Authorizes for FY2025 and sets policies for Department of Defense (DOD) programs and activities, military construction, the national…

Funds are hereby authorized to be appropriated for fiscal year 2025 for procurement for the Army, the Navy and the Marine Corps, the Air Force and the Space Force, and Defense-wide activities, as specified in the funding table in section 4101.

The Secretary of the Army shall carry out a pilot program under which the Secretary incorporates the use of moving robotic target systems into live fire training provided to select infantry units of the reserve and National Guard components of the Army.

The pilot program under subsection (a) shall be known as the Lethality and Warfighting Enhancement Program.

The Secretary of the Army shall select not fewer than three military installations at which to conduct the pilot program under subsection (a).

The objectives of the pilot program under subsection (a) shall be—

(1) to increase the lethality of the combined fighting force of the Army by providing reserve component and National Guard infantry units with the opportunity to conduct realistic live fire training on state-of-the-art moving robotic target systems; and

(2) to demonstrate the effect of such training on small arms proficiency and lethality in ground combat operations.

The Secretary of the Army shall select infantry units of the reserve components of the Army to participate in the pilot program under subsection (a) taking into consideration—

(1) the past performance of the unit;

(2) the readiness status of the unit, with an emphasis on providing training to those units designated as preparing to deploy or at a similarly designated readiness status; and

(3) the likelihood that a unit would be actively deployed or commanded to conduct decisive action.

The Secretary of the Army shall commence the pilot program under subsection (a) not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act.

The pilot program under subsection (a) shall terminate five years after the date of the enactment of this Act.

Not later than 90 days after concluding activities under the pilot program at a military installation selected under subsection (c), the Secretary of the Army shall provide to the Committees on Armed Services of the Senate and the House of Representatives a briefing that includes a description of—

(1) the manner in which the program was conducted at such installation; and

(2) any results achieved under the program at such installation.

The Secretary of the Army is authorized to enter into one or more contracts for the procurement of moving robotic target systems for use in the pilot program under subsection (a).

Robotic target systems procured under paragraph (1) shall be capable of—

(A) conducting multiple realistic offensive and defensive scenarios in a single training session that are consistent with combat operations;

(B) operating in an unpredictable, realistic, and reactionary fashion;

(C) objectively scoring trainee performance;

(D) maneuvering across diverse geographic landscapes, including snow, ice, soft soils, extreme heat, extreme cold, wooded terrain and offroad areas;

(E) operating at distances greater than 100 yards from the range operator;

(F) surviving live fire from 6.8 mm rounds and the Next Generation Squad Weapon of the Army; and

(G) fully functioning in all reasonably expected weather conditions.

The Secretary of the Army may not procure, from a covered source, an end item containing energetic materials that are in production at a Federal Government-owned production facility until the date on which the Secretary submits to the congressional defense committees—

(1) a certification from the Secretary indicating that Federal Government-owned production facilities for such materials in the United States have reached production capacity;

(2) a summary of the information on which such certification is based.

The Secretary of the Army may waive the limitation under subsection (a) with respect to an end item for a period of up to one fiscal year if the Secretary determines that the waiver is necessary for reasons of national security. Whenever the Secretary makes such a waiver, the Secretary shall notify the congressional defense committees of the waiver and the reasons for the waiver.

In this section:

(1) The term covered source means any provider of energetic materials outside of the United States.

(2) The term end item has the meaning given that term in section 4863(m) of title 10, United States Code.

(3) The term energetic materials means critical chemicals and formulations that—

(A) release large amounts of stored chemical energy; and

(B) are capable of being used as explosives, propellants, pyrotechnics, and reactive materials that create lethal effects in warheads in kinetic weapons components and systems.

Not later than 30 days after the date on which the budget of the President for fiscal year 2026 is submitted to Congress pursuant to section 1105 of title 31, United States Code, the Secretary of the Army shall submit to the congressional defense committees a report on Modernization of the Black Hawk helicopter program of the Army.

The report required under subsection (a) shall include the following:

(1) Identification of the program elements and level of funding requested for the Black Hawk Modernization program for the period of fiscal years 2026 through 2030 set forth separately by fiscal year and appropriations account.

