H. R. 3979—65 
(4) Such recommendations as the Secretary of Defense 
considers appropriate for changes to the statutory method of 
calculating the authorized number of enlisted aides. 
(c) REPORT OBJECTIVE.—In developing the report required by 
subsection (b), the Secretary of Defense shall have the objective 
of reducing the maximum number of enlisted aides authorized 
and allocated for general officers and flag offers by 40, subject 
to the validation of duties under subsection (b)(1) and the billet- 
by-billet justification of positions under subsection (b)(3). 
(d) COMPTROLLER GENERAL REVIEW.— 
(1) REVIEW
REQUIRED.—The Comptroller General of the 
United States shall review the report submitted by the Sec-
retary of Defense under subsection (b). 
(2) ELEMENTS OF REVIEW.—The review under paragraph 
(1) shall include the following: 
(A) An assessment of the methodology used by the 
Secretary of Defense in satisfying the requirements 
imposed by paragraphs (1), (2), and (3) of subsection (b). 
(B) An assessment of the adequacy of the data used 
by the Secretary to support the conclusions contained in 
the report. 
(3) REPORT ON RESULTS OF REVIEW.—Not later than 180 
days after the date on which the Secretary of Defense submits 
the report under subsection (b), the Comptroller General shall 
submit to the Committees on Armed Services of the Senate 
and the House of Representatives a report on the review con-
ducted under paragraph (1). 
SEC. 505. REPEAL OF REQUIREMENT FOR SUBMISSION TO CONGRESS 
OF ANNUAL REPORTS ON JOINT OFFICER MANAGEMENT 
AND PROMOTION POLICY OBJECTIVES FOR JOINT OFFI-
CERS. 
(a) REPEAL OF ANNUAL REPORTS.— 
(1) JOINT OFFICER MANAGEMENT.—Section 667 of title 10, 
United States Code, is repealed. 
(2) PROMOTION POLICY OBJECTIVES FOR JOINT OFFICERS.— 
Section 662 of such title is amended— 
(A) by striking ‘‘(a) QUALIFICATIONS.—’’; and 
(B) by striking subsection (b). 
(b) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The table of sections at the begin-
ning of chapter 38 of such title is amended by striking the item 
relating to section 667. 
SEC. 506. OPTIONS FOR PHASE II OF JOINT PROFESSIONAL MILITARY 
EDUCATION. 
Section 2154(a)(2) of title 10, United States Code, is amended 
by striking ‘‘consisting of a joint professional military education 
curriculum’’ and all that follows through the period at the end 
and inserting the following: ‘‘consisting of— 
‘‘(A) a joint professional military education curriculum 
taught in residence at the Joint Forces Staff College or 
a senior level service school that has been designated and 
certified by the Secretary of Defense as a joint professional 
military education institution; or 
‘‘(B) a senior level service course of at least ten months 
that has been designated and certified by the Secretary 
of Defense as a joint professional military education 
course.’’.
H. R. 3979—66 
SEC. 507. ELIMINATION OF REQUIREMENT THAT A QUALIFIED AVI-
ATOR OR NAVAL FLIGHT OFFICER BE IN COMMAND OF 
AN INACTIVATED NUCLEAR-POWERED AIRCRAFT CARRIER 
BEFORE DECOMMISSIONING. 
Section 5942(a) of title 10, United States Code, is amended— 
(1) by inserting ‘‘(1)’’ after ‘‘(a)’’; and 
(2) by adding at the end the following new paragraph: 
‘‘(2) Paragraph (1) does not apply to command of a nuclear- 
powered aircraft carrier that has been inactivated for the purpose 
of permanent decommissioning and disposal.’’. 
SEC. 508. REQUIRED CONSIDERATION OF CERTAIN ELEMENTS OF COM-
MAND CLIMATE IN PERFORMANCE APPRAISALS OF COM-
MANDING OFFICERS. 
The Secretary of a military department shall ensure that the 
performance appraisal of a commanding officer in an Armed Force 
under the jurisdiction of that Secretary indicates the extent to 
which the commanding officer has or has not established a command 
climate in which— 
(1) allegations of sexual assault are properly managed and 
fairly evaluated; and 
(2) a victim of criminal activity, including sexual assault, 
can report the criminal activity without fear of retaliation, 
including ostracism and group pressure from other members 
of the command. 
Subtitle B—Reserve Component 
Management 
SEC. 511. RETENTION ON THE RESERVE ACTIVE-STATUS LIST FOL-
LOWING NONSELECTION FOR PROMOTION OF CERTAIN 
HEALTH PROFESSIONS OFFICERS AND FIRST LIEUTEN-
ANTS AND LIEUTENANTS (JUNIOR GRADE) PURSUING 
BACCALAUREATE DEGREES. 
(a) RETENTION OF CERTAIN FIRST LIEUTENANTS AND LIEUTEN-
ANTS
(JUNIOR
GRADE) FOLLOWING
NONSELECTION
FOR
PRO-
MOTION.—Subsection (a)(1) of section 14701 of title 10, United 
States Code, is amended— 
(1) by striking ‘‘A reserve officer of’’ and inserting ‘‘(A) 
A reserve officer of the Army, Navy, Air Force, or Marine 
Corps described in subparagraph (B) who is required to be 
removed from the reserve active-status list under section 14504 
of this title, or a reserve officer of’’; 
(2) by striking ‘‘of this title may, subject to the needs 
of the service and to section 14509 of this title,’’ and inserting 
‘‘of this title, may’’; and 
(3) by adding at the end the following new subparagraphs: 
‘‘(B) A reserve officer covered by this subparagraph is a reserve 
officer of the Army, Air Force, or Marine Corps who holds the 
grade of first lieutenant, or a reserve officer of the Navy who 
holds the grade of lieutenant (junior grade), and who— 
‘‘(i) is a health professions officer; or 
‘‘(ii) is actively pursuing an undergraduate program of edu-
cation leading to a baccalaureate degree. 
‘‘(C) The consideration of a reserve officer for continuation 
on the reserve active-status list pursuant to this paragraph is
H. R. 3979—67 
subject to the needs of the service and to section 14509 of this 
title.’’. 
(b) RETENTION OF HEALTH PROFESSIONS OFFICERS.—Such sec-
tion is further amended— 
(1) by redesignating subsection (b) as subsection (c); and 
(2) by inserting after subsection (a) the following new sub-
section (b): 
‘‘(b) CONTINUATION
OF HEALTH PROFESSIONS OFFICERS.—(1) 
Notwithstanding subsection (a)(6), a health professions officer obli-
gated to a period of service incurred under section 16201 of this 
title who is required to be removed from the reserve active-status 
list under section 14504, 14505, 14506, or 14507 of this title and 
who has not completed a service obligation incurred under section 
16201 of this title shall be retained on the reserve active-status 
list until the completion of such service obligation and then dis-
charged, unless sooner retired or discharged under another provi-
sion of law. 
‘‘(2) The Secretary concerned may waive the applicability of 
paragraph (1) to any officer if the Secretary determines that comple-
tion of the service obligation of that officer is not in the best 
interest of the service. 
‘‘(3) A health professions officer who is continued on the reserve 
active-status list under this subsection who is subsequently pro-
moted or whose name is on a list of officers recommended for 
promotion to the next higher grade is not required to be discharged 
or retired upon completion of the officer’s service obligation. Such 
officer may continue on the reserve active-status list as other officers 
of the same grade unless separated under another provision of 
law.’’. 
SEC. 512. CONSULTATION WITH CHIEF OF THE NATIONAL GUARD 
BUREAU IN SELECTION OF DIRECTORS AND DEPUTY 
DIRECTORS, ARMY NATIONAL GUARD AND AIR NATIONAL 
GUARD. 
(a) ROLE OF CHIEF OF THE NATIONAL GUARD BUREAU.—Para-
graph (1) of section 10506(a) of title 10, United States Code, is 
amended— 
(1) in subparagraph (A), by inserting ‘‘(after consultation 
with the Chief of the National Guard Bureau)’’ after ‘‘selected 
by the Secretary of the Army’’; and 
(2) in subparagraph (B), by inserting ‘‘(after consultation 
with the Chief of the National Guard Bureau)’’ after ‘‘selected 
by the Secretary of the Air Force’’. 
(b) CLARIFYING AMENDMENT.—Paragraph (2) of such section 
is amended by striking ‘‘The officers so selected’’ and inserting 
‘‘The Director and Deputy Director, Army National Guard, and 
the Director and Deputy Director, Air National Guard,’’. 
(c) REPEAL OF OBSOLETE PROVISION.—Paragraph (3) of such 
section is amended— 
(1) by striking subparagraph (D); and 
(2) by redesignating subparagraph (E) as subparagraph 
(D). 
(d) APPLICATION OF AMENDMENTS.—The amendments made by 
subsection (a) shall apply with respect to assignments to the 
National Guard Bureau under section 10506 of title 10, United 
States Code, that occur after the date of the enactment of this 
Act.
H. R. 3979—68 
SEC. 513. CENTRALIZED DATABASE OF INFORMATION ON MILITARY 
TECHNICIAN POSITIONS. 
(a) CENTRALIZED
DATABASE
REQUIRED.—The Secretary of 
Defense shall establish and maintain a centralized database of 
information on military technician positions that will contain and 
set forth current information on all military technician positions 
of the Armed Forces. 
(b) ELEMENTS.— 
(1) IDENTIFICATION OF POSITIONS.—The database required 
by subsection (a) shall identify each military technician posi-
tion, whether dual-status or non-dual status. 
(2) ADDITIONAL
DETAILS.—For each military technician 
position identified pursuant to paragraph (1), the database 
required by subsection (a) shall include the following: 
(A) A description of the functions of the position. 
(B) A statement of the military necessity for the posi-
tion. 
(C) A statement of whether the position is— 
(i) a general administration, clerical, or office 
service occupation; or 
(ii) directly related to the maintenance of military 
readiness. 
(c) CONSULTATION.—The Secretary of Defense shall establish 
the database required by subsection (a) in consultation with the 
Secretaries of the military departments. 
(d) IMPLEMENTATION REPORT.—Not later than September 1, 
2015, the Secretary of Defense shall submit to the Committees 
on Armed Services of the Senate and the House of Representatives 
a report describing the progress made in establishing the database 
required by subsection (a). 
SEC. 514. REPORT ON MANAGEMENT OF PERSONNEL RECORDS OF 
MEMBERS OF THE NATIONAL GUARD. 
(a) REPORT REQUIRED.—Not later than December 1, 2015, the 
Secretary of Defense shall submit to the Committees on Armed 
Services of the Senate and the House of Representatives a report 
regarding the management of personnel records of members of 
the Army National Guard of the United States and the Air Guard 
of the United States. 
(b) ELEMENTS OF REPORT.—In preparing the report under sub-
section (a), the Secretary of Defense shall assess the following: 
(1) The roles and responsibilities of States and Federal 
agencies in the management of the records of members of 
the Army National Guard of the United States and the Air 
Guard of the United States. 
(2) The extent to which States have digitized the records 
of National Guard members. 
(3) The extent to which States and Federal agencies have 
the capability to share digitized records of National Guard 
members. 
(4) The measures required to correct deficiencies, if any, 
noted by the Secretary of Defense in the capability of Federal 
agencies to effectively manage the records of National Guard 
members. 
(5) The authorities, responsibilities, processes, and proce-
dures for the maintenance and disposition of the records of 
National Guard members who—
H. R. 3979—69 
(A) are discharged or separated from the National 
Guard; 
(B) are transferred to the Retired Reserve; or 
(C) but for age, would be eligible for retired or retainer 
pay. 
Subtitle C—General Service Authorities 
SEC. 521. ENHANCEMENT OF PARTICIPATION OF MENTAL HEALTH 
PROFESSIONALS IN BOARDS FOR CORRECTION OF MILI-
TARY RECORDS AND BOARDS FOR REVIEW OF DISCHARGE 
OR DISMISSAL OF MEMBERS OF THE ARMED FORCES. 
(a) BOARDS FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS.—Section 
1552 of title 10, United States Code, is amended— 
(1) by redesignating subsection (g) as subsection (h); and 
(2) by inserting after subsection (f) the following new sub-
section (g): 
‘‘(g) Any medical advisory opinion issued to a board established 
under subsection (a)(1) with respect to a member or former member 
of the armed forces who was diagnosed while serving in the armed 
forces as experiencing a mental health disorder shall include the 
opinion of a clinical psychologist or psychiatrist if the request for 
correction of records concerned relates to a mental health disorder.’’. 
(b) BOARDS FOR REVIEW OF DISCHARGE OR DISMISSAL.— 
(1) REVIEW FOR CERTAIN FORMER MEMBERS WITH PTSD OR 
TBI.—Subsection (d)(1) of section 1553 of such title is amended 
by striking ‘‘physician, clinical psychologist, or psychiatrist’’ 
the second place it appears and inserting ‘‘clinical psychologist 
or psychiatrist, or a physician with training on mental health 
issues connected with post traumatic stress disorder or trau-
matic brain injury (as applicable)’’. 
(2) REVIEW FOR CERTAIN FORMER MEMBERS WITH MENTAL 
HEALTH
DIAGNOSES.—Such section is further amended by 
adding at the end the following new subsection: 
‘‘(e) In the case of a former member of the armed forces (other 
than a former member covered by subsection (d)) who was diagnosed 
while serving in the armed forces as experiencing a mental health 
disorder, a board established under this section to review the former 
member’s discharge or dismissal shall include a member who is 
a clinical psychologist or psychiatrist, or a physician with special 
training on mental health disorders.’’. 
SEC. 522. EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY TO CONDUCT PROGRAMS ON 
CAREER FLEXIBILITY TO ENHANCE RETENTION OF MEM-
BERS OF THE ARMED FORCES. 
(a) EXTENSION OF PROGRAM AUTHORITY.—Subsection (m) of sec-
tion 533 of the Duncan Hunter National Defense Authorization 
Act for Fiscal Year 2009 (Public Law 110–417; 10 U.S.C. prec. 
701 note) is amended— 
(1) by inserting ‘‘(1)’’ before ‘‘No member’’; 
(2) by striking ‘‘December 31, 2015’’ and inserting 
‘‘December 31, 2019’’; and 
(3) by adding at the end the following new paragraph: 
‘‘(2) A member may not be reactivated to active duty in the 
Armed Forces under a pilot program conducted under this section 
after December 31, 2022.’’.
H. R. 3979—70 
(b) REPORTING REQUIREMENTS.—Subsection (k) of such section 
is amended— 
(1) in paragraph (1), by striking ‘‘and 2017’’ and inserting 
‘‘2017, and 2019’’; 
(2) in paragraph (2), by striking ‘‘March 1, 2019’’ and 
inserting ‘‘March 1, 2023’’; and 
(3) by adding at the end the following new paragraph: 
‘‘(4) ADDITIONAL ELEMENTS FOR FINAL REPORT.—In addition 
to the elements required by paragraph (3), the final report 
under this subsection shall include the following: 
‘‘(A) A description of the costs to each military depart-
ment of each pilot program conducted under this section. 
‘‘(B) A description of the reasons why members choose 
to participate in the pilot programs. 
‘‘(C) A description of the members who did not return 
to active duty at the conclusion of their inactivation from 
active duty under the pilot programs, and a statement 
of the reasons why the members did not return to active 
duty. 
‘‘(D) A statement whether members were required to 
perform inactive duty training as part of their participation 
in the pilot programs, and if so, a description of the mem-
bers who were required to perform such inactive duty 
training, a statement of the reasons why the members 
were required to perform such inactive duty training, and 
a description of how often the members were required 
to perform such inactive duty training.’’. 
SEC. 523. PROVISION OF INFORMATION TO MEMBERS OF THE ARMED 
FORCES ON PRIVACY RIGHTS RELATING TO RECEIPT OF 
MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES. 
(a) PROVISION OF INFORMATION REQUIRED.—The Secretaries of 
the military departments shall ensure that the information 
described in subsection (b) is provided— 
(1) to each officer candidate during initial training; 
(2) to each recruit during basic training; and 
(3) to other members of the Armed Forces at such times 
as the Secretary of Defense considers appropriate. 
(b) REQUIRED INFORMATION.—The information required to be 
provided under subsection (a) shall include information on the 
applicability of the Department of Defense Instruction on Privacy 
of Individually Identifiable Health Information in DoD Health Care 
Programs and other regulations regarding privacy prescribed pursu-
ant to the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act 
of 1996 (Public Law 104–191) to records regarding a member of 
the Armed Forces seeking and receiving mental health services. 
SEC. 524. REMOVAL OF ARTIFICIAL BARRIERS TO THE SERVICE OF 
WOMEN IN THE ARMED FORCES. 
(a) ROLE
OF SECRETARY
OF DEFENSE
IN DEVELOPMENT
OF 
GENDER-NEUTRAL OCCUPATIONAL STANDARDS.—The Secretary of 
Defense shall ensure that the gender-neutral occupational stand-
ards being developed by the Secretaries of the military departments 
pursuant to section 543 of the National Defense Authorization 
Act for Fiscal Year 1994 (Public Law 103–160; 10 U.S.C. 113 
note), as amended by section 523 of the National Defense Authoriza-
tion Act for Fiscal Year 2014 (Public Law 113–66; 127 Stat. 756)—
H. R. 3979—71 
(1) accurately predict performance of actual, regular, and 
recurring duties of a military occupation; and 
(2) are applied equitably to measure individual capabilities. 
(b) FEMALE PERSONAL PROTECTION GEAR.—The Secretary of 
Defense shall direct each Secretary of a military department to 
take immediate steps to ensure that combat equipment distributed 
to female members of the Armed Forces— 
(1) is properly designed and fitted; and 
(2) meets required standards for wear and survivability. 
(c) REVIEW OF OUTREACH AND RECRUITMENT EFFORTS FOCUSED 
ON OFFICERS.— 
(1) REVIEW
REQUIRED.—The Comptroller General of the 
United States shall conduct a review of Services’ Outreach 
and Recruitment Efforts gauged toward women representation 
in the officer corps. 
(2) ELEMENTS OF REVIEW.—In conducting the review under 
this subsection, the Comptroller General shall— 
(A) identify and evaluate current initiatives the Armed 
Forces are using to increase accession of women into the 
officer corps; 
(B) identify new recruiting efforts to increase acces-
sions of women into the officer corps specifically at the 
military service academies, Officer Candidate Schools, 
Officer Training Schools, the Academy of Military Science, 
and Reserve Officer Training Corps; and 
(C) identify efforts, resources, and funding required 
to increase military service academy accessions by women. 
(3) SUBMISSION OF RESULTS.—Not later than October 1, 
2015, the Comptroller General shall submit to the Committees 
on Armed Services of the Senate and the House of Representa-
tives a report containing the results of the review under this 
subsection. 
Subtitle 
D—Military 
Justice, 
Including 
Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence 
Prevention and Response 
SEC. 531. TECHNICAL REVISIONS AND CLARIFICATIONS OF CERTAIN 
PROVISIONS IN THE NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION 
ACT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2014 RELATING TO THE MILITARY 
JUSTICE SYSTEM. 
(a) REVISIONS OF ARTICLE 32 AND ARTICLE 60, UNIFORM CODE 
OF MILITARY JUSTICE.— 
(1) EXPLICIT
AUTHORITY
FOR
CONVENING
AUTHORITY
TO 
TAKE ACTION ON FINDINGS OF A COURT-MARTIAL WITH RESPECT 
TO
A
QUALIFYING
OFFENSE.—Paragraph (3) of subsection (c) 
of section 860 of title 10, United States Code (article 60 of 
the Uniform Code of Military Justice), as amended by section 
1702(b) of the National Defense Authorization Act of 2014 
(Public Law 113–66; 127 Stat. 955), is amended— 
(A) in subparagraph (A), by inserting ‘‘and may be 
taken only with respect to a qualifying offense’’ after ‘‘is 
not required’’; 
(B) in subparagraph (B)(i)—
H. R. 3979—72 
(i) by striking ‘‘, other than a charge or specifica-
tion for a qualifying offense,’’; and 
(ii) by inserting ‘‘, but may take such action with 
respect to a qualifying offense’’ after ‘‘thereto’’; and 
(C) in subparagraph (B)(ii)— 
(i) by striking ‘‘, other than a charge or specifica-
tion for a qualifying offense,’’; and 
(ii) by inserting ‘‘, but may take such action with 
respect to a qualifying offense’’ before the period. 
(2) CLARIFICATION OF APPLICABILITY OF REQUIREMENT FOR 
EXPLANATION IN WRITING FOR MODIFICATION TO FINDINGS OF 
A COURT-MARTIAL.—Paragraph (3)(C) of subsection (c) of section 
860 of title 10, United States Code (article 60 of the Uniform 
Code of Military Justice), as amended by section 1702(b) of 
the National Defense Authorization Act of 2014 (Public Law 
113–66; 127 Stat. 955), is amended by striking ‘‘(other than 
a qualifying offense)’’. 
(3) VICTIM
SUBMISSION
OF
MATTERS
FOR
CONSIDERATION 
BY CONVENING AUTHORITY DURING CLEMENCY PHASE OF COURTS- 
MARTIAL PROCESS.—Subsection (d) of section 860 of title 10, 
United States Code (article 60 of the Uniform Code of Military 
Justice), as added by section 1706(a) of the National Defense 
Authorization Act of Fiscal Year 2014 (Public Law 113–66; 
127 Stat. 960), is amended— 
(A) in paragraph (2)(A)— 
(i) in clause (i), by inserting ‘‘, if applicable’’ after 
‘‘(article 54(e))’’; and 
(ii) in clause (ii), by striking ‘‘if applicable,’’; and 
(B) in paragraph (5), by striking ‘‘loss’’ and inserting 
‘‘harm’’. 
(4) RESTORATION OF WAIVER OF ARTICLE 32 HEARINGS BY 
THE ACCUSED.— 
(A) IN GENERAL.—Section 832(a)(1) of title 10, United 
States Code (article 32(a)(1) of the Uniform Code of Military 
Justice), as amended by section 1702(a)(1) of the National 
Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2014 (Public 
Law 113–66; 127 Stat. 954), is amended by inserting ‘‘, 
unless such hearing is waived by the accused’’ after 
‘‘preliminary hearing’’. 
(B) CONFORMING
AMENDMENT.—Section 834(a)(2) of 
such title (article 34(a)(2) of the Uniform Code of Military 
Justice), as amended by section 1702(c)(3)(B) of the 
National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2014 
(Public Law 113–66; 127 Stat. 957), is amended by inserting 
‘‘(if there is such a report)’’ after ‘‘a preliminary hearing 
under section 832 of this title (article 32)’’. 
(5) NON-APPLICABILITY
OF
PROHIBITION
ON
PRE-TRIAL 
AGREEMENTS FOR CERTAIN OFFENSES WITH MANDATORY MINIMUM 
SENTENCES.—Section 860(c)(4)(C)(ii) of title 10, United States 
Code (article 60(c)(4)(C)(ii) of the Uniform Code of Military 
Justice), as amended by section 1702(b) of the National Defense 
Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2014 (Public Law 113–66; 
127 Stat. 955), is amended by inserting ‘‘pursuant to section 
856(b) of this title (article 56(b))’’ after ‘‘applies’’. 
(b) DEFENSE COUNSEL INTERVIEW OF VICTIM OF AN ALLEGED 
SEX-RELATED OFFENSE.—
H. R. 3979—73 
(1) REQUESTS TO INTERVIEW VICTIM THROUGH COUNSEL.— 
Subsection (b)(1) of section 846 of title 10, United States Code 
(article 46(b) of the Uniform Code of Military Justice), as 
amended by section 1704 of the National Defense Authorization 
Act for Fiscal Year 2014 (Public Law 113–66; 127 Stat. 958), 
is amended by striking ‘‘through trial counsel’’ and inserting 
‘‘through the Special Victims’ Counsel or other counsel for the 
victim, if applicable’’. 
(2) CORRECTION OF REFERENCES TO TRIAL COUNSEL.—Such 
section is further amended by striking ‘‘trial counsel’’ each 
place it appears and inserting ‘‘counsel for the Government’’. 
(3) CORRECTION OF REFERENCES TO DEFENSE COUNSEL.— 
Such section is further amended— 
(A) in the heading, by striking ‘‘DEFENSE COUNSEL’’ 
and inserting ‘‘COUNSEL FOR ACCUSED’’; and 
(B) by striking ‘‘defense counsel’’ each place it appears 
and inserting ‘‘counsel for the accused’’. 
