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(c) REVIEW OF CLASSIFIED INFORMATION.—In con-
ducting the review under subsection (a), the Comptroller 
General shall review any relevant classified information. 
(d) REPORT.—Not later than 18 months after the 
date of enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General 
shall submit to Congress a report, which shall be sub-
mitted in unclassified form, but may include a classified 
annex, that includes the following: 
(1) the scope of any research described in sub-
section (a); and 
(2) whether any ticks used in such research 
were released outside of any facility (including any 
ticks that were released unintentionally); and 
(3) whether any records related to such re-
search were destroyed, and whether such destruction 
was intentional or unintentional. 
SEC. 1080H. REPORT ON BASIC UNDERWATER DEMOLITION/ 
SEAL TRAINING PROGRAM. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 180 days after the 
date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of the 
Navy shall submit to the Committees on Armed Services 
of the Senate and House or Representatives a report on 
the Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL training program 
(in this section referred to as ‘‘BUD/S’’) during the period 
beginning on the date of the induction of BUDS Class 
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319 and ending on the date of completion of the most re-
cently completed BUD/S class as of the date of the enact-
ment of this Act. Such report shall include— 
(1) the standards, metrics, training doctrine, 
purposes, and administration of BUD/S; 
(2) the standards and practices governing med-
ical care provide to candidates undergoing BUD/S 
training; 
(3) the standards and qualifications informing 
the selection of instructors for BUD/S; 
(4) the training pathway for candidates prior to 
induction for BUD/S; 
(5) any changes governing training and screen-
ing for candidates prior to induction; 
(6) any changes regarding the composition, 
qualifications, and conduct of the instructor cadre at 
BUD/S; 
(7) the policies regarding civilian participation 
in BUD/S, such as retired Navy personnel; 
(8) any changes to policies regarding retired ci-
vilian personnel participating in BUD/S instruction; 
(9) all instances of candidates who died, or suf-
fered serious injury necessitating separation from 
the Navy during BUD/S; 
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(10) policies set forth governing standard oper-
ating procedures in the case of the death of a can-
didate at BUD/S; 
(11) accountability actions related to incidents 
that resulted in the death or serious injury of BUD/ 
S candidates; and 
(12) corrective actions implemented after the 
death or serious injury of BUD/S candidates. 
(b) ACCOMPANYING DOCUMENT.—The Secretary of 
the Navy shall submit, with the report required under sub-
section (a) accompanying documents outlining the stand-
ards of conduct, training doctrine, instructor qualification, 
and medical care, used by Naval Special Warfare Com-
mand to inform the training standards and provide oper-
ational direction to BUD/S. 
SEC. 1080I. REPORT ON UNMANNED TRAFFIC MANAGE-
MENT SYSTEMS AT MILITARY BASES AND IN-
STALLATIONS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 180 days after the 
date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense 
shall submit to the appropriate congressional committees 
a report that includes— 
(1) a detailed description of the threat of aerial 
drones and unmanned aircraft to United States na-
tional security; and 
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(2) an assessment of the unmanned traffic 
management systems of every military base and in-
stallation (within and outside the United States) to 
determine whether the base or installation is ade-
quately equipped to detect, disable, and disarm hos-
tile or unidentified unmanned aerial systems. 
(b) APPROPRIATE
CONGRESSIONAL
COMMITTEES 
DEFINED.—In this section, the term ‘‘appropriate con-
gressional committees’’ means the following: 
(1) The Committee on Armed Services, the 
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transpor-
tation, and the Committee on Foreign Relations of 
the Senate. 
(2) The Committee on Armed Services, the 
Committee on Foreign Affairs, and the Committee 
on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House 
of Representatives. 
SEC. 1080J. BRIEFING ON JOINT EXERCISES WITH TAIWAN. 
(a) SENSE OF CONGRESS.—It is the sense of Con-
gress to strongly support the conduct of wargames, table-
top exercises, and operational exercises with the armed 
forces of Taiwan, as such wargames and exercises are an 
effective way to build operational expertise and create a 
force capable of deterring an adversary. 
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(b) BRIEFING.—Not later than 90 days after the date 
of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense 
shall provide to the congressional defense committees a 
briefing on the schedule of exercises between the United 
States Navy and Air Force and their Taiwanese counter-
parts. 
SEC. 1080K. REPORT AND TRANSMISSION OF DOCUMENTS 
ON WITHDRAWAL OF UNITED STATES ARMED 
FORCES FROM AFGHANISTAN. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than one year after the 
date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense 
shall submit to the congressional defense committees a re-
port on certain Department of Defense actions during the 
withdrawal of the United States Armed Forces withdrawal 
from Afghanistan and the subsequent noncombatant evac-
uation operations. 
(b) ELEMENTS.—The report described in subsection 
(a) shall include the following elements: 
(1) A discussion of the strategy that led to the 
withdrawal of the United States Armed Forces from 
Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan, including— 
(A) the anticipated effect of withdrawal on 
potential operations in the final phase of the 
overall withdrawal of the United States Armed 
Forces and persons from Afghanistan; 
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(B) the extent to which considerations of 
the timing of such withdrawal were incor-
porated into such strategy in light of— 
(i) the impending collapse of the Af-
ghan National Army; and 
(ii) the potential need for noncombat-
ant evacuation operations to evacuate citi-
zens and lawful permanent residents of the 
United States and individuals potentially 
eligible for special immigrant visas; 
(C) a description of how such strategy in-
cluded plans for contingencies arising from 
operational constraints at the Hamid Karzai 
International Airport; and 
(D) a description of how such strategy ac-
counted for the risk of jailed ISIS–K fighters, 
or any other combatants or terrorists, being re-
leased from Bagram. 
(2) A summary of the information known about 
the Abbey Gate suicide-bomber, including a descrip-
tion of what was known before the withdrawal of 
United States Armed Forces from Afghanistan and 
what is known now, including information on— 
(A) the suicide bomber; 
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(B) known threats to Hamid Karzai Inter-
national Airport and actions taken to mitigate 
or respond to the threat; and 
(C) actions taken to retaliate for the bomb-
ing. 
(3) In consultation with the Secretary of State, 
an analysis of persons not employed by the United 
States Government who were evacuated in the airlift 
from Hamid Karzai International Airport, includ-
ing— 
(A) the number of such persons; 
(B) the percentage of such persons whose 
biometrics were recorded; 
(C) the percentage of such persons who 
were checked against appropriate databases and 
terror watch lists; 
(D) a description of the vetting process for 
such persons, including the percentage of such 
persons who had legitimate and accurate gov-
ernment documentation and the process by 
which such documentation was verified; 
(E) a description of the procedures applied 
to such persons who failed entry vetting cri-
teria, including— 
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(i) how many such persons are no 
longer under United States or partner gov-
ernment supervision; 
(ii) where such persons have been 
housed since the evacuation; and 
(iii) plans for the future care, release, 
or incarceration of such persons; and 
(F) a description of the procedures for in-
dividuals who passed vetting procedures, includ-
ing— 
(i) the number of such persons who 
have been brought to the United States; 
and 
(ii) rhe number of such persons await-
ing resettlement and plans for resettlement 
of such persons. 
