131 
and landing capabilities in collaboration with part-
ners in commercial industry and other sectors. 
(2) The term ‘‘covered Armed Forces’’ means the 
Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, and Space 
Force. 
SEC. 230. AUTHORITY FOR TEMPORARY ASSIGNMENT OF 
EMPLOYEES OF THE OFFICE OF STRATEGIC 
CAPITAL TO CERTAIN PRIVATE-SECTOR OR-
GANIZATIONS. 
(a) AUTHORIZATION.—Using the authority provided 
under section 1599g of title 10, United States Code, the Sec-
retary of Defense, acting through the Director of the Office 
of Strategic Capital, may carry out a program under which 
the Director arranges for the temporary assignment of an 
employee of the Office to a qualifying private-sector organi-
zation. 
(b) OBJECTIVES.—The objectives of the program under 
subsection (a) shall be— 
(1) to enable the Office of Strategic Capital to 
rapidly acquire industry-specific context and tech-
nical competence across high priority technology and 
industrial focus areas through immersion in highly 
relevant emerging technology and business ecosystems 
across the United States; and
132 
(2) to enhance, among personnel of the Depart-
ment— 
(A) understanding of, connectivity with, 
and access to knowledge about critical and 
emerging defense industrial base capabilities; 
and 
(B) understanding of the strategic role that 
venture capital and private equity operations 
have in shaping future sustainment and mod-
ernization requirements for the defense industrial 
base. 
(c) MATCHING AND TRACKING CAPABILITIES.—In car-
rying out program under subsection (a), the Director of the 
Office of Strategic Capital shall— 
(1) use digital automation and analysis capa-
bility to optimize the identification, assessment, and 
placement of participants within the program, which 
shall include the ability to match and track private- 
sector organizations with employees of the Office par-
ticipating in the program in a manner that aligns 
the priorities, needs, and expertise of such employees, 
organizations, and the Office; and 
(2) establish a database or other digital automa-
tion capability that—
133 
(A) enables the Office to identify and track 
current and former participants in the program; 
(B) documents the nature of the experience 
such participants had while in the program; and 
(C) is suitable for potential development 
and expansion to other organizations of Depart-
ment of Defense in the event the Secretary of De-
fense determines such expansion is appropriate. 
(d) QUALIFYING PRIVATE-SECTOR ORGANIZATION DE-
FINED.—In this section, the term ‘‘qualifying private-sector 
organization’’ means a private-sector organization that has 
functions and expertise relevant to the responsibilities of the 
Office of Strategic Capital, which may include organization 
such as a venture capital firm, private equity firm, or other 
such organizations as determined appropriated by the Di-
rector of the Office. 
SEC. 231. QUANTUM BENCHMARKING INITIATIVE. 
(a) INITIATIVE REQUIRED.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—The Director of the Defense 
Advanced Research Projects Agency shall establish 
and carry out an initiative to rapidly expand and 
support efforts to evaluate concepts, development 
plans, and prototypes, components, and subsystems 
needed to develop a utility-scale quantum computing 
capability available to the Department of Defense.
134 
(2) DESIGNATION.—The initiative established 
pursuant to paragraph (1) shall be known as the 
‘‘Quantum Benchmarking Initiative’’ (referred to in 
this section as the ‘‘Initiative’’). 
(b) ELEMENTS.—The Initiative shall include the fol-
lowing: 
(1) Activities to broaden existing efforts of the 
Department of Defense to verify and validate commer-
cial efforts to design and build utility-scale quantum 
computers, including through collaboration with key 
partners in the Air Force Research Laboratory, the 
Office of Strategic Capital, the Defense Innovation 
Unit, and such other partners and organizations of 
the Department of Defense as the Director of the De-
fense Advanced Research Projects Agency deems ap-
propriate. 
(2) Working with the Office of Strategic Capital 
to establish regular interactions with the venture cap-
ital and finance community to help accelerate com-
mercial efforts to develop concepts, plans, prototypes, 
components, and subsystems needed to develop viable 
utility-scale quantum computers. 
(3) Working with the Office of the Assistant Sec-
retary of Defense for Industrial Base Policy to con-
nect key performers in fault-tolerant utility-scale
135 
quantum computing with support for industrial bases 
analysis, manufacturing support, and other analysis 
support to help foster and grow the broader industrial 
base supporting fault-tolerant utility-scale quantum 
computing. 
(4) Working with the military departments and 
other components of the Department of Defense to re-
fine use cases for militarily relevant applications of 
utility-scale quantum computers. 
(c) REPEAL
OF REPORTING REQUIREMENT.—Sub-
section (c) of section 229 of the National Defense Authoriza-
tion Act for Fiscal Year 2022 (Public Law 117–81; 135 
Stat. 1611; 10 U.S.C. 4001 note) is hereby repealed. 
SEC. 232. EXPANSION OF PARTICIPATION IN THE DIGITAL 
ON-DEMAND PROGRAM. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary of Defense shall take 
such steps as may be necessary— 
(1) to expand the availability of the Digital On- 
Demand Program to— 
(A) all organizations and elements of the 
Department of Defense; and 
(B) all members of the Armed Forces and 
civilian employees of the Department; and 
(2) to actively promote the Program throughout 
the Department.
136 
(b) REPORT.—Not later than 180 days after the date 
of the enactment of this Act, and on an annual basis there-
after through 2029, the Secretary of Defense shall submit 
to the Committees on Armed Services of the Senate and the 
House of Representatives a report on the progress of the Sec-
retary in expanding and promoting the Digital On-De-
mand Program as described in subsection (a). 
(c) DIGITAL ON DEMAND PROGRAM DEFINED.—In this 
section, the term ‘‘Digital On-Demand Program’’ means the 
program overseen by the Chief Digital and Artificial Intel-
ligence Officer pursuant to which educational resources on 
artificial intelligence, emerging technologies, data literacy, 
and related topics are made available to personnel of the 
Department of Defense through a digital platform on an 
on-demand basis. 
SEC. 233. MANAGEMENT AND UTILIZATION OF DIGITAL 
DATA TO ENHANCE MAINTENANCE ACTIVI-
TIES. 
(a) POLICIES REQUIRED.—Not later than one year 
after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Under Sec-
retary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment, in con-
sultation with the Secretaries of the military departments 
and the Chief Digital and Artificial Intelligence Officer of 
the Department of Defense, shall develop and implement 
policies to manage and utilize data derived from digital
137 
data systems for aircraft, ships, and ground vehicles to in-
form and support maintenance activities conducted with re-
spect to such aircraft, ships, and vehicles. 
(b) ELEMENTS.—The policies required by subsection 
(a) shall include investment in advanced and scalable data 
infrastructure to efficiently record, transmit, categorize, 
and otherwise process data generated by digital data sys-
tems described in such subsection. Such policies shall— 
(1) require development of a strategy to invest in 
advanced technologies, including automated systems 
and artificial intelligence, to streamline the process of 
organizing, indexing, and categorizing data; 
(2) require work with vendors to address and re-
solve limitations imposed by proprietary information 
and data, including through the adoption of open 
data and open mission systems approaches; 
(3) address data transmission capabilities, such 
as— 
(A) implementing high-speed data transfer 
technologies; 
(B) optimizing network infrastructure; and 
(C) developing secure and efficient methods 
for transmitting mission-critical data between 
bases;
138 
(4) require central compilation of maintenance 
data and creation of user interfaces, prioritizing 
analysis of long-lead components; 
(5) require the use of vendor-agnostic, govern-
ment-owned tagging and interoperable systems, except 
in cases where there is a compelling reason not to use 
such systems; 
(6) require review of classification policies relat-
ing to digital data to ensure that data is appro-
priately classified without unnecessarily restricting 
its usability; and 
(7) establish protocols for detecting unauthorized 
access or intrusion into vehicle or platform systems. 
(c) BRIEFING.—Not later than one year after the date 
of the enactment of this Act, the Under Secretary of Defense 
for Acquisition and Sustainment shall provide to the Com-
mittees on Armed Services of the Senate and the House of 
Representatives a briefing on— 
(1) the policies developed under subsection (a); 
and 
(2) the status of the implementation of such poli-
cies.
139 
SEC. 234. ELECTROMAGNETIC SPECTRUM DEMONSTRATION 
PROGRAM. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than November 30, 2025, 
the Chief Information Officer of the Department of Defense, 
in coordination with the Under Secretary of Defense for Re-
search and Engineering and the Director of Operational 
Test and Evaluation, shall complete a demonstration pro-
gram to assess the viability of using wideband adaptive sig-
nal processing technology to support simultaneous transmit 
and receive signals on the same electromagnetic spectrum 
frequency band that— 
(1) does not produce harmful interference; 
(2) significantly reduces electromagnetic spec-
trum guard bands; 
(3) maintains signal quality with respect to la-
tency and throughput; and 
(4) increases electromagnetic spectrum access 
within the frequency band. 
(b) LOCATION.—The demonstration program required 
by subsection (a) shall be conducted at a test and training 
range of the Department of Defense. 
(c) CONSULTATION.—In carrying out the demonstra-
tion program required by subsection (a), the Chief Informa-
tion Officer, the Under Secretary, and the Director shall 
consult with, at a minimum, the following: 
(1) The Joint Staff.
140 
(2) The military departments and their associ-
ated research labs. 
(3) Other Department of Defense organizations 
and agencies. 
(4) The Federal Communications Commission. 
(5) The National Telecommunications and Infor-
mation Administration. 
(6) Other Federal agencies. 
(7) Industry and nongovernmental entities. 
(d) AUTHORITY TO ENTER INTO CONTRACTS.—Subject 
to the availability of appropriations, the Chief Information 
Officer may enter into such contracts or other agreements 
as the Chief Information Officer considers appropriate to 
conduct studies and demonstration projects under the dem-
onstration program required by subsection (a). 
(e) BRIEFING ON PLANS FOR PROGRAM.—Not later 
than 60 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, 
the Chief Information Officer, the Under Secretary, and the 
Director shall jointly provide to the congressional defense 
committees a briefing on the plans to carry out the dem-
onstration program required by subsection (a). 
(f) PERIODIC ASSESSMENTS OF PROGRAM.—The Chief 
Information Officer, the Under Secretary, and the Director 
shall, periodically, assess the demonstration program re-
141 
quired by subsection (a) while the program is being carried 
out. 
(g) BRIEFING ON COMPLETED PROGRAM.—Upon com-
pletion of the demonstration program required by sub-
section (a), the Chief Information Officer, the Under Sec-
retary, and the Director shall jointly provide the congres-
sional defense committees a briefing on their findings with 
respect to the demonstration program. 
SEC. 235. COMPETITIVE DEMONSTRATION OF AUTOMATED 
TARGET RECOGNITION ALGORITHMS. 
(a) VENUE, PROCESS, AND SCENARIOS.—Not later 
than June 1, 2025, the Chief Digital and Artificial Intel-
ligence Officer of the Department of Defense, in coordina-
tion with appropriate counterparts in the military depart-
ments, shall develop a venue and processes, including a 
specified set of baseline scenarios, for comparative testing 
of automated target recognition algorithms to evaluate mis-
sion efficacy. 
(b) DEMONSTRATION.—Not later than September 1, 
2025, the Secretary of Defense shall use the venue developed 
under subsection (a) to test the mission capability of at least 
two relevant programs included in the Replicator initiative. 
(c) BRIEFING.—Not later than one year after the date 
of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense shall 
provide to the Committees on Armed Services of the Senate
142 
and the House of Representatives a briefing on the activities 
carried out under this section. 
SEC. 236. PILOT PROGRAM ON DEVELOPMENT OF NEAR- 
TERM USE CASES AND DEMONSTRATION OF 
ARTIFICIAL 
INTELLIGENCE 
TOWARD 
BIO-
TECHNOLOGY APPLICATIONS FOR NATIONAL 
SECURITY. 
(a) PILOT PROGRAM REQUIRED.—The Secretary of 
Defense shall carry out a pilot program to develop near- 
term use cases and demonstrations of artificial intelligence 
for national security-related biotechnology applications. 
(b) PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIPS.—The Secretary 
of Defense shall carry out the pilot program required by 
subsection (a) through one or more public-private partner-
ships entered into for purposes of the pilot program. 
(c) LABORATORY SUPPORT AND INFRASTRUCTURE.— 
In support of a public-private partnership entered into 
under subsection (b), the Secretary of Defense may, on a 
reimbursable basis, make available— 
(1) the facilities and services of a Department of 
Defense laboratory to perform experimentation for 
biotechnology applications to aid in the validation of 
artificial intelligence models; and 
(2) computing and data storage infrastructure 
and capabilities of the Department of Defense.
143 
(d) DURATION.—The pilot program required by sub-
section (a) shall— 
(1) commence not later than one year after the 
date of the enactment of this Act; and 
(2) terminate five years after the date of the on 
which the program commences under paragraph (1). 
(e) ANNUAL REPORT.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than one year after 
the date of the enactment of this Act, and not later 
than December 1 of every other year thereafter until 
the termination date specified in subsection (d)(2), 
the Secretary of Defense shall submit to the congres-
sional defense committees a report on the pilot pro-
gram. 
(2) CONTENTS.—Each report submitted under 
paragraph (1) shall include, for the period covered by 
the report, the following: 
(A) An assessment of existing Department 
of Defense biotechnology-related data resources 
and how they may be used in the pilot program. 
(B) An assessment of required cybersecurity 
measures for users under the pilot program. 
(C) A description of any mechanisms devel-
oped for collaboration among different parties 
associated with projects under the pilot program,
144 
including intellectual property agreements, fund-
ing agreements, and material transfer agree-
ments. 
(D) An assessment of the role that artificial 
intelligence is playing in developing bio-
technology applications for national security 
purposes, including identification of commercial 
or academic applications used in the pilot pro-
gram. 
(E) A description of near-term use cases de-
veloped under the pilot program for artificial in-
telligence-enabled biotechnology applications for 
national security. 
(F) A description of planned, ongoing, and 
completed demonstrations or other pilot pro-
grams funded under the pilot program required 
by subsection (a) or otherwise funded by the De-
partment of Defense. 
(G) An assessment of the viability of 
transitioning technology developed under the 
pilot program into operational use within the 
Department, including assessment of— 
(i) the resources needed for further de-
velopment and scaling of such technology; 
and
145 
(ii) the potential benefits of such tech-
nology. 
(3) FORM.—Each report under paragraph (1) 
shall be submitted in unclassified form, but may in-
clude a classified annex. 
(f) TRANSITION PLAN.—Not later than one year before 
the date on which the pilot program terminates under sub-
section (d)(2), the Secretary of Defense shall submit to the 
congressional defense committees a plan that outlines what 
steps the Department could take to turn the pilot program 
into an operational program if authorized and funded by 
Congress to do so. The plan shall include the following: 
(1) A transition timeline. 
(2) Associated projected annual cost of operating 
the program. 
(3) Additional infrastructure that might be need-
ed, including associated costs. 
(4) A descriptive analysis of the relevant tech-
nical, engineering and commercial biotechnology eco-
system, including entities within the Department and 
external stakeholders. 
(5) Examples of projects from the pilot phase of 
the program and their outcomes. 
(6) The potential impact to Department capa-
bilities of transitioning the program.
146 
(7) Any other details deemed necessary to in-
clude by the Secretary. 
SEC. 237. PILOT PROGRAM ON USE OF ARTIFICIAL INTEL-
LIGENCE FOR CERTAIN WORKFLOW AND OP-
ERATIONS TASKS. 
(a) PILOT PROGRAM REQUIRED.—Beginning not later 
than 60 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, 
the Secretary of Defense shall carry out a pilot program 
to assess the feasibility and advisability of using artificial 
intelligence-enabled software to optimize the workflow and 
operations for— 
(1) depots, shipyards, or other manufacturing fa-
cilities run by the Department of Defense; and 
(2) contract administration for the Department, 
including— 
(A) the adjudication and review of con-
tracts; and 
(B) activities related to the Modernization 
and Analytics Initiative managed by the Defense 
Contract Management Agency. 
(b) METHOD OF IMPLEMENTATION.—The Secretary of 
Defense may carry out subsection (a) through— 
(1) the establishment of a new pilot program; or
147 
(2) the designation of an existing initiative of 
the Department of Defense to serve as the pilot pro-
gram required under such subsection. 
(c) SOFTWARE.—In carrying out the pilot program re-
quired by subsection (a), the Secretary shall— 
(1) use best in breed software platforms; 
(2) consider industry best practices in the selec-
tion of software programs; 
(3) implement the program based on human cen-
tered design practices to best identify the business 
needs for improvement; and 
(4) demonstrate connection to enterprise plat-
forms of record with authoritative data sources. 
(d) CONSULTATION.—In carrying out the activities de-
scribed in subsection (a)(1) under the pilot program, the 
Secretary of Defense shall consult with— 
(1) the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisi-
tion and Sustainment; 
(2) the Secretary of the Army; 
(3) the Secretary of the Navy; and 
(4) the Secretary of the Air Force. 
(e) REPORT.—Not later than one year after the date 
of the commencement of the pilot program under subsection 
(a), the Secretary of Defense shall submit to the Committees
148 
on Armed Services of the Senate and the House of Rep-
resentatives a report containing the following information: 
(1) An evaluation of each software platform used 
in the pilot program. 
(2) An analysis of how workflows and operations 
were modified as part of the pilot program. 
(3) A quantitative assessment of the impact the 
software had at each of the locations in which the 
pilot program was carried out. 
SEC. 238. LIMITATION ON AVAILABILITY OF FUNDS FOR 
FUNDAMENTAL RESEARCH COLLABORATION 
WITH CERTAIN ACADEMIC INSTITUTIONS. 
(a) LIMITATION.—Except as provided in subsection 
(b), none of the funds authorized to be appropriated by this 
Act or otherwise made available for the Department of De-
fense for fiscal year 2025 may be obligated or expended to 
award a grant or contract to an institution of higher edu-
cation for the specific purposes of conducting fundamental 
research in collaboration with a covered entity. 
(b) WAIVER.— 
(1) IN
GENERAL.—The Assistant Secretary of 
Defense for Science and Technology may waive the 
limitation under subsection (a), on a case-by-case 
basis, with respect to an individual grant or contract 
for an institution of higher education if the Assistant
149 
Secretary determines that such a waiver is in the na-
tional security interests of the United States. 
(2) CONGRESSIONAL NOTICE.—Not later than 30 
days after the date on which an award is made by 
the Department of Defense involving an institution of 
higher education with respect to which a waiver is 
made under paragraph (1), the Assistant Secretary of 
Defense for Science and Technology shall submit to 
the Committees on Armed Services of the Senate and 
the House of Representatives notice of such waiver. 
(c) REPORT ANNEX.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—On an annual basis, as a 
classified or controlled unclassified information annex 
to the annual report required by section 1286(f) of the 
John S McCain National Defense Authorization Act 
for Fiscal Year 2019 (Public Law 115–232; 10 U.S.C. 
4001 note) (as so redesignated by section 226 of this 
title), the Secretary of Defense shall submit to the 
Committees on Armed Services of the Senate and the 
House of Representatives a report annex on the com-
pliance of the Department of Defense and institutions 
of higher education with the requirements of this sec-
tion. 
(2) CONTENTS.—Each report annex submitted 
pursuant to paragraph (1) shall include, for each
150 
waiver issued under subsection (b) during the period 
covered by the report— 
(A) a justification for the waiver; and 
(B) a detailed description of the type and 
extent of any collaboration between an institu-
tion of higher education and a covered entity al-
lowed pursuant to the waiver, including identi-
fication of the institution of higher education 
and the covered entities involved, the type of 
technology involved, the duration of the collabo-
ration, and terms and conditions on intellectual 
property assignment, as applicable, under the 
collaboration agreement. 
(d) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
(1) The term ‘‘collaboration’’ means coordinated 
activity between an institution of higher education 
and a covered entity and includes— 
(A) sharing of research facilities, resources, 
or data; 
(B) sharing of technical know-how; 
(C) any financial or in-kind contribution 
intended to produce a research product; 
(D) sponsorship or facilitation of research 
fellowships, visas, or residence permits;
151 
(E) joint ventures, partnerships, or other 
formalized agreements for the purpose of con-
ducting research or sharing resources, data, or 
technology; 
(F) inclusion of researchers as consultants, 
advisors, or members of advisory or review 
boards; and 
(G) such other activities as may be deter-
mined by the Secretary of Defense. 
(2) The term ‘‘covered entity’’— 
(A) means an academic institution that is 
included in the most recently updated list devel-
oped pursuant to 1286(c)(9) of the John S. 
McCain National Defense Authorization Act for 
Fiscal Year 2019 (Public Law 115–232; 10 
U.S.C. 4001 note); and 
(B) includes any individual employed by 
such an academic institution. 
(3) The term ‘‘fundamental research’’ has the 
meaning given that term in National Security Deci-
sion Directive-189 (NSSD-189), National Policy on 
the Transfer of Scientific, Technical and Engineering 
Information, dated September 21, 1985, or any suc-
cessor document.
152 
(4) The term ‘‘institution of higher education’’ 
has the meaning given that term in section 102 of the 
Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1002) and 
includes— 
(A) any department, program, project, fac-
ulty, researcher, or other individual, entity, or 
activity of such institution; and 
(B) any branch of such institution within 
or outside the United States. 
Subtitle C—Plans, Reports, and 
Other Matters 
SEC. 241. INCORPORATING HUMAN READINESS LEVELS 
INTO RESEARCH, DEVELOPMENT, TEST, AND 
EVALUATION ACTIVITIES. 
(a) REVIEW.—Not later than 90 days after the date 
of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense, in 
consultation with the Under Secretary of Defense for Acqui-
sition and Sustainment and the Under Secretary of Defense 
for Research and Engineering, shall initiate a review of the 
ANSI/HFES Standard 400-2021 to determine whether any 
elements of such standard may be incorporated into rel-
evant Department of Defense procedures and guidance ma-
terial— 
(1) to ensure the safety and effective implementa-
tion of technology by ensuring that human readiness
153 
levels are adequately aligned with technology readi-
ness levels; and 
(2) to reduce the likelihood that technology will 
be deployed before adequate human factors consider-
ations are incorporated into such technology. 
(b) ELEMENTS.—In carrying out the review required 
by subsection (a), the Secretary of Defense— 
(1) shall conduct a review of ANSI/HFES 
Standard 400-2021; 
(2) shall conduct a preliminary analysis of the 
human readiness levels of the Department of Defense 
based on ANSI/HFES Standard 400-2021 to deter-
mine whether and to what extent those readiness lev-
els align with the current technology readiness levels 
of technology used in major research and development 
programs and major defense acquisition programs (as 
defined in section 4201 of title 10, United States 
Code); 
(3) shall consult with personnel responsible for 
such programs regarding the effect of incorporating 
ANSI/HFES Standard 400-2021 with respect to the 
schedule, cost, and performance of such programs; and 
(4) may consult with subject matter experts af-
filiated with the Human Factors and Ergonomics So-
ciety.
157 
cluding personnel with responsibilities relating di-
rectly to biotechnology and personnel who indirectly 
support the biotechnology efforts of the Department 
such as personnel involved program management, ac-
quisition, investment, and legal matters; 
(13) with respect to the biotechnology workforce 
described in paragraph (12)— 
(A) identify the total number of bio-
technology positions required to support the ob-
jectives of the roadmap— 
(i) as of the date of the roadmap; and 
(ii) over the periods of five and 10 
years following such date; 
(B) indicate the number of such positions 
that have been filled as of the date of the road-
map; 
(C) describe the positions included in the 
biotechnology workforce, including a description 
of— 
(i) the role of each position in sup-
porting the objectives under paragraph (1); 
and 
(ii) the qualifications required for each 
position, including any qualifications relat-
158 
ing to seniority level, education, training, 
and security clearances; 
(D) identify any challenges affecting the 
ability of the Department to develop the bio-
technology workforce and propose solutions to 
those challenges; 
(E) assess whether the codes used to define 
positions and roles within the workforce of the 
Department adequately cover the range of posi-
tions and personnel that comprise the bio-
technology workforce, such as personnel in re-
search, engineering, and testing; 
(F) identify mechanisms to enable the De-
partment to access outside expertise relating to 
biotechnology, including mechanisms to assemble 
a pool of outside experts who have been 
prequalified (including by obtaining any nec-
essary security clearances) to provide advice and 
assistance to the Department on matters relating 
to biotechnology on an as-needed basis; and 
(G) assess whether personnel occupying ex-
isting positions in the Department could be used 
to meet biotechnology workforce needs with addi-
tional training and, if so, the nature and scope 
of the training required; and
159 
(14) address collaboration between the Depart-
ment and international partners to advance research 
on biotechnology, which shall include— 
(A) a description of any international part-
nerships under which the United States is col-
laborating 
with 
partners 
to 
conduct 
bio-
technology research and development for defense 
purposes, including a description of any invest-
ment priorities for the Office of Strategic Capital 
and the Defense Advanced Research Projects 
Agency relating to such partnerships; 
(B) a description of any new international 
partnerships that may be entered into, or exist-
ing partnerships that may be modified, to pro-
vide for such collaboration; and 
(C) identification of any challenges affect-
ing the ability of the Department engage in such 
collaboration with international partners, in-
cluding— 
(i) any limitations on co-investments 
within international partnerships; 
(ii) any United States export controls 
or other technology protections that hinder 
information sharing within such partner-
ships; and
160 
(iii) any other challenges that may 
prevent the full utilization of such partner-
ships for such collaboration. 
