsection (a). 
SEC. 336. REPORT ON DEPOT-LEVEL MAINTENANCE AND REPAIR. 
The Secretary of Defense, in consultation with the heads of 
each of the military departments and the Chairman of the Joint 
Chiefs of Staff, shall submit to the congressional defense committees 
a report on labor hours and depot maintenance, which shall 
include— 
(1) the amount of public and private funding of depot- 
level maintenance and repair (as defined in section 2460 of 
title 10 United States Code) for the Department of Defense,
H. R. 5515—93 
Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, Special Operations Com-
mand, and any other unified command identified by the Sec-
retary, expressed by commodity group by percentage and actual 
numbers in terms of dollars and direct labor hours; 
(2) within each category of depot level maintenance and 
repair for each entities, the amount of the subset of depot 
maintenance workload that meets the description under section 
2464 of title 10, United States Code, that is performed in 
the public and private sectors by direct labor hours and by 
dollars; 
(3) of the subset referred to in paragraph (2), the amount 
of depot maintenance workload performed in the public and 
private sector by direct labor hour and by dollars for each 
entity that would otherwise be considered core workload under 
such section 2464, but is not considered core because a weapon 
system or equipment has not been declared a program of record; 
and 
(4) the projections for the upcoming future years defense 
program, including the distinction between the Navy and the 
Marine Corps for the Department of the Navy, as well as 
any unified command, including the Special Operations Com-
mand. 
SEC. 337. REPORT ON WILDFIRE SUPPRESSION CAPABILITIES OF 
ACTIVE AND RESERVE COMPONENTS. 
(a) SENSE
OF CONGRESS.—It is the sense of Congress that 
wildfires endanger national security. 
(b) REPORT.—Not later than 90 days after the date of the 
enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense shall submit to 
Congress a report on the wildfire suppression capabilities within 
the active and reserve components of the Armed Forces, including 
the Modular Airborne Fire Fighting System Program, and inter-
agency cooperation with the Forest Service and the Department 
of the Interior. 
SEC. 338. REPORT ON RELOCATION OF STEAM TURBINE PRODUCTION 
FROM NIMITZ-CLASS AND FORD-CLASS AIRCRAFT CAR-
RIERS AND VIRGINIA-CLASS AND COLUMBIA-CLASS SUB-
MARINES. 
Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of 
this Act, the Secretary of Defense, in consultation with the Under 
Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology, and Logistics and 
the Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Research, Development, 
and Acquisition, shall develop and submit to Congress a report 
describing the potential impacts on national defense and the manu-
facturing base resulting from contractors or subcontractors relo-
cating steam turbine production for Nimitz-class and Ford-class 
aircraft carriers and Virginia-class and Columbia-class submarines. 
Such report shall address each of the following: 
(1) The overall risk of moving production on the national 
security of the United States, including the likelihood of produc-
tion delay or reduction in quality of steam turbines. 
(2) The impact on national security from a delay in produc-
tion of aircraft carriers and submarines. 
(3) The impacts on regional suppliers the current produc-
tion of steam turbines draw on and their ability to perform 
other contracts should a relocation happen.
H. R. 5515—94 
(4) The impact on the national industrial and manufac-
turing base and loss of a critically skilled workforce resulting 
from a relocation of production. 
(5) The risk of moving production on total cost of the 
acquisition. 
SEC. 
339. 
REPORT 
ON 
SPECIALIZED 
UNDERGRADUATE 
PILOT 
TRAINING PRODUCTION, RESOURCING, AND LOCATIONS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than March 1, 2019, the Secretary 
of the Air Force shall submit to the congressional defense commit-
tees a report on existing Specialized Undergraduate Pilot Training 
(SUPT) production, resourcing, and locations. 
(b) ELEMENTS.—The report required under subsection (a) shall 
include the following elements: 
(1) A description of the strategy of the Air Force for utilizing 
existing SUPT locations to produce the number of pilots the 
Air Force requires. 
(2) The number of pilots that each SUPT location has 
graduated, by year, over the previous 5 fiscal years. 
(3) The forecast number of pilots that each SUPT location 
will produce for fiscal year 2019. 
(4) The maximum production capacity of each SUPT loca-
tion. 
(5) The extent to which existing SUPT installations are 
operating at maximum capacity in terms of pilot production. 
(6) A cost estimate of the resources required for each SUPT 
location to reach maximum production capacity. 
(7) A determination as to whether increasing production 
capacity at existing SUPT locations will satisfy the Air Force’s 
SUPT requirement. 
(8) A timeline and cost estimation of establishing a new 
SUPT location. 
(9) A discussion of whether the Air Force plans to operate 
existing SUPT installations at maximum capacity over the 
future years defense program. 
(10) A business case analysis comparing the establishment 
of a new SUPT location to increasing production capacity at 
existing SUPT locations. 
SEC. 340. REPORT ON AIR FORCE AIRFIELD OPERATIONAL REQUIRE-
MENTS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than February 1, 2019, the Sec-
retary of the Air Force shall conduct an assessment and submit 
to the congressional defense committees a report detailing the oper-
ational requirements for Air Force airfields. 
(b) ELEMENTS.—The report required under subsection (a) shall 
include the following elements: 
(1) An assessment of the state of airfields where runway 
degradation currently poses a threat to operations and airfields 
where such degradation threatens operations in the next five 
and ten years. 
(2) A description of the operational requirements for air-
fields, including an assessment of the impact to operations, 
cost to repair, cost to replace, remaining useful life, and the 
required daily maintenance to ensure runways are acceptable 
for full operations. 
(3) A description of any challenges with infrastructure 
acquisition methods and processes.
H. R. 5515—95 
(4) An assessment of the operational impact in the event 
a runway were to become inoperable due to a major degradation 
incident, such as a crack or fracture resulting from lack of 
maintenance and repair. 
(5) A plan to address any shortfalls associated with the 
Air Force’s runway infrastructure. 
(c) FORM.—The report required under subsection (a) shall be 
in unclassified form but may contain a classified annex as necessary. 
SEC. 341. REPORT ON NAVY SURFACE SHIP REPAIR CONTRACT COSTS. 
(a) REPORT REQUIRED.—Not later than 120 days after the date 
of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of the Navy shall 
submit to the congressional defense committees a report on Navy 
surface ship repair contract costs. 
(b) ELEMENTS.—The report required under subsection (a) shall 
include, for each private sector maintenance availability for a 
conventionally-powered Navy surface ship for the prior two com-
pleted fiscal years, the following elements: 
(1) Name of the ship. 
(2) Location of the availability. 
(3) Prime contractor performing the availability. 
(4) Date of the contract award. 
(5) Type of contract used, such as firm-fixed-price or cost- 
plus-fixed-fee. 
(6) Solicitation number. 
(7) Number of offers received in response to the solicitation. 
(8) Contract target cost at the date of contract award. 
(9) Contract ceiling cost of the contract at the date of 
contract award. 
(10) Duration of the availability in days, including start 
and end dates, at the date of contract award. 
(11) Final contract cost. 
(12) Final delivery cost. 
(13) Actual duration of the availability in days, including 
start and end dates. 
(14) Description of growth work that was added after the 
contract award, including the associated cost. 
(15) Explanation of why the growth work described in 
paragraph (14) was not included in the scope of work associated 
with the original contract award. 
Subtitle E—Other Matters 
SEC. 351. COAST GUARD REPRESENTATION ON EXPLOSIVE SAFETY 
BOARD. 
Section 172(a) of title 10, United States Code, is amended— 
(1) by striking ‘‘and Marine Corps’’ and inserting ‘‘Marine 
Corps, and Coast Guard’’; and 
(2) by adding at the end the following new sentence: ‘‘When 
the Coast Guard is not operating as a service in the Department 
of the Navy, the Secretary of Homeland Security shall appoint 
an officer of the Coast Guard to serve as a voting member 
of the board.’’.
H. R. 5515—96 
SEC. 352. TRANSPORTATION TO CONTINENTAL UNITED STATES OF 
RETIRED MILITARY WORKING DOGS OUTSIDE THE CONTI-
NENTAL UNITED STATES THAT ARE SUITABLE FOR ADOP-
TION IN THE UNITED STATES. 
Section 2583(f) of title 10, United States Code, is amended 
by adding at the end the following new paragraph: 
‘‘(3)(A) In the case of a military working dog located outside 
the continental United States at the time of retirement that is 
suitable for adoption at that time, the Secretary of the military 
department concerned shall undertake transportation of the dog 
to the continental United States (including transportation by con-
tract at United States expense) for adoption under this section 
unless— 
‘‘(i) the dog is adopted as described in paragraph (2)(A); 
or 
‘‘(ii) transportation of the dog to the continental United 
States would not be in the best interests of the dog for medical 
reasons. 
‘‘(B) Nothing in this paragraph shall be construed to alter 
the preference in adoption of retired military working dogs for 
former handlers as set forth in subsection (g).’’. 
SEC. 353. SCOPE OF AUTHORITY FOR RESTORATION OF LAND DUE 
TO MISHAP. 
Subsection (e) of section 2691 of title 10, United States Code, 
as added by section 2814 of the Military Construction Authorization 
Act for Fiscal Year 2018 (division B of Public Law 115–91; 131 
Stat. 1849), is amended by adding at the end the following new 
paragraph: 
‘‘(3) The authority under paragraphs (1) and (2) includes activi-
ties and expenditures necessary to complete restoration to meet 
the regulations of the Federal department or agency with adminis-
trative jurisdiction over the affected land, which may be different 
than the regulations of the Department of Defense.’’. 
SEC. 354. REPURPOSING AND REUSE OF SURPLUS ARMY FIREARMS. 
Section 348(b) of the National Defense Authorization Act for 
Fiscal Year 2018 (Public Law 115–91; 131 Stat. 1365) is amended 
by inserting ‘‘shredded or’’ before ‘‘melted and repurposed’’. 
SEC. 355. STUDY ON PHASING OUT OPEN BURN PITS. 
(a) REPORT.—Not later than 180 days after the date of the 
enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense shall submit to 
Congress a report that includes— 
(1) details of any ongoing use of open burn pits; and 
(2) the feasibility of phasing out the use of open burn 
pits by using technology incinerators. 
(b) OPEN BURN PIT DEFINED.—In this section, the term ‘‘open 
burn pit’’ means an area of land— 
(1) that is designated by the Secretary of Defense to be 
used for disposing solid waste by burning in the outdoor air; 
and 
(2) does not contain a commercially manufactured inciner-
ator or other equipment specifically designed and manufactured 
for the burning of solid waste.
H. R. 5515—97 
SEC. 356. NOTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS RELATING TO CHANGES TO 
UNIFORM OF MEMBERS OF THE UNIFORMED SERVICES. 
(a) DLA NOTIFICATION.—The Secretary of a military depart-
ment shall notify the Commander of the Defense Logistics Agency 
of any plan to implement a change to any uniform or uniform 
component of a member of the uniformed services. Such notification 
shall be made not less than three years prior to the implementation 
of such change. 
(b) CONTRACTOR
NOTIFICATION.—The Commander of the 
Defense Logistics Agency shall notify a contractor when one of 
the uniformed services plans to make a change to a uniform compo-
nent that is provided by that contractor. Such a notification shall 
be made not less than 12 months prior to any announcement 
of a public solicitation for the manufacture of the new uniform 
component. 
(c) WAIVER.—If the Secretary of a military department or the 
Commander of the Defense Logistics Agency determines that the 
notification requirement under subsection (a) would adversely affect 
operational safety, force protection, or the national security interests 
of the United States, the Secretary or the Commander may waive 
such requirement. 
SEC. 357. REPORTING ON FUTURE YEARS BUDGETING BY SUBACTIVITY 
GROUP. 
Along with the budget for each fiscal year submitted by the 
President pursuant to section 1105(a) of title 31, United States 
Code, the Secretary of Defense and the Secretaries of the military 
departments shall include in the OP-5 Justification Books, as 
detailed by Department of Defense Financial Management Regula-
tion 7000.14–R, the amount for each individual subactivity group, 
as detailed in the Department’s future years defense program pursu-
ant to section 221 of title 10, United States Code. 
SEC. 358. LIMITATION ON AVAILABILITY OF FUNDS FOR SERVICE-SPE-
CIFIC DEFENSE READINESS REPORTING SYSTEMS. 
(a) LIMITATION.—None of the funds authorized to be appro-
priated by this Act or otherwise made available for the Department 
of Defense for fiscal year 2019 for research, development, test, 
and evaluation or procurement, and available to develop service- 
specific Defense Readiness Reporting Systems (referred to in this 
section as ‘‘DRRS’’) may be made available for such purpose except 
for required maintenance and in order to facilitate the transition 
to DRRS-Strategic (referred to in this section as ‘‘DRRS-S’’). 
(b) PLAN.—Not later than February 1, 2019, the Under Sec-
retary for Personnel and Readiness shall submit to the congressional 
defense committees a resource and funding plan to include a 
schedule with relevant milestones on the elimination of service- 
specific DRRS and the migration of the military services and other 
organizations to DRRS-S. 
(c) TRANSITION.—The military services shall complete the 
transition to DRRS-S not later than October 1, 2019. The Secretary 
of Defense shall notify the congressional defense committees upon 
the complete transition of the services. 