(c) FORM.—The report required under subsection (a) 
shall be submitted in unclassified form, but may include 
a classified annex. 
(d) PUBLICATION.—The report described in sub-
section (a) shall be published on a publicly available De-
partment of Defense internet website. 
(e) TRANSMISSION OF DOCUMENTS.—Not later than 
180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Sec-
retary of Defense and the Secretary of State shall trans-
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mit to the congressional defense committees, the Com-
mittee on Foreign Affairs of the House of Representatives 
and the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate 
copies of all documents (including all records, communica-
tions, correspondence (including email), messages (includ-
ing text and instant messages), transcripts, summaries, 
agendas, written agreements, notes, memoranda, diplo-
matic cables, reports, legal opinions, analytical products, 
briefing materials, intelligence assessments, white papers, 
nonpapers, meeting readouts, and other materials, regard-
less of electronic or physical format), both classified and 
unclassified, in the possession of the Secretary of Defense 
or the Secretary of State that refer or relate to— 
(1) the decision to withdraw the Armed Forces 
from Bagram Airfield, including the decision to 
withdraw without notifying the Afghan Government; 
(2) the decision to rely on Hamid Karzai Inter-
national Airport for operations following the with-
drawal from Bagram Airfield; 
(3) the transfer, and potential escape, of pris-
oners held at Bagram Airfield; 
(4) the Abbey Gate suicide-bomber, including 
referring and relating to actions taken to mitigate or 
respond to the threat to operations at Hamid Karzai 
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International Airport and actions taken to retaliate 
for the bombing; 
(5) the consequences of air lifting large num-
bers of persons with unknown backgrounds and in-
tentions out of Afghanistan; and 
(6) 
communications 
with 
nongovernmental 
groups of United States persons attempting to ex-
tract persons from Afghanistan, including those that 
refer or relate to— 
(A) the lists of persons delivered to the De-
partment of State by Operation Pineapple Ex-
press; 
(B) attempts by United States Government 
personal to prevent or assist such groups in the 
movement of persons within, into, or out of Af-
ghanistan, including between Kabul and Mazar- 
i-Sharif, between Kabul and the borders of Af-
ghanistan, between Kabul and to airstrips in 
neighboring countries, and within Kabul to the 
Hamid Karzai International Airport; 
(C) any monetary support the United 
States Government considered offering; and 
(D) whether there were intelligence or sur-
veillance activities directed at those groups, and 
the purpose and extent of such activities. 
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Subtitle G—Other Matters 
SEC. 1081. NAVY CONSIDERATION OF COAST GUARD VIEWS 
ON MATTERS DIRECTLY CONCERNING COAST 
GUARD CAPABILITIES. 
Chapter 803 of title 10, United States Code, is 
amended by adding at the end the following new section: 
‘‘§ 8029. Consideration of Coast Guard views on mat-
ters directly concerning Coast Guard ca-
pabilities 
‘‘The Secretary of the Navy shall ensure that the 
views of the Commandant of the Coast Guard are given 
appropriate consideration before a major decision is made 
by an element of the Department of the Navy on a matter 
that directly concerns any capability of the Coast Guard 
in support of national defense.’’. 
SEC. 1082. DEVELOPMENT OF COMMERCIAL INTEGRATION 
CELLS ACTION PLAN WITHIN CERTAIN COM-
BATANT COMMANDS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than March 1, 2024, the 
Commander of the United States Africa Command, the 
Commander of the United States European Command, the 
Commander of the United States Indo-Pacific Command, 
the Commander of the United States Northern Command, 
and the Commander of the United States Southern Com-
mand shall each develop an action plan that includes— 
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(1) the potential establishment of a commercial 
integration cell within their respective combatant 
command for the purpose of closely integrating pub-
lic and private entities with capabilities relevant to 
the area of operation of such combatant command; 
and 
(2) the potential establishment of a chief tech-
nology officer position within their respective com-
batant command, who would— 
(A) oversee such commercial integration 
cell; and 
(B) report directly to the commander of 
the applicable combatant command. 
(b) BRIEFING.—Not later than 30 days after the date 
of the enactment of this Act, each commander of a com-
batant command referred to in subsection (a) shall provide 
to the Committees on Armed Services of the Senate and 
the House of Representatives a briefing on the feasibility, 
costs, and benefits of establishing a commercial integra-
tion cell. 
SEC. 1083. REQUIREMENT TO UPDATE WARFIGHTING RE-
QUIREMENTS FOR CONFRONTING RUSSIA IN 
EUROPE. 
(a) SENSE OF CONGRESS.—It is the sense of Con-
gress that— 
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(1) European warfighting requirements should 
reflect the most current state of affairs regarding 
assessed adversary capabilities, capacity, and intent; 
and 
(2) maintaining up-to-date plans and assump-
tions is essential to— 
(A) identifying and properly scoping global 
threats; and 
(B) the ability of the Department of De-
fense to counter such threats to secure the de-
fense and national security interests of the 
United States. 
(b) REQUIREMENT.— The Secretary of Defense shall 
update the warfighting requirements of the Department 
of Defense for confronting Russia in Europe. 
(c) BRIEFING.—Not later than 30 days after the date 
of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall provide 
to the congressional defense committees a briefing on the 
requirements updated under subsection (b). 
SEC. 1084. UPDATE TO STRATEGIC PLAN ON DEPARTMENT 
OF DEFENSE COMBATING TRAFFICKING IN 
PERSONS PROGRAM. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than June 1, 2024, the 
Secretary of Defense shall provide to the Committee on 
Armed Services of the House of Representatives a briefing 
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on an updated strategic plan for the combating trafficking 
in persons program of the Department of Defense. 
(b) ELEMENTS
OF PLAN.—The updated strategic 
plan required under subsection (a) shall include each of 
the following: 
(1) An assessment of the efforts of the Depart-
ment of Defense to combat trafficking in persons in 
areas with high populations of members of the 
United States Armed Forces, including in overseas 
locations. 
(2) A review of the coordination of efforts of 
the Department to combat trafficking in persons 
across the military departments in areas where mul-
tiple military departments operate bases. 
(3) Recommendations for improved cooperation 
with local communities and relevant Federal, State, 
and local law enforcement agencies in addressing 
trafficking in persons. 
(4) A review of new methods and concepts for 
combating trafficking in persons that the Depart-
ment has implemented since the previous strategic 
plan. 
(5) A description of plans of the Department to 
adapt innovative approaches, and integrate new 
technologies. 
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(6) An analysis of Department capabilities to 
combat child sexual abuse and exploitation in areas 
with high populations of members of the United 
States Armed Forces, including overseas locations. 
(7) Recommendations for programs to educate 
members of the United States Armed Forces on how 
to identify and report instances of child sexual abuse 
and exploitation, both online and in-person, to the 
appropriate law enforcement agency. 
SEC. 1085. GUIDANCE FOR USE OF UNMANNED AIRCRAFT 
SYSTEMS BY NATIONAL GUARD. 