(c) BIENNIAL UPDATES.—Not less frequently than once 
every two years following the submittal of the initial road-
map under subsection (a) until the termination date speci-
fied in subsection (h), the Secretary shall— 
(1) review and update the roadmap; and 
(2) submit an updated version of the roadmap to 
the congressional defense committees. 
(d) FORM.—Each version of the roadmap required to 
be submitted under this section may be submitted in classi-
fied form, but if so submitted, shall include an unclassified 
executive summary. 
(e) PUBLIC AVAILABILITY.—On annual basis, the Sec-
retary shall make an unclassified version of the most recent 
roadmap submitted under this section available on a pub-
licly accessible website of the Department of Defense. 
(f) GAO EVALUATION AND REPORT.—Not later than 
180 days after the date on which the Secretary of Defense 
submits the initial roadmap pursuant to subsection (a), the 
Comptroller General of the United States shall— 
(1) complete an evaluation of the roadmap; and
161 
(2) submit to the congressional defense commit-
tees a report on the findings of the Comptroller Gen-
eral with respect to such evaluation. 
(g) BIOTECHNOLOGY DEFINED.—In this section, the 
term ‘‘biotechnology’’ means the application of science and 
technology to living organisms and to parts, products, and 
models of such organisms to alter living or non-living mate-
rials for the production of knowledge, goods, or services. 
(h) SUNSET.—This section shall terminate on the date 
that is 10 years after the date of the enactment of this Act. 
SEC. 243. PLAN TO ADVANCE INTERESTS OF DEPARTMENT 
OF DEFENSE IN MATTERS RELATING TO 
ELECTROMAGNETIC 
SPECTRUM 
IN 
INTER-
NATIONAL FORA. 
(a) PLAN REQUIRED.—Not later than 60 days after 
the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of De-
fense, in coordination with the Chief Information Officer 
of the Department of Defense, shall develop and commence 
implementation of a five-year plan for advancing United 
States defense policy interests at meetings of relevant inter-
national organizations and other international fora relat-
ing to electromagnetic spectrum, including all phases of the 
World Radiocommunication Conferences preparatory proc-
ess.
162 
(b) ELEMENTS.—At a minimum, the plan developed 
under subsection (a) shall include the following: 
(1) Actions and resourcing required to ensure 
that the Department of Defense has the personnel and 
expertise required to engage meaningfully in the 
international activities described in subsection (a). 
(2) Processes to increase pre-coordination with 
relevant domestic partners and Federal agencies on 
matters relating to the international activities de-
scribed in subsection (a), including the defense indus-
trial base and industry. 
(3) Appropriate avenues to increase cooperation 
activities with friendly foreign partners relating to 
the international activities described in subsection 
(a). 
(c) BRIEFING.—Not later than 180 days after the date 
of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense, in 
coordination with the Chief Information officer of the De-
partment of Defense, shall provide to the Committees on 
Armed Services of the Senate and the House of Representa-
tives a briefing on the plan developed under subsection (a), 
which shall include information on relevant funded and un-
funded resourcing requirements for current and future fiscal 
years.
163 
SEC. 244. STRATEGIC PLAN FOR QUANTUM INFORMATION 
SCIENCE TECHNOLOGIES WITHIN THE DE-
PARTMENT OF DEFENSE. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary of Defense shall de-
velop a strategic plan to guide the research, development, 
test, and evaluation, procurement, and implementation of 
quantum information science (referred to in this section as 
‘‘QIS’’) technologies within the Department of Defense, in-
cluding the covered Armed Forces, over the period of five 
years following the date of the enactment of this Act. 
(b) ELEMENTS.—The plan required under subsection 
(a) shall include the following: 
(1) Identification of QIS technologies that have 
the potential to solve operational challenges faced by 
the Department of Defense. 
(2) Plans to transition technologies identified 
under paragraph (1) from the research, development, 
and prototyping phases into operational use within 
the Department. 
(3) Plans for the continuous evaluation, develop-
ment, and implementation of QIS technology solu-
tions within the Department. 
(c) 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 that 
includes—
164 
(1) the strategic plan developed under subsection 
(a); and 
(2) an assessment of whether the budgets pro-
posed for QIS-related activities of the Department of 
Defense and each of the covered Armed Forces appro-
priately balance the use of research, development, test, 
and evaluation funds designated as budget activity 1 
(basic research), budget activity 2 (applied research), 
and budget activity 3 (advanced technology develop-
ment) (as those budget activity classifications are set 
forth in volume 2B, chapter 5 of the Department of 
Defense Financial Management Regulation (DOD 
7000.14–R)) to achieve the objectives of the strategic 
plan over near-, mid-, and long-term timeframes. 
(d) UPDATES.—Following the submittal of the initial 
strategic plan pursuant to subsection (c)(1), the Secretary 
of Defense may periodically update the plan as the Sec-
retary determines necessary. 
(e) COVERED ARMED FORCE DEFINED.—In this sec-
tion, the term ‘‘covered Armed Force’’ means the Army, 
Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, or Space Force.
165 
SEC. 245. DEFENSE SCIENCE BOARD STUDY ON LONG-TERM 
OPERATIONS AND AVAILABILITY OF KWAJA-
LEIN ATOLL AS A MAJOR RANGE AND TEST 
FACILITY BASE. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 30 days after the 
date of the enactment of this Act, the Under Secretary of 
Defense for Research and Engineering shall direct the De-
fense Science Board to conduct a study to assess the feasi-
bility and advisability of designating the Ronald Reagan 
Ballistic Missile Defense Test Site (RTS) and the United 
States Army Garrison Kwajalein Atoll (USAG-KA) as fa-
cilities and resources comprising the Major Range and Test 
Facility Base, including with respect to the availability 
and mission capability of such test site and garrison. 
(b) ELEMENTS.—The study conducted under sub-
section (a) shall cover the following: 
(1) The history and rationale for the split fund-
ing of the United States facilities and capabilities on 
Kwajalein Atoll between an Army Garrison and a 
Major Range and Test Facility Base and whether 
those objectives have been achieved and, if not, an ex-
planation of the reasons those objectives have not been 
achieved. 
(2) The status of the garrison infrastructure and 
operations.
166 
(3) The status of the test asset operability, usage, 
and maintainability. 
(4) The interrelationship between garrison infra-
structure and test asset operability. 
(5) The status of the supported or supporting re-
lationship between the United States Army Garrison 
Kwajalein Atoll, the Ronald Reagan Ballistic Missile 
Defense Test Site, and the Lincoln Laboratory of the 
Massachusetts Institute of Technology and the long- 
term outlook for this partnership. 
(6) The role of the Kwajalein Atoll in supporting 
current and future missions of the Department of De-
fense. 
(7) Such other matters as the Under Secretary of 
Defense for Research and Engineering or the Defense 
Science Board consider appropriate. 
(c) 
DEADLINE
FOR
COMPLETION.—The 
Defense 
Science Board shall complete the study required by sub-
section (a) by not later than May 15, 2025. 
(d) REPORT.—Not later than 10 days after the comple-
tion of the study required by subsection (a), the Under Sec-
retary of Defense for Research and Engineering shall sub-
mit to the congressional defense committees a report on the 
findings of the Defense Science Board with respect to the 
study.
167 
(e) DEFINITION OF MAJOR RANGE AND TEST FACILITY 
BASE.—In this section, the term ‘‘Major Range and Test 
Facility Base’’ has the meaning given such term in section 
4173 of title 10, United States Code. 
TITLE III—OPERATION AND 
MAINTENANCE 
Subtitle A—Authorization of Appropriations 
Sec. 301. Authorization of appropriations. 
Subtitle B—Energy and Environment 
Sec. 311. Modification of definition of antenna structure project under Military 
Aviation and Installation Assurance Clearinghouse for review of 
mission obstructions. 
Sec. 312. Extension of period for cooperative agreements under Native American 
lands environmental mitigation program. 
Sec. 313. Extension of requirement to establish a schedule of black start exercises 
to assess the energy resilience and energy security of military in-
stallations. 
Sec. 314. Change in timeframe for report on ability of Department of Defense to 
meet requirements for energy resilience and energy security 
measures on military installations. 
Sec. 315. Repeal of limitation on procurement of drop-in fuels; annual report. 
Sec. 316. Extension of prohibition on required disclosure. 
Sec. 317. Increase of transfer authority for funding of study and assessment on 
health implications of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances con-
tamination in drinking water by Agency for Toxic Substances 
and Disease Registry. 
Sec. 318. Initiative to control and combat the spread of coconut rhinoceros beetle 
in Hawaii. 
Sec. 319. Prohibition on implementation of regulation relating to minimizing 
risk of climate change. 
Sec. 320. Implementation of Inspector General recommendations relating to over-
sight of defense fuel support points. 
Sec. 321. Provision by Secretary of the Air Force of meteorological data for Air 
Force and Army. 
Subtitle C—Logistics and Sustainment 
Sec. 331. Joint Safety Council report and briefing requirements. 
Sec. 332. Modifications to Comptroller General annual reviews of F–35 
sustainment efforts. 
Sec. 333. Plans regarding condition and maintenance of prepositioned stockpiles 
of Navy, Marine Corps, and Air Force. 
Sec. 334. Warehouse utilization organization alignment. 
Sec. 335. Authority for Government-owned, Government-operated facilities to ac-
cess production base support funds. 
Sec. 336. Pre-positioned stocks of finished defense textile articles.
168 
Subtitle D—Reports 
Sec. 341. Modification of readiness reports to include total number of combat 
readiness upgrades or downgrades. 
Sec. 342. Extension and expansion of incident reporting requirements for Depart-
ment of Defense. 
Sec. 343. Annual briefing on operational readiness of 53rd Weather Reconnais-
sance Squadron prior to commencement of official hurricane sea-
son. 
Subtitle E—Other Matters 
Sec. 351. Extension of authority for Secretary of Defense to use Department of 
Defense reimbursement rate for transportation services provided 
to certain non-Department of Defense entities. 
Sec. 352. Improvements to FireGuard Program of National Guard. 
Sec. 353. Counter unmanned aerial system threat library. 
Sec. 354. Limitation on availability of funds for travel expenses of Office of Sec-
retary of Defense until submission of certain documents. 
Sec. 355. Anti-lock brake system and electronic stability control kit for certain 
Army vehicles. 
Sec. 356. Program for advanced manufacturing in the Indo-Pacific region. 
Subtitle A—Authorization of 
Appropriations 
SEC. 301. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS. 
Funds are hereby authorized to be appropriated for fis-
cal year 2025 for the use of the Armed Forces and other 
activities and agencies of the Department of Defense for ex-
penses, not otherwise provided for, for operation and main-
tenance, as specified in the funding table in section 4301.
170 
SEC. 314. CHANGE IN TIMEFRAME FOR REPORT ON ABILITY 
OF DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE TO MEET RE-
QUIREMENTS FOR ENERGY RESILIENCE AND 
ENERGY SECURITY MEASURES ON MILITARY 
INSTALLATIONS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 2920(g) of title 10, United 
States Code, is amended by striking ‘‘2029’’ and inserting 
‘‘2027’’. 
(b) BRIEFING REQUIREMENT.—Not later than June 
30, 2025, the Secretary of Defense shall provide to the con-
gressional defense committees a briefing on the progress of 
the Secretary in meeting the requirements under section 
2920(a) of title 10, United States Code. 
SEC. 315. REPEAL OF LIMITATION ON PROCUREMENT OF 
DROP-IN FUELS; ANNUAL REPORT. 
(a) REPEAL.—Section 2922h of title 10, United States 
Code, is repealed. 
(b) ANNUAL REPORT.—Subchapter II of chapter 173 
of title 10, United States Code, is amended by adding at 
the end the following new section: 
‘‘§ 2922j. Annual report on purchase of drop-in fuel 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—Not less frequently than annually, 
the Secretary of Defense shall submit to Congress a report 
that, for the year covered by the report—
171 
‘‘(1) identifies each instance in which the Sec-
retary purchased drop-in fuel that was not cost-com-
petitive with traditional fuel; and 
‘‘(2) for each instance identified under para-
graph (1), states whether the purchase was based on 
a military requirement or not. 
‘‘(b) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
‘‘(1) The term ‘drop-in fuel’ means a neat or 
blended liquid hydrocarbon fuel designed as a direct 
replacement for a traditional fuel with comparable 
performance characteristics and compatible with ex-
isting infrastructure and equipment. 
‘‘(2) The term ‘traditional fuel’ means a liquid 
hydrocarbon fuel derived or refined from petroleum.’’. 
SEC. 316. EXTENSION OF PROHIBITION ON REQUIRED DIS-
CLOSURE. 
Section 318(a)(2) of the National Defense Authoriza-
tion Act for Fiscal Year 2024 (Public Law 118–31) is 
amended by striking ‘‘one-year period’’ and inserting 
‘‘three-year period’’.
172 
SEC. 317. INCREASE OF TRANSFER AUTHORITY FOR FUND-
ING OF STUDY AND ASSESSMENT ON HEALTH 
IMPLICATIONS 
OF 
PER- 
AND 
POLYFLUOROALKYL SUBSTANCES CONTAMI-
NATION IN DRINKING WATER BY AGENCY FOR 
TOXIC SUBSTANCES AND DISEASE REGISTRY. 
Clause (iv) of section 316(a)(2)(B) of the National De-
fense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2018 (Public Law 
115–91; 131 Stat. 1350), as most recently amended by sec-
tion 333 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fis-
cal Year 2024 (Public Law 118–31), is further amended 
by striking ‘‘during fiscal year 2024’’ and inserting ‘‘a year 
during fiscal years 2024 through 2025’’. 
SEC. 318. INITIATIVE TO CONTROL AND COMBAT THE 
SPREAD OF COCONUT RHINOCEROS BEETLE 
IN HAWAII. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary of Defense shall en-
hance efforts to manage, control, and interdict the coconut 
rhinoceros beetle on military installations in Hawaii. 
(b) AUTHORIZED ACTIVITIES.—The efforts required 
under subsection (a) shall include the following: 
(1) Carrying out science-based management and 
control programs to reduce the effect of the coconut 
rhinoceros beetle on military installations and to pre-
vent the introduction or spread of the coconut rhinoc-
173 
eros beetle to areas where such beetle has not yet been 
established. 
(2) Providing support for interagency and inter-
governmental response efforts to control, interdict, 
monitor, and eradicate the coconut rhinoceros beetle 
on military installations in Hawaii. 
(3) Pursuing chemical, biological, and other con-
trol techniques, technology transfer, and best practices 
to support management, control, interdiction and, 
where possible, eradication of the coconut rhinoceros 
beetle from Hawaii. 
(4) Establishing an early detection and rapid re-
sponse mechanism to monitor and deploy coordinated 
efforts if the coconut rhinoceros beetle, or another 
newly detected invasive alien species, is detected at 
new sites on military installations in Hawaii. 
(5) Carrying out such other activities as the Sec-
retary determines appropriate to manage, control, 
and interdict the coconut rhinoceros beetle on mili-
tary installations in Hawaii. 
(c) ANNUAL BRIEFINGS.—Not later than 180 days 
after the date of the enactment of this Act, and annually 
thereafter for each of the next three years, the Assistant Sec-
retary of the Navy for Energy, Installations, and Environ-
ment shall provide to the Committees on Armed Services
174 
of the House of Representatives and the Senate a briefing 
on the implementation of this section, which shall include 
detailed information about the efforts of the Secretary to 
manage, control, and interdict the coconut rhinoceros beetle 
on military installations in Hawaii. 
SEC. 319. PROHIBITION ON IMPLEMENTATION OF REGULA-
TION RELATING TO MINIMIZING RISK OF CLI-
MATE CHANGE. 
None of the funds authorized to be appropriated by this 
Act or otherwise made available for the Department of De-
fense for fiscal year 2025 may be used to finalize or imple-
ment any rule based on the advanced notice of proposed 
rulemaking titled ‘‘Federal Acquisition Regulation: Mini-
mizing the Risk of Climate Change in Federal Acquisi-
tions’’ (October 15, 2021; 86 Fed. Reg. 57404). 
SEC. 320. IMPLEMENTATION OF INSPECTOR GENERAL REC-
OMMENDATIONS RELATING TO OVERSIGHT 
OF DEFENSE FUEL SUPPORT POINTS. 
With respect to each recommendation of the Inspector 
General of the Department of Defense contained in the re-
port published by the Inspector General on April 11, 2024, 
and titled ‘‘Audit of the Defense Logistics Agency Oversight 
of Defense Fuel Support Points’’ (DODIG–2024–075), by 
not later than May 1, 2026, the Secretary of Defense shall— 
(1) implement such recommendation; or
175 
(2) submit to the Committees on Armed Services 
of the Senate and the House of Representatives a re-
port containing an explanation of why the Secretary 
has not implemented the recommendation. 
SEC. 321. PROVISION BY SECRETARY OF THE AIR FORCE OF 
METEOROLOGICAL DATA FOR AIR FORCE AND 
ARMY. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Except as provided in subsection 
(b), the Secretary of the Air Force shall provide meteorolog-
ical and environmental services for operations of the De-
partment of the Air Force and shall provide meteorological 
services for the Department of the Army. 
(b) EXCEPTION FOR BALLISTICS DATA.—The require-
ment under subsection (a) shall not apply to meteorological 
ballistics data for the Department of the Army. 
Subtitle C—Logistics and 
Sustainment 
SEC. 331. JOINT SAFETY COUNCIL REPORT AND BRIEFING 
REQUIREMENTS. 
Section 185 of title 10, United States Code, is amend-
ed— 
(1) in subsection (k)— 
(A) in paragraph (1)— 
(i) by striking ‘‘Chair’’ and inserting 
‘‘Chairperson’’; and
176 
(ii) by striking ‘‘semi-annual’’ and in-
serting ‘‘biannual’’; and 
(B) in paragraph (2)— 
(i) in the matter preceding subpara-
graph (A)— 
(I) by striking ‘‘March 31, 2023, 
and not later than’’; 
(II) by striking ‘‘thereafter’’; and 
(III) by striking ‘‘a report’’ and 
inserting ‘‘an annual report’’; 
(ii) in subparagraph (A), by striking 
‘‘and’’ after the semicolon; 
(iii) in subparagraph (B), by striking 
the period and inserting ‘‘; and’’; and 
(iv) by adding at the end the following 
new subparagraph: 
‘‘(C) for the year covered by the report— 
‘‘(i) releasable information regarding any 
mishap that occurred during such year; and 
‘‘(ii) an identification of any corrective or 
preventative action implemented pursuant to a 
recommendation made in a safety or legal inves-
tigation report of such a mishap.’’; and 
(2) by adding at the end the following new sub-
section:
177 
‘‘(l) BIANNUAL BRIEFINGS.—Not later than March 31 
and December 31 of each year, the Chairperson of the Coun-
cil shall provide to the congressional defense committees a 
briefing on the contents of the report required to be sub-
mitted under subsection (k)(1) that covers the six-month pe-
riod preceding the date of the briefing.’’. 
SEC. 332. MODIFICATIONS TO COMPTROLLER GENERAL AN-
NUAL REVIEWS OF F–35 SUSTAINMENT EF-
FORTS. 
Section 357 of the National Defense Authorization Act 
for Fiscal Year 2022 (Public Law 117–81) is amended— 
(1) in subsection (a)— 
(A) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), 
by striking ‘‘2022, 2023, 2024, and 2025’’ and 
inserting ‘‘2025, 2026, and 2027’’; 
(B) in paragraph (1)— 
(i) by striking ‘‘(including’’ and in-
serting ‘‘, which may include’’; and 
(ii) by striking the closing parenthesis; 
and 
(C) in paragraph (2), by striking ‘‘ as a re-
sult of such review’’; and 
(2) in subsection (b), by striking ‘‘of the fol-
lowing:’’ and all that follows through the period at the 
end of paragraph (4) and inserting ‘‘of matters re-
178 
garding the sustainment or affordability of the F–35 
Lighting II aircraft program that the Comptroller 
General, after consulting with staff from the Commit-
tees on Armed Services of the House of Representa-
tives and the Senate, determines to be of critical im-
portance to the long-term viability of such program.’’. 
SEC. 333. PLANS REGARDING CONDITION AND MAINTE-
NANCE OF PREPOSITIONED STOCKPILES OF 
NAVY, MARINE CORPS, AND AIR FORCE. 
(a) PLAN REQUIRED.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 90 days after 
the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of 
the Navy and the Secretary of the Air Force shall 
each develop a plan to improve the required inspec-
tion procedures for the prepositioned stockpiles of the 
Armed Force concerned, for the purpose of identifying 
deficiencies and conducting maintenance repairs at 
levels necessary to ensure such prepositioned stockpiles 
are mission capable. 
(2) ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS FOR NAVY AND 
MARINE CORPS PLAN.—The plan of the Secretary of 
the Navy required under paragraph (1) shall in-
clude— 
(A) an analysis of the readiness of ships of 
the Navy and Marine Corps that hold or facili-
179 
tate the off-loading of prepositioned stockpiles; 
and 
(B) suggestions for improving inspection 
procedures of such ships. 
(b) IMPLEMENTATION.—Not later than 30 days after 
the date on which the Secretary concerned completes the de-
velopment of a plan under subsection (a), and not less fre-
quently than twice each year thereafter for the three-year 
period beginning on the date of the enactment of this Act, 
the Secretary concerned shall inspect the prepositioned 
stockpiles of the Armed Force concerned in accordance with 
the procedures under such plan. 
(c) BRIEFINGS.— 
(1) BRIEFING
ON
PLAN.—Not later than 120 
days after the date of the enactment of this Act, each 
Secretary concerned shall provide to the congressional 
defense committees a briefing on the plan of the Sec-
retary developed under subsection (a). 
(2) BRIEFINGS ON STATUS OF PREPOSITIONED 
STOCKPILES.—Not later than 180 days after the date 
of the enactment of this Act, and every 180 days 
thereafter for the three-year period beginning on the 
date of the enactment of this Act, each Secretary con-
cerned shall provide to the congressional defense com-
180 
mittees a briefing on the status and condition of the 
prepositioned stockpiles of the Armed Force concerned. 
(d) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
(1) The term ‘‘Armed Force concerned’’ means— 
(A) the Navy and the Marine Corps, with 
respect to the Secretary of the Navy; 
(B) the Air Force, with respect to the Sec-
retary of the Air Force. 
(2) The term ‘‘Secretary concerned’’ means— 
(A) the Secretary of the Navy, with respect 
to matters concerning the Navy and the Marine 
Corps; and 
(B) the Secretary of the Air Force, with re-
spect to matters concerning the Air Force. 
SEC. 334. WAREHOUSE UTILIZATION ORGANIZATION ALIGN-
MENT. 
(a) BRIEFING.—Not later than 90 days after the date 
of the enactment of this Act, each Secretary of a military 
department and the Director of the Defense Logistics Agen-
cy shall provide to the congressional defense committees a 
briefing that— 
(1) identifies the designated organization or com-
mand that will serve as the global integrator of that 
military department or agency and assume respon-
181 
sibilities as the manager of the storage network of that 
military department or agency; and 
(2) sets forth a comprehensive plan of the Sec-
retary concerned or the Director of the Defense Logis-
tics Agency, as the case may be— 
(A) to deploy storage space management 
tools, as authorized by the Assistant Secretary of 
Defense for Sustainment, across the network of 
that military department or agency; and 
(B) to evaluate approaches for identifying 
improved supply chain processes, visibility, mis-
sion alignment, and cost savings and avoidances 
enabled through space consolidation. 
(b) ANNUAL REPORT.—Not later than one year after 
the date of the enactment of this Act, and annually there-
after for the following five years, each Secretary of a mili-
tary department and the Director of the Defense Logistics 
Agency shall submit to the congressional defense committees 
a report containing the following: 
(1) Plans for reconstituting commercially-stored 
inventory of the Department of Defense into the ware-
houses of the Department on military installations. 
(2) Information on barriers to reconstituting 
such inventory from commercial storage locations.