(c) SPECIAL VICTIMS’ COUNSEL FOR VICTIMS OF SEX-RELATED 
OFFENSES.—Section 1044e of title 10, United States Code, as added 
by section 1716(a) of the National Defense Authorization Act for 
Fiscal Year 2013 (Public Law 113–66; 127 Stat. 966), is amended— 
(1) in subsection (b)(4), by striking ‘‘the Department of 
Defense’’ and inserting ‘‘the United States’’; 
(2) in subsection (d)(2), by inserting ‘‘, and within the 
Marine Corps, by the Staff Judge Advocate to the Commandant 
of the Marine Corps’’ after ‘‘employed’’; and 
(3) in subsection (e)(1), by inserting ‘‘concerned’’ after ‘‘juris-
diction of the Secretary’’. 
(d) REPEAL OF OFFENSE OF CONSENSUAL SODOMY UNDER THE 
UNIFORM CODE OF MILITARY JUSTICE.— 
(1) CLARIFICATION OF DEFINITION OF FORCIBLE SODOMY.— 
Section 925(a) of title 10, United States Code (article 125(a) 
of the Uniform Code of Military Justice), as amended by section 
1707 of the National Defense Authorization Act of Fiscal Year 
2014 (Public Law 113–66; 127 Stat. 961), is amended by striking 
‘‘force’’ and inserting ‘‘unlawful force’’. 
(2) CONFORMING AMENDMENTS.— 
(A) ARTICLE
43.—Section 843(b)(2)(B) of such title 
(article 43(b)(2)(B) of the Uniform Code of Military Justice) 
is amended— 
(i) in clause (iii), by striking ‘‘Sodomy’’ and 
inserting ‘‘Forcible sodomy’’; and 
(ii) in clause (v), by striking ‘‘sodomy’’ and inserting 
‘‘forcible sodomy’’. 
(B) ARTICLE 118.—Section 918(4) of such title (article 
118(4) of the Uniform Code of Military Justice) is amended 
by striking ‘‘sodomy’’ and inserting ‘‘forcible sodomy’’. 
(e) CLARIFICATION OF SCOPE OF PROSPECTIVE MEMBERS OF THE 
ARMED FORCES FOR PURPOSES OF INAPPROPRIATE AND PROHIBITED 
RELATIONSHIPS.—Section 1741(e)(2) of the National Defense 
Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2014 (Public Law 113–66; 127 
Stat. 977; 10 U.S.C. prec. 501 note) is amended by inserting ‘‘who 
is pursuing or has recently pursued becoming a member of the 
Armed Forces and’’ after ‘‘a person’’. 
(f) EXTENSION
OF CRIME VICTIMS’ RIGHTS
TO VICTIMS
OF 
OFFENSES UNDER THE UNIFORM CODE OF MILITARY JUSTICE.—
H. R. 3979—74 
(1) CLARIFICATION OF LIMITATION ON DEFINITION OF VICTIM 
TO NATURAL PERSONS.—Subsection (b) of section 806b of title 
10, United States Code (article 6b of the Uniform Code of 
Military Justice), as added by section 1701 of the National 
Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2014 (Public Law 
113–66; 127 Stat. 952), is amended by striking ‘‘a person’’ 
and inserting ‘‘an individual’’. 
(2) CLARIFICATION OF AUTHORITY TO APPOINT INDIVIDUALS 
TO ASSUME RIGHTS OF CERTAIN VICTIMS.—Subsection (c) of such 
section is amended— 
(A) in the heading, by striking ‘‘LEGAL GUARDIAN’’ and 
inserting ‘‘APPOINTMENT
OF
INDIVIDUALS
TO
ASSUME 
RIGHTS’’; 
(B) by inserting ‘‘(but who is not a member of the 
armed forces)’’ after ‘‘under 18 years of age’’; 
(C) by striking ‘‘designate a legal guardian from among 
the representatives’’ and inserting ‘‘designate a representa-
tive’’; 
(D) by striking ‘‘other suitable person’’ and inserting 
‘‘another suitable individual’’; and 
(E) by striking ‘‘the person’’ and inserting ‘‘the indi-
vidual’’. 
(g) REVISION TO EFFECTIVE DATES TO FACILITATE TRANSITION 
TO REVISED RULES FOR PRELIMINARY HEARING REQUIREMENTS AND 
CONVENING AUTHORITY ACTION POST-CONVICTION.— 
(1) EFFECTIVE DATE FOR AMENDMENTS RELATED TO ARTICLE 
32.—Effective as of December 26, 2013, and as if included 
therein as enacted, section 1702(d)(1) of the National Defense 
Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2014 (Public Law 113–66; 
127 Stat. 958; 10 U.S.C. 802 note, 832 note) is amended by 
striking ‘‘one year after’’ and all that follows through the end 
of the sentence and inserting ‘‘on the later of December 26, 
2014, or the date of the enactment of the Carl Levin and 
Howard P. ‘Buck’ McKeon National Defense Authorization Act 
for Fiscal Year 2015 and shall apply with respect to preliminary 
hearings conducted on or after that effective date.’’. 
(2) TRANSITION RULE FOR AMENDMENTS RELATED TO ARTICLE 
60.— 
(A) TRANSITION
RULE.—Section 1702(d)(2) of the 
National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2014 
(Public Law 113–66; 127 Stat. 958; 10 U.S.C. 860 note) 
is amended— 
(i) by striking ‘‘The amendments’’ and inserting 
‘‘(A) Except as provided in subparagraph (B), the 
amendments’’; and 
(ii) by adding at the end the following new 
subparagraph: 
‘‘(B) With respect to the findings and sentence of a court- 
martial that includes both a conviction for an offense committed 
before the effective date specified in subparagraph (A) and 
a conviction for an offense committed on or after that effective 
date, the convening authority shall have the same authority 
to take action on such findings and sentence as was in effect 
on the day before such effective date, except with respect to 
a mandatory minimum sentence under section 856(b) of title 
10, United States Code (article 56(b) of the Uniform Code 
of Military Justice).’’.
H. R. 3979—75 
(B) APPLICATION OF AMENDMENTS.—The amendments 
made by subparagraph (A) shall not apply to the findings 
and sentence of a court-martial with respect to which the 
convening authority has taken action before the date that 
is 30 days after the date of the enactment of this Act. 
SEC. 532. ORDERING OF DEPOSITIONS UNDER THE UNIFORM CODE 
OF MILITARY JUSTICE. 
Subsection (a) of section 849 of title 10, United States Code 
(article 49 of the Uniform Code of Military Justice), is amended 
to read as follows: 
‘‘(a)(1) At any time after charges have been signed as provided 
in section 830 of this title (article 30), oral or written depositions 
may be ordered as follows: 
‘‘(A) Before referral of such charges for trial, by the con-
vening authority who has such charges for disposition. 
‘‘(B) After referral of such charges for trial, by the con-
vening authority or the military judge hearing the case. 
‘‘(2) An authority authorized to order a deposition under para-
graph (1) may order the deposition at the request of any party, 
but only if the party demonstrates that, due to exceptional cir-
cumstances, it is in the interest of justice that the testimony of 
the prospective witness be taken and preserved for use at a prelimi-
nary hearing under section 832 of this title (article 32) or a court- 
martial. 
‘‘(3) If a deposition is to be taken before charges are referred 
for trial, the authority under paragraph (1)(A) may designate 
commissioned officers as counsel for the Government and counsel 
for the accused, and may authorize those officers to take the deposi-
tion of any witness.’’. 
SEC. 533. ACCESS TO SPECIAL VICTIMS’ COUNSEL. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Subsection (a) of section 1044e of title 10, 
United States Code, is amended to read as follows: 
‘‘(a) DESIGNATION; PURPOSES.—(1) The Secretary concerned 
shall designate legal counsel (to be known as ‘Special Victims’ 
Counsel’) for the purpose of providing legal assistance to an indi-
vidual described in paragraph (2) who is the victim of an alleged 
sex-related offense, regardless of whether the report of that offense 
is restricted or unrestricted. 
‘‘(2) An individual described in this paragraph is any of the 
following: 
‘‘(A) An individual eligible for military legal assistance 
under section 1044 of this title. 
‘‘(B) An individual who is— 
‘‘(i) not covered under subparagraph (A); 
‘‘(ii) a member of a reserve component of the armed 
forces; and 
‘‘(iii) a victim of an alleged sex-related offense as 
described in paragraph (1)— 
‘‘(I) during a period in which the individual served 
on active duty, full-time National Guard duty, or inac-
tive-duty training; or 
‘‘(II) during any period, regardless of the duty 
status of the individual, if the circumstances of the 
alleged sex-related offense have a nexus to the military 
service of the victim, as determined under regulations 
prescribed by the Secretary of Defense.’’.
H. R. 3979—76 
(b) CONFORMING AMENDMENTS.—Subsection (f) of such section 
is amended by striking ‘‘eligible for military legal assistance under 
section 1044 of this title’’ each place it appears and inserting 
‘‘described in subsection (a)(2)’’. 
SEC. 534. ENHANCEMENT OF VICTIMS’ RIGHTS IN CONNECTION WITH 
PROSECUTION OF CERTAIN SEX-RELATED OFFENSES. 
(a) REPRESENTATION BY SPECIAL VICTIMS’ COUNSEL.—Section 
1044e(b)(6) of title 10, United States Code, is amended by striking 
‘‘Accompanying the victim’’ and inserting ‘‘Representing the victim’’. 
(b) 
CONSULTATION
REGARDING
VICTIM’S
PREFERENCE
IN 
PROSECUTION VENUE.— 
(1) CONSULTATION PROCESS REQUIRED.—The Secretary of 
Defense shall establish a process to ensure consultation with 
the victim of an alleged sex-related offense that occurs in the 
United States to solicit the victim’s preference regarding 
whether the offense should be prosecuted by court-martial or 
in a civilian court with jurisdiction over the offense. 
(2) CONVENING
AUTHORITY
CONSIDERATION
OF
PREF-
ERENCE.—The preference expressed by the victim of an alleged 
sex-related offense under paragraph (1) regarding the prosecu-
tion of the offense, while not binding, should be considered 
by the convening authority in making the determination 
regarding whether to refer the charge or specification for the 
offense to a court-martial for trial. 
(3) NOTICE TO APPROPRIATE JURISDICTION OF VICTIM’S PREF-
ERENCE FOR CIVILIAN PROSECUTION.—If the victim of an alleged 
sex-related offense expresses a preference under paragraph (1) 
for prosecution of the offense in a civilian court, the convening 
authority described in paragraph (2) shall ensure that the 
civilian authority with jurisdiction over the offense is notified 
of the victim’s preference for civilian prosecution. 
(4) NOTICE TO VICTIM OF STATUS OF CIVILIAN PROSECUTION 
WHEN VICTIM EXPRESSES PREFERENCE FOR CIVILIAN PROSECU-
TION.—Following notification of the civilian authority with juris-
diction over an alleged sex-related offense of the preference 
of the victim of the offense for prosecution of the offense in 
a civilian court, the convening authority shall be responsible 
for notifying the victim if the convening authority learns of 
any decision by the civilian authority to prosecute or not pros-
ecute the offence in a civilian court. 
(c) MODIFICATION OF MANUAL FOR COURTS-MARTIAL.—Not later 
than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, Part 
III of the Manual for Courts-Martial shall be modified to provide 
that when a victim of an alleged sex-related offense has a right 
to be heard in connection with the prosecution of the alleged sex- 
related such offense, the victim may exercise that right through 
counsel, including through a Special Victims’ Counsel under section 
1044e of title 10, United States Code (as amended by subsection 
(a)). 
(d) NOTICE TO COUNSEL ON SCHEDULING OF PROCEEDINGS.— 
The Secretary concerned shall establish policies and procedures 
designed to ensure that any counsel of the victim of an alleged 
sex-related offense, including a Special Victims’ Counsel under sec-
tion 1044e of title 10, United States Code (as amended by subsection 
(a)), is provided prompt and adequate notice of the scheduling 
of any hearing, trial, or other proceeding in connection with the
H. R. 3979—77 
prosecution of such offense in order to permit such counsel the 
opportunity to prepare for such proceeding. 
(e) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
(1) The term ‘‘alleged sex-related offense’’ has the meaning 
given that term in section 1044e(g) of title 10, United States 
Code. 
(2) The term ‘‘Secretary concerned’’ has the meaning given 
that term in section 101(a)(9) of such title. 
SEC. 535. ENFORCEMENT OF CRIME VICTIMS’ RIGHTS RELATED TO 
PROTECTIONS AFFORDED BY CERTAIN MILITARY RULES 
OF EVIDENCE. 
Section 806b of title 10, United States Code (article 6b of 
the Uniform Code of Military Justice), is amended by adding at 
the end the following new subsection: 
‘‘(e) ENFORCEMENT BY COURT OF CRIMINAL APPEALS.—(1) If 
the victim of an offense under this chapter believes that a court- 
martial ruling violates the victim’s rights afforded by a Military 
Rule of Evidence specified in paragraph (2), the victim may petition 
the Court of Criminal Appeals for a writ of mandamus to require 
the court-martial to comply with the Military Rule of Evidence. 
‘‘(2) Paragraph (1) applies with respect to the protections 
afforded by the following: 
‘‘(A) Military Rule of Evidence 513, relating to the 
psychotherapist-patient privilege. 
‘‘(B) Military Rule of Evidence 412, relating to the admis-
sion of evidence regarding a victim’s sexual background.’’. 
SEC. 536. MODIFICATION OF MILITARY RULES OF EVIDENCE RELATING 
TO ADMISSIBILITY OF GENERAL MILITARY CHARACTER 
TOWARD PROBABILITY OF INNOCENCE. 
(a) MODIFICATION REQUIRED.—Not later than 180 days after 
the date of the enactment of this Act, Rule 404(a) of the Military 
Rules of Evidence shall be amended to provide that the general 
military character of an accused is not admissible for the purpose 
of showing the probability of innocence of the accused for an offense 
specified in subsection (b). 
(b) COVERED OFFENSES.—Subsection (a) applies to the following 
offenses under chapter 47 of title 10, United States Code (the 
Uniform Code of Military Justice): 
(1) An offense under sections 920 through 923a of such 
title (articles 120 through 123a). 
(2) An offense under sections 925 through 927 of such 
title (articles 125 through 127). 
(3) An offense under sections 929 through 932 of such 
title (articles 129 through 132). 
(4) Any other offense under such chapter (the Uniform 
Code of Military Justice) in which evidence of the general 
military character of the accused is not relevant to an element 
of an offense for which the accused has been charged. 
(5) An attempt to commit an offense or a conspiracy to 
commit an offense specified in a preceding paragraph as punish-
able under section 880 or 881 of such title (article 80 or 81).
H. R. 3979—78 
SEC. 537. MODIFICATION OF RULE 513 OF THE MILITARY RULES OF 
EVIDENCE, 
RELATING 
TO 
THE 
PRIVILEGE 
AGAINST 
DISCLOSURE 
OF 
COMMUNICATIONS 
BETWEEN 
PSYCHOTHERAPISTS AND PATIENTS. 
Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of 
this Act, Rule 513 of the Military Rules of Evidence shall be modi-
fied as follows: 
(1) To include communications with other licensed mental 
health professionals within the communications covered by the 
privilege. 
(2) To strike the current exception to the privilege contained 
in subparagraph (d)(8) of Rule 513. 
(3) To require a party seeking production or admission 
of records or communications protected by the privilege— 
(A) to show a specific factual basis demonstrating a 
reasonable likelihood that the records or communications 
would yield evidence admissible under an exception to the 
privilege; 
(B) to demonstrate by a preponderance of the evidence 
that the requested information meets one of the enumer-
ated exceptions to the privilege; 
(C) to show that the information sought is not merely 
cumulative of other information available; and 
(D) to show that the party made reasonable efforts 
to obtain the same or substantially similar information 
through non-privileged sources. 
(4) To authorize the military judge to conduct a review 
in camera of records or communications only when— 
(A) the moving party has met its burden as established 
pursuant to paragraph (3); and 
(B) an examination of the information is necessary 
to rule on the production or admissibility of protected 
records or communications. 
(5) To require that any production or disclosure permitted 
by the military judge be narrowly tailored to only the specific 
records or communications, or portions of such records or 
communications, that meet the requirements for one of the 
enumerated exceptions to the privilege and are included in 
the stated purpose for which the such records or communica-
tions are sought. 
SEC. 538. MODIFICATION OF DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE POLICY ON 
RETENTION OF EVIDENCE IN A SEXUAL ASSAULT CASE 
TO PERMIT RETURN OF PERSONAL PROPERTY UPON 
COMPLETION OF RELATED PROCEEDINGS. 
Section 586 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal 
Year 2012 (Public Law 112–81; 125 Stat. 1434; 10 U.S.C. 1561 
note) is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection: 
‘‘(f) RETURN
OF PERSONAL PROPERTY UPON COMPLETION
OF 
RELATED PROCEEDINGS.—Notwithstanding subsection (c)(4)(A), per-
sonal property retained as evidence in connection with an incident 
of sexual assault involving a member of the Armed Forces may 
be returned to the rightful owner of such property after the conclu-
sion of all legal, adverse action, and administrative proceedings 
related to such incident.’’.
H. R. 3979—79 
SEC. 539. REQUIREMENTS RELATING TO SEXUAL ASSAULT FORENSIC 
EXAMINERS FOR THE ARMED FORCES. 
(a) PERSONNEL ELIGIBLE FOR ASSIGNMENT.— 
(1) SPECIFIED
PERSONNEL.—Except as provided in para-
graph (2), an individual who may be assigned to duty as a 
Sexual Assault Forensic Examiner (SAFE) for the Armed Forces 
is limited to members of the Armed Forces and civilian 
employees of the Department of Defense who are also one 
of the following: 
(A) A physician. 
(B) A nurse practitioner. 
(C) A nurse midwife. 
(D) A physician assistant. 
(E) A registered nurse. 
(2) INDEPENDENT DUTY CORPSMEN.—An independent duty 
corpsman or equivalent may be assigned to duty as a Sexual 
Assault Forensic Examiner for the Armed Forces if the assign-
ment of an individual specified in paragraph (1) is impracti-
cable. 
(b) TRAINING AND CERTIFICATION.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary of Defense shall establish 
and maintain, and update when appropriate, a training and 
certification program for Sexual Assault Forensic Examiners. 
The training and certification programs shall apply uniformly 
to all Sexual Assault Forensic Examiners under the jurisdiction 
of the Secretaries of the military departments. 
(2) ELEMENTS.—Each training and certification program 
under this subsection shall include training in sexual assault 
forensic examinations by qualified personnel who possess— 
(A) a Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner—Adult/Adoles-
cent (SANE–A) certification or equivalent certification; or 
(B) training and clinical or forensic experience in sexual 
assault forensic examinations similar to that required for 
a certification described in subparagraph (A). 
(3) NATURE
OF
TRAINING.—The training provided under 
each training and certification program under this subsection 
shall incorporate and reflect current best practices and stand-
ards on sexual assault forensic examinations. 
(4) APPLICABILITY OF TRAINING REQUIREMENTS.—Effective 
beginning one year after the date of the enactment of this 
Act, an individual may not be assigned to duty as a Sexual 
Assault Forensic Examiner for the Armed Forces unless the 
individual has completed, by the date of such assignment, all 
training required under the training and certification program 
under this subsection. 
(c) REPORT
ON TRAINING
AND QUALIFICATIONS
OF SEXUAL 
ASSAULT FORENSIC EXAMINERS.— 
(1) REPORT REQUIRED.—The Secretary of Defense shall pre-
pare a report on the adequacy of the training and qualifications 
of each member of the Armed Forces and civilian employee 
of the Department of Defense who is assigned responsibilities 
of a Sexual Assault Forensic Examiner. 
(2) REPORT ELEMENTS.—The report shall include the fol-
lowing: 
(A) An assessment of the adequacy of the training 
and certifications required for the members and employees 
described in paragraph (1).
H. R. 3979—80 
(B) Such improvements as the Secretary of Defense 
considers appropriate in the process used to select and 
assign members and employees to positions that include 
responsibility for sexual assault forensic examinations. 
(C) Such improvements as the Secretary considers 
appropriate for training and certifying member and 
employees that perform sexual assault forensic examina-
tions. 
(3) SUBMISSION.—Not later than 120 days after the date 
of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense shall 
submit the report to the Committees on Armed Services of 
the House of Representatives and the Senate. 
(d) CONFORMING AND CLERICAL AMENDMENTS.— 
(1) CONFORMING AMENDMENTS.—Subsection (b) of section 
1725 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 
2014 (Public Law 113–66; 127 Stat. 971) is amended— 
(A) in the subsection heading, by striking ‘‘NURSE 
EXAMINERS’’ and inserting ‘‘FORENSIC EXAMINERS’’; 
(B) in paragraphs (1) and (2), by striking ‘‘sexual 
assault nurse examiner’’ each place it appears and inserting 
‘‘Sexual Assault Forensic Examiner’’; 
(C) in paragraph (1), by striking ‘‘sexual assault nurse 
examiners’’ and inserting ‘‘Sexual Assault Forensic Exam-
iners’’; and 
(D) by striking paragraph (3). 
(2) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The heading of such section 
is amended by striking ‘‘NURSE
EXAMINERS’’ and inserting 
‘‘FORENSIC EXAMINERS’’. 
SEC. 540. MODIFICATION OF TERM OF JUDGES OF THE UNITED STATES 
COURT OF APPEALS FOR THE ARMED FORCES. 
(a) MODIFICATION
OF TERMS.—Section 942(b)(2) of title 10, 
United States Code (article 142(b)(2) of the Uniform Code of Military 
Justice), is amended— 
(1) in subparagraph (A)— 
(A) by striking ‘‘March 31’’ and inserting ‘‘January 
31’’; 
(B) by striking ‘‘October 1’’ and inserting ‘‘July 31’’; 
and 
(C) by striking ‘‘September 30’’ and inserting ‘‘July 
31’’; and 
(2) in subparagraph (B)— 
(A) by striking ‘‘September 30’’ each place it appears 
and inserting ‘‘July 31’’; and 
(B) by striking ‘‘April 1’’ and inserting ‘‘February 1’’. 
(b) SAVING PROVISION.—No person who is serving as a judge 
of the court on the date of the enactment of this Act, and no 
survivor of any such person, shall be deprived of any annuity 
provided by section 945 of title 10, United States Code, by the 
operation of the amendments made by subsection (a). 
SEC. 541. REVIEW OF DECISIONS NOT TO REFER CHARGES OF CERTAIN 
SEX-RELATED OFFENSES FOR TRIAL BY COURT-MARTIAL 
IF REQUESTED BY CHIEF PROSECUTOR. 
Section 1744(c) of the National Defense Authorization Act for 
Fiscal Year 2014 (Public Law 113–66; 127 Stat. 981; 10 U.S.C. 
834 note) is amended—
H. R. 3979—81 
(1) by striking ‘‘(c)’’ and all that follows through ‘‘In any 
case where’’ and inserting the following: 
‘‘(c) REVIEW OF CERTAIN CASES NOT REFERRED TO COURT-MAR-
TIAL.— 
‘‘(1) CASES NOT REFERRED FOLLOWING STAFF JUDGE ADVO-
CATE RECOMMENDATION FOR REFERRAL FOR TRIAL.—In any case 
where’’; and 
(2) by adding at the end the following new paragraph: 
‘‘(2) CASES NOT REFERRED BY CONVENING AUTHORITY UPON 
REQUEST FOR REVIEW BY CHIEF PROSECUTOR.— 
‘‘(A) IN
GENERAL.—In any case where a convening 
authority decides not to refer a charge of a sex-related 
offense to trial by court-martial, the Secretary of the mili-
tary department concerned shall review the decision as 
a superior authority authorized to exercise general court- 
martial convening authority if the chief prosecutor of the 
Armed Force concerned, in response to a request by the 
detailed counsel for the Government, requests review of 
the decision by the Secretary. 
‘‘(B) CHIEF PROSECUTOR DEFINED.—In this paragraph, 
the term ‘chief prosecutor’ means the chief prosecutor or 
equivalent position of an Armed Force, or, if an Armed 
Force does not have a chief prosecutor or equivalent posi-
tion, such other trial counsel as shall be designated by 
the Judge Advocate General of that Armed Force, or in 
the case of the Marine Corps, the Staff Judge Advocate 
to the Commandant of the Marine Corps.’’. 