(2) Requirements for the program that are sufficient to ensure the Black Hawk helicopters of the Army are systematically modernized to address obsolescence, improve performance, and provide capabilities that ensure relevance in the joint all domain operational environment.

(3) A program acquisition strategy for Black Hawk Modernization.

Not later than 30 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of the Army shall submit to the congressional defense committees a plan for providing the aircraft described in subsection (b) to relevant aviation units of the Army National Guard in a manner that is concurrent with and in proportion to the manner in which such aircraft are provided to active duty Army aviation units.

The aircraft described in this subsection are the following:

(1) AH–64E aircraft.

(2) MQ–1C M25 aircraft.

(3) CH–47 aircraft.

(4) UH–60M aircraft.

(5) Future Long-Range Assault Aircraft.

Congress finds the following:

(1) House Report 118–301 accompanying the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2024 (Public Law 118–31) directed the Secretary of the Army, in coordination with the Commanding General, Army Materiel Command and the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Acquisition, Logistics, and Technology to provide a briefing on the costs and estimated funding profile as it relates to the organic industrial base modernization strategy, and facility efforts required to support opportunities for organic industrial base augmentation at Blue Grass Army Depot in Kentucky.

(2) The briefing was directed to explore Blue Grass Army Depot as a potential site for the production of metal shipping containers.

(3) Limited domestic production, coupled with the concentration of global shipping container manufacturing in and around China, is a strategic deployment and sustainment risk for United States forces.

(4) China produces most shipping containers and the Department of Defense sources nearly all containers from Asia or assembles container kits in the United States from foreign-producers.

(5) Establishing a domestic source for metal shipping containers would reduce reliance on foreign sources.

Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense, in coordination with the Secretary of the Army, the Commanding General of the Army Materiel Command, and the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Acquisition, Logistics, and Technology, shall develop a requirement for the establishment of a shipping container production facility within the United States at an Army installation found to meet feasibility and readiness goals.

Section 126(c) of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2017 (Public Law 114–328; 130 Stat. 2035) is amended—

(1) in the subsection heading, by striking and CVN–81; and inserting CVN–81, and subsequent carriers;

(2) in paragraph (1) by striking and the CVN–81 and inserting the CVN–81, and each subsequent Ford-class aircraft carrier;

(3) in paragraph (2)—

(A) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by striking and the CVN–81 and inserting the CVN–81, and each subsequent Ford-class aircraft carrier; and

(B) by adding at the end the following new subparagraphs:

(H) A comparison of the ship cost baseline to the most recent budget estimate available as of the date of the report, set forth separately for costs related to—

(i) development;

(ii) procurement; and

(iii) operations and sustainment.

(I) For each contract that requires the production of a contract performance report, estimates from the contractor and program manager of—

(i) the total cost of the ship at completion, taking into account any changes in costs known or anticipated as of the date of the report; and

(ii) the schedule for completion of the ship, taking into account any variances to such schedule known or anticipated as of the date of the report.

(B) ; and

(4) by adding at the end the following new paragraph:

The requirement to submit a report with respect to a Ford-class aircraft carrier under paragraph (1) shall—

(A) begin in the year following the first fiscal year for which funds are appropriated for the procurement of the carrier; and

(B) end on the date the carrier reaches its obligation work limiting date.

Section 129(c) of the James M. Inhofe National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2023 (Public Law 117–263) is amended by inserting across programs after advance procurement.

Subject to section 3501 of title 10, United States Code, the Secretary of the Navy may enter into one or more multiyear contracts, beginning with the fiscal year 2025 program year, for the procurement of the following:

(1) CH–53K aircraft.

(2) T408 engines for such aircraft.

A contract entered into under subsection (a) shall provide that any obligation of the United States to make a payment under the contract for a fiscal year after fiscal year 2025 is subject to the availability of appropriations or funds for that purpose for such later fiscal year.

The Secretary of the Navy may enter into one or more contracts, beginning in fiscal year 2025, for advance procurement associated with the aircraft and engines for which authorization to enter into a multiyear procurement contract is provided under subsection (a), which may include procurement of economic order quantities of material and equipment for such aircraft or engines when cost savings are achievable.