(d) REPORTING REQUIREMENT.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—The Under Secretary for Personnel and 
Readiness, 
the 
Under 
Secretary 
for 
Acquisition 
and 
Sustainment, and the Under Secretary for Research and
H. R. 5515—98 
Engineering, in coordination with the Secretaries of the military 
departments and other organizations with relevant technical 
expertise, shall establish a working group including individuals 
with expertise in application or software development, data 
science, testing, and development and assessment of perform-
ance metrics to assess the current process for collecting, ana-
lyzing, and communicating readiness data, and develop a 
strategy for implementing any recommended changes to 
improve and establish readiness metrics using the current 
DRRS-Strategic platform. 
(2) ELEMENTS.—The assessment conducted pursuant to 
paragraph (1) shall include— 
(A) identification of modern tools, methods, and 
approaches to readiness to more effectively and efficiently 
collect, analyze, and make decision based on readiness 
data; and 
(B) consideration of cost and schedule. 
(3) SUBMISSION TO CONGRESS.—Not later than February 
1, 2020, the Secretary of Defense shall submit to the congres-
sional defense committees the assessment conducted pursuant 
to paragraph (1). 
(e) DEFENSE READINESS REPORTING REQUIREMENTS.—To the 
maximum extent practicable, the Secretary of Defense shall meet 
defense readiness reporting requirements consistent with the rec-
ommendations of the working group established under subsection 
(d)(1). 
SEC. 359. PRIORITIZATION OF ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS FOR FACILI-
TIES SUSTAINMENT, RESTORATION, AND MODERNIZATION 
DEMOLITION. 
The Secretary of Defense shall establish prioritization metrics 
for facilities deemed eligible for demolition within the Facilities 
Sustainment, Restoration, and Modernization (FSRM) process. 
Those metrics shall include full spectrum readiness and environ-
mental impacts, including the removal of contamination. 
SEC. 360. SENSE OF CONGRESS RELATING TO SOO LOCKS, SAULT 
SAINTE MARIE, MICHIGAN. 
It is the sense of Congress that— 
(1) the Soo Locks in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, are of 
critical importance to the national security of the United States; 
(2) the Soo Locks are the only waterway connection from 
Lake Superior to the Lower Great Lakes and the St. Lawrence 
Seaway; 
(3) only the Poe Lock is of sufficient size to allow for 
the passage of the largest cargo vessels that transport well 
over 90 percent of all iron ore mined in the United States, 
and this lock is nearing the end of its 50-year useful lifespan; 
(4) a report issued by the Office of Cyber and Infrastructure 
Analysis of the Department of Homeland Security concluded 
that an unscheduled 6-month outage of the Poe Lock would 
cause— 
(A) a dramatic increase in national and regional 
unemployment; and 
(B) 75 percent of Great Lakes steel production, and 
nearly all North American appliance, automobile, railcar, 
and construction, farm, and mining equipment production 
to cease;
H. R. 5515—99 
(5) the Corps of Engineers is reevaluating a past economic 
evaluation report to update the benefit-to-cost ratio for building 
a new lock at the Soo Locks; and 
(6) the Secretary of the Army and all relevant Federal 
agencies should— 
(A) expedite the completion of the report described 
in paragraph (5) and ensure the analysis adequately 
reflects the critical importance of the Soo Locks infrastruc-
ture to the national security and economy of the United 
States; and 
(B) expedite all other necessary reviews, analysis, and 
approvals needed to speed the required upgrades at the 
Soo Locks. 
SEC. 361. U.S. SPECIAL OPERATIONS COMMAND CIVILIAN PERSONNEL. 
Notwithstanding section 143 of title 10, United States Code, 
of the funds authorized to be appropriated by this Act for Operation 
and Maintenance, Defense-wide for United States Special Oper-
ations Command civilian personnel, not less than $4,000,000 shall 
be used to fund additional civilian personnel in or directly sup-
porting the office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Special 
Operations and Low-Intensity Conflict to support the Assistant 
Secretary in fulfilling the additional responsibilities of the Assistant 
Secretary that were added by the amendments to sections 138(b)(4), 
139b, and 167 of title 10, United States Code, made by section 
922 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 
2017 (Public Law 114–328). 
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. Maximum number of reserve personnel authorized to be on active duty 
for operational support. 
Subtitle C—Authorization of Appropriations 
Sec. 421. Military personnel. 
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, 2019, as follows: 
(1) The Army, 487,500. 
(2) The Navy, 335,400. 
(3) The Marine Corps, 186,100. 
(4) The Air Force, 329,100.
H. R. 5515—100 
SEC. 402. REVISIONS IN PERMANENT ACTIVE DUTY END STRENGTH 
MINIMUM LEVELS. 
Section 691(b) of title 10, United States Code, is amended 
by striking paragraphs (1) through (4) and inserting the following 
new paragraphs: 
‘‘(1) For the Army, 487,500. 
‘‘(2) For the Navy, 335,400. 
‘‘(3) For the Marine Corps, 186,100. 
‘‘(4) For the Air Force, 329,100.’’. 
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, 2019, as follows: 
(1) The Army National Guard of the United States, 343,500. 
(2) The Army Reserve, 199,500. 
(3) The Navy Reserve, 59,100. 
(4) The Marine Corps Reserve, 38,500. 
(5) The Air National Guard of the United States, 107,100. 
(6) The Air Force Reserve, 70,000. 
(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, 2019, 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, 30,595. 
(2) The Army Reserve, 16,386. 
(3) The Navy Reserve, 10,110. 
(4) The Marine Corps Reserve, 2,261. 
(5) The Air National Guard of the United States, 19,861.
H. R. 5515—101 
(6) The Air Force Reserve, 3,849. 
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 2019 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, 
22,294. 
(2) For the Army Reserve, 6,492. 
(3) For the Air National Guard of the United States, 15,861. 
(4) For the Air Force Reserve, 8,880. 
SEC. 414. MAXIMUM NUMBER OF RESERVE PERSONNEL AUTHORIZED 
TO BE ON ACTIVE DUTY FOR OPERATIONAL SUPPORT. 
During fiscal year 2019, 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 2019 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 2019. 
TITLE V—MILITARY PERSONNEL 
POLICY 
Subtitle A—Officer Personnel Policy 
Sec. 501. Repeal of requirement for ability to complete 20 years of service by age 
62 as qualification for original appointment as a regular commissioned 
officer. 
Sec. 502. Enhancement of availability of constructive service credit for private sec-
tor training or experience upon original appointment as a commissioned 
officer. 
Sec. 503. Standardized temporary promotion authority across the military depart-
ments for officers in certain grades with critical skills. 
Sec. 504. Authority for promotion boards to recommend officers of particular merit 
be placed higher on a promotion list. 
Sec. 505. Authority for officers to opt out of promotion board consideration. 
Sec. 506. Applicability to additional officer grades of authority for continuation on 
active duty of officers in certain military specialties and career tracks.
H. R. 5515—102 
Sec. 507. Alternative promotion authority for officers in designated competitive cat-
egories of officers. 
Sec. 508. Attending Physician to the Congress. 
Sec. 509. Matters relating to satisfactory service in grade for purposes of retire-
ment grade of officers in highest grade of satisfactory service. 
Sec. 510. Grades of Chiefs of Chaplains. 
Sec. 511. Repeal of original appointment qualification requirement for warrant offi-
cers in the regular Army. 
Sec. 512. Reduction in number of years of active naval service required for perma-
nent appointment as a limited duty officer. 
Sec. 513. Authority to designate certain reserve officers as not to be considered for 
selection for promotion. 
Sec. 514. GAO review of surface warfare career paths. 
Subtitle B—Reserve Component Management 
Sec. 515. Authorized strength and distribution in grade. 
Sec. 516. Repeal of prohibition on service on Army Reserve Forces Policy Com-
mittee by members on active duty. 
Sec. 517. Expansion of personnel subject to authority of the Chief of the National 
Guard Bureau in the execution of functions and missions of the National 
Guard Bureau. 
Sec. 518. Authority to adjust effective date of promotion in the event of undue 
delay in extending Federal recognition of promotion. 
Sec. 519. National Guard Youth Challenge Program. 
Sec. 520. Extension of authority for pilot program on use of retired senior enlisted 
members of the Army National Guard as Army National Guard recruit-
ers. 
Subtitle C—General Service Authorities and Correction of Military Records 
Sec. 521. Enlistments vital to the national interest. 
Sec. 522. Statement of benefits. 
Sec. 523. Modification to forms of support that may be accepted in support of the 
mission of the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency. 
Sec. 524. Assessment of Navy standard workweek and related adjustments. 
Sec. 525. Notification on manning of afloat naval forces. 
Sec. 526. Navy watchstander records. 
Sec. 527. Qualification experience requirements for certain Navy watchstations. 
Subtitle D—Military Justice 
Sec. 531. Inclusion of strangulation and suffocation in conduct constituting aggra-
vated assault for purposes of the Uniform Code of Military Justice. 
Sec. 532. Punitive article on domestic violence under the Uniform Code of Military 
Justice. 
Sec. 533. Authorities of Defense Advisory Committee on Investigation, Prosecution, 
and Defense of Sexual Assault in the Armed Forces. 
Sec. 534. Report on feasibility of expanding services of the Special Victims’ Counsel 
to victims of domestic violence. 
Sec. 535. Uniform command action form on disposition of unrestricted sexual as-
sault cases involving members of the Armed Forces. 
Sec. 536. Standardization of policies related to expedited transfer in cases of sexual 
assault or domestic violence. 
Subtitle E—Other Legal Matters 
Sec. 541. Clarification of expiration of term of appellate military judges of the 
United States Court of Military Commission Review. 
Sec. 542. Security clearance reinvestigation of certain personnel who commit cer-
tain offenses. 
Sec. 543. Development of oversight plan for implementation of Department of De-
fense harassment prevention and response policy. 
Sec. 544. Oversight of registered sex offender management program. 
Sec. 545. Development of resource guides regarding sexual assault for the military 
service academies. 
Sec. 546. Improved crime reporting. 
Sec. 547. Report on victims of sexual assault in reports of military criminal inves-
tigative organizations. 
Subtitle F—Member Education, Training, Resilience, and Transition 
Sec. 551. Permanent career intermission program. 
Sec. 552. Improvements to Transition Assistance Program. 
Sec. 553. Repeal of program on encouragement of postseparation public and com-
munity service.
H. R. 5515—103 
Sec. 554. Clarification of application and honorable service requirements under the 
Troops-to-Teachers Program to members of the Retired Reserve. 
Sec. 555. Employment and compensation of civilian faculty members at the Joint 
Special Operations University. 
Sec. 556. Program to assist members of the Armed Forces in obtaining professional 
credentials. 
Sec. 557. Enhancement of authorities in connection with Junior Reserve Officers’ 
Training Corps programs. 
Sec. 558. Expansion of period of availability of Military OneSource program for re-
tired and discharged members of the Armed Forces and their immediate 
families. 
Sec. 559. Prohibition on use of funds for attendance of enlisted personnel at senior 
level and intermediate level officer professional military education 
courses. 
Subtitle G—Defense Dependents’ Education 
Sec. 561. Assistance to schools with military dependent students. 
Sec. 562. Department of Defense Education Activity policies and procedures on sex-
ual harassment of students of Activity schools. 
Sec. 563. Department of Defense Education Activity misconduct database. 
Sec. 564. Assessment and report on active shooter threat mitigation at schools lo-
cated on military installations. 
Subtitle H—Military Family Readiness Matters 
Sec. 571. Department of Defense Military Family Readiness Council matters. 
Sec. 572. Enhancement and clarification of family support services for family mem-
bers of members of special operations forces. 
Sec. 573. Temporary expansion of authority for noncompetitive appointments of 
military spouses by Federal agencies. 
Sec. 574. Improvement of My Career Advancement Account program for military 
spouses. 
Sec. 575. Assessment and report on the effects of permanent changes of station on 
employment among military spouses. 
Sec. 576. Provisional or interim clearances to provide childcare services at military 
childcare centers. 
Sec. 577. Multidisciplinary teams for military installations on child abuse and 
other domestic violence. 
Sec. 578. Pilot program for military families: prevention of child abuse and training 
on safe childcare practices. 
Sec. 579. Assessment and report on small business activities of military spouses on 
military installations in the United States. 
Subtitle I—Decorations and Awards 
Sec. 581. Atomic veterans service certificate. 
Sec. 582. Award of medals or other commendations to handlers of military working 
dogs. 
Sec. 583. Authorization for award of distinguished-service cross to Justin T. 
Gallegos for acts of valor during Operation Enduring Freedom. 
Subtitle J—Miscellaneous Reports and Other Matters 
Sec. 591. Annual defense manpower requirements report matters. 
Sec. 592. Burial of unclaimed remains of inmates at the United States Disciplinary 
Barracks Cemetery, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. 
Sec. 593. Standardization of frequency of academy visits of the Air Force Academy 
Board of Visitors with academy visits of boards of other military service 
academies. 
Sec. 594. National Commission on Military, National, and Public Service matters. 
Sec. 595. Public availability of top-line numbers of deployed members of the Armed 
Forces. 
Sec. 596. Report on general and flag officer costs. 
Sec. 597. Study on active service obligations for medical training with other service 
obligations for education or training and health professional recruiting. 
Sec. 598. Criteria for interment at Arlington National Cemetery. 
Sec. 599. Limitation on use of funds pending submittal of report on Army Mar-
keting and Advertising Program. 
Sec. 600. Proof of period of military service for purposes of interest rate limitation 
under the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act.