SEC. 542. ANALYSIS AND ASSESSMENT OF DISPOSITION OF MOST 
SERIOUS 
OFFENSES 
IDENTIFIED 
IN 
UNRESTRICTED 
REPORTS ON SEXUAL ASSAULTS IN ANNUAL REPORTS ON 
SEXUAL ASSAULTS IN THE ARMED FORCES. 
(a) SUBMITTAL TO SECRETARY OF DEFENSE OF INFORMATION 
ON EACH ARMED FORCE.—Subsection (b) of section 1631 of the 
Ike Skelton National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 
2011 (10 U.S.C. 1561 note) is amended by adding at the end 
the following new paragraph: 
‘‘(11) An analysis of the disposition of the most serious 
offenses occurring during sexual assaults committed by mem-
bers of the Armed Force during the year covered by the report, 
as identified in unrestricted reports of sexual assault by any 
members of the Armed Forces, including the numbers of reports 
identifying offenses that were disposed of by each of the fol-
lowing: 
‘‘(A) Conviction by court-martial, including a separate 
statement of the most serious charge preferred and the 
most serious charge for which convicted. 
‘‘(B) Acquittal of all charges at court-martial. 
‘‘(C) Non-judicial punishment under section 815 of title 
10, United States Code (article 15 of the Uniform Code 
of Military Justice). 
‘‘(D) Administrative action, including by each type of 
administrative action imposed. 
‘‘(E) Dismissal of all charges, including by reason for 
dismissal and by stage of proceedings in which dismissal 
occurred.’’.
H. R. 3979—82 
(b) SECRETARY OF DEFENSE ASSESSMENT OF INFORMATION IN 
REPORTS
TO
CONGRESS.—Subsection (d) of such section is 
amended— 
(1) in paragraph (1), by striking ‘‘and’’ at the end; 
(2) by redesignating paragraph (2) as paragraph (3); 
(3) by inserting after paragraph (1) the following new para-
graph (2): 
‘‘(2) an assessment of the information submitted to the 
Secretary pursuant to subsection (b)(11); and’’; and 
(4) in paragraph (3), as redesignated by paragraph (2) 
of this subsection, by inserting ‘‘other’’ before ‘‘assessments’’. 
(c) APPLICATION OF AMENDMENTS.—The amendments made by 
this section shall take effect on the date of the enactment of this 
Act and apply beginning with the report regarding sexual assaults 
involving members of the Armed Forces required to be submitted 
by March 1, 2015, under section 1631 of the Ike Skelton National 
Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2011. 
SEC. 543. PLAN FOR LIMITED USE OF CERTAIN INFORMATION ON 
SEXUAL ASSAULTS IN RESTRICTED REPORTS BY MILITARY 
CRIMINAL INVESTIGATIVE ORGANIZATIONS. 
(a) PLAN REQUIRED.—Not later than one year after the date 
of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense shall submit 
to the Committees on Armed Services of the Senate and the House 
of Representatives a plan that will allow an individual who files 
a restricted report on an incident of sexual assault to elect to 
permit a military criminal investigative organization, on a confiden-
tial basis and without affecting the restricted nature of the report, 
to access certain information in the report, including identifying 
information of the alleged perpetrator if available, for the purpose 
of identifying individuals who are suspected of perpetrating multiple 
sexual assaults. 
(b) PLAN ELEMENTS.—The plan required by subsection (a) shall 
include the following: 
(1) An explanation of how the military criminal investiga-
tive organization would use, maintain, and protect information 
in the restricted report. 
(2) An explanation of how the identity of an individual 
who elects to provide access to such information will be pro-
tected. 
(3) A timeline for implementation of the plan during the 
one-year period beginning on the date of the submission of 
the plan to the Committees on Armed Services of the Senate 
and the House of Representatives. 
SEC. 544. IMPROVED DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE INFORMATION 
REPORTING AND COLLECTION OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE 
INCIDENTS INVOLVING MEMBERS OF THE ARMED FORCES. 
(a) DATA REPORTING
AND COLLECTION IMPROVEMENTS.—Not 
later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, 
the Secretary of Defense shall develop a comprehensive manage-
ment plan to address deficiencies in the reporting of information 
on incidents of domestic violence involving members of the Armed 
Forces for inclusion in the Department of Defense database on 
domestic violence incidents required by section 1562 of title 10, 
United States Code, to ensure that the database provides an 
accurate count of domestic violence incidents and any consequent 
disciplinary action.
H. R. 3979—83 
(b) CONFORMING
AMENDMENT.—Section 543(a) of the Ike 
Skelton National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2011 
(Public Law 111–383; 10 U.S.C. 1562 note) is amended— 
(1) by striking paragraph (1); and 
(2) by redesignating paragraphs (2) through (4) as para-
graphs (1) through (3), respectively. 
SEC. 545. ADDITIONAL DUTIES FOR JUDICIAL PROCEEDINGS PANEL. 
(a) ADDITIONAL
DUTIES
IMPOSED.—The independent panel 
established by the Secretary of Defense under section 576(a)(2) 
of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2013 
(Public Law 112–239; 126 Stat. 1758), known as the ‘‘judicial pro-
ceedings panel’’, shall perform the following additional duties: 
(1) Conduct a review and assessment regarding the impact 
of the use of any mental health records of the victim of an 
offense under chapter 47 of title 10, United States Code (the 
Uniform Code of Military Justice), by the accused during the 
preliminary hearing conducted under section 832 of such title 
(article 32 of the Uniform Code of Military Justice), and during 
court-martial proceedings, as compared to the use of similar 
records in civilian criminal legal proceedings. 
(2) Conduct a review and assessment regarding the 
establishment of a privilege under the Military Rules of Evi-
dence against the disclosure of communications between— 
(A) users of and personnel staffing the Department 
of Defense Safe Helpline; and 
(B) users of and personnel staffing of the Department 
of Defense Safe HelpRoom. 
(b) SUBMISSION OF RESULTS.—The judicial proceedings panel 
shall include the results of the reviews and assessments conducted 
under subsection (a) in one of the reports required by section 
576(c)(2)(B) of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal 
Year 2013 (Public Law 112–239; 126 Stat. 1760). 
SEC. 546. DEFENSE ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON INVESTIGATION, 
PROSECUTION, AND DEFENSE OF SEXUAL ASSAULT IN THE 
ARMED FORCES. 
(a) ESTABLISHMENT REQUIRED.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary of Defense shall establish 
and maintain within the Department of Defense an advisory 
committee to be known as the ‘‘Defense Advisory Committee 
on Investigation, Prosecution, and Defense of Sexual Assault 
in the Armed Forces’’ (in this section referred to as the 
‘‘Advisory Committee’’). 
(2) DEADLINE FOR ESTABLISHMENT.—The Secretary shall 
establish the Advisory Committee not later than 30 days before 
the termination date of the independent panel established by 
the Secretary under section 576(a)(2) of the National Defense 
Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2013 (Public Law 112–239; 
126 Stat. 1758), known as the ‘‘judicial proceedings panel’’. 
(b) MEMBERSHIP.—The Advisory Committee shall consist of not 
more than 20 members, to be appointed by the Secretary of Defense, 
who have experience with the investigation, prosecution, and 
defense of allegations of sexual assault offenses. Members of the 
Advisory Committee may include Federal and State prosecutors, 
judges, law professors, and private attorneys. Members of the 
Armed Forces serving on active duty may not serve as a member 
of the Advisory Committee.
H. R. 3979—84 
(c) DUTIES.— 
(1) IN
GENERAL.—The Advisory Committee shall advise 
the Secretary of Defense on the investigation, prosecution, and 
defense of allegations of rape, forcible sodomy, sexual assault, 
and other sexual misconduct involving members of the Armed 
Forces. 
(2) BASIS FOR PROVISION OF ADVICE.—For purposes of pro-
viding advice to the Secretary pursuant to this subsection, 
the Advisory Committee shall review, on an ongoing basis, 
cases involving allegations of sexual misconduct described in 
paragraph (1). 
(d) ANNUAL REPORTS.—Not later than March 30 each year, 
the Advisory Committee shall submit to the Secretary of Defense 
and the Committees on Armed Services of the Senate and the 
House of Representatives a report describing the results of the 
activities of the Advisory Committee pursuant to this section during 
the preceding year. 
(e) TERMINATION.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Except as provided in paragraph (2), the 
Advisory Committee shall terminate on the date that is five 
years after the date of the establishment of the Advisory Com-
mittee pursuant to subsection (a). 
(2) CONTINUATION.—The Secretary of Defense may continue 
the Advisory Committee after the termination date applicable 
under paragraph (1) if the Secretary determines that continu-
ation of the Advisory Committee after that date is advisable 
and appropriate. If the Secretary determines to continue the 
Advisory Committee after that date, the Secretary shall submit 
to the President and the congressional committees specified 
in subsection (d) a report describing the reasons for that deter-
mination and specifying the new termination date for the 
Advisory Committee. 
(f) DUE DATE FOR ANNUAL REPORT OF JUDICIAL PROCEEDINGS 
PANEL.—Section 576(c)(2)(B) of the National Defense Authorization 
Act for Fiscal Year 2013 (Public Law 112–239; 126 Stat. 1760) 
is amended by inserting ‘‘annually thereafter’’ after ‘‘reports’’. 
SEC. 547. CONFIDENTIAL REVIEW OF CHARACTERIZATION OF TERMS 
OF DISCHARGE OF MEMBERS OF THE ARMED FORCES WHO 
ARE VICTIMS OF SEXUAL OFFENSES. 
(a) CONFIDENTIAL REVIEW PROCESS THROUGH BOARDS
FOR 
CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS.—The Secretaries of the military 
departments shall each establish a confidential process, utilizing 
boards for the correction of military records of the military depart-
ment concerned, by which an individual who was the victim of 
a sex-related offense during service in the Armed Forces may chal-
lenge the terms or characterization of the discharge or separation 
of the individual from the Armed Forces on the grounds that the 
terms or characterization were adversely affected by the individual 
being the victim of such an offense. 
(b) CONSIDERATION OF INDIVIDUAL EXPERIENCES IN CONNECTION 
WITH OFFENSES.—In deciding whether to modify the terms or 
characterization of the discharge or separation from the Armed 
Forces of an individual described in subsection (a), the Secretary 
of the military department concerned shall instruct boards for the 
correction of military records—
H. R. 3979—85 
(1) to give due consideration to the psychological and phys-
ical aspects of the individual’s experience in connection with 
the sex-related offense; and 
(2) to determine what bearing such experience may have 
had on the circumstances surrounding the individual’s dis-
charge or separation from the Armed Forces. 
(c) PRESERVATION OF CONFIDENTIALITY.—Documents considered 
and decisions rendered pursuant to the process required by sub-
section (a) shall not be made available to the public, except with 
the consent of the individual concerned. 
(d) SEX-RELATED OFFENSE DEFINED.—In this section, the term 
‘‘sex-related offense’’ means any of the following: 
(1) Rape or sexual assault under subsection (a) or (b) of 
section 920 of title 10, United States Code (article 120 of 
the Uniform Code of Military Justice). 
(2) Forcible sodomy under section 925 of such title (article 
125 of the Uniform Code of Military Justice). 
(3) An attempt to commit an offense specified in paragraph 
(1) or (2) as punishable under section 880 of such title (article 
80 of the Uniform Code of Military Justice). 
Subtitle E—Member Education, Training, 
and Transition 
SEC. 551. ENHANCEMENT OF AUTHORITY TO ASSIST MEMBERS OF THE 
ARMED FORCES TO OBTAIN PROFESSIONAL CREDENTIALS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 2015 of title 10, United States Code, 
is amended to read as follows: 
‘‘§ 2015. Program to assist members in obtaining professional 
credentials 
‘‘(a) PROGRAM REQUIRED.—The Secretary of Defense and the 
Secretary of Homeland Security, with respect to the Coast Guard 
when it is not operating as a service in the Navy, shall carry 
out a program to enable members of the armed forces to obtain, 
while serving in the armed forces, professional credentials related 
to military training and skills that— 
‘‘(1) are acquired during service in the armed forces incident 
to the performance of their military duties; and 
‘‘(2) translate into civilian occupations. 
‘‘(b) PAYMENT OF EXPENSES.—(1) Under the program required 
by this section, the Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of 
Homeland Security, with respect to the Coast Guard when it is 
not operating as a service in the Navy, shall provide for the payment 
of expenses of members for professional accreditation, Federal 
occupational licenses, State-imposed and professional licenses, 
professional certification, and related expenses. 
‘‘(2) The authority under paragraph (1) may not be used to 
pay the expenses of a member to obtain professional credentials 
that are a prerequisite for appointment in the armed forces. 
‘‘(c) REGULATIONS.—(1) The Secretary of Defense and the Sec-
retary of Homeland Security shall prescribe regulations to carry 
out this section. 
‘‘(2) The regulations shall apply uniformly to the armed forces 
to the extent practicable. 
‘‘(3) The regulations shall include the following:
H. R. 3979—86 
‘‘(A) Requirements for eligibility for participation in the 
program under this section. 
‘‘(B) A description of the professional credentials and 
occupations covered by the program. 
‘‘(C) Mechanisms for oversight of the payment of expenses 
and the provision of other benefits under the program. 
‘‘(D) Such other matters in connection with the payment 
of expenses and the provision of other benefits under the pro-
gram as the Secretaries consider appropriate. 
‘‘(d) EXPENSES DEFINED.—In this section, the term ‘expenses’ 
means expenses for class room instruction, hands-on training (and 
associated materials), manuals, study guides and materials, text 
books, processing fees, and test fees and related fees.’’. 
(b) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The table of sections at the begin-
ning of chapter 101 of such title is amended by striking the item 
relating to section 2015 and inserting the following new item: 
‘‘2015. Program to assist members in obtaining professional credentials.’’. 
SEC. 552. APPLICABILITY OF SEXUAL ASSAULT PREVENTION AND 
RESPONSE AND RELATED MILITARY JUSTICE ENHANCE-
MENTS TO MILITARY SERVICE ACADEMIES. 
(a) MILITARY SERVICE ACADEMIES.—The Secretary of the mili-
tary department concerned shall ensure that the provisions of title 
XVII of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 
2014 (Public Law 113–66; 127 Stat. 950), including amendments 
made by that title, and the provisions of subtitle D, including 
amendments made by such subtitle, apply to the United States 
Military Academy, the Naval Academy, and the Air Force Academy, 
as applicable. 
(b) COAST GUARD ACADEMY.—The Secretary of the Department 
in which the Coast Guard is operating shall ensure that the provi-
sions of title XVII of the National Defense Authorization Act for 
Fiscal Year 2014 (Public Law 113–66; 127 Stat. 950), including 
amendments made by that title, and the provisions of subtitle 
D, including amendments made by such subtitle, apply to the 
Coast Guard Academy. 
SEC. 553. AUTHORIZED DURATION OF FOREIGN AND CULTURAL 
EXCHANGE ACTIVITIES AT MILITARY SERVICE ACAD-
EMIES. 
(a) UNITED STATES MILITARY ACADEMY.—Section 4345a(a) of 
title 10, United States Code, is amended by striking ‘‘two weeks’’ 
and inserting ‘‘four weeks’’. 
(b) NAVAL ACADEMY.—Section 6957b(a) of such title is amended 
by striking ‘‘two weeks’’ and inserting ‘‘four weeks’’. 
(c) AIR FORCE ACADEMY.—Section 9345a(a) of such title is 
amended by striking ‘‘two weeks’’ and inserting ‘‘four weeks’’. 
SEC. 554. ENHANCEMENT OF AUTHORITY TO ACCEPT SUPPORT FOR 
AIR FORCE ACADEMY ATHLETIC PROGRAMS. 
Section 9362 of title 10, United States Code, is amended by 
striking subsections (e), (f), and (g) and inserting the following 
new subsections: 
‘‘(e) ACCEPTANCE OF SUPPORT.— 
‘‘(1) SUPPORT RECEIVED FROM THE CORPORATION.—Notwith-
standing section 1342 of title 31, the Secretary of the Air
H. R. 3979—87 
Force may accept from the corporation funds, supplies, equip-
ment, and services for the support of the athletic programs 
of the Academy. 
‘‘(2) FUNDS RECEIVED FROM OTHER SOURCES.—The Secretary 
may charge fees for the support of the athletic programs of 
the Academy. The Secretary may accept and retain fees for 
services and other benefits provided incident to the operation 
of its athletic programs, including fees from the National Colle-
giate Athletic Association, fees from athletic conferences, game 
guarantees from other educational institutions, fees for 
ticketing or licensing, and other consideration provided inci-
dental to the execution of the athletic programs of the Academy. 
‘‘(3) LIMITATIONS.—The Secretary shall ensure that con-
tributions accepted under this subsection do not— 
‘‘(A) reflect unfavorably on the ability of the Depart-
ment of the Air Force, any of its employees, or any member 
of the armed forces to carry out any responsibility or duty 
in a fair and objective manner; or 
‘‘(B) compromise the integrity or appearance of integ-
rity of any program of the Department of the Air Force, 
or any individual involved in such a program. 
‘‘(f) LEASES AND LICENSES.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary of the Air Force may, 
in accordance with section 2667 of this title, enter into leases 
or licenses with the corporation for the purpose of supporting 
the athletic programs of the Academy. Consideration provided 
under such a lease or license may be provided in the form 
of funds, supplies, equipment, and services for the support 
of the athletic programs of the Academy. 
‘‘(2) SUPPORT SERVICES.—The Secretary may provide sup-
port services to the corporation without charge while the cor-
poration conducts its support activities at the Academy. In 
this paragraph, the term ‘support services’ includes utilities, 
office furnishings and equipment, communications services, 
records staging and archiving, audio and video support, and 
security systems in conjunction with the leasing or licensing 
of property. Any such support services may only be provided 
without any liability of the United States to the corporation. 
‘‘(g) CONTRACTS
AND COOPERATIVE AGREEMENTS.—The Sec-
retary of the Air Force may enter into contracts and cooperative 
agreements with the corporation for the purpose of supporting 
the athletic programs of the Academy. Notwithstanding section 
2304(k) of this title, the Secretary may enter such contracts or 
cooperative agreements on a sole source basis pursuant to section 
2304(c)(5) of this title. Notwithstanding chapter 63 of title 31, 
a cooperative agreement under this section may be used to acquire 
property, services, or travel for the direct benefit or use of the 
athletic programs of the Academy. 
‘‘(h) TRADEMARKS AND SERVICE MARKS.— 
‘‘(1) LICENSING, MARKETING, AND
SPONSORSHIP
AGREE-
MENTS.—An agreement under subsection (g) may, consistent 
with section 2260 of this title (other than subsection (d) of 
such section), authorize the corporation to enter into licensing, 
marketing, and sponsorship agreements relating to trademarks 
and service marks identifying the Academy, subject to the 
approval of the Secretary of the Air Force.
H. R. 3979—88 
‘‘(2) LIMITATIONS.—No licensing, marketing, or sponsorship 
agreement may be entered into under paragraph (1) if— 
‘‘(A) such agreement would reflect unfavorably on the 
ability of the Department of the Air Force, any of its 
employees, or any member of the armed forces to carry 
out any responsibility or duty in a fair and objective 
manner; or 
‘‘(B) the Secretary determines that the use of the trade-
mark or service mark would compromise the integrity or 
appearance of integrity of any program of the Department 
of the Air Force, or any individual involved in such a 
program. 
‘‘(i) RETENTION AND USE OF FUNDS.—Any funds received under 
this section may be retained for use in support of the athletic 
programs of the Academy and shall remain available until 
expended.’’. 
SEC. 555. PILOT PROGRAM TO ASSIST MEMBERS OF THE ARMED 
FORCES IN OBTAINING POST-SERVICE EMPLOYMENT. 
(a) PROGRAM AUTHORIZED.—The Secretary of Defense may con-
duct the program described in subsection (c) to enhance the efforts 
of the Department of Defense to provide job placement assistance 
and related employment services to eligible members of the Armed 
Forces described in subsection (b) for the purposes of— 
(1) assisting such members in obtaining post-service 
employment; and 
(2) reducing the amount of ‘‘Unemployment Compensation 
for Ex-Servicemembers’’ that the Secretary of Defense and the 
Secretary of the Department in which the Coast Guard is 
operating pays into the Unemployment Trust Fund. 
(b) ELIGIBLE MEMBERS.—Employment services provided under 
the program are limited to members of the Armed Forces, including 
members of the reserve components, who are being separated from 
the Armed Forces or released from active duty. 
(c) EVALUATION OF USE OF CIVILIAN EMPLOYMENT STAFFING 
AGENCIES.— 
(1) PROGRAM DESCRIBED.—The Secretary of Defense may 
execute a program to evaluate the feasibility and cost-effective-
ness of utilizing the services of civilian employment staffing 
agencies to assist eligible members of the Armed Forces in 
obtaining post-service employment. 
(2) PROGRAM
MANAGEMENT.—To manage the program 
authorized by this subsection, the Secretary of Defense may 
select a civilian organization (in this section referred to as 
the ‘‘program manager’’) whose principal members have experi-
ence— 
(A) administering pay-for-performance programs; and 
(B) within the employment staffing industry. 
(3) EXCLUSION.—The program manager may not be a 
staffing agency. 
(d) ELIGIBLE CIVILIAN EMPLOYMENT STAFFING AGENCIES.—In 
consultation with the program manager if utilized under subsection 
(c)(2), the Secretary of Defense shall establish the eligibility require-
ments to be used for the selection of civilian employment staffing 
agencies to participate in the program. In establishing the eligibility 
requirements for the selection of the civilian employment staffing 
agencies, the Secretary of Defense shall also take into account
H. R. 3979—89 
civilian employment staffing agencies that are willing to work and 
consult with State and county Veterans Affairs offices and State 
National Guard offices, when appropriate. 
(e) PAYMENT
OF
STAFFING
AGENCY
FEES.—To encourage 
employers to employ an eligible member of the Armed Forces under 
the program if executed under this section, the Secretary of Defense 
shall pay a participating civilian employment staffing agency a 
portion of its agency fee (not to exceed 50 percent above the mem-
ber’s hourly wage). Payment of the agency fee will only be made 
after the member has been employed and paid by the private 
sector and the hours worked have been verified by the Secretary. 
The staffing agency shall be paid on a weekly basis only for hours 
the member worked, but not to exceed a total of 800 hours. 
(f) OVERSIGHT REQUIREMENTS.—In conducting the program, the 
Secretary of Defense shall establish— 
(1) program monitoring standards; and 
(2) reporting requirements, including the hourly wage for 
each eligible member of the Armed Forces obtaining employ-
ment under the program, the numbers of hours worked during 
the month, and the number of members who remained 
employed with the same employer after completing the first 
800 hours of employment. 
(g) SOURCE AND LIMITATION ON PROGRAM OBLIGATIONS.—Of 
the amounts authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary of 
Defense for operation and maintenance for each fiscal year during 
which the program under this section is authorized, not more than 
$35,000,000 may be used to carry out the program. 
(h) REPORTING REQUIREMENTS.— 
(1) REPORT REQUIRED.—If the Secretary of Defense executes 
the program under this section, the Secretary shall submit 
to the appropriate congressional committees a report describing 
the results of the program, particularly whether the program 
achieved the purposes specified in subsection (a). The report 
shall be submitted not later than January 15, 2019. 
(2) COMPARISON WITH OTHER PROGRAMS.—The report shall 
include a comparison of the results of the program conducted 
under this section and the results of other employment assist-
ant programs utilized by the Department of Defense. The 
comparison shall include the number of members of the Armed 
Forces obtaining employment through each program and the 
cost to the Department per member. 
(3) APPROPRIATE CONGRESSIONAL COMMITTEES DEFINED.— 
In this section, the term ‘‘appropriate congressional committees’’ 
means the congressional defense committees, the Committee 
on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Rep-
resentatives, and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and 
Transportation of the Senate. 
(i) DURATION OF AUTHORITY.—The authority of the Secretary 
of Defense to carry out programs under this section expires on 
September 30, 2018. 
SEC. 556. PLAN FOR EDUCATION OF MEMBERS OF ARMED FORCES 
ON CYBER MATTERS. 
(a) PLAN REQUIRED.—Not later than 360 days after the date 
of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense, in cooperation 
with the Secretaries of the military departments, shall submit to 
the Committees on Armed Services of the Senate and the House
H. R. 3979—90 
of Representatives a plan for the education of officers and enlisted 
members of the Armed Forces relating to cyber security and cyber 
activities of the Department of Defense. 
