Title: IMPROVE Transition for Servicemembers Act
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security

Summary:
Improving Preparation and Resources for Occupational, Vocational, and Educational Transition for Servicemembers Act or IMPROVE Transition for Servicemembers Act
This bill revises provisions that require the Department of Defense and the Department of Homeland Security to operate a program providing individual pre-separation counseling and services to assist members of the U.S. Armed Forces who are transitioning to civilian life. The bill's changes include (1) revising various deadlines in the transition program, (2) requiring the use of surveys and electronic systems to track the progress of participating individuals, and (3) establishing a program to provide Armed Forces members with information about the transition program and about career and educational opportunities available during military service.

[Congressional Bills 115th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 3299 Introduced in Senate (IS)]

<DOC>






115th CONGRESS
  2d Session
                                S. 3299

   To amend title 10, United States Code, to improve the Transition 
   Assistance Program for members of the Armed Forces, and for other 
                               purposes.


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                             July 30, 2018

Mr. Crapo (for himself and Ms. Stabenow) introduced the following bill; 
  which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Armed Services

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 A BILL


 
   To amend title 10, United States Code, to improve the Transition 
   Assistance Program for members of the Armed Forces, and for other 
                               purposes.

    Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS.

    (a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``Improving 
Preparation and Resources for Occupational, Vocational, and Educational 
Transition for Servicemembers Act'' or ``IMPROVE Transition for 
Servicemembers Act''.
    (b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents for this Act is as 
follows:

Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.
Sec. 2. Recodification, consolidation, and improvement of certain 
                            transition-related counseling and 
                            assistance authorities.
Sec. 3. Connections of members retiring or separating from the Armed 
                            Forces with community-based organizations 
                            and related entities.
Sec. 4. Personnel matters in connection with Transition Assistance 
                            Program.
Sec. 5. Systems for tracking participation in Transition Assistance 
                            Program and related programs.
Sec. 6. Information on members of the Armed Forces participating in 
                            preseparation counseling and surveys on 
                            member experiences with Transition 
                            Assistance Program counseling and services 
                            and in transition to civilian life.
Sec. 7. Command matters in connection with transition assistance 
                            programs.
Sec. 8. Comptroller General of the United States report on 
                            participation in transition assistance 
                            programs at small and remote military 
                            installations.
Sec. 9. Education of members of the Armed Forces on career readiness 
                            and professional development.
Sec. 10. Sense of Congress on Transition Assistance Program and other 
                            transition-related assistance for members 
                            of the Armed Forces.

SEC. 2. RECODIFICATION, CONSOLIDATION, AND IMPROVEMENT OF CERTAIN 
              TRANSITION-RELATED COUNSELING AND ASSISTANCE AUTHORITIES.