H. R. 5515—104 
Subtitle A—Officer Personnel Policy 
SEC. 501. REPEAL OF REQUIREMENT FOR ABILITY TO COMPLETE 20 
YEARS OF SERVICE BY AGE 62 AS QUALIFICATION FOR 
ORIGINAL APPOINTMENT AS A REGULAR COMMISSIONED 
OFFICER. 
(a) REPEAL.—Subsection (a) of section 532 of title 10, United 
States Code, is amended— 
(1) by striking paragraph (2); and 
(2) by redesignating paragraphs (3), (4), and (5) as para-
graphs (2), (3), and (4), respectively. 
(b) 
CONFORMING
AMENDMENT.—Such 
section 
is 
further 
amended by striking subsection (d). 
(c) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The amendments made by this section 
shall take effect on the date of the enactment of this Act, and 
shall apply with respect to original appointments of regular commis-
sioned officers of the Armed Forces made on or after that date. 
SEC. 502. ENHANCEMENT OF AVAILABILITY OF CONSTRUCTIVE 
SERVICE CREDIT FOR PRIVATE SECTOR TRAINING OR 
EXPERIENCE 
UPON 
ORIGINAL 
APPOINTMENT 
AS 
A 
COMMISSIONED OFFICER. 
(a) REGULAR OFFICERS.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Subsection (b) of section 533 of title 10, 
United States Code, is amended— 
(A) in paragraph (1), by striking subparagraph (D) 
and inserting the following new subparagraph (D): 
‘‘(D) Additional credit for special training or experience 
in a particular officer career field as designated by the Secretary 
concerned, if such training or experience is directly related 
to the operational needs of the armed force concerned.’’; and 
(B) in paragraph (2)— 
(i) by striking ‘‘Except as authorized by the Sec-
retary concerned in individual cases and under regula-
tions prescribed by the Secretary of Defense in the 
case of a medical or dental officer, the amount’’ and 
inserting ‘‘The amount’’; and 
(ii) by striking ‘‘in the grade of major in the Army, 
Air Force, or Marine Corps or lieutenant commander 
in the Navy’’ and inserting ‘‘in the grade of colonel 
in the Army, Air Force, or Marine Corps or captain 
in the Navy’’. 
(2) REPEAL OF TEMPORARY AUTHORITY FOR SERVICE CREDIT 
FOR
CRITICALLY
NECESSARY
CYBERSPACE-RELATED
EXPERI-
ENCE.—Such section is further amended— 
(A) in subsections (a)(2) and (c), by striking ‘‘or (g)’’; 
and 
(B) by striking subsection (g). 
(b) RESERVE OFFICERS.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Subsection (b) of section 12207 of title 
10, United States Code, is amended— 
(A) in paragraph (1), by striking subparagraph (D) 
and inserting the following new subparagraph (D): 
‘‘(D) Additional credit for special training or experience 
in a particular officer career field as designated by the Secretary
H. R. 5515—105 
concerned, if such training or experience is directly related 
to the operational needs of the armed force concerned.’’; and 
(B) by striking paragraph (3) and inserting the fol-
lowing new paragraph (3): 
‘‘(3) The amount of constructive service credit credited to an 
officer under this subsection may not exceed the amount required 
in order for the officer to be eligible for an original appointment 
as a reserve officer of the Army, Air Force, or Marine Corps in 
the grade of colonel or as a reserve officer of the Navy in the 
grade of captain.’’. 
(2) REPEAL OF TEMPORARY AUTHORITY FOR SERVICE CREDIT 
FOR
CRITICALLY
NECESSARY
CYBERSPACE-RELATED
EXPERI-
ENCE.—Such section is further amended— 
(A) by striking subsection (e); 
(B) by redesignating subsections (f) and (g) as sub-
sections (e) and (f), respectively; and 
(C) in subsection (e), as redesignated by subparagraph 
(B), by striking ‘‘, (d), or (e)’’ and inserting ‘‘or (d)’’. 
SEC. 503. STANDARDIZED TEMPORARY PROMOTION AUTHORITY 
ACROSS THE MILITARY DEPARTMENTS FOR OFFICERS IN 
CERTAIN GRADES WITH CRITICAL SKILLS. 
(a) STANDARDIZED TEMPORARY PROMOTION AUTHORITY.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Chapter 35 of title 10, United States 
Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new 
section: 
‘‘§ 605. Promotion to certain grades for officers with critical 
skills: colonel, lieutenant colonel, major, captain; 
captain, 
commander, 
lieutenant 
commander, 
lieutenant 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—An officer in the grade of first lieutenant, 
captain, major, or lieutenant colonel in the Army, Air Force, or 
Marine Corps, or lieutenant (junior grade), lieutenant, lieutenant 
commander, or commander in the Navy, who is described in sub-
section (b) may be temporarily promoted to the grade of captain, 
major, lieutenant colonel, or colonel in the Army, Air Force, or 
Marine Corps, or lieutenant, lieutenant commander, commander, 
or captain in the Navy, as applicable, under regulations prescribed 
by the Secretary of the military department concerned. Appoint-
ments under this section shall be made by the President, by and 
with the advice and consent of the Senate. 
‘‘(b) COVERED OFFICERS.—An officer described in this subsection 
is any officer in a grade specified in subsection (a) who— 
‘‘(1) has a skill in which the armed force concerned has 
a critical shortage of personnel (as determined by the Secretary 
of the military department concerned); and 
‘‘(2) is serving in a position (as determined by the Secretary 
of the military department concerned) that— 
‘‘(A) is designated to be held by a captain, major, 
lieutenant colonel, or colonel in the Army, Air Force, or 
Marine Corps, or lieutenant, lieutenant commander, com-
mander, or captain in the Navy, as applicable; and 
‘‘(B) requires that an officer serving in such position 
have the skill possessed by such officer. 
‘‘(c) PRESERVATION
OF POSITION
AND STATUS
OF OFFICERS 
APPOINTED.—An appointment under this section does not change
H. R. 5515—106 
the position on the active-duty list or the permanent, probationary, 
or acting status of the officer so appointed, prejudice the officer 
in regard to other promotions or appointments, or abridge the 
rights or benefits of the officer. 
‘‘(d) BOARD RECOMMENDATION REQUIRED.—A temporary pro-
motion under this section may be made only upon the recommenda-
tion of a board of officers convened by the Secretary of the military 
department concerned for the purpose of recommending officers 
for such promotions. 
‘‘(e) ACCEPTANCE AND EFFECTIVE DATE OF APPOINTMENT.—Each 
appointment under this section, unless expressly declined, is, with-
out formal acceptance, regarded as accepted on the date such 
appointment is made, and a member so appointed is entitled to 
the pay and allowances of the grade of the temporary promotion 
under this section from the date the appointment is made. 
‘‘(f) TERMINATION OF APPOINTMENT.—Unless sooner terminated, 
an appointment under this section terminates— 
‘‘(1) on the date the officer who received the appointment 
is promoted to the permanent grade of captain, major, lieuten-
ant colonel, or colonel in the Army, Air Force, or Marine Corps, 
or lieutenant, lieutenant commander, commander, or captain 
in the Navy; or 
‘‘(2) on the date the officer is detached from a position 
described in subsection (b)(2), unless the officer is on a pro-
motion list to the permanent grade of captain, major, lieutenant 
colonel, or colonel in the Army, Air Force, or Marine Corps, 
or lieutenant, lieutenant commander, commander, or captain 
in the Navy, in which case the appointment terminates on 
the date the officer is promoted to that grade. 
‘‘(g) LIMITATION
ON
NUMBER
OF
ELIGIBLE
POSITIONS.—An 
appointment under this section may only be made for service in 
a position designated by the Secretary of the military department 
concerned for the purposes of this section. The number of positions 
so designated may not exceed the following: 
‘‘(1) In the case of the Army— 
‘‘(A) as captain, 120; 
‘‘(B) as major, 350; 
‘‘(C) as lieutenant colonel, 200; and 
‘‘(D) as colonel, 100. 
‘‘(2) In the case of the Air Force— 
‘‘(A) as captain, 100; 
‘‘(B) as major, 325; 
‘‘(C) as lieutenant colonel, 175; and 
‘‘(D) as colonel, 80. 
‘‘(3) In the case of the Marine Corps— 
‘‘(A) as captain, 50; 
‘‘(B) as major, 175; 
‘‘(C) as lieutenant colonel, 100; and 
‘‘(D) as colonel, 50. 
‘‘(4) In the case of the Navy— 
‘‘(A) as lieutenant, 100; 
‘‘(B) as lieutenant commander, 325; 
‘‘(C) as commander, 175; and 
‘‘(D) as captain, 80.’’.
H. R. 5515—107 
(2) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The table of sections at the 
beginning of chapter 35 of such title is amended by adding 
at the end the following new item: 
‘‘605. Promotion to certain grades for officers with critical skills: colonel, lieutenant 
colonel, major, captain; captain, commander, lieutenant commander, 
lieutenant.’’. 
(b) REPEAL OF SUPERSEDED AUTHORITY APPLICABLE TO NAVY 
LIEUTENANTS.— 
(1) REPEAL.—Chapter 544 of title 10, United States Code, 
is repealed. 
(2) CLERICAL AMENDMENTS.—The tables of chapters at the 
beginning of title 10, United States Code, and at the beginning 
of subtitle C of such title, are each amended by striking the 
item relating to chapter 544. 
SEC. 504. AUTHORITY FOR PROMOTION BOARDS TO RECOMMEND OFFI-
CERS OF PARTICULAR MERIT BE PLACED HIGHER ON A 
PROMOTION LIST. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 616 of title 10, United States Code, 
is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection: 
‘‘(g)(1) In selecting the officers to be recommended for pro-
motion, a selection board may, when authorized by the Secretary 
of the military department concerned, recommend officers of par-
ticular merit, from among those officers selected for promotion, 
to be placed higher on the promotion list established by the Sec-
retary under section 624(a)(1) of this title. 
‘‘(2) An officer may be recommended to be placed higher on 
a promotion list under paragraph (1) only if the officer receives 
the recommendation of at least a majority of the members of the 
board, unless the Secretary concerned establishes an alternative 
requirement. Any such alternative requirement shall be furnished 
to the board as part of the guidelines furnished to the board 
under section 615 of this title. 
‘‘(3) For the officers recommended to be placed higher on a 
promotion list under paragraph (1), the board shall recommend 
the order in which those officers should be placed on the list.’’. 
(b) PROMOTION SELECTION BOARD REPORTS RECOMMENDING 
OFFICERS OF PARTICULAR MERIT BE PLACED HIGHER ON PROMOTION 
LIST.—Section 617 of such title is amended by adding at the end 
the following new subsection: 
‘‘(d) A selection board convened under section 611(a) of this 
title shall, when authorized under section 616(g) of this title, include 
in its report to the Secretary concerned the names of those officers 
recommended by the board to be placed higher on the promotion 
list and the order in which the board recommends that those 
officers should be placed on the list.’’. 
(c) OFFICERS
OF PARTICULAR MERIT APPEARING HIGHER
ON 
PROMOTION LIST.—Section 624(a)(1) of such title is amended in 
the first sentence by adding at the end ‘‘or based on particular 
merit, as determined by the promotion board’’. 
SEC. 505. AUTHORITY FOR OFFICERS TO OPT OUT OF PROMOTION 
BOARD CONSIDERATION. 
(a) ACTIVE-DUTY LIST OFFICERS.—Section 619 of title 10, United 
States Code, is amended— 
(1) in subsection (d), by adding at the end the following 
new paragraph:
H. R. 5515—113 
if selected for continuation on active duty in accordance with 
this section before the date of expiration pursuant to that 
paragraph. 
‘‘(g) EFFECT OF EXPIRATION OF CONTINUATION.—Each officer 
continued on active duty pursuant to this subsection who is not 
selected for continuation on active duty pursuant to subsection 
(f)(2) at the completion of the officer’s term of continued service 
shall, unless sooner discharged or retired under another provision 
of law— 
‘‘(1) be discharged upon the expiration of the term of contin-
ued service; or 
‘‘(2) if eligible for retirement under another other provision 
of law, be retired under that law on the first day of the first 
month following the month in which the officer completes the 
term of continued service. 
‘‘(h) TREATMENT OF DISCHARGE OR RETIREMENT.—The discharge 
or retirement of an officer pursuant to this section shall be consid-
ered to be an involuntary discharge or retirement for purposes 
of any other provision of law. 
‘‘§ 649i. Continuation on active duty: officers in certain mili-
tary specialties and career tracks 
‘‘In addition to continuation on active duty provided for in 
section 649h of this title, an officer to whom section 637a of this 
title applies may be continued on active duty in accordance with 
the provisions of such section 637a. 
‘‘§ 649j. Other administrative authorities 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—The following provisions of this title shall 
apply to officers in competitive categories of officers designated 
for purposes of this subchapter: 
‘‘(1) Section 638b, relating to voluntary retirement incen-
tives. 
‘‘(2) Section 639, relating to continuation on active duty 
to complete disciplinary action. 
‘‘(3) Section 640, relating to deferment of retirement or 
separation for medical reasons. 
‘‘§ 649k. Regulations 
‘‘The Secretary of Defense shall prescribe regulations regarding 
the administration of this subchapter. The elements of such regula-
tions shall include mechanisms to clarify the manner in which 
provisions of other subchapters of this chapter shall be used in 
the administration of this subchapter in accordance with the provi-
sions of this subchapter.’’. 