(b) ELEMENTS.—The plan submitted under subsection (a) shall 
include the following: 
(1) A framework for provision of basic cyber education 
for all members of the Armed Forces. 
(2) A framework for undergraduate and postgraduate edu-
cation, joint professional military education, and strategic war 
gaming for cyber strategic and operational leadership. 
(3) Definitions of required positions, including military 
occupational specialties and rating specialties for each military 
department, along with the corresponding level of cyber 
training, education, qualifications, or certifications required for 
each specialty. 
SEC. 557. ENHANCEMENT OF INFORMATION PROVIDED TO MEMBERS 
OF THE ARMED FORCES AND VETERANS REGARDING USE 
OF POST-9/11 EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE AND FEDERAL 
FINANCIAL AID THROUGH TRANSITION ASSISTANCE PRO-
GRAM. 
(a) ADDITIONAL INFORMATION REQUIRED.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than one year after the date 
of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense shall 
enhance the higher education component of the Transition 
Assistance Program (TAP) of the Department of Defense by 
providing additional information that is more complete and 
accurate than the information provided as of the day before 
the date of the enactment of this Act to individuals who apply 
for educational assistance under chapter 30 or 33 of title 38, 
United States Code, to pursue a program of education at an 
institution of higher learning. 
(2) ELEMENTS.—The additional information required by 
paragraph (1) shall include the following: 
(A) Information provided by the Secretary of Education 
that is publically available and addresses— 
(i) to the extent practicable, differences between 
types of institutions of higher learning in such matters 
as tuition and fees, admission requirements, accredita-
tion, transferability of credits, credit for qualifying mili-
tary training, time required to complete a degree, and 
retention and job placement rates; and 
(ii) how Federal educational assistance provided 
under title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965 
(20 U.S.C. 1070 et seq.) may be used in conjunction 
with educational assistance provided under chapters 
30 and 33 of title 38, United States Code. 
(B) Information about the Postsecondary Education 
Complaint System of the Department of Defense, the 
Department of Veterans Affairs, the Department of Edu-
cation, and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. 
(C) Information about the GI Bill Comparison Tool 
of the Department of Veterans Affairs. 
(D) Information about each of the Principles of Excel-
lence established by the Secretary of Defense, the Secretary 
of Veterans Affairs, and the Secretary of Education pursu-
ant to Executive Order 13607 of April 27, 2012 (77 Fed.
H. R. 3979—91 
Reg. 25861), including how to recognize whether an institu-
tion of higher learning may be violating any of such prin-
ciples. 
(E) Information to enable individuals described in para-
graph (1) to develop a post-secondary education plan appro-
priate and compatible with their educational goals. 
(F) Such other information as the Secretary of Edu-
cation considers appropriate. 
(3) CONSULTATION.—In carrying out this subsection, the 
Secretary of Defense shall consult with the Secretary of Vet-
erans Affairs, the Secretary of Education, and the Director 
of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. 
(b) AVAILABILITY OF HIGHER EDUCATION COMPONENT ONLINE.— 
Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this 
Act, the Secretary of Defense shall ensure that the higher education 
component of the Transition Assistance Program is available to 
members of the Armed Forces on an Internet website of the Depart-
ment of Defense so that members have an option to complete 
such component electronically and remotely. 
(c) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
(1) The term ‘‘institution of higher learning’’ has the 
meaning given such term in section 3452 of title 38, United 
States Code. 
(2) The term ‘‘types of institutions of higher learning’’ 
means the following: 
(A) An educational institution described in section 
101(a) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 
1001(a)). 
(B) An educational institution described in subsection 
(b) or (c) of section 102 of such Act (20 U.S.C. 1002). 
SEC. 558. PROCEDURES FOR PROVISION OF CERTAIN INFORMATION 
TO STATE VETERANS AGENCIES TO FACILITATE THE 
TRANSITION OF MEMBERS OF THE ARMED FORCES FROM 
MILITARY SERVICE TO CIVILIAN LIFE. 
(a) PROCEDURES REQUIRED.—The Secretary of Defense shall 
develop procedures to share the information described in subsection 
(b) regarding members of the Armed Forces who are being separated 
from the Armed Forces with State veterans agencies in electronic 
data format as a means of facilitating the transition of such mem-
bers from military service to civilian life. 
(b) COVERED INFORMATION.—The information to be shared with 
State veterans agencies regarding a member shall include the fol-
lowing: 
(1) Military service and separation data. 
(2) A personal email address. 
(3) A personal telephone number. 
(4) A mailing address. 
(c) CONSENT.—The procedures developed pursuant to subsection 
(a) shall require the consent of a member of the Armed Forces 
before any information described in subsection (b) regarding the 
member is shared with a State veterans agency. 
(d) USE
OF INFORMATION.—The Secretary of Defense shall 
ensure that the information shared with State veterans agencies 
in accordance with the procedures developed pursuant to subsection 
(a) is only shared by such agencies with county government veterans
H. R. 3979—92 
service offices for such purposes as the Secretary shall specify 
for the administration and delivery of benefits. 
(e) REPORT.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than one year after the date 
of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense shall 
submit to the Committees on Armed Services and Veterans’ 
Affairs of the Senate and the House of Representatives a report 
on the progress made by the Secretary— 
(A) in developing the procedures required by subsection 
(a); and 
(B) in sharing information with State veterans agencies 
as described in such subsection. 
(2) CONTENTS.—The report required by paragraph (1) shall 
include the following: 
(A) A description of the procedures developed to share 
information with State veterans agencies. 
(B) A description of the sharing activities carried out 
by the Secretary in accordance with such procedures. 
(C) The number of members of the Armed Force who 
gave their consent for the sharing of information with 
State veterans agencies. 
(D) Such recommendations as the Secretary may have 
for legislative or administrative action to improve the 
sharing of information as described in subsection (a). 
Subtitle 
F—Defense 
Dependents’ 
Edu-
cation and Military Family Readiness 
Matters 
SEC. 561. CONTINUATION OF AUTHORITY TO ASSIST LOCAL EDU-
CATIONAL AGENCIES THAT BENEFIT DEPENDENTS OF 
MEMBERS OF THE ARMED FORCES AND DEPARTMENT OF 
DEFENSE CIVILIAN EMPLOYEES. 
(a) ASSISTANCE TO SCHOOLS WITH SIGNIFICANT NUMBERS OF 
MILITARY DEPENDENT STUDENTS.—Of the amount authorized to 
be appropriated for fiscal year 2015 by section 301 and available 
for operation and maintenance for Defense-wide activities as speci-
fied in the funding table in section 4301, $25,000,000 shall be 
available only for the purpose of providing assistance to local edu-
cational agencies under subsection (a) of section 572 of the National 
Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2006 (Public Law 109– 
163; 20 U.S.C. 7703b). 
(b) LOCAL EDUCATIONAL AGENCY DEFINED.—In this section, 
the term ‘‘local educational agency’’ has the meaning given that 
term in section 8013(9) of the Elementary and Secondary Education 
Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7713(9)). 
SEC. 562. IMPACT AID FOR CHILDREN WITH SEVERE DISABILITIES. 
Of the amount authorized to be appropriated for fiscal year 
2015 pursuant to section 301 and available for operation and 
maintenance for Defense-wide activities as specified in the funding 
table in section 4301, $5,000,000 shall be available for payments 
under section 363 of the Floyd D. Spence National Defense 
Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2001 (as enacted into law by 
Public Law 106–398; 114 Stat. 1654A–77; 20 U.S.C. 7703a).
H. R. 3979—93 
SEC. 563. AMENDMENTS TO THE IMPACT AID IMPROVEMENT ACT OF 
2012. 
Section 563(c) of National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal 
Year 2013 (Public Law 112–239; 126 Stat. 1748; 20 U.S.C. 6301 
note) is amended— 
(1) in paragraph (1)— 
(A) by inserting ‘‘(other than the amendment made 
by paragraph (3)(A) of such subsection)’’ after ‘‘subsection 
(b)’’; and 
(B) by striking ‘‘2-year’’ and inserting ‘‘5-year’’; and 
(2) in paragraph (4)— 
(A) by inserting ‘‘(other than the amendment made 
by paragraph (3)(A) of such subsection)’’ after ‘‘subsection 
(b)’’; 
(B) by striking ‘‘2-year’’ and inserting ‘‘5-year’’; and 
(C) by inserting ‘‘(other than the amendment made 
by paragraph (3)(A) of such subsection)’’ after ‘‘made by 
such subsection’’. 
SEC. 564. AUTHORITY TO EMPLOY NON-UNITED STATES CITIZENS AS 
TEACHERS IN DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE OVERSEAS 
DEPENDENTS’ SCHOOL SYSTEM. 
Section 2(2)(A) of the Defense Department Overseas Teachers 
Pay and Personnel Practices Act (20 U.S.C. 901(2)(A)) is amended 
by inserting before the comma at the end the following: ‘‘or, in 
the case of a teaching position that involves instruction in the 
host-nation language, a local national when a citizen of the United 
States is not reasonably available to provide such instruction’’. 
SEC. 565. INCLUSION OF DOMESTIC DEPENDENT ELEMENTARY AND 
SECONDARY SCHOOLS AMONG FUNCTIONS OF ADVISORY 
COUNCIL ON DEPENDENTS’ EDUCATION. 
(a) EXPANSION OF FUNCTIONS.—Subsection (c) of section 1411 
of the Defense Dependents’ Education Act of 1978 (20 U.S.C. 929) 
is amended— 
(1) in paragraph (1), by inserting ‘‘, and of the domestic 
dependent elementary and secondary school system established 
under section 2164 of title 10, United States Code,’’ after ‘‘of 
the defense dependents’ education system’’; and 
(2) in paragraph (2), by inserting ‘‘and in the domestic 
dependent elementary and secondary school system’’ before the 
comma at the end. 
(b) MEMBERSHIP OF COUNCIL.—Subsection (a)(1)(B) of such sec-
tion is amended— 
(1) by inserting ‘‘and the domestic dependent elementary 
and secondary schools established under section 2164 of title 
10, United States Code’’ after ‘‘the defense dependents’ edu-
cation system’’; and 
(2) by inserting ‘‘either’’ before ‘‘such system’’. 
SEC. 566. PROTECTION OF CHILD CUSTODY ARRANGEMENTS FOR PAR-
ENTS WHO ARE MEMBERS OF THE ARMED FORCES. 
(a) 
CHILD
CUSTODY
PROTECTION.—Title 
II 
of 
the 
Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (50 U.S.C. App. 521 et seq.) is 
amended by adding at the end the following new section:
H. R. 3979—94 
‘‘SEC. 208. CHILD CUSTODY PROTECTION. 
‘‘(a) DURATION OF TEMPORARY CUSTODY ORDER BASED ON CER-
TAIN DEPLOYMENTS.—If a court renders a temporary order for custo-
dial responsibility for a child based solely on a deployment or 
anticipated deployment of a parent who is a servicemember, the 
court shall require that the temporary order shall expire not later 
than the period justified by the deployment of the servicemember. 
‘‘(b) LIMITATION ON CONSIDERATION OF MEMBER’S DEPLOYMENT 
IN DETERMINATION
OF CHILD’S BEST INTEREST.—If a motion or 
a petition is filed seeking a permanent order to modify the custody 
of the child of a servicemember, no court may consider the absence 
of the servicemember by reason of deployment, or the possibility 
of deployment, as the sole factor in determining the best interest 
of the child. 
‘‘(c) NO
FEDERAL
JURISDICTION
OR
RIGHT
OF
ACTION
OR 
REMOVAL.—Nothing in this section shall create a Federal right 
of action or otherwise give rise to Federal jurisdiction or create 
a right of removal. 
‘‘(d) PREEMPTION.—In any case where State law applicable to 
a child custody proceeding involving a temporary order as con-
templated in this section provides a higher standard of protection 
to the rights of the parent who is a deploying servicemember 
than the rights provided under this section with respect to such 
temporary order, the appropriate court shall apply the higher State 
standard. 
‘‘(e) DEPLOYMENT DEFINED.—In this section, the term ‘deploy-
ment’ means the movement or mobilization of a servicemember 
to a location for a period of longer than 60 days and not longer 
than 540 days pursuant to temporary or permanent official orders— 
‘‘(1) that are designated as unaccompanied; 
‘‘(2) for which dependent travel is not authorized; or 
‘‘(3) that otherwise do not permit the movement of family 
members to that location.’’. 
(b) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The table of contents in section 
1(b) of such Act is amended by adding at the end of the items 
relating to title II the following new item: 
‘‘Sec. 208. Child custody protection.’’. 
SEC. 567. IMPROVED CONSISTENCY IN DATA COLLECTION AND 
REPORTING IN ARMED FORCES SUICIDE PREVENTION 
EFFORTS. 
(a) 
POLICY
FOR
STANDARD
SUICIDE
DATA
COLLECTION, 
REPORTING, AND ASSESSMENT.— 
(1) POLICY REQUIRED.—The Secretary of Defense shall pre-
scribe a policy for the development of a standard method for 
collecting, reporting, and assessing information regarding— 
(A) any suicide or attempted suicide involving a 
member of the Armed Forces, including reserve components 
thereof; and 
(B) any death that is reported as a suicide involving 
a dependent of a member of the Armed Forces. 
(2) PURPOSE OF POLICY.—The purpose of the policy required 
by this subsection is to improve the consistency and comprehen-
siveness of— 
(A) the suicide prevention policy developed pursuant 
to section 582 of the National Defense Authorization Act
H. R. 3979—95 
for Fiscal Year 2013 (Public Law 112–239; 10 U.S.C. 1071 
note); and 
(B) the suicide prevention and resilience program for 
the National Guard and Reserves established pursuant 
to section 10219 of title 10, United States Code. 
(3) CONSULTATION.—The Secretary of Defense shall develop 
the policy required by this subsection in consultation with 
the Secretaries of the military departments and the Chief of 
the National Guard Bureau. 
(b) SUBMISSION AND IMPLEMENTATION OF POLICY.— 
(1) SUBMISSION.—Not later than 180 days after the date 
of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense shall 
submit the policy developed under subsection (a) to the Commit-
tees on Armed Services of the Senate and the House of Rep-
resentatives. 
(2) IMPLEMENTATION.—The Secretaries of the military 
departments shall implement the policy developed under sub-
section (a) not later than 180 days after the date of the sub-
mittal of the policy under paragraph (1). 
(c) 
DEPENDENT
DEFINED.—In 
this 
section, 
the 
term 
‘‘dependent’’, with respect to a member of the Armed Forces, means 
a person described in section 1072(2) of title 10, United States 
Code, except that, in the case of a parent or parent-in-law of 
the member, the income requirements of subparagraph (E) of such 
section do not apply. 
SEC. 568. IMPROVED DATA COLLECTION RELATED TO EFFORTS TO 
REDUCE UNDEREMPLOYMENT OF SPOUSES OF MEMBERS 
OF THE ARMED FORCES AND CLOSE THE WAGE GAP 
BETWEEN 
MILITARY 
SPOUSES 
AND 
THEIR 
CIVILIAN 
COUNTERPARTS. 
(a) DATA COLLECTION EFFORTS.—In addition to monitoring the 
number of spouses of members of the Armed Forces who obtain 
employment through military spouse employment programs, the 
Secretary of Defense shall collect data to evaluate the effectiveness 
of military spouse employment programs— 
(1) in addressing the underemployment of military spouses; 
(2) in matching military spouses’ education and experience 
to available employment positions; and 
(3) in closing the wage gap between military spouses and 
their civilian counterparts. 
(b) REPORT REQUIRED.—Not later than one year after the date 
of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense shall submit 
to the congressional defense committees a report evaluating the 
progress of military spouse employment programs— 
(1) in reducing military spouse unemployment and under-
employment; and 
(2) in reducing the wage gap between military spouses 
and their civilian counterparts. 
(c) MILITARY SPOUSE EMPLOYMENT PROGRAMS DEFINED.—In 
this section, the term ‘‘military spouse employment programs’’ 
means the Military Spouse Employment Partnership (MSEP).
H. R. 3979—96 
Subtitle G—Decorations and Awards 
SEC. 571. MEDALS FOR MEMBERS OF THE ARMED FORCES AND 
CIVILIAN EMPLOYEES OF THE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE 
WHO WERE KILLED OR WOUNDED IN AN ATTACK BY A 
FOREIGN TERRORIST ORGANIZATION. 
(a) PURPLE HEART.— 
(1) AWARD.— 
(A) IN GENERAL.—Chapter 57 of title 10, United States 
Code, is amended by inserting after section 1129 the fol-
lowing new section: 
‘‘§ 1129a. Purple Heart: members killed or wounded in 
attacks by foreign terrorist organizations 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—For purposes of the award of the Purple 
Heart, the Secretary concerned shall treat a member of the armed 
forces described in subsection (b) in the same manner as a member 
who is killed or wounded as a result of an international terrorist 
attack against the United States. 
‘‘(b) COVERED MEMBERS.—(1) A member described in this sub-
section is a member on active duty who was killed or wounded 
in an attack by a foreign terrorist organization in circumstances 
where the death or wound is the result of an attack targeted 
on the member due to such member’s status as a member of 
the armed forces, unless the death or wound is the result of willful 
misconduct of the member. 
‘‘(2) For purposes of this section, an attack by an individual 
or entity shall be considered to be an attack by a foreign terrorist 
organization if— 
‘‘(A) the individual or entity was in communication with 
the foreign terrorist organization before the attack; and 
‘‘(B) the attack was inspired or motivated by the foreign 
terrorist organization. 
‘‘(c) FOREIGN TERRORIST ORGANIZATION DEFINED.—In this sec-
tion, the term ‘foreign terrorist organization’ means an entity des-
ignated as a foreign terrorist organization by the Secretary of 
State pursuant to section 219 of the Immigration and Nationality 
Act (8 U.S.C. 1189).’’. 
(B) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The table of sections at 
the beginning of chapter 57 of such title is amended by 
inserting after the item relating to section 1129 the fol-
lowing new item: 
‘‘1129a. Purple Heart: members killed or wounded in attacks by foreign terrorist or-
ganizations.’’. 
(2) RETROACTIVE EFFECTIVE DATE AND APPLICATION.— 
(A) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The amendments made by para-
graph (1) shall take effect as of September 11, 2001. 
(B) REVIEW OF CERTAIN PREVIOUS INCIDENTS.—The Sec-
retary concerned shall undertake a review of each death 
or wounding of a member of the Armed Forces that occurred 
between September 11, 2001, and the date of the enactment 
of this Act under circumstances that could qualify as being 
the result of an attack described in section 1129a of title 
10, United States Code (as added by paragraph (1)), to 
determine whether the death or wounding qualifies as a
H. R. 3979—97 
death or wounding resulting from an attack by a foreign 
terrorist organization for purposes of the award of the 
Purple Heart pursuant to such section (as so added). 
(C) ACTIONS
FOLLOWING
REVIEW.—If the death or 
wounding of a member of the Armed Forces reviewed under 
subparagraph (B) is determined to qualify as a death or 
wounding resulting from an attack by a foreign terrorist 
organization as described in section 1129a of title 10, 
United States Code (as so added), the Secretary concerned 
shall take appropriate action under such section to award 
the Purple Heart to the member. 
(D) SECRETARY
CONCERNED
DEFINED.—In this para-
graph, the term ‘‘Secretary concerned’’ has the meaning 
given that term in section 101(a)(9) of title 10, United 
States Code. 
(b) SECRETARY
OF DEFENSE MEDAL
FOR
THE DEFENSE
OF 
FREEDOM.— 
(1) REVIEW OF THE NOVEMBER 5, 2009, ATTACK AT FORT 
HOOD, TEXAS.—If the Secretary concerned determines, after 
a review under subsection (a)(2)(B) regarding the attack that 
occurred at Fort Hood, Texas, on November 5, 2009, that the 
death or wounding of any member of the Armed Forces in 
that attack qualified as a death or wounding resulting from 
an attack by a foreign terrorist organization as described in 
section 1129a of title 10, United States Code (as added by 
subsection (a)), the Secretary of Defense shall make a deter-
mination as to whether the death or wounding of any civilian 
employee of the Department of Defense or civilian contractor 
in the same attack meets the eligibility criteria for the award 
of the Secretary of Defense Medal for the Defense of Freedom. 
(2) AWARD.—If the Secretary of Defense determines under 
paragraph (1) that the death or wounding of any civilian 
employee of the Department of Defense or civilian contractor 
in the attack that occurred at Fort Hood, Texas, on November 
5, 2009, meets the eligibility criteria for the award of the 
Secretary of Defense Medal for the Defense of Freedom, the 
Secretary shall take appropriate action to award the Secretary 
of Defense Medal for the Defense of Freedom to the employee 
or contractor. 
SEC. 572. AUTHORIZATION FOR AWARD OF THE MEDAL OF HONOR 
TO MEMBERS OF THE ARMED FORCES FOR ACTS OF VALOR 
DURING WORLD WAR I. 
(a) WILLIAM SHEMIN.— 
(1) WAIVER
OF
TIME
LIMITATIONS.—Notwithstanding the 
time limitations specified in section 3744 of title 10, United 
States Code, or any other time limitation with respect to the 
awarding of certain medals to persons who served in the Armed 
Forces, the President may award the Medal of Honor under 
section 3741 of such title to William Shemin for the acts of 
valor during World War I described in paragraph (1). 
(2) ACTS OF VALOR DESCRIBED.—The acts of valor referred 
to in paragraph (1) are the actions of William Shemin while 
serving as a Rifleman with G Company, 2d Battalion, 47th 
Infantry Regiment, 4th Division, American Expeditionary 
Forces, in connection with combat operations against an armed 
enemy on the Vesle River, near Bazoches, France, from August
H. R. 3979—98 
7 to August 9, 1918, during World War I for which he was 
originally awarded the Distinguished Service Cross. 
(b) HENRY JOHNSON.— 
(1) WAIVER
OF
TIME
LIMITATIONS.—Notwithstanding the 
time limitations specified in section 3744 of title 10, United 
States Code, or any other time limitation with respect to the 
awarding of certain medals to persons who served in the Armed 
Forces, the President may award the Medal of Honor under 
section 3741 of such title to Henry Johnson for the acts of 
valor during World War I described in paragraph (2). 
(2) ACTS OF VALOR DESCRIBED.—The acts of valor referred 
to in paragraph (2) are the actions of Henry Johnson while 
serving as a member of Company C, 369th Infantry Regiment, 
93rd Division, American Expeditionary Forces, during combat 
operations against the enemy on the front lines of the Western 
Front in France on May 15, 1918, during World War I for 
which he was previously awarded the Distinguished Service 
Cross. 
Subtitle H—Miscellaneous Reporting 
Requirements 
SEC. 581. REVIEW AND REPORT ON MILITARY PROGRAMS AND CON-
TROLS REGARDING PROFESSIONALISM. 
(a) REVIEW REQUIRED.—The Secretary of Defense shall conduct 
a preliminary review of the effectiveness of current programs and 
controls of the Department of Defense and the military departments 
regarding the professionalism of members of the Armed Forces. 
(b) SUBMISSION OF REPORT.—Not later than September 1, 2015, 
the Secretary of Defense shall submit to the Committees on Armed 
Services of the Senate and the House of Representatives a report 
containing recommendations to strengthen professionalism pro-
grams in the Department of Defense. 
SEC. 582. REVIEW AND REPORT ON PREVENTION OF SUICIDE AMONG 
MEMBERS OF UNITED STATES SPECIAL OPERATIONS 
FORCES. 
(a) REVIEW
REQUIRED.—The Secretary of Defense, acting 
through the Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readi-
ness and the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Special Operations 
and Low Intensity Conflict, shall conduct a review of Department 
of Defense efforts regarding the prevention of suicide among mem-
bers of United States Special Operations Forces and their depend-
ents. 
(b) CONSULTATION.—In conducting the review under subsection 
(a), the Secretary of Defense shall consult with, and consider the 
recommendations of, the Office of Suicide Prevention, the Secre-
taries of the military departments, the Assistant Secretary of 
Defense for Special Operations and Low Intensity Conflict, and 
the United States Special Operations Command regarding the feasi-
bility of implementing, for members of United States Special Oper-
ations Forces and their dependents, particular elements of the 
Department of Defense suicide prevention policy developed pursuant 
to section 533 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal 
Year 2012 (Public Law 112–81; 10 U.S.C. 1071 note) and section
H. R. 3979—99 
582 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 
2013 (Public Law 112–239. 10 U.S.C. 1071 note). 