The Secretary of the Navy shall ensure that all covered F–18 aircraft are—

(1) provided only to the Navy Reserve; and

(2) used only to recapitalize and maintain, within the Navy Reserve—

(A) a deployable tactical strike-fighter capability; and

(B) a threat representative adversary support capability that may be used in support of training activities of the Department of Defense.

In this section, the term covered F–18 aircraft means any F/A–18E/F Super Hornet aircraft procured using funds appropriated for the Navy for fiscal year 2022 or fiscal year 2023.

Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of the Navy shall designate an appropriate official within the Department of the Navy to have primary responsibility for the development and acquisition of dual-modality, advanced autonomous vehicles, consistent with warfighter requirements.

The Secretary of the Navy shall ensure, within budget program elements for the Navy, that there is a dedicated program element for the development and acquisition of dual-modality, advanced autonomous vehicles.

None of the funds authorized to be appropriated by this Act or otherwise made available for fiscal year 2025 for the Navy may be obligated or expended to procure a Medium Landing Ship until the date on which the Secretary of the Navy submits to the congressional defense committees—

(1) a certification from the Secretary confirming that not more than 35 percent of the design requirements for the Medium Landing Ship are based on military specifications (as determined based on the capabilities development document for the ship); and

(2) a report that includes a comparison of the difference in construction costs and delivery timelines, on a per vessel basis, between—

(A) constructing the Medium Landing Ship using military specifications; and

(B) constructing such ship using commercial standards and commercial design elements.

The Secretary of the Navy may not carry out covered upgrades to AH–1Z Viper and UH–1Y Venom helicopters at a location other than a facility owned by the original equipment manufacturer for such helicopters until the date on which the Secretary certifies to the Committees on Armed Services of the Senate and the House of Representatives that the plan for carrying out covered upgrades at location other than a facility owned by the original equipment manufacturer is expected—

(1) to result in greater performance, survivability, lethality, interoperability, mission execution, and overall safety of the helicopter platform than would otherwise be achievable by completing such upgrades at a facility owned by the original equipment manufacturer for the model of helicopter involved;

(2) to provide improved onboard electrical power capacity and ensure adequate power margin for integrating future capabilities;

(3) to improve and expand future weapons interfaces; and

(4) to allow for improved ease of maintenance.

In this section, the term covered upgrades means any structural improvements or electrical power upgrades for AH–1Z viper or UH–1Y venom helicopters.

Congress finds the following:

(1) The aircraft carriers of the Navy are a cornerstone of the Nation’s ability to project its power and strength.

(2) Construction of Gerald R. Ford-class aircraft carriers represents a national effort which requires predictable and stable build schedules and alignment of purpose between the Department of Defense, the Department of the Navy, and the aircraft carrier industrial base.

(3) The aircraft carrier industrial base includes more than 2,000 companies in 44 states that contribute to the construction and maintenance of these complex and technologically advanced ships.

(4) The benefits of stable, executable aircraft carrier procurement plans extend throughout the aircraft carrier industrial base, promoting the development and retention of highly-skilled workforces and capital investments in world-class manufacturing and shipbuilding facilities throughout the Nation.

(5) Aircraft carrier procurement plans accompanying the President’s budget request for fiscal years 2023 and 2024 forecast procurement of CVN–82 in fiscal year 2028, however, the fiscal year 2025 plan defers procurement until fiscal year 2030, creating a significant and destabilizing production gap for the aircraft carrier industrial base.

It is the sense of Congress that—

(1) the Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of the Navy should implement aircraft carrier acquisition strategies that maximize benefits to operational commanders while simultaneously protecting the interests of the taxpayer and supporting the national nuclear shipbuilding industrial base;

(2) the Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of the Navy should review and revise the acquisition strategy, including a two-ship buy of CVN–82 and CVN–83, for Ford-class aircraft carriers in the President’s budget request for fiscal year 2026 to ensure it is consistent with accepted shipbuilding industrial base analyses, prior Department recommendations, reports to Congress, congressional resolutions, section 8062 of title 10, United States Code, and national security interests; and

(3) the Secretary of Defense should request procurement of the CVN–82 carrier not later than fiscal year 2028.

Section 9062(j) of title 10, United States Code, is amended by striking 466 each place it appears and inserting 474.

The amendments made by paragraph (1) shall take effect on October 1, 2024.