(2) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The table of subchapters at 
the beginning of chapter 36 of such title is amended by adding 
at the end the following new item: 
‘‘VI. Alternative Promotion Authority for Officers in Designated 
Competitive Categories ....................................................................... 649a’’. 
(b) REPORT.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 180 days after the date 
of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense shall, 
in consultation with the Secretaries of the military depart-
ments, submit to the Committees on Armed Services of the 
Senate and the House of Representatives a report on the
H. R. 5515—114 
authorities in subchapter VI of chapter 36 of title 10, United 
States Code (as added by subsection (a)). 
(2) ELEMENTS.—The report shall include the following: 
(A) A detailed analysis and assessment of the manner 
in which the exercise of the authorities in subchapter VI 
of chapter 36 of title 10, United States Code (as so added), 
will effect the career progression of commissioned officers 
in the Armed Forces. 
(B) A description of the competitive categories of offi-
cers that are anticipated to be designated as competitive 
categories of officers for purposes of such authorities. 
(C) A plan for implementation of such authorities. 
(D) Such recommendations for legislative or adminis-
trative action as the Secretary of Defense considers appro-
priate to improve or enhance such authorities. 
SEC. 508. ATTENDING PHYSICIAN TO THE CONGRESS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Chapter 41 of title 10, United States Code, 
is amended by inserting before section 716 the following new sec-
tion: 
‘‘§ 715. Attending Physician to the Congress: grade 
‘‘A general officer serving as Attending Physician to the Con-
gress, while so serving, holds the grade of major general. A flag 
officer serving as Attending Physician to the Congress, while so 
serving, holds the grade of rear admiral (upper half).’’. 
(b) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The table of sections at the begin-
ning of such chapter is amended by inserting before the item 
relating to section 716 the following new item: 
‘‘715. Attending Physician to the Congress: grade’’. 
SEC. 509. MATTERS RELATING TO SATISFACTORY SERVICE IN GRADE 
FOR PURPOSES OF RETIREMENT GRADE OF OFFICERS IN 
HIGHEST GRADE OF SATISFACTORY SERVICE. 
(a) CONDITIONAL DETERMINATIONS OF GRADE OF SATISFACTORY 
SERVICE.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Subsection (a)(1) of section 1370 of title 
10, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end 
the following new sentences: ‘‘When an officer is under inves-
tigation for alleged misconduct at the time of retirement, the 
Secretary concerned may conditionally determine the highest 
grade of satisfactory service of the officer pending completion 
of the investigation. Such grade is subject to resolution under 
subsection (b)(3).’’. 
(2) OFFICERS IN O–9 AND O–10 GRADES.—Subsection (c) of 
such section is amended by adding at the end the following 
new paragraph: 
‘‘(4) The Secretary of Defense may make a conditional certifi-
cation regarding satisfactory service in grade under paragraph (1) 
with respect to an officer under that paragraph notwithstanding 
the fact that there is pending the disposition of an adverse personnel 
action against the officer for alleged misconduct. The retired grade 
of an officer following such a conditional certification is subject 
to resolution under subsection (b)(3).’’. 
(3) RESERVE OFFICERS.—Subsection (d)(1) of such section 
is amended by adding at the end the following new sentences: 
‘‘When an officer is under investigation for alleged misconduct
H. R. 5515—115 
at the time of retirement, the Secretary concerned may condi-
tionally determine the highest grade of satisfactory service 
of the officer pending completion of the investigation. Such 
grade is subject to resolution under subsection (b)(3).’’. 
(b) CODIFICATION OF LOWERED GRADE FOR RETIRED OFFICERS 
OR PERSONS WHO COMMITTED MISCONDUCT IN A LOWER GRADE.— 
(1) IN
GENERAL.—Subsection (b) of such section is 
amended— 
(A) in the heading, by striking ‘‘NEXT’’; 
(B) by inserting ‘‘(1)’’ before ‘‘An’’; and 
(C) by adding at the end the following new paragraphs: 
‘‘(2) In the case of an officer or person whom the Secretary 
concerned determines committed misconduct in a lower grade, the 
Secretary concerned may determine the officer or person has not 
served satisfactorily in any grade equal to or higher than that 
lower grade. 
‘‘(3) A determination or certification of the retired grade of 
an officer shall be resolved following a conditional determination 
under subsection (a)(1) or (d)(1) or conditional certification under 
subsection (c)(4), if the investigation of or personnel action against 
the officer, as applicable, results in adverse findings. If the retired 
grade of an officer is reduced, the retired pay of the officer under 
chapter 71 of this title shall be recalculated, and any modification 
of the retired pay of the officer shall go into effect on the effective 
date of the reduction in retired grade.’’. 
(2) CONFORMING AMENDMENTS.—Such section is amended— 
(A) in subsection (a)(1)— 
(i) by striking ‘‘higher’’ and inserting ‘‘different’’; 
and 
(ii) by striking ‘‘except as provided in paragraph 
(2)’’ and inserting ‘‘subject to paragraph (2) and sub-
section (b)’’; 
(B) in subsection (c)(1), by striking ‘‘An officer’’ and 
inserting ‘‘Subject to subsection (b), an officer’’; and 
(C) in subsection (d)(1)— 
(i) by striking ‘‘higher’’ each place it appears and 
inserting ‘‘different’’; and 
(ii) by inserting ‘‘, subject to subsection (b),’’ before 
‘‘shall’’. 
(c) FINALITY OF RETIRED GRADE DETERMINATIONS.—Such sec-
tion is further amended by adding at the end the following new 
subsection: 
‘‘(f) FINALITY OF RETIRED GRADE DETERMINATIONS.—(1) Except 
as otherwise provided by law, a determination or certification of 
the retired grade of an officer pursuant to this section is administra-
tively final on the day the officer is retired, and may not be 
reopened. 
‘‘(2) A determination or certification of the retired grade of 
an officer may be reopened as follows: 
‘‘(A) If the retirement or retired grade of the officer was 
procured by fraud. 
‘‘(B) If substantial evidence comes to light after the retire-
ment that could have led to a lower retired grade under this 
section if known by competent authority at the time of retire-
ment. 
‘‘(C) If a mistake of law or calculation was made in the 
determination of the retired grade.
H. R. 5515—116 
‘‘(D) In the case of a retired grade following a conditional 
determination under subsection (a)(1) or (d)(1) or conditional 
certification under subsection (c)(4), if the investigation of or 
personnel action against the officer, as applicable, results in 
adverse findings. 
‘‘(E) If the Secretary concerned determines, pursuant to 
regulations prescribed by the Secretary of Defense, that good 
cause exists to reopen the determination or certification. 
‘‘(3) If a determination or certification of the retired grade 
of an officer is reopened, the Secretary concerned— 
‘‘(A) shall notify the officer of the reopening; and 
‘‘(B) may not make an adverse determination on the retired 
grade of the officer until the officer has had a reasonable 
opportunity to respond regarding the basis of the reopening. 
‘‘(4) If a certification of the retired grade of an officer covered 
by subsection (c) is reopened, the Secretary concerned shall also 
notify the President and Congress of the reopening. 
‘‘(5) If the retired grade of an officer is reduced through the 
reopening of the officer’s retired grade, the retired pay of the officer 
under chapter 71 of this title shall be recalculated, and any modi-
fication of the retired pay of the officer shall go into effect on 
the effective date of the reduction of the officer’s retired grade.’’. 
SEC. 510. GRADES OF CHIEFS OF CHAPLAINS. 
(a) ARMY.—Section 3073 of title 10, United States Code, is 
amended— 
(1) by inserting ‘‘(a)’’ before ‘‘There’’; and 
(2) by adding at the end the following new subsection: 
‘‘(b) The Chief of Chaplains, while so serving, holds the grade 
of major general.’’. 
(b) NAVY.—Section 5142 of title 10, United States Code, is 
amended by adding at the end the following new subsection: 
‘‘(e) The Chief of Chaplains, while so serving, holds the grade 
of rear admiral (upper half).’’. 
(c) AIR FORCE.—Section 8039 of title 10, United States Code, 
is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection: 
‘‘(c) GRADE OF CHIEF OF CHAPLAINS.—The Chief of Chaplains, 
while so serving, holds the grade of major general.’’. 
SEC. 511. REPEAL OF ORIGINAL APPOINTMENT QUALIFICATION 
REQUIREMENT FOR WARRANT OFFICERS IN THE REGULAR 
ARMY. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 3310 of title 10, United States Code, 
is repealed. 
(b) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The table of sections at the begin-
ning of chapter 335 of such title is amended by striking the item 
relating to section 3310. 
SEC. 512. REDUCTION IN NUMBER OF YEARS OF ACTIVE NAVAL 
SERVICE REQUIRED FOR PERMANENT APPOINTMENT AS 
A LIMITED DUTY OFFICER. 
Section 5589(d) of title 10, United States Code, is amended 
by striking ‘‘10 years’’ and inserting ‘‘8 years’’.
H. R. 5515—117 
SEC. 513. AUTHORITY TO DESIGNATE CERTAIN RESERVE OFFICERS 
AS NOT TO BE CONSIDERED FOR SELECTION FOR PRO-
MOTION. 
Section 14301 of title 10, United States Code, as amended 
by section 505, is further amended by adding at the end the fol-
lowing new subsection: 
‘‘(k) CERTAIN OFFICERS NOT TO BE CONSIDERED FOR SELECTION 
FOR PROMOTION.—The Secretary of the military department con-
cerned may provide that an officer who is in an active status, 
but is in a duty status in which the only points the officer accrues 
under section 12732(a)(2) of this title are pursuant to subparagraph 
(C)(i) of that section (relating to membership in a reserve compo-
nent), shall not be considered for selection for promotion until 
completion of two years of service in such duty status. Any such 
officer may remain on the reserve active-status list.’’. 
SEC. 514. GAO REVIEW OF SURFACE WARFARE CAREER PATHS. 
(a) GAO REVIEW.—The Comptroller General of the United 
States shall conduct a review of Navy surface warfare career paths. 
(b) ELEMENTS.—The review under subsection (a) shall include 
the following: 
(1) A description of current and previous career paths for 
officers in the regular and reserve components of the Navy 
that are related to surface warfare, including career paths 
for— 
(A) unrestricted line officers; 
(B) limited duty officers; 
(C) engineering duty officers; and 
(D) warrant officers. 
(2) Any prior study that examined career paths described 
in paragraph (1). 
(3) The current and historical personnel levels (fit/fill rates) 
and deployment tempos aboard naval vessels for each of the 
career paths described in paragraph (1). 
(4) A comparison of the career paths of surface warfare 
officers with the career paths of surface warfare officers of 
foreign navies including— 
(A) initial training; 
(B) follow-on training; 
(C) career milestones; 
(D) qualification standards; and 
(E) watch standing requirements. 
(5) Any other matter the Comptroller General determines 
appropriate. 
(c) DEADLINES.—Not later than March 1, 2019, the Comptroller 
General shall brief the congressional defense committees on the 
preliminary findings of the study under this section. The Comp-
troller General shall submit a final report to the congressional 
defense committees as soon as practicable after such briefing. 
Subtitle B—Reserve Component 
Management 
SEC. 515. AUTHORIZED STRENGTH AND DISTRIBUTION IN GRADE. 
(a) STRENGTH AND GRADE AUTHORIZATIONS.—Section 12011(a) 
of title 10, United States Code is amended by striking those parts
H. R. 5515—120 
Subtitle C—General Service Authorities 
and Correction of Military Records 
SEC. 521. ENLISTMENTS VITAL TO THE NATIONAL INTEREST. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 504(b) of title 10, United States Code, 
is amended— 
(1) in paragraph (2)— 
(A) by inserting ‘‘and subject to paragraph (3),’’ after 
‘‘Notwithstanding paragraph (1),’’; 
(B) by striking ‘‘enlistment is vital to the national 
interest.’’ and inserting ‘‘person possesses a critical skill 
or expertise—’’; and 
(C) by adding at the end the following new subpara-
graphs: 
‘‘(A) that is vital to the national interest; and 
‘‘(B) that the person will use in the primary daily duties 
of that person as a member of the armed forces.’’; and 
(2) by adding at the end the following new paragraph 
(3): 
‘‘(3)(A) No person who enlists under paragraph (2) may report 
to initial training until after the Secretary concerned has completed 
all required background investigations and security and suitability 
screening as determined by the Secretary of Defense regarding 
that person. 
‘‘(B) A Secretary concerned may not authorize more than 1,000 
enlistments under paragraph (2) per military department in a cal-
endar year until after— 
‘‘(i) the Secretary of Defense submits to Congress written 
notice of the intent of that Secretary concerned to authorize 
more than 1,000 such enlistments in a calendar year; and 
‘‘(ii) a period of 30 days has elapsed after the date on 
which Congress receives the notice.’’. 
(b) REPORT.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than December 31, 2019, and 
annually thereafter for each of the subsequent four years, the 
Secretary concerned shall submit a report to the Committees 
on Armed Services and the Judiciary of the Senate and the 
House of Representatives regarding persons who enter into 
enlistment contracts under section 504(b)(2) of title 10, United 
States Code, as amended by subsection (a). 
(2) ELEMENTS.—Each report under this subsection shall 
include the following: 
(A) The number of such persons who have entered 
into such contracts during the preceding calendar year. 
(B) How many such persons have successfully com-
pleted background investigations and vetting procedures. 
(C) How many such persons have begun initial 
training. 