182 
SEC. 335. AUTHORITY FOR GOVERNMENT-OWNED, GOVERN-
MENT-OPERATED 
FACILITIES 
TO 
ACCESS 
PRODUCTION BASE SUPPORT FUNDS. 
Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment 
of this Act, the Secretary of Defense shall prescribe regula-
tions providing that Government-owned, Government-oper-
ated facilities are eligible to receive production base support 
funding from the Army. 
SEC. 336. PRE-POSITIONED STOCKS OF FINISHED DEFENSE 
TEXTILE ARTICLES. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary of Defense may es-
tablish pre-positioned stocks of finished defense textile arti-
cles, such as uniforms and protective gear, to support the 
rapid mobilization and sustainment of members of the 
Armed Forces during a contingency operation. 
(b) PLAN TO REDUCE DELAYS.—The Secretary shall 
develop a plan for phasing in and targeting policy changes 
relating to defense textile articles to reduce delinquencies 
and mitigate delays between policy decisions that may re-
sult in the miscalculation of stockpiling in order to ensure 
ample finished textiles are available to prevent a scenario 
in which the demand for certain articles is ramping down 
by the time the supply chain can ramp up to meet the need.
183 
Subtitle D—Reports 
SEC. 341. MODIFICATION OF READINESS REPORTS TO IN-
CLUDE TOTAL NUMBER OF COMBAT READI-
NESS UPGRADES OR DOWNGRADES. 
Paragraph (5) of section 482(b) of title 10, United 
States Code, is amended to read as follows: 
‘‘(5) The total number of upgrades and the total 
number of downgrades of the combat readiness of a 
unit that were issued by the commander of the unit, 
disaggregated by armed force.’’. 
SEC. 342. EXTENSION AND EXPANSION OF INCIDENT RE-
PORTING REQUIREMENTS FOR DEPARTMENT 
OF DEFENSE. 
Section 363 of the National Defense Authorization Act 
for Fiscal Year 2022 (Public Law 117–81; 10 U.S.C. 2722 
note) is amended— 
(1) in subsection (a), in the matter preceding 
paragraph (1), by striking ‘‘fiscal years 2022, 2023, 
and 2024’’ and inserting ‘‘fiscal years 2022 through 
2029’’; and 
(2) in subsection (b), by striking ‘‘to the Na-
tional Crime Information Center and local law en-
forcement.’’ and inserting ‘‘to— 
‘‘(1) the National Crime Information Center; 
‘‘(2) local law enforcement; and
184 
‘‘(3) the Committees on Armed Services of the 
Senate and the House of Representatives.’’. 
SEC. 343. ANNUAL BRIEFING ON OPERATIONAL READINESS 
OF 53RD WEATHER RECONNAISSANCE SQUAD-
RON PRIOR TO COMMENCEMENT OF OFFICIAL 
HURRICANE SEASON. 
Not later than March 31, 2025, and annually there-
after for each of the subsequent two years, the commanding 
officer of the 22nd Air Force shall provide to the Committees 
on Armed Services of the Senate and the House of Rep-
resentatives a briefing on the operational readiness of the 
53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron. Each such brief-
ing shall address spares, personnel, supporting infrastruc-
ture, and such other matters as the commanding officer de-
termines appropriate. 
Subtitle E—Other Matters 
SEC. 351. EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY FOR SECRETARY OF 
DEFENSE TO USE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE 
REIMBURSEMENT 
RATE 
FOR 
TRANSPOR-
TATION SERVICES PROVIDED TO CERTAIN 
NON-DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE ENTITIES. 
Section 2642(b) of title 10, United States Code is 
amended by striking ‘‘October 1, 2024’’ and inserting ‘‘Oc-
tober 1, 2026’’.
185 
SEC. 352. IMPROVEMENTS TO FIREGUARD PROGRAM OF NA-
TIONAL GUARD. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 510 of title 32, United 
States Code, is amended— 
(1) by striking ‘‘The Secretary’’ and inserting 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary’’; and 
(2) by adding at the end the following new sub-
section: 
‘‘(b) CONTRACTS AND AGREEMENTS.—(1) The Sec-
retary of Defense may enter into a contract or cooperative 
agreement with a qualified individual or entity for the per-
formance of duties to supplement members of the National 
Guard in carrying out the FireGuard Program under sub-
section (a). 
‘‘(2) In association with a contract or cooperative 
agreement entered into under paragraph (1) with a quali-
fied individual or entity, the Chief of the National Guard 
Bureau, in coordination with relevant State, local, and 
commercial entities, shall execute a memorandum of under-
standing with the qualified individual or entity, which 
shall clearly delineate the roles, responsibilities, functions, 
timelines, and end dates for the transition of the duties to 
be performed under the contract or cooperative agreement. 
‘‘(3) In this subsection, the term ‘qualified individual 
or entity’ means—
186 
‘‘(A) any individual who possesses a requisite se-
curity clearance for handling classified remote sensing 
data for the purpose of wildfire detection and moni-
toring; or 
‘‘(B) any corporation, firm, partnership, com-
pany, nonprofit, Federal agency or sub-agency, or 
State or local government, with contractors or em-
ployees who possess a requisite security clearance for 
handling such data.’’. 
(b) REPORT.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 90 days after 
the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of 
Defense, in consultation with the Secretary of Agri-
culture and any National Guard units affected by 
subsection (b) of section 510 of title 32, United States 
Code, as added by subsection (a), shall submit to Con-
gress a report that includes an evaluation of the effec-
tiveness of the FireGuard Program under such section 
and of opportunities to further engage civilian capac-
ity within the program. 
(2) MATTERS
INCLUDED.—The report under 
paragraph (1) shall include the following: 
(A) An assessment of the efficacy of the 
FireGuard Program in detecting and monitoring 
wildfires, including the speed of detection.
187 
(B) A plan to facilitate production and dis-
semination of unclassified remote sensing infor-
mation for use by civilian organizations, includ-
ing Federal, State, and local government organi-
zations, in carrying out wildfire detection activi-
ties. 
(C) An assessment of the sustainability of 
the Fireguard program, including the cost, the 
effects on readiness, and the effects on other re-
quired missions. 
SEC. 353. COUNTER UNMANNED AERIAL SYSTEM THREAT 
LIBRARY. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 180 days after the 
date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of the Army, 
through the Joint Counter-Small Unmanned Aircraft Sys-
tems Office, shall establish and maintain a threat library, 
or expand and maintain an existing threat library, to co-
ordinate efforts across the Department of Defense to counter 
unmanned aircraft systems. 
(b) INFORMATION TO BE INCLUDED.—The threat li-
brary required under subsection (a) shall include— 
(1) classified and unclassified information relat-
ing to known or suspected threats from unmanned 
aircraft systems;
188 
(2) proposed solutions for countering such known 
threats; and 
(3) a comprehensive listing of global incursions 
from unmanned aircraft systems at installations of 
the Department of Defense. 
(c) DISSEMINATION.—The Secretary of the Army, 
through the Joint Counter-Small Unmanned Aircraft Sys-
tems Office, shall establish a framework to share the infor-
mation contained in the threat library required under sub-
section (a) with the military departments, the combatant 
commands, other Federal agencies, and relevant industries, 
as determined by the Secretary of the Army, in order to 
maintain technological superiority in aerial defense. 
SEC. 354. LIMITATION ON AVAILABILITY OF FUNDS FOR 
TRAVEL EXPENSES OF OFFICE OF SECRETARY 
OF DEFENSE UNTIL SUBMISSION OF CERTAIN 
DOCUMENTS. 
Of the funds authorized to be appropriated by this Act 
or otherwise made available for fiscal year 2025 for oper-
ation and maintenance, defense-wide, and available for the 
Office of the Secretary of Defense for travel expenses, not 
more than 75 percent may be obligated or expended until 
the date on which the Secretary of Defense has submitted 
to the congressional defense committees all of the following 
documents:
189 
(1) The implementation plan for the Joint Con-
cept for Competing released on February 10, 2023, as 
required by section 1088 of the National Defense Au-
thorization Act for Fiscal Year 2024 (Public Law 
118–31; 137 Stat. 419; 10 U.S.C. 113 note). 
(2) The Department of Defense Operations in the 
Information Environment Implementation Plan, as 
referenced in the Strategy for Operations in the Infor-
mation Environment released in July 2023. 
(3) The Special Operations Forces joint oper-
ating concept for competition and conflict, as re-
quired by section 1047(a) of the National Defense Au-
thorization Act for Fiscal Year 2022 (Public Law 
117–81; 135 Stat. 1905). 
(4) Unredacted copies of documents requested by 
the Committee on Armed Services of the Senate dur-
ing the period beginning on January 1, 2024, and 
ending on June 1, 2024. 
SEC. 355. ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM AND ELECTRONIC STA-
BILITY CONTROL KIT FOR CERTAIN ARMY VE-
HICLES. 
(a) REQUIREMENT.—By not later than September 30, 
2033, the Secretary of the Army shall ensure that all high- 
mobility multipurpose wheeled vehicles of the Army are
190 
equipped with an anti-lock brake system and electronic sta-
bility control kit. 
(b) PLAN.—Not later than 90 days after the date of 
the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of the Army shall 
submit to the congressional defense committees a plan to 
carry out subsection (a). Such plan shall include each of 
the following: 
(1) A description of the steps required to increase 
production of anti-lock brake systems and electronic 
stability control kits and retrofit high-mobility multi-
purpose wheeled vehicles at Red River Army Depot, 
Texas, and its associated flyaway teams. 
(2) An identification of any challenges to meet-
ing the requirement under subsection (a) and a list 
of steps required to address those challenges. 
(3) An estimated monthly rate of retrofits needed 
to meet the requirement under subsection (a). 
(4) A funding plan for carrying out the steps re-
ferred to in paragraphs (1) and (2). 
(5) An identification of any authorities or fund-
ing required for any secondary destination transpor-
tation necessary to carry out the plan. 
(c) ANNUAL CERTIFICATION.—Not later than each of 
March 1, 2025, March 1, 2026, and March 1, 2027, the Sec-
retary of the Army shall certify to the congressional defense
191 
committees that the budget of the Army will enable the 
Army to meet the requirement under subsection (a). 
SEC. 356. PROGRAM FOR ADVANCED MANUFACTURING IN 
THE INDO-PACIFIC REGION. 
(a) ESTABLISHMENT.—Not later than 180 days after 
the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of De-
fense, acting through the Secretary of the Navy and in con-
sultation with the Commander of the United States Indo- 
Pacific Command, shall carry out a program under which 
the Secretary shall establish an advanced manufacturing 
facility on or near a military installation within the area 
of responsibility of the United States Indo-Pacific Com-
mand for the purpose of— 
(1) meeting flexible manufacturing requirements 
to support the submarine, shipbuilding, and other de-
fense activity industrial bases; 
(2) fostering partnerships between industry, local 
universities, and workforce training programs to de-
velop a local workforce in the vicinity of such facility 
capable of meeting advanced manufacturing demands; 
(3) coordinating responses to requirements of the 
Submarine Industrial Base Task Force, the United 
States Indo-Pacific Command, the Innovation Capa-
bility and Modernization Office of the Department of 
Defense, 
the 
Industrial 
Base 
Analysis 
and
192 
Sustainment program of the Department, and other 
relevant defense organizations; 
(4) providing for the manufacturing of un-
manned vehicles, including surface and underwater 
vehicles, and develops ship maintenance capabilities; 
and 
(5) responding to needs across the uniformed 
services and the defense industrial base. 
(b) ELEMENTS.—In carrying out subsection (a), the 
Secretary shall— 
(1) ensure that the advanced manufacturing fa-
cility under such subsection is capable of— 
(A) applying advanced manufacturing to 
small and large metal and composite structures; 
(B) manufacturing systems and components 
that— 
(i) use appropriate advanced manufac-
turing methods including hybrid and addi-
tive (for example, additive manufacturing, 
powder bed fusion manufacturing, cold 
spray manufacturing, or other similar 
manufacturing capabilities); and 
(ii) maintain a set of modern local 
machining systems with at least five-axis
193 
capability sufficient to support require-
ments; 
(C) maintaining a production capability 
across critical materials of the Navy in order to 
respond to emerging repair and production re-
quirements during conflict; and 
(2) ensure broad workforce participation by es-
tablishing the facility either outside of a military in-
stallation (but very close to a military installation) 
or onboard a military installation with readily avail-
able access to a civilian trainee workforce. 
(c) REPORT.—Not later than December 1 of the year 
after the year during which a facility is established under 
subsection (a), the Secretary shall submit to the Committees 
on Armed Services of the Senate and the House of Rep-
resentatives a report summarizing the actions taken under 
the program established under such subsection, including 
information on how the program is supporting initiatives 
of the United States Indo-Pacific Command. 
(d) ADVANCED MANUFACTURING DEFINED.—In this 
section, the term ‘‘advanced manufacturing’’ means a man-
ufacturing process using the following techniques: 
(1) Additive manufacturing. 
(2) Wire-arc additive manufacturing. 
(3) Powder bed fusion manufacturing.
194 
(4) Other similar manufacturing capabilities. 
TITLE IV—MILITARY PERSONNEL 
AUTHORIZATIONS 
Subtitle A—Active Forces 
Sec. 401. End strengths for active forces. 
Sec. 402. Annual end strength authorization for the Space Force. 
Sec. 403. Temporary exclusion of mental health care providers from authorized 
strengths of certain officers on active duty. 
Subtitle B—Reserve Forces 
Sec. 411. End strengths for Selected Reserve. 
Sec. 412. End strengths for Reserves on active duty in support of the Reserves. 
Sec. 413. End strengths for military technicians (dual status). 
Sec. 414. Maximum number of reserve personnel authorized to be on active duty 
for operational support. 
Subtitle C—Authorization of Appropriations 
Sec. 421. Military personnel. 
Subtitle D—Reports 
Sec. 431. Annual defense manpower profile report: expansion of justifications for 
end strengths. 
Subtitle A—Active Forces 
SEC. 401. END STRENGTHS FOR ACTIVE FORCES. 
The Armed Forces are authorized strengths for active 
duty personnel as of September 30, 2025, as follows: 
(1) The Army, 442,300. 
(2) The Navy, 332,300. 
(3) The Marine Corps, 172,300. 
(4) The Air Force, 320,000. 
(5) The Space Force, 9,800.
195 
SEC. 402. ANNUAL END STRENGTH AUTHORIZATION FOR 
THE SPACE FORCE. 
(a) END STRENGTH AUTHORIZATION BY LAW FOR 
SPACE FORCE TO BE A SINGLE NUMBER FOR MEMBERS 
IN SPACE FORCE ACTIVE STATUS.— 
(1) REQUIREMENT.—Subsection (a) of section 
115 of title 10, United States Code, is amended by 
adding at the end the following new paragraph: 
‘‘(3) The end strength for the Space Force for 
members in space force active status.’’. 
(2) 
CONFORMING
AMENDMENTS.—Such 
sub-
section is further amended— 
(A) in the subsection heading, by striking 
‘‘AND SELECTED RESERVE’’ and inserting ‘‘, SE-
LECTED RESERVE, AND SPACE FORCE’’; and 
(B) in paragraph (1), by striking ‘‘each of 
the armed forces (other than the Coast Guard)’’ 
and inserting ‘‘the Army, Navy, Air Force, and 
Marine Corps’’. 
(b) CORRESPONDING
LIMITATION
ON
APPROPRIA-
TIONS.—Subsection (c) of such section is amended— 
(1) in paragraph (2), by striking ‘‘; or’’ and in-
serting a semicolon; 
(2) by redesignating paragraph (3) as para-
graph (4); and
196 
(3) by inserting after paragraph (2) the fol-
lowing new paragraph: 
‘‘(3) the use of members of the Space Force in 
space force active status unless the end strength for 
the Space Force for that fiscal year for members in 
space force active status has been authorized by law; 
or’’. 
(c) AUTHORITY FOR VARIANCES OF END STRENGTH.— 
(1) SECRETARY OF DEFENSE.—Subsection (f) of 
such section is amended— 
(A) in the subsection heading, by striking 
‘‘AND SELECTED RESERVE’’ and inserting ‘‘, SE-
LECTED RESERVE, AND SPACE FORCE’’; and 
(B) in paragraph (1), by striking ‘‘sub-
section (a)(1)(A)’’ and inserting ‘‘paragraph 
(1)(A) or (3) of subsection (a)’’. 
(2) SECRETARY OF THE AIR FORCE.—Subsection 
(g) of such section is amended— 
(A) in the subsection heading, by striking 
‘‘AND SELECTED RESERVE’’ and inserting ‘‘, SE-
LECTED RESERVE, AND SPACE FORCE’’; and 
(B) in paragraph (1)(A), by striking ‘‘sub-
section (a)(1)(A)’’ and inserting ‘‘paragraph 
(1)(A) or (3) of subsection (a)’’.
197 
(3) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The amendments made 
by paragraphs (1) and (2) shall take effect upon the 
date specified under paragraph (2) of section 1736(a) 
of the Space Force Personnel Management Act (title 
XVII of Public Law 118–31; 137 Stat. 677) for the 
expiration of the authority provided by paragraph (1) 
of that section. 
(4) CONFORMING
CROSS-REFERENCE
AMEND-
MENTS TO SFPMA.—Section 1736(a)(1) of the Space 
Force Personnel Management Act (title XVII of Pub-
lic Law 118–31) is amended by striking ‘‘section 
115(a)(1)(A)’’ both places it appears and inserting 
‘‘section 115(a)(3)’’. 
SEC. 403. TEMPORARY EXCLUSION OF MENTAL HEALTH 
CARE 
PROVIDERS 
FROM 
AUTHORIZED 
STRENGTHS OF CERTAIN OFFICERS ON AC-
TIVE DUTY. 
(a) TEMPORARY EXCLUSION.—During fiscal years 
2025 through 2027, officers who are licensed mental health 
providers (including clinical psychologists, licensed clinical 
social workers, mental health nurse practitioners, and psy-
chiatric physician assistants) shall be excluded in com-
puting and determining authorized strengths under section 
523 of title 10, United States Code.
198 
(b) PROPOSAL.—Not later than September 30, 2025, 
the Secretary of Defense shall submit to the Committees on 
Armed Services of the Senate and House of Representatives 
a report containing recommendations of the Secretary re-
garding amendments to subsection (b) of such section that 
would eliminate permanent exclusions to computations and 
determinations under such section. 
Subtitle B—Reserve Forces 
SEC. 411. END STRENGTHS FOR SELECTED RESERVE. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Armed Forces are authorized 
strengths for Selected Reserve personnel of the reserve com-
ponents as of September 30, 2025, as follows: 
(1) The Army National Guard of the United 
States, 325,000. 
(2) The Army Reserve, 175,800. 
(3) The Navy Reserve, 57,700. 
(4) The Marine Corps Reserve, 32,500. 
(5) The Air National Guard of the United 
States, 108,300. 
(6) The Air Force Reserve, 67,000. 
(7) The Coast Guard Reserve, 7,000. 
(b) END STRENGTH REDUCTIONS.—The end strengths 
prescribed by subsection (a) for the Selected Reserve of any 
reserve component shall be proportionately reduced by—
200 
of organizing, administering, recruiting, instructing, or 
training the reserve components: 
(1) The Army National Guard of the United 
States, 30,845. 
(2) The Army Reserve, 16,511. 
(3) The Navy Reserve, 10,132. 
(4) The Marine Corps Reserve, 2,400. 
(5) The Air National Guard of the United 
States, 25,982. 
(6) The Air Force Reserve, 6,311. 
SEC. 413. END STRENGTHS FOR MILITARY TECHNICIANS 
(DUAL STATUS). 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The minimum number of military 
technicians (dual status) as of the last day of fiscal year 
2025 for the reserve components of the Army and the Air 
Force (notwithstanding section 129 of title 10, United 
States Code) shall be the following: 
(1) For the Army National Guard of the United 
States, 22,294. 
(2) For the Army Reserve, 6,492. 
(3) For the Air National Guard of the United 
States, 10,744. 
(4) For the Air Force Reserve, 6,697. 
(b) LIMITATION ON NUMBER OF TEMPORARY MILITARY 
TECHNICIANS (DUAL STATUS).—The number of temporary
201 
military technicians (dual status) under subsection (a) may 
not exceed 25 percent of the total number authorized under 
such subsection. 
(c) PROHIBITION.—A State may not coerce a military 
technician (dual status) to accept an offer of realignment 
or conversion to any other military status, including as a 
member on Active Guard and Reserve duty. No action may 
be taken against an individual, or the position of such indi-
vidual, who refuses such an offer solely on the basis of such 
refusal. 
SEC. 414. MAXIMUM NUMBER OF RESERVE PERSONNEL AU-
THORIZED TO BE ON ACTIVE DUTY FOR 
OPERATIONAL SUPPORT. 
During fiscal year 2025, the maximum number of 
members of the reserve components of the Armed Forces who 
may be serving at any time on full-time operational sup-
port duty under section 115(b) of title 10, United States 
Code, is the following: 
(1) The Army National Guard of the United 
States, 17,000. 
(2) The Army Reserve, 13,000. 
(3) The Navy Reserve, 6,200. 
(4) The Marine Corps Reserve, 3,000. 
(5) The Air National Guard of the United 
States, 16,000.
202 
(6) The Air Force Reserve, 14,000. 
Subtitle C—Authorization of 
Appropriations 
SEC. 421. MILITARY PERSONNEL. 
(a) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—Funds are 
hereby authorized to be appropriated for fiscal year 2025 
for the use of the Armed Forces and other activities and 
agencies of the Department of Defense for expenses, not oth-
erwise provided for, for military personnel, as specified in 
the funding table in section 4401. 
(b) CONSTRUCTION OF AUTHORIZATION.—The author-
ization of appropriations in the subsection (a) supersedes 
any other authorization of appropriations (definite or in-
definite) for such purpose for fiscal year 2025. 
Subtitle D—Reports 
SEC. 431. ANNUAL DEFENSE MANPOWER PROFILE REPORT: 
EXPANSION OF JUSTIFICATIONS FOR END 
STRENGTHS. 
Section 115a of title 10, United States Code, is amend-
ed— 
(1) in subsection (a), by striking ‘‘Congress’’ and 
inserting ‘‘the Committees on Armed Services of the 
Senate and the House of Representatives, and furnish 
to any Member of Congress upon request,’’; and 
(2) in subsection (b)—
203 
(A) by inserting ‘‘(1)’’ before ‘‘The Sec-
retary’’; and 
(B) by adding at the end the following new 
paragraph: 
‘‘(2) The justification and explanation required by 
paragraph (1) shall include the following: 
‘‘(A) An explanation of how personnel end 
strength level requests address threats described in the 
national defense strategy under section 113(g) of this 
title. 
‘‘(B) The rationale for recommended increases or 
decreases in active, reserve, and civilian personnel for 
each component of the Department of Defense. 
‘‘(C) The actual end strength number for each 
armed force for the prior fiscal year, compared to au-
thorized end strength levels. 
‘‘(D) The shortfall in recruiting by each armed 
force as a percentage, as the Secretary determines ap-
propriate.’’. 
TITLE V—MILITARY PERSONNEL 
POLICY 
Subtitle A—Officer Policy 
Sec. 501. Redistribution of general officers of the Marine Corps on active duty. 
Sec. 502. Authority to exclude additional positions from limitations on the num-
ber of general officers and flag officers on active duty. 
Sec. 503. Eligibility for consideration for promotion: time-in-grade and other re-
quirements. 
Sec. 504. Temporary authority to increase the number of nurse officers rec-
ommended for promotion.
204 
Sec. 505. Talent management and personnel retention for members of the Armed 
Forces. 
Sec. 506. Consideration of merit by special selection review boards. 
Sec. 507. Effect of failure of selection for promotion: captains and majors of the 
Army, Air Force, Marine Corps, and Space Force and lieuten-
ants and lieutenant commanders of the Navy. 
Sec. 508. Modification of authority to separate officers when in the best interest 
of the service. 
Sec. 509. Remote appearance before a board of inquiry. 
Sec. 509A. Marine Corps Deputy Commandants. 
Sec. 509B. Improvements relating to Medical Officer of the Marine Corps posi-
tion. 
Sec. 509C. Vice Chief of Space Operations; vacancy in position of Chief of Space 
Operations. 
Sec. 509D. Repeal of active duty service requirement for warrant officer appoint-
ments in Air Force and Space Force. 
Sec. 509E. Removal of officers from a list of Space Force officers recommended 
for promotion. 
Sec. 509F. Pilot program on peer and subordinate assessments of certain officers. 
Subtitle B—Reserve Component Management 
Sec. 511. Authority to extend military technicians until age 62. 