(c) ELEMENTS OF REVIEW.—The review conducted under sub-
section (a) shall specifically include an assessment of each of the 
following: 
(1) Current Armed Forces and United States Special Oper-
ations Command policy guidelines on the prevention of suicide 
among members of United States Special Operations Forces 
and their dependents. 
(2) Current and directed Armed Forces and United States 
Special Operations Command suicide prevention programs and 
activities for members of United States Special Operations 
Forces and their dependents, including programs provided by 
the Defense Health Program and the Office of Suicide Preven-
tion and programs supporting family members. 
(3) Current Armed Forces and United States Special Oper-
ations Command strategies to reduce suicides among members 
of United States Special Operations Forces and their depend-
ents, including the cost of such strategies across the future- 
years defense program. 
(4) Current Armed Forces and United States Special Oper-
ations Command standards of care for suicide prevention among 
members of United States Special Operations Forces and their 
dependents, including training standards for behavioral health 
care providers to ensure that such providers receive training 
on clinical best practices and evidence-based treatments as 
information on such practices and treatments becomes avail-
able. 
(5) The integration of mental health screenings and suicide 
risk and prevention efforts for members of United States Special 
Operations Forces and their dependents into the delivery of 
primary care for such members and dependents. 
(6) The standards for responding to attempted or completed 
suicides among members of United States Special Operations 
Forces and their dependents, including guidance and training 
to assist commanders in addressing incidents of attempted 
or completed suicide within their units. 
(7) The standards regarding data collection for individual 
members of United States Special Operations Forces and their 
dependents, including related factors such as domestic violence 
and child abuse. 
(8) The means to ensure the protection of privacy of mem-
bers of United States Special Operations Forces and their 
dependents who seek or receive treatment related to suicide 
prevention. 
(9) The potential need to differentiate members of United 
States Special Operations Forces and their dependents from 
members of conventional forces and their dependents in the 
development and delivery of the Department of Defense suicide 
prevention program. 
(10) Such other matters as the Secretary of Defense con-
siders appropriate in connection with the prevention of suicide 
among members of United States Special Operations Forces 
and their dependents. 
(d) SUBMISSION OF REPORT.—Not later than 180 days after 
the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense 
shall submit to the Committees on Armed Services of the Senate
H. R. 3979—100 
and the House of Representatives a report containing the results 
of the review conducted under subsection (a). 
SEC. 583. REVIEW AND REPORT ON PROVISION OF JOB PLACEMENT 
ASSISTANCE 
AND 
RELATED 
EMPLOYMENT 
SERVICES 
DIRECTLY TO MEMBERS OF THE RESERVE COMPONENTS. 
(a) REVIEW REQUIRED.—The Secretary of Defense shall conduct 
a review of the feasibility of improving the efforts of the Department 
of Defense to provide job placement assistance and related employ-
ment services directly to members in the National Guard and 
Reserves. In evaluating potential job placement programs, the Sec-
retary shall consider— 
(1) the likely cost of the program; 
(2) the impact of the program on increasing employment 
opportunities and results for members of the reserve compo-
nents; and 
(3) how a Department program would compare to other 
unemployment or underemployment programs of the Federal 
Government already available to members of the reserve compo-
nents. 
(b) SUBMISSION
OF REPORT.—Not later than April 1, 2015, 
the Secretary of Defense shall submit to the Committees on Armed 
Services of the Senate and the House of Representatives a report 
containing the results of the review. 
SEC. 584. REPORT ON FOREIGN LANGUAGE, REGIONAL EXPERTISE, 
AND CULTURE CONSIDERATIONS IN OVERSEAS MILITARY 
OPERATIONS. 
(a) REPORT REQUIRED.—Not later than 270 days after the date 
of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense shall submit 
to the Committees on Armed Services of the Senate and the House 
of Representatives a report concerning— 
(1) foreign language, regional expertise, and culture consid-
erations, including gender-based considerations in the context 
of foreign cultural norms; and 
(2) how such considerations factor into the planning and 
execution of overseas operations and missions of the Armed 
Forces. 
(b) CONSULTATION.—In preparing the report under subsection 
(a), the Secretary of Defense shall consult with, and consider the 
recommendations of, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. 
(c) ELEMENTS OF REPORT.—The report required by subsection 
(a) shall include the following elements: 
(1) An assessment of how foreign language, regional exper-
tise, and culture considerations, including gender-based consid-
erations in the context of foreign cultural norms, affect overseas 
operations and missions of the Armed Forces, including lessons 
learned as a result of members of the Armed Forces engaging 
with female civilian populations in Iraq and Afghanistan and 
during other overseas operations and missions. 
(2) An identification of how the Department of Defense 
addresses such considerations in its planning and execution 
of overseas operations and missions, including how it educates 
military commanders on foreign language, regional expertise, 
and culture considerations, including gender-based consider-
ations in the context of foreign cultural norms. 
(3) An evaluation of the adequacy of current programs 
and the need for additional or modified programs to train
H. R. 3979—101 
members of the Armed Forces regarding such considerations, 
including proposed changes in the length of training and cur-
riculum. 
(4) An evaluation of the need for advisors within the mili-
tary commands and Armed Forces, including billet descriptions 
for such advisors, where to assign them within the military 
command and Armed Forces, and the desirability and feasibility 
of assigning such advisors in combatant command and joint 
task force staffs. 
(5) Any other matters the Secretary of Defense may deter-
mine to be appropriate. 
(d) FORM OF REPORT.—The report prepared under subsection 
(a) shall be submitted in unclassified form, but may include a 
classified annex. 
SEC. 585. DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION OF REPORT CONTAINING 
RESULTS OF REVIEW OF OFFICE OF DIVERSITY MANAGE-
MENT AND EQUAL OPPORTUNITY ROLE IN SEXUAL 
HARASSMENT CASES. 
Not later than April 1, 2015, the Secretary of Defense shall 
submit to the Committees on Armed Services of the Senate and 
the House of Representatives a report containing the results of 
the review conducted pursuant to section 1735 of the National 
Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2014 (Public Law 113– 
66; 127 Stat. 976). 
SEC. 586. INDEPENDENT ASSESSMENT OF RISK AND RESILIENCY OF 
UNITED STATES SPECIAL OPERATIONS FORCES AND 
EFFECTIVENESS OF THE PRESERVATION OF THE FORCE 
AND FAMILIES AND HUMAN PERFORMANCE PROGRAMS. 
(a) ASSESSMENT REQUIRED.—The Secretary of Defense shall 
provide for an independent assessment of— 
(1) the mental, behavioral, and psychological health chal-
lenges facing members of the Armed Forces assigned to special 
operations forces; and 
(2) the effectiveness of the Preservation of the Force and 
Families Program and the Human Performance Program of 
the United States Special Operations Command in addressing 
such challenges. 
(b) ENTITY CONDUCTING ASSESSMENT.—To conduct the assess-
ment required by subsection (a), the Secretary of Defense shall 
select a federally funded research and development center or 
another appropriate independent entity. 
(c) ASSESSMENT ELEMENTS.—The assessment required by sub-
section (a) shall specifically include the following: 
(1) The factors contributing to the mental, behavioral, and 
psychological health challenges facing members of the Armed 
Forces assigned to special operations forces. 
(2) The effectiveness of the Preservation of the Force and 
Families Program in addressing the mental, behavioral, and 
psychological health of members of the special operations forces, 
including the extent to which measurements of effectiveness 
are being utilized to assess progress— 
(A) in reducing suicide and other mental, behavioral, 
and psychological risks; and 
(B) in increasing the resiliency of such members. 
(3) The effectiveness of the Human Performance Program 
in improving the mental, behavioral, and psychological health
H. R. 3979—102 
of members of the special operations forces, including the extent 
to which measurements of effectiveness are being utilized to 
assess progress— 
(A) in reducing suicide and other mental, behavioral 
and psychological risks; and 
(B) in increasing the resiliency of such members. 
(4) Such other matters as the Secretary of Defense con-
siders appropriate. 
(d) SUBMISSION
OF REPORT.—Not later than one year after 
the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense 
shall submit to the congressional defense committees a report con-
taining the results of the assessment conducted under subsection 
(a). 
SEC. 587. COMPTROLLER GENERAL REPORT ON HAZING IN THE ARMED 
FORCES. 
(a) REPORT REQUIRED.—Not later than one year after the date 
of the enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General of the United 
States shall submit to the designated congressional committees 
a report on the policies to prevent hazing, and systems initiated 
to track incidents of hazing, in each of the Armed Forces. 
(b) ELEMENTS OF REPORT.—The report required by subsection 
(a) shall include the following: 
(1) An evaluation of the definition of hazing by the Armed 
Forces. 
(2) A description of the criteria used, and the methods 
implemented, in the systems to track incidents of hazing in 
the Armed Forces. 
(3) The number of alleged and substantiated incidents of 
hazing, as reflected in the tracking systems, over the last 
two years for each Armed Force, the nature of these incidents, 
and actions taken to address such incidents through non- 
judicial and judicial action. 
(4) An assessment of the following: 
(A) The prevalence of hazing in each Armed Force. 
(B) The policies in place and the training on hazing 
provided to members throughout the course of their careers 
for each Armed Force. 
(C) The available outlets through which victims or 
witnesses of hazing can report hazing both within and 
outside their chain of command, and whether or not anony-
mous reporting is permitted. 
(D) The actions taken to mitigate hazing incidents 
in each Armed Force. 
(E) The effectiveness of the training and policies in 
place regarding hazing. 
(5) An evaluation of the additional actions, if any, the 
Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of Homeland Security 
propose to take to further address hazing in the Armed Forces. 
(6) Such recommendations as the Comptroller General con-
siders appropriate for improving hazing prevention programs, 
policies, and other actions taken to address hazing within the 
Armed Forces. 
(c) DESIGNATED CONGRESSIONAL COMMITTEES DEFINED.—In this 
section, the term ‘‘designated congressional committees’’ means— 
(1) the Committee on Armed Services and the Committee 
on Commerce, Science and Transportation of the Senate; and
H. R. 3979—103 
(2) the Committee on Armed Services and the Committee 
on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Rep-
resentatives. 
SEC. 588. COMPTROLLER GENERAL REPORT ON IMPACT OF CERTAIN 
MENTAL AND PHYSICAL TRAUMA ON DISCHARGES FROM 
MILITARY SERVICE FOR MISCONDUCT. 
(a) REPORT REQUIRED.—The Comptroller General of the United 
States shall submit to the Committees on Armed Services of the 
Senate and the House of Representatives a report on the impact 
of mental and physical trauma relating to Post Traumatic Stress 
Disorder (PTSD), Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), behavioral health 
matters not related to Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, and other 
neurological combat traumas (in this section referred to as ‘‘covered 
traumas’’) on the discharge of members of the Armed Forces from 
the Armed Forces for misconduct. 
(b) ELEMENTS.—The report required by subsection (a) shall 
include the following: 
(1) An assessment of the extent to which the Armed Forces 
have in place processes for the consideration of the impact 
of mental and physical trauma relating to covered traumas 
on members of the Armed Forces who are being considered 
for discharge from the Armed Forces for misconduct, including 
the compliance of the Armed Forces with such processes and 
mechanisms in the Department of Defense for ensuring the 
compliance of the Armed Forces with such processes. 
(2) An assessment of the extent to which the Armed Forces 
provide members of the Armed Forces, including commanding 
officers, junior officers, and noncommissioned officers, training 
on the symptoms of covered traumas and the identification 
of the presence of such conditions in members of the Armed 
Forces. 
(3) An assessment of the extent to which members of the 
Armed Forces who receive treatment for a covered trauma 
before discharge from the Armed Forces are later discharged 
from the Armed Forces for misconduct. 
(4) An identification of the number of members of the 
Armed Forces discharged as described in paragraph (3) who 
are ineligible for benefits from the Department of Veterans 
Affairs based on characterization of discharge. 
(5) An assessment of the extent to which members of the 
Armed Forces who accept a discharge from the Armed Forces 
for misconduct in lieu of trial by court-martial are counseled 
on the potential for ineligibility for benefits from the Depart-
ment of Veterans Affairs as a result of such discharge before 
acceptance of such discharge. 
Subtitle I—Other Matters 
SEC. 591. INSPECTION OF OUTPATIENT RESIDENTIAL FACILITIES 
OCCUPIED BY RECOVERING SERVICE MEMBERS. 
Section 1662(a) of the Wounded Warrior Act (title XVI of Public 
Law 110–181; 10 U.S.C. 1071 note) is amended by striking 
‘‘inspected on a semiannual basis for the first two years after 
the enactment of this Act and annually thereafter’’ and inserting 
‘‘inspected at least once every two years’’.
H. R. 3979—104 
SEC. 592. DESIGNATION OF VOTER ASSISTANCE OFFICES. 
(a) DESIGNATION AUTHORITY.—Subsection (a) of section 1566a 
of title 10, United States Code, is amended— 
(1) by striking ‘‘Not later than 180 days after the date 
of the enactment of the National Defense Authorization Act 
for Fiscal Year 2010 and under’’ and inserting ‘‘Under’’; and 
(2) by inserting after ‘‘their jurisdiction’’ the following: ‘‘, 
or at such installations as the Secretary of the military depart-
ment concerned shall determine are best located to provide 
access to voter assistance services for all covered individuals 
in a particular location,’’. 
(b) REPORT ON CLOSURE OF VOTER ASSISTANCE OFFICE.—Sub-
section (f) of such section is amended— 
(1) by inserting ‘‘(1)’’ before ‘‘The Secretary of Defense’’; 
and 
(2) by adding at the end the following new paragraph: 
‘‘(2) The Secretary of a military department shall provide the 
Committees on Armed Services of the Senate and the House of 
Representatives with notice of any decision by the Secretary to 
close a voter assistance office that was designated on an installation 
before the date of the enactment of this paragraph. The notice 
shall include the rational for the closure, the timing of the closure, 
the number of covered individuals supported by the office, and 
the plan for providing the assistance available under subsection 
(a) to covered individuals after the closure of the office.’’. 
SEC. 
593. 
REPEAL 
OF 
ELECTRONIC 
VOTING 
DEMONSTRATION 
PROJECT. 
Section 1604 of the National Defense Authorization Act for 
Fiscal Year 2002 (Public Law 107–107; 52 U.S.C. 20301 note) is 
repealed. 
SEC. 594. AUTHORITY FOR REMOVAL FROM NATIONAL CEMETERIES 
OF REMAINS OF CERTAIN DECEASED MEMBERS OF THE 
ARMED FORCES WHO HAVE NO KNOWN NEXT OF KIN. 
(a) REMOVAL AUTHORITY.—Section 1488 of title 10, United 
States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new 
subsection: 
‘‘(c) REMOVAL
OF REMAINS
OF CERTAIN MEMBERS WITH NO 
KNOWN NEXT OF KIN.—(1) The Secretary of the Army may authorize 
the removal of the remains of a covered member of the armed 
forces who is buried in an Army National Military Cemetery from 
the Army National Military Cemetery for transfer to any other 
cemetery. 
‘‘(2) The Secretary of the Army, with the concurrence of the 
Secretary of Veterans Affairs, may authorize the removal of the 
remains of a covered member of the armed forces who is buried 
in a cemetery of the National Cemetery System from that cemetery 
for transfer to any Army National Military Cemetery. 
‘‘(3) A removal of remains may not be authorized under this 
subsection unless the individual seeking the removal of the 
remains— 
‘‘(A) demonstrates to the satisfaction of the Secretary of 
the Army that the member of the armed forces concerned 
has no known next of kin or other person who is interested 
in maintaining the place of burial; and
H. R. 3979—105 
‘‘(B) undertakes full responsibility for all expenses of the 
removal of the remains and the reburial of the remains at 
another cemetery as authorized by this subsection. 
‘‘(4) In this subsection: 
‘‘(A) The term ‘Army National Military Cemetery’ means 
a cemetery specified in section 4721(b) of this title. 
‘‘(B) The term ‘covered member of the armed forces’ means 
a member of the armed forces who— 
‘‘(i) has been awarded the Medal of Honor; and 
‘‘(ii) has no known next of kin.’’. 
(b) CONFORMING
AMENDMENTS.—Such section is further 
amended— 
(1) by inserting before ‘‘If a cemetery’’ the following: 
‘‘(a) REMOVAL UPON DISCONTINUANCE OF INSTALLATION CEME-
TERY.—’’; 
(2) by striking ‘‘his jurisdiction’’ and inserting ‘‘the jurisdic-
tion of the Secretary concerned’’; and 
(3) by inserting before ‘‘With respect to’’ the following: 
‘‘(b) REMOVAL FROM TEMPORARY INTERMENT OR ABANDONED 
GRAVE OR CEMETERY.—’’. 
SEC. 595. SENSE OF CONGRESS REGARDING LEAVING NO MEMBER 
OF THE ARMED FORCES UNACCOUNTED FOR DURING THE 
DRAWDOWN OF UNITED STATES FORCES IN AFGHANISTAN. 
It is the sense of Congress that the United States— 
(1) should undertake every reasonable effort— 
(A) to search for and repatriate members of the Armed 
Forces who are missing; and 
(B) to repatriate members of the Armed Forces who 
are captured; 
(2) has a responsibility to keep the promises made to mem-
bers of the Armed Forces who risk their lives on a daily basis 
on behalf of the people of the United States; and 
(3) while continuing to transition leadership roles in combat 
operations in Afghanistan to the people of Afghanistan, must 
continue to fulfill the promise of the United States Soldier’s 
Creed and the Warrior Ethos, which states that ‘‘I will never 
leave a fallen comrade’’, with respect to any member of the 
Armed Forces who is in a missing status or captured as a 
result of service in Afghanistan now or in the future. 
TITLE VI—COMPENSATION AND OTHER 
PERSONNEL BENEFITS 
Subtitle A—Pay and Allowances 
Sec. 601. No fiscal year 2015 increase in basic pay for general and flag officers. 
Sec. 602. Extension of authority to provide temporary increase in rates of basic al-
lowance for housing under certain circumstances. 
Sec. 603. Inclusion of Chief of the National Guard Bureau and Senior Enlisted Ad-
visor to the Chief of the National Guard Bureau among senior members 
of the Armed Forces for purposes of pay and allowances. 
Sec. 604. Modification of computation of basic allowance for housing inside the 
United States. 
Subtitle B—Bonuses and Special and Incentive Pays 
Sec. 611. One-year extension of certain bonus and special pay authorities for re-
serve forces. 
Sec. 612. One-year extension of certain bonus and special pay authorities for health 
care professionals.
H. R. 3979—106 
Sec. 613. One-year extension of special pay and bonus authorities for nuclear offi-
cers. 
Sec. 614. One-year extension of authorities relating to title 37 consolidated special 
pay, incentive pay, and bonus authorities. 
Sec. 615. One-year extension of authorities relating to payment of other title 37 bo-
nuses and special pays. 
Subtitle C—Disability Pay, Retired Pay, and Survivor Benefits 
Sec. 621. Earlier determination of dependent status with respect to transitional 
compensation for dependents of certain members separated for depend-
ent abuse. 
Sec. 622. Modification of determination of retired pay base for officers retired in 
general and flag officer grades. 
Sec. 623. Inapplicability of reduced annual adjustment of retired pay for members 
of the Armed Forces under the age of 62 under the Bipartisan Budget 
Act of 2013 who first become members prior to January 1, 2016. 
Sec. 624. Survivor Benefit Plan annuities for special needs trusts established for 
the benefit of dependent children incapable of self-support. 
Sec. 625. Modification of per-fiscal year calculation of days of certain active duty 
or active service to reduce eligibility age for retirement for non-regular 
service. 
Subtitle D—Commissary and Nonappropriated Fund Instrumentality Benefits and 
Operations 
Sec. 631. Procurement of brand-name and other commercial items for resale by 
commissary stores. 
Sec. 632. Authority of nonappropriated fund instrumentalities to enter into con-
tracts with other Federal agencies and instrumentalities to provide and 
obtain certain goods and services. 
Sec. 633. Competitive pricing of legal consumer tobacco products sold in Depart-
ment of Defense retail stores. 
Sec. 634. Review of management, food, and pricing options for defense commissary 
system. 
Subtitle A—Pay and Allowances 
SEC. 601. NO FISCAL YEAR 2015 INCREASE IN BASIC PAY FOR GENERAL 
AND FLAG OFFICERS. 
In the case of commissioned officers in the uniformed services 
in pay grades O–7 through O–10— 
(1) section 203(a)(2) of title 37, United States Code, shall 
be applied for rates of basic pay payable for such officers 
during calendar year 2015 by using the rate of pay for level 
II of the Executive Schedule in effect during 2014; and 
(2) the rates of monthly basic pay payable for such officers 
shall not increase during calendar year 2015. 
SEC. 602. EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY TO PROVIDE TEMPORARY 
INCREASE IN RATES OF BASIC ALLOWANCE FOR HOUSING 
UNDER CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES. 
Section 403(b)(7)(E) of title 37, United States Code, is amended 
by striking ‘‘December 31, 2014’’ and inserting ‘‘December 31, 2015’’. 
SEC. 603. INCLUSION OF CHIEF OF THE NATIONAL GUARD BUREAU 
AND SENIOR ENLISTED ADVISOR TO THE CHIEF OF THE 
NATIONAL GUARD BUREAU AMONG SENIOR MEMBERS OF 
THE ARMED FORCES FOR PURPOSES OF PAY AND ALLOW-
ANCES. 
(a) BASIC PAY RATE EQUAL TREATMENT
OF CHIEF
OF
THE 
NATIONAL GUARD BUREAU AND SENIOR ENLISTED ADVISOR TO THE 
CHIEF OF THE NATIONAL GUARD BUREAU.— 
(1) CHIEF OF THE NATIONAL GUARD BUREAU.—The rate of 
basic pay for an officer while serving as the Chief of the
H. R. 3979—107 
National Guard Bureau shall be the same as the rate of basic 
pay for the officers specified in Footnote 2 of the table entitled 
‘‘COMMISSIONED
OFFICERS’’ in section 601(b) of the National 
Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2004 (Public Law 
108–136; 37 U.S.C. 1009 note), regardless of cumulative years 
of service computed under section 205 of title 37, United States 
Code. 
(2) SENIOR
ENLISTED
ADVISOR
TO
THE
CHIEF
OF
THE 
NATIONAL GUARD BUREAU.— 
(A) IN GENERAL.—Subsection (a)(1) of section 685 of 
the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 
2006 (Public Law 109–163; 37 U.S.C. 205 note) is amended 
by inserting ‘‘or as Senior Enlisted Advisor to the Chief 
of the National Guard Bureau’’ after ‘‘Chairman of the 
Joint Chiefs of Staff’’. 
(B) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The heading of such sec-
tion is amended by inserting ‘‘AND FOR THE CHIEF OF 
THE NATIONAL GUARD BUREAU’’ after ‘‘CHAIRMAN OF THE 
JOINT CHIEFS OF STAFF’’. 
(b) PAY DURING TERMINAL LEAVE AND WHILE HOSPITALIZED.— 
Section 210 of title 37, United States Code, is amended— 
(1) in subsection (a), by inserting ‘‘or the senior enlisted 
advisor to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff or the 
Chief of the National Guard Bureau’’ after ‘‘that armed force’’ 
the first place it appears; and 
(2) in subsection (c), by striking paragraph (6). 
(c) PERSONAL MONEY ALLOWANCE.—Section 414 of title 37, 
United States Code, is amended— 
(1) in subsection (a)(5), by striking ‘‘or Commandant of 
the Coast Guard’’ and inserting ‘‘Commandant of the Coast 
Guard, or Chief of the National Guard Bureau’’; and 
(2) in subsection (c), by striking ‘‘or the Senior Enlisted 
Advisor to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff’’ and 
inserting ‘‘the Senior Enlisted Advisor to the Chairman of the 
Joint Chiefs of Staff, or the Senior Enlisted Advisor to the 
Chief of the National Guard Bureau’’. 