    (a) Recodification, Consolidation, and Improvement of 
Authorities.--
            (1) In general.--Chapter 58 of title 10, United States 
        Code, is amended by striking sections 1142 and 1144 and 
        inserting after section 1141 the following new section 1142:
``Sec. 1142. Transition-related counseling and services: Transition 
              Assistance Program
    ``(a) Program Required.--
            ``(1) In general.--The Secretary of Defense and the 
        Secretary of Homeland Security with respect to the Coast Guard 
        when it is not operating as a service in the Navy shall, in 
        cooperation with the Secretary of Labor and the Secretary of 
        Veterans Affairs, carry out a program to furnish individual 
        counseling, information and services described in paragraph (2) 
        to members of the armed forces under the jurisdiction of the 
        Secretary of Defense or the Secretary of Homeland Security, as 
        applicable, whose retirement or separation from active duty is 
        anticipated as of a specific date, and to the spouses of such 
        members. The program shall be known as the `Transition 
        Assistance Program'.
            ``(2) Counseling, information, and services.--The 
        counseling, information, and services furnished under the 
        program (in this section referred to as `covered counseling, 
        information, and services') shall include the following in 
        connection with the transition from military life to civilian 
        life:
                    ``(A) Preseparation counseling, including as 
                described in subsection (f).
                    ``(B) Training, employment assistance, and other 
                related information and services, including as 
                described in subsection (g).
                    ``(C) Such other counseling, information, and 
                services as the Secretaries referred to in paragraph 
                (1) consider appropriate to assist members of the armed 
                forces, and their spouses, in the transition from 
                military life to civilian life.
            ``(3) Agreement.--The Secretaries referred to in paragraph 
        (1) (in this section referred to as the `administering 
        Secretaries') shall enter into a detailed agreement to carry 
        out this section.
            ``(4) Certain responsibilities.--In carrying out the 
        program, the administering Secretaries shall do the following:
                    ``(A) Work together to develop and revise necessary 
                training documents, resources, and curriculum for the 
                purposes of the program.
                    ``(B) In providing information in connection with 
                preseparation counseling under subsection (f)(4), use 
                experience obtained from implementation of the pilot 
                program under section 408 of Public Law 101-237.
                    ``(C) Work with military and veterans' service 
                organizations and other appropriate organizations to 
                promote and publicize job fairs for members furnished 
                covered counseling, information, and services under the 
                program.
                    ``(D) In the case of members furnished covered 
                counseling, information, and services under the program 
                who have a spouse--
                            ``(i) include the spouse in such 
                        counseling, information, and services, at the 
                        election of the member and the spouse; and
                            ``(ii) provide job placement counseling for 
                        the spouse in connection with the transition of 
                        the member from military life to civilian life.
    ``(b) Participation of Members Required.--
            ``(1) In general.--Except as provided in paragraph (2), the 
        Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of Homeland Security 
        shall require the participation in the program under this 
        section of all members eligible for assistance under the 
        program.
            ``(2) Waiver.--The Secretary of Defense and the Secretary 
        of Homeland Security may, under regulations such Secretaries 
        shall prescribe, waive the participation requirement in 
        paragraph (1) with respect to such groups or classifications of 
        members as such Secretaries determine, after consultation with 
        the Secretary of Labor and the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, 
        for whom participation is not and would not be of assistance 
        based on the articulable justification of such Secretaries that 
        there is extraordinarily compelling reason to believe such 
        members are unlikely to face major readjustment, health care, 
        employment, or other challenges associated with transition to 
        civilian life. In issuing any such waiver, the Secretary of 
        Defense or the Secretary of Homeland Security, as applicable, 
        shall specify, in writing, the grounds for such waiver. Each 
        Secretary shall maintain a record of all such waivers issued by 
        such Secretary.
    ``(c) Service Required Before Furnishing of Preseparation 
Counseling.--
            ``(1) In general.--Subject to paragraph (2), the Secretary 
        concerned shall not furnish preseparation counseling under the 
        program under this section to a member who is being discharged 
        or released before the completion of the first 180 continuous 
        days of active duty of the member.
            ``(2) Retirement or separation for disability.--Paragraph 
        (1) shall not apply in the case of a member who is being 
        retired or separated for disability.
            ``(3) Determination of duration of service.--For purposes 
        of calculating the days of active duty of a member under 
        paragraph (1), the Secretary concerned shall exclude any day as 
        follows:
                    ``(A) Any day on which the member performed full-
                time training duty or annual training duty.
                    ``(B) Any day on which the member attended, while 
                in the active military service, a school designated as 
                a service school by law or by the Secretary concerned.
    ``(d) Commencement and Completion.--
            ``(1) Commencement.--Except as provided in paragraph (4), 
        the furnishing of covered counseling, information, and services 
        to a member under the program under this section shall commence 
        not later than one year before the date of anticipated 
        retirement or separation of the member from the armed forces.
            ``(2) Completion.--Except as provided in paragraph (4), the 
        furnishing of covered counseling, information, and services to 
        a member under the program shall be completed as follows:
                    ``(A) In the case of a member retiring from the 
                armed forces, by not later than 120 days before the 
                date of retirement.
                    ``(B) In the case of a member otherwise separating 
                from the armed forces, by not later than 90 days before 
                the date of separation.
            ``(3) Construction.--Nothing in this subsection may be 
        construed to prohibit the furnishing of covered counseling, 
        information, and services to a member under the program, or 
        other counseling, assistance, and information and services 
        similar to covered counseling, information, and services, at 
        times other than the times provided for by paragraphs (1) and 
        (2).
            ``(4) Unanticipated retirement or separation in connection 
        with preseparation counseling.--In the event that a retirement 
        or other separation from the armed forces is unanticipated 
        until there are 90 or fewer days before the anticipated 
        retirement or separation date, or in the event a member of a 
        reserve component is being demobilized under circumstances in 
        which (as determined by the Secretary concerned) operational 
        requirements make the 120-day or 90-day requirement under 
        paragraph (2) unfeasible, preseparation counseling under the 
        program shall begin as soon as possible within the remaining 
        period of service.
    ``(e) Furnishing on In-Person Basis.--
            ``(1) In general.--Except as provided in paragraph (2), 
        covered counseling, information, and services under the program 
        under this section shall be furnished to a member on an in-
        person basis.
            ``(2) Waiver.--The Secretary of Defense and the Secretary 
        of Homeland Security, as applicable, may waive the requirement 
        in paragraph (1) with respect to a particular member if such 
        Secretary determines, using a system established by such 
        Secretary for purposes of this paragraph, that the furnishing 
        of covered counseling, information, and services on an online, 
        other electronic, or other basis, rather than on an in-person 
        basis, is necessary to avoid extraordinarily significant 
        impediments to immediate mission needs. In issuing any such 
        waiver, such Secretary shall specify, in writing, the grounds 
        for such waiver.
    ``(f) Topics Covered by Preseparation Counseling.--The 
preseparation counseling furnished a member under the program under 
this section shall include the following:
            ``(1) Financial planning assistance, including information 
        on budgeting, saving, credit, loans, and taxes.
            ``(2) An explanation of the procedures for and advantages 
        of affiliating with the Selected Reserve.
            ``(3) Information on programs and benefits related to 
        veteran status, including--
                    ``(A) a description of health care and other 
                benefits to which the member may be entitled under the 
                laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, 
                and information regarding the means by which the member 
                can receive additional counseling regarding the 
                member's actual entitlement to such benefits and apply 
                for such benefits;
                    ``(B) educational assistance benefits to which the 
                member is entitled under the Montgomery GI Bill and 
                other educational assistance programs because of the 
                member's service in the armed forces;
                    ``(C) a description of the compensation and 
                vocational rehabilitation benefits to which the member 
                may be entitled under laws administered by the 
                Secretary of Veterans Affairs, if the member is being 
                medically separated or is being retired under chapter 
                61 of this title;
                    ``(D) information on home loan services and housing 
                assistance benefits available under the laws 
                administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs and 
                counseling on responsible borrowing practices;
                    ``(E) a description, developed in consultation with 
                the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, of the assistance 
                and support services for family caregivers of eligible 
                veterans under the program conducted by the Secretary 
                of Veterans Affairs pursuant to section 1720G of title 
                38, including the veterans covered by the program, the 
                caregivers eligible for assistance and support through 
                the program, and the assistance and support available 
                through the program; and
                    ``(F) information, including appropriate training, 
                on eligibility for enrollment and disenrollment in the 
                Survivor Benefit Plan under chapter 73 of this title 
                and other survivor benefits available under the laws 
                administered by the Secretary of Defense or the 
                Secretary of Veterans Affairs.
            ``(4) Information on civilian employment, occupational 
        requirements, and related assistance, including--
                    ``(A) labor market information;
                    ``(B) instruction in resume preparation;
                    ``(C) job analysis techniques, job search 
                techniques, job interview techniques, and salary 
                negotiation techniques;
                    ``(D) certification and licensure requirements that 
                are applicable to civilian occupations, including 
                State-submitted and approved lists of military training 
                and skills that satisfy occupational certifications and 
                licenses;
                    ``(E) civilian occupations that correspond to 
                military occupational specialties;
                    ``(F) information on the requirements under section 
                1143(a) of this title for the Department of Defense and 
                the Department of Homeland Security to provide proper 
                certification or verification of job skills and 
                experience acquired while on active duty that may have 
                application to employment in the civilian sector for 
                use in seeking civilian employment and in obtaining job 
                search skills;
                    ``(G) government and private-sector programs for 
                job search and job placement assistance, including the 
                public and community service jobs program carried out 
                under section 1143a of this title, and information 
                regarding the placement programs established under 
                sections 1152 and 1153 of this title and the Troops-to-
                Teachers Program;
                    ``(H) priority of service for veterans in the 
                receipt of employment, training, and placement services 
                provided under qualified job training programs of the 
                Department of Labor;
                    ``(I) veterans small business ownership and 
                entrepreneurship programs of the Small Business 
                Administration and assistance to members in their 
                efforts to obtain loans and grants from the Small 
                Business Administration and other Federal, State, and 
                local agencies;
                    ``(J) employment and reemployment rights and 
                obligations under chapter 43 of title 38;
                    ``(K) veterans preference in Federal employment and 
                Federal procurement opportunities;
                    ``(L) disability-related employment and education 
                protections; and
                    ``(M) career and employment opportunities available 
                to members with transportation security cards issued 
                under section 70105 of title 46.
            ``(5) Information related to transition and relocation, 
        including--