(a) NEW GUIDANCE REQUIRED.—Not later than 90 
days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Sec-
retary of Defense shall issue new guidance on the use of 
unmanned aircraft systems by the National Guard for cov-
ered activities. 
(b) BRIEFING.—Not later than 60 days after the date 
on which the Secretary issues the new guidance under sub-
section (a), the Secretary shall provide to the Committee 
on Armed Services of the House of Representatives. Such 
briefing shall include— 
(1) an explanation of whether the new guidance 
is more restrictive than guidance on the use of other 
types of aircraft for covered activities; and 
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(2) if the new guidance is more restrictive, an 
explanation for the reasons why such guidance is 
more restrictive. 
(c) COVERED ACTIVITIES DEFINED.—In this section, 
the term ‘‘covered activities’’ means any of the following: 
(1) Emergency operations. 
(2) Search and rescue operations. 
(3) Defense support to civil authorities. 
(4) Support provided under section 502(f) of 
title 32, United States Code. 
SEC. 1086. SENSE OF CONGRESS REGARDING DEFENSE 
PRESENCE IN THE INDO-PACIFIC REGION. 
It is the sense of Congress that the Department of 
Defense should maintain sufficient force posture and ca-
pabilities in the area of operations of the United States 
Indo-Pacific Command and that the Indo-Pacific is a joint 
theater of operations that requires joint coordination 
among all service branches in order to meet the challenges 
of the region. 
SEC. 1087. COMPLIANCE WITH GAO RECOMMENDATIONS 
ON ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE. 
Not later than one year after the date of the enact-
ment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense shall certify 
to the congressional defense committees that the Deputy 
Secretary of Defense, in coordination with the Chief Dig-
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ital and AI Officer and the Joint Artificial Intelligence 
Center, has finalized and issued guidance and agreements 
to improve collaboration to better manage fragmentation 
among entities involved in artificial intelligence across the 
Department, as recommended by the Government Ac-
countability Office in GAO Report 23-106089, including 
guidance and agreements that define the roles and respon-
sibilities of the military departments and other organiza-
tions of the Department which collaborate on artificial in-
telligence activities. 
SEC. 1088. PROCESS FOR CARRYING OUT DEMILITARIZA-
TION AND DISPOSITION OF MAJOR END 
ITEMS. 
Not later than one year after the date of the enact-
ment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense shall certify 
to the congressional defense committees that the Under 
Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment 
has— 
(1) established a process to review and reconcile 
inconsistent demilitarization codes and document 
changes in such codes; and 
(2) developed guidance for the armed forces for 
the disposition of major end items, including how to 
assess potential risks to national security, avoid un-
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necessary destruction, and optimize monetary re-
turns to the government. 
SEC. 1089. DESIGNATION OF SINGLE ENTITY TO OVERSEE 
IMPLEMENTATION OF PREDICTIVE MAINTE-
NANCE PROCEDURES. 
Not later than one year after the date of the enact-
ment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense shall certify 
to the congressional defense committees that the Secretary 
has designated a single entity within each of the armed 
forces to oversee the implementation of predictive mainte-
nance procedures, and that the Secretary has provided 
such entity with sufficient authority and resources to carry 
out the responsibility. 
SEC. 1090. DECLASSIFICATION OF CERTAIN REPORTS OF 
UNIDENTIFIED AERIAL PHENOMENA. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 180 days after the 
date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense 
shall declassify any Department of Defense documents 
and other Department of Defense records relating to pub-
licly known sightings of unidentified aerial phenomena 
that do not reveal sources, methods, or otherwise com-
promise the national security of the United States. 
(b) DEFINITION.—In this section, the term ‘‘publicly 
known sighting of unidentified aerial phenomena’’ means 
a sighting of an of an unidentified aerial phenomenon 
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about which there is information available in the public 
domain prior to the declassification of documents and 
records required under subsection (a), but does not include 
United States Government information that was an unau-
thorized public disclosure. 
(c) RULE OF CONSTRUCTION.—Nothing in this sec-
tion shall require the Secretary of Defense to declassify 
any information that the Secretary does not already have 
the authority to declassify under Executive Order No. 
13526, or any successor order. 
SEC. 1091. AUTHORIZATION TO USE NONELECTRIC VEHI-
CLES AT YUMA PROVING GROUND. 
The Secretary of Defense shall ensure that members 
of the Armed Forces and civilian employees of the Depart-
ment of Defense assigned to the Yuma Proving Ground 
are authorized to use nonelectric vehicles in the perform-
ance of their duties. 
SEC. 1092. SENSE OF CONGRESS REGARDING SUPPORT FOR 
ENERGY FUNCTIONAL SPECIALIST CIVIL AF-
FAIRS OFFICER PROGRAM. 
(a) FINDINGS.—Congress makes the following find-
ings: 
(1) These officers assist on the analysis, assess-
ment and planning for the civilian production and 
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distribution of energy resources before, during and 
after conflicts to meet global energy requirements. 
(2) A memorandum of understanding has been 
established with academia to lead and support the 
training program, enabling these officers to provide 
the needed technical expertise to evaluate, establish, 
maintain, or rehabilitate energy production and dis-
tribution systems. 
(3) Academic partnerships can double as a plat-
form for strategic outreach to organizations in the 
wider military and energy sectors. 
(b) SENSE OF CONGRESS.—It is the sense of Con-
gress that— 
(1) the establishment of Energy Functional 
Specialist Civil Affairs Officers in the Army is en-
couraging; and 
(2) the Secretary of Defense should continue to 
support and fully fund the existing Energy Func-
tional Specialist Civil Affairs Officer program and 
its academic partnership and assess opportunities to 
expand the program to other Armed Forces and 
across the combatant commands. 
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SEC. 1093. SMART SLEEPERS AND BASSINETS AT MILITARY 
EXCHANGES. 
Subchapter I of chapter 147 of title 10, United States 
Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new 
section: 
‘‘§ 2486. Smart sleepers and bassinets at military ex-
changes 
‘‘The Secretary of Defense shall sell, or make avail-
able for rent, sleepers and bassinets with up-to-date sleep 
technology through military exchanges.’’. 
SEC. 1094. SENSE OF CONGRESS REGARDING REMOVAL OF 
PRIESTS FROM WALTER REED MEDICAL HOS-
PITAL. 
It is the sense of Congress that— 
(1) the provision of pastoral care by priests and 
religious leaders is vital for the spiritual and emo-
tional well-being of military personnel and their fam-
ilies; 
(2) Department of Defense medical facilities, 
including Walter Reed Medical Hospital, play a crit-
ical role in providing healthcare services to the mili-
tary community; 
(3) recent reports indicate that priests pro-
viding pastoral care at Walter Reed Medical Hos-
pital were unexpectedly removed, disrupting the 
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availability of spiritual support for patients and their 
families; 
(4) the sudden removal of priests from Walter 
Reed Medical Hospital raises concerns about the ef-
fect on the religious and spiritual needs of patients 
during their healing process; 
(5) priests offer invaluable guidance, comfort, 
and solace, and their presence is essential for indi-
viduals facing physical and emotional challenges; 
and 
(6) the Department of Defense should inves-
tigate the circumstances surrounding the removal of 
priests from Walter Reed Medical Hospital and to 
take appropriate measures to ensure that patients 
have access to pastoral care services without inter-
ruption. 