(d) RETIRED BASE PAY.—Section 1406(i) of title 10, United 
States Code, is amended— 
(1) in the subsection heading, by inserting ‘‘CHIEF OF THE 
NATIONAL GUARD BUREAU,’’ after ‘‘CHIEFS OF SERVICE,’’; 
(2) in paragraph (1)— 
(A) by inserting ‘‘as Chief of the National Guard 
Bureau,’’ after ‘‘Chief of Service,’’; and 
(B) by inserting ‘‘or the senior enlisted advisor to the 
Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff or the Chief of the 
National Guard Bureau’’ after ‘‘of an armed force’’; and 
(3) in paragraph (3)(B), by striking clause (vi). 
(e) EFFECTIVE DATE.—This section and the amendments made 
by this section shall take effect on the date of the enactment 
of this Act, and shall apply with respect to months of service 
that begin on or after that date. 
SEC. 604. MODIFICATION OF COMPUTATION OF BASIC ALLOWANCE 
FOR HOUSING INSIDE THE UNITED STATES. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Paragraph (3) of section 403(b) of title 37, 
United States Code, is amended to read as follows:
H. R. 3979—108 
‘‘(3)(A) The monthly amount of the basic allowance for housing 
for an area of the United States for a member of a uniformed 
service shall be the amount equal to the difference between— 
‘‘(i) the amount of the monthly cost of adequate housing 
in that area, as determined by the Secretary of Defense, for 
members of the uniformed services serving in the same pay 
grade and with the same dependency status as the member; 
and 
‘‘(ii) the amount equal to a specified percentage (determined 
under subparagraph (B)) of the national average monthly cost 
of adequate housing in the United States, as determined by 
the Secretary, for members of the uniformed services serving 
in the same pay grade and with the same dependency status 
as the member. 
‘‘(B) The percentage to be used for purposes of subparagraph 
(A)(ii) shall be determined by the Secretary of Defense and may 
not exceed one percent.’’. 
(b) SPECIAL RULE.—Any reduction authorized by paragraph 
(3) of subsection (b) of section 403 of title 37, United States Code, 
as amended by subsection (a), shall not apply with respect to 
benefits paid by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs under the laws 
administered by the Secretary, including pursuant to sections 3108 
and 3313 of title 38, United States Code. Such benefits that are 
determined in accordance with such section 403 shall be subject 
to paragraph (3) of such section as such paragraph was in effect 
on the day before the date of the enactment of this Act. 
Subtitle B—Bonuses and Special and 
Incentive Pays 
SEC. 611. ONE-YEAR EXTENSION OF CERTAIN BONUS AND SPECIAL 
PAY AUTHORITIES FOR RESERVE FORCES. 
The following sections of title 37, United States Code, are 
amended by striking ‘‘December 31, 2014’’ and inserting ‘‘December 
31, 2015’’: 
(1) Section 308b(g), relating to Selected Reserve reenlist-
ment bonus. 
(2) Section 308c(i), relating to Selected Reserve affiliation 
or enlistment bonus. 
(3) Section 308d(c), relating to special pay for enlisted 
members assigned to certain high-priority units. 
(4) Section 308g(f)(2), relating to Ready Reserve enlistment 
bonus for persons without prior service. 
(5) Section 308h(e), relating to Ready Reserve enlistment 
and reenlistment bonus for persons with prior service. 
(6) Section 308i(f), relating to Selected Reserve enlistment 
and reenlistment bonus for persons with prior service. 
(7) Section 478a(e), relating to reimbursement of travel 
expenses for inactive-duty training outside of normal com-
muting distance. 
(8) Section 910(g), relating to income replacement payments 
for reserve component members experiencing extended and fre-
quent mobilization for active duty service.
H. R. 3979—109 
SEC. 612. ONE-YEAR EXTENSION OF CERTAIN BONUS AND SPECIAL 
PAY AUTHORITIES FOR HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONALS. 
(a) TITLE 10 AUTHORITIES.—The following sections of title 10, 
United States Code, are amended by striking ‘‘December 31, 2014’’ 
and inserting ‘‘December 31, 2015’’: 
(1) Section 2130a(a)(1), relating to nurse officer candidate 
accession program. 
(2) Section 16302(d), relating to repayment of education 
loans for certain health professionals who serve in the Selected 
Reserve. 
(b) TITLE 37 AUTHORITIES.—The following sections of title 37, 
United States Code, are amended by striking ‘‘December 31, 2014’’ 
and inserting ‘‘December 31, 2015’’: 
(1) Section 302c–1(f), relating to accession and retention 
bonuses for psychologists. 
(2) Section 302d(a)(1), relating to accession bonus for reg-
istered nurses. 
(3) Section 302e(a)(1), relating to incentive special pay for 
nurse anesthetists. 
(4) Section 302g(e), relating to special pay for Selected 
Reserve health professionals in critically short wartime special-
ties. 
(5) Section 302h(a)(1), relating to accession bonus for dental 
officers. 
(6) Section 302j(a), relating to accession bonus for pharmacy 
officers. 
(7) Section 302k(f), relating to accession bonus for medical 
officers in critically short wartime specialties. 
(8) Section 302l(g), relating to accession bonus for dental 
specialist officers in critically short wartime specialties. 
SEC. 613. ONE-YEAR EXTENSION OF SPECIAL PAY AND BONUS 
AUTHORITIES FOR NUCLEAR OFFICERS. 
The following sections of title 37, United States Code, are 
amended by striking ‘‘December 31, 2014’’ and inserting ‘‘December 
31, 2015’’: 
(1) Section 312(f), relating to special pay for nuclear-quali-
fied officers extending period of active service. 
(2) Section 312b(c), relating to nuclear career accession 
bonus. 
(3) Section 312c(d), relating to nuclear career annual incen-
tive bonus. 
SEC. 614. ONE-YEAR EXTENSION OF AUTHORITIES RELATING TO TITLE 
37 CONSOLIDATED SPECIAL PAY, INCENTIVE PAY, AND 
BONUS AUTHORITIES. 
The following sections of title 37, United States Code, are 
amended by striking ‘‘December 31, 2014’’ and inserting ‘‘December 
31, 2015’’: 
(1) Section 331(h), relating to general bonus authority for 
enlisted members. 
(2) Section 332(g), relating to general bonus authority for 
officers. 
(3) Section 333(i), relating to special bonus and incentive 
pay authorities for nuclear officers. 
(4) Section 334(i), relating to special aviation incentive 
pay and bonus authorities for officers.
H. R. 3979—110 
(5) Section 335(k), relating to special bonus and incentive 
pay authorities for officers in health professions. 
(6) Section 336(g), relating to contracting bonus for cadets 
and midshipmen enrolled in the Senior Reserve Officers’ 
Training Corps. 
(7) Section 351(h), relating to hazardous duty pay. 
(8) Section 352(g), relating to assignment pay or special 
duty pay. 
(9) Section 353(i), relating to skill incentive pay or pro-
ficiency bonus. 
(10) Section 355(h), relating to retention incentives for 
members qualified in critical military skills or assigned to 
high priority units. 
SEC. 615. ONE-YEAR EXTENSION OF AUTHORITIES RELATING TO PAY-
MENT OF OTHER TITLE 37 BONUSES AND SPECIAL PAYS. 
The following sections of title 37, United States Code, are 
amended by striking ‘‘December 31, 2014’’ and inserting ‘‘December 
31, 2015’’: 
(1) Section 301b(a), relating to aviation officer retention 
bonus. 
(2) Section 307a(g), relating to assignment incentive pay. 
(3) Section 308(g), relating to reenlistment bonus for active 
members. 
(4) Section 309(e), relating to enlistment bonus. 
(5) Section 316a(g), relating to incentive pay for members 
of precommissioning programs pursuing foreign language pro-
ficiency. 
(6) Section 324(g), relating to accession bonus for new offi-
cers in critical skills. 
(7) Section 326(g), relating to incentive bonus for conversion 
to military occupational specialty to ease personnel shortage. 
(8) Section 327(h), relating to incentive bonus for transfer 
between branches of the Armed Forces. 
(9) Section 330(f), relating to accession bonus for officer 
candidates. 
Subtitle C—Disability Pay, Retired Pay, 
and Survivor Benefits 
SEC. 621. EARLIER DETERMINATION OF DEPENDENT STATUS WITH 
RESPECT 
TO 
TRANSITIONAL 
COMPENSATION 
FOR 
DEPENDENTS OF CERTAIN MEMBERS SEPARATED FOR 
DEPENDENT ABUSE. 
Section 1059(d)(4) of title 10, United States Code, is amended 
by striking ‘‘as of the date on which the individual described in 
subsection (b) is separated from active duty’’ and inserting ‘‘as 
of the date on which the separation action is initiated by a com-
mander of the individual described in subsection (b)’’. 
SEC. 622. MODIFICATION OF DETERMINATION OF RETIRED PAY BASE 
FOR OFFICERS RETIRED IN GENERAL AND FLAG OFFICER 
GRADES. 
(a) REINSTATEMENT OF EARLIER METHOD OF DETERMINATION.— 
Section 1407a of title 10, United States Code, is amended to read 
as follows:
H. R. 3979—111 
‘‘§ 1407a. Retired pay base: officers retired in general or flag 
officer grades 
‘‘(a) RATES OF BASIC PAY TO BE USED IN DETERMINATION.— 
Except as otherwise provided in this section, in a case in which 
the determination under section 1406 or 1407 of this title of the 
retired pay base applicable to the computation of the retired pay 
of a covered general or flag officer involves a rate of basic pay 
payable to that officer for any period between October 1, 2006, 
and December 31, 2014, that was subject to a reduction under 
section 203(a)(2) of title 37 for such period, such retired-pay-base 
determination shall be made using the rate of basic pay for such 
period provided by law, without regard to the reduction under 
section 203(a)(2) of title 37. 
‘‘(b) PARTIAL PRESERVATION OF COMPUTATION OF RETIRED PAY 
BASE USING UNCAPPED RATES OF BASIC PAY FOR COVERED OFFICERS 
WHO FIRST BECAME MEMBERS BEFORE SEPTEMBER 8, 1980, AND 
WHOSE RETIRED PAY COMMENCES AFTER DECEMBER 31, 2014.— 
‘‘(1) OFFICERS RETIRING AFTER DECEMBER 31, 2014.—In the 
case of a covered general or flag officer who first became a 
member of a uniformed service before September 8, 1980, and 
who is retired after December 31, 2014, under any provision 
of law other than chapter 1223 of this title or is transferred 
to the Retired Reserve after December 31, 2014, the retired 
pay base applicable to the computation of the retired pay of 
that officer shall be determined as provided in paragraph (2) 
if determination of such retired pay base as provided in that 
paragraph results in a higher retired pay base than determina-
tion of such retired pay base as otherwise provided by law 
(including the application of section 203(a)(2) of title 37). 
‘‘(2) ALTERNATIVE
DETERMINATION
OF
RETIRED
PAY
BASE 
USING
UNCAPPED
RATES
OF
BASIC
PAY
AS
OF
DECEMBER
31, 
2014.—For a determination in accordance with this paragraph, 
the amount of an officer’s retired pay base shall be determined 
by using the rate of basic pay provided as of December 31, 
2014, for that officer’s grade as of that date for purposes of 
basic pay, with that officer’s years of service creditable as 
of that date for purposes of basic pay, and without regard 
to any reduction under section 203(a)(2) of title 37. 
‘‘(3) EXCEPTION FOR OFFICER RETIRED IN A LOWER GRADE.— 
In a case in which the retired grade of the officer is lower 
than the grade in which the officer was serving on December 
31, 2014, paragraph (2) shall be applied as if the officer was 
serving on that date in the officer’s retired grade. 
‘‘(c) PRESERVATION
OF COMPUTATION
OF RETIRED PAY BASE 
USING UNCAPPED RATES OF BASIC PAY FOR OFFICERS TRANSFERRING 
TO RETIRED RESERVE DURING SPECIFIED PERIOD.—In the case of 
a covered general or flag officer who is transferred to the Retired 
Reserve between October 1, 2006, and December 31, 2014, and 
who becomes entitled to receive retired pay under section 12731 
of this title after December 31, 2014, the retired pay base applicable 
to the computation of the retired pay of that officer shall be deter-
mined using the rates of basic pay provided by law without regard 
to any reduction in rates of basic pay under section 203(a)(2) of 
title 37. 
‘‘(d) COVERED GENERAL OR FLAG OFFICER DEFINED.—In this 
section, the term ‘covered general or flag officer’ means a member
H. R. 3979—112 
or former member of a uniformed service who after September 
30, 2006— 
‘‘(1) is retired in a general officer grade or flag officer 
grade (or an equivalent grade, in the case of an officer of 
the commissioned corps of the Public Health Service or the 
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration); or 
‘‘(2) is transferred to the Retired Reserve in a general 
officer grade or flag officer grade.’’. 
(b) APPLICABILITY.—Section 1407a of title 10, United States 
Code, as amended by subsection (a), shall be effective for retired 
pay that commences after December 31, 2014. 
SEC. 623. INAPPLICABILITY OF REDUCED ANNUAL ADJUSTMENT OF 
RETIRED PAY FOR MEMBERS OF THE ARMED FORCES 
UNDER THE AGE OF 62 UNDER THE BIPARTISAN BUDGET 
ACT OF 2013 WHO FIRST BECOME MEMBERS PRIOR TO 
JANUARY 1, 2016. 
Subparagraph (G) of section 1401a(b)(4) of title 10, United 
States Code, which shall take effect December 1, 2015, pursuant 
to section 403(a) of the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2013 (Public 
Law 113–67; 127 Stat. 1186)), as amended by section 10001 of 
the Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2014 (division C 
of Public Law 113–76; 128 Stat. 151) and section 2 of Public Law 
113–82 (128 Stat. 1009), is amended by striking ‘‘January 1, 2014’’ 
and inserting ‘‘January 1, 2016’’. 
SEC. 624. SURVIVOR BENEFIT PLAN ANNUITIES FOR SPECIAL NEEDS 
TRUSTS ESTABLISHED FOR THE BENEFIT OF DEPENDENT 
CHILDREN INCAPABLE OF SELF-SUPPORT. 
(a) SPECIAL NEEDS TRUST AS ELIGIBLE BENEFICIARY.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Subsection (a) of section 1450 of title 
10, United States Code, is amended— 
(A) by redesignating paragraph (4) as paragraph (5); 
and 
(B) by inserting after paragraph (3) the following new 
paragraph (4): 
‘‘(4) SPECIAL NEEDS TRUSTS FOR SOLE BENEFIT OF CERTAIN 
DEPENDENT
CHILDREN.—Notwithstanding subsection (i), a 
supplemental or special needs trust established under subpara-
graph (A) or (C) of section 1917(d)(4) of the Social Security 
Act (42 U.S.C. 1396p(d)(4)) for the sole benefit of a dependent 
child considered disabled under section 1614(a)(3) of that Act 
(42 U.S.C. 1382c(a)(3)) who is incapable of self-support because 
of mental or physical incapacity.’’. 
(2) CONFORMING AMENDMENTS.— 
(A) ANNUITIES EXEMPTION.—Subsection (i) of such sec-
tion is amended by inserting ‘‘(a)(4) or’’ after ‘‘subsection’’. 
(B) PLAN REQUIREMENTS.—Section 1448 of such title 
is amended— 
(i) in subsection (b), by adding at the end the 
following new paragraph: 
‘‘(6) SPECIAL NEEDS TRUSTS FOR SOLE BENEFIT OF CERTAIN 
DEPENDENT CHILDREN.—A person who has established a supple-
mental or special needs trust under subparagraph (A) or (C) 
of section 1917(d)(4) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 
1396p(d)(4)) for the sole benefit of a dependent child considered 
disabled under section 1614(a)(3) of that Act (42 U.S.C. 
1382c(a)(3)) who is incapable of self-support because of mental
H. R. 3979—113 
or physical incapacity may elect to provide an annuity to that 
supplemental or special needs trust.’’; 
(ii) in subsection (d)(2)— 
(I) in subparagraph (A), by striking ‘‘section 
1450(a)(2)’’ and inserting ‘‘subsection (a)(2) or (a)(4) 
of section 1450’’; and 
(II) in subparagraph (B), by striking ‘‘section 
1450(a)(3)’’ and inserting ‘‘subsection (a)(3) or (a)(4) 
of section 1450’’; and 
(iii) in subsection (f)(2), by inserting ‘‘, or to a 
special needs trust pursuant to section 1450(a)(4) of 
this title,’’ after ‘‘dependent child’’. 
(b) REGULATIONS.—Section 1455(d) of such title is amended— 
(1) in the subsection heading, by striking ‘‘AND FIDU-
CIARIES’’ and inserting ‘‘, FIDUCIARIES, AND SPECIAL NEEDS 
TRUSTS’’; 
(2) in paragraph (1)— 
(A) in subparagraph (A), by striking ‘‘and’’ at the end; 
(B) in subparagraph (B), by striking the period at 
the end and inserting ‘‘; and’’; and 
(C) by adding at the end the following new subpara-
graph: 
‘‘(C) a dependent child incapable of self-support because 
of mental or physical incapacity for whom a supplemental 
or special needs trust has been established under subpara-
graph (A) or (C) of section 1917(d)(4) of the Social Security 
Act (42 U.S.C. 1396p(d)(4)).’’; 
(3) in paragraph (2)— 
(A) by redesignating subparagraphs (C) through (H) 
as subparagraphs (D) through (I), respectively; 
(B) by inserting after subparagraph (B) the following 
new subparagraph (C): 
‘‘(C) In the case of an annuitant referred to in para-
graph (1)(C), payment of the annuity to the supplemental 
or special needs trust established for the annuitant.’’; 
(C) in subparagraph (D), as redesignated by subpara-
graph (A) of this paragraph, by striking ‘‘subparagraphs 
(D) and (E)’’ and inserting ‘‘subparagraphs (E) and (F)’’; 
and 
(D) in subparagraph (H), as so redesignated— 
(i) by inserting ‘‘or (1)(C)’’ after ‘‘paragraph (1)(B)’’ 
in the matter preceding clause (i); 
(ii) in clause (i), by striking ‘‘and’’ at the end; 
(iii) in clause (ii), by striking the period at the 
end and inserting ‘‘; and’’; and 
(iv) by adding at the end the following new clause: 
‘‘(iii) procedures for determining when annuity 
payments to a supplemental or special needs trust 
shall end based on the death or marriage of the 
dependent child for which the trust was established.’’; 
and 
(4) in paragraph (3), by striking ‘‘OR FIDUCIARY’’ in the 
paragraph heading and inserting ‘‘, FIDUCIARY, OR TRUST’’.
H. R. 3979—114 
SEC. 625. MODIFICATION OF PER-FISCAL YEAR CALCULATION OF DAYS 
OF CERTAIN ACTIVE DUTY OR ACTIVE SERVICE TO 
REDUCE ELIGIBILITY AGE FOR RETIREMENT FOR NON- 
REGULAR SERVICE. 
Section 12731(f)(2)(A) of title 10, United States Code, is 
amended— 
(1) by inserting ‘‘, subject to subparagraph (C),’’ after ‘‘shall 
be reduced’’; and 
(2) by striking ‘‘so performs in any fiscal year after such 
date, subject to subparagraph (C)’’ and inserting ‘‘serves on 
such active duty or performs such active service in any fiscal 
year after January 28, 2008, or in any two consecutive fiscal 
years after September 30, 2014’’. 
Subtitle 
D—Commissary 
and 
Non-
appropriated Fund Instrumentality Ben-
efits and Operations 
SEC. 631. PROCUREMENT OF BRAND-NAME AND OTHER COMMERCIAL 
ITEMS FOR RESALE BY COMMISSARY STORES. 
Subsection (f) of section 2484 of title 10, United States Code, 
is amended to read as follows: 
‘‘(f) PROCUREMENT OF COMMERCIAL ITEMS USING PROCEDURES 
OTHER THAN COMPETITIVE PROCEDURES.—The Secretary of Defense 
may use the exception provided in section 2304(c)(5) of this title 
for the procurement of any commercial item (including brand-name 
and generic items) for resale in, at, or by commissary stores.’’. 
SEC. 632. AUTHORITY OF NONAPPROPRIATED FUND INSTRUMENTAL-
ITIES TO ENTER INTO CONTRACTS WITH OTHER FEDERAL 
AGENCIES AND INSTRUMENTALITIES TO PROVIDE AND 
OBTAIN CERTAIN GOODS AND SERVICES. 
Section 2492 of title 10, United States Code, is amended by 
striking ‘‘Federal department, agency, or instrumentality’’ and all 
that follows through the period at the end of the section and 
inserting the following: ‘‘Federal department, agency, or instrumen-
tality— 
‘‘(1) to provide or obtain goods and services beneficial to 
the efficient management and operation of the exchange system 
or that morale, welfare, and recreation system; or 
‘‘(2) to provide or obtain food services beneficial to the 
efficient management and operation of the dining facilities on 
military installations offering food services to members of the 
armed forces.’’. 
SEC. 633. COMPETITIVE PRICING OF LEGAL CONSUMER TOBACCO 
PRODUCTS SOLD IN DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE RETAIL 
STORES. 
(a) PROHIBITION
ON
BANNING
SALE
OF
LEGAL
CONSUMER 
TOBACCO PRODUCTS.—The Secretary of Defense and the Secretaries 
of the military departments may not take any action to implement 
any new policy that would ban the sale of any legal consumer 
tobacco product category sold as of January 1, 2014, within the 
defense retail systems or on any Department of Defense vessel 
at sea.
H. R. 3979—115 
(b) USE OF PRICES COMPARABLE TO LOCAL PRICES.—The Sec-
retary of Defense shall issue regulations regarding the pricing of 
tobacco and tobacco-related products sold in an outlet of the defense 
retail systems inside the United States, including territories and 
possessions of the United States, to prohibit the sale of a product 
at a price below the most competitive price for that product in 
the local community. 
(c) APPLICATION TO OVERSEAS DEFENSE RETAIL SYSTEMS.—The 
regulations required by subsection (b) shall direct that the price 
of a tobacco or tobacco-related product sold in an outlet of the 
defense retail systems outside of the United States shall be within 
the range of prices established for that product in outlets of the 
defense retail systems inside the United States. 
(d) DEFENSE RETAIL SYSTEMS DEFINED.—In this section, the 
term ‘‘defense retail systems’’ has the meaning given that term 
in section 2487(b)(2) of title 10, United States Code. 
SEC. 634. REVIEW OF MANAGEMENT, FOOD, AND PRICING OPTIONS 
FOR DEFENSE COMMISSARY SYSTEM. 
(a) REVIEW REQUIRED.—The Secretary of Defense shall conduct 
a review, utilizing the services of an independent organization 
experienced in grocery retail analysis, of the defense commissary 
system to determine the qualitative and quantitative effects of— 
(1) using variable pricing in commissary stores to reduce 
the expenditure of appropriated funds to operate the defense 
commissary system; 
(2) implementing a program to make available more private 
label products in commissary stores; 
(3) converting the defense commissary system to a non-
appropriated fund instrumentality; and 
(4) eliminating or at least reducing second-destination 
funding. 
(b) ADDITIONAL ELEMENTS OF REVIEW.—The review required 
by this section also shall consider the following: 
(1) The impact of changes to the operation of the defense 
commissary system on commissary patrons, in particular junior 
enlisted members and junior officers and their dependents, 
that would result from— 
(A) displacing current value and name-brand products 
with private-label products; and 
(B) reducing or eliminating financial subsidies to the 
commissary system. 
(2) The sensitivity of commissary patrons, in particular 
junior enlisted members and junior officers and their depend-
ents, to pricing changes that may result in reduced overall 
cost savings for patrons. 
(3) The feasibility of generating net revenue from pricing 
and stock assortment changes. 
(4) The relationship of higher prices and reduced patron 
savings to patron usage and accompanying sales, both on a 
national and regional basis. 
(5) The impact of changes to the operation of the defense 
commissary system on industry support; such as vendor 
stocking, promotions, discounts, and merchandising activities 
and programs.
H. R. 3979—116 
(6) The ability of the current commissary management 
and information technology systems to accommodate changes 
to the existing pricing and management structure. 
(7) The product category management systems and exper-
tise of the Defense Commissary Agency. 
(8) The impact of changes to the operation of the defense 
commissary system on military exchanges and other morale, 
welfare, and recreation programs for members of the Armed 
Forces. 
(9) The identification of management and legislative 
changes that would be required in connection with changes 
to the defense commissary system. 
(10) An estimate of the time required to implement rec-
ommended changes to the current pricing and management 
model of the defense commissary system. 