                    ``(A) information on the geographic areas in which 
                such members will relocate after separation from the 
                armed forces, including, to the degree possible, 
                information about employment opportunities, the labor 
                market, and the cost of living in those areas 
                (including, to the extent practicable, the cost and 
                availability of housing, child care, education, and 
                medical and dental care);
                    ``(B) Federal, State, and local programs, and 
                programs of military and veterans' service 
                organizations, that may be of assistance to such 
                members after separation from the armed forces;
                    ``(C) counseling (for the member and dependents) on 
                the effect of career change on individuals and their 
                families and the availability to the member and 
                dependents of suicide prevention resources following 
                separation from the armed forces;
                    ``(D) the availability of mental health services 
                and the treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder, 
                anxiety disorders, depression, suicidal ideations, or 
                other mental health conditions associated with service 
                in the armed forces and information concerning the 
                availability of treatment options and resources to 
                address substance abuse, including alcohol, 
                prescription drug, and opioid abuse;
                    ``(E) the availability of medical and dental 
                coverage following separation from active duty, 
                including the opportunity to elect into the conversion 
                health policy provided under section 1145 of this 
                title; and
                    ``(F) information on the required deduction, 
                pursuant to subsection (h) of section 1175a of this 
                title, from disability compensation paid by the 
                Secretary of Veterans Affairs of amounts equal to any 
                voluntary separation pay received by the member under 
                such section.
    ``(g) Specific Components of Covered Counseling, Information, and 
Services.--The covered counseling, information, and services furnished 
to a member under the program under this section shall include the 
following:
            ``(1) Preliminary meeting.--Upon the commencement of the 
        furnishing of covered counseling, information, and services, a 
        member shall meet with a counselor assigned to the member for 
        purposes of the program. During the meeting, the following 
        shall occur:
                    ``(A) The counselor shall furnish the member the 
                following:
                            ``(i) A military-civilian equivalency 
                        review designed to determine what licensing, 
                        credentialing, and other requirements for 
                        occupations in the civilian sector align with 
                        or would be satisfied by the military 
                        occupational specialty (MOS) and other military 
                        skills and experience of the member.
                            ``(ii) An individualized, personality-based 
                        skills and career assessment designed to 
                        determine the personal strengths and career 
                        interests of the member.
                            ``(iii) Assistance in developing an 
                        individual transition plan for the member to 
                        attempt to achieve the educational, training, 
                        employment, and financial objectives of the 
                        member and, if the member has a spouse, the 
                        spouse of the member.
                            ``(iv) Information on organizations, 
                        entities, and resources located in the 
                        community in which the member will reside after 
                        separation, retirement, or discharge described 
                        under subsection (f)(5)(B) and section 3(a) of 
                        the Improving Preseparation and Resources for 
                        Occupational, Vocational, and Educational 
                        Transition for Servicemembers Act.
                            ``(v) An introduction to additional matters 
                        to be furnished under subsection (f), and to 
                        such other matters as the administering 
                        Secretaries consider appropriate.
                    ``(B) The member may elect one or both of the 
                following:
                            ``(i) To have the Secretary concerned (in 
                        consultation with the Secretary of Veterans 
                        Affairs and the Secretary of Labor) provide the 
                        contact information of the member to the 
                        organizations, entities, and resources 
                        described in subparagraph (A)(iv).
                            ``(ii) To have the Secretary of Defense and 
                        the Secretary of Veterans Affairs transmit 
                        information on the member from Department of 
                        Defense Form DD-214 to State veterans agencies 
                        for transmittal to community-based 
                        organizations and related entities that provide 
                        or connect veterans to benefits and services in 
                        accordance with section 3 of the Improving 
                        Preseparation and Resources for Occupational, 
                        Vocational, and Educational Transition for 
                        Servicemembers Act.
            ``(2) Preseparation counseling.--A course of instruction, 
        of at least one day, on such topics specified in subsection (f) 
        as the administering Secretaries consider appropriate.
            ``(3) Instruction on specific post-service pathways.--A 
        course of instruction, of not less than two consecutive days, 
        on one of the following matters, as elected by the member:
                    ``(A) Employment.
                    ``(B) Higher education.
                    ``(C) Entrepreneurship.
                    ``(D) Career and technical training.
                    ``(E) Such other matters as the administering 
                Secretaries consider appropriate.
            ``(4) Instruction on professional development and 
        employment assistance.--A course of instruction, of at least 
        one day, on general professional development and employment 
        assistance, including resume writing, interviewing skills, and 
        such other matters as the administering Secretaries consider 
        appropriate.
            ``(5) Instruction on veterans benefits.--A course of 
        instruction, of at least one day, on the benefits and services 
        available under the law administered by the Secretary of 
        Veterans Affairs, including the manner of registration for 
        receipt of such benefits and services and such other matters in 
        connection with such benefits and services as the Secretary of 
        Veterans Affairs considers appropriate.
            ``(6) Order of counseling and instruction.--A member shall 
        receive the counseling and instruction required by paragraphs 
        (2) and (3) before any other instruction required by this 
        subsection. A member may undertake any other instruction 
        required by this subsection at a pace and order satisfactory to 
        the member, subject to the requirement to complete all such 
        instruction by the deadline provided in subsection (d)(2).
            ``(7) Frequency of training.--The Secretary concerned shall 
        ensure, to the extent practicable and subject to urgent mission 
        needs, that members who have commenced receipt of counseling 
        and instruction under the program by the commencement date 
        provided in subsection (d)(1) and seek to receive such 
        counseling or instruction again, or receive additional such 
        counseling or instruction, under this subsection before 
        retirement or separation, are able to do so.
    ``(h) Record of Receipt of Covered Counseling, Information, and 
Services in Service Records.--A notation on the receipt of counseling 
and instruction on each matter specified in subsections (f) and (g) in 
connection with the furnishing of covered counseling, information, and 
services under the program under this section, signed by the member 
concerned, shall be placed in the service record of each member 
receiving such counseling and instruction.
    ``(i) Use of Personnel and Organizations.--In carrying out the 
program under this section, the administering Secretaries may--
            ``(1) provide for the use of disabled veterans outreach 
        program specialists, local veterans' employment 
        representatives, and other employment service personnel funded 
        by the Department of Labor to the extent that the Secretary of 
        Labor determines that such use will not significantly interfere 
        with the provision of services or other benefits to eligible 
        veterans and other eligible recipients of such services or 
        benefits;
            ``(2) use military and civilian personnel of the Department 
        of Defense and the Department of Homeland Security;
            ``(3) use personnel of the Veterans Benefits Administration 
        of the Department of Veterans Affairs and other appropriate 
        personnel of that Department;
            ``(4) use representatives of military and veterans' service 
        organizations;
            ``(5) enter into contracts with public entities; and
            ``(6) enter into contracts with private entities, 
        particularly with qualified private entities that have 
        experience with instructing members of the armed forces 
        eligible for covered counseling, information, and services 
        under the program on--
                    ``(A) private sector culture, resume writing, 
                career networking, and training on job search 
                technologies;
                    ``(B) academic readiness and educational 
                opportunities; and
                    ``(C) such other matters in connection with the 
                program as the administering Secretaries consider 
                appropriate.
    ``(j) Reports and Notice in Connection With Participation of 
Members.--
            ``(1) Information within executive branch.--The Secretary 
        of Defense and the Secretary of Homeland Security shall each 
        ensure that information on participation in the program under 
        this section by members under the jurisdiction of such 
        Secretary (including timeliness of receipt of covered 
        counseling, information, and services, rates of participation 
        on an in-person basis and an online or other electronic basis, 
        and number of waivers (if any) issued pursuant to subsection 
        (e)(2)) is made available by electronic means to the following:
                    ``(A) Commanders at all levels of command at the 
                installations concerned.
                    ``(B) All counselors and managers of counseling 
                under the program.
                    ``(C) The Secretary of Labor, the Secretary of 
                Veterans Affairs, and the heads of any other 
                departments and agencies of the Federal Government 
                involved in the furnishing of counseling and other 
                assistance under the program.
            ``(2) Annual report to congress.--
                    ``(A) In general.--The Secretary of Defense and the 
                Secretary of Homeland Security shall each submit to 
                Congress each year a report on the furnishing of 
                covered counseling, information, and services under the 
                program to members of the armed forces under the 
                jurisdiction of such Secretary during the preceding 
                year. Each report shall include, for the year covered 
                by such report, the following:
                            ``(i) The number of members eligible for 
                        covered counseling, information, and services 
                        under the program.
                            ``(ii) The number of members furnished 
                        covered counseling, information, and services 
                        under the program.
                            ``(iii) An assessment of the extent to 
                        which such counseling, information, and 
                        services were furnished within the times 
                        provided for by paragraphs (1) and (2) of 
                        subsection (d).
                            ``(iv) Rates of participation on an in-
                        person basis and an online or other electronic 
                        basis, and number of waivers (if any) issued 
                        pursuant to subsection (e)(2).
                            ``(v) The number of participants in the 
                        programs under subsection (e) of section 1143 
                        of this title (commonly referred to as `Job 
                        Training, Employment Skills, Apprenticeships 
                        and Internships (JTEST-AI)' or `Skill Bridge').
                            ``(vi) Such other information as is 
                        required to provide Congress with a 
                        comprehensive description of participation of 
                        the members in the program.
                    ``(B) Presentation of information.--Information in 
                each report under subparagraph (A) shall be broken 
                out--
                            ``(i) by armed force, and by component of 
                        the armed forces;
                            ``(ii) by basis of separation from the 
                        armed forces (whether retirement or other 
                        separation and whether voluntary or 
                        involuntary); and
                            ``(iii) by characterization of discharge 
                        from the armed forces.
    ``(k) Transmittal of Medical Information to Department of Veterans 
Affairs.--In the case of a member being medically separated or being 
retired under chapter 61 of this title, the Secretary concerned shall 
ensure (subject to the consent of the member) that a copy of the 
member's service medical record (including any results of a Physical 
Evaluation Board) is transmitted to the Secretary of Veterans Affairs 
within 60 days of the separation or retirement.''.
            (2) Clerical amendments.--The table of sections at the 
        beginning of chapter 58 of such title is amended--
                    (A) by striking the item relating to section 1142 
                and inserting the following new item:

``1142. Transition-related counseling and services: Transition 
                            Assistance Program.'';
                and
                    (B) by striking the item relating to section 1144.
    (b) Deadline for Implementation of Revised Program.--
            (1) In general.--The administering Secretaries shall take 
        appropriate actions to carry out any modifications to the 
        Transition Assistance Program under section 1142 of title 10, 
        United States Code, that are required by reason of the 
        amendments made by subsection (a) by not later than the date 
        that is one year after the date of the enactment of this Act in 
        order to ensure that the furnishing of covered counseling, 
        information, and services to members of the Armed Forces under 
        the Program is fully implemented as of such date.
            (2) Report.--Not later than 120 days after the date of the 
        enactment of this Act, the administering Secretaries shall 
        submit to the appropriate committees of Congress a report on 
        specific actions to be taken to implement any modifications to 
        the Transition Assistance Program under section 1142 of title 
        10, United States Code, that are required by reason of the 
        amendments made by subsection (a).
            (3) Definitions.--In this subsection:
                    (A) The term ``appropriate committees of Congress'' 
                means--
                            (i) the Committee on Armed Services and the 
                        Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the Senate; 
                        and
                            (ii) the Committee on Armed Services and 
                        the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the House 
                        of Representatives.
                    (B) The terms ``administering Secretaries'' and 
                ``covered counseling, information, and services'' have 
                the meanings given such terms for purposes of section 
                1142 of title 10, United States Code, as amended by 
                subsection (a).