SEC. 1095. SENSE OF CONGRESS ON RARE EARTH MAGNET 
SUPPLY CHAIN. 
It is the sense of Congress that— 
(1) rare earth magnets power critical tech-
nologies and national security systems, from mis-
siles, sensors, and jets to advanced energy tech-
nologies and consumer electronics; 
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(2) a robust domestic supply of rare earth ele-
ments and critical materials would support a strong 
and durable national defense posture; and 
(3) as the Office of the Under Secretary of De-
fense for Acquisition and Sustainment fulfills its re-
sponsibilities related to the development of secure, 
reliable, and domestically-sourced critical and stra-
tegic materials, Congress encourages the Secretary 
of Defense to continue supporting projects that on-
shore domestic extraction, processing, and manufac-
turing capabilities of the domestic supply chain of 
rare earth permanent magnets essential to defense 
and national security applications. 
SEC. 1096. SENSE OF CONGRESS REGARDING USE OF MQ-9 
REAPER IN AREA OF OPERATIONS OF UNITED 
STATES INDO-PACIFIC COMMAND. 
It is the sense of Congress that the MQ-9 Reaper 
should be used to the greatest extent possible in the area 
of operations of the United States Indo-Pacific Command. 
SEC. 1097. OVERSIGHT REQUIREMENTS FOR FINANCIAL IM-
PROVEMENT 
AND 
AUDIT 
REMEDIATION 
PLAN. 
Section 240b(b) of title 10, United States Code, is 
amended— 
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(1) in paragraph (1)(A), by inserting ‘‘, the 
Committee on Oversight and Accountability of the 
House of Representatives, and the Committee on 
Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the 
Senate’’ after ‘‘congressional defense committees’’; 
and 
(2) in paragraph (2)— 
(A) by amending the paragraph heading to 
read as follows: ‘‘BRIEFINGS’’; and 
(B) by adding at the end the following new 
subparagraph: 
‘‘(C) Not later than June 30, 2024, and annu-
ally thereafter, the Under Secretary of Defense 
(Comptroller) shall provide to the Committee on 
Oversight and Accountability of the House of Rep-
resentatives and the Committee on Homeland Secu-
rity and Governmental Affairs of the Senate a brief-
ing on the status of the corrective action plan. Such 
briefing shall include an assessment of the progress 
of the Secretary of Defense in achieving an unquali-
fied audit opinion as described in subsection 
(a)(2)(iv)’’. 
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SEC. 1098. AUTHORITY TO INCLUDE FUNDING REQUESTS 
FOR THE CHEMICAL AND BIOLOGICAL DE-
FENSE PROGRAM IN BUDGET ACCOUNTS OF 
MILITARY DEPARTMENTS. 
Section 1701(d)(2) of the National Defense Author-
ization Act for Fiscal Year 1994 (50 U.S.C. 1522(d)(2)) 
is amended by striking ‘‘may not be included in the budget 
accounts’’ and inserting ‘‘may be included in the budget 
accounts’’. 
SEC. 1099. REPORT ON MILITARY REQUIREMENTS IN THE 
EVENT OF A CHINESE ATTACK OF TAIWAN. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary of Defense shall 
submit to the congressional defense committees a report 
on current and future military posture, logistics, mainte-
nance, and sustainment requirements to bolster the capac-
ity of the United States to resist force in the event of a 
Chinese attack and attempted invasion of Taiwan. Such 
report shall include an assessment of the requirements for 
all scenarios, including protracted combat in a contested 
environment (such as anti-access, area denial), and an 
evaluation of how to best enable a dispersed, distributed 
force in the Indo-Pacific region. 
(b) FORM OF REPORT.—The report required by sub-
section (a) shall be submitted in classified form. 
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SEC. 1099A. REPORT ON OBSTACLES TO MISSION OF DE-
FENSE POW/MIA ACCOUNTING AGENCY. 
The Director of the Defense POW/MIA Accounting 
Agency shall submit to Congress a report that includes— 
(1) a description of the most significant obsta-
cles, if any, to the mission of the Defense POW/MIA 
Accounting Agency to recover and identify the re-
mains of members of the Armed Forces missing in 
action; and 
(2) recommendations of such Director relating 
to legislative or administrative actions to resolve 
such obstacles. 
SEC. 1099B. PROTECTION OF IDEOLOGICAL FREEDOM. 
Section 2001 of title 10, United States Code, is 
amended by adding at the end the following new sub-
section: 
‘‘(c) PROTECTION OF IDEOLOGICAL FREEDOM.—(1) 
No employee of the Department of Defense or of a mili-
tary department, including any member of the armed 
forces, may compel, teach, instruct, or train any member 
of the armed forces, whether serving on active duty, serv-
ing in a reserve component, attending a military service 
academy, or attending a course conducted by a military 
department pursuant to a Reserve Officer Corps Training 
program, to believe any of the politically-based concepts 
referred to in paragraph (4). 
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‘‘(2) No employee of the Department of Defense or 
of a military department, including any member of the 
armed forces may be compelled to declare a belief in, or 
adherence to, or participate in training or education of any 
kind that promotes any of the politically-based concepts 
referred to in paragraph (4) a condition of recruitment, 
retention, promotion, transfer, assignment, or other favor-
able personnel action. 
‘‘(3) The Department of Defense and the military de-
partments may not promote race-based or ideological con-
cepts that promote the differential treatment of any indi-
vidual or groups of individuals based on race, color, sex, 
or national origin, including any of politically-based con-
cepts referred to in paragraph (4). 
‘‘(4) A politically-based concept referred to in this 
paragraph is any of the following: 
‘‘(A) Members of one race, color, sex, or na-
tional origin are morally superior to members of an-
other race, color, sex, or national origin. 
‘‘(B) An individual, by virtue of his or her race, 
color, sex, or national origin, is inherently racist, 
sexist, or oppressive, whether consciously or uncon-
sciously. 
‘‘(C) An individual’s moral character or status 
as either privileged or oppressed is necessarily deter-
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mined by his or her race, color, sex, or national ori-
gin. 
‘‘(D) Members of one race, color, sex, or na-
tional origin cannot and should not attempt to treat 
others without respect to race, color, sex, or national 
origin. 
‘‘(E) An individual, by virtue of his or her race, 
color, sex, or national origin, bears responsibility for, 
or should be discriminated against or receive adverse 
treatment because of, actions committed in the past 
by other members of the same race, color, sex, or 
national origin. 
‘‘(F) An individual, by virtue of his or her race, 
color, sex, or national origin, should be discriminated 
against or receive adverse treatment to achieve di-
versity, equity, or inclusion. 