None of the funds authorized to be appropriated by this Act or otherwise made available for fiscal year 2025 for the Air Force may be obligated or expended to reduce the number of KC–135 aircraft designated as primary mission aircraft inventory within the reserve components of the Air Force.

In this subsection, the term primary mission aircraft inventory has the meaning given that term in section 9062(i)(2)(B) of title 10, United States Code.

Subsection (i)(1) of section 9062 of title 10, United States Code, is amended by striking 1,145 fighter aircraft and inserting 1,106 fighter aircraft.

Section 134(d) of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2017 (Public Law 114–328; 130 Stat. 2038) is amended by striking 135 A–10 aircraft and inserting 96 A–10 aircraft.

Section 146(a)(3)(B) of the James M. Inhofe National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2023 (Public Law 117–263; 136 Stat. 2455), as amended by section 134(a) of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2024 (Public Law 118–31), is amended by striking 2024 and inserting 2025.

Section 146(b)(1) of the James M. Inhofe National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2023 (Public Law 117–263; 136 Stat. 2455), as amended by section 134(b) of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2024 (Public Law 118–31), is amended by striking During fiscal years 2023 and 2024 and inserting During the period of fiscal years 2023 through 2025.

The Secretary of the Air Force may not retire, prepare to retire, or place in storage or on backup aircraft inventory status any F–15E aircraft until a period of 180 days has elapsed following the date on which the Secretary of Defense provides to the congressional defense committees the reports and briefing required under subsection (b)(3).

The prohibition under paragraph (1) of shall not apply to individual F–15E aircraft that the Secretary of the Air Force determines, on a case by case basis, to be no longer mission capable and uneconomical to repair because of aircraft accidents, mishaps, or excessive material degradation and non-airworthiness status of certain aircraft.

Section 9062 of title 10, United States Code, as most recently amended by sections 131 and 132 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2024 (Public Law 118–31), is amended—

(A) by striking subsection (l); and

(B) by redesignating subsection (m) as subsection (l).

The Secretary of Defense shall seek to enter into a contract or other agreement with a federally funded research and development center pursuant to which the center shall carry out—

(A) an analysis of the fighter aircraft procurement, fielding, and divestment plan of the Department of the Air Force, as submitted to Congress in accordance with section 148 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2024 (Public Law 118–31; 137 Stat. 178); and

(B) a fighter aircraft capability and requirements study that estimates the number of fighter aircraft needed by the Air Force to meet the requirements of combatant commanders.

The federally funded research and development center that carries out the study and analysis under paragraph (1) shall submit to the Secretary of Defense a report on the results of such study and analysis.

Not later than December 31, 2025, the Secretary of Defense shall—

(A) submit to the congressional defense committees an unaltered copy of the report received by the Secretary under paragraph (2);

(B) submit to such committees a separate report on the views of the Secretary with respect to the results of the study and analysis carried out under paragraph (1), which shall include—

(i) a detailed explanation of the strategy and methodology used to conduct the study and analysis, including any force sizing and shaping constructs, scenarios, and assumptions used as part of such study and analysis; and

(ii) assessed operational risk based on the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff risk management classifications set forth the most recent version of the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Manual 3105.01A, titled Joint Risk Analysis Methodology; and

(C) provide a briefing to the committees on such results.

In this section, the term fighter aircraft means—

(1) F–15, F–16, F–22, and F–35 aircraft; and

(2) the Next Generation Air Dominance piloted combat aircraft.

Of the amounts authorized to be appropriated by this Act or otherwise made available for the Department of Defense for fiscal year 2025 for the Secretary of the Air Force for official travel, not more than 75 percent may be obligated or expended until the date on which the Secretary of the Air Force submits to the congressional defense committees the report required under section 148(c) of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2024 (Public Law 118–31).

The Secretary of the Air Force shall replace each covered reserve tanker aircraft with an aircraft that has capabilities equivalent to or exceeding the capabilities of the aircraft being replaced.

The Secretary of the Air Force may waive the requirement to replace an air refueling tanker aircraft under subsection (a), on a case by case basis, if the Secretary determines that such replacement would degrade the readiness of the air refueling capability of the Air Force.