SEC. 3. CONNECTIONS OF MEMBERS RETIRING OR SEPARATING FROM THE ARMED 
              FORCES WITH COMMUNITY-BASED ORGANIZATIONS AND RELATED 
              ENTITIES.

    (a) In General.--The Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of 
Veterans Affairs shall jointly seek to enter into memoranda of 
understanding (MOUs) or other agreements with State veterans agencies 
under which information from Department of Defense Form DD-214 on 
individuals undergoing retirement, discharge, or release from the Armed 
Forces is transmitted through one or more State veterans agencies, as 
elected by such individuals, to community-based organizations and 
related entities that provide or connect veterans to benefits or 
services as follows:
            (1) Assistance in preparation of resumes.
            (2) Training for employment interviews.
            (3) Employment recruitment training.
            (4) Other services leading directly to a successful 
        transition from military life to civilian life.
            (5) Healthcare, including care for mental health.
            (6) Transportation or transportation-related services.
            (7) Housing.
            (8) Such other benefits or services as the Secretaries 
        jointly consider appropriate for purposes of this section.
    (b) Information Transmitted.--The information transmitted on 
individuals as described in subsection (a) shall be such information on 
Form DD-214 as the Secretaries jointly consider appropriate to 
facilitate community-based organizations and related entities in 
providing or connecting such individuals to benefits and services as 
described in subsection (a).
    (c) Voluntary Participation.--Information on an individual may be 
transmitted to and through a State veterans agency as described in 
subsection (a) only with the consent of the individual. In giving such 
consent, an individual shall specify the following:
            (1) The State veterans agency or agencies elected by the 
        individual to transmit such information as described in 
        subsection (a).
            (2) The benefits and services for which contact information 
        shall be so transmitted.
            (3) Such other information on the individual as the 
        individual considers appropriate in connection with the 
        transmittal.
    (d) Database on Organizations and Entities.--
            (1) In general.--The Secretary of Defense shall, in 
        coordination with the Secretary of Veteran Affairs and State 
        veterans agencies, maintain a database of community-based 
        organizations and related entities described in subsection (a) 
        that have been selected by State veterans agencies as potential 
        recipients of information transmitted as described in that 
        subsection.
            (2) Access.--Access to the database shall be provided to 
        the following:
                    (A) Members of the Armed Forces who are retiring or 
                separating from the Armed Forces.
                    (B) Veterans.
    (e) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that State 
veterans agencies, in carrying out a memorandum of understanding or 
other agreement entered into as described in subsection (a), should--
            (1) have authority to identify and screen community based 
        organizations and related entities described in subsection (a) 
        who should be recipients of information transmitted as 
        described in that subsection by reason of being best capable of 
        both serving veterans and protecting the privacy of information 
        transmitted to them pursuant to that subsection; and
            (2) connect individuals described in that subsection to 
        community-based organizations and related entities identified 
        and screened as described in paragraph (1).

SEC. 4. PERSONNEL MATTERS IN CONNECTION WITH TRANSITION ASSISTANCE 
              PROGRAM.

    (a) Minimum Number of Dedicated Personnel.--
            (1) In general.--The Secretary of Defense shall take 
        appropriate actions to ensure that the minimum number of full-
        time equivalent personnel of the Department of Defense 
        dedicated to counseling and other activities under the 
        Transition Assistance Program at each military installation 
        each year is not less than one for every 250 members of the 
        Armed Forces generally projected to be eligible for 
        participation in the Transition Assistance Program at such 
        military installation in such year. The Secretary may not 
        satisfy the requirement in this paragraph through the use of 
        contractor personnel.
            (2) Applicability.--The Secretary shall comply with the 
        requirement in paragraph (1) commencing not later than one year 
        after the date of the enactment of this Act.
    (b) Minimum Civilian Workplace Requirement.--
            (1) In general.--For purposes of providing counselling 
        under and otherwise administering the Transition Assistance 
        Program, the Secretary of Defense shall take appropriate 
        actions to ensure that, to the maximum extent practicable, each 
        individual employed by the Department of Defense to provide 
        counseling under the Transition Assistance Program has both 
        prior military experience and not less than two years of 
        experience in civilian employment at the time of employment by 
        the Department for such purposes.
            (2) Sense of congress.--It is the sense of Congress that, 
        in employing individuals to provide counseling under the 
        Transition Assistance Program, the Secretary should consider 
        affording a preference to individuals with longevity of 
        experience in civilian employment at the time of employment by 
        the Department for that purpose.
            (3) Applicability.--The Secretary shall comply with the 
        requirement in paragraph (1) commencing not later than 90 days 
        after the date of the enactment of this Act.
    (c) Report on Implementation.--Not later than one year after the 
date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense shall 
submit to Congress a report on the actions taken to implement this 
section, including--
            (1) the actions taken to implement subsection (b);
            (2) the number of individuals employed by the Department 
        under subsection (b);
            (3) the percentage of individuals employed in connection 
        with the Transition Assistance Program who meet the requirement 
        in subsection (b)(1); and
            (4) such other information as the Secretary considers 
        appropriate.
    (d) Transition Assistance Program Defined.--In this section, the 
term ``Transition Assistance Program'' means the program of counseling, 
information, and services under section 1142 of title 10, United States 
Code (as amended by section 2 of this Act).

SEC. 5. SYSTEMS FOR TRACKING PARTICIPATION IN TRANSITION ASSISTANCE 
              PROGRAM AND RELATED PROGRAMS.

    (a) Systems for Tracking Participation.--
            (1) In general.--Commencing not later than one year after 
        the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense 
        and the Secretary of Homeland Security shall each establish and 
        maintain an electronic tracking system and database in order to 
        collect, assemble, and make available as described in paragraph 
        (2) information on the participation and progress of members of 
        the Armed Forces under the jurisdiction of such Secretary in 
        the Transition Assistance Program at the individual, 
        installation, and total forces levels, including information on 
        the following:
                    (A) Compliance with the commencement and completion 
                timeframes of the Transition Assistance Program 
                required by subsection (d) of section 1142 of title 10, 
                United States Code (as amended by section 2 of this 
                Act).
                    (B) Participation and completion by members of the 
                specific elements of the Transition Assistance Program 
                described in subsection (g) of such section 1142.
                    (C) Notes made by counselors in connection with the 
                provision of casework and other services under the 
                Transition Assistance Program.
                    (D) Such other matters in connection with 
                participation and progress of members in the Transition 
                Assistance Program as such Secretary considers 
                appropriate.
            (2) Availability of information.--Information in the 
        tracking systems and databases required by paragraph (1), other 
        than information described in paragraph (1)(C), shall be 
        available as follows:
                    (A) To members of the Armed Forces undergoing the 
                transition from military life to civilian life, for the 
                personal information of members.
                    (B) To commanders of members of the Armed Forces at 
                all levels of command for members under their command.
                    (C) To all counselors and managers of counseling 
                under the Transition Assistance Program for members 
                they serve.
                    (D) To the Secretary of Labor, the Secretary of 
                Veterans Affairs, and the heads of any other 
                departments and agencies of the Federal Government 
                involved in the furnishing of counseling and services 
                under the Transition Assistance Program.
    (b) Digital Portal.--
            (1) In general.--Commencing not later than two years after 
        the date of the enactment of this Act, each Secretary concerned 
        shall establish and maintain an interactive, Internet-based 
        platform for members of the Armed Forces under the jurisdiction 
        of such Secretary to act as a portal for members undergoing 
        counseling under the Transition Assistance Program in order to 
        permit such members to do the following:
                    (A) View information on and track progress of the 
                member concerned in the required instruction and 
                counseling of the Transition Assistance Program.
                    (B) View the individual assessment of the member 
                concerned taken pursuant to subsection (g)(1)(A)(ii) of 
                section 1142 of title 10, United States Code (as 
                amended by section 2 of this Act).
                    (C) View and make changes to the transition plan of 
                the member concerned as described in subsection 
                (g)(1)(A)(iii) of such section 1142.
                    (D) Access information on the programs and 
                resources available to members of the Armed Forces and 
                their spouses at the military installation concerned in 
                connection with the Transition Assistance Program.
                    (E) Access information and resources related to the 
                topics under subsection (f) of such section 1142.
                    (F) Access the online version of the curriculum of 
                instruction under the Transition Assistance Program.
                    (G) Access and download a digital copy of the Joint 
                Service Transcript of the member concerned.
                    (H) Schedule, view, or change appointments with 
                counselors in connection with the Transition Assistance 
                Program.
                    (I) Access the database maintained pursuant under 
                section 3(d).
                    (J) Take the surveys conducted pursuant to section 
                6(b).
                    (K) Access such other digital information and 
                resources in connection with the Transition Assistance 
                Program as the Secretaries concerned and the 
                administering Secretaries jointly consider appropriate.
            (2) Protection of privacy.--In carrying out this 
        subsection, the Secretaries concerned shall take all necessary 
        and appropriate actions to protect the personal privacy of 
        individual members of the Armed Forces as required by law.
    (c) Definitions.--In this section:
            (1) The term ``Transition Assistance Program'' means the 
        program of counseling, information, and services under section 
        1142 of title 10, United States Code (as amended by section 2 
        of this Act).
            (2) The term ``Secretary concerned'' has the meaning given 
        that term in section 101(a)(9) of title 10, United States Code.
            (3) The term ``administering Secretaries'' has the meaning 
        given that term for purposes of section 1142 of title 10, 
        United States Code (as so amended).

