I 
118TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION H. R. 1753 
To ensure that certain members of the Armed Forces who served in female 
cultural support teams receive proper credit for such service. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
MARCH 23, 2023 
Mr. ISSA (for himself, Mrs. KIGGANS of Virginia, Mr. CROW, and Ms. 
HOULAHAN) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Com-
mittee on Armed Services, and in addition to the Committee on Veterans’ 
Affairs, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in 
each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdic-
tion of the committee concerned 
A BILL 
To ensure that certain members of the Armed Forces who 
served in female cultural support teams receive proper 
credit for such service. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 
SECTION 1. CREDIT FOR CERTAIN MEMBERS OF THE 
ARMED FORCES WHO SERVED IN FEMALE 
CULTURAL SUPPORT TEAMS. 
(a) FINDINGS.—Congress finds the following: 
(1) In 2010, the Commander of United States 
Special Operations Command established the Cul-
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tural Support Team Program to overcome signifi-
cant intelligence gaps during the Global War on Ter-
ror. 
(2) From 2010 through 2021, approximately 
310 female members, from every Armed Force, 
passed and were selected as members of female cul-
tural support teams, and deployed with special oper-
ations forces. 
(3) Members of female cultural support teams 
served honorably, demonstrated commendable cour-
age, overcame such intelligence gaps, engaged in di-
rect action, and suffered casualties during the Glob-
al War on Terror. 
(4) The Federal Government has a duty to rec-
ognize members and veterans of female cultural sup-
port teams who volunteered join the Armed Forces, 
to undergo arduous training for covered service, and 
to execute dangerous and classified missions in the 
course of such covered service. 
(5) Members who performed covered service 
have sought treatment from the Department of Vet-
erans Affairs for traumatic brain injuries, post-trau-
matic stress, and disabling physical trauma incurred 
in the course of such covered service, but have been 
denied such care. 
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(b) SENSE OF CONGRESS.—It is the Sense of Con-
gress that individuals who performed covered service per-
formed exceptional service to the United States. 
(c) MILITARY SERVICE: RECORDS; CALCULATION OF 
RETIRED PAY.—Not later than one year after the date 
of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary concerned shall 
ensure that the performance of covered service is included 
in— 
(1) the military service record of each individual 
who performed covered service; and 
(2) the computation of retired pay for each in-
dividual who performed covered service. 
(d) CLAIMS
FOR VETERANS BENEFITS ARISING 
FROM COVERED SERVICE.— 
(1) DETERMINATION
OF
SERVICE
CONNEC-
TION.—Upon the filing of a claim by an individual 
described in paragraph (3)(C) for service-connected 
disability or death incurred or aggravated in the 
course of covered service, the Secretary of Veterans 
Affairs shall determine whether such disability or 
death was service-connected. 
(2) TREATMENT OF COVERED SERVICE.—In the 
consideration of a claim under this subsection, the 
Secretary shall treat covered service as engagement 
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in combat with the enemy in the course of active 
military, naval, air, or space service. 
(3) EFFECTIVE DATE OF AWARD.— 
(A) IN GENERAL.—Except as provided by 
subparagraph (B), the effective date of an 
award under this subsection shall be determined 
in accordance with section 5110 of title 38, 
United States Code. 
(B) EXCEPTION.—Notwithstanding sub-
section (g) of such section, the Secretary shall 
determine the effective date of an award based 
on a claim under this subsection for an indi-
vidual described in subparagraph (C) by treat-
ing the date on which the individual filed the 
initial claim specified in clause (i) of such sub-
paragraph as the date on which the individual 
filed the claim so awarded under this section. 
(C) ELIGIBLE
INDIVIDUALS.—An indi-
vidual described in this subparagraph is an in-
dividual who performed covered service, or a 
survivor of such an individual— 
(i) who, before the date of the enact-
ment of this Act, submitted a claim for 
service-connected disability or death of 
such individual; 
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(ii) whose such claim was denied by 
reason of the claim not establishing that 
the disability or death was service-con-
nected; 
(iii) who submits a claim during the 
period of three years beginning on the date 
of the enactment of this Act, for the same 
condition covered by the prior claim under 
clause; and 
(iv) whose such claim is approved pur-
suant to this subsection. 
(4) PROCESSING OF CLAIMS.—The Secretary of 
Veterans Affairs, in consultation with the Secretary 
of Defense, shall improve training and guidance for 
employees who may process a claim under this sub-
section. 
(5) OUTREACH.—The Secretary shall conduct 
outreach to inform individuals who performed cov-
ered service (and survivors of such individuals) that 
they may submit supplemental claims for service- 
connected disability or death incurred or aggravated 
in the course of covered service. Such outreach shall 
include the following: 
(A) The Secretary shall publish on the 
internet website of the Department a notice 
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that such individuals may elect to file a supple-
mental claim. 
(B) The Secretary shall notify, in writing 
or by electronic means, veterans service organi-
zations of the ability of such individuals to file 
a supplemental claim. 
(e) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
(1) The term ‘‘covered service’’ means service— 
(A) as a member of the Armed Forces; 
(B) in a female cultural support team; 
(C) with the personnel development skill 
identifier of R2J or 5DK; and 
(D) during the period beginning on Janu-
ary 1, 2010, and ending on August 31, 2021. 
(2) The terms ‘‘active military, naval, air, or 
space service’’ and ‘‘service-connected’’ have the 
meanings given such terms in section 101 of title 38, 
United States Code. 
(3) The term ‘‘Secretary concerned’’ has the 
meaning given such term in section 101 of title 10, 
United States Code. 
Æ 
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