(c) SUBMISSION.—Not later than September 1, 2015, the Sec-
retary of Defense shall submit to the Committees on Armed Services 
of the Senate and the House of Representatives a report containing 
the results of the review required by this section. 
TITLE VII—HEALTH CARE PROVISIONS 
Subtitle A—TRICARE and Other Health Care Benefits 
Sec. 701. Mental health assessments for members of the Armed Forces. 
Sec. 702. Modifications of cost-sharing and other requirements for the TRICARE 
Pharmacy Benefits Program. 
Sec. 703. Elimination of inpatient day limits and other limits in provision of mental 
health services. 
Sec. 704. Authority for provisional TRICARE coverage for emerging health care 
services and supplies. 
Sec. 705. Clarification of provision of food to former members and dependents not 
receiving inpatient care in military medical treatment facilities. 
Sec. 706. Availability of breastfeeding support, supplies, and counseling under the 
TRICARE program. 
Subtitle B—Health Care Administration 
Sec. 711. Provision of notice of change to TRICARE benefits. 
Sec. 712. Surveys on continued viability of TRICARE Standard and TRICARE 
Extra. 
Sec. 713. Review of military health system modernization study. 
Subtitle C—Reports and Other Matters 
Sec. 721. Designation and responsibilities of senior medical advisor for Armed 
Forces Retirement Home. 
Sec. 722. Extension of authority for joint Department of Defense-Department of 
Veterans Affairs Medical Facility Demonstration Fund. 
Sec. 723. Report on status of reductions in TRICARE Prime service areas. 
Sec. 724. Extension of authority to provide rehabilitation and vocational benefits to 
members of the Armed Forces with severe injuries or illnesses. 
Sec. 725. Acquisition strategy for health care professional staffing services. 
Sec. 726. Pilot program on medication therapy management under TRICARE pro-
gram. 
Sec. 727. Antimicrobial stewardship program at medical facilities of the Depart-
ment of Defense. 
Sec. 728. Report on improvements in the identification and treatment of mental 
health conditions and traumatic brain injury among members of the 
Armed Forces. 
Sec. 729. Report on efforts to treat infertility of military families. 
Sec. 730. Report on implementation of recommendations of Institute of Medicine on 
improvements to certain resilience and prevention programs of the De-
partment of Defense. 
Sec. 731. Comptroller General report on transition of care for post-traumatic stress 
disorder or traumatic brain injury. 
Sec. 732. Comptroller General report on mental health stigma reduction efforts in 
the Department of Defense.
H. R. 3979—117 
Sec. 733. Comptroller General report on women’s health care services for members 
of the Armed Forces and other covered beneficiaries. 
Subtitle A—TRICARE and Other Health 
Care Benefits 
SEC. 701. MENTAL HEALTH ASSESSMENTS FOR MEMBERS OF THE 
ARMED FORCES. 
(a) ANNUAL MENTAL HEALTH ASSESSMENTS.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Chapter 55 of title 10, United States 
Code, is amended by inserting after section 1074m the following 
new section: 
‘‘§ 1074n. Annual mental health assessments for members of 
the armed forces 
‘‘(a) MENTAL HEALTH ASSESSMENTS.—Subject to subsection (c), 
not less frequently than once each calendar year, the Secretary 
of Defense shall provide a person-to-person mental health assess-
ment for— 
‘‘(1) each member of a regular component of the armed 
forces; and 
‘‘(2) each member of the Selected Reserve of an armed 
force. 
‘‘(b) ELEMENTS.—The mental health assessments provided 
pursuant to this section shall— 
‘‘(1) be conducted in accordance with the requirements of 
subsection (c)(1) of section 1074m of this title with respect 
to a mental health assessment provided pursuant to such sec-
tion; and 
‘‘(2) include a review of the health records of the member 
that are related to each previous health assessment or other 
relevant activities of the member while serving in the armed 
forces, as determined by the Secretary. 
‘‘(c) SUFFICIENCY OF OTHER MENTAL HEALTH ASSESSMENTS.— 
(1) The Secretary is not required to provide a mental health assess-
ment pursuant to this section to an individual in a calendar year 
in which the individual has received a mental health assessment 
pursuant to section 1074m of this title. 
‘‘(2) The Secretary may treat periodic health assessments and 
other person-to-person assessments that are provided to members 
of the armed forces, including examinations under section 1074f 
of this title, as meeting the requirements for mental health assess-
ments required under this section if the Secretary determines that 
such assessments and person-to-person assessments meet the 
requirements for mental health assessments established by this 
section. 
‘‘(d) PRIVACY MATTERS.—Any medical or other personal informa-
tion obtained under this section shall be protected from disclosure 
or misuse in accordance with the laws on privacy applicable to 
such information. 
‘‘(e) REGULATIONS.—The Secretary of Defense shall, in consulta-
tion with the other administering Secretaries, prescribe regulations 
for the administration of this section.’’. 
(2) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The table of sections at the 
beginning of chapter 55 of such title is amended by inserting
H. R. 3979—118 
after the item relating to section 1074m the following new 
item: 
‘‘1074n. Annual mental health assessments for members of the armed forces.’’. 
(3) IMPLEMENTATION.—Not later than 180 days after the 
date of the issuance of the regulations prescribed under section 
1074n(e) of title 10, United States Code, as added by paragraph 
(1), the Secretary of Defense shall implement such regulations. 
(4) REPORT.— 
(A) IN GENERAL.—Not later than one year after the 
date on which the Secretary of Defense implements the 
regulations described in paragraph (3), the Secretary shall 
submit to the Committee on Armed Services of the Senate 
and the Committee on Armed Services of the House of 
Representatives a report on the annual mental health 
assessments of members of the Armed Forces conducted 
pursuant to section 1074n of title 10, United States Code, 
as added by paragraph (1). 
(B) MATTERS INCLUDED.—The report under subpara-
graph (A) shall include the following: 
(i) A description of the tools and processes used 
to provide the annual mental health assessments of 
members of the Armed Forces conducted pursuant to 
such section 1074n, including— 
(I) whether such tools and processes are evi-
denced-based; and 
(II) the process by which such tools and proc-
esses have been approved for use in providing 
mental health assessments. 
(ii) Such recommendations for improving the tools 
and processes used to conduct such assessments, 
including tools that may address the underreporting 
of mental health conditions, as the Secretary considers 
appropriate. 
(iii) Such recommendations as the Secretary con-
siders appropriate for improving the monitoring and 
reporting of the number of members of the Armed 
Forces— 
(I) who receive such assessments; 
(II) who are referred for care based on such 
assessments; and 
(III) who receive care based on such referrals. 
(C) TREATMENT OF CERTAIN INFORMATION.—No person-
ally identifiable information of a member of the Armed 
Forces may be included in any report under subparagraph 
(A). 
(5) CONFORMING AMENDMENT.—Section 1074m(e)(1) of such 
title is amended by inserting ‘‘and section 1074n of this title’’ 
after ‘‘pursuant to this section’’. 
(b) FREQUENCY
OF
MENTAL
HEALTH
ASSESSMENTS
FOR 
DEPLOYED MEMBERS.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Section 1074m of such title is further 
amended— 
(A) in subsection (a)(1)— 
(i) by redesignating subparagraphs (B) and (C) 
as subparagraphs (C) and (D), respectively; and
H. R. 3979—119 
(ii) by inserting after subparagraph (A) the fol-
lowing new subparagraph: 
‘‘(B) Until January 1, 2019, once during each 180-day period 
during which a member is deployed.’’; and 
(B) in subsection (c)(1)(A)— 
(i) in clause (i), by striking ‘‘; and’’ and inserting 
a semicolon; 
(ii) by redesignating clause (ii) as clause (iii); and 
(iii) by inserting after clause (i) the following new 
clause: 
‘‘(ii) by personnel in deployed units whose responsibil-
ities include providing unit health care services if such 
personnel are available and the use of such personnel for 
the assessments would not impair the capacity of such 
personnel to perform higher priority tasks; and’’. 
(2) CONFORMING AMENDMENT.—Subsection (a)(2) of such 
section 1074m is amended by striking ‘‘subparagraph (B) and 
(C)’’ and inserting ‘‘subparagraphs (C) and (D)’’. 
SEC. 702. MODIFICATIONS OF COST-SHARING AND OTHER REQUIRE-
MENTS FOR THE TRICARE PHARMACY BENEFITS PRO-
GRAM. 
(a) AVAILABILITY
OF
PHARMACEUTICAL
AGENTS
THROUGH 
NATIONAL MAIL-ORDER PHARMACY PROGRAM.—Paragraph (5) of sec-
tion 1074g(a) of title 10, United States Code, is amended— 
(1) by striking ‘‘at least one of the means described in 
paragraph (2)(E)’’ and inserting ‘‘the national mail-order phar-
macy program’’; and 
(2) by striking ‘‘may include’’ and all that follows through 
the period at the end and inserting ‘‘shall include cost-sharing 
by the eligible covered beneficiary as specified in paragraph 
(6).’’. 
(b) MODIFICATION
OF
COST-SHARING
AMOUNTS.—Paragraph 
(6)(A) of such section 1074g(a) is amended— 
(1) in clause (i)— 
(A) in subclause (I), by striking ‘‘$5’’ and inserting 
‘‘$8’’; 
(B) in subclause (II), by striking ‘‘$17; and’’ and 
inserting ‘‘$20.’’; and 
(C) by striking subclause (III); and 
(2) in clause (ii)— 
(A) in subclause (II), by striking ‘‘$13’’ and inserting 
‘‘$16’’; and 
(B) in subclause (III), by striking ‘‘$43’’ and inserting 
‘‘$46’’. 
(c) REFILLS
OF
PRESCRIPTION
MAINTENANCE
MEDICATIONS 
THROUGH MILITARY TREATMENT FACILITY PHARMACIES OR NATIONAL 
MAIL ORDER PHARMACY PROGRAM.— 
(1) IN
GENERAL.—Such section is further amended by 
adding at the end the following new paragraph: 
‘‘(9)(A) Beginning on October 1, 2015, the pharmacy benefits 
program shall require eligible covered beneficiaries generally to 
refill non-generic prescription maintenance medications through 
military treatment facility pharmacies or the national mail-order 
pharmacy program.
H. R. 3979—120 
‘‘(B) The Secretary shall determine the maintenance medica-
tions subject to the requirement under subparagraph (A). The Sec-
retary shall ensure that— 
‘‘(i) such medications are generally available to eligible 
covered beneficiaries through retail pharmacies only for an 
initial filling of a 30-day or less supply; and 
‘‘(ii) any refills of such medications are obtained through 
a military treatment facility pharmacy or the national mail- 
order pharmacy program. 
‘‘(C) The Secretary may exempt the following prescription 
maintenance medications from the requirement of subparagraph 
(A): 
‘‘(i) Medications that are for acute care needs. 
‘‘(ii) Such other medications as the Secretary determines 
appropriate.’’. 
(2) TERMINATION OF PILOT PROGRAM.—Section 716(f) of the 
National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2013 (Public 
Law 112–239; 10 U.S.C. 1074g note) is amended by striking 
‘‘December 31, 2017’’ and inserting ‘‘September 30, 2015’’. 
(d) GAO REPORT ON PILOT PROGRAM.—Not later than July 
1, 2015, the Comptroller General of the United States shall submit 
to the congressional defense committees a report on the satisfaction 
of beneficiaries participating in the pilot program under section 
716 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 
2013 (Public Law 112–239; 10 U.S.C. 1074g note). Such report 
shall address the following: 
(1) The satisfaction of beneficiaries participating in the 
pilot program. 
(2) The timeliness of refilling prescriptions under the pilot 
program. 
(3) The accuracy of prescription refills under the pilot pro-
gram. 
(4) The availability of medications refilled under the pilot 
program. 
(5) The cost savings to the Department of Defense realized 
by the pilot program. 
(6) The number of beneficiaries who did not participate 
in the pilot program by reason of subsection (c) of such section 
716. 
(7) Any other matters the Comptroller General considers 
appropriate. 
SEC. 703. ELIMINATION OF INPATIENT DAY LIMITS AND OTHER LIMITS 
IN PROVISION OF MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES. 
(a) INPATIENT DAY LIMITS.—Section 1079 of title 10, United 
States Code, is amended— 
(1) in subsection (a)— 
(A) by striking paragraph (6); and 
(B) by redesignating paragraphs (7) through (17) as 
paragraphs (6) through (16), respectively; 
(2) by striking subsection (i); and 
(3) by redesignating subsections (j) through (q) as sub-
sections (i) through (p), respectively. 
(b) 
WAIVER
OF
NONAVAILABILITY
STATEMENT
OR 
PREAUTHORIZATION.—Section 721(a) of the Floyd D. Spence National 
Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2001 (10 U.S.C. 1073 
note) is amended by striking ‘‘(other than mental health services)’’.
H. R. 3979—121 
(c) CONFORMING AMENDMENTS.—Chapter 55 of title 10, United 
States Code, is amended— 
(1) in section 1079(e)(7), by striking ‘‘subsection (a)(13)’’ 
and inserting ‘‘subsection (a)(12)’’; 
(2) in section 1086— 
(A) in subsection (d)(4)(A)(ii), by striking ‘‘section 
1079(j)(1)’’ and inserting ‘‘section 1079(i)(1)’’; and 
(B) in subsection (g), by striking ‘‘Section 1079(j)’’ and 
inserting ‘‘Section 1079(i)’’; and 
(3) in section 1105(c), by striking ‘‘section 1079(a)(7)’’ and 
inserting ‘‘section 1079(a)(6)’’. 
SEC. 704. AUTHORITY FOR PROVISIONAL TRICARE COVERAGE FOR 
EMERGING HEALTH CARE SERVICES AND SUPPLIES. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Chapter 55 of title 10, United States Code, 
is amended by inserting after section 1079b the following new 
section: 
‘‘§ 1079c. Provisional coverage for emerging services and sup-
plies 
‘‘(a) PROVISIONAL COVERAGE.—In carrying out the TRICARE 
program, including pursuant to section 1079(a)(12) of this title, 
the Secretary of Defense, acting through the Assistant Secretary 
of Defense for Health Affairs, may provide provisional coverage 
for the provision of a service or supply if the Secretary determines 
that such service or supply is widely recognized in the United 
States as being safe and effective. 
‘‘(b) CONSIDERATION OF EVIDENCE.—In making a determination 
under subsection (a), the Secretary may consider— 
‘‘(1) clinical trials published in refereed medical literature; 
‘‘(2) formal technology assessments; 
‘‘(3) the positions of national medical policy organizations; 
‘‘(4) national professional associations; 
‘‘(5) national expert opinion organizations; and 
‘‘(6) such other validated evidence as the Secretary con-
siders appropriate. 
‘‘(c) INDEPENDENT EVALUATION.—In making a determination 
under subsection (a), the Secretary may arrange for an evaluation 
from the Institute of Medicine of the National Academies or such 
other independent entity as the Secretary selects. 
‘‘(d) DURATION AND TERMS OF COVERAGE.—(1) Provisional cov-
erage under subsection (a) for a service or supply may be in effect 
for not longer than a total of five years. 
‘‘(2) Prior to the expiration of provisional coverage of a service 
or supply, the Secretary shall determine the coverage, if any, that 
will follow such provisional coverage and take appropriate action 
to implement such determination. If the Secretary determines that 
the implementation of such determination regarding coverage 
requires legislative action, the Secretary shall make a timely rec-
ommendation to Congress regarding such legislative action. 
‘‘(3) The Secretary, at any time, may— 
‘‘(A) terminate the provisional coverage under subsection 
(a) of a service or supply, regardless of whether such termi-
nation is before the end of the period described in paragraph 
(1); 
‘‘(B) establish or disestablish terms and conditions for such 
coverage; or
H. R. 3979—122 
‘‘(C) take any other action with respect to such coverage. 
‘‘(e) PUBLIC NOTICE.—The Secretary shall promptly publish on 
a publicly accessible Internet website of the TRICARE program 
a notice for each service or supply that receives provisional coverage 
under subsection (a), including any terms and conditions for such 
coverage. 
‘‘(f) FINALITY
OF
DETERMINATIONS.—Any determination to 
approve or disapprove a service or supply under subsection (a) 
and any action made under subsection (d)(3) shall be final.’’. 
(b) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The table of sections at the begin-
ning of such chapter is amended by inserting after the item relating 
to section 1079b the following new item: 
‘‘1079c. Provisional coverage for emerging services and supplies.’’. 
SEC. 705. CLARIFICATION OF PROVISION OF FOOD TO FORMER MEM-
BERS AND DEPENDENTS NOT RECEIVING INPATIENT CARE 
IN MILITARY MEDICAL TREATMENT FACILITIES. 
Section 1078b of title 10, United States Code, is amended— 
(1) by striking ‘‘A member’’ each place it appears and 
inserting ‘‘A member or former member’’; and 
(2) in subsection (a)(2)(C), by striking ‘‘member or 
dependent’’ and inserting ‘‘member, former member, or 
dependent’’. 
SEC. 706. AVAILABILITY OF BREASTFEEDING SUPPORT, SUPPLIES, AND 
COUNSELING UNDER THE TRICARE PROGRAM. 
Section 1079(a) of title 10, United States Code, is amended 
by adding at the end the following new paragraph: 
‘‘(17) Breastfeeding support, supplies (including breast 
pumps and associated equipment), and counseling shall be pro-
vided as appropriate during pregnancy and the postpartum 
period.’’. 
Subtitle B—Health Care Administration 
SEC. 711. PROVISION OF NOTICE OF CHANGE TO TRICARE BENEFITS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Chapter 55 of title 10, United States Code, 
is amended by inserting after section 1097c the following new 
section: 
‘‘§ 1097d. TRICARE program: notice of change to benefits 
‘‘(a) PROVISION OF NOTICE.—(1) If the Secretary makes a signifi-
cant change to any benefits provided by the TRICARE program 
to covered beneficiaries, the Secretary shall provide individuals 
described in paragraph (2) with notice explaining such changes. 
‘‘(2) The individuals described by this paragraph are covered 
beneficiaries participating in the TRICARE program who may be 
affected by a significant change covered by a notification under 
paragraph (1). 
‘‘(3) The Secretary shall provide notice under paragraph (1) 
through electronic means. 
‘‘(b) TIMING OF NOTICE.—The Secretary shall provide notice 
under paragraph (1) of subsection (a) by the earlier of the following 
dates:
H. R. 3979—123 
‘‘(1) The date that the Secretary determines would afford 
individuals described in paragraph (2) of such subsection ade-
quate time to understand the change covered by the notification. 
‘‘(2) The date that is 90 days before the date on which 
the change covered by the notification becomes effective. 
‘‘(3) The effective date of a significant change that is 
required by law. 
‘‘(c) SIGNIFICANT CHANGE DEFINED.—In this section, the term 
‘significant change’ means a systemwide change— 
‘‘(1) in the structure of the TRICARE program or the bene-
fits provided under the TRICARE program (not including the 
addition of new services or benefits); or 
‘‘(2) in beneficiary cost-share rates of more than 20 per-
cent.’’. 
(b) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The table of sections at the begin-
ning of such chapter is amended by inserting after the item relating 
to section 1097c the following new item: 
‘‘1097d. TRICARE program: notice of change to benefits.’’. 
SEC. 712. SURVEYS ON CONTINUED VIABILITY OF TRICARE STANDARD 
AND TRICARE EXTRA. 
Section 711(b)(2) of the National Defense Authorization Act 
for Fiscal Year 2008 (10 U.S.C. 1073 note) is amended in the 
matter preceding subparagraph (A)— 
(1) by striking ‘‘on a biennial basis’’; and 
(2) by striking ‘‘paragraph (1)’’ and inserting the following: 
‘‘paragraph (1) during 2017 and 2020’’. 
SEC. 713. REVIEW OF MILITARY HEALTH SYSTEM MODERNIZATION 
STUDY. 
(a) LIMITATION.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary of Defense may not restruc-
ture or realign a military medical treatment facility based 
on the modernization study until a 90-day period has elapsed 
following the date on which the Comptroller General of the 
United States is required to submit to the congressional defense 
committees the report under subsection (b)(3). 
(2) REPORT.—The Secretary shall submit to the congres-
sional defense committees a report that includes the following: 
(A) During the period from 2006 to 2012, for each 
military medical treatment facility considered under the 
modernization study— 
(i) the average daily inpatient census; 
(ii) the average inpatient capacity; 
(iii) the top five inpatient admission diagnoses; 
(iv) each medical specialty available; 
(v) the average daily percent of staffing available 
for each medical specialty; 
(vi) 
the 
beneficiary 
population 
within 
the 
catchment area; 
(vii) the budgeted funding level; 
(viii) whether the facility has a helipad capable 
of receiving medical evacuation airlift patients arriving 
on the primary evacuation aircraft platform for the 
military installation served; 
(ix) a determination of whether the civilian hos-
pital system in which the facility resides is a Federally-
H. R. 3979—124 
designated underserved medical community and the 
effect on such community from any reduction in staff 
or functions or downgrade of the facility; 
(x) if the facility serves a training center— 
(I) a determination of the risk with respect 
to 
high-tempo, 
live-fire 
military 
operations, 
treating battlefield-like injuries, and the potential 
for a mass casualty event if the facility is down-
graded to a clinic or reduced in personnel or 
capabilities; and 
(II) a description of the extent to which the 
Secretary, in making such determination, con-
sulted with the appropriate training directorate, 
training and doctrine command, and forces com-
mand of each military department; 
(xi) a site assessment by TRICARE to assess the 
network capabilities of TRICARE providers in the local 
area; 
(xii) the inpatient mental health availability; and 
(xiii) the average annual inpatient care directed 
to civilian medical facilities. 
(B) For each military medical treatment facility consid-
ered under the modernization study— 
(i) the civilian capacity by medical specialty in 
each catchment area; 
(ii) the distance in miles to the nearest civilian 
emergency care department; 
(iii) the distance in miles to the closest civilian 
inpatient hospital, listed by level of care and whether 
the facility is designated a sole community hospital; 
(iv) the availability of ambulance service on the 
military installation and the distance in miles to the 
nearest civilian ambulance service, including the aver-
age response time to the military installation; 
(v) an estimate of the cost to restructure or realign 
the military medical treatment facility, including with 
respect to bed closures and civilian personnel reduc-
tions; and 
(vi) if the military medical treatment facility is 
restructured or realigned, an estimate of— 
(I) the number of civilian personnel reductions, 
listed by series; 
(II) the number of local support contracts 
terminated; and 
(III) the increased cost of purchased care. 
(C) The results of the modernization study with respect 
to the recommendations of the Secretary to restructure 
or realign military medical treatment facilities. 
(D) An assessment of the analysis made by the Sec-
retary to inform decisions regarding the modernization of 
the military health care system in the modernization study. 
(E) An assessment of the extent to which the Secretary 
evaluated in the modernization study the impact on the 
access of eligible beneficiaries to quality health care, and 
satisfaction with such care, caused by the following changes 
proposed in the study:
H. R. 3979—125 
(i) Changes in military medical treatment facility 
infrastructure. 
(ii) Changes in staffing levels of professionals. 
(iii) Changes in inpatient, ambulatory surgery, and 
specialty care capacity and capabilities. 
(F) An assessment of the extent to which the Secretary 
evaluated in the modernization study how any reduced 
inpatient, ambulatory surgery, or specialty care capacity 
and capabilities at military medical treatment facilities 
covered by the study would impact timely access to care 
for eligible beneficiaries at local civilian community hos-
pitals within reasonable driving distances of the catchment 
areas of such facilities. 
(G) An assessment of the extent to which the Secretary 
consulted in conducting the modernization study with 
community hospitals in locations covered by the study to 
determine their capacities for additional inpatient and 
ambulatory surgery patients and their capabilities to meet 
additional demands for specialty care services. 
(H) An assessment of the extent to which the Secretary 
considered in the modernization study the impact that 
the change in the structure or alignment of military medical 
treatment facilities covered by the study would have on 
timely access by local civilian populations to inpatient, 
ambulatory surgery, or specialty care services if additional 
eligible beneficiaries also sought access to such services 
from the same providers. 
(I) An assessment of the impact of the elimination 
of health care services at military medical treatment facili-
ties covered by the modernization study on civilians 
employed at such facilities. 
(b) COMPTROLLER GENERAL REVIEW.— 
(1) REVIEW.—The Comptroller General of the United States 
shall review the report under subsection (a)(2). 