SEC. 6. INFORMATION ON MEMBERS OF THE ARMED FORCES PARTICIPATING IN 
              PRESEPARATION COUNSELING AND SURVEYS ON MEMBER 
              EXPERIENCES WITH TRANSITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM COUNSELING 
              AND SERVICES AND IN TRANSITION TO CIVILIAN LIFE.

    (a) Information on Members Undergoing Preseparation Counseling.--
            (1) In general.--At the commencement of the furnishing of 
        preseparation counseling to a member of the Armed Forces under 
        the jurisdiction of such Secretary pursuant to section 1142 of 
        title 10, United States Code (as amended by section 2 of this 
        Act), and in connection with the creation of a transition plan 
        for the member as described in subsection (g)(1)(A)(iii) of 
        such section 1142, the Secretary concerned shall obtain the 
        following information on the member:
                    (A) Age.
                    (B) Sex.
                    (C) Grade.
                    (D) Duration of service in the Armed Forces.
                    (E) Whether service in a regular or reserve 
                component of the Armed Forces.
                    (F) Military occupational specialty.
                    (G) Whether retiring or otherwise separating from 
                the Armed Forces.
                    (H) Anticipated characterization of discharge or 
                release.
                    (I) Scope and degree of any disability, if known, 
                incurred in or aggravated by military service.
                    (J) Location of separation, if known.
                    (K) Intended residence and occupational plans, if 
                known, following separation.
                    (L) Intent, if known, to use educational assistance 
                available under the laws administered by the Secretary 
                of Veterans Affairs.
            (2) Availability of information.--Each Secretary concerned 
        shall ensure that information obtained pursuant to paragraph 
        (1) is made available online to the individuals specified in 
        section 5(a)(2) through the electronic tracking system and 
        database required by section 5(a) and to individual members 
        through the digital portal required by section 5(b).
            (3) Commencement.--Each Secretary concerned shall commence 
        the obtaining of information pursuant to paragraph (1) by not 
        later than one year after the date of the enactment of this 
        Act.
    (b) Surveys on Member Experiences With Transition Assistance 
Program Counseling, Information, and Services.--
            (1) In general.--Each Secretary concerned shall conduct 
        surveys of members of the Armed Forces under the jurisdiction 
        of such Secretary at the conclusion of the receipt by such 
        members of counseling, information, and services under the 
        Transition Assistance Program in order to assess the 
        experiences of such members, and their spouses (if applicable), 
        in the receipt of such counseling, information, and services.
            (2) Elements.--The surveys under paragraph (1) shall be 
        designed to obtain information on the Transition Assistance 
        Program as follows:
                    (A) Member assessments of the quality of 
                instruction.
                    (B) Member satisfaction with the scope and quality 
                of courses and services, including courses under 
                paragraphs (2), (3), and (4) of subsection (g) of such 
                section 1142.
                    (C) Member assessments of the adequacy of courses 
                and services to meet member transition needs.
                    (D) Obstacles or barriers confronted by members in 
                accessing counseling and services.
                    (E) Whether members participated in the curriculum 
                of the Transition Assistance Program on an in-person 
                basis or an online, other electronic, or other basis.
                    (F) Such other matters as the administering 
                Secretaries shall specify for purposes of this 
                subsection.
            (3) Commencement.--Each Secretary concerned shall commence 
        the conduct of surveys pursuant to paragraph (1) by not later 
        than 120 days after the date of the enactment of this Act.
    (c) Surveys on Member Experiences in Transition to Civilian Life.--
            (1) In general.--Not later than one year after the date of 
        the enactment of this Act, and every two years thereafter, the 
        Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall, in consultation with the 
        Secretary of Defense, the Secretary of Homeland Security, the 
        Secretary of Education, and the Secretary of Labor, conduct a 
        survey of veterans who have been retired, discharged, or 
        released from the Armed Forces for at least one year, and not 
        longer than four years, at the time of such survey in order to 
        assess the experiences of such veterans in the transition from 
        military life to civilian life.
            (2) Manner of conduct.--The Secretary of Veterans Affairs 
        may conduct surveys under paragraph (1) through a contract with 
        a qualified nongovernmental organization selected by the 
        Secretary for purposes of this subsection.
            (3) Elements.--The surveys under paragraph (1) shall be 
        designed to obtain the information on the following:
                    (A) Current employment status, and employment 
                history since retirement or separation.
                    (B) Receipt, whether currently or in the past, of 
                unemployment benefits.
                    (C) Educational attainment after military service.
                    (D) Participation of or membership in a veterans' 
                service organization or other support or other group 
                oriented towards veterans.
                    (E) Satisfaction with transition, including 
                satisfaction with counseling and assistance received in 
                connection with transition (whether pursuant to the 
                Transition Assistance Program or a program under any 
                other provision of law).
                    (F) Whether veterans participated in the curriculum 
                of the Transition Assistance Program on an in-person 
                basis or an online, other electronic, or other basis.
                    (G) Challenges faced during transition.
                    (H) If married at the time of transition--
                            (i) participation of spouse in the 
                        counseling and assistance described in 
                        subparagraph (E); and
                            (ii) satisfaction of spouse with the 
                        counseling and assistance described in 
                        subparagraph (E), if any, participated in by 
                        the spouse.
                    (I) Whether veterans felt sufficiently prepared for 
                a career, education, or other advancement after 
                military service as a result of participation in the 
                Transition Assistance Program.
                    (J) Recommendations for improvements to the 
                counseling and assistance furnished in connection with 
                transition, or for other mechanisms to ease and 
                facilitate transition.
                    (K) Such other matters as the Secretary of Veterans 
                Affairs, in consultation with the other Secretaries 
                referred to in paragraph (1), considers appropriate.
            (4) Frequency.--A consenting veteran shall be surveyed 
        under paragraph (1) once during the three-year period beginning 
        one year after the date of the separation of the veteran from 
        the Armed Forces, and may be surveyed twice during such period.
            (5) Results.--The results of any survey under this 
        subsection shall be broken out by number of years post-
        separation of the veterans covered by such survey.
    (d) Protection of Privacy.--In carrying out this section, the 
administering Secretaries, the Secretary of Education, and the 
Secretaries concerned shall take all necessary and appropriate actions 
to protect the personal privacy of individual members of the Armed 
Forces and veterans as required by law.
    (e) Definitions.--In this section:
            (1) The term ``Transition Assistance Program'' means the 
        program of counseling, information, and services under section 
        1142 of title 10, United States Code (as amended by section 2 
        of this Act).
            (2) The term ``Secretary concerned'' has the meaning given 
        that term in section 101(a)(9) of title 10, United States Code.
            (3) The term ``administering Secretaries'' has the meaning 
        given that term for purposes of section 1142 of title 10, 
        United States Code (as so amended).