Sec. 512. Extension of time period for transfer or discharge of certain Army and 
Air Force reserve component general officers. 
Sec. 513. Expanded authority to continue reserve component officers in certain 
military specialties on the reserve active-status list. 
Sec. 514. Transfer to the Space Force of covered space functions of the Air Na-
tional Guard of the United States. 
Sec. 515. Notice to Congress regarding reapportionment of National Guard force 
structure. 
Subtitle C—General Service Authorities, Decorations and Awards, and Military 
Records 
Sec. 521. Technical and conforming amendments relating to members of the 
Space Force. 
Sec. 522. Modified authority to provide protection to senior leaders of the Depart-
ment of Defense and other specified persons. 
Sec. 523. Improving military administrative review. 
Sec. 524. Determination of active duty service commitment for recipients of fel-
lowships, grants, and scholarships. 
Sec. 525. Authority to designate certain separated members of the Air Force as 
honorary separated members of the Space Force. 
Sec. 526. Authorizations for certain awards. 
Sec. 527. Posthumous advancement of General John D. Lavelle, United States Air 
Force, on the retired list. 
Subtitle D—Recruitment 
Sec. 531. Expansion of report on future servicemember preparatory course. 
Sec. 532. Promoting military, national, and public service. 
Sec. 533. Military recruiter physical access to campuses. 
Sec. 534. Military Entrance Processing Command: acceleration of review of med-
ical records. 
Sec. 535. Medical Accession Records Pilot program: notice of termination.
205 
Sec. 536. Provision of information regarding Federal service to certain persons 
ineligible to enlist in certain Armed Forces. 
Sec. 537. Reimbursement of applicants to certain Armed Forces for certain med-
ical costs incurred during military entrance processing. 
Sec. 538. Authority to modernize recruitment for the Army. 
Sec. 539. Program of military recruitment and education at the National Sep-
tember 11 Memorial and Museum. 
Sec. 539A. Maritime workforce promotion and recruitment. 
Subtitle E—Training 
Sec. 541. Improvements to financial literacy training. 
Sec. 542. Extension of JROTC programs to the Job Corps. 
Sec. 543. Minimum number of participating students required to establish or 
maintain a unit of JROTC. 
Sec. 544. JROTC waiting list. 
Sec. 545. Number of Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps units. 
Sec. 546. Required constitutional law training. 
Sec. 547. Prohibition on Federal funds for the Department of Defense Countering 
Extremism Work Group. 
Subtitle F—Member Education 
Sec. 551. Expansion of international engagement authorities for Service Acad-
emies. 
Sec. 552. Modification of authority to engage in funded and unfunded law edu-
cation programs. 
Sec. 553. Additional admissions authority for the Uniformed Services University 
of the Health Sciences. 
Sec. 554. Professional military education: technical correction to definitions. 
Sec. 555. Distance education option for professional military education. 
Sec. 556. Authority to accept gifts of services for professional military education 
institutions. 
Sec. 557. Alternative service obligation for a cadet or midshipman who becomes 
a professional athlete. 
Sec. 558. Service Academies: Boards of Visitors. 
Sec. 559. Modernizing Marine Corps Platoon Leaders Class college tuition assist-
ance program to account for inflation. 
Sec. 559A. Information on nominations and applications for military service 
academies. 
Sec. 559B. Ensuring access to certain higher education benefits. 
Sec. 559C. Service Academies: referral of applicants to the senior military colleges 
and units of the Senior Reserve Officer Training Corps. 
Sec. 559D. Pilot program to provide graduate education opportunities for enlisted 
members of the Army and Navy. 
Sec. 559E. Prohibition on use of Federal funds to endorse critical race theory. 
Subtitle G—Military Justice and Other Legal Matters 
Sec. 561. Clarifying amendment to Article 2 of the Uniform Code of Military 
Justice. 
Sec. 562. Authority of special trial counsel with respect to certain offenses occur-
ring before effective date of military justice reforms. 
Sec. 563. Detailing of appellate defense counsel. 
Sec. 564. Modification to offense of aiding the enemy under the Uniform Code of 
Military Justice.
206 
Sec. 565. Removal of marriage as a defense to article 120b offenses. 
Sec. 566. Consolidation of military justice reporting requirements for the military 
departments. 
Sec. 567. Term of office for judges of the Court of Military Commission Review. 
Sec. 568. Continuity of coverage under certain provisions of title 18, United 
States Code. 
Sec. 569. Correction of certain citations in title 18, United States Code, relating 
to sexual offenses. 
Sec. 569A. Modification of timeline for potential implementation of study on 
unanimous court-martial verdicts. 
Sec. 569B. Removal of personally identifying and other information of certain 
persons from the Department of Defense Central Index of Inves-
tigations. 
Sec. 569C. Expanded command notifications to victims of domestic violence. 
Sec. 569D. Extension of Defense Advisory Committee on Investigation, Prosecu-
tion, and Defense of Sexual Assault in the Armed Forces. 
Sec. 569E. Analysis on the advisability of revising Military Rule of Evidence 
513. 
Sec. 569F. Analysis of prohibition on broadcast and distribution of digitally ma-
nipulated intimate images under the Uniform Code of Military 
Justice. 
Subtitle H—Career Transition 
Sec. 571. Pathway for individualized counseling for members of the reserve com-
ponents under TAP. 
Sec. 572. Extension of Troops-to-Teachers Program. 
Sec. 573. Extension and expansion of report on the Transition Assistance Pro-
gram of the Department of Defense. 
Sec. 574. Military training and competency records. 
Subtitle I—Family Programs and Child Care 
Sec. 581. Interstate compacts for portability of occupational licenses of military 
spouses: permanent authority. 
Sec. 582. Military Spouse Career Accelerator program. 
Sec. 583. Competitive pay for Department of Defense child care personnel. 
Sec. 584. Posting of national child abuse hotline at military child development 
centers. 
Sec. 585. Additional information in outreach campaign relating to waiting lists 
for military child development centers. 
Sec. 586. Expansion of annual briefing regarding waiting lists for military child 
development centers. 
Sec. 587. Improvements relating to portability of professional licenses of 
servicemembers and their spouses. 
Sec. 588. Child care services and youth program services for dependents. 
Sec. 589. Child care services and youth program services for dependents: period 
of services for a member with a spouse seeking employment. 
Sec. 589A. Child development program staffing and compensation model. 
Sec. 589B. Inclusive Playground Pilot Program. 
Subtitle J—Dependent Education 
Sec. 591. Advisory committees for Department of Defense domestic dependents 
schools.
207 
Sec. 592. Eligibility of dependents of certain deceased members of the Armed 
Forces for enrollment in Department of Defense domestic de-
pendent elementary and secondary schools. 
Sec. 593. Expansion of eligibility for virtual programs operated by Department 
of Defense Education Activity. 
Sec. 594. Authorization for school meal programs at Department of Defense de-
pendent schools. 
Sec. 595. Eligibility of certain dependents for enrollment in domestic dependent 
elementary and secondary schools. 
Sec. 596. Staffing of Department of Defense Education Activity schools to main-
tain maximum student-to-teacher ratios. 
Sec. 597. Enrollment in defense dependents’ education system of children of for-
eign military members assigned to United Nations Command. 
Sec. 598. Certain assistance to local educational agencies that benefit dependents 
of military and civilian personnel. 
Sec. 599. Training requirements teachers in 21st century schools of the Depart-
ment of Defense Education Activity. 
Sec. 599A. Overseas transfer program for educators in schools operated by the De-
partment of Defense Education Activity. 
Sec. 599B. Parental right to notice of student nonproficiency in reading or lan-
guage arts. 
Subtitle A—Officer Policy 
SEC. 501. REDISTRIBUTION OF GENERAL OFFICERS OF THE 
MARINE CORPS ON ACTIVE DUTY. 
Section 525(a)(4) of title 10, United States Code, is 
amended— 
(1) in subparagraph (B), by striking ‘‘17’’ and 
inserting ‘‘18’’; and 
(2) in subparagraph (C), by striking ‘‘22’’ and 
replacing with ‘‘21.’’ 
SEC. 502. AUTHORITY TO EXCLUDE ADDITIONAL POSITIONS 
FROM LIMITATIONS ON THE NUMBER OF 
GENERAL OFFICERS AND FLAG OFFICERS ON 
ACTIVE DUTY. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 526 of title 10, United 
States Code, is amended—
208 
(1) by redesignating subsections (g) through (j) 
as subsections (h) through (k), respectively; and 
(2) by inserting, after subsection (f), the fol-
lowing new subsection (g): 
‘‘(g) SECRETARY OF DEFENSE ADAPTIVE FORCE AC-
COUNT.—The limitations in subsection (a) and in section 
525(a) of this title do not apply to a general officer or flag 
officer assigned to the Secretary of Defense Adaptive Force 
Account as designated by the Secretary of Defense. The total 
number of positions designated as the Secretary of Defense 
Adaptive Force Account for purposes of this subsection shall 
not exceed 35.’’. 
(b) CONFORMING AMENDMENT.—Section 501(a)(3) of 
the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 
2017 (Public Law 114–328; 10 U.S.C. 525 note) is hereby 
repealed. 
SEC. 503. ELIGIBILITY FOR CONSIDERATION FOR PRO-
MOTION: TIME-IN-GRADE AND OTHER RE-
QUIREMENTS. 
(a) WARRANT OFFICERS.—Section 577 of title 10, 
United States Code, is amended by inserting ‘‘or an ap-
proved retirement date’’ after ‘‘an established separation 
date that is within 90 days after the date on which the 
board is convened’’.
209 
(b) OFFICERS.—Section 619(c)(2)(C) of title 10, 
United States Code, is amended by inserting ‘‘or an ap-
proved retirement date’’ after ‘‘an established separation 
date that is within 90 days after the date the board is con-
vened’’. 
(c) RESERVE COMPONENTS.—Section 14301(f) of title 
10, United States Code, is amended to read as follows: 
‘‘(f) NONCONSIDERATION OF OFFICERS SCHEDULED 
FOR REMOVAL FROM RESERVE ACTIVE-STATUS LIST.—The 
Secretary of the military department concerned may, by 
regulation, preclude from consideration by a selection board 
by which an officer would otherwise be eligible to be consid-
ered, an officer who has an established separation date that 
is within 90 days after the date the board is convened or 
an approved retirement date.’’. 
SEC. 504. TEMPORARY AUTHORITY TO INCREASE THE NUM-
BER OF NURSE OFFICERS RECOMMENDED 
FOR PROMOTION. 
Section 616(d) of title 10, United States Code, is 
amended— 
(1) by striking ‘‘The number’’ and inserting ‘‘(1) 
Subject to paragraph (2), the number’’; and 
(2) by adding at the end the following new para-
graph (2):
210 
‘‘(2) During the period beginning on January 1, 2025, 
and ending on December 31, 2030, the number of officers 
recommended for promotion by a selection board convened 
under section 611(a) of this title may not equal or exceed 
100 percent of the number of officers included in the pro-
motion zone established under section 623 of this title for 
consideration by the board, for nurse officers recommended 
for promotion to major or lieutenant commander, if the Sec-
retary concerned determines that such greater number is 
necessary to maintain or improve medical readiness.’’. 
SEC. 505. TALENT MANAGEMENT AND PERSONNEL RETEN-
TION FOR MEMBERS OF THE ARMED FORCES. 
(a) AUTHORITY FOR OFFICERS TO OPT-OUT OF PRO-
MOTION BOARD CONSIDERATION.— 
(1) REGULAR OFFICERS.—Section 619(e)(2)(A) 
of title 10, United States Code, is amended— 
(A) by inserting ‘‘training,’’ after ‘‘Depart-
ment,’’; and 
(B) by striking ‘‘assignment or education’’ 
and inserting ‘‘assignment, education, or train-
ing’’. 
(2) RESERVE OFFICERS.—Section 14301(j)(2)(A) 
of title 10, United States Code, is amended— 
(A) by inserting ‘‘training,’’ after ‘‘Depart-
ment,’’; and
211 
(B) by striking ‘‘assignment or education’’ 
and inserting ‘‘assignment, education, or train-
ing’’. 
(b) EFFECT OF FAILURE OF SELECTION FOR PRO-
MOTION FOR CERTAIN OFFICERS.— 
(1) FIRST
LIEUTENANTS
AND
LIEUTENANTS 
(JUNIOR GRADE).—Section 631(a) of title 10, United 
States Code, is amended— 
(A) in paragraph (1), by striking ‘‘the 
President approves the report of the board which 
considered him for the second time’’ and insert-
ing ‘‘the Secretary concerned releases the pro-
motion results of the board which considered the 
officer for the second time to the public’’; and 
(B) in paragraph (2), by striking ‘‘the 
President approves the report of the board which 
considered him for the second time’’ and insert-
ing ‘‘the Secretary concerned releases the pro-
motion results of the board which considered the 
officer for the second time to the public’’. 
(2) CAPTAINS AND MAJORS OF THE ARMY, AIR 
FORCE, AND MARINE CORPS AND LIEUTENANTS AND 
LIEUTENANT
COMMANDERS
OF
THE
NAVY.—Section 
632(a)(2) of such title is amended by striking ‘‘the 
President approves the report of the board which con-
212 
sidered him for the second time’’ and inserting ‘‘the 
Secretary concerned releases the promotion results of 
the board which considered the officer for the second 
time to the public’’. 
(3) REGULAR NAVY AND REGULAR MARINE CORPS 
OFFICERS DESIGNATED FOR LIMITED DUTY.—Section 
8372 of such title is amended— 
(A) in subsection (b), by striking ‘‘the Presi-
dent approves the report of the selection board in 
which the officer is considered as having failed 
of selection for promotion to the grade of com-
mander or lieutenant colonel for the second 
time’’ and inserting ‘‘the Secretary concerned re-
leases the promotion results of the board which 
considered the officer for the second time to the 
public’’; 
(B) in subsection (d), by striking ‘‘the 
President approves the report of the selection 
board in which the officer is considered as hav-
ing failed of selection for promotion to the grade 
of lieutenant commander or major for the second 
time’’ and inserting ‘‘the Secretary concerned re-
leases the promotion results of the board which 
considered the officer for the second time to the 
public’’; and
213 
(C) in subsection (e), by striking ‘‘the Presi-
dent approves the report of the selection board in 
which the officer is considered as having failed 
of selection for promotion to the grade of lieuten-
ant or captain, respectively, for the second time’’ 
and inserting ‘‘the Secretary concerned releases 
the promotion results of the board which consid-
ered the officer for the second time to the public’’. 
(4) RESERVE FIRST LIEUTENANTS OF THE ARMY, 
AIR FORCE, AND MARINE CORPS AND RESERVE LIEU-
TENANTS
(JUNIOR
GRADE)
OF
THE
NAVY.—Section 
14504 of such title is amended— 
(A) in subsection (a), by striking ‘‘the 
President approves the report of the board which 
considered the officer for the second time’’ and 
inserting ‘‘the Secretary concerned releases the 
promotion results of the board which considered 
the officer for the second time to the public’’; and 
(B) in subsection (b), by striking ‘‘President 
approves the report of the selection board which 
resulted in the second failure’’ and inserting ‘‘the 
Secretary concerned releases the promotion re-
sults of the board which considered the officer for 
the second time to the public’’.
214 
(5) RESERVE
CAPTAINS
OF
THE
ARMY, AIR 
FORCE, AND MARINE CORPS AND RESERVE LIEUTEN-
ANTS OF THE NAVY.—Section 14505 of such title is 
amended by striking ‘‘the President approves the re-
port of the board which considered the officer for the 
second time’’ and inserting ‘‘the Secretary concerned 
releases the promotion results of the board which con-
sidered the officer for the second time to the public’’. 
(6) RESERVE MAJORS OF THE ARMY, AIR FORCE, 
AND MARINE CORPS AND RESERVE LIEUTENANT COM-
MANDERS OF THE NAVY.—Section 14506 of such title 
is amended by striking ‘‘the President approves the 
report of the board which considered the officer for the 
second time’’ and inserting ‘‘the Secretary concerned 
releases the promotion results of the board which con-
sidered the officer for the second time to the public’’. 
SEC. 506. CONSIDERATION OF MERIT BY SPECIAL SELEC-
TION REVIEW BOARDS. 
(a) REGULAR COMPONENTS.—Section 628a(d)(4)(A) 
of title 10, United States Code, is amended by inserting 
‘‘ranks in the upper half of an order of merit created by 
the special selection review board or’’ before ‘‘ranks on an 
order of merit created by the special selection review board 
as better qualified’’.
215 
(b) RESERVE COMPONENTS.—Section 14502a(d)(4)(A) 
of title 10, United States Code, is amended by inserting 
‘‘ranks in the upper half of an order of merit created by 
the special selection review board or’’ before ‘‘ranks on an 
order of merit created by the special selection review board 
as better qualified’’. 
SEC. 507. EFFECT OF FAILURE OF SELECTION FOR PRO-
MOTION: CAPTAINS AND MAJORS OF THE 
ARMY, AIR FORCE, MARINE CORPS, AND 
SPACE FORCE AND LIEUTENANTS AND LIEU-
TENANT COMMANDERS OF THE NAVY. 
Section 632(c) of title 10, United States Code, is 
amended to read as follows: 
‘‘(c)(1) If an officer is subject to discharge under sub-
section (a)(1) and, as of the date on which the officer is 
to be discharged under that subsection, the officer has not 
completed the officer’s active duty service obligation, the of-
ficer shall be retained on active duty until completion of 
such active duty service obligation, and then be discharged 
under subsection (a)(1), unless sooner retired or discharged 
under another provision of law. 
‘‘(2) The Secretary concerned may waive the applica-
bility of paragraph (1) to any officer if the Secretary deter-
mines that completion of the active duty service obligation 
of that officer is not in the best interest of the service.’’.
216 
SEC. 508. MODIFICATION OF AUTHORITY TO SEPARATE OF-
FICERS WHEN IN THE BEST INTEREST OF THE 
SERVICE. 
Section 1182(d) of title 10, United States Code, is 
amended— 
(1) by amending paragraph (1) to read as fol-
lows: 
‘‘(1)(A) If a board of inquiry determines that an officer 
should be retained, the officer’s case is closed unless the 
board substantiated a basis for separation and, upon rec-
ommendation from the service chief, the Secretary of the 
military department determines that the board’s retention 
recommendation is clearly erroneous in light of the evidence 
considered by the board, a miscarriage of justice, and incon-
sistent with the best interest of the service. In such cases, 
the Secretary of the military department may separate the 
officer after providing a written justification of the decision 
to separate. 
‘‘(B) An officer considered for separation under this 
section must be notified and afforded the opportunity to 
present matters for the Secretary of the military depart-
ment to consider when making the separation determina-
tion. The Secretary of the military department shall review 
the case to determine whether the retention recommendation 
of the board is clearly contrary to the substantial weight 
of the evidence in the record and whether the officer’s con-
217 
duct discredits the Service, adversely affects good order and 
discipline, and adversely affects the officer’s performance of 
duty. 
‘‘(C) Exercise of authority to separate an officer under 
this section shall be reserved for unusual cases where such 
action is essential to the interests of justice, discipline, and 
proper administration of the service.’’; 
(2) by redesignating paragraphs (2) and (3) as 
paragraphs (3) and (4), respectively; and 
(3) by inserting after paragraph (1) the fol-
lowing new paragraph: 
‘‘(2) Authority to direct administrative separation 
after a board of inquiry’s recommendation to retain an offi-
cer may only be delegated to a civilian official within a 
military department appointed by the President, by and 
with the advice and consent of the Senate. The least favor-
able characterization in such cases will be general (under 
honorable conditions).’’. 
SEC. 509. REMOTE APPEARANCE BEFORE A BOARD OF IN-
QUIRY. 
(a) REGULAR OFFICERS.—Section 1185 of title 10, 
United States Code, is amended— 
(1) in subsection (a)(3), by striking ‘‘shall be’’ 
and inserting ‘‘subject to subsection (c), shall be’’; and
218 
(2) by adding at the end the following new sub-
section: 
‘‘(c) The Secretary concerned may determine that, in 
exceptional circumstances, the appearance of an officer be-
fore the proceedings of a board of inquiry may be via means 
other than in person.’’. 
(b) RESERVE OFFICERS.—Section 14904 of title 10, 
United States Code, is amended— 
(1) in subsection (a)(3), by striking ‘‘shall be’’ 
and inserting ‘‘subject to subsection (c), shall be’’; and 
(2) by adding at the end the following new sub-
section: 
‘‘(c) REMOTE APPEARANCE.—The Secretary concerned 
may determine that, in exceptional circumstances, the ap-
pearance of an officer before the proceedings of a board of 
inquiry may be via means other than in person.’’. 
SEC. 509A. MARINE CORPS DEPUTY COMMANDANTS. 
Section 8045 of title 10, United States Code, is amend-
ed by striking ‘‘not more than seven Deputy Commandants’’ 
and inserting ‘‘not more than eight Deputy Commandants’’. 
SEC. 509B. IMPROVEMENTS RELATING TO MEDICAL OFFI-
CER OF THE MARINE CORPS POSITION. 
(a) MEDICAL OFFICER OF THE MARINE CORPS.—
219 
(1) IN
GENERAL.—Chapter 806 of title 10, 
United States Code, is amended by adding at the end 
the following new section: 
‘‘§ 8048. Medical Officer of the Marine Corps 
‘‘(a) There is a Medical Officer of the Marine Corps 
who shall be appointed from among flag officers of the 
Navy. 
‘‘(b) The Medical Officer of the Marine Corps, while 
so serving, shall hold the grade of rear admiral (lower 
half).’’. 
(2) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The table of sec-
tions at the beginning of chapter 806 of title 10, 
United States Code, is amended by inserting after the 
item relating to section 8047 the following new item: 
‘‘8048. Medical Officer of the Marine Corps.’’. 
(b) EXCLUSION FROM CERTAIN DISTRIBUTION LIMI-
TATIONS.—Section 525 of such title is amended— 
(1) by redesignating subsection (g) as subsection 
(h); and 
(2) by inserting after subsection (f) the following 
new subsection: 
‘‘(g) A naval officer while serving as the Medical Offi-
cer of the Marine Corps is in addition to the number that 
would otherwise be permitted for the Navy for officers serv-
ing on active duty in the grade of rear admiral (lower half) 
under subsection (a).’’.
220 
(c) EXCLUSION FROM ACTIVE DUTY STRENGTH LIMI-
TATIONS.—Section 526 of such title, as amended by section 
502, is further amended— 
(1) by redesignating subsections (g) through (k) 
as subsections (h) through (l), respectively; and 
(2) by inserting after subsection (f) the following 
new subsection: 
‘‘(g) EXCLUSION OF MEDICAL OFFICER OF MARINE 
CORPS.—The limitations of this section do not apply to the 
flag officer who is serving as the Medical Officer of the Ma-
rine Corps.’’. 
SEC. 509C. VICE CHIEF OF SPACE OPERATIONS; VACANCY IN 
POSITION OF CHIEF OF SPACE OPERATIONS. 
(a) VICE CHIEF OF SPACE OPERATIONS.—Chapter 
908 of title 10, United States Code, is amended— 
(1) by redesignating sections 9083, 9084, 9085, 
and 9086 as sections 9084, 9085, 9086, and 9087, re-
spectively; and 
(2) by inserting after section 9082 the following 
new section 9083: 
‘‘§ 9083. Vice Chief of Space Operations 
‘‘(a) APPOINTMENT.—There is a Vice Chief of Space 
Operations, appointed by the President, by and with the 
advice and consent of the Senate, from the general officers 
of the Space Force.
221 
‘‘(b) GRADE.—The Vice Chief of Space Operations, 
while so serving, has the grade of general without vacating 
the permanent grade of the officer. 
‘‘(c) DUTIES.—The Vice Chief of Space Operations 
shall have such authorities and duties with respect to the 
Space Force as the Chief of Space Operations, with the ap-
proval of the Secretary of the Air Force, may delegate to 
or prescribe for the Vice Chief of Space Operations. Orders 
issued by the Vice Chief of Space Operations in performing 
such duties have the same effect as orders issued by the Chief 
of Space Operations.’’. 
(b) VACANCY IN POSITION OF CHIEF OF SPACE OPER-
ATIONS.—Section 9082 of such title is amended by adding 
at the end the following new subsection: 
‘‘(f) VACANCY IN POSITION OF CHIEF OF SPACE OPER-
ATIONS.—When there is a vacancy in the position of Chief 
of Space Operations or during the absence or disability of 
the Chief of Space Operations— 
‘‘(1) the Vice Chief of Space Operations shall 
perform the duties of the Chief of Space Operations 
until a successor is appointed or the absence or dis-
ability ceases; or 
‘‘(2) if there is a vacancy in the position of the 
Vice Chief of Space Operations or the Vice Chief of 
Space Operations is absent or disabled, unless the
222 
President directs otherwise, the most senior officer of 
the Space Force in the Space Staff who is not absent 
or disabled and who is not restricted in performance 
of duty shall perform the duties of the Chief of Space 
Operations until the earliest of— 
‘‘(A) the appointment of a successor to the 
Chief of Space Operations or the Vice Chief of 
Space Operations; or 
‘‘(B) the cessation of the absence or dis-
ability of the Chief of Space Operations or Vice 
Chief of Space Operations.’’. 