(D) The skills that are vital to the national interest 
that such persons possess. 
SEC. 522. STATEMENT OF BENEFITS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Chapter 58 of title 10, United States Code, 
is amended by adding at the end the following new section:
H. R. 5515—121 
‘‘§ 1155. Statement of benefits 
‘‘(a) BEFORE SEPARATION.—Not later than 30 days before a 
member retires, is released, is discharged, or otherwise separates 
from the armed forces (or as soon as is practicable in the case 
of an unanticipated separation), the Secretary concerned shall pro-
vide that member with a current assessment of all benefits to 
which that member may be entitled under laws administered by— 
‘‘(1) the Secretary of Defense; and 
‘‘(2) the Secretary of Veterans Affairs. 
‘‘(b) STATEMENT FOR RESERVES.—The Secretary concerned shall 
provide a member of a reserve component with a current assessment 
of benefits described in subsection (a) upon release of that member 
from active duty.’’. 
(b) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The table of sections at the begin-
ning of such chapter is amended by inserting after the item relating 
to section 1154 the following new item: 
‘‘1155. Statement of benefits.’’. 
SEC. 523. MODIFICATION TO FORMS OF SUPPORT THAT MAY BE 
ACCEPTED IN SUPPORT OF THE MISSION OF THE DEFENSE 
POW/MIA ACCOUNTING AGENCY. 
(a) PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIPS.—Subsection (a) of section 
1501a of title 10, United States Code, is amended by adding at 
the end the following new sentence: ‘‘An employee of an entity 
outside the Government that has entered into a public-private 
partnership, cooperative agreement, or a grant arrangement with, 
or in direct support of, the designated Defense Agency under this 
section shall be considered to be an employee of the Federal Govern-
ment by reason of participation in such partnership, cooperative 
agreement, or grant, only for the purposes of section 552a of title 
5 (relating to maintenance of records on individuals).’’. 
(b) AUTHORITY TO ACCEPT GIFTS IN SUPPORT OF MISSION TO 
ACCOUNT FOR MISSING PERSONS FROM PAST CONFLICTS.—Such sec-
tion is further amended— 
(1) by redesignating subsections (e) and (f) as subsections 
(f) and (g), respectively; 
(2) by inserting after subsection (d) the following new sub-
section (e): 
‘‘(e) ACCEPTANCE OF GIFTS.— 
‘‘(1) AUTHORITY TO ACCEPT.—Subject to subsection (f)(2), 
the Secretary may accept, hold, administer, spend, and use 
any gift of personal property, money, or services made on 
the condition that the gift be used for the purpose of facilitating 
accounting for missing persons pursuant to section 1501(a)(2)(C) 
of this title. 
‘‘(2) GIFT FUNDS.—Gifts and bequests of money accepted 
under this subsection shall be deposited in the Treasury in 
the Department of Defense General Gift Fund. 
‘‘(3) USE OF GIFTS.—Personal property and money accepted 
under this subsection may be used by the Secretary, and serv-
ices accepted under this subsection may be performed, without 
further specific authorization in law. 
‘‘(4) EXPENSES OF TRANSFER.—The Secretary may pay all 
necessary expenses in connection with the conveyance or 
transfer of a gift accepted under this subsection.
H. R. 5515—122 
‘‘(5) EXPENSES OF CARE.—The Secretary may pay all reason-
able and necessary expenses in connection with the care of 
a gift accepted under this subsection.’’; and 
(3) by adding at the end of subsection (g), as redesignated 
by paragraph (1) of this subsection, the following new para-
graph: 
‘‘(3) GIFT.—The term ‘gift’ includes a devise or bequest.’’. 
(c) CONFORMING AMENDMENT.—Subsection (a) of such section 
is further amended by striking ‘‘subsection (e)(1)’’ and inserting 
‘‘subsection (f)(1)’’. 
SEC. 524. ASSESSMENT OF NAVY STANDARD WORKWEEK AND RELATED 
ADJUSTMENTS. 
(a) ASSESSMENT.—Not later than 180 days after the date of 
the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of the Navy shall— 
(1) complete a comprehensive assessment of the standard 
workweek of the Navy; 
(2) carry out the activities required under subsections (b) 
and (c). 
(b) ADJUSTMENTS.—The Secretary of the Navy shall— 
(1) update instruction 1000.16L of the Office of the Chief 
of Naval Operations titled ‘‘Navy Total Force Manpower Policies 
and Procedures’’ in order to— 
(A) analyze and quantify current in-port workloads; 
and 
(B) based on the analysis carried out pursuant to 
subparagraph (A), identify the manpower necessary to exe-
cute in-port workloads for all surface ship classes; 
(2) update the criteria set forth in the instruction that 
are used to reassess the factors for calculating manpower 
requirements periodically or when conditions change; and 
(3) taking into account the updates required by paragraphs 
(1) and (2), identify personnel needs and costs associated with 
the planned larger size of the Navy fleet. 
(c) ADDED DEMANDS.—The Secretary of the Navy shall identify 
and quantify any increased or new requirements with respect to 
Navy ship crews, including Ready, Relevant Learning training 
periods and additional work that affects readiness and technical 
qualifications for Navy ship crews. 
SEC. 525. NOTIFICATION ON MANNING OF AFLOAT NAVAL FORCES. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary of the Navy shall notify the 
congressional defense committees, in writing, not later than 15 
days after any of the following conditions are met: 
(1) The manning fit for a covered ship is less than 87 
percent. 
(2) The manning fill for a covered ship is less than 90 
percent. 
(b) NOTIFICATION REQUIRED.—The notification required by sub-
section (a) shall include, with respect to a covered ship, the fol-
lowing: 
(1) The name and hull number of the ship. 
(2) The homeport location of the ship. 
(3) The current manning fit and fill of the ship. 
(4) The lowest levels of manning fit and fill projected for 
the ship and the date on which such levels are expected to 
occur.
H. R. 5515—123 
(5) The projected date on which the Navy will achieve 
a manning fit and fill at least 87 percent and 90 percent, 
respectively, for the ship. 
(6) The projected date on which the Navy will achieve 
a manning fit and fill of at least 92 percent and 95 percent, 
respectively, for the ship. 
(7) A description of any reasons the Navy will not achieve 
manning fit and fill of at least 87 percent and 90 percent, 
respectively, for the ship, including a detailed description of 
the specific ratings or skillset areas that must be manned 
to achieve those percentages. 
(8) A description of corrective actions the Navy is taking 
to improve manning fit or manning fill on the ship. 
(c) SPECIAL RULE.—For purposes of determining whether a 
percentage of manning fit or manning fill has been achieved, a 
sailor in a more senior paygrade may count as filling the billet 
of a more junior paygrade, but a sailor in a more junior paygrade 
may not count as filling the billet of a more senior paygrade. 
(d) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
(1) MANNING FIT.—The term ‘‘manning fit’’ means the skills 
(rating), specialty skills (Navy Enlisted Classifications), and 
experience (paygrade) for the ship as compared with the billets 
authorized for such skills and experience. 
(2) MANNING FILL.—The term ‘‘manning fill’’, in the case 
of a ship, means the total number of military personnel assigned 
to the ship by rating when compared with the billets authorized 
for the ship by rating. 
(3) COVERED
SHIP.—The term ‘‘covered ship’’ means a 
commissioned battle force ship that is included in the battle 
force count of the Naval Vessel Register. 
SEC. 526. NAVY WATCHSTANDER RECORDS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary of the Navy shall require that, 
commencing not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment 
of this Act, key watchstanders on Navy surface ships shall maintain 
a career record of watchstanding hours and specific operational 
evolutions. 
(b) KEY WATCHSTANDER DEFINED.—In this section, the term 
‘‘key watchstander’’ means each of the following: 
(1) Officer of the Deck. 
(2) Engineering Officer of the Watch. 
(3) Conning Officer or Piloting Officer. 
(4) Any other officer specified by the Secretary for purposes 
of this section. 
(c) BRIEFINGS OF CONGRESS.— 
(1) INITIAL BRIEFING.—Not later than 150 days after the 
date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall provide 
to the Committees on Armed Services of the Senate and the 
House of Representatives a briefing on the plan of the Secretary 
for the maintenance of watchstander records, including updates 
to policy documents. 
(2) UPDATE BRIEFINGS.—Not later than one year after the 
briefing pursuant to paragraph (1), and annually thereafter 
for the next two years, the Secretary shall provide to the 
committees of Congress referred to in that paragraph an update 
briefing on the status of the implementation of the plan 
described in that paragraph.
H. R. 5515—124 
SEC. 527. QUALIFICATION EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS FOR CERTAIN 
NAVY WATCHSTATIONS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 180 days after the date the 
of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of the Navy shall submit 
to the Committees on Armed Services of the Senate and the House 
of Representatives a report on the adequacy of individual training 
for certain watchstations, including any planned or recommended 
changes in qualification standards for such watchstations. 
(b) WATCHSTATIONS.—The watchstations covered by the report 
required by subsection (a) are the following: 
(1) Officer of the Deck. 
(2) Combat Information Center Watch Officer. 
(3) Tactical Action Officer. 
(4) Engineering Officer of the Watch. 
(5) Conning Officer or Piloting Officer. 
Subtitle D—Military Justice 
SEC. 531. INCLUSION OF STRANGULATION AND SUFFOCATION IN CON-
DUCT CONSTITUTING AGGRAVATED ASSAULT FOR PUR-
POSES OF THE UNIFORM CODE OF MILITARY JUSTICE. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Subsection (b) of section 928 of title 10, 
United States Code (article 128 of the Uniform Code of Military 
Justice), is amended— 
(1) in paragraph (1), by striking ‘‘or’’ at the end; 
(2) in paragraph (2), by adding ‘‘or’’ after the semicolon; 
and 
(3) by inserting after paragraph (2) the following new para-
graph: 
‘‘(3) who commits an assault by strangulation or suffo-
cation;’’. 
(b) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The amendments made by subsection 
(a) shall take effect on January 1, 2019, immediately after the 
coming into effect of the amendment made by section 5441 of 
the Military Justice Act of 2016 (division E of Public Law 114– 
328; 130 Stat. 2954) as provided in section 5542 of that Act (130 
Stat. 2967; 10 U.S.C. 801 note). 
SEC. 532. PUNITIVE ARTICLE ON DOMESTIC VIOLENCE UNDER THE 
UNIFORM CODE OF MILITARY JUSTICE. 
(a) PUNITIVE ARTICLE.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Subchapter X of chapter 47 of title 10, 
United States Code (the Uniform Code of Military Justice), 
is amended by inserting after section 928a (article 128a) the 
following new section (article): 
‘‘§ 928b. Art. 128b. 
‘‘Any person who— 
‘‘(1) commits a violent offense against a spouse, an intimate 
partner, or an immediate family member of that person; 
‘‘(2) with intent to threaten or intimidate a spouse, an 
intimate partner, or an immediate family member of that per-
son— 
‘‘(A) commits an offense under this chapter against 
any person; or
H. R. 5515—125 
‘‘(B) commits an offense under this chapter against 
any property, including an animal; 
‘‘(3) with intent to threaten or intimidate a spouse, an 
intimate partner, or an immediate family member of that per-
son, violates a protection order; 
‘‘(4) with intent to commit a violent offense against a 
spouse, an intimate partner, or an immediate family member 
of that person, violates a protection order; or 
‘‘(5) assaults a spouse, an intimate partner, or an imme-
diate family member of that person by strangling or suffocating; 
shall be punished as a court-martial may direct.’’. 
(2) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The table of sections at the 
beginning of subchapter X of chapter 47 of such title (the 
Uniform Code of Military Justice) is amended by inserting 
after the item relating to section 928a (article 128a) the fol-
lowing new item: 
‘‘928b. 128b. Domestic violence.’’. 
(b) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The amendments made by this section 
shall take effect on January 1, 2019, immediately after the coming 
into effect of the amendments made by the Military Justice Act 
of 2016 (division E of Public Law 114–328) as provided in section 
5542 of that Act (130 Stat. 2967; 10 U.S.C. 801 note). 
SEC. 533. AUTHORITIES OF DEFENSE ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON INVES-
TIGATION, PROSECUTION, AND DEFENSE OF SEXUAL 
ASSAULT IN THE ARMED FORCES. 
Section 546 of the Carl Levin and Howard P. ‘‘Buck’’ McKeon 
National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2015 (10 U.S.C. 
1561 note) is amended— 
(1) by redesignating subsections (d) and (e) as subsections 
(e) and (f), respectively; and 
(2) by inserting after subsection (c) the following new sub-
section (d): 
‘‘(d) AUTHORITIES.— 
‘‘(1) HEARINGS.—The Advisory Committee may hold such 
hearings, sit and act at such times and places, take such 
testimony, and receive such evidence as the committee considers 
appropriate to carry out its duties under this section. 
‘‘(2) INFORMATION FROM FEDERAL AGENCIES.—Upon request 
by the chair of the Advisory Committee, a department or agency 
of the Federal Government shall provide information that the 
Advisory Committee considers necessary to carry out its duties 
under this section. In carrying out this paragraph, the depart-
ment or agency shall take steps to prevent the unauthorized 
disclosure of personally identifiable information.’’. 
SEC. 534. REPORT ON FEASIBILITY OF EXPANDING SERVICES OF THE 
SPECIAL VICTIMS’ COUNSEL TO VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC 
VIOLENCE. 