SEC. 7. COMMAND MATTERS IN CONNECTION WITH TRANSITION ASSISTANCE 
              PROGRAMS.

    (a) Inclusion of Support for Participation in Programs in Command 
Climate Assessments.--Each command climate assessment for the commander 
of a military installation shall include an assessment of the extent to 
which the commander and other command personnel at the installation 
encourage and support the participation in covered transition 
assistance programs of members of the Armed Forces at the installation 
who are eligible for participation in such programs.
    (b) Training on Programs.--The training provided a commander of a 
military installation in connection with the commencement of assignment 
to the installation shall include a module on the covered transition 
assistance programs available for members of the Armed Forces assigned 
to the installation.
    (c) Covered Transition Assistance Programs Defined.--In this 
section, the term ``covered transition assistance programs'' means the 
following:
            (1) The program of counseling, information, and services 
        under section 1142 of title 10, United States Code, as amended 
        by section 2 of this Act (commonly referred to as the 
        ``Transition Assistance Program'').
            (2) The programs under section 1143(e) of title 10, United 
        States Code (commonly referred to as ``Job Training, Employment 
        Skills, Apprenticeships and Internships (JTEST-AI)'' or ``Skill 
        Bridge'').
            (3) Any other program of apprenticeship, on-the-job 
        training, internship, or transition assistance specified by the 
        Secretary of Defense for purposes of this section.

SEC. 8. COMPTROLLER GENERAL OF THE UNITED STATES REPORT ON 
              PARTICIPATION IN TRANSITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS AT SMALL 
              AND REMOTE MILITARY INSTALLATIONS.

    (a) Report Required.--Not later than 18 months after the date of 
the enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General of the United States 
shall submit to the appropriate committees of Congress a report on a 
review, conducted by the Comptroller General for purposes of the 
report, on the participation in covered transition assistance programs 
of members of the Armed Forces assigned to small military installations 
and remote military installations in the United States.
    (b) Covered Transition Assistance Programs.--For purposes of this 
section, covered transition assistance programs are the following:
            (1) The Transition Assistance Program.
            (2) The programs under section 1143(e) of title 10, United 
        States Code (commonly referred to as ``Job Training, Employment 
        Skills, Apprenticeships and Internships (JTEST-AI)'' or ``Skill 
        Bridge'').
            (3) Any other program of apprenticeship, on-the-job 
        training, or internship offered at a small military 
        installation or remote installation that the Comptroller 
        General considers appropriate for inclusion in the review under 
        this section.
    (c) Small Military Installations; Remote Military Installations.--
For purposes of this section:
            (1) A small military installation is an installation at 
        which are assigned not more than 10,000 members of the Armed 
        Forces.
            (2) A remote military installation is an installation that 
        is located more than 50 miles from any city with a population 
        of 50,000 people or more (as determined by the Office of 
        Management and Budget).
    (d) Scope of Review.--In conducting the review, the Comptroller 
General shall evaluate participation in covered transition assistance 
programs at a number of small military installations and remote 
military installations that is sufficient to provide a complete 
understanding of the participation in such programs of members of the 
Armed Forces at such installations throughout the United States.
    (e) Elements.--The review under this section shall include the 
following:
            (1) Rates of participation of members of the Armed Forces 
        in covered transition assistance programs at small military 
        installations and remote military installations in the United 
        States.
            (2) In the case of the Transition Assistance Program, the 
        following:
                    (A) Compliance with the deadlines for participation 
                provided for in subsection (d) of section 1142 of title 
                10, United States Code (as amended by section 2 of this 
                Act).
                    (B) A comparison between rates of participation in 
                person and rates of participation on line.
                    (C) The average ratio of permanent, full-time 
                equivalent program staff to participating members at 
                small military installations and at remote military 
                installations.
                    (D) The average number of program staff (including 
                full-time equivalent staff and contractor staff) 
                physically and permanently located on installation at 
                small military installations and at remote military 
                installations.
            (3) Such other matters with respect to participation in 
        covered transition assistance programs of members assigned to 
        small military installations and remote military installations 
        as the Comptroller General considers appropriate.
    (f) Definitions.--In this section:
            (1) The term ``appropriate committees of Congress'' means--
                    (A) the Committee on Armed Services and the 
                Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the Senate; and
                    (B) the Committee on Armed Services and the 
                Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the House of 
                Representatives.
            (2) The term ``Transition Assistance Program'' means the 
        program of counseling, information, and services under section 
        1142 of title 10, United States Code (as amended by section 2 
        of this Act).