(c) CLERICAL AMENDMENTS.—The table of sections at 
the beginning of such chapter is amended by striking the 
items relating to sections 9083, 9084, 9085, and 9086 and 
inserting the following new items: 
‘‘9083. Vice Chief of Space Operations. 
‘‘9084. Office of the Chief of Space Operations: function; composition. 
‘‘9085. Office of the Chief of Space Operations: general duties. 
‘‘9086. Regular Space Force: composition. 
‘‘9087. Space Development Agency.’’. 
SEC. 509D. REPEAL OF ACTIVE DUTY SERVICE REQUIRE-
MENT 
FOR 
WARRANT 
OFFICER 
APPOINT-
MENTS IN AIR FORCE AND SPACE FORCE. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 9160 of title 10, United 
States Code, is hereby repealed. 
(b) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The table of sections at 
the beginning of chapter 915 of title 10, United States Code, 
is amended by striking the item relating to section 9160.
223 
SEC. 509E. REMOVAL OF OFFICERS FROM A LIST OF SPACE 
FORCE OFFICERS RECOMMENDED FOR PRO-
MOTION. 
Section 20241(f) of title 10, United States Code, is 
amended by striking ‘‘section 14310’’ and inserting ‘‘section 
629 or 14310’’. 
SEC. 509F. PILOT PROGRAM ON PEER AND SUBORDINATE 
ASSESSMENTS OF CERTAIN OFFICERS. 
(a) ESTABLISHMENT.—Not later than one year after 
the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary con-
cerned shall implement, in a covered Armed Force, a five- 
year pilot program, pursuant to which— 
(1) an officer described in subsection (b) shall be 
assessed by peers and subordinates; and 
(2) the results of such assessments may be avail-
able to a command selection or command qualifica-
tion board concerned; and 
(3) the command selection or command quali-
fication board may consider such results in deter-
mining whether to recommend such officer for such se-
lection or qualification. 
(b) COVERED OFFICERS.—An officer described in this 
subsection is a regular officer— 
(1) eligible for consideration for command; 
(2) in grade O-5 or O-6; and 
(3) in a career field—
224 
(A) specified in subsection (c); or 
(B) determined by the Secretary concerned. 
(c) COVERED CAREER FIELDS.—The career fields spec-
ified in this subsection are the following: 
(1) In the Navy, surface warfare, submarine 
warfare, special warfare, or explosive ordnance dis-
posal. 
(2) In the Marine Corps, infantry, logistics, or 
field artillery. 
(3) In the Air Force, operations or logistics. 
(4) In the Space Force, space operations. 
(d) SELECTION OF ASSESSORS.—The Secretary con-
cerned may select an individual to assess an officer under 
the pilot program if the Secretary determines such indi-
vidual has worked with the officer closely enough to have 
an informed opinion regarding the officer’s leadership abili-
ties. An officer may not have any input regarding the selec-
tion of an individual who shall assess such officer. 
(e) REPORT.—Not later than three months after the 
termination of a pilot program, a Secretary concerned shall 
submit to the Committees on Armed Services of the House 
of Representatives and Senate a report regarding the pilot 
program. Elements of each such report shall include the fol-
lowing:
225 
(1) The determination of the Secretary concerned 
whether the pilot program improved the command se-
lection or command qualification process of the cov-
ered Armed Force. 
(2) The rationale and findings of the Secretary 
concerned in determining whether to use such assess-
ments in the command selection or command quali-
fication process of such covered Armed Force. 
(f) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
(1) The term ‘‘covered Armed Force’’ means the 
Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, or Space 
Force. 
(2) The terms ‘‘regular’’ and ‘‘Secretary con-
cerned’’ have the meanings given such term in section 
101 of title 10, United States Code. 
Subtitle B—Reserve Component 
Management 
SEC. 511. AUTHORITY TO EXTEND MILITARY TECHNICIANS 
UNTIL AGE 62. 
(a) MILITARY TECHNICIAN.—Section 10216(f) of title 
10, United States Code, is amended by striking ‘‘60’’ and 
inserting ‘‘62.’’ 
(b) RETENTION ON RESERVE ACTIVE-STATUS LIST.— 
Section 14702(b) of such title is amended by striking ‘‘60’’ 
and inserting ‘‘62’’.
226 
SEC. 512. EXTENSION OF TIME PERIOD FOR TRANSFER OR 
DISCHARGE OF CERTAIN ARMY AND AIR 
FORCE RESERVE COMPONENT GENERAL OF-
FICERS. 
Section 14314 of title 10, United States Code, is 
amended— 
(1) in subsection (a)— 
(A) by redesignating paragraphs (1), (2), 
(3), and (4) as subparagraphs (A), (B), (C), and 
(D), respectively; 
(B) by striking ‘‘Within’’ and inserting ‘‘(1) 
Except as provided in paragraph (2), within’’; 
and 
(C) by adding at the end the following new 
paragraph: 
‘‘(2) For any general officer covered by paragraph (1) 
who is released from a joint duty assignment or other non- 
joint active-duty assignment, the Secretary concerned shall 
complete the transfer or discharge required by paragraph 
(1) not later than 60 days after the officer’s release.’’; and 
(2) in subsection (c), by striking ‘‘subsection 
(a)(3)’’ and inserting ‘‘subsection (a)(1)(C)’’.
227 
SEC. 513. EXPANDED AUTHORITY TO CONTINUE RESERVE 
COMPONENT OFFICERS IN CERTAIN MILI-
TARY SPECIALTIES ON THE RESERVE ACTIVE- 
STATUS LIST. 
(a) AUTHORITY FOR CONTINUATION ON THE RESERVE 
ACTIVE-STATUS LIST.—Chapter 1409 of title 10, United 
States Code, is amended by inserting after section 14701 
the following new section: 
‘‘§ 14701a. Continuation on reserve active-status list: 
officers in certain military specialties and 
career tracks 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary of the military de-
partment concerned may authorize a reserve commissioned 
officer in a grade above O-2 to remain on the reserve active- 
status list after the date otherwise provided for the separa-
tion or retirement of the officer under section 14505, 14506, 
or 14507 of this title, as applicable, if the officer has a mili-
tary occupational specialty, rating, or specialty code in a 
military specialty designated pursuant to subsection (b). 
‘‘(b) MILITARY SPECIALTIES.—The Secretary of a 
military department shall designate the military specialties 
in which a military occupational specialty, rating, or spe-
cialty code, as applicable, assigned to members of the armed 
forces under the jurisdiction of such Secretary authorizes 
the members to be eligible for continuation on the reserve 
active-status list as provided in subsection (a).
228 
‘‘(c) DURATION OF CONTINUATION.—An officer contin-
ued on the reserve active-status list pursuant to this section 
shall, if not earlier retired, transferred to the Retired Re-
serve, or discharged, be separated in accordance with section 
14513 or 14514 of this title, as applicable, on the first day 
of the month after the month in which the officer completes 
40 years of commissioned service. 
‘‘(d) REGULATIONS.—The Secretaries of the military 
departments shall carry out this section in accordance with 
regulations prescribed by the Secretary of Defense. The reg-
ulations shall specify the criteria to be used by the Secre-
taries of the military departments in designating military 
specialties for purposes of subsection (b).’’. 
(b) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The table of sections at 
the beginning of chapter 1409 of title 10, United States 
Code, is amended by inserting after the item relating to 
section 14701 the following new item: 
‘‘14701a. Continuation on reserve active-status list: officers in certain military 
specialties and career tracks.’’. 
(c) CONFORMING AMENDMENTS.—Title 10, United 
States Code, is further amended— 
(1) in section 1558(b)(2)(A), by inserting 
‘‘14701a,’’ after ‘‘14701,’’; 
(2) in section 14505, by inserting ‘‘or 14701a’’ 
after ‘‘14701’’;
229 
(3) in section 14506, by inserting ‘‘14701a,’’ 
after ‘‘14701,’’; and 
(4) in section 14507, by inserting ‘‘, 14701a,’’ 
after ‘‘14701’’ both places it appears. 
SEC. 514. TRANSFER TO THE SPACE FORCE OF COVERED 
SPACE FUNCTIONS OF THE AIR NATIONAL 
GUARD OF THE UNITED STATES. 
(a) TRANSFER OF COVERED SPACE FUNCTIONS.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—During the transition period, 
the Secretary of the Air Force shall transfer to the 
Space Force the covered space functions of the Air 
National Guard of the United States. The transfer 
shall occur without regard to section 104 of title 32, 
United States Code, or section 18238 of title 10, 
United States Code. 
(2) PERSONNEL
BILLETS
LIMITATIONS.—With 
regard to personnel billets, the statutory waiver under 
paragraph (1) is limited to 578 personnel billets of 
the Air National Guard, as follows: 
(A) 33 personnel from the State of Alaska. 
(B) 126 personnel from the State of Cali-
fornia. 
(C) 119 personnel from the State of Colo-
rado. 
(D) 75 personnel from the State of Florida.
230 
(E) 130 personnel from the State of Ha-
waii. 
(F) 69 personnel from the State of Ohio. 
(G) 26 personnel assigned to Headquarters, 
Air National Guard. 
(b) TRANSFER OF UNITS.—Upon the transfer to the 
Space Force of a covered space function of the Air National 
Guard of the United States, the Secretary of the Air Force 
may— 
(1) change the status of a unit related to such 
covered space function of the Air National Guard of 
the United States from a unit of the Air National 
Guard of the United States to a unit of the Space 
Force; 
(2) deactivate the covered space function of the 
Air National Guard of the United States; or 
(3) assign the covered space function of the Air 
National Guard of the United States a new Federal 
mission. 
(c) TRANSFER OF COVERED MEMBERS.— 
(1) OFFICERS.—During the transition period, 
the Secretary of Defense may, with the consent of the 
covered officer, transfer a covered officer of the Air 
National Guard of the United States to, and appoint 
the covered officer in, the Space Force.
231 
(2) ENLISTED MEMBERS.—During the transition 
period, the Secretary of the Air Force may, with the 
consent of the covered enlisted member, transfer a cov-
ered enlisted member of the Air National Guard of the 
United States to the Space Force. Upon such a trans-
fer, the covered enlisted member shall cease to be a 
member of the Air National Guard of the United 
States and be discharged from enlistment as a Reserve 
of the Air Force. 
(3) EFFECTIVE DATE OF TRANSFERS.—A trans-
fer under this subsection shall be effective on the date 
specified by the Secretary of Defense, in the case of 
an officer, or the Secretary of the Air Force, in the 
case of an enlisted member. No date so specified may 
be after the last day of the transition period. 
(4) LIMITATIONS.—A covered officer or covered 
enlisted member transferred under paragraph (1) or 
(2)— 
(A) may consent to a transfer under this 
subsection during the period, beginning on the 
date of the enactment of this Act, that is the 
longer of one year, or a period determined by the 
Secretary of Defense or the Secretary of the Air 
Force, as applicable; and
232 
(B) to the maximum extent practicable, 
shall not be subject to a permanent change of 
duty station during the period of three years be-
ginning on the day that the covered officer or 
covered enlisted member consents to such trans-
fer. 
(d) REGULATIONS.—A transfer under subsection (c) 
shall be carried out under regulations prescribed by the Sec-
retary of Defense. In the case of a covered officer, applicable 
regulations shall include those prescribed pursuant to sec-
tion 716 of title 10, United States Code. 
(e) TERM OF INITIAL ENLISTMENT IN THE SPACE 
FORCE.—In the case of a covered enlisted member who is 
transferred to the Space Force under subsection (c), the Sec-
retary of the Air Force may accept the initial enlistment 
of the covered enlisted member in the Space Force for a pe-
riod of less than two years if such period is not shorter 
than the period remaining, as of the date of the transfer, 
in the term of enlistment in a reserve component of the Air 
Force of such covered enlisted member. 
(f) END STRENGTH ADJUSTMENTS UPON TRANSFERS 
FROM
THE
AIR
NATIONAL
GUARD
OF
THE
UNITED 
STATES.—Upon the transfer to the Space Force of a covered 
space function of the Air National Guard of the United 
States during the transition period, the end strength au-
233 
thorized for the Space Force pursuant to section 
115(a)(1)(A) of title 10, United States Code, for the fiscal 
year during which the transfer occurs, shall be increased 
by the number of billets associated with such transfer. 
(g) ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS.—For purposes of 
the transfer of covered members of the Air National Guard 
of the United States under subsection (c)— 
(1) the Air National Guard of the United States 
and the Space Force shall be considered to be compo-
nents of the same Armed Force; and 
(2) the Space Force officer list shall be consid-
ered to be an active-duty list of such Armed Force. 
(h) RETRAINING AND REASSIGNMENT FOR MEMBERS 
NOT TRANSFERRING.—If a covered member of the Air Na-
tional Guard of the United States does not consent to a 
transfer under subsection (c), the Secretary of the Air Force 
shall provide to the covered member retraining and reas-
signment, in a reserve component of the Air Force, that the 
Secretary determines appropriate for such covered member. 
(i) PROTECTION OF RANK AND PAY.—A covered mem-
ber of the Air National Guard who transfers to the Space 
Force under subsection (c) shall not lose rank or pay solely 
as a result of such transfer. 
(j) SPACE FORCE UNITS IN AFFECTED STATES.—In 
order to reduce the cost of transferring to the Space Force
236 
(A) 213th Space Warning Squadron, Alaska 
Air National Guard. 
(B) 148th Space Operations Squadron, 
California Air National Guard. 
(C) 216th Electromagnetic Warfare Squad-
ron, California Air National Guard. 
(D) 137th Space Warning Squadron, Colo-
rado Air National Guard. 
(E) 138th Electromagnetic Warfare Squad-
ron, Colorado Air National Guard. 
(F) 114th Electromagnetic Warfare Squad-
ron, Florida Air National Guard. 
(G) 150th Electromagnetic Warfare Squad-
ron, Hawaii Air National Guard. 
(H) 109th Electromagnetic Warfare Squad-
ron, Hawaii Air National Guard. 
(I) 126th Intelligence Squadron, Ohio Air 
National Guard. 
(5) The term ‘‘Space Force officer list’’ means 
the list maintained under section 20235 of title 10, 
United States Code. 
(6) The term ‘‘transition period’’ means the pe-
riod beginning on the date of the enactment of this 
Act and ending on the last day of the eighth fiscal
237 
year beginning after the date of the enactment of this 
Act. 
SEC. 515. NOTICE TO CONGRESS REGARDING REAPPOR-
TIONMENT 
OF 
NATIONAL 
GUARD 
FORCE 
STRUCTURE. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 60 days before re-
apportioning the force structure of the National Guard of 
a State, including by converting a position into a military 
technician (dual status), the Chief of the National Guard 
Bureau, in consultation with the Secretary of the military 
department concerned, shall submit to the Committees on 
Armed Services of the Senate and the House of Representa-
tives a notice of such reapportionment. 
(b) FORM; ELEMENTS.—A notice under subsection 
(a)— 
(1) may be submitted in unclassified form with 
a classified annex; and 
(2) shall include the following elements: 
(A) A description of such reapportionment, 
including the number of such conversions and 
any changes to the number of personnel. 
(B) A description of the projected oper-
ational effect of such reapportionment on the 
mission of the National Guard of such State.
238 
(C) A description of any end strength re-
quirements that justify such reapportionment. 
(D) Recommendations for any change to 
statutory end strengths that may be necessary to 
offset such requirements. 
(c) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
(1) The term ‘‘military technician (dual status)’’ 
has the meaning given such term in section 10216 of 
title 10, United States Code. 
(2) The term ‘‘State’’ has the meaning given such 
term in section 901 of title 32, United States Code. 
Subtitle C—General Service Au-
thorities, 
Decorations 
and 
Awards, and Military Records 
SEC. 521. TECHNICAL AND CONFORMING AMENDMENTS RE-
LATING TO MEMBERS OF THE SPACE FORCE. 
(a) APPOINTMENT
OF CHAIRMAN
OF
THE JOINT 
CHIEFS OF STAFF; GRADE AND RANK.—Section 152(c) of 
title 10, United States Code, is amended by striking ‘‘gen-
eral, in the case of the Navy, admiral, or, in the case of 
an officer of the Space Force, the equivalent grade’’ and 
inserting ‘‘general or, in the case of the Navy, admiral’’. 
(b) JOINT REQUIREMENTS OVERSIGHT COUNCIL.— 
Section 181(c)(1)(F) of such title is amended by striking 
‘‘in the grade equivalent to the grade of general in the
239 
Army, Air Force, or Marine Corps, or admiral in the 
Navy’’ and inserting ‘‘in the grade of general’’. 
(c) ORIGINAL APPOINTMENTS OF COMMISSIONED OF-
FICERS.— 
(1) APPOINTMENTS.—Section 531(a) of such title 
is amended— 
(A) in paragraph (1), by striking ‘‘and 
Regular Marine Corps in the grades of ensign, 
lieutenant (junior grade), and lieutenant in the 
Regular Navy, and in the equivalent grades in 
the Space Force’’ and inserting ‘‘Regular Marine 
Corps, and Space Force, and in the grades of en-
sign, lieutenant (junior grade), and lieutenant in 
the Regular Navy’’; and 
(B) in paragraph (2), by striking ‘‘and 
Regular Marine Corps in the grades of lieuten-
ant commander, commander, and captain in the 
Regular Navy, and in the equivalent grades in 
the Space Force’’ and inserting ‘‘Regular Marine 
Corps, and Space Force, and in the grades of 
lieutenant commander, commander, and captain 
in the Regular Navy’’. 
(2) SERVICE CREDIT UPON ORIGINAL APPOINT-
MENT
AS
A
COMMISSIONED
OFFICER.—Section 
533(b)(2) of such title is amended by striking ‘‘or Ma-
240 
rine Corps, captain in the Navy, or an equivalent 
grade in the Space Force’’ and inserting ‘‘Marine 
Corps, or Space Force, or captain in the Navy’’. 
(d) SELECTION BOARDS.— 
(1) CONVENING OF SELECTION BOARDS.—Section 
611(a) of such title is amended by striking ‘‘or Ma-
rine Corps’’ and inserting ‘‘Marine Corps, or Space 
Force’’. 
(2) JQO MEMBER REQUIRED FOR BOARDS TO 
CONSIDER OFFICERS WHO ARE JOINT QUALIFIED OF-
FICERS.—Section 612(c)(3)(A) of such title is amend-
ed by inserting ‘‘or the Space Force’’ after ‘‘of the Ma-
rine Corps’’. 
(e) 
PROMOTION
ZONE
DEFINITION.—Section 
645(1)(A) of such title is amended by striking ‘‘and Marine 
Corps,’’ both places it appears and inserting ‘‘Marine 
Corps, and Space Force,’’. 
(f) RETIRED GRADE.— 
(1) REGULAR
COMMISSIONED
OFFICERS.—Sec-
tion 1370(g) of such title is amended by striking ‘‘or 
Marine Corps, rear admiral in the Navy, or an equiv-
alent grade in the Space Force’’ and inserting ‘‘Ma-
rine Corps, or Space Force, or rear admiral in the 
Navy’’.
241 
(2) OFFICERS ENTITLED TO RETIRED PAY FOR 
NON-REGULAR SERVICE.—Section 1370a of such title 
is amended— 
(A) in subsection (d)(1), by striking ‘‘or 
Marine Corps’’ both places it appears and insert-
ing ‘‘Marine Corps, or Space Force’’; and 
(B) in subsection (h), by striking ‘‘or Ma-
rine Corps’’ and inserting ‘‘Marine Corps, or 
Space Force,’’. 
(g) TITLE
OF CHIEF MASTER SERGEANT
OF
THE 
SPACE FORCE.— 
(1) 
RETIRED
BASE
PAY.—Section 
1406(i)(3)(B)(v) of such title is amended by striking 
‘‘The senior enlisted advisor of the Space Force’’ and 
inserting ‘‘Chief Master Sergeant of the Space Force’’. 
(2) PAY OF SENIOR ENLISTED MEMBERS.—Sec-
tion 210(c)(5) of title 37, United States Code, is 
amended by striking ‘‘The senior enlisted advisor of 
the Space Force’’ and inserting ‘‘The Chief Master 
Sergeant of the Space Force’’. 
(3) PERSONAL
MONEY
ALLOWANCE.—Section 
414(b) of title 37, United States Code, is amended by 
striking ‘‘the senior enlisted advisor of the Space 
Force’’ and inserting ‘‘the Chief Master Sergeant of 
the Space Force’’.
242 
(4) BASIC PAY RATE.—Footnote 2 of the table ti-
tled ‘‘ENLISTED MEMBERS’’ in section 601(c) of 
the John Warner National Defense Authorization Act 
for Fiscal Year 2007 (Public Law 109–364; 37 U.S.C. 
1009 note) is amended by striking ‘‘the senior enlisted 
advisor of the Space Force’’ and inserting ‘‘Chief 
Master Sergeant of the Space Force’’. 
(h) FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM FOR SPECIALLY 
SELECTED MEMBERS.—Section 2107 of title 10, United 
States Code, is amended— 
(1) in subsection (a), by striking ‘‘Marine 
Corps,, as the case may be’’ and inserting ‘‘Marine 
Corps, or Space Force’’; and 
(2) in subsection (d), by striking ‘‘lieutenant, en-
sign, or an equivalent grade in the Space Force,’’ and 
inserting ‘‘lieutenant or ensign,’’. 
(i) DESIGNATION OF SPACE SYSTEMS COMMAND AS A 
FIELD
COMMAND
OF
THE
UNITED
STATES
SPACE 
FORCE.—Section 9016(b)(6)(B)(iv)(II) of such title is 
amended by striking ‘‘Space and Missile Systems Center’’ 
and inserting ‘‘Space Systems Command’’. 
(j) CHIEF OF SPACE OPERATIONS.—Section 9082 of 
such title is amended— 
(1) in subsection (a), by striking ‘‘, flag, or 
equivalent’’ each place it appears; and
243 
(2) in subsection (b), by striking ‘‘grade in the 
Space Force equivalent to the grade of general in the 
Army, Air Force, and Marine Corps, or admiral in 
the Navy’’ and inserting ‘‘grade of general’’. 
(k) AWARDS AND DECORATIONS.— 
(1) DISTINGUISHED
FLYING
CROSS.—Section 
9279(a) of such title is amended— 
(A) by adding ‘‘or Space Force’’ after ‘‘Air 
Force’’; and 
(B) by adding ‘‘or space’’ after ‘‘aerial’’. 
(2) AIRMAN’S
MEDAL.—Section 9280(a)(1) of 
such title is amended by adding ‘‘or Space Force’’ 
after ‘‘Air Force’’. 
(l) UNITED STATES AIR FORCE INSTITUTE OF TECH-
NOLOGY.—Section 9414b(a)(2)(B) of such title is amended 
by striking ‘‘or the equivalent grade in the Space Force’’. 
(m) ORDERS TO ACTIVE DUTY: WITHOUT CONSENT OF 
MEMBER OF THE SPACE FORCE.—Section 20106(d) of such 
title is amended by striking ‘‘pertaining’’. 
(n) CONVENING OF SELECTION BOARDS OF THE SPACE 
FORCE.—Section 20211(b) of such title is amended by strik-
ing ‘‘20238(a)(4)(A)’’ and inserting ‘‘20239(c)(4)(A)’’. 
(o) COMPOSITION
OF SELECTION BOARDS
OF
THE 
SPACE FORCE.—Section 20212(a)(1) of such title is amend-
244 
ed by striking ‘‘Secretary of Air Force’’ and inserting ‘‘Sec-
retary of the Air Force’’. 
(p) REPORTS OF SELECTION BOARDS OF THE SPACE 
FORCE.—Section 20216(c) of such title is amended by strik-
ing ‘‘20214(g)’’ and inserting ‘‘20215(g)’’. 
(q) ELIGIBILITY
FOR
CONSIDERATION
FOR
PRO-
MOTION: GENERAL RULES OF THE SPACE FORCE.—Section 
20231 of such title is amended— 
(1) in subsection (b)— 
(A) 
in 
paragraph 
(4), 
by 
striking 
‘‘20238(a)(4)’’ and inserting ‘‘20239(c)(4)’’; and 
(B) in paragraph (5), by striking ‘‘20232’’ 
and inserting ‘‘section 20232’’; and 
(2) in subsection (c)(2)(E), by striking ‘‘Sec-
retary Air Force’’ and inserting ‘‘Secretary of the Air 
Force’’. 