This section shall terminate on October 1, 2025.

The term covered reserve tanker aircraft means an air refueling tanker aircraft of the reserve components of the Air Force.

The Secretary of the Air Force shall transfer to the Air Force Sustainment Center supply chain management, item management, and delegated engineering authorities for landing gear systems of F–15EX, F–22, F–35, and T–7A aircraft.

Not later than 120 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of the Air Force shall develop and initiate an implementation plan for the transfers required under subsection (a).

Not later than 30 days after completing the development of the implementation plan required under subsection (b), the Secretary of the Air Force shall submit to the Committees on Armed Services of the House of Representatives and the Senate a report that includes a description of—

(1) the planned milestones for execution of the implementation plan;

(2) any data, staff, and funding needed to effectively carry out such plan; and

(3) the progress of the Secretary in meeting such milestones as of the date of the report.

Not later than 30 days after becoming aware of an expected delay in the delivery date of an MH–139 aircraft, the Secretary of the Air Force shall submit to the Committees on Armed Services of the Senate and the House of Representatives written notice of such delay together with an explanation of the reasons for such delay.

In this section, the term delivery date, when used with respect to an MH–139 aircraft, means the date on which such aircraft is expected to be delivered to the Air Force under the most recent schedule for such delivery in effect as of the date of the enactment of this Act.

The Secretary of the Air Force, in coordination with the Director of the Air National Guard, shall develop and implement a plan to fully fund the establishment and maintenance of F–16 simulators at training centers of the Air National Guard as described in subsection (b).

The plan under subsection (a) shall include—

(1) an estimate of the costs of maintaining F–16 simulators at Air National Guard training centers that have such simulators as of the date of the plan;

(2) an estimate of the costs of establishing F–16 simulators at all Air National Guard training centers that are required to, but do not, have such simulators as of the date of the plan, including training centers for Air National Guard units converting from the A–10 aircraft to the F–16 aircraft; and

(3) a plan for allocating funding to pay the costs described in paragraphs (1) and (2), including the proportion of such funding expected to be provided by the Air Force and the Air National Guard, respectively.

Not later than March 1, 2025, the Secretary of the Air Force shall submit to the congressional defense committees a report that includes—

(1) the plan developed under subsection (a); and

(2) an assessment from the Secretary and the Chief of the National Guard Bureau evaluating how the readiness of Air National Guard Units requiring F–16 simulators may be affected if such simulators are not established and maintained at mission training centers as required under the plan.

Not later than June 1, 2025, the Secretary of the Air Force and the Director of the Air National Guard shall commence implementation of the plan developed under subsection (a).

Notwithstanding the amounts set forth in the funding tables in division D, the amount authorized to be appropriated in section 101 for aircraft procurement, Air Force, as specified in the corresponding funding table in section 4101, for other aircraft, C-130, line 049, is hereby increased by $20,000,000 (with the amount of such increase to be used for the modular airborne firefighting system).

Notwithstanding the amounts set forth in the funding tables in division D, the amount authorized to be appropriated in section 201 for research, development, test and evaluation, Air Force, as specified in the corresponding funding table in section 4201, for system development and demonstration, VC–25B, line 114, is hereby reduced by $20,000,000.

Section 9062 of title 10, United States Code, as amended by section 154(a)(3) of this Act, is further amended by adding at the end the following new subsection:

(m) The Secretary of the Air Force shall continuously operate not fewer than three air logistics complexes. For purposes of this subsection, the term ‘air logistics complex’ means an air logistics complex operated by the Air Force as of January 1, 2024.

Section 161 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2023 (Public Law 117–263; 10 U.S.C. 3453 note) is amended—

(1) in the section heading, by striking used;

(2) in subsection (a)(1), by inserting new, before used; and

(3) in subsection (b)(2), by inserting, or from a certified production approval holder pursuant to part 21 of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations before the period at the end.

Not later than one year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Director of the Defense Logistics Agency shall develop and implement a policy that establishes factors for determining the qualifications of fixed-based operators bidding on contracts to provide into-plane fuel deliveries for heavy-lift aircraft at airports with weight-bearing capacity to serve such aircraft.