‘‘(G) An individual should feel discomfort, guilt, 
anguish, or any other form of psychological distress 
on account of his or her race, color, sex, or national 
origin. 
‘‘(H) Such virtues as merit, excellence, hard 
work, fairness, neutrality, objectivity, and racial 
colorblindness are racist or sexist, or were created by 
members of a particular race, color, sex, or national 
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origin to oppress members of another race, color, 
sex, or national origin. 
‘‘(5) Nothing in this subsection shall be construed as 
compelling any individual to believe or refrain from believ-
ing in any politically-based concept referred to in para-
graph (4) in their private and personal capacity.’’. 
SEC. 1099C. PUBLIC DISCLOSURE OF AFGHANISTAN WAR 
RECORDS. 
The Secretary of Defense shall expeditiously disclose 
to the public all records relating to the war in Afghani-
stan. 
TITLE XI—CIVILIAN PERSONNEL 
MATTERS 
SEC. 1101. AUTHORITY TO ESTABLISH EXCEPTED SERVICE 
POSITIONS FOR ARMY LAW ENFORCEMENT 
ACTIVITIES. 
Chapter 747 of title 10, United States Code, is 
amended by adding at the end the following new section: 
‘‘§ 7378. Army law enforcement activity recruitment 
and retention 
‘‘(a) GENERAL AUTHORITY.— 
‘‘(1) Consistent with paragraph (2), and with-
out regard to the provisions of any other law relat-
ing to the appointment, number, classification, or 
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compensation of employees, the Secretary of Defense 
may— 
‘‘(A) establish, as positions in the excepted 
service, such qualified positions in Army Law 
Enforcement Activities as the Secretary deter-
mines necessary to carry out the investigative 
responsibilities of such activities; 
‘‘(B) appoint an individual to a qualified 
position (after taking into consideration the 
availability of preference eligibles for appoint-
ment to the position); and 
‘‘(C) subject to subsections (b) and (c), fix 
the compensation of an individual in a qualified 
position. 
‘‘(2) The authority of the Secretary under this 
section may not be used until on or after the date 
that each requirement of section 548 of the James 
M. Inhofe National Defense Authorization Act for 
Fiscal Year 2023 (Public Law 117–263) has been 
met. 
‘‘(b) BASIC PAY.—The Secretary shall— 
‘‘(1) consistent with section 5341 of title 5, 
adopt such provisions of that title to provide for pre-
vailing rate systems of basic pay; and 
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‘‘(2) apply those provisions for purposes of es-
tablishing rates of basic pay for qualified positions. 
‘‘(c) ADDITIONAL COMPENSATION, INCENTIVES, AND 
ALLOWANCES.— 
‘‘(1) The Secretary may provide employees in 
qualified positions compensation (in addition to basic 
pay), including benefits, incentives, and allowances, 
consistent with, and not in excess of the level au-
thorized for, comparable positions authorized by title 
5. 
‘‘(2) An employee in a qualified position whose 
rate of basic pay is fixed under subsection (b)(1) 
shall be eligible for an allowance under section 5941 
of title 5 on the same basis and to the same extent 
as if the employee was an employee covered by such 
section, including eligibility conditions, allowance 
rates, and all other terms and conditions in law or 
regulation. 
‘‘(d) IMPLEMENTATION PLAN REQUIRED.—The au-
thority granted in subsection (a) shall become effective 90 
days after the date on which the Secretary provides to the 
congressional defense committees a plan for implementa-
tion of such authority. The plan shall include the fol-
lowing: 
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‘‘(1) An assessment of the current scope of the 
positions covered by the authority. 
‘‘(2) A plan for the use of the authority. 
‘‘(3) Other matters as appropriate. 
‘‘(e) REQUIRED REGULATIONS.—The Secretary, in 
coordination with the Director of the Office of Personnel 
Management, shall prescribe regulations for the adminis-
tration of this section. 
‘‘(f) PROBATIONARY PERIOD.—The probationary pe-
riod for all employees hired under the authority estab-
lished in this section shall be one year. 
‘‘(g) INCUMBENTS OF EXISTING COMPETITIVE SERV-
ICE POSITIONS.— 
‘‘(1) An individual occupying a position on the 
date of the enactment of this section that is selected 
to be converted to a position in the excepted service 
under this section shall have the right to refuse such 
conversion. 
‘‘(2) After the date on which an individual who 
refuses a conversion under paragraph (1) stops serv-
ing in the position selected to be converted, the posi-
tion may be converted to a position in the excepted 
service. 
‘‘(h) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
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‘‘(1) The term ‘Army Law Enforcement Activi-
ties’ means the Army Criminal Investigation Com-
mand (or any successor organization) and any other 
Department of Army organization engaged primarily 
in law enforcement, security, or investigative respon-
sibilities as designated by the Secretary of Defense. 
‘‘(2) The term ‘excepted service’ has the mean-
ing given that term in section 2103 of title 5. 
‘‘(3) The term ‘preference eligible’ has the 
meaning given that term in section 2108 of title 5. 
‘‘(4) The term ‘qualified position’ means a posi-
tion, designated by the Secretary for the purpose of 
this section, in which the individual occupying such 
position performs, manages, or supervises functions 
that execute law enforcement, security, or investiga-
tive responsibilities.’’. 
SEC. 1102. AUTHORIZATION TO PAY A LIVING QUARTERS 
ALLOWANCE 
FOR 
DEPARTMENT 
OF 
THE 
NAVY CIVILIAN EMPLOYEES ASSIGNED TO 
PERMANENT 
DUTY 
IN 
GUAM 
FOR 
PER-
FORMING WORK, OR SUPPORTING WORK 
BEING PERFORMED, ABOARD OR DOCKSIDE, 
OF U.S. NAVAL VESSELS. 
(a) ALLOWANCE.—Notwithstanding any other provi-
sion of law, when Government owned or rented quarters 
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are not otherwise provided without charge to a covered 
employee, the Secretary of the Navy may grant to a cov-
ered employee one or more of the following allowances: 
(1) A living quarters allowance for rent, heat, 
light, fuel, gas, electricity, and water. The Secretary 
is authorized to pay such allowance by reimburse-
ment or by advance payments without regard to sec-
tion 3324(a) and (b) of title 31, United States Code. 
(2) Under unusual circumstances, as deter-
mined by the Secretary, payment or reimbursement 
for extraordinary, necessary, and reasonable ex-
penses, not otherwise compensated for, incurred in 
initial repairs, alterations, and improvements to the 
privately leased residence in Guam of a covered em-
ployee— 
(A) the expenses are administratively ap-
proved in advance; and 
(B) the duration and terms of the lease 
justify payment of the expenses by the Govern-
ment. 
(b) COVERED EMPLOYEE DEFINED.—In this section, 
the term ‘‘covered employee’’ means any civilian employee 
of the Department of the Navy who is assigned to perma-
nent duty in Guam for performing work or supporting 
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work being performed, aboard or dockside, of U.S. naval 
vessels. 