(a) REPORT REQUIRED.—Not later than February 1, 2019, the 
Secretary of Defense, in consultation with the Secretaries of the 
military departments, shall submit a report to the Committees 
on Armed Services of the Senate and House of Representatives 
regarding the feasibility and advisability of expanding eligibility 
for the Special Victims’ Counsel programs under section 1044e 
of title 10, United States Code (hereinafter referred to as ‘‘the 
SVC programs’’), to include victims of domestic violence.
H. R. 5515—126 
(b) ELEMENTS.—The report under this section shall include 
the following: 
(1) The current workload of the SVC programs. 
(2) An analysis of the current personnel authorizations 
for the SVC programs. 
(3) The optimal personnel levels for the SVC programs. 
(4) An analysis of the effects that the expansion described 
in subsection (a) would have on the SVC programs, including— 
(A) the estimated increase in workload; 
(B) the estimated number of additional personnel that 
would be required to accommodate such increase; and 
(C) the ability of the military departments to fill any 
additionally authorized billets for SVC programs with 
qualified judge advocates who possess military justice 
experience. 
SEC. 535. UNIFORM COMMAND ACTION FORM ON DISPOSITION OF 
UNRESTRICTED SEXUAL ASSAULT CASES INVOLVING MEM-
BERS OF THE ARMED FORCES. 
The Secretary of Defense shall establish a uniform command 
action form, applicable across the Armed Forces, for reporting the 
final disposition of cases of sexual assault in which— 
(1) the alleged offender is a member of the Armed Forces; 
and 
(2) the victim files an unrestricted report on the alleged 
assault. 
SEC. 536. STANDARDIZATION OF POLICIES RELATED TO EXPEDITED 
TRANSFER IN CASES OF SEXUAL ASSAULT OR DOMESTIC 
VIOLENCE. 
(a) POLICIES FOR MEMBERS.—The Secretary of Defense shall 
modify, in accordance with section 673 of title 10, United States 
Code, all policies that the Secretary determines necessary to estab-
lish a standardized expedited transfer process for a member of 
the Army, Navy, Air Force, or Marine Corps who is the alleged 
victim of— 
(1) sexual assault (regardless of whether the case is handled 
under the Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Program 
or Family Advocacy Program); or 
(2) physical domestic violence (as defined by the Secretary 
in regulations prescribed under this section) committed by the 
spouse or intimate partner of the member, regardless of 
whether the spouse or intimate partner is a member of the 
Armed Forces. 
(b) POLICY FOR DEPENDENTS OF MEMBERS.—The Secretary of 
Defense shall establish a policy to allow the transfer of a member 
of the Army, Navy, Air Force, or Marine Corps whose dependent 
is the victim of sexual assault perpetrated by a member of the 
Armed Forces who is not related to the victim. 
Subtitle E—Other Legal Matters 
SEC. 541. CLARIFICATION OF EXPIRATION OF TERM OF APPELLATE 
MILITARY JUDGES OF THE UNITED STATES COURT OF 
MILITARY COMMISSION REVIEW. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 950f(b) of title 10, United States 
Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
H. R. 5515—127 
‘‘(6) The term of an appellate military judge assigned to the 
Court under paragraph (2) or appointed to the Court under para-
graph (3) shall expire on the earlier of the date on which— 
‘‘(A) the judge leaves active duty; or 
‘‘(B) the judge is reassigned to other duties in accordance 
with section 949b(b)(4) of this title.’’. 
(b) APPLICABILITY.—The amendment made by subsection (a) 
shall apply to each judge of the United States Court of Military 
Commission Review serving on that court on the date of the enact-
ment of this Act and each judge assigned or appointed to that 
court on or after such date. 
SEC. 542. SECURITY CLEARANCE REINVESTIGATION OF CERTAIN PER-
SONNEL WHO COMMIT CERTAIN OFFENSES. 
Section 1564 of title 10, United States Code, is amended— 
(1) by redesignating subsections (c), (d), (e), and (f) as 
subsection (d), (e), (f), and (g), respectively; and 
(2) by inserting after subsection (b) the following new sub-
section (c): 
‘‘(c) REINVESTIGATION OR READJUDICATION OF CERTAIN INDIVID-
UALS.—(1) The Secretary of Defense shall conduct an investigation 
or adjudication under subsection (a) of any individual described 
in paragraph (2) upon— 
‘‘(A) conviction of that individual by a court of competent 
jurisdiction for— 
‘‘(i) sexual assault; 
‘‘(ii) sexual harassment; 
‘‘(iii) fraud against the United States; or 
‘‘(iv) any other violation that the Secretary determines 
renders that individual susceptible to blackmail or raises 
serious concern regarding the ability of that individual 
to hold a security clearance; or 
‘‘(B) determination by a commanding officer that that indi-
vidual has committed an offense described in subparagraph 
(A). 
‘‘(2) An individual described in this paragraph in an individual 
who has a security clearance and is— 
‘‘(A) a flag officer; 
‘‘(B) a general officer; or 
‘‘(C) an employee of the Department of Defense in the 
Senior Executive Service. 
‘‘(3) The Secretary shall ensure that relevant information on 
the conviction or determination described in paragraph (1) of an 
individual described in paragraph (2) during the preceding year, 
regardless of whether the individual has retired or resigned or 
has been discharged, released, or otherwise separated from the 
armed forces, is reported into Federal law enforcement records 
and security clearance databases, and that such information is 
transmitted, as appropriate, to other Federal agencies. 
‘‘(4) In this subsection: 
‘‘(A) The term ‘sexual assault’ includes rape, sexual assault, 
forcible sodomy, aggravated sexual contact, abusive sexual con-
tact, and attempts to commit such offenses, as those terms 
are defined in chapter 47 of this title (the Uniform Code of 
Military Justice). 
‘‘(B) The term ‘sexual harassment’ has the meaning given 
that term in section 1561 of this title.
H. R. 5515—128 
‘‘(C) The term ‘fraud against the United States’ means 
a violation of section 932 of this title (article 132 of the Uniform 
Code of Military Justice).’’. 
SEC. 543. DEVELOPMENT OF OVERSIGHT PLAN FOR IMPLEMENTATION 
OF DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE HARASSMENT PREVENTION 
AND RESPONSE POLICY. 
(a) DEVELOPMENT.—The Secretary of Defense shall develop a 
plan for overseeing the implementation of the instruction titled 
‘‘Harassment Prevention and Response in the Armed Forces’’, pub-
lished on February 8, 2018 (DODI–1020.03). 
(b) ELEMENTS.—The plan under subsection (a) shall require 
the military services and other components of the Department 
of Defense to take steps by certain dates to implement harassment 
prevention and response programs under such instruction, including 
no less than the following: 
(1) Submitting implementation plans to the Director, Force 
Resiliency. 
(2) Incorporating performance measures that assess the 
effectiveness of harassment prevention and response programs. 
(3) Adopting compliance standards for promoting, sup-
porting, and enforcing policies, plans, and programs. 
(4) Tracking, collecting, and reporting data and information 
on sexual harassment incidents based on standards established 
by the Secretary. 
(5) Instituting anonymous complaint mechanisms. 
(c) REPORT.—Not later than July 1, 2019, the Secretary shall 
submit to the Committees on Armed Services of the Senate and 
the House of Representatives a report on the oversight plan devel-
oped under this section. The report shall include, for each military 
service and component of the Department of Defense, the 
implementation status of each element of the oversight plan. 
SEC. 544. OVERSIGHT OF REGISTERED SEX OFFENDER MANAGEMENT 
PROGRAM. 
(a) DESIGNATION OF OFFICIAL OR ENTITY.—The Secretary of 
Defense shall designate a single official or existing entity within 
the Office of the Secretary of Defense to serve as the official or 
entity (as the case may be) with principal responsibility in the 
Department of Defense for providing oversight of the registered 
sex offender management program of the Department. 
(b) DUTIES.—The official or entity designated under subsection 
(a) shall— 
(1) monitor compliance with Department of Defense 
Instruction 5525.20 and other relevant polices; 
(2) compile data on members serving in the military depart-
ments who have been convicted of a qualifying sex offense, 
including data on the sex offender registration status of each 
such member; 
(3) maintain statistics on the total number of active duty 
service members in each military department who are required 
to register as sex offenders; and 
(4) perform such other duties as the Secretary of Defense 
determines to be appropriate. 
(c) BRIEFING REQUIRED.—Not later than June 1, 2019, the 
Secretary of Defense shall provide to the Committee on Armed 
Services of the House of Representatives a briefing on—
H. R. 5515—129 
(1) the compliance of the military departments with the 
policies of the Department of Defense relating to registered 
sex offenders; 
(2) the results of the data compilation described in sub-
section (b)(2); and 
(3) any other matters the Secretary determines to be appro-
priate. 
(d) MILITARY DEPARTMENTS DEFINED.—In this section, the term 
‘‘military departments’’ has the meaning given that term in section 
101(a)(8) of title 10, United States Code. 
SEC. 545. DEVELOPMENT OF RESOURCE GUIDES REGARDING SEXUAL 
ASSAULT FOR THE MILITARY SERVICE ACADEMIES. 
(a) DEVELOPMENT.—Not later than 30 days after the date of 
the enactment of this Act, each Superintendent of a military service 
academy shall develop and maintain a resource guide for students 
at the respective military service academies regarding sexual 
assault. 
(b) ELEMENTS.—Each guide developed under this section shall 
include the following information with regards to the relevant mili-
tary service academy: 
(1) PROCESS OVERVIEW AND DEFINITIONS.— 
(A) An explanation of prohibited conduct, including 
examples. 
(B) An explanation of consent. 
(C) Victims’ rights. 
(D) Clearly described complaint process, including to 
whom a complaint may be filed. 
(E) 
Explanations 
of 
restricted 
and 
unrestricted 
reporting. 
(F) List of mandatory reporters. 
(G) Protections from retaliation. 
(H) Assurance that leadership will take appropriate 
corrective action. 
(I) References to specific policies. 
(J) Resources for survivors. 
(2) EMERGENCY SERVICES.— 
(A) Contact information. 
(B) Location. 
(3) SUPPORT
AND
COUNSELING.—Contact information for 
the following support and counseling resources: 
(A) The Sexual Assault Prevention and Response 
Victim Advocate or other equivalent advocate or counselor 
available to students in cases of sexual assault. 
(B) The Sexual Harassment/Assault Response and 
Prevention Resource Program Center. 
(C) Peer counseling. 
(D) Medical care. 
(E) Legal counsel. 
(F) Hotlines. 
(G) Chaplain or other spiritual representatives. 
(c) DISTRIBUTION.—Each Superintendent shall provide the cur-
rent guide developed by that Superintendent under this section— 
(1) not later than 30 days after completing development 
under subsection (a) to each student who is enrolled at the 
military service academy of that Superintendent on the date 
of the enactment of this Act;
H. R. 5515—130 
(2) at the beginning of each academic year after the date 
of the enactment of this Act to each student who enrolls at 
the military service academy of that Superintendent; and 
(3) as soon as practicable to a student at the military 
service academy of that Superintendent who reports that such 
student is a victim of sexual assault. 
SEC. 546. IMPROVED CRIME REPORTING. 
(a) TRACKING PROCESS.—The Secretary of Defense, in consulta-
tion with the secretaries of the military departments, shall establish 
a consolidated tracking process for the Department of Defense to 
ensure increased oversight of the timely submission of crime 
reporting data to the Federal Bureau of Investigation under section 
922(g) of title 18, United States Code, and Department of Defense 
Instruction 5505.11, ‘‘Fingerprint Card and Final Disposition Report 
Submission Requirements’’. The tracking process shall, to the max-
imum extent possible, standardize and automate reporting and 
increase the ability of the Department to track such submissions. 
(b) LETTER REQUIRED.—Not later than July 1, 2019, the Sec-
retary of Defense shall submit a letter to the Committees on Armed 
Services of the Senate and House of Representatives that details 
the tracking process under subsection (a). 
SEC. 547. REPORT ON VICTIMS OF SEXUAL ASSAULT IN REPORTS OF 
MILITARY CRIMINAL INVESTIGATIVE ORGANIZATIONS. 
(a) REPORT.—Not later than September 30, 2019, and not less 
frequently than once every two years thereafter, the Secretary 
of Defense, acting through the Defense Advisory Committee on 
Investigation, Prosecution, and Defense of Sexual Assault in the 
Armed Forces shall submit to the congressional defense committees 
a report that includes, with respect to the period of two years 
preceding the date of the submittal of the report, the following: 
(1) The number of instances in which a covered individual 
was accused of misconduct or crimes considered collateral to 
the investigation of a sexual assault committed against the 
individual. 
(2) The number of instances in which adverse action was 
taken against a covered individual who was accused of collateral 
misconduct or crimes as described in paragraph (1). 
(3) The percentage of investigations of sexual assaults that 
involved an accusation or adverse action against a covered 
individual as described in paragraphs (1) and (2). 
(b) COVERED INDIVIDUAL DEFINED.—In this section, the term 
‘‘covered individual’’ means an individual who is identified as a 
victim of a sexual assault in the case files of a military criminal 
investigative organization. 
Subtitle F—Member Education, Training, 
Resilience, and Transition 
SEC. 551. PERMANENT CAREER INTERMISSION PROGRAM. 