SEC. 9. EDUCATION OF MEMBERS OF THE ARMED FORCES ON CAREER READINESS 
              AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT.

    (a) Programs of Education Required.--
            (1) In general.--Chapter 101 of title 10, United States 
        Code, is amended by inserting after section 2015 the following 
        new section:
``Sec. 2015a. Education of members on career readiness and professional 
              development
    ``(a) Program of Education Required.--The Secretary of Defense 
shall carry out a program to provide education on career readiness and 
professional development to members of the armed forces.
    ``(b) Elements.--The program under this section shall provide 
members with the following:
            ``(1) Information on the transition plan as described in 
        section 1142(g)(1)(A)(iii) of this title.
            ``(2) Information on opportunities available to members 
        during military service for professional development and 
        preparation for a career after military service, including--
                    ``(A) programs of education, certification, 
                training, and employment assistance (including programs 
                under sections 1143(e), 2007, and 2015 of this title); 
                and
                    ``(B) programs and resources available to members 
                in communities in the vicinity of military 
                installations.
            ``(3) Instruction on the use of online and other electronic 
        mechanisms in order to access the education, training, and 
        assistance and resources described in paragraph (2).
            ``(4) Such other information, instruction, and matters as 
        the Secretary shall specify for purposes of this section.
    ``(c) Timing of Provision of Information.--Subject to subsection 
(d), information, instruction, and other matters under the program 
under this section shall be provided to members at the times as 
follows:
            ``(1) Upon arrival at first duty station.
            ``(2) Upon arrival at any subsequent duty station.
            ``(3) Upon deployment.
            ``(4) Upon promotion.
            ``(5) Upon reenlistment.
            ``(6) At any other point in a military career specified by 
        the Secretary for purposes of this section.
    ``(d) Single Provision of Information in a Year With Multiple 
Events.--A member who has received information and instruction under 
the program under this section in connection with an event specified in 
subsection (c) in a year may elect not to undergo additional receipt of 
information and instruction under the program in connection with 
another such event in the year, unless such other event is arrival at a 
new duty station.''.
            (2) Clerical amendment.--The table of sections at the 
        beginning of chapter 101 of such title is amended by inserting 
        after the item relating to section 2015 the following new item:

``2015a. Education of members on career readiness and professional 
                            development.''.
    (b) Report on Implementation.--
            (1) In general.--Not later than one year after the date of 
        the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense shall 
        submit to the appropriate committees of Congress a report on 
        the program of education required by section 2015a of title 10, 
        United States Code (as added by subsection (a)), including the 
        following:
                    (A) A comprehensive description of the actions 
                taken to implement the program of education.
                    (B) A comprehensive description of the program of 
                education.
            (2) Appropriate committees of congress defined.--In this 
        subsection, the term ``appropriate committees of Congress'' 
        means--
                    (A) the Committee on Armed Services and the 
                Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the Senate; and
                    (B) the Committee on Armed Services and the 
                Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the House of 
                Representatives.

SEC. 10. SENSE OF CONGRESS ON TRANSITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM AND OTHER 
              TRANSITION-RELATED ASSISTANCE FOR MEMBERS OF THE ARMED 
              FORCES.

    It is the sense of Congress--
            (1) to acknowledge that the Armed Forces face significant 
        and often competing pressures in carrying out its essential and 
        fundamental mission to defend the nation;
            (2) that ensuring the effective transition of members of 
        the Armed Forces from military life to civilian life represents 
        an essential component of this mission, contributing directly 
        to the long-term success of the United States military and its 
        missions through its effects on--
                    (A) the long-term success and well-being of current 
                and former members of the Armed Forces and their 
                families;
                    (B) the perception of the Armed Forces by the 
                American public; and
                    (C) the civilian-military partnership integral to 
                the United States military;
            (3) that the program of counseling, information, and 
        services under section 1142 of title 10, United States Code (as 
        amended by section 2 of this Act), while effective in the 
        worthy goal of reducing the need for unemployment assistance 
        among former members of the Armed Forces, should be designed 
        and carried out for the holistic benefit, in both good and bad 
        economic climates, of members of the Armed Forces participating 
        in the program, and not simply as a metric or tool for 
        employment;
            (4) to support and commend efforts by the Department of 
        Defense, the Department of Labor, and other agencies of the 
        Federal Government in coordinating Federal and State efforts to 
        assist members of the Armed Forces in identifying civilian 
        equivalences for military occupational skills, but also to urge 
        the Department of Defense to ensure that the Transition 
        Assistance Program also provides members the tools and 
        assistance for reinventing themselves during the transition 
        from military life to civilian life, even when their new 
        personal and professional goals do not align with their 
        military occupations;
            (5) to commend and further encourage efforts to incorporate 
        metrics for compliance with Transition Assistance Program 
        requirements into leadership assessments and criteria for 
        promotion of commanding officers in the Armed Forces;
            (6) to encourage the Secretary of Defense to assign 
        accountability and responsibility for compliance with 
        Transition Assistance Program requirements to the lowest level 
        of command appropriate and to establish uniform, Armed Forces-
        wide policy on the individuals at unit level who are 
        responsible for monitoring compliance of members of the Armed 
        Forces with such requirements;
            (7) that the Secretary of Defense should seek to enhance 
        collaboration and access to transition-related services by 
        members of the Armed Forces by seeking to co-locate Federal, 
        State, and local officials and contractors who administer the 
        Transition Assistance Program and State and local officials and 
        partner, nongovernmental entities associated with the 
        Transition Assistance Program or who offer transition-related 
        services in the same or proximate physical locations, when 
        possible;
            (8) that the Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of 
        Labor should seek to minimize subjectivity in career readiness 
        metrics under the Transition Assistance Program in accordance 
        with recommendations of the Comptroller General of the United 
        States; and
            (9) to encourage the Department of Defense, the Department 
        of Labor, the Department of Veterans Affairs and appropriate 
        State agencies to work together, and with veterans service 
        organizations, to establish in States or locales, as 
        appropriate, local points of contact responsible for--
                    (A) at the election of members of the Armed Forces 
                relocating to such State or locale after military 
                service, contacting the members before separation from 
                the Armed Forces;
                    (B) providing members of the Armed Force with 
                employment, education, and other appropriate 
                information about the State or locale to assist in 
                relocation; and
                    (C) coordinating services for members of the Armed 
                Forces and the spouses who relocate to the State or 
                locale after military service.
                                 <all>