(r) OPPORTUNITIES FOR CONSIDERATION FOR PRO-
MOTION IN THE SPACE FORCE.—Section 20234(b) of such 
title is amended by striking ‘‘pursuant subsection (a)’’ and 
inserting ‘‘pursuant to subsection (a)’’. 
(s) PROMOTIONS IN THE SPACE FORCE: HOW MADE.— 
Section 20239 of such title is amended— 
(1) in subsection (c)(2), by striking ‘‘subpara-
graph (A)’’ and inserting ‘‘paragraph (1)’’; and
245 
(2) in subsection (d)(2), by striking ‘‘subpara-
graph (C)(ii) of such section’’ and inserting ‘‘section 
741(d)(4)(C)(ii) of this title’’. 
(t) GENERAL OFFICERS OF THE SPACE FORCE CEAS-
ING
TO
OCCUPY
POSITIONS
COMMENSURATE
WITH 
GRADE.—Section 20243(a)(3) of such title is amended by 
striking ‘‘as a’’. 
(u) FAILURE OF SELECTION FOR PROMOTION IN THE 
SPACE FORCE.—Section 20251 of such title is amended— 
(1) in subsection (a)— 
(A) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), 
by striking ‘‘14504 and section 631 and 632’’ 
and inserting ‘‘14504, 631, and 632’’; and 
(B) in paragraph (2), by striking ‘‘section 
14201 or 611’’ and inserting ‘‘section 14201 or 
section 611’’; and 
(2) in subsection (d)(1), by striking ‘‘14502(b)’’ 
and inserting ‘‘14501(b)’’. 
(v) SPECIAL SELECTION BOARDS
OF
THE SPACE 
FORCE; CORRECTION OF ERRORS.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—The second section 20251 of 
such title is amended— 
(A) in subsection (b)— 
(i) in paragraph (2)—
246 
(I) by striking ‘‘((1)’’ and insert-
ing ‘‘(1)’’; and 
(II) by striking ‘‘sch’’ and insert-
ing ‘‘such’’; and 
(ii) in paragraph (4), by striking ‘‘a 
officer’’ and inserting ‘‘an officer’’; and 
(B) in subsection (f)(2), by striking ‘‘which 
of officer’’ and inserting ‘‘which an officer’’. 
(2) REDESIGNATION.—Such section is redesig-
nated as section 20252 of such title (and the heading 
of such section and the table of sections at the begin-
ning of subchapter IV of part I of chapter 2005 of 
such title are amended accordingly). 
(w) APPLICABILITY OF CERTAIN PROVISIONS OF LAW 
RELATED TO SEPARATION OF A MEMBER OF THE SPACE 
FORCE.—Section 20401(b) of such title is amended by in-
serting ‘‘, and’’ after ‘‘1174(b)’’. 
(x) RETENTION BOARDS OF THE SPACE FORCE.—Sec-
tion 20502 of such title is amended— 
(1) in subsection (c)— 
(A) in the heading, by striking ‘‘THAN an 
Officer Has Failed to Establish That the Officer 
Should Be Retained’’ and inserting ‘‘THAT AN 
OFFICER HAS FAILED TO ESTABLISH THAT THE 
OFFICER SHOULD BE RETAINED’’; and
247 
(B) by moving paragraph (1) to appear in 
line with the subsection heading and adjusting 
the margins accordingly; and 
(2) in subsection (d), in the heading, by striking 
‘‘THAN’’ and inserting ‘‘THAT’’. 
(y) PROMOTION AUTHORITY FLEXIBILITY
OF
THE 
SPACE FORCE.—Section 1737(b)(3)(A) of the National De-
fense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2024 (Public Law 
118–31; 137 Stat. 678) is amended by striking ‘‘20213’’ and 
inserting ‘‘20212’’. 
SEC. 522. MODIFIED AUTHORITY TO PROVIDE PROTECTION 
TO SENIOR LEADERS OF THE DEPARTMENT 
OF DEFENSE AND OTHER SPECIFIED PER-
SONS. 
(a) EXPANSION.—Section 714 of title 10, United 
States Code, is amended— 
(1) in the section heading, by striking ‘‘WITHIN 
THE UNITED STATES’’; 
(2) in subsection (a), in the matter preceding 
paragraph (1), by striking ‘‘within the United 
States’’; and 
(3) in subsection (b)(1), in the matter preceding 
sub paragraph (A), by striking ‘‘within the United 
States’’.
248 
(b) LIMITATION ON DELEGATION OF AUTHORITY.— 
Such section is further amended, in subsection (b)(3), by 
inserting ‘‘or the Under Secretary of Defense for Intelligence 
and Security’’ after ‘‘only to the Deputy Secretary of De-
fense’’. 
(c) WRITTEN DETERMINATIONS INCLUDE DENIALS.— 
Such section is further amended, in subsection (b)(4)— 
(1) by inserting ‘‘whether’’ before ‘‘to provide’’; 
(2) by striking ‘‘the authorized’’ and inserting 
‘‘any authorized’’; and 
(3) by striking ‘‘the arrangements for the’’ and 
inserting ‘‘any arrangements for such’’. 
(d) REPORTING.—Such section is further amended, in 
subsection (b)(6)(A)— 
(1) by striking ‘‘each determination made under 
paragraph (4) to provide protection and security to 
an individual’’ and inserting ‘‘an initial determina-
tion made under paragraph (4), or a determination 
to deny the renewal of protection and security’’; and 
(2) by adding at the end the following: ‘‘In the 
case of determination to continue protection and secu-
rity, the Secretary shall make such submission not 
less than twice each year.’’
249 
(e) TEMPORARY PROTECTION.—Such section is further 
amended, in subsection (b), by adding at the end the fol-
lowing new paragraph: 
‘‘(7) TEMPORARY
PROTECTION.—The Secretary 
of Defense may temporarily provide physical protec-
tion and personal security under this subsection to an 
individual— 
‘‘(A) pending the determination of the Sec-
retary under paragraph (4) regarding such indi-
vidual; and 
‘‘(B) for a period not to exceed 30 days.’’. 
SEC. 523. IMPROVING MILITARY ADMINISTRATIVE REVIEW. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 1552(a) of title 10, United 
States Code, is amended by amending paragraph (5) to 
read as follows: 
‘‘(5) Each final decision of the board under this sub-
section shall be made available to the public in electronic 
form on a centralized Internet website. The information 
provided shall include a summary of each decision, to be 
indexed by subject matter, except that the Secretary shall 
protect the privacy of claimants by redacting all personally 
identifiable information.’’. 
(b) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The amendment made by sub-
section (a) shall take effect on October 1, 2026.
250 
SEC. 524. DETERMINATION OF ACTIVE DUTY SERVICE COM-
MITMENT FOR RECIPIENTS OF FELLOWSHIPS, 
GRANTS, AND SCHOLARSHIPS. 
Section 2603(b) of title 10, United States Code, is 
amended by striking ‘‘three times the length of the period 
of the education or training.’’ and inserting ‘‘determined 
by the Secretary concerned, which may not be less than 
twice the length of the period of the education or training. 
Notwithstanding section 2004(c) of this title, the service ob-
ligation required under this subsection may run concur-
rently with any service obligations incurred under chapter 
101 of this title in accordance with regulations established 
by the Secretary concerned.’’. 
SEC. 525. AUTHORITY TO DESIGNATE CERTAIN SEPARATED 
MEMBERS OF THE AIR FORCE AS HONORARY 
SEPARATED MEMBERS OF THE SPACE FORCE. 
Chapter 933 of title 10, United States Code, is amend-
ed by adding at the end the following new section: 
‘‘§ 9254. Authority to designate certain separated 
members of the Air Force as honorary sep-
arated members of the Space Force 
‘‘(a) AUTHORITY.—The Secretary of the Air Force may 
prescribe regulations that authorize an eligible individual 
to be designated as an honorary separated member of the 
Space Force. An eligible individual so designated may be 
referred to as a ‘Legacy Guardian’.
251 
‘‘(b) ELEMENTS.—Regulations prescribed under this 
section may include the following elements: 
‘‘(1) Eligibility criteria, including applicable 
dates of service and constructive service credit, for 
designation under this section. 
‘‘(2) An application process through which an el-
igible individual, or a survivor of a deceased eligible 
individual, may apply for such designation of such 
eligible individual. 
‘‘(3) A certificate, approved device, or other in-
signia of such designation. 
‘‘(c) RULE OF CONSTRUCTION.—Designation of an eli-
gible individual under this section shall not be construed 
to entitle such eligible individual to any benefit in addition 
to those established by this section or pursuant to regula-
tions prescribed under this section. 
‘‘(d) ELIGIBLE INDIVIDUAL DEFINED.—In this sec-
tion, the term ‘eligible individual’ means an individual— 
‘‘(1) whom the Secretary of the Air Force deter-
mines served in support of space operations as a 
member of the Air Force; and 
‘‘(2) who separates (or previously separated) 
from the armed forces as a member of the Air Force.’’.
252 
SEC. 526. AUTHORIZATIONS FOR CERTAIN AWARDS. 
(a) AUTHORIZATION FOR AWARD OF THE MEDAL OF 
HONOR TO RODERICK W. EDMONDS.—Notwithstanding the 
time limitations specified in section 7274 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 posthumously award 
the Medal of Honor, under section 7271 of such title, to 
Roderick W. Edmonds for his actions as a master sergeant 
in the Army during the period of January 27 through 
March 30, 1945. 
(b) AUTHORIZATION
FOR AWARD
OF
THE DISTIN-
GUISHED SERVICE CROSS TO WILLIAM D. OWENS.—Not-
withstanding the time limitations specified in section 7274 
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 post-
humously award the Distinguished Service Cross, under 
section 7272 of such title, to William D. Owens for his ac-
tions as a staff sergeant in the Army during the period of 
June 6 through June 8, 1944, at La Fiere Bridge, for which 
he was previously awarded the Bronze Star.
253 
SEC. 527. POSTHUMOUS ADVANCEMENT OF GENERAL JOHN 
D. LAVELLE, UNITED STATES AIR FORCE, ON 
THE RETIRED LIST. 
(a) ADVANCEMENT.—General John D. Lavelle, United 
States Air Force (retired), is entitled to hold the rank of 
lieutenant general while on the retired list of the Air Force. 
(b) ADDITIONAL BENEFITS NOT TO ACCRUE.—The ad-
vancement of General John D. Lavelle on the retired list 
of the Air Force under subsection (a) shall not affect the 
retired pay or other benefits from the United States to 
which General John D. Lavelle would have been entitled 
based upon his military service or affect any benefits to 
which any other person may become entitled based on his 
military service. 
(c) RULE OF CONSTRUCTION.—Nothing in this section 
shall be construed as authorizing the advancement of Gen-
eral John D. Lavelle to a rank higher than lieutenant gen-
eral. 
Subtitle D—Recruitment 
SEC. 531. EXPANSION OF REPORT ON FUTURE SERVICE-
MEMBER PREPARATORY COURSE. 
Section 546 of the National Defense Authorization Act 
for Fiscal Year 2024 (Public Law 118–31; 10 U.S.C. 520 
note) is amended— 
(1) in subsection (c)—
254 
(A) by amending paragraph (2) to read as 
follows: 
‘‘(2) GRADUATION REQUIREMENT.—Prior to at-
tending initial basic training, all enlisted persons at-
tending the course established under this section must 
achieve a score on the Armed Forces Qualification 
Test that is— 
‘‘(A) at least 10 points higher than the indi-
vidual’s most recent score taken prior to the in-
dividual’s date of enlistment; or 
‘‘(B) no longer subject to the restrictions of 
section 520 of title 10, United States Code.’’; and 
(B) in paragraph (3), by striking ‘‘course 
graduation requirements within 180 days of en-
listment’’ and inserting ‘‘meaningful progress, as 
determined by the Secretary concerned, within 
90 days of enlistment’’; and 
(2) in subsection (d)— 
(A) by redesignating paragraph (4) as 
paragraph (6); and 
(B) by inserting, after paragraph (3), the 
following new paragraphs: 
‘‘(4) The determination of the Secretary regard-
ing the effectiveness of the preparatory course.
255 
‘‘(5) Recommendations of the Secretary regard-
ing— 
‘‘(A) how to improve the preparatory 
course; 
‘‘(B) whether to expand the preparatory 
course.’’. 
SEC. 532. PROMOTING MILITARY, NATIONAL, AND PUBLIC 
SERVICE. 
(a) SELECTIVE SERVICE SYSTEM DATA SHARING 
AMENDMENTS.—Section 15(e) of the Military Selective 
Service Act (50 U.S.C. 3813(e)) is amended— 
(1) by striking ‘‘the names and addresses’’ and 
inserting ‘‘the full names, email addresses (if avail-
able), dates of birth, phone numbers (if available), 
and mailing addresses’’; and 
(2) by striking ‘‘Names and addresses furnished’’ 
and inserting ‘‘Full names, email addresses, dates of 
birth, phone numbers, and mailing addresses fur-
nished’’. 
(b) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The amendments made by this 
section shall take effect 120 days after the date of the enact-
ment of this Act.
256 
SEC. 533. MILITARY RECRUITER PHYSICAL ACCESS TO CAM-
PUSES. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Subpart 2 of Part F of title VIII 
of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 
(20 U.S.C. 7901 et seq.) is amended by inserting after sec-
tion 8528 the following: 
‘‘SEC. 8528A. MILITARY RECRUITER ACCESS TO SECONDARY 
SCHOOL CAMPUSES. 
‘‘Each local educational agency receiving assistance 
under this Act shall provide military recruiters the same 
access to the campus of each secondary school served by the 
local educational agency for the purpose of recruiting stu-
dents who are at least 17 years of age that is provided to 
any prospective employer, institution of higher education, 
or other recruiter.’’. 
(b) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The amendment made by sub-
section (a) shall take effect one year after the date of the 
enactment of this Act. 
(c) COMPLIANCE MONITORING AND REPORTING.—On 
an annual basis, the Secretary of Defense shall— 
(1) collect information from military recruiters 
regarding the compliance of local educational agencies 
with the requirements of section 8528A of the Elemen-
tary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (as added 
by subsection (a)); and
257 
(2) based on such information, prepare and sub-
mit to the Committees on Armed Services of the Sen-
ate and House of Representatives a report that— 
(A) identifies each local educational agency 
that the Secretary determines to be in violation 
of such section; and 
(B) explains the reasons for such determina-
tion. 
SEC. 534. MILITARY ENTRANCE PROCESSING COMMAND: AC-
CELERATION 
OF 
REVIEW 
OF 
MEDICAL 
RECORDS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 120 days after the 
date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense 
shall implement a program to use health care providers, 
from any component of the Armed Forces under the juris-
diction of such Secretary, to support United States Military 
Entrance Processing Command (in this section, referred to 
as ‘‘MEPCOM’’) and accelerate the review of medical 
records, as determined necessary by the Secretary. 
(b) BRIEFING.—Not later than 180 days after the date 
of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall provide to 
the Committees on Armed Services of the Senate and House 
of Representatives a briefing on actions taken to carry out 
subsection (a).
258 
(c) REPORT.—Not later than one year after the date 
of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to 
the Committees on Armed Services of the Senate and House 
of Representatives a report regarding the program under 
subsection (a) that includes an explanation of any effect 
the program has had on recruitment, including the speed 
of medical waiver processing. 
SEC. 535. MEDICAL ACCESSION RECORDS PILOT PROGRAM: 
NOTICE OF TERMINATION. 
The Secretary of Defense shall notify the Committees 
on Armed Services of the Senate and House of Representa-
tives at least one year before terminating the Medical Acces-
sion Records Pilot program. 
SEC. 536. PROVISION OF INFORMATION REGARDING FED-
ERAL SERVICE TO CERTAIN PERSONS INELI-
GIBLE 
TO 
ENLIST 
IN 
CERTAIN 
ARMED 
FORCES. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 180 days after the 
date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense 
shall prescribe regulations directing the Secretary of a mili-
tary department to provide, to a person described in sub-
section (b), information regarding opportunities for Fed-
eral, or other public, service for which the person may be 
qualified.
259 
(b) CERTAIN PERSONS NOT QUALIFIED TO ENLIST.— 
A person described in this subsection is a person ineligible 
to serve in a covered Armed Force. 
(c) COVERED ARMED FORCE DEFINED.—In this sec-
tion, the term ‘‘covered Armed Force’’ means the Army, 
Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, or Space Force. 
SEC. 537. REIMBURSEMENT OF APPLICANTS TO CERTAIN 
ARMED 
FORCES 
FOR 
CERTAIN 
MEDICAL 
COSTS INCURRED DURING MILITARY EN-
TRANCE PROCESSING. 
(a) AUTHORITY.—The Secretary of Defense may reim-
burse an individual who applies to join a covered Armed 
Force for costs incurred by such individual for a medical 
appointment required for military entrance processing. 
(b) MAXIMUM AMOUNT.—The maximum amount an 
individual may be reimbursed under this section is $100. 
(c) BRIEFINGS.—Not later than 16 months after the 
date of the enactment of this Act and once each year there-
after for two years, the Secretary shall submit to the Com-
mittees on Armed Services of the Senate and House of Rep-
resentatives a briefing on reimbursements under this sec-
tion. Such a briefing shall include, with respect to the most 
recent one-year period after such date, the following ele-
ments: 
(1) The number of individuals reimbursed.
260 
(2) The total funds spent each on such reim-
bursements. 
(3) The number of civilian employees hired by 
the Secretary to carry out this section. 
(4) The effect, if any, of such reimbursements 
on— 
(A) the time required to complete military 
entrance processing; and 
(B) recruitment. 
(5) Other information the Secretary determines 
appropriate. 
(d) SUNSET.—The authority to reimburse under this 
section shall terminate on the day that is three years after 
the date of the enactment of this Act. 
(e) COVERED ARMED FORCE DEFINED.—In this sec-
tion, the term ‘‘covered Armed Force’’ means the Army, 
Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, or Space Force. 
SEC. 538. AUTHORITY TO MODERNIZE RECRUITMENT FOR 
THE ARMY. 
(a) AUTHORITY.—During fiscal year 2025, the Sec-
retary of the Army may modernize recruitment for the 
Army in order to attract and retain fit and ready individ-
uals to serve as members of the Army. To carry out such 
modernization, the Secretary may take steps including the 
following:
261 
(1) Establish a military occupational specialty 
for enlisted members who specialize in talent acquisi-
tion. 
(2) Establish a professional recruiting force of 
warrant officers who specialize in talent acquisition, 
data analytics, and other human resource functions 
necessary to develop expertise in recruiting and mili-
tary accessions. 
(3) Routinely determine which areas of the 
United States yield greater-than-average numbers of 
recruits and, with regard to each such area— 
(A) build relationships with sources of such 
recruits, including schools; and 
(B) assign additional recruiting personnel. 
(4) Consider using a commercially available, off- 
the-shelf, recruiting platform. 
(b) BRIEFINGS.—Not later than the last day of each 
quarter of fiscal year 2025, the Secretary of the Army shall 
submit to the Committees on Armed Services of the Senate 
and House of Representatives a briefing on the use of the 
authority under this section. Each such briefing shall in-
clude the following: 
(1) An up-to-date timeline, milestones, resources 
used, and resources needed for such use.
262 
(2) The number of enlisted members, officers, and 
civilian employees of the Army required to use such 
authority. 
(3) Policies altered or prescribed by the Sec-
retary to use such authority and recruit a capable 
and ready all-volunteer force. 
(4) Related legislative recommendations of the 
Secretary. 
SEC. 539. PROGRAM OF MILITARY RECRUITMENT AND EDU-
CATION AT THE NATIONAL SEPTEMBER 11 
MEMORIAL AND MUSEUM. 
(a) AUTHORITY.—Not later than September 30, 2025, 
the Secretary of Defense shall seek to enter into an agree-
ment with the entity that operates the National September 
11 Memorial and Museum (in this section referred to as 
‘‘the Museum’’) under which the Secretary and such entity 
shall carry out a program at the Museum to promote mili-
tary recruitment and education. 
(b) PROGRAM.—A program under subsection (a) shall 
include the following: 
(1) Provision of informational materials to pro-
mote enlistment in the covered Armed Forces, by the 
Secretary to such entity, for distribution at the Mu-
seum.
263 
(2) Education and exhibits, developed jointly by 
the Secretary and such entity, and provided to the 
public by employees of the Museum, to— 
(A) enhance understanding of the military 
response to the attacks on September 11, 2001; 
and 
(B) encourage enlistment and re-enlistment 
in the covered Armed Forces. 
(c) COVERED ARMED FORCE DEFINED.—In this sec-
tion, the term ‘‘covered Armed Force’’ means the Army, 
Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, or Space Force. 
SEC. 539A. MARITIME WORKFORCE PROMOTION AND RE-
CRUITMENT. 
(a) CONTRACT FOR TARGETED CAMPAIGN.—Not later 
than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, 
the Secretary of the Navy, in coordination with the heads 
of such other Federal agencies as the Secretary determines 
appropriate, shall seek to enter into a contract with an enti-
ty described in subsection (b), through a competitive bid-
ding process, for the establishment a targeted campaign to 
educate and recruit potential workers regarding careers in 
the maritime sector, including by— 
(1) promoting maritime workforce in the United 
States including careers in the maritime industry 
afloat, including in the United States Merchant Ma-
264 
rine, sailing in the Military Sealift Command, and 
related positions in the maritime sector; and 
(2) promoting the United States shipbuilding in-
dustry and highlighting the critical need to attract 
skilled workers in the shipbuilding and related mari-
time sectors. 
(b) ENTITY DESCRIBED.—An entity described in this 
subsection is a reputable marketing, recruiting, and public 
relations firm with expertise in developing and deploying 
branding, content, advertising buys, and local and national 
engagement strategies. 
(c) CAMPAIGN OBJECTIVES.—A contract entered into 
under subsection (a) shall provide that the campaign car-
ried out pursuant to the contract shall— 
(1) emphasize the importance of the maritime 
workforce for national security; 
(2) showcase the numerous career opportunities 
available in the maritime domain; 
(3) highlight the career opportunities in the mar-
itime sector; 
(4) promote the excitement, benefits, and appeal 
of a career in the maritime industry; 
(5) inform potential workers of the points of 
entry available to join and receive training for such 
employment, including—
265 
(A) the United States Merchant Marine 
Academy; 
(B) State and regional maritime academies 
described in chapter 515 of title 46, United 
States Code; 
(C) centers of excellence for domestic mari-
time workforce training and education des-
ignated under section 51706 of title 46, United 
States Code; 
(D) the Military to Mariners Act (46 U.S.C. 
7302 note); 
(E) merchant mariner and shipbuilding 
labor union training facilities; 
(F) merchant mariner and shipbuilding ap-
prenticeship programs approved by the Secretary 
of Labor; 
(G) shipbuilding industry training pro-
grams; and 
(H) any other potential resources as identi-
fied by the Secretary of the Navy; 
(6) inform potential workers of sources of finan-
cial assistance for training for individuals interested 
in joining such industry; and 
(7) attract workers to the United States mer-
chant marine, shipbuilding, and related sectors.
266 
(d) TARGET AUDIENCE.—A contract entered into 
under subsection (a) shall provide that in carrying out the 
campaign carried out pursuant to the contract, the entity 
shall target a diverse audience, including— 
(1) potential workers interested in maritime ca-
reers; 
(2) educational institutions, including K-12 edu-
cational institutions and community colleges, and the 
students of such institutions considering vocational 
training in maritime fields; 
(3) military veterans; 
(4) individuals seeking career transitions; and 
(5) the general public. 
(e) REPORTING AND ACCOUNTABILITY.— 
(1) QUARTERLY
REPORT.—A contract entered 
into under subsection (a) shall provide that, not later 
than 30 days after the end of each quarter of each fis-
cal year during which a campaign is carried out pur-
suant to the contract, the entity carrying out the cam-
paign, in consultation with the Secretary of the Navy 
and the heads of such other Federal agencies as the 
Secretary determines appropriate, shall submit to the 
relevant congressional committees quarterly reports 
detailing the progress, outreach, and effect of the cam-
paign, including the effectiveness of such campaigns
267 
in increasing applications for employment in the 
United States Merchant Marine and shipbuilding sec-
tors. 
(2) FINAL REPORT.—Not later than 180 days 
after the conclusion of a campaign carried out pursu-
ant to a contract entered into under subsection (a), 
the entity carrying out the campaign, in consultation 
with the Secretary of the Navy and the heads of such 
other Federal agencies as the Secretary determines 
appropriate, shall submit to the relevant congres-
sional committees a comprehensive final report on the 
campaign. 