SEC. 1103. CONSOLIDATION OF DIRECT HIRE AUTHORITIES 
FOR CANDIDATES WITH SPECIFIED DEGREES 
AT SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY REINVEN-
TION LABORATORIES. 
Section 4091 of title 10, United States Code, is 
amended— 
(1) in subsection (a)(1), by striking ‘‘bachelor’s 
degree’’ and inserting ‘‘bachelor’s or advanced de-
gree’’; 
(2) in subsection (c)— 
(A) in the subsection heading, by striking 
‘‘CALENDAR
YEAR’’ and inserting ‘‘FISCAL 
YEAR’’; 
(B) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), 
by striking ‘‘calendar year’’ and inserting ‘‘fis-
cal year’’; 
(C) in paragraph (1), by striking ‘‘6 per-
cent’’ and inserting ‘‘11 percent’’; and 
(D) in paragraphs (1), (2), and (3), by 
striking ‘‘the fiscal year last ending before the 
start of such calendar year’’ and inserting ‘‘the 
preceding fiscal year’’; 
(3) by striking subsection (f); and 
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(4) by redesignating subsection (g) as sub-
section (f). 
SEC. 1104. DIRECT HIRE AUTHORITY FOR CERTAIN PER-
SONNEL OF THE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE. 
Section 9905(a) of title 5, United States Code, is 
amended— 
(1) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by 
inserting ‘‘, 3307,’’ after ‘‘3303’’; and 
(2) by adding at the end the following new 
paragraphs: 
‘‘(12) Any position in support of aircraft oper-
ations for which the Secretary determines there is a 
critical hiring need or shortage of candidates. 
‘‘(13) Any position in support of the safety of 
the public, law enforcement, or first response for 
which the Secretary determines there is a critical 
hiring need or shortage of candidates.’’. 
SEC. 1105. ONE-YEAR EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY TO WAIVE 
ANNUAL LIMITATION ON PREMIUM PAY AND 
AGGREGATE LIMITATION ON PAY FOR FED-
ERAL CIVILIAN EMPLOYEES WORKING OVER-
SEAS. 
Subsection (a) of section 1101 of the Duncan Hunter 
National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2009 
(Public Law 110-417; 122 Stat. 4615), as most recently 
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amended by section 1102 of the James M. Inhofe National 
Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2023 (Public 
Law 117–263), is further amended by striking ‘‘through 
2023’’ and inserting ‘‘through 2024’’. 
SEC. 1106. EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY TO GRANT COMPETI-
TIVE STATUS TO EMPLOYEES OF INSPEC-
TORS GENERAL FOR OVERSEAS CONTIN-
GENCY OPERATIONS. 
Section 419(d)(5)(B) of title 5, United States Code, 
is amended by striking ‘‘2 years’’ and inserting ‘‘5 years’’. 
SEC. 1107. EXTENSION OF DIRECT HIRE AUTHORITY FOR 
DOMESTIC 
INDUSTRIAL 
BASE 
FACILITIES 
AND MAJOR RANGE AND TEST FACILITIES 
BASE. 
(a) EXTENSION.—Section 1125(a) of the National 
Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2017 (Public 
Law 114–328) is amended by striking ‘‘2025’’ and insert-
ing ‘‘2035’’. 
(b) BRIEFING.—Section 1102(b) of the National De-
fense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2018 (Public Law 
115–91) is amended by striking ‘‘2025’’ and inserting 
‘‘2035’’. 
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SEC. 1108. WAIVER OF LIMITATION ON APPOINTMENT OF 
RECENTLY RETIRED MEMBERS OF ARMED 
FORCES TO DOD COMPETITIVE SERVICE PO-
SITIONS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 3326 of title 5, United 
States Code, is amended— 
(1) in the section heading, by inserting ‘‘cer-
tain’’ before ‘‘positions’’; and 
(2) in subsection (b)— 
(A) by striking ‘‘the civil service’’ and in-
serting ‘‘the excepted service or the Senior Ex-
ecutive Service’’; and 
(B) in paragraph (1), by striking ‘‘for the 
purpose’’ and all that follows through ‘‘Manage-
ment’’. 
(b) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The table of sections 
at the beginning of subchapter I of chapter 33 of such 
title is amended in the item relating to section 3326 by 
inserting ‘‘certain’’ before ‘‘positions’’. 
SEC. 1109. EXCLUSION OF NONAPPROPRIATED FUND EM-
PLOYEES FROM LIMITATIONS ON DUAL PAY. 
Section 5531(2) of title 5, United States Code, is 
amended by striking ‘‘Government corporation and’’ and 
inserting ‘‘Government corporation, but excluding’’. 
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SEC. 1110. ONE-YEAR EXTENSION OF TEMPORARY AUTHOR-
ITY TO GRANT ALLOWANCES, BENEFITS, AND 
GRATUITIES TO CIVILIAN PERSONNEL ON OF-
FICIAL DUTY IN A COMBAT ZONE. 
Paragraph (2) of section 1603(a) of the Emergency 
Supplemental Appropriations Act for Defense, the Global 
War on Terror, and Hurricane Recovery, 2006 (Public 
Law 109–234; 120 Stat. 443), as added by section 1102 
of the Duncan Hunter National Defense Authorization 
Act for Fiscal Year 2009 (Public Law 110–417; 122 Stat. 
4616) and as most recently amended by section 1103 of 
the James M. Inhofe National Defense Authorization Act 
for Fiscal Year 2023 (Public Law 117–263), is further 
amended by striking ‘‘2024’’ and inserting ‘‘2025’’. 
SEC. 1111. SUPPORT UNITED STATES STRATEGIC COM-
MAND AND UNITED STATES SPACE COMMAND 
ENTERPRISES. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Chapter 81 of title 10, United 
States Code, is amended by adding at the end the fol-
lowing new section: 
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‘‘SEC. 1599k. APPLICATION OF ACQUISITION DEMONSTRA-
TION PROJECT TO DEPARTMENT OF THE AIR 
FORCE EMPLOYEES ASSIGNED TO SUPPORT 
UNITED STATES STRATEGIC COMMAND AND 
UNITED STATES SPACE COMMAND ENTER-
PRISES. 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—For the purposes of the dem-
onstration project, the Secretary of Defense may apply the 
provisions of section 1762 of this title, including any regu-
lations, procedures, waivers, or guidance implementing 
such section, to an employee of the Department of the Air 
Force assigned to support the United States Strategic 
Command or United States Space Command, or a joint 
subordinate component command or center, as if the em-
ployee was a member of the acquisition workforce. 
‘‘(b) NUMBER OF PARTICIPANTS.—For the purposes 
of section 1762(c) of this title, participating employees are 
deemed not to be persons who may participate in the dem-
onstration project. 
‘‘(c) TERMINATION OF AUTHORITY; CONVERSION.— 
Subsections (g) and (h) of section 1762 of this title shall 
apply to the authority under this section and to partici-
pating employees, respectively. 
‘‘(d) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
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‘‘(1) DEMONSTRATION
PROJECT.—The term 
‘demonstration project’ means the demonstration 
project authorized by section 1762 of this title. 
