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106TH CONGRESS
2D SESSION
H. R. 4388
To amend title 10, United States Code, to provide improved benefits training
to members of the Armed Forces to enhance retention, and for other purposes.
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
MAY 4, 2000
Ms. SANCHEZ (for herself, Mr. BARTLETT of Maryland, Mr. ANDREWS, and
Ms. MCKINNEY) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the
Committee on Armed Services
A BILL
To amend title 10, United States Code, to provide improved
benefits training to members of the Armed Forces to
enhance retention, and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Military Retention
Benefits Training Act’’.
SEC. 2. FINDINGS AND PURPOSE.
(a) FINDINGS.—The Comptroller General has made
the following findings with respect to retention of active-
duty military servicemembers:
(1) First-term enlistees experience a 33 percent
dropout rate.
(2) Junior enlisted ranks (pay grades E1–E3)
only have a 36 percent satisfaction rate.
(3) Basic pay is the number one reason such
members give for leaving military service.
(b) PURPOSE.—The purpose of this Act is to improve
retention of members of the Armed Forces by providing
for an improved program of education of members of the
Armed Forces of all benefits available to them while in
the Armed Forces, and after separation from the Armed
Forces, that are provided by the Department of Defense
or the Department of Veterans Affairs.
SEC. 3. TRAINING IN MILITARY AND VETERANS BENEFITS.
(a) IN GENERAL.—(1) Chapter 53 of title 10, United
States Code, is amended by inserting before section 1031
the following new section:
‘‘§ 1021. Training in military and veterans benefits
‘‘(a) TRAINING
REQUIRED.—The Secretary con-
cerned shall make available to members of the armed
forces under the jurisdiction of the Secretary a program
of education and training to inform members of the bene-
fits to which members of the armed forces and their de-
pendents are entitled or may become entitled upon remain-
ing in the armed forces until becoming eligible for retired
or retainer pay.
‘‘(b) TRAINING QUALIFICATIONS.—Participation by a
member of the armed forces in a program of benefits
training shall satisfy requirements established by the Sec-
retary concerned for—
‘‘(1) career development training; and
‘‘(2) general military training.
‘‘(c) MATTERS TO BE INCLUDED.—Programs of ben-
efits training shall include information concerning the fol-
lowing:
‘‘(1) All current benefits provided by the De-
partment of Defense, including—
‘‘(A) the elements of military compensa-
tion, including basic allowance for housing
(BAH) and other compensation;
‘‘(B) military retired pay;
‘‘(C) health care, including TRICARE and
CHAMPUS;
‘‘(D) spouse and dependent survivor bene-
fits;
‘‘(E) the Montgomery GI Bill and other
education and training opportunities;
‘‘(F) 
morale, 
welfare, 
and 
recreation
(MWR) benefits, including commissary and ex-
change privileges, child care, and other benefits;
and
‘‘(G) Armed Forces Retirement Homes.
‘‘(2) All benefits provided by the Department of
Veterans Affairs, including—
‘‘(A) health care;
‘‘(B) disability benefits;
‘‘(C) education and training;
‘‘(D) home loan guarantees;
‘‘(E) life insurance;
‘‘(F) burial benefits;
‘‘(G) survivor benefits; and
‘‘(H) overseas benefits.
‘‘(d) PERSONS ELIGIBLE
FOR BENEFITS TRAIN-
ING.—Benefits training shall be available to—
‘‘(1) all members of the armed forces on active
duty or in an active status in a reserve component;
and
‘‘(2) retired members of the armed forces on a
space available basis.
‘‘(e) MILITARY FUNERAL HONORS DATABASE.—The
Secretary of Defense shall develop and maintain a data-
base of information on those servicemembers attending
benefits training who volunteer to perform military funeral
honors.’’.
(2) The table of sections at the beginning of such
chapter is amended by inserting before the item relating
to section 1031 the following new item:
‘‘1021. Training in military and veterans benefits.’’.
(b) EFFECTIVE DATE.—Section 1021 of title 10,
United States Code, as added by subsection (a), shall take
effect on October 1, 2000.
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