(f) EXPIRATION
OF AVAILABLE FUNDS.—No funds 
may be authorized to be appropriated or otherwise made 
available to carry out this section after the date that is three 
years after the date of the enactment of this Act. 
(g) DEFINITION.—In this section, the term ‘‘relevant 
congressional committees’’ means— 
(1) the Committee on Appropriations, the Com-
mittee on Armed Services, and the Committee on 
Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of 
Representatives; and 
(2) the Committee on Appropriations, the Com-
mittee on Armed Services, and the Committee on 
Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate.
268 
Subtitle E—Training 
SEC. 541. IMPROVEMENTS TO FINANCIAL LITERACY TRAIN-
ING. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Subsection (a)(2) of section 992 of 
title 10, United States Code, is amended— 
(1) in subparagraph (C), by striking ‘‘grade E– 
4’’ and inserting ‘‘grade E–6’’; 
(2) by striking subparagraph (D); and 
(3) by redesignating subparagraphs (E) through 
(K) as subparagraphs (D) through (J), respectively. 
(b) PROVISION OF RETIREMENT INFORMATION.—Such 
section is further amended— 
(1) by redesignating subsections (d) and (e) as 
subsections (e) and (f), respectively; and 
(2) by inserting after subsection (c) the following 
new subsection (d): 
‘‘(d) PROVISION OF RETIREMENT INFORMATION.—In 
each training under subsection (a) and in each meeting to 
provide counseling under subsection (b), a member of the 
armed forces shall be provided with— 
‘‘(1) all forms relating to retirement that are rel-
evant to the member, including with respect to the 
Thrift Savings Plan; and 
‘‘(2) information with respect to how to find ad-
ditional information.’’.
269 
SEC. 542. EXTENSION OF JROTC PROGRAMS TO THE JOB 
CORPS. 
Section 2031 of title 10, United States Code, is amend-
ed— 
(1) in subsection (a)(1), by inserting ‘‘, includ-
ing Job Corps centers as defined in section 147 of the 
Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 
U.S.C. 3197),’’ after ‘‘secondary educational institu-
tions’’; and 
(2) in subsection (b)(1)(C), by inserting ‘‘, or is 
a Job Corps center as defined in section 147 of the 
Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 
U.S.C. 3197)’’ after ‘‘military department concerned’’. 
SEC. 543. MINIMUM NUMBER OF PARTICIPATING STUDENTS 
REQUIRED TO ESTABLISH OR MAINTAIN A 
UNIT OF JROTC. 
Section 2031(b)(1)(A) of title 10, United States Code, 
is amended— 
(1) by striking ‘‘not less than (i) 10 percent of 
the number of students enrolled in the institution who 
are in a grade above the 7th grade and physically co- 
located with the 9th grade participating unit, or (ii) 
100, whichever is less;’’ and inserting an em dash; 
and 
(2) by adding at the end the following new 
clauses:
270 
‘‘(i) in the case of an educational institu-
tion with fewer than 1,000 enrolled students, the 
lesser of— 
‘‘(I) 10 percent of the number of such 
students who are in a grade above the 7th 
grade and physically co-located with the 9th 
grade participating unit; and 
‘‘(II) 50; or 
‘‘(ii) in the case of an educational institu-
tion with 1,000 or more enrolled students— 
‘‘(I) 50; or 
‘‘(II) a number, determined by the Sec-
retary of the military department con-
cerned, that is higher than 50 and not more 
than 100;’’. 
SEC. 544. JROTC WAITING LIST. 
Section 2031(c) of title 10, United States Code, is 
amended— 
(1) in paragraph (2), by striking ‘‘; and’’ and 
inserting a semicolon; 
(2) in paragraph (3), by striking the period at 
the end and inserting ‘‘; and’’; and 
(3) by adding at the end the following new para-
graph:
271 
‘‘(4) maintain a prioritized waiting list that in-
cludes all secondary educational institutions that 
have made a request for a unit under this section and 
have not yet been approved by the Secretary con-
cerned, and prescribe regulations describing the fac-
tors to be considered in assigning priority, including 
the length of time an institution has been waiting for 
a unit.’’. 
SEC. 545. NUMBER OF JUNIOR RESERVE OFFICERS’ TRAIN-
ING CORPS UNITS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 2031 of title 10, United 
States Code, is amended, in the first subsection designated 
subsection (i), by striking ‘‘support not fewer than 3,400, 
and not more than 4,000, units’’ and inserting ‘‘support 
not fewer than 3,500, and not more than 4,100, units’’. 
(b) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The amendment made by sub-
section (a) shall take effect on October 1, 2026. 
SEC. 546. REQUIRED CONSTITUTIONAL LAW TRAINING. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Beginning not later than 180 days 
after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary 
of Defense shall ensure that all newly commissioned officers 
of the Armed Forces receive training on the Constitution 
of the United States prior to reporting to their first oper-
ational assignment.
272 
(b) ELEMENTS.—The training required under sub-
section (a) shall include— 
(1) education on the centrality of the Constitu-
tion to the commitment officers make to serve in the 
Armed Forces; 
(2) emphasis on the loyalty of officers to the Con-
stitution; and 
(3) instruction on the importance of, and basis 
for, civilian control over the military. 
SEC. 547. PROHIBITION ON FEDERAL FUNDS FOR THE DE-
PARTMENT OF DEFENSE COUNTERING EX-
TREMISM WORK GROUP. 
No funds authorized to be appropriated by this Act 
may be used to fund the Department of Defense Countering 
Extremism Working Group established by the Secretary of 
Defense memorandum on April 9, 2021. 
Subtitle F—Member Education 
SEC. 551. EXPANSION OF INTERNATIONAL ENGAGEMENT 
AUTHORITIES FOR SERVICE ACADEMIES. 
Section 347 of title 10, United States Code, is amend-
ed, in subsection (a)(1)(B), by striking ‘‘60’’ and inserting 
‘‘80’’.
274 
(i) by redesignating subparagraphs (A) 
and (B) as clauses (i) and (ii), respectively; 
(ii) by inserting ‘‘(A) in the case of a 
member detailed pursuant to subsection 
(a)(1),’’ after ‘‘(1)’’; 
(iii) in clause (ii), as redesignated by 
clause (i) of this subparagraph, by adding 
‘‘or’’ after the semicolon; and 
(iv) by adding at the end the following 
new subparagraph: 
‘‘(B) in the case of a member detailed pursuant 
to subsection (a)(2), either— 
‘‘(i) have served on active duty for a period 
of not less than two years nor more than eight 
years and be an officer in the pay grade O-3 or 
below when the training is to begin; or 
‘‘(ii) have served on active duty for a period 
of not less than four years nor more than ten 
years and be an enlisted member in the pay 
grade of E-5, E-6, or E-7 when the training is 
to begin;’’; and 
(B) in paragraph (3)(C), by striking ‘‘pe-
riod of two years’’ and inserting ‘‘period of—
275 
‘‘(i) two years for each year or part 
thereof of legal training under subsection 
(a)(1); or 
‘‘(ii) one year for each year or part 
thereof of legal training under subsection 
(a)(2).’’. 
(b) TEMPORARY EXPANSION.—During each of the three 
years after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Sec-
retary of a military department may fund educational ex-
penses under section 2004(a) of such title, as amended by 
subsection (a), for 35 members of such military department. 
(c) CLARIFICATION OF PAY AND ALLOWANCES WHILE 
DETAILED OR ASSIGNED AS A STUDENT FULL-TIME AT A 
CIVILIAN INSTITUTION.—Section 502(b) of title 37, United 
States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘Nothing in this subsection may be construed to deprive 
a member, detailed or assigned by the Secretary concerned 
as a full-time student at a civilian institution to pursue 
a program of education that is substantially the same as 
a program of education offered to civilians, of pay or allow-
ances to which such member is entitled.’’.
276 
SEC. 553. ADDITIONAL ADMISSIONS AUTHORITY FOR THE 
UNIFORMED SERVICES UNIVERSITY OF THE 
HEALTH SCIENCES. 
Chapter 104 of title 10, United States Code, is amend-
ed by inserting after section 2114 the following new section: 
‘‘§ 2114a. Eligibility of members of foreign militaries 
to enroll in the University 
‘‘(a) AUTHORITY.—(1) The Secretary of Defense may 
permit an individual who is a member of the military of 
a foreign country— 
‘‘(A) to enroll (including as a full-time student) 
and receive instruction— 
‘‘(i) as a medical student of the University; 
or 
‘‘(ii) in a postdoctoral, postgraduate, or cer-
tificate program of the University; and 
‘‘(B) to participate in training exercises of the 
University. 
‘‘(2) Enrollment of an individual under this section— 
‘‘(A) shall be subject to— 
‘‘(i) the academic capacity of the University 
described in section 2112(b) of this title; and 
‘‘(ii) an international agreement or quali-
fying non-binding instrument (as such terms are 
defined in section 112b of title 1); and
277 
‘‘(B) may not decrease the number of members of 
the uniformed services enrolled in the University; and 
‘‘(C) may not be given priority over the enroll-
ment of a member of the uniformed services. 
‘‘(3) The number of individuals simultaneously en-
rolled under this section may not exceed— 
‘‘(A) 10, in the case of medical students of the 
University; and 
‘‘(B) 40, with regards to all postdoctoral, post-
graduate, and certificate programs of the University. 
‘‘(b) QUALIFICATIONS; SELECTION.—In carrying out 
subsection (a), the Secretary may select an individual to 
enroll under this section— 
‘‘(1) who was nominated for such enrollment by 
the medical command of the military of a foreign 
country; and 
‘‘(2) pursuant to regulations prescribed by the 
Secretary regarding— 
‘‘(A) qualifications for such enrollment that 
are comparable to the qualifications required of 
a United States citizen; and 
‘‘(B) procedures for such selection. 
‘‘(c) REIMBURSEMENT.—(1) The Secretary shall re-
quire the foreign country of an individual enrolled under
278 
this section to reimburse the United States for the cost of 
providing instruction to such individual. 
‘‘(2) The Secretary shall prescribe rates for such reim-
bursement that equal or exceed the cost to the United States 
of providing such instruction to a member of the uniformed 
services. 
‘‘(3) The Secretary may waive, in whole or in part, 
reimbursement with regards to an individual enrolled 
under this section. 
‘‘(4) Amounts received by the Secretary under this sub-
section shall— 
‘‘(A) be used to defray the costs of providing in-
struction to an individual enrolled under this section; 
‘‘(B) be credited to appropriations available for 
the maintenance and operation of the University; and 
‘‘(C) remain available for until expended. 
‘‘(5) The source and the disposition of such amounts 
shall be specifically identified in records of the University. 
‘‘(d) APPLICABILITY
OF REGULATIONS
AND POLI-
CIES.—(1) Subject to paragraphs (2) through (4), and to 
the determination of the Secretary, an individual enrolled 
under this section shall be subject to the same regulations 
and policies that apply to a member of the uniformed serv-
ices enrolled in the University.
279 
‘‘(2) The Secretary may prescribe regulations regard-
ing access to classified information by an individual en-
rolled under this section that differ from the regulations 
that apply to a member of the uniformed services enrolled 
in the University. 
‘‘(3) An individual enrolled under this section shall 
not be entitled to an appointment in a uniformed service 
by reason of completing of a program of the University. 
‘‘(4) Section 2114 of this title shall not apply to an 
individual enrolled under this section.’’. 
SEC. 554. PROFESSIONAL MILITARY EDUCATION: TECH-
NICAL CORRECTION TO DEFINITIONS. 
Section 2151 of title 10, United States Code, is amend-
ed, in subsection (b)(3), by striking ‘‘National Defense Intel-
ligence College’’ and inserting ‘‘National Intelligence Uni-
versity’’. 
SEC. 555. DISTANCE EDUCATION OPTION FOR PROFES-
SIONAL MILITARY EDUCATION. 
Section 2154 of title 10, United States Code, is amend-
ed by adding at the end the following new subsection: 
‘‘(c) DISTANCE EDUCATION.—(1) Any distance edu-
cation program offered to satisfy Phase I or Phase II in-
struction under paragraph (1) or (2) of subsection (a) shall 
include a pathway for a student who is a member of a re-
serve component to fully complete the course of instruction
280 
while physically separated from the course instructors and 
without any in-person attendance required to graduate 
from such program. 
‘‘(2) In this subsection, the term ‘distance education’ 
has the meaning given such term in section 103 of the High-
er Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1003).’’. 
SEC. 556. AUTHORITY TO ACCEPT GIFTS OF SERVICES FOR 
PROFESSIONAL MILITARY EDUCATION INSTI-
TUTIONS. 
Section 2601(a)(2)(A) of title 10, United States Code, 
is amended by inserting ‘‘or a professional military edu-
cation institution’’ after ‘‘museum program’’ each place it 
appears. 
SEC. 557. ALTERNATIVE SERVICE OBLIGATION FOR A 
CADET OR MIDSHIPMAN WHO BECOMES A 
PROFESSIONAL ATHLETE. 
(a) UNITED STATES MILITARY ACADEMY.—Section 
7448 of title 10, United States Code, is amended as follows: 
(1) In the section heading, by striking ‘‘agree-
ment to serve as officer’’ and inserting ‘‘serv-
ice obligation’’. 
(2) In subsection (b)— 
(A) in paragraph (1), by striking ‘‘The Sec-
retary of the Army’’ and inserting ‘‘Subject to 
paragraph (4), the Secretary of the Army’’; and
281 
(B) by striking paragraph (4) and inserting 
the following: 
‘‘(4) Each academic year, the Secretary of the Army 
may transfer not more than three cadets, who obtain em-
ployment in violation of paragraph (5) of subsection (a), 
to the Selected Reserve of the Army. Each cadet so trans-
ferred shall— 
‘‘(A) serve as a commissioned officer— 
‘‘(i) in an appropriate grade or rating, de-
termined by the Secretary of the Army; and 
‘‘(ii) for a period, determined by the Sec-
retary of the Army, not longer than 10 years; 
and 
‘‘(B) while so serving, participate in efforts to 
recruit and retain members of the armed forces.’’. 
(3) In subsection (c)(2)(A), by inserting ‘‘unless 
such cadet receives a transfer under paragraph (4) of 
subsection (b)’’ before the semicolon. 
(4) In subsection (f), by striking ‘‘the alternative 
obligation’’ and inserting ‘‘an alternative obligation’’. 
(b) UNITED STATES NAVAL ACADEMY.—Section 8459 
of title 10, United States Code, is amended as follows: 
(1) In the section heading, by striking ‘‘agree-
ment for length of service’’ and inserting 
‘‘service obligation’’.
282 
(2) In subsection (b)— 
(A) in paragraph (1), by striking ‘‘The Sec-
retary of the Navy’’ and inserting ‘‘Subject to 
paragraph (4), the Secretary of the Navy’’; and 
(B) by striking paragraph (4) and inserting 
the following: 
‘‘(4) Each academic year, the Secretary of the Navy 
may transfer not more than three midshipmen, who obtain 
employment in violation of paragraph (5) of subsection (a), 
to the Selected Reserve of the Navy or the Selected Reserve 
of the Marine Corps. Each midshipman so transferred 
shall— 
‘‘(A) serve as a commissioned officer— 
‘‘(i) in an appropriate grade or rating, de-
termined by the Secretary of the Navy; and 
‘‘(ii) for a period, determined by the Sec-
retary of the Navy, not longer than 10 years; 
and 
‘‘(B) while so serving, participate in efforts to 
recruit and retain members of the armed forces.’’. 
(3) In subsection (c)(2)(A), by inserting ‘‘unless 
such midshipman receives a transfer under paragraph 
(4) of subsection (b)’’ before the semicolon. 
(4) In subsection (f), by striking ‘‘the alternative 
obligation’’ and inserting ‘‘an alternative obligation’’.
283 
(c) UNITED STATES AIR FORCE ACADEMY.—Section 
9448 of title 10, United States Code, is amended as follows: 
(1) In the section heading, by striking ‘‘agree-
ment to serve as officer’’ and inserting ‘‘serv-
ice obligation’’. 
(2) In subsection (b)— 
(A) in paragraph (1), by striking ‘‘The Sec-
retary of the Air Force’’ and inserting ‘‘Subject 
to paragraph (4), the Secretary of the Air 
Force’’; and 
(B) by striking paragraph (4) and inserting 
the following: 
‘‘(4) Each academic year, the Secretary of the Air 
Force may transfer not more than three cadets, who obtain 
employment in violation of paragraph (5) of subsection (a), 
to the Selected Reserve of the Air Force. Each cadet so trans-
ferred shall— 
‘‘(A) serve as a commissioned officer— 
‘‘(i) in an appropriate grade or rating, de-
termined by the Secretary of the Air Force; and 
‘‘(ii) for a period, determined by the Sec-
retary of the Air Force, not longer than 10 years; 
and 
‘‘(B) while so serving, participate in efforts to 
recruit and retain members of the armed forces.’’.
284 
(3) In subsection (c)(2)(A), by inserting ‘‘unless 
such cadet receives a transfer under paragraph (4) of 
subsection (b)’’ before the semicolon. 
(4) In subsection (f), by striking ‘‘the alternative 
obligation’’ and inserting ‘‘an alternative obligation’’. 
SEC. 558. SERVICE ACADEMIES: BOARDS OF VISITORS. 
(a) UNITED STATES MILITARY ACADEMY.—Section 
7455 of title 10, United States Code, is amended— 
(1) by striking subsection (a) and inserting the 
following: 
‘‘(a) A Board of Visitors to the Academy is constituted 
annually of— 
‘‘(1) the chair of the Committee on Armed Serv-
ices of the Senate, or the designee of such chair; 
‘‘(2) the ranking member of the Committee on 
Armed Services of the Senate, or the designee of the 
ranking member; 
‘‘(3) two other members of the Senate designated 
by the Majority Leader of the Senate, one of whom is 
a member of the Committee on Appropriations of the 
Senate; 
‘‘(4) two other members of the Senate designated 
by the Minority Leader of the Senate, one of whom 
is a member of the Committee on Appropriations of 
the Senate;
285 
‘‘(5) the chair of the Committee on Armed Serv-
ices of the House of Representatives, or the designee 
of such chair; 
‘‘(6) the ranking member of the Committee on 
Armed Services of the House of Representatives, or the 
designee of the ranking member; 
‘‘(7) two other members of the House of Rep-
resentatives designated by the Speaker of the House of 
Representatives, one of whom is a member of the 
Committee on Appropriations of the House of Rep-
resentatives; 
‘‘(8) one other member of the House of Represent-
atives designated by the Minority Leader of the House 
of Representatives; and 
‘‘(9) six persons designated by the President.’’; 
and 
(2) in subsection (f), by inserting ‘‘and the Com-
mittees on Armed Services of the Senate and House 
of Representatives’’ after ‘‘the President’’ both places 
it appears. 
(b) UNITED STATES NAVAL ACADEMY.—Section 8468 
of title 10, United States Code, is amended— 
(1) by striking subsection (a) and inserting the 
following:
286 
‘‘(a) A Board of Visitors to the Academy is constituted 
annually of— 
‘‘(1) the chair of the Committee on Armed Serv-
ices of the Senate, or the designee of such chair; 
‘‘(2) the ranking member of the Committee on 
Armed Services of the Senate, or the designee of the 
ranking member; 
‘‘(3) two other members of the Senate designated 
by the Majority Leader of the Senate, one of whom is 
a member of the Committee on Appropriations of the 
Senate; 
‘‘(4) two other members of the Senate designated 
by the Minority Leader of the Senate, one of whom 
is a member of the Committee on Appropriations of 
the Senate; 
‘‘(5) the chair of the Committee on Armed Serv-
ices of the House of Representatives, or the designee 
of such chair; 
‘‘(6) the ranking member of the Committee on 
Armed Services of the House of Representatives, or the 
designee of the ranking member; 
‘‘(7) two other members of the House of Rep-
resentatives designated by the Speaker of the House of 
Representatives, one of whom is a member of the
287 
Committee on Appropriations of the House of Rep-
resentatives; 
‘‘(8) one other member of the House of Represent-
atives designated by the Minority Leader of the House 
of Representatives; and 
‘‘(9) six persons designated by the President.’’; 
and 
(2) in subsection (f), by inserting ‘‘and the Com-
mittees on Armed Services of the Senate and House 
of Representatives’’ after ‘‘the President’’ both places 
it appears. 
(c) UNITED STATES AIR FORCE ACADEMY.—Section 
9455 of title 10, United States Code, is amended— 
(1) by striking subsection (a) and inserting the 
following: 
‘‘(a) A Board of Visitors to the Academy is constituted 
annually of— 
‘‘(1) the chair of the Committee on Armed Serv-
ices of the Senate, or the designee of such chair; 
‘‘(2) the ranking member of the Committee on 
Armed Services of the Senate, or the designee of the 
ranking member; 
‘‘(3) two other members of the Senate designated 
by the Majority Leader of the Senate, one of whom is
288 
a member of the Committee on Appropriations of the 
Senate; 
‘‘(4) two other members of the Senate designated 
by the Minority Leader of the Senate, one of whom 
is a member of the Committee on Appropriations of 
the Senate; 
‘‘(5) the chair of the Committee on Armed Serv-
ices of the House of Representatives, or the designee 
of such chair; 
‘‘(6) the ranking member of the Committee on 
Armed Services of the House of Representatives, or the 
designee of the ranking member; 
‘‘(7) two other members of the House of Rep-
resentatives designated by the Speaker of the House of 
Representatives, one of whom is a member of the 
Committee on Appropriations of the House of Rep-
resentatives; 
‘‘(8) one other member of the House of Represent-
atives designated by the Minority Leader of the House 
of Representatives; and 
‘‘(9) six persons designated by the President.’’; 
and 
(2) in subsection (f), by inserting ‘‘and the Com-
mittees on Armed Services of the Senate and House
289 
of Representatives’’ after ‘‘the President’’ both places 
it appears. 
SEC. 559. MODERNIZING MARINE CORPS PLATOON LEAD-
ERS CLASS COLLEGE TUITION ASSISTANCE 
PROGRAM TO ACCOUNT FOR INFLATION. 
Section 16401 of title 10, United States Code, is 
amended— 
(1) in subsection (d), by striking ‘‘$5,200’’ and 
inserting ‘‘$13,800’’; and 
(2) in subsection (e)(2), by striking ‘‘1,200’’ and 
inserting ‘‘450’’. 
SEC. 559A. INFORMATION ON NOMINATIONS AND APPLICA-
TIONS FOR MILITARY SERVICE ACADEMIES. 
Section 575(a)(1) of the William M. (Mac) Thornberry 
National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021 
(Public Law 116–283; 10 U.S.C. 7442 note) is amended by 
striking ‘‘Not later than two years after the date of the en-
actment of this Act’’ and inserting ‘‘Not later than Decem-
ber 31, 2026’’. 
SEC. 559B. ENSURING ACCESS TO CERTAIN HIGHER EDU-
CATION BENEFITS. 
(a) DATA MATCHING REQUIRED.—Not later than one 
year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Sec-
retary of Defense and the Secretary of Education shall 
jointly complete a data matching process—
290 
(1) to identify each individual who, while serv-
ing as a covered employee of the Department of De-
fense, made one or more student loan payments eligi-
ble to be counted for purposes of the Public Service 
Loan Forgiveness program under section 455(m) of 
the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 
1087e(m)); and 
(2) without requiring further information or ac-
tion from such individual— 
(A) to certify the total period of such em-
ployment for purposes of such program; and 
(B) to count the total number of qualifying 
payments made by the individual for purposes of 
such program during such period. 
(b) COVERED EMPLOYEE DEFINED.—In this section, 
the term ‘‘covered employee’’ means an individual who, at 
any time beginning on or after October 1, 2007, was— 
(1) a member of the Armed Forces serving on ac-
tive duty for a period of more than 30 consecutive 
days; or 
(2) a civilian employee of the Department of De-
fense.
291 
SEC. 559C. SERVICE ACADEMIES: REFERRAL OF APPLI-
CANTS TO THE SENIOR MILITARY COLLEGES 
AND UNITS OF THE SENIOR RESERVE OFFI-
CER TRAINING CORPS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 180 days after the 
date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense 
shall establish a system whereby a covered individual may 
elect to have the Secretary share information regarding such 
covered individual with a senior military college or a unit 
of the Senior Reserve Officer Training Corps. 
(b) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
(1) The term ‘‘covered individual’’ means an in-
dividual who applied for an appointment as a cadet 
or midshipman at a Service Academy. 
(2) The term ‘‘senior military college’’ means a 
school specified in section 2111a of title 10, United 
States Code. 