‘‘(2) PARTICIPATING
EMPLOYEE.—The term 
‘participating employee’ means an employee partici-
pating in the demonstration project pursuant to the 
authority under this section.’’. 
(b) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The table of sections 
for chapter 81 of title 10, United States Code, is amended 
by adding at the end the following new item: 
‘‘1599k. Application of acquisition demonstration project to Department of the 
Air Force employees assigned to support United States Stra-
tegic Command and United States Space Command enter-
prises.’’. 
SEC. 1112. TEMPORARY EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY TO 
PROVIDE SECURITY FOR FORMER DEPART-
MENT OF DEFENSE OFFICIALS. 
During the period beginning on the date of enactment 
of this Act and ending on January 1, 2025, section 
714(b)(2)(B) of title 10, United States Code, shall be ap-
plied by substituting ‘‘four years’’ for ‘‘two years’’. 
SEC. 1113. GAO REPORT ON CIVILIAN SUPPORT POSITIONS 
AT REMOTE MILITARY INSTALLATIONS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 2 years after the 
date of enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General 
shall assess and submit a report to the Secretary of De-
fense on the following: 
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(1) The average number of vacancies for civil-
ian support services positions at remote or isolated 
military installations in comparison to vacancies for 
such positions at other military installations. In car-
rying out this paragraph, the Comptroller General 
shall account for the differences in military popu-
lation size. 
(2) The average number of days required to fill 
such a vacancy at a remote and isolated military in-
stallation in comparison to filling a vacancy of a po-
sition with the same duties (to the greatest extent 
practicable) at such other installations. 
(3) Any recommendations on additional hiring 
incentives for civilian support services positions de-
scribed in subsection (b)(1)(A) at a remote or iso-
lated installations, and any recommendations on 
ways to ensure that such positions described in sub-
section (b)(1)(B) are able to effectively staff posi-
tions in order to meet the mission of their applicable 
military installation. 
(b) DEFINITIONS.—In this section— 
(1) the term ‘‘civilian support services posi-
tions’’ means— 
(A) any position within the civil service (as 
that term is defined in section 2101 of title 5, 
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United States Code), including any non-
appropriated fund (NAF) position; and 
(B) any Federal contractor (or subcon-
tractor at any tier); and 
(2) the term ‘‘military installation’’ has the 
meaning given that term in section 2801 of title 10, 
United States Code. 
SEC. 1114. MODIFICATION TO SHORE LEAVE ACCRUAL FOR 
CREWS OF VESSELS TO SUPPORT CREW RO-
TATIONS AND IMPROVE RETENTION OF CI-
VILIAN MARINERS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Chapter 81 of title 10, United 
States Code, as amended by section 1111(a), is further 
amended by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘§ 1599l. Shore leave accrual for civilian mariners of 
the Department of Defense 
‘‘With respect to an officer, crewmember, or other 
employee of the Department of Defense serving aboard an 
oceangoing vessel on an extended voyage, the first sen-
tence in the matter preceding paragraph (1) of subsection 
(c) of section 6305 of title 5 shall be applied by sub-
stituting ‘7 calendar days’ for ‘30 calendar days’.’’. 
(b) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The table of sections 
for such chapter is amended by adding after the item re-
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lating to section 1599k, as added by section 1111(b), the 
following: 
‘‘1599l. Shore leave accrual for civilian mariners of the Department of De-
fense.’’. 
SEC. 1115. ASSESSMENTS OF STAFFING IN OFFICE OF THE 
UNDER SECRETARY OF DEFENSE FOR PER-
SONNEL AND READINESS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.— 
(1) DOD ASSESSMENT.—The Secretary of De-
fense shall conduct an assessment validating each 
civil service position in the Office of the Under Sec-
retary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness 
against existing personnel of the Office. For pur-
poses of carrying out such assessment, the head of 
the Office shall submit to the Secretary the align-
ment of total force manpower resources of the Office 
against core missions, tasks, and functions, includ-
ing a mapping of missions to the originating statute 
or Department policy. 
(2) OFFICE ASSESSMENT.—The head of the Of-
fice shall conduct an assessment on the tasks, func-
tions, and associated civilian personnel the Office be-
lieves are necessary to perform the duties of the Of-
fice. 
(3) DOD ANALYSIS.—The Secretary shall de-
termine whether there is any conflict between the as-
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sessment conducted under paragraph (1) and the as-
sessment under paragraph (2), and what personnel 
actions (if any) the Secretary will take to eliminate 
such conflict. 
(b) INTERIM BRIEFING AND REPORT.— 
(1) INTERIM BRIEFING.—Not later than April 
1, 2024, the Secretary of Defense shall provide to 
the congressional defense committees an interim 
briefing on the assessments under subsection (a). 
(2) FINAL REPORT.—Not later than one year 
after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Sec-
retary shall submit to the congressional defense com-
mittees a report on the assessments under sub-
section (a). Such report shall include the following: 
(A) A validation of every civil service posi-
tion in the Office against existing civilian per-
sonnel requirements. 
(B) The methodology and process through 
which such validation was performed. 
(C) Relevant statistical analysis on civil 
service position fill rates against validated re-
quirements. 
(D) Analysis of each civil service position 
and grade and whether the position description 
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and grade match the function and task require-
ments of the position. 
(E) Plan to update grades and position de-
scriptions to meet current and future require-
ments, tasks, and functions. 
(F) Lessons learned through the civilian 
position validation process and statistical anal-
ysis under subparagraphs (B) through (F). 
(G) Any legislative, policy or budgetary 
recommendations of the Secretary related to the 
subject matter of the report. 
(d) DEFINITIONS.—In this section— 
(1) the term ‘‘civil service’’ has the meaning 
given that term in section 2101 of title 5, United 
States Code; and 
(2) the term ‘‘Office’’ means the Office of the 
Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Read-
iness. 
SEC. 1116. MILITARY SPOUSE EMPLOYMENT ACT. 
(a) APPOINTMENT OF MILITARY SPOUSES.—Section 
3330d of title 5, United States Code, is amended— 
(1) in subsection (a)— 
(A) by redesignating paragraph (3) as 
paragraph (4); 
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(B) by inserting after paragraph (2) the 
following: 
‘‘(3) The term ‘remote work’ refers to a par-
ticular type of telework under which an employee is 
not expected to report to an officially established 
agency location on a regular and recurring basis.’’; 
and 
(C) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(5) The term ‘telework’ has the meaning given 
the term in section 6501.’’; 
(2) in subsection (b)— 
(A) in paragraph (1), by striking ‘‘or’’ at 
the end; 
(B) in paragraph (2), by striking the pe-
riod at the end and inserting ‘‘; or’’; and 
(C) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(3) a spouse of a member of the Armed Forces 
on active duty, or a spouse of a disabled or deceased 
member of the Armed Forces, to a position in which 
the spouse will engage in remote work.’’; and 
(3) in subsection (c)(1), by striking ‘‘subsection 
(a)(3)’’ and inserting ‘‘subsection (a)(4)’’. 