(a) CODIFICATION AND PERMANENT AUTHORITY.—Chapter 40 of 
title 10, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end 
the following new section 710:
H. R. 5515—131 
‘‘§ 710. Career flexibility to enhance retention of members 
‘‘(a) PROGRAMS AUTHORIZED.—Each Secretary of a military 
department may carry out programs under which members of the 
regular components and members on Active Guard and Reserve 
duty of the armed forces under the jurisdiction of such Secretary 
may be inactivated from active service in order to meet personal 
or professional needs and returned to active service at the end 
of such period of inactivation from active service. 
‘‘(b) PERIOD OF INACTIVATION FROM ACTIVE SERVICE; EFFECT 
OF INACTIVATION.—(1) The period of inactivation from active service 
under a program under this section of a member participating 
in the program shall be such period as the Secretary of the military 
department concerned shall specify in the agreement of the member 
under subsection (c), except that such period may not exceed three 
years. 
‘‘(2) Any service by a Reserve officer while participating in 
a program under this section shall be excluded from computation 
of the total years of service of that officer pursuant to section 
14706(a) of this title. 
‘‘(3) Any period of participation of a member in a program 
under this section shall not count toward— 
‘‘(A) eligibility for retirement or transfer to the Ready 
Reserve under either chapter 571 or 1223 of this title; or 
‘‘(B) computation of retired or retainer pay under chapter 
71 or 1223 of this title. 
‘‘(c) AGREEMENT.—Each member of the armed forces who 
participates in a program under this section shall enter into a 
written agreement with the Secretary of the military department 
concerned under which agreement that member shall agree as 
follows: 
‘‘(1) To accept an appointment or enlist, as applicable, 
and serve in the Ready Reserve of the armed force concerned 
during the period of the inactivation of the member from active 
service under the program. 
‘‘(2) To undergo during the period of the inactivation of 
the member from active service under the program such inac-
tive service training as the Secretary concerned shall require 
in order to ensure that the member retains proficiency, at 
a level determined by the Secretary concerned to be sufficient, 
in the military skills, professional qualifications, and physical 
readiness of the member during the inactivation of the member 
from active service. 
‘‘(3) Following completion of the period of the inactivation 
of the member from active service under the program, to serve 
two months as a member of the armed forces on active service 
for each month of the period of the inactivation of the member 
from active service under the program. 
‘‘(d) CONDITIONS OF RELEASE.—The Secretary of Defense shall 
prescribe regulations specifying the guidelines regarding the condi-
tions of release that must be considered and addressed in the 
agreement required by subsection (c). At a minimum, the Secretary 
shall prescribe the procedures and standards to be used to instruct 
a member on the obligations to be assumed by the member under 
paragraph (2) of such subsection while the member is released 
from active service. 
‘‘(e) ORDER TO ACTIVE SERVICE.—Under regulations prescribed 
by the Secretary of the military department concerned, a member
H. R. 5515—132 
of the armed forces participating in a program under this section 
may, in the discretion of such Secretary, be required to terminate 
participation in the program and be ordered to active service. 
‘‘(f) PAY AND ALLOWANCES.—(1) During each month of participa-
tion in a program under this section, a member who participates 
in the program shall be paid basic pay in an amount equal to 
two-thirtieths of the amount of monthly basic pay to which the 
member would otherwise be entitled under section 204 of title 
37 as a member of the uniformed services on active service in 
the grade and years of service of the member when the member 
commences participation in the program. 
‘‘(2)(A) A member who participates in a program shall not, 
while participating in the program, be paid any special or incentive 
pay or bonus to which the member is otherwise entitled under 
an agreement under chapter 5 of title 37 that is in force when 
the member commences participation in the program. 
‘‘(B) The inactivation from active service of a member partici-
pating in a program shall not be treated as a failure of the member 
to perform any period of service required of the member in connec-
tion with an agreement for a special or incentive pay or bonus 
under chapter 5 of title 37 that is in force when the member 
commences participation in the program. 
‘‘(3)(A) Subject to subparagraph (B), upon the return of a 
member to active service after completion by the member of partici-
pation in a program— 
‘‘(i) any agreement entered into by the member under 
chapter 5 of title 37 for the payment of a special or incentive 
pay or bonus that was in force when the member commenced 
participation in the program shall be revived, with the term 
of such agreement after revival being the period of the agree-
ment remaining to run when the member commenced participa-
tion in the program; and 
‘‘(ii) any special or incentive pay or bonus shall be payable 
to the member in accordance with the terms of the agreement 
concerned for the term specified in clause (i). 
‘‘(B)(i) Subparagraph (A) shall not apply to any special or incen-
tive pay or bonus otherwise covered by that subparagraph with 
respect to a member if, at the time of the return of the member 
to active service as described in that subparagraph— 
‘‘(I) such pay or bonus is no longer authorized by law; 
or 
‘‘(II) the member does not satisfy eligibility criteria for 
such pay or bonus as in effect at the time of the return of 
the member to active service. 
‘‘(ii) Subparagraph (A) shall cease to apply to any special or 
incentive pay or bonus otherwise covered by that subparagraph 
with respect to a member if, during the term of the revived agree-
ment of the member under subparagraph (A)(i), such pay or bonus 
ceases being authorized by law. 
‘‘(C) A member who is ineligible for payment of a special or 
incentive pay or bonus otherwise covered by this paragraph by 
reason of subparagraph (B)(i)(II) shall be subject to the require-
ments for repayment of such pay or bonus in accordance with 
the terms of the applicable agreement of the member under chapter 
5 of title 37. 
‘‘(D) Any service required of a member under an agreement 
covered by this paragraph after the member returns to active service
H. R. 5515—133 
as described in subparagraph (A) shall be in addition to any service 
required of the member under an agreement under subsection (c). 
‘‘(4)(A) Subject to subparagraph (B), a member who participates 
in a program is entitled, while participating in the program, to 
the travel and transportation allowances authorized by section 474 
of title 37 for— 
‘‘(i) travel performed from the residence of the member, 
at the time of release from active service to participate in 
the program, to the location in the United States designated 
by the member as his residence during the period of participa-
tion in the program; and 
‘‘(ii) travel performed to the residence of the member upon 
return to active service at the end of the participation of the 
member in the program. 
‘‘(B) An allowance is payable under this paragraph only with 
respect to travel of a member to and from a single residence. 
‘‘(5) A member who participates in a program is entitled to 
carry forward the leave balance existing as of the day on which 
the member begins participation and accumulated in accordance 
with section 701 of this title, but not to exceed 60 days. 
‘‘(g) PROMOTION.—(1)(A) An officer participating in a program 
under this section shall not, while participating in the program, 
be eligible for consideration for promotion under chapter 36 or 
1405 of this title. 
‘‘(B) Upon the return of an officer to active service after comple-
tion by the officer of participation in a program— 
‘‘(i) the Secretary of the military department concerned 
shall adjust the date of rank of the officer in such manner 
as the Secretary of Defense shall prescribe in regulations for 
purposes of this section; and 
‘‘(ii) the officer shall be eligible for consideration for pro-
motion when officers of the same competitive category, grade, 
and seniority are eligible for consideration for promotion. 
‘‘(2) An enlisted member participating in a program shall not 
be eligible for consideration for promotion during the period that— 
‘‘(A) begins on the date of the inactivation of the member 
from active service under the program; and 
‘‘(B) ends at such time after the return of the member 
to active service under the program that the member is treat-
able as eligible for promotion by reason of time in grade and 
such other requirements as the Secretary of the military depart-
ment concerned shall prescribe in regulations for purposes of 
the program. 
‘‘(h) CONTINUED ENTITLEMENTS.—A member participating in 
a program under this section shall, while participating in the pro-
gram, be treated as a member of the armed forces on active duty 
for a period of more than 30 days for purposes of— 
‘‘(1) the entitlement of the member and of the dependents 
of the member to medical and dental care under the provisions 
of chapter 55 of this title; and 
‘‘(2) retirement or separation for physical disability under 
the provisions of chapters 55 and 61 of this title.’’. 
(b) TECHNICAL AND CONFORMING AMENDMENTS.— 
(1) TABLE OF SECTIONS.—The table of sections at the begin-
ning of such chapter is amended by inserting after the item 
relating to section 709a the following new item: 
‘‘710. Career flexibility to enhance retention of members.’’.
H. R. 5515—134 
(2) CONFORMING
REPEAL.—Section 533 of the Duncan 
Hunter National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 
2009 (10 U.S.C. prec. 701 note) is repealed. 
SEC. 552. IMPROVEMENTS TO TRANSITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM. 
(a) PATHWAYS FOR TAP.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Section 1142 of title 10, United States 
Code, is amended— 
(A) in the section heading by striking ‘‘medical’’ and 
inserting ‘‘certain’’; 
(B) in subsection (a)— 
(i) in paragraph (1), by inserting ‘‘(regardless of 
character of discharge)’’ after ‘‘discharge’’; 
(ii) in paragraph (3)(A)— 
(I) by striking ‘‘as soon as possible during the 
12-month period preceding’’ and inserting ‘‘not 
later than 365 days before’’; 
(II) by striking ‘‘90 days’’ and inserting ‘‘365 
days’’; and 
(III) by striking ‘‘discharge or release’’ and 
inserting ‘‘retirement or other separation’’; and 
(iii) in paragraph (3)(B)— 
(I) by striking ‘‘90’’ and inserting ‘‘365’’; and 
(II) by striking ‘‘90-day’’ and inserting ‘‘365- 
day’’; 
(C) by redesignating subsection (c) as subsection (d); 
(D) by inserting after subsection (b) the following new 
subsection (c): 
‘‘(c) COUNSELING PATHWAYS.—(1) Each Secretary concerned, in 
consultation with the Secretaries of Labor and Veterans Affairs, 
shall establish at least three pathways for members of the military 
department concerned receiving individualized counseling under 
this section. The Secretaries shall design the pathways to address 
the needs of members, based on the following factors: 
‘‘(A) Rank. 
‘‘(B) Term of service. 
‘‘(C) Gender. 
‘‘(D) Whether the member was a member of a regular 
or reserve component of an armed force. 
‘‘(E) Disability. 
‘‘(F) Character of discharge (including expedited dis-
charge and discharge under conditions other than honor-
able). 
‘‘(G) Health (including mental health). 
‘‘(H) Military occupational specialty. 
‘‘(I) Whether the member intends, after separation, 
retirement, or discharge, to— 
‘‘(i) seek employment; 
‘‘(ii) enroll in a program of higher education; 
‘‘(iii) enroll in a program of vocational training; 
or 
‘‘(iv) become an entrepreneur. 
‘‘(J) The educational history of the member. 
‘‘(K) The employment history of the member. 
‘‘(L) Whether the member has secured— 
‘‘(i) employment; 
‘‘(ii) enrollment in a program of education; or
H. R. 5515—135 
‘‘(iii) enrollment in a program of vocational 
training. 
‘‘(M) Other factors the Secretary of Defense and the 
Secretary of Homeland Security, in consultation with the 
Secretaries of Labor and Veterans Affairs, determine appro-
priate. 
‘‘(2) Each member described in subsection (a) shall meet in 
person or by video conference with a counselor before beginning 
counseling under this section to— 
‘‘(A) take a self-assessment designed by the Secretary con-
cerned (in consultation with the Secretaries of Labor and Vet-
erans Affairs) to ensure that the Secretary concerned places 
the member in the appropriate pathway under this subsection; 
‘‘(B) receive information from the counselor regarding 
reenlistment in the armed forces; and 
‘‘(C) receive information from the counselor regarding 
resources (including resources regarding military sexual 
trauma)— 
‘‘(i) for members of the armed forces separated, retired, 
or discharged; 
‘‘(ii) located in the community in which the member 
will reside after separation, retirement, or discharge. 
‘‘(3) At the meeting under paragraph (2), the member may 
elect to have the Secretary concerned (in consultation with the 
Secretaries of Labor and Veterans Affairs) provide the contact 
information of the member to the resources described in paragraph 
(2)(B).’’; and 
(E) by adding at the end the following new subsection: 
‘‘(e) JOINT SERVICE TRANSCRIPT.—The Secretary concerned shall 
provide a copy of the joint service transcript of a member described 
in subsection (a) to— 
‘‘(1) that member— 
‘‘(A) at the meeting with a counselor under subsection 
(c)(2); and 
‘‘(B) on the day the member separates, retires, or is 
discharged; and 
‘‘(2) the Secretary of Veterans Affairs on the day the 
member separates, retires, or is discharged.’’. 
(2) DEADLINE.—Each Secretary concerned shall carry out 
subsection (c) of such section, as amended by paragraph (1), 
not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of this 
Act. 
(3) GAO STUDY.—Not later than 1 year after the Secretaries 
concerned carry out subsection (c) of such section, as amended 
by paragraph (1), the Comptroller General of the United States 
shall submit to Congress a review of the pathways for the 
Transition Assistance Program established under such sub-
section (c). 
(b) CONTENTS OF TAP.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Section 1144 of title 10, United States 
Code, is amended— 
(A) in subsection (a), by striking ‘‘Such services’’ and 
inserting ‘‘Subject to subsection (f)(2), such services’’; and 
(B) by amending subsection (f) to read as follows: 
‘‘(f) PROGRAM CONTENTS.—(1) The program carried out under 
this section shall consist of instruction as follows:
H. R. 5515—136 
‘‘(A) One day of preseparation training specific to the 
armed force concerned, as determined by the Secretary 
concerned. 
‘‘(B) One day of instruction regarding— 
‘‘(i) benefits under laws administered by the Sec-
retary of Veterans Affairs; and 
‘‘(ii) other subjects determined by the Secretary 
concerned. 