(3) The term ‘‘Service Academy’’ has the mean-
ing given such term in section 347 of title 10, United 
States Code. 
SEC. 559D. PILOT PROGRAM TO PROVIDE GRADUATE EDU-
CATION 
OPPORTUNITIES 
FOR 
ENLISTED 
MEMBERS OF THE ARMY AND NAVY. 
(a) AUTHORITY.—The Secretary of the Navy and the 
Secretary of the Army may jointly conduct a pilot program 
(referred to in this section as the ‘‘Program’’) under which
292 
certain enlisted personnel of the covered Armed Forces may 
enroll in a master’s degree program at the Naval Post-
graduate School. 
(b) PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS.—The Secretaries con-
cerned may carry out the Program— 
(1) in accordance with this section; 
(2) in accordance with such regulations as may 
be prescribed by the Secretary of Defense for purposes 
of the Program; and 
(3) in a manner consistent with the Graduate 
Education Program–Enlisted pilot program of the 
Marine Corps. 
(c) ELIGIBILITY OF PARTICIPANTS.—The Secretaries 
concerned shall establish criteria for determining the eligi-
bility of enlisted members of the covered Armed Forces for 
participation in the Program. 
(d) SELECTION
OF PARTICIPANTS.—Selection of a 
member for the Program shall be based on consideration 
of— 
(1) the eligibility criteria established under sub-
section (c); 
(2) professional performance; 
(3) promotion potential; 
(4) retention potential;
293 
(5) academic background, capabilities, and ac-
complishments; 
(6) the needs of the Navy and Army; and 
(7) input from the component within each cov-
ered Armed Force with primary responsibility for de-
termining the duty assignments of enlisted members. 
(e) POST-PARTICIPATION SERVICE.—Subject to such 
terms, conditions, and exceptions as the Secretaries con-
cerned may establish, an enlisted member who receives a 
master’s degree under the Program shall serve for a period 
of not less than two years in a duty assignment that is 
relevant to the degree obtained by the member under the 
Program. 
(f) FRAMEWORK FOR FILLING BILLETS.—In conjunc-
tion with selecting enlisted members for participation in 
the Program as described in subsection (d), the Secretaries 
concerned shall establish a framework for assigning enlisted 
personnel who are not participating in the Program— 
(1) to fill the billets of the members participating 
in the Program while such members are completing a 
course of study at the Naval Postgraduate School; and 
(2) to fill the billets of members who received a 
master’s degree under the Program while such mem-
bers are engaged in post-participation service as de-
scribed in subsection (e).
294 
(g) IDENTIFICATION
OF DEGREE PROGRAMS.—The 
Secretaries concerned shall coordinate with the President of 
the Naval Postgraduate School to identify specific master’s 
degree programs offered by the School in which Program 
participants may enroll. In identifying such programs, the 
Secretaries shall consider— 
(1) the needs of the Navy and Army; 
(2) the capacity of the Naval Postgraduate 
School; and 
(3) the extent to which enrollment in a specific 
program is expected to have a positive effect on the 
career trajectories of participants. 
(h) INFORMATION DISSEMINATION.—The Secretaries 
concerned shall take such actions as are necessary to notify 
and inform enlisted members about the Program. 
(i) REPORT.—Before the expiration of the six-year pe-
riod described in subsection (j), the Secretaries concerned, 
in coordination with the Secretary of Defense, shall submit 
to the Committees on Armed Services of the Senate and the 
House of Representatives a report that includes— 
(1) an assessment of whether and to what extent 
the Program has met the needs of the covered Armed 
Forces and had positive effects on participating en-
listed members, including with respect to—
295 
(A) career trajectory, including potential 
pay increases; 
(B) retention; 
(C) recruitment; 
(D) job performance; 
(E) merit-based promotions and merit-based 
promotion reorder; and 
(F) compatibility with the objectives out-
lined in the 2022 National Defense Strategy to 
modernize the Armed Services, spur innovation, 
and outpace and outthink adversaries of the 
United States; 
(2) the recommendations of the Secretaries re-
garding whether the Program should be extended or 
made permanent; 
(3) an assessment of the funding and capabilities 
that may be needed to make the Program permanent; 
and 
(4) any other matters the Secretaries determine 
to be relevant. 
(j) SUNSET.—The Program shall terminate six years 
after the date on which the Program commences under this 
section. 
(k) DEFINITIONS.—In this section:
296 
(1) The term ‘‘covered Armed Force’’ means the 
Army or Navy. 
(2) The term ‘‘Secretary concerned’’ means— 
(A) the Secretary of the Army, with respect 
to matters concerning the Army; and 
(B) the Secretary of the Navy, with respect 
to matters concerning the Navy. 
SEC. 559E. PROHIBITION ON USE OF FEDERAL FUNDS TO 
ENDORSE CRITICAL RACE THEORY. 
(a) PROHIBITION.—No funds authorized to be appro-
priated by this Act may be used to endorse critical race 
theory— 
(1) at an academic institution operated by the 
Department of Defense; 
(2) in training provided to a member of the 
Armed Forces; or 
(3) in professional military education. 
(b) PROTECTION OF ACADEMIC FREEDOM.—Nothing 
in this section shall be construed to supersede the institu-
tional autonomy or academic freedom of instructors in-
volved in the selection of textbooks, supplemental materials, 
or other classroom materials, or in the preparation or pres-
entation of classroom instruction or lectures.
297 
(c) DEFINITIONS.—In this section, the term ‘‘critical 
race theory’’ means the theory that individuals, by virtue 
of race, ethnicity, color, or national origin, bear collective 
guilt and are inherently responsible for actions committed 
in the past by other individuals of such race, ethnicity, 
color, or national origin. 
Subtitle G—Military Justice and 
Other Legal Matters 
SEC. 561. CLARIFYING AMENDMENT TO ARTICLE 2 OF THE 
UNIFORM CODE OF MILITARY JUSTICE. 
Section 802(a)(14) of title 10, United States Code (ar-
ticle 2(a)(14) of the Uniform Code of Military Justice), is 
amended by inserting ‘‘20601 or’’ before ‘‘20603’’. 
SEC. 562. AUTHORITY OF SPECIAL TRIAL COUNSEL WITH 
RESPECT TO CERTAIN OFFENSES OCCURRING 
BEFORE EFFECTIVE DATE OF MILITARY JUS-
TICE REFORMS. 
Section 824a(d) of title 10, United States Code, as 
added by section 531 of the National Defense Authorization 
Act for Fiscal Year 2024 (Public Law 118–31; 137 Stat. 
258), is amended— 
(1) in paragraph (1)(A), by striking ‘‘section 
920 (article 120),’’ and inserting ‘‘section 919a (arti-
cle 119a), section 920 (article 120), section 920a (ar-
ticle 120a),’’;
298 
(2) by redesignating paragraph (2) as para-
graph (3); 
(3) by inserting after paragraph (1) the fol-
lowing new paragraph: 
‘‘(2) THE
STANDALONE
OFFENSE
OF
SEXUAL 
HARASSMENT.—After January 1, 2025, a special trial 
counsel may, at the sole and exclusive discretion of 
the special trial counsel, exercise authority over the 
following offenses: 
‘‘(A) The standalone offense of sexual har-
assment punishable under section 934 of this 
title (article 134) in each instance in which— 
‘‘(i) the offense occurs after January 
26, 2022, and on or before January 1, 2025; 
and 
‘‘(ii) a formal complaint is substan-
tiated in accordance with regulations pre-
scribed by the Secretary concerned. 
‘‘(B) A conspiracy to commit an offense 
specified in subparagraph (A) as punishable 
under section 881 of this title (article 81). 
‘‘(C) A solicitation to commit an offense 
specified in subparagraph (A) as punishable 
under section 882 of this title (article 82).
299 
‘‘(D) An attempt to commit an offense spec-
ified in subparagraph (A), (B), or (C) as pun-
ishable under section 880 of this title (article 
80).’’; and 
(4) in paragraph (3), as so redesignated— 
(A) in subparagraph (A), by inserting ‘‘or 
(2)’’ after ‘‘paragraph (1)’’; and 
(B) in subparagraph (B), by striking 
‘‘paragraph (1)’’ and inserting ‘‘subsection 
(c)(2)(A) or paragraph (1) or (2) of this sub-
section’’. 
SEC. 563. DETAILING OF APPELLATE DEFENSE COUNSEL. 
Subsection (b) of section 865 of title 10, United States 
Code (article 65 of the Uniform Code of Military Justice), 
is amended— 
(1) in paragraph (1)— 
(A) by striking ‘‘the Judge Advocate Gen-
eral shall forward the record’’ and inserting the 
following: ‘‘the Judge Advocate General shall for-
ward— 
‘‘(A) the record’’; 
(B) in subparagraph (A), as designated by 
subparagraph (A) of this paragraph, by striking 
the period and inserting ‘‘; and’’; and
300 
(C) by adding at the end the following new 
subparagraph: 
‘‘(B) a copy of the record of trial to an ap-
pellate defense counsel who shall be detailed to 
review the case and, upon request of the accused, 
to represent the accused before the Court of 
Criminal Appeals.’’; and 
(2) in paragraph (2)— 
(A) in subparagraph (A)— 
(i) in the matter preceding clause (i), 
by striking ‘‘shall’’ and inserting ‘‘shall, 
upon written request of the accused’’; 
(ii) in clause (i), by striking ‘‘, upon 
request of the accused,’’; and 
(iii) in clause (ii), by striking ‘‘upon 
written request of the accused,’’; and 
(B) in subparagraph (B)— 
(i) by striking ‘‘accused’’ and all that 
follows through ‘‘waives’’ and inserting ‘‘ac-
cused waives’’; 
(ii) by striking ‘‘; or’’ and inserting a 
period; and 
(iii) by striking clause (ii).
301 
SEC. 564. MODIFICATION TO OFFENSE OF AIDING THE 
ENEMY UNDER THE UNIFORM CODE OF MILI-
TARY JUSTICE. 
Section 903b(2) of title 10, United States Code (article 
103b(2) of the Uniform Code of Military Justice), is amend-
ed by inserting ‘‘provides military education, military 
training, or tactical advice to,’’ after ‘‘gives intelligence 
to,’’. 
SEC. 565. REMOVAL OF MARRIAGE AS A DEFENSE TO ARTI-
CLE 120B OFFENSES. 
Section 920b of title 10, United States Code (article 
120b of the Uniform Code of Military Justice), is amend-
ed— 
(1) by striking subsection (f); 
(2) by redesignating subsections (g) and (h) as 
subsections (f) and (g), respectively; and 
(3) in subsection (f), as redesignated by para-
graph (2), by striking ‘‘not legally married to the per-
son committing the sexual act, lewd act, or use of 
force’’. 
SEC. 566. CONSOLIDATION OF MILITARY JUSTICE REPORT-
ING REQUIREMENTS FOR THE MILITARY DE-
PARTMENTS. 
(a) ANNUAL REPORTS.—Section 946a(b) of title 10, 
United States Code (article 146a(b) of the Uniform Code 
of Military Justice), is amended—
302 
(1) by redesignating paragraphs (2) through (5) 
as paragraphs (3) through (6), respectively; and 
(2) by inserting after paragraph (1), the fol-
lowing new paragraph: 
‘‘(2) Data on the number and status of completed 
cases, including— 
‘‘(A) information on race, ethnicity, rank, 
and sex demographic for the victim and the ac-
cused; 
‘‘(B) the enumerated offenses preferred and 
referred; 
‘‘(C) the types of court-martial; and 
‘‘(D) the results for each case, including 
cases that resulted in nonjudicial punishment or 
administrative separation.’’. 
(b) REPEAL OF DUPLICATIVE MILITARY JUSTICE RE-
PORTING REQUIREMENTS.— 
(1) TITLE 10, UNITED STATES CODE.—Section 
486 of title 10, United Sates Code, is repealed. 
(2) JOHN
S. MCCAIN
NATIONAL
DEFENSE
AU-
THORIZATION ACT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2019.—Section 
547 of the John S. McCain National Defense Author-
ization Act for Fiscal Year 2019 (Public Law 115– 
232; 10 U.S.C. 1561 note) is repealed.
304 
an appellate military judge assigned under paragraph (2)) 
upon notice and hearing, for— 
‘‘(A) neglect of duty; 
‘‘(B) misconduct; or 
‘‘(C) mental or physical disability.’’. 
(b) EFFECTIVE DATE.— 
(1) IN
GENERAL.—The amendments made by 
subsection (a) shall take effect on the date that is 180 
days after the date of the enactment of this Act. 
(2) 
APPLICABILITY
TO
EXISTING
CIVILIAN 
JUDGES.—The term of any civilian judge of the 
United States Court of Military Commission Review 
who will have served as such a judge for a period of 
10 or more years as of the effective date described in 
paragraph (1) shall expire on such effective date. 
SEC. 568. CONTINUITY OF COVERAGE UNDER CERTAIN PRO-
VISIONS OF TITLE 18, UNITED STATES CODE. 
(a) SECTION 202.—Section 202(a) of title 18, United 
States Code, is amended— 
(1) in the third sentence, by inserting ‘‘an officer 
of the Space Force not serving on sustained duty pur-
suant to section 20105 of title 10,’’ after ‘‘of the 
Armed Forces,’’; and
305 
(2) in the fourth and fifth sentences, by striking 
‘‘A Reserve’’ and all that follows through ‘‘who is’’ 
and inserting ‘‘Such an officer who is’’. 
(b) SECTION 209.—Section 209(h) of such title is 
amended by inserting ‘‘, or a member of the Space Force,’’ 
after ‘‘a member of the reserve components of the armed 
forces’’. 
(c) CROSS-REFERENCE AMENDMENT.—Section 202(a) 
of such title, as amended by subsection (a), is further 
amended by striking ‘‘section 29(c) and (d) of the Act of 
August 10, 1956 (70A Stat. 632; 5 U.S.C. 30r(c) and (d))’’ 
and inserting ‘‘sections 502, 2105(d), and 5534 of title 5’’. 
SEC. 569. CORRECTION OF CERTAIN CITATIONS IN TITLE 18, 
UNITED STATES CODE, RELATING TO SEXUAL 
OFFENSES. 
Part I of title 18, United States Code, is amended— 
(1) in section 2241(c)— 
(A) in the second sentence, by inserting ‘‘or 
an offense under the Uniform Code of Military 
Justice’’ after ‘‘State offense’’; and 
(B) by striking ‘‘either such provision’’ and 
inserting ‘‘any such provision’’; 
(2) in section 2251(e), by striking ‘‘section 920 
of title 10 (article 120 of the Uniform Code of Mili-
306 
tary Justice), or under’’ each place it appears and in-
serting ‘‘the Uniform Code of Military Justice or’’; 
(3) in section 2252(b)— 
(A) in paragraph (1), by striking ‘‘section 
920 of title 10 (article 120 of the Uniform Code 
of Military Justice), or under’’ and inserting 
‘‘the Uniform Code of Military Justice or’’; and 
(B) in paragraph (2), by striking ‘‘section 
920 of title 10 (article 120 of the Uniform Code 
of Military Justice), or under’’ and inserting 
‘‘the Uniform Code of Military Justice or’’; 
(4) in section 2252A(b)— 
(A) in paragraph (1), by striking ‘‘section 
920 of title 10 (article 120 of the Uniform Code 
of Military Justice), or under’’ and inserting 
‘‘the Uniform Code of Military Justice or’’; and 
(B) in paragraph (2), by striking ‘‘section 
920 of title 10 (article 120 of the Uniform Code 
of Military Justice), or under’’ and inserting 
‘‘the Uniform Code of Military Justice or’’; 
(5) in section 2426(b)(1)(B), by inserting ‘‘or the 
Uniform Code of Military Justice’’ after ‘‘State law’’; 
and 
(6) in section 3559(e)(2)— 
(A) in subparagraph (B)—
307 
(i) by striking ‘‘State sex offense’’ and 
inserting ‘‘State or Military sex offense’’; 
and 
(ii) by inserting ‘‘or the Uniform Code 
of Military Justice’’ after ‘‘State law’’; and 
(B) in subparagraph (C), by inserting ‘‘or 
Military’’ after ‘‘State’’. 
SEC. 569A. MODIFICATION OF TIMELINE FOR POTENTIAL 
IMPLEMENTATION OF STUDY ON UNANIMOUS 
COURT-MARTIAL VERDICTS. 
Section 536(c)(3) of the National Defense Authoriza-
tion Act for Fiscal Year 2024 (Public Law 118–31; 137 
Stat. 263) is amended by striking ‘‘2027’’ and inserting 
‘‘2026’’. 
SEC. 569B. REMOVAL OF PERSONALLY IDENTIFYING AND 
OTHER INFORMATION OF CERTAIN PERSONS 
FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE CEN-
TRAL INDEX OF INVESTIGATIONS. 
Section 545 of the William M. (Mac) Thornberry Na-
tional Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021 (Pub-
lic Law 116–283; 10 U.S.C. 1552 note) is amended— 
(1) in the section heading, by striking ‘‘INVES-
TIGATIVE REPORTS’’ and all that follows and in-
serting ‘‘THE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE CEN-
TRAL INDEX OF INVESTIGATIONS’’;
308 
(2) in subsection (a)— 
(A) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), 
by striking ‘‘October 1, 2021’’ and inserting ‘‘Oc-
tober 1, 2025’’; and 
(B) by striking ‘‘removed from, the fol-
lowing:’’ and all that follows through the period 
at the end of paragraph (3) and inserting ‘‘re-
moved from, an index item or entry in the De-
partment of Defense Central Index of Investiga-
tions.’’; 
(3) in subsection (b), by striking ‘‘or is main-
tained’’ and all that follows through the period at the 
end of paragraph (3) and inserting ‘‘or is main-
tained, as an item or entry in the Department of De-
fense Central Index of Investigations.’’; and 
(4) in subsection (c)(1)— 
(A) in the matter preceding subparagraph 
(A), by striking ‘‘a report, item or entry, or 
record described in paragraphs (1) through (3) of 
subsection (a)’’ and inserting ‘‘an index item or 
entry in the Department of Defense Central 
Index of Investigations’’; and 
(B) in subparagraph (A), by striking ‘‘such 
report, item or entry, or record’’ and inserting 
‘‘such item or entry’’.
309 
SEC. 569C. EXPANDED COMMAND NOTIFICATIONS TO VIC-
TIMS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE. 
Section 549 of the National Defense Authorization Act 
for Fiscal Year 2020 (Public Law 116–92; 10 U.S.C. 806b 
note) is amended— 
(1) in the section heading, by striking ‘‘OF-
FENSE’’ and inserting ‘‘AND
DOMESTIC
VIO-
LENCE-RELATED OFFENSES’’; 
(2) in the first sentence— 
(A) by inserting ‘‘, or a case of an alleged 
domestic violence-related offense (as defined by 
the Secretary),’’ after ‘‘of title 10, United States 
Code)’’; and 
(B) by striking ‘‘periodically notify the vic-
tim’’ and inserting ‘‘ensure that the victim (or 
the victim’s legal counsel if so requested by the 
victim) is periodically notified’’; and 
(3) in the last sentence, by striking ‘‘notify the 
victim’’ and inserting ‘‘ensure that the victim (or the 
victim’s legal counsel if so requested by the victim) is 
notified’’.
310 
SEC. 569D. EXTENSION OF DEFENSE ADVISORY COMMITTEE 
ON INVESTIGATION, PROSECUTION, AND DE-
FENSE OF SEXUAL ASSAULT IN THE ARMED 
FORCES. 
Section 546 of the Carl Levin and Howard P. ‘‘Buck’’ 
McKeon National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 
2015 (Public Law 113–291; 10 U.S.C. 1561 note) is amend-
ed— 
(1) in subsection (f)(1), by striking ‘‘10 years 
after’’ and inserting ‘‘15 years after’’; and 
(2) by redesignating the second subsection (f) as 
subsection (g). 
SEC. 569E. ANALYSIS ON THE ADVISABILITY OF REVISING 
MILITARY RULE OF EVIDENCE 513. 
(a) ANALYSIS REQUIRED.—The Secretary of Defense 
shall analyze the advisability of modifying rule 513 of the 
Military Rules of Evidence (as set forth in part III of the 
Manual for Courts-Martial) to include diagnoses of a pa-
tient and treatments prescribed to a patient as confidential 
communications subject to the psychotherapist-patient 
privilege. The Secretary shall submit to the Committees on 
Armed Services of the Senate and the House of Representa-
tives a report that includes the considerations described in 
subsection (b). 
(b) CONSIDERATIONS.—In the analysis directed under 
subsection (a), the Secretary of Defense shall consider—
311 
(1) the advisability of modifying Military Rule 
of Evidence 513 to cover psychotherapy diagnoses and 
treatments; and 
(2) such other approaches to the modification of 
Military Rule of Evidence 513 as the Secretary con-
siders appropriate to address victim privacy rights 
balanced against the rights of the accused and the best 
interests of justice. 
SEC. 569F. ANALYSIS OF PROHIBITION ON BROADCAST AND 
DISTRIBUTION OF DIGITALLY MANIPULATED 
INTIMATE IMAGES UNDER THE UNIFORM 
CODE OF MILITARY JUSTICE. 
(a) ANALYSIS REQUIRED.—The Secretary of Defense 
shall— 
(1) analyze the feasibility and advisability of, 
and potential approaches to, modifying the offense of 
indecent viewing, visual recording, or broadcasting 
under section 920c of title 10, United States Code (ar-
ticle 120c of the Uniform Code of Military Justice) to 
clarify its applicability to the broadcasting and dis-
tribution of digitally manipulated intimate images; 
and 
(2) provide the results of such analysis to the 
Committees on Armed Services of the Senate and the 
House of Representatives.
312 
(b) CONSIDERATIONS.—In conducting the analysis re-
quired under subsection (a), the Secretary of Defense shall 
consider— 
(1) the advisability of modifying section 920c of 
title 10, United States Code (article 120c of the Uni-
form Code of Military Justice)— 
(A) to prohibit the broadcasting or distribu-
tion of an intimate digital depiction of another 
person that the offender knew or reasonably 
should have known was made without the other 
person’s consent and under circumstances in 
which that person has a reasonable expectation 
of privacy; and 
(B) to define the term ‘‘intimate digital de-
piction’’ (as used in subparagraph (A)) as a dig-
ital depiction of an individual that has been cre-
ated or altered using digital manipulation and 
that depicts— 
(i) the private area of an identifiable 
individual; or 
(ii) an identifiable individual engag-
ing in sexually explicit conduct (as defined 
in section 917a(b) of title 10, United States 
Code (article 117a(b)(4) of the Uniform 
Code of Military Justice)); and
313 
(2) such other approaches to the modification of 
such section 920c (article 120c) as the Secretary con-
siders appropriate to address digitally manipulated 
intimate images. 
Subtitle H—Career Transition 
SEC. 571. PATHWAY FOR INDIVIDUALIZED COUNSELING 
FOR MEMBERS OF THE RESERVE COMPO-
NENTS UNDER TAP. 
Section 1142(c)(1) of title 10, United States Code, is 
amended, in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by in-
serting ‘‘(including one pathway for members of the reserve 
components)’’ after ‘‘military department concerned’’. 
SEC. 572. EXTENSION OF TROOPS-TO-TEACHERS PROGRAM. 
Section 1154 of title 10, United States Code, is amend-
ed— 
(1) in subsection (e)(3)(C)— 
(A) in clause (i), by striking ‘‘5,000’’ and 
inserting ‘‘3,000’’; and 
(B) by striking clause (iii) and redesig-
nating clause (iv) as clause (iii); and 
(2) in subsection (k), by striking ‘‘2027’’ and in-
serting ‘‘2029’’.
314 
SEC. 573. EXTENSION AND EXPANSION OF REPORT ON THE 
TRANSITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM OF THE 
DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE. 
Section 552(b)(4) of the John S. McCain National De-
fense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2019 (Public Law 
115–232) is amended— 
(1) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), 
by striking ‘‘4 years’’ and inserting ‘‘seven years’’; 
(2) in subparagraph (B), by inserting ‘‘, 
disaggregated by whether such attendance was in per-
son or remote’’ after ‘‘counseling’’; 
(3) by redesignating subparagraphs (F) through 
(I) as subparagraphs (I) through (L), respectively; 
and 
(4) by inserting, after subparagraph (E), the fol-
lowing new subparagraphs: 
‘‘(F) The total number of members who did 
not attend Transition Assistance Program coun-
seling due to operational requirements. 
‘‘(G) If the information described in sub-
paragraph (F) is unavailable, processes the Sec-
retary is implementing to collect such informa-
tion. 
‘‘(H) An assessment of challenges to attend-
ing Transition Assistance Program counseling in 
person.’’.