(b) GAO STUDY AND REPORT.— 
(1) DEFINITIONS.—In this subsection— 
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(A) the terms ‘‘agency’’ means an agency 
described in paragraph (1) or (2) of section 
901(b) of title 31, United States Code; 
(B) the term ‘‘employee’’ means an em-
ployee of an agency; 
(C) the term ‘‘remote work’’ means a par-
ticular type of telework under which an em-
ployee is not expected to report to an officially 
established agency location on a regular and re-
curring basis; and 
(D) the term ‘‘telework’’ means a work 
flexibility arrangement under which an em-
ployee performs the duties and responsibilities 
of such employee’s position, and other author-
ized activities, from an approved worksite other 
than the location from which the employee 
would otherwise work. 
(2) REQUIREMENT.—Not later than 18 months 
after the date of enactment of this Act, the Comp-
troller General of the United States shall conduct a 
study and publish a report regarding the use of re-
mote work by agencies, which shall include a discus-
sion of what is known regarding— 
(A) the number of employees who are en-
gaging in remote work; 
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(B) the role of remote work in agency re-
cruitment and retention efforts; 
(C) the geographic location of employees 
who engage in remote work; 
(D) the effect that remote work has had on 
how often employees are reporting to officially 
established agency locations to perform the du-
ties and responsibilities of the positions of those 
employees and other authorized activities; and 
(E) how the use of remote work has af-
fected Federal office space utilization and 
spending. 
SEC. 1117. AMENDMENTS TO THE JOHN S. MCCAIN STRA-
TEGIC DEFENSE FELLOWS PROGRAM. 
(a) 
SELECTION
OF
PARTICIPANTS.—Subsection 
(d)(2) of section 932 of the John S. McCain National De-
fense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2019 (Public Law 
115–232; 10 U.S.C. 1580 note prec.) is amended to read 
as follows: 
‘‘(2) GEOGRAPHICAL
REPRESENTATION.—Out 
of the total number of individuals selected to partici-
pate in the fellows program in any year, no more 
than 20 percent may be from any of the following 
geographic regions: 
‘‘(A) The Northeast United States. 
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‘‘(B) The Southeast United States. 
‘‘(C) The Midwest United States. 
‘‘(D) The Southwest United States. 
‘‘(E) The Western United States. 
‘‘(F) Alaska, Hawaii, United States terri-
tories, and areas outside the United States.’’. 
(b) APPOINTMENT, PLACEMENT, 
AND
CONVER-
SION.—Such section is further amended— 
(1) in subsection (d)(3)— 
(A) by striking ‘‘assigned’’ and inserting 
‘‘appointed’’; and 
(B) by striking ‘‘assignment’’ and inserting 
‘‘appointment’’; and 
(2) by amending subsections (e) and (f) to read 
as follows: 
‘‘(e) APPOINTMENT.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—An individual who partici-
pates in the fellows program shall be appointed into 
an excepted service position in the Department. 
‘‘(2) POSITION
REQUIREMENTS.—Each year, 
the head of each Department of Defense Component 
shall submit to the Secretary of Defense placement 
opportunities for participants in the fellows pro-
gram. Such placement opportunities shall provide for 
leadership development and potential commencement 
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of a career track toward a position of senior leader-
ship in the Department. The Secretary of Defense, 
in coordination with the heads of Department of De-
fense Components, shall establish qualification re-
quirements for the appointment of participants 
under paragraph (1) and subsection (f)(2). 
‘‘(3) APPOINTMENT TO POSITIONS.—Each year, 
the Secretary of Defense shall appoint participants 
in the fellows program to positions in the Depart-
ment of Defense Components. In making such ap-
pointments, the Secretary shall seek to best match 
the qualifications and skills of the participants with 
the requirements for positions available for appoint-
ment. 
‘‘(4) TERM.—The term of each appointment 
under the fellows program shall be one year with the 
option to extend the appointment up to one addi-
tional year. 
‘‘(5) GRADE.—An individual appointed to a po-
sition under the fellows program shall be appointed 
at a level between GS–10 and GS–12 of the General 
Schedule based on the directly-related qualifications, 
skills, and professional experience of the individual. 
‘‘(6) EDUCATION LOAN REPAYMENT.—To the 
extent that funds are provided in advance in appro-
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subsection (c)(2) or to carry out the duties 
assigned to the reservist under such an ap-
pointment if— 
‘‘(I) the failure was due to the 
death or disability of such reservist; or 
‘‘(II) the Administrator, in con-
sultation with the head of the relevant 
covered Executive agency, determines 
that subparagraph (A) should not 
apply with respect to the failure. 
‘‘(ii) RELEVANT COVERED EXECUTIVE 
AGENCY DEFINED.—In this subparagraph, 
the term ‘relevant covered Executive agen-
cy’ means— 
‘‘(I) in the case of a reservist 
failing to accept an appointment 
under subsection (c)(2), the covered 
Executive agency to which such re-
servist would have been appointed; 
and 
‘‘(II) in the case of a reservist 
failing to carry out the duties as-
signed to such reservist under such an 
appointment, the covered Executive 
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the Department of Defense relating to cybersecurity, 
including the following: 
‘‘(A) The evaluation of cyber vulnerabilities 
of major weapon systems of the Department of 
Defense required under section 1647 of the Na-
tional Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal 
Year 2016 (Public Law 114–92; 129 Stat. 
1118). 
‘‘(B) 
The 
evaluation 
of 
cyber 
vulnerabilities of critical infrastructure of the 
Department of Defense required under section 
1650 of the National Defense Authorization Act 
for Fiscal Year 2017 (Public Law 114–328; 10 
U.S.C. 2224 note). 
‘‘(C) The activities of the cyber protection 
teams of the Department of Defense. 
‘‘(g) RESPONSIBILITIES
OF SECRETARY
OF DE-
FENSE.—The Secretary of Defense shall define and issue 
guidance on the roles and responsibilities for components 
of the Department of Defense other than those specified 
in this section with respect to the Program, including— 
‘‘(1) the roles and responsibilities of the acqui-
sition and sustainment organizations of the military 
departments in supporting and implementing reme-
dial actions; 
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(10) United States Army Training & Doctrine 
Command. 
(11) United States Army Cyber Command. 
(12) Office of the Department of the Navy 
Principal Cyber Advisor. 
(13) Office of the Deputy Chief of Naval Oper-
ations for Information Warfare. 
(14) United States Fleet Forces Command. 
(15) Naval Information Forces. 
(16) United States Fleet Cyber Command. 
(17) Office of the Department of the Air Force 
Principal Cyber Advisor. 
(18) Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff for In-
telligence, Surveillance, Reconnaissance, and Cyber 
Effects Operations, A2/6, Air Staff. 
(19) Air Combat Command. 
(20) 16th Air Force. 
(21) Office of the United States Marine Corps 
Deputy Commandant for Information. 
(22) Marine Corps Forces Cyberspace Com-
mand. 
(23) Office of the Deputy Chief of Space Oper-
ations for Operations, Cyber, and Nuclear, Space 
Staff. 
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