‘‘(C) One day of instruction regarding preparation for 
employment. 
‘‘(D) Two days of instruction regarding a topic selected 
by the member from the following subjects: 
‘‘(i) Preparation for employment. 
‘‘(ii) Preparation for education. 
‘‘(iii) Preparation for vocational training. 
‘‘(iv) Preparation for entrepreneurship. 
‘‘(v) Other options determined by the Secretary 
concerned. 
‘‘(2) The Secretary concerned may permit a member to attend 
training and instruction under the program established under this 
section— 
‘‘(A) before the time periods established under section 
1142(a)(3) of this title; 
‘‘(B) in addition to such training and instruction required 
during such time periods.’’. 
(2) DEADLINE.—The Transition Assistance Program shall 
comply with the requirements of section 1144(f) of title 10, 
United States Code, as amended by paragraph (1), not later 
than 1 year after the date of the enactment of this Act. 
(3) ACTION PLAN.—Not later than 120 days after the date 
of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense shall 
submit an action plan to the congressional defense committees 
that— 
(A) details how the Secretary shall implement the 
requirements of section 1144(f) of title 10, United States 
Code, as amended by paragraph (1); and 
(B) details how the Secretary, in consultation with 
the Secretaries of Veterans Affairs and Labor, shall estab-
lish standardized performance metrics to measure Transi-
tion Assistance Program participation and outcome-based 
objective benchmarks in order to— 
(i) provide feedback to the Departments of Defense, 
Veterans Affairs, and Labor; 
(ii) improve the curriculum of the Transition 
Assistance Program; 
(iii) share best practices; 
(iv) facilitate effective oversight of the Transition 
Assistance Program; and 
(v) ensure members obtain sufficient financial lit-
eracy to effectively leverage conferred benefits and 
opportunities for employment, education, vocational 
training, and entrepreneurship. 
(4) REPORT.—On the date that is 2 years after the date 
of the enactment of this Act and annually thereafter for the 
subsequent 4 years, the Secretary of Defense shall submit 
to the Committees on Armed Services and Veterans’ Affairs 
of the Senate and the House of Representatives, the Committee
H. R. 5515—137 
on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate, and 
the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the 
House of Representatives, a report regarding members of the 
Armed Forces who have attended Transition Assistance Pro-
gram counseling during the preceding year. The report shall 
detail the following: 
(A) The total number of members who attended Transi-
tion Assistance Program counseling. 
(B) The number of members who attended Transition 
Assistance Program counseling under paragraph (1) of sec-
tion 1144(f) of title 10, as amended by paragraph (1). 
(C) The number of members who attended Transition 
Assistance Program counseling under paragraph (2) of such 
section. 
(D) The number of members who elected to attend 
each two-day instruction under paragraph (1)(D) of such 
section. 
SEC. 
553. 
REPEAL 
OF 
PROGRAM 
ON 
ENCOURAGEMENT 
OF 
POSTSEPARATION PUBLIC AND COMMUNITY SERVICE. 
(a) REPEAL.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Section 1143a of title 10, United States 
Code, is repealed. 
(2) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The table of sections at the 
beginning of chapter 58 of such title is amended by striking 
the item relating to section 1143a. 
(b) CONFORMING AMENDMENTS.— 
(1) Section 1144(b) of title 10, United States Code, is 
amended— 
(A) by striking paragraph (8); and 
(B) by redesignating paragraphs (9), (10), and (11) 
as paragraphs (8), (9), and (10), respectively. 
(2) Section 1142(b)(4)(C) of such title is amended by striking 
‘‘the public and community service jobs program carried out 
under section 1143a of this title, and’’. 
(3) Section 159(c)(2)(D) of the National and Community 
Service Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 12619(c)(2)(D)) is amended by 
striking ‘‘and as employment with a public service or community 
service organization for purposes of section 4464 of that Act’’. 
(4) Section 162(a)(2) of such Act (42 U.S.C. 12622(a)(2)) 
is amended by striking ‘‘shall’’ and all that follows through 
‘‘provide other’’ and inserting ‘‘shall provide’’. 
(5) Subsection (c) of section 4403 of the National Defense 
Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1993 (Public Law 102–484; 
10 U.S.C. 1293 note) is amended to read as follows: 
‘‘(c) INAPPLICABILITY
OF
CERTAIN
PROVISIONS.—During the 
period specified in subsection (i)(2), this section does not apply 
as follows: 
‘‘(1) To members of the Coast Guard, notwithstanding sec-
tion 542(d) of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal 
Year 1995 (Public Law 103–337; 10 U.S.C. 1293 note). 
‘‘(2) To members of the commissioned corps of the National 
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, notwithstanding sec-
tion 566(c) of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal 
Year 1996 (Public Law 104–106; 10 U.S.C. 1293 note).’’. 
(c) CONFORMING REPEAL.—
H. R. 5515—138 
(1) REPEAL.—Section 4464 of the National Defense 
Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1993 (Public Law 102–484; 
10 U.S.C. 1143a note) is repealed. 
(2) APPLICABILITY.—The repeal made under paragraph (1) 
shall apply with respect to an individual who retires from 
the Armed Forces on or after the date of the enactment of 
this Act. 
SEC. 554. CLARIFICATION OF APPLICATION AND HONORABLE SERVICE 
REQUIREMENTS UNDER THE TROOPS-TO-TEACHERS PRO-
GRAM TO MEMBERS OF THE RETIRED RESERVE. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Paragraph (2)(B) of section 1154(d) of title 
10, United States Code, is amended— 
(1) by inserting ‘‘(A)(iii),’’ after ‘‘(A)(i),’’; 
(2) by inserting ‘‘transferred to the Retired Reserve, or’’ 
after ‘‘member is retired,’’; and 
(3) by striking ‘‘separated,’’ and inserting ‘‘separated’’. 
(b) CONFORMING AMENDMENTS.—The second sentence of para-
graph (3)(D) of such section is amended— 
(1) by inserting ‘‘, the transfer of the member to the Retired 
Reserve,’’ after ‘‘retirement of the member’’; and 
(2) by inserting ‘‘transfer,’’ after ‘‘after the retirement,’’. 
SEC. 555. EMPLOYMENT AND COMPENSATION OF CIVILIAN FACULTY 
MEMBERS AT THE JOINT SPECIAL OPERATIONS UNIVER-
SITY. 
Section 1595(c) of title 10, United States Code, is amended 
by adding at the end the following new paragraph: 
‘‘(5) The Joint Special Operations University.’’. 
SEC. 556. PROGRAM TO ASSIST MEMBERS OF THE ARMED FORCES 
IN OBTAINING PROFESSIONAL CREDENTIALS. 
Section 2015(a) of title 10, United States Code, is amended 
by striking ‘‘related to military training’’ and all that follows through 
the period at the end of paragraph (2) and inserting ‘‘that translate 
into civilian occupations.’’. 
SEC. 557. ENHANCEMENT OF AUTHORITIES IN CONNECTION WITH 
JUNIOR RESERVE OFFICERS’ TRAINING CORPS PRO-
GRAMS. 
(a) FLEXIBILITY
IN AUTHORITIES
FOR MANAGEMENT
OF PRO-
GRAMS AND UNITS.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Chapter 102 of title 10, United States 
Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new 
section: 
‘‘§ 2035. Flexibility in authorities for management of pro-
grams and units 
‘‘(a) AUTHORITY TO CONVERT OTHERWISE CLOSING UNITS TO 
NATIONAL DEFENSE CADET CORPS PROGRAM UNITS.—If the Sec-
retary of a military department is notified by a local educational 
agency of the intent of the agency to close its Junior Reserve 
Officers’ Training Corps, the Secretary shall offer the agency the 
option of converting the unit to a National Defense Cadet Corps 
(NDCC) program unit in lieu of closing the unit. 
‘‘(b) FLEXIBILITY IN ADMINISTRATION OF INSTRUCTORS.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretaries of the military depart-
ments may, without regard to any other provision of this
H. R. 5515—139 
chapter, undertake initiatives designed to promote flexibility 
in the hiring and compensation of instructors for the Junior 
Reserve Officers’ Training Corps program under the jurisdiction 
of such Secretaries. 
‘‘(2) ELEMENTS.—The initiatives undertaken pursuant to 
this subsection may provide for one or more of the following: 
‘‘(A) Termination of the requirement for a waiver as 
a condition of the hiring of well-qualified non-commissioned 
officers with a bachelor’s degree for senior instructor posi-
tions within the Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps. 
‘‘(B) Specification of a single instructor as the minimum 
number of instructors required to found and operate a 
Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps unit. 
‘‘(C) Authority for Junior Reserve Officers’ Training 
Corps instructors to undertake school duties, in addition 
to Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps duties, at small 
schools. 
‘‘(D) Authority for the payment of instructor compensa-
tion for a limited number of Junior Reserve Officers’ 
Training Corps instructors on a 10-month per year basis 
rather than a 12-month per year basis. 
‘‘(E) Such other actions as the Secretaries of the mili-
tary departments consider appropriate. 
‘‘(c) 
FLEXIBILITY
IN
ALLOCATION
AND
USE
OF
TRAVEL 
FUNDING.—The Secretaries of the military departments shall take 
appropriate actions to provide so-called regional directors of the 
Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps programs located at remote 
rural schools enhanced discretion in the allocation and use of funds 
for travel in connection with Junior Reserve Officers’ Training 
Corps activities. 
‘‘(d) STANDARDIZATION OF PROGRAM DATA.—The Secretary of 
Defense shall take appropriate actions to standardize the data 
collected and maintained on the Junior Reserve Officers’ Training 
Corps programs in order to facilitate and enhance the collection 
and analysis of such data. Such actions shall include a requirement 
for the use of the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) 
identification code for each school with a unit under a Junior 
Reserve Officers’ Training Corps program in order to facilitate 
identification of such schools and their units under the Junior 
Reserve Officers’ Training Corps programs.’’. 
(2) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The table of sections at the 
beginning of chapter 102 of such title is amended by adding 
at the end the following new item: 
‘‘2035. Flexibility in authorities for management of programs and units.’’. 
(b) AUTHORITY FOR ADDITIONAL UNITS.—The Secretaries of the 
military departments may, using amounts authorized to be appro-
priated by this Act and available in the funding tables in sections 
4301 and 4401 for purposes of the Junior Reserve Officers’ Training 
Corps programs, establish an aggregate of not more than 100 units 
under the Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps programs in 
low-income and rural areas of the United States and areas of 
the United States currently underserved by the Junior Reserve 
Officers’ Training Corps programs.
H. R. 5515—140 
SEC. 558. EXPANSION OF PERIOD OF AVAILABILITY OF MILITARY 
ONESOURCE PROGRAM FOR RETIRED AND DISCHARGED 
MEMBERS OF THE ARMED FORCES AND THEIR IMMEDIATE 
FAMILIES. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Under regulations prescribed by the Secretary 
of Defense, the period of eligibility for the Military OneSource 
program of the Department of Defense of an eligible individual 
retired, discharged, or otherwise released from the Armed Forces, 
and for the eligible immediate family members of such an indi-
vidual, shall be the one-year period beginning on the date of the 
retirement, discharge, or release, as applicable, of such individual. 
(b) INFORMATION TO FAMILIES.—The Secretary shall, in such 
manner as the Secretary considers appropriate, inform military 
families and families of veterans of the Armed Forces of the wide 
range of benefits available through the Military OneSource program. 
SEC. 559. PROHIBITION ON USE OF FUNDS FOR ATTENDANCE OF 
ENLISTED PERSONNEL AT SENIOR LEVEL AND INTER-
MEDIATE LEVEL OFFICER PROFESSIONAL MILITARY EDU-
CATION COURSES. 
(a) PROHIBITION.—None of the funds authorized to be appro-
priated or otherwise made available for the Department of Defense 
may be obligated or expended for the purpose of the attendance 
of enlisted personnel at senior level and intermediate level officer 
professional military education courses. 
(b) SENIOR LEVEL AND INTERMEDIATE LEVEL OFFICER PROFES-
SIONAL MILITARY EDUCATION COURSES DEFINED.—In this section, 
the term ‘‘senior level and intermediate level officer professional 
military education courses’’ means any course for officers offered 
by a school specified in paragraph (1) or (2) of section 2151(b) 
of title 10, United States Code. 
(c) REPEAL OF SUPERSEDED LIMITATION.— 
(1) IN
GENERAL.—Section 547 of the National Defense 
Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2018 (Public Law 115–91) 
is repealed. 
(2) PRESERVATION OF CERTAIN REPORTING REQUIREMENT.— 
The repeal in paragraph (1) shall not be interpreted to termi-
nate the requirement of the Comptroller General of the United 
States to submit the report required by subsection (c) of section 
547 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 
2018. 
Subtitle G—Defense Dependents’ 
Education 
SEC. 561. ASSISTANCE TO SCHOOLS WITH MILITARY DEPENDENT STU-
DENTS. 
(a) IMPACT AID FOR CHILDREN WITH SEVERE DISABILITIES.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Of the amount authorized to be appro-
priated for fiscal year 2019 pursuant to section 301 and avail-
able for operation and maintenance for Defense-wide activities 
as specified in the funding table in section 4301, $10,000,000 
shall be available for payments under section 363 of the Floyd 
D. Spence National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 
2001 (Public Law 106–398; 20 U.S.C. 7703a).