(2) ELEMENTS.—The review under paragraph (1) shall 
include the following: 
(A) An assessment of the methodology used by the 
Secretary of Defense in conducting the study. 
(B) An assessment of the adequacy of the data used 
by the Secretary with respect to such study. 
(3) REPORT.—Not later than 180 days after the date on 
which the Secretary submits the report under subsection (a)(2), 
the Comptroller General shall submit to the congressional 
defense committees a report on the review under paragraph 
(1). 
(c) MODERNIZATION STUDY DEFINED.—In this section, the term 
‘‘modernization study’’ means the Military Health System Mod-
ernization Study of the Department of Defense directed by the 
Resource Management Decision of the Department of Defense num-
bered MP–D–01.
H. R. 3979—126 
Subtitle C—Reports and Other Matters 
SEC. 721. DESIGNATION AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF SENIOR MEDICAL 
ADVISOR FOR ARMED FORCES RETIREMENT HOME. 
(a) DESIGNATION OF SENIOR MEDICAL ADVISOR.—Subsection (a) 
of section 1513A of the Armed Forces Retirement Home Act of 
1991 (24 U.S.C. 413a) is amended— 
(1) in paragraph (1), by striking ‘‘Deputy Director of the 
TRICARE Management Activity’’ and inserting ‘‘Deputy 
Director of the Defense Health Agency’’; and 
(2) in paragraph (2), by striking ‘‘Deputy Director of the 
TRICARE Management Activity’’ both places it appears and 
inserting ‘‘Deputy Director of the Defense Health Agency’’. 
(b) CLARIFICATION OF RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES OF SENIOR 
MEDICAL ADVISOR.—Subsection (c)(2) of such section is amended 
by striking ‘‘health care standards of the Department of Veterans 
Affairs’’ and inserting ‘‘nationally recognized health care standards 
and requirements’’. 
SEC. 722. EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY FOR JOINT DEPARTMENT OF 
DEFENSE-DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS MEDICAL 
FACILITY DEMONSTRATION FUND. 
Section 1704(e) of the National Defense Authorization Act for 
Fiscal Year 2010 (Public Law 111–84; 123 Stat. 2573) is amended 
by striking ‘‘September 30, 2015’’ and inserting ‘‘September 30, 
2016’’. 
SEC. 723. REPORT ON STATUS OF REDUCTIONS IN TRICARE PRIME 
SERVICE AREAS. 
(a) REPORT REQUIRED.—Section 732 of the National Defense 
Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2013 (10 U.S.C. 1097a note) 
is amended— 
(1) by redesignating subsections (b) and (c) as subsections 
(c) and (d), respectively; and 
(2) by inserting after subsection (a) the following new sub-
section (b): 
‘‘(b) ADDITIONAL REPORT.— 
‘‘(1) REPORT REQUIRED.—Not later than 180 days after the 
date of the enactment of the Carl Levin and Howard P. ‘Buck’ 
McKeon National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 
2015, the Secretary shall submit to the Committees on Armed 
Services of the Senate and the House of Representatives a 
report on the status of reducing the availability of TRICARE 
Prime in regions described in subsection (d)(1)(B). 
‘‘(2) MATTERS INCLUDED.—The report under paragraph (1) 
shall include the following: 
‘‘(A) A description of the implementation of the transi-
tion for affected eligible beneficiaries under the TRICARE 
program who no longer have access to TRICARE Prime 
under TRICARE managed care contracts as of the date 
of the report, including— 
‘‘(i) the number of eligible beneficiaries who have 
transitioned from TRICARE Prime to the TRICARE 
Standard option of the TRICARE program since 
October 1, 2013; 
‘‘(ii) the number of eligible beneficiaries who trans-
ferred their TRICARE Prime enrollment to a more
H. R. 3979—127 
distant available Prime service area to remain in 
TRICARE Prime, by State; 
‘‘(iii) the number of eligible beneficiaries who were 
eligible to transfer to a more distant available Prime 
service area, but chose to use TRICARE Standard; 
‘‘(iv) the number of eligible beneficiaries who 
elected to return to TRICARE Prime pursuant to sub-
section (c)(1); and 
‘‘(v) the number of affected eligible beneficiaries 
who, as of the date of the report, changed residences 
to remain eligible for TRICARE Prime in a new region. 
‘‘(B) An estimate of the increased annual costs per 
affected eligible beneficiary incurred by such beneficiary 
for health care under the TRICARE program. 
‘‘(C) A description of the efforts of the Department 
to assess the impact on access to health care and bene-
ficiary satisfaction for affected eligible beneficiaries. 
‘‘(D) A description of the estimated cost savings realized 
by reducing the availability of TRICARE Prime in regions 
described in subsection (d)(1)(B).’’. 
(b) CONFORMING AMENDMENT.—Subsection (b)(3)(A) of such sec-
tion is amended by striking ‘‘subsection (c)(1)(B)’’ and inserting 
‘‘subsection (d)(1)(B)’’. 
SEC. 724. EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY TO PROVIDE REHABILITATION 
AND VOCATIONAL BENEFITS TO MEMBERS OF THE ARMED 
FORCES WITH SEVERE INJURIES OR ILLNESSES. 
Section 1631(b)(2) of the Wounded Warrior Act (title XVI of 
Public Law 110–181; 10 U.S.C. 1071 note) is amended by striking 
‘‘December 31, 2014’’ and inserting ‘‘December 31, 2015’’. 
SEC. 725. ACQUISITION STRATEGY FOR HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONAL 
STAFFING SERVICES. 
(a) ACQUISITION STRATEGY.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary of Defense shall develop 
and carry out an acquisition strategy with respect to entering 
into contracts for the services of health care professional staff 
at military medical treatment facilities. 
(2) ELEMENTS.—The acquisition strategy under paragraph 
(1) shall include the following: 
(A) Identification of the responsibilities of the military 
departments and elements of the Department of Defense 
in carrying out such strategy. 
(B) Methods to analyze, using reliable and detailed 
data covering the entire Department, the amount of funds 
expended on contracts for the services of health care profes-
sional staff. 
(C) Methods to identify opportunities to consolidate 
requirements for such services and reduce cost. 
(D) Methods to measure cost savings that are realized 
by using such contracts instead of purchased care. 
(E) Metrics to determine the effectiveness of such 
strategy. 
(F) Metrics to evaluate the success of the strategy 
in achieving its objectives, including metrics to assess the 
effects of the strategy on the timeliness of beneficiary access 
to professional health care services in military medical 
treatment facilities.
H. R. 3979—128 
(G) Such other matters as the Secretary considers 
appropriate. 
(b) REPORT.—Not later than 180 days after the date of the 
enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to the congres-
sional defense committees a report on the status of implementing 
the acquisition strategy under paragraph (1) of subsection (a), 
including how each element under subparagraphs (A) through (G) 
of paragraph (2) of such subsection is being carried out. 
SEC. 726. PILOT PROGRAM ON MEDICATION THERAPY MANAGEMENT 
UNDER TRICARE PROGRAM. 
(a) ESTABLISHMENT.—In accordance with section 1092 of title 
10, United States Code, the Secretary of Defense shall carry out 
a pilot program to evaluate the feasibility and desirability of 
including medication therapy management as part of the TRICARE 
program. 
(b) ELEMENTS OF PILOT PROGRAM.—In carrying out the pilot 
program under subsection (a), the Secretary shall ensure the fol-
lowing: 
(1) Patients who participate in the pilot program are 
patients who— 
(A) have more than one chronic condition; and 
(B) are prescribed more than one medication. 
(2) Medication therapy management services provided 
under the pilot program are focused on improving patient use 
and outcomes of prescription medications. 
(3) The design of the pilot program considers best commer-
cial practices in providing medication therapy management 
services, including practices under the prescription drug pro-
gram under part D of title XVIII of the Social Security Act 
(42 U.S.C. 1395w–101 et seq.). 
(4) The pilot program includes methods to measure the 
effect of medication therapy management services on— 
(A) patient use and outcomes of prescription medica-
tions; and 
(B) the costs of health care. 
(c) LOCATIONS.— 
(1) SELECTION.—The Secretary shall carry out the pilot 
program under subsection (a) in not less than three locations. 
(2) FIRST LOCATION CRITERIA.—Not less than one location 
selected under paragraph (1) shall meet the following criteria: 
(A) The location is a pharmacy at a military medical 
treatment facility. 
(B) The patients participating in the pilot program 
at such location generally receive primary care services 
from health care providers at such facility. 
(3) SECOND LOCATION CRITERIA.—Not less than one location 
selected under paragraph (1) shall meet the following criteria: 
(A) The location is a pharmacy at a military medical 
treatment facility. 
(B) The patients participating in the pilot program 
at such location generally do not receive primary care 
services from health care providers at such facility. 
(4) THIRD LOCATION CRITERION.—Not less than one location 
selected under paragraph (1) shall be a pharmacy located at 
a location other than a military medical treatment facility.
H. R. 3979—129 
(d) DURATION.—The Secretary shall carry out the pilot program 
under subsection (a) for a period determined appropriate by the 
Secretary that is not less than two years. 
(e) REPORT.—Not later than 30 months after the date on which 
the Secretary commences the pilot program under subsection (a), 
the Secretary shall submit to the congressional defense committees 
a report on the pilot program that includes— 
(1) information on the effect of medication therapy manage-
ment services on— 
(A) patient use and outcomes of prescription medica-
tions; and 
(B) the costs of health care; 
(2) the recommendations of the Secretary with respect to 
incorporating 
medication 
therapy 
management 
into 
the 
TRICARE program; and 
(3) such other information as the Secretary determines 
appropriate. 
(f) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
(1) The term ‘‘medication therapy management’’ means 
professional services provided by qualified pharmacists to 
patients to improve the effective use and outcomes of prescrip-
tion medications provided to the patients. 
(2) The term ‘‘TRICARE program’’ has the meaning given 
that term in section 1072 of title 10, United States Code. 
SEC. 727. ANTIMICROBIAL STEWARDSHIP PROGRAM AT MEDICAL 
FACILITIES OF THE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than one year after the date of 
the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense shall carry 
out an antimicrobial stewardship program at medical facilities of 
the Department of Defense. 
(b) COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS OF DATA.—In carrying out the 
antimicrobial stewardship program required by subsection (a), the 
Secretary shall develop a consistent manner in which to collect 
and analyze data on antibiotic usage, health issues related to anti-
biotic usage, and antimicrobial resistance trends at medical facilities 
of the Department. 
(c) PLAN.—Not later than 180 days after the date of the enact-
ment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to the Committees 
on Armed Services of the House of Representatives and the Senate 
a plan for carrying out the antimicrobial stewardship program 
required by subsection (a). 
SEC. 728. REPORT ON IMPROVEMENTS IN THE IDENTIFICATION AND 
TREATMENT OF MENTAL HEALTH CONDITIONS AND TRAU-
MATIC BRAIN INJURY AMONG MEMBERS OF THE ARMED 
FORCES. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than one year after the date of 
the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense shall submit 
to the Committees on Armed Services of the Senate and the House 
of Representatives a report setting forth an evaluation of specific 
tools, processes, and best practices to improve the identification 
of and treatment by the Armed Forces of mental health conditions 
and traumatic brain injury among members of the Armed Forces. 
(b) ELEMENTS.—The report under subsection (a) shall include 
the following: 
(1) An evaluation of existing peer-to-peer identification and 
intervention programs in each of the Armed Forces.
H. R. 3979—130 
(2) An evaluation of programs that provide training and 
certification to health care providers that treat mental health 
conditions and traumatic brain injury in members of the Armed 
Forces. 
(3) An evaluation of programs and services provided by 
the Armed Forces that provide training and certification to 
providers of cognitive rehabilitation and other rehabilitation 
for traumatic brain injury to members of the Armed Forces. 
(4) An evaluation of programs and services provided by 
the Armed Forces that assist members of the Armed Forces 
and family members affected by suicides among members of 
the Armed Forces. 
(5) An evaluation of tools and processes used by the Armed 
Forces to identify traumatic brain injury in members of the 
Armed Forces and to distinguish mental health conditions likely 
caused by traumatic brain injury from mental health conditions 
caused by other factors. 
(6) An evaluation of the unified effort of the Armed Forces 
to promote mental health and prevent suicide through the 
integration of clinical and nonclinical programs of the Armed 
Forces. 
(7) Recommendations with respect to improving, consoli-
dating, expanding, and standardizing the programs, services, 
tools, processes, and efforts described in paragraphs (1) through 
(6). 
(8) A description of existing efforts to reduce the time 
from development and testing of new mental health and trau-
matic brain injury tools and treatments for members of the 
Armed Forces to widespread dissemination of such tools and 
treatments among the Armed Forces. 
(9) Recommendations as to the feasibility and advisability 
of conducting mental health assessments before the enlistment 
or commissioning of a member of the Armed Forces and again 
during the 90-day period preceding the date of discharge or 
release of the member from the Armed Forces, including the 
utility of using tools and processes in such mental health assess-
ments that conform to those used in other mental health assess-
ments provided to members of the Armed Forces. 
(10) Recommendations on how to track changes in the 
mental health assessment of a member of the Armed Forces 
relating to traumatic brain injury, post-traumatic stress dis-
order, depression, anxiety, and other conditions. 
(c) PRIVACY MATTERS.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Any medical or other personal informa-
tion obtained pursuant to any provision of this section shall 
be protected from disclosure or misuse in accordance with the 
laws on privacy applicable to such information. 
(2) EXCLUSION OF PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION 
FROM
REPORTS.—No personally identifiable information may 
be included in the report required by subsection (a). 
SEC. 729. REPORT ON EFFORTS TO TREAT INFERTILITY OF MILITARY 
FAMILIES. 
(a) REPORT.—Not later than 180 days after the date of the 
enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense shall submit to 
the congressional defense committees a report assessing the access
H. R. 3979—131 
of members of the Armed Forces and the dependents of such mem-
bers to reproductive counseling and treatments for infertility. 
(b) MATTERS INCLUDED.—The report under subsection (a) shall 
include the following: 
(1) A description, by location, of the infertility treatment 
services available at military medical treatment facilities 
throughout the military health care system. 
(2) An identification of factors that might disrupt treat-
ment, including lack of timely access to treatment, change 
in duty station, or overseas deployments. 
(3) The number of members of the Armed Forces who 
have received specific infertility treatment services during the 
five-year period preceding the date of the report. 
(4) The number of dependents of members who have 
received specific infertility treatment services during the five- 
year period preceding the date of the report. 
(5) The number of births resulting from infertility treat-
ment services described in paragraphs (3) and (4). 
(6) A comparison of infertility treatment services covered 
by health plans sponsored by the Federal Government and 
infertility treatment services provided by the military health 
care system. 
(7) The current cost to the Department of Defense for 
providing infertility treatment services to members and depend-
ents. 
(8) The current cost to members and dependents for infer-
tility treatment services provided by the military health care 
system. 
(9) Any other matters the Secretary determines appro-
priate. 
SEC. 730. REPORT ON IMPLEMENTATION OF RECOMMENDATIONS OF 
INSTITUTE OF MEDICINE ON IMPROVEMENTS TO CERTAIN 
RESILIENCE 
AND 
PREVENTION 
PROGRAMS 
OF 
THE 
DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE. 
Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of 
this Act, the Secretary of Defense shall submit to the Committees 
on Armed Services of the Senate and the House of Representatives 
a report setting forth an assessment of the feasibility and advis-
ability of implementing the recommendations of the Institute of 
Medicine regarding improvements to programs of the Department 
of Defense intended to strengthen mental, emotional, and behavioral 
abilities associated with managing adversity, adapting to change, 
recovering, and learning in connection with service in the Armed 
Forces. 
SEC. 731. COMPTROLLER GENERAL REPORT ON TRANSITION OF CARE 
FOR POST-TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER OR TRAUMATIC 
BRAIN INJURY. 
(a) REPORT.—Not later than September 1, 2015, the Comptroller 
General of the United States shall submit to the congressional 
defense committees and the Committees on Veterans’ Affairs of 
the House of Representatives and the Senate a report that assesses 
the transition of care for post-traumatic stress disorder and trau-
matic brain injury. 
(b) MATTERS INCLUDED.—The report under subsection (a) shall 
include the following:
H. R. 3979—132 
(1) The programs, policies, and regulations that affect the 
transition of care, particularly with respect to individuals who 
are taking or have been prescribed antidepressants, stimulants, 
antipsychotics, mood stabilizers, anxiolytics, depressants, or 
hallucinogens. 
(2) Upon transitioning to care furnished by the Secretary 
of Veterans Affairs, the extent to which the pharmaceutical 
treatment plan of an individual changes, and the factors deter-
mining such changes. 
(3) The extent to which the Secretary of Defense and the 
Secretary of Veterans Affairs have worked together to identify 
and apply best pharmaceutical treatment practices. 
(4) A description of the off-formulary waiver process of 
the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, and the extent to which 
the process is applied efficiently at the treatment level. 
(5) The benefits and challenges of harmonizing the 
formularies across the Department of Defense and the Depart-
ment of Veterans Affairs. 
(6) Any other issues that the Comptroller General deter-
mines appropriate. 
(c) TRANSITION OF CARE DEFINED.—In this section, the term 
‘‘transition of care’’ means the transition of an individual from 
receiving treatment furnished by the Secretary of Defense to treat-
ment furnished by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs. 
SEC. 732. COMPTROLLER GENERAL REPORT ON MENTAL HEALTH 
STIGMA REDUCTION EFFORTS IN THE DEPARTMENT OF 
DEFENSE. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Comptroller General of the United States 
shall carry out a review of the policies, procedures, and programs 
of the Department of Defense to reduce the stigma associated with 
mental health treatment for members of the Armed Forces and 
deployed civilian employees of the Department of Defense. 
(b) ELEMENTS.—The review under subsection (a) shall address, 
at a minimum, the following: 
(1) An assessment of the availability and access to mental 
health treatment services for members of the Armed Forces 
and deployed civilian employees of the Department of Defense. 
(2) An assessment of the perception of the impact of the 
stigma of mental health treatment on the career advancement 
and retention of members of the Armed Forces and such 
employees. 
(3) An assessment of the policies, procedures, and pro-
grams, including training and education, of each of the Armed 
Forces to reduce the stigma of mental health treatment for 
members of the Armed Forces and such employees at each 
unit level of the organized forces. 
(c) REPORT.—Not later than March 1, 2016, the Comptroller 
General shall submit to the Committees on Armed Services of 
the House of Representatives and the Senate a report on the review 
under subsection (a). 
SEC. 733. COMPTROLLER GENERAL REPORT ON WOMEN’S HEALTH 
CARE SERVICES FOR MEMBERS OF THE ARMED FORCES 
AND OTHER COVERED BENEFICIARIES. 
(a) REPORT.—Not later than one year after the date of the 
enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General of the United States 
shall submit to the Committees on Armed Services of the House
H. R. 3979—133 
of Representatives and the Senate a report on women’s health 
care services for members of the Armed Forces serving on active 
duty and other covered beneficiaries under chapter 55 of title 10, 
United States Code. 
(b) ELEMENTS.—The report under subsection (a) shall include 
the following: 
(1) A description and assessment of women’s health care 
services for members of the Armed Forces and other covered 
beneficiaries, including with respect to access to care, scope 
of available care, and availability of speciality care, and with 
a particular emphasis on maternity care. 
(2) An assessment of whether the quality measures used 
by the military health care system with respect to women’s 
health care services for members of the Armed Forces and 
other covered beneficiaries facilitate expected outcomes, and 
an assessment of whether another, or additional, evidence- 
based quality measures would improve outcomes in the military 
health care system. 
(3) A description and assessment of nationally recognized 
recommendations to improve access to health services and 
better health outcomes for women members of the Armed Forces 
and other covered beneficiaries. 
(4) Such recommendations for legislative or administrative 
action as the Comptroller General considers appropriate to 
improve women’s health care services for members of the Armed 
Forces and other covered beneficiaries. 
TITLE VIII—ACQUISITION POLICY, AC-
QUISITION MANAGEMENT, AND RE-
LATED MATTERS 
Subtitle A—Acquisition Policy and Management 
Sec. 801. Modular open systems approaches in acquisition programs. 
Sec. 802. Recharacterization of changes to Major Automated Information System 
programs. 
Sec. 803. Amendments relating to defense business systems. 
Sec. 804. Report on implementation of acquisition process for information tech-
nology systems. 
Subtitle B—Amendments to General Contracting Authorities, Procedures, and 
Limitations 
Sec. 811. Extension and modification of contract authority for advanced component 
development and prototype units. 
Sec. 812. Amendments relating to authority of the Defense Advanced Research 
Projects Agency to carry out certain prototype projects. 
Sec. 813. Extension of limitation on aggregate annual amount available for contract 
services. 
Sec. 814. Improvement in defense design-build construction process. 
Sec. 815. Permanent authority for use of simplified acquisition procedures for cer-
tain commercial items. 
Sec. 816. Restatement and revision of requirements applicable to multiyear defense 
acquisitions to be specifically authorized by law. 
Sec. 817. Sourcing requirements related to avoiding counterfeit electronic parts. 
Sec. 818. Amendments to Proof of Concept Commercialization Pilot Program. 
Subtitle C—Industrial Base Matters 
Sec. 821. Temporary extension of and amendments to test program for negotiation 
of comprehensive small business subcontracting plans. 
Sec. 822. Plan for improving data on bundled or consolidated contracts. 
Sec. 823. Authority to provide education to small businesses on certain require-
ments of Arms Export Control Act.
H. R. 3979—134 
Sec. 824. Matters relating to reverse auctions. 
Sec. 825. Sole source contracts for small business concerns owned and controlled by 
women. 
Subtitle D—Federal Information Technology Acquisition Reform 
Sec. 831. Chief Information Officer authority enhancements. 
Sec. 832. Enhanced transparency and improved risk management in information 
technology investments. 
Sec. 833. Portfolio review. 
Sec. 834. Federal data center consolidation initiative. 
Sec. 835. Expansion of training and use of information technology cadres. 
Sec. 836. Maximizing the benefit of the Federal strategic sourcing initiative. 
Sec. 837. Governmentwide software purchasing program. 
Subtitle E—Never Contract With the Enemy 
Sec. 841. Prohibition on providing funds to the enemy. 
Sec. 842. Additional access to records. 
Sec. 843. Definitions. 
Subtitle F—Other Matters 
Sec. 851. Rapid acquisition and deployment procedures for United States Special 
Operations Command. 
Sec. 852. Consideration of corrosion control in preliminary design review. 
Sec. 853. Program manager development report. 
Sec. 854. Operational metrics for Joint Information Environment and supporting 
activities. 
Sec. 855. Compliance with requirements for senior Department of Defense officials 
seeking employment with defense contractors. 
Sec. 856. Enhancement of whistleblower protection for employees of grantees. 
Sec. 857. Prohibition on reimbursement of contractors for congressional investiga-
tions and inquiries. 
Sec. 858. Requirement to provide photovoltaic devices from United States sources. 
Sec. 859. Reimbursement of Department of Defense for assistance provided to non-
governmental entertainment-oriented media producers. 
Sec. 860. Three-year extension of authority for Joint Urgent Operational Needs 
Fund. 
Subtitle A—Acquisition Policy and 
Management 
SEC. 801. MODULAR OPEN SYSTEMS APPROACHES IN ACQUISITION 
PROGRAMS. 
(a) PLAN FOR MODULAR OPEN SYSTEMS APPROACH THROUGH 
DEVELOPMENT
AND
ADOPTION
OF
STANDARDS
AND
ARCHITEC-
TURES.—Not later than January 1, 2016, the Under Secretary of 
Defense for Acquisition, Technology, and Logistics shall submit 
a report to the Committees on Armed Services of the Senate and 
the House of Representatives detailing a plan to develop standards 
and define architectures necessary to enable open systems 
approaches in the key mission areas of the Department of Defense 
with respect to which the Under Secretary determines that such 
standards and architectures would be feasible and cost effective. 
(b) CONSIDERATION OF MODULAR OPEN SYSTEMS APPROACHES.— 
(1) REVIEW OF ACQUISITION GUIDANCE.—The Under Sec-
retary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology, and Logistics 
shall review current acquisition guidance, and modify such 
guidance as necessary, to— 
(A) ensure that acquisition programs include open sys-
tems approaches in the product design and acquisition 
of information technology systems to the maximum extent 
practicable; and 
(B) for any information technology system not using 
an open systems approach, ensure that written justification