With respect to the policy required under subsection (a), the factors for determining whether a fixed-based operator is qualified to provide into-plane fuel deliveries for heavy-lift aircraft may include the following:

(1) The fixed-base operator is able to maintain a minimum onsite fuel storage capacity equal to twice the preceding year’s peak day of fuel demand at the airport, at least half of which is comprised of fixed tanks.

(2) Evidence that the fixed-base operator’s total number of employees is sufficient to service military customers 24 hours per day, 7 days per week, and 365 days per year.

(3) The fixed-based operator is capable of performing a full range of cargo on-load, off-load, and handling operations, including for dangerous goods and cargo, for military aircraft of all sizes.

(4) The fixed-base operator possesses an onsite, certified maintenance and repair station.

(5) The fixed-based operator has an operational history of providing services to heavy-lift aircraft at the airport involved for at least three years preceding the operator’s bid to perform into-plane fuel deliveries.

(6) Any other factors the Director of the Defense Logistics Agency determines appropriate.

In this section, the term heavy-lift aircraft means aircraft larger than 107,000-pound maximum gross takeoff weight.

The Director of the Defense Logistics Agency shall consult with relevant heavy-lift aircraft mission planners in developing and implementing the policy required under this section.

The Secretary of Defense shall not operate or enter into or renew a contract for the procurement of—

(1) a covered light detection and ranging technology (referred to in this section as LiDAR technology) that—

(A) is manufactured in a covered foreign country or by an entity domiciled in a covered foreign country;

(B) uses operating software developed in a covered foreign country or by an entity domiciled in a covered foreign country; or

(C) uses network connectivity or data storage located in or administered by an entity domiciled in a covered foreign country; or

(2) a system or systems that incorporates, interfaces with, or otherwise uses LiDAR technology as described in paragraph (1).

The prohibition under subsection (a) shall not apply if the operation, procurement, or contracting action is for the purposes of intelligence, electronic warfare, and information warfare operations, testing, analysis, and training.

The Secretary of Defense may waive the prohibition under subsection (a) on a case-by-case basis if the Secretary certifies, in writing, to the congressional defense committees that the operation, procurement, or contracting action is required in the national interest of the United States.

The prohibition under section (a) shall take effect on June 30, 2026.

In this section:

(1) The term covered foreign country means any of the following:

(A) The People’s Republic of China.

(B) The Islamic Republic of Iran.

(C) The Democratic People’s Republic of North Korea.

(D) The Russian Federation.

(2) The term covered LiDAR company means any of the following:

(A) Hesai Technology (or any subsidiary or affiliate of Hesai Technology).

(B) Any entity that produces or provides LiDAR and that is included on—

(i) the Consolidated Screening List maintained by the International Trade Administration of the Department of Commerce; or

(ii) the civil-military fusion list maintained under section 1260h of the William M. (Mac) Thornberry National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021 (Public Law 116–283; 10 U.S.C. 113 note).

(C) Any entity that produces or provides LiDAR and that—

(i) is domiciled in a covered foreign country; or

(ii) is subject to unmitigated foreign ownership, control or influence by a covered foreign country, as determined by the Secretary of Defense in accordance with the National Industrial Security Program or any successor to such program.

(3) The term covered LiDAR technology means LiDAR technology and any related services and equipment manufactured by a covered LiDAR company.

(4) The terms light detection and ranging and LiDAR mean a sensor that emits light, often in the form of a pulsed or modulated laser, and scans or flashes the environment to detect and measure the range of its surroundings.

The Secretary of Defense may not accept or take delivery of covered F–35 aircraft in excess of the maximum quantities specified in subsection (c) until the date on which the Secretary certifies to the congressional defense committees that the Secretary is in compliance with each of the following requirements:

(1) The Secretary has developed and will implement an acquisition strategy, with appropriate actions and milestones, to develop and field F–35 aircraft and mission systems digital-twin models across the F–35 enterprise.

(2) The Secretary has developed and will implement an acquisition strategy, with appropriate actions and milestones, to procure at least one new cooperative avionics flying test bed aircraft for the F–35 enterprise.

(3) The Secretary has developed and will implement an acquisition strategy, with appropriate actions and milestones, to procure and construct a new F–35 mission software integration laboratory to enable concurrent testing of TR–2 and TR–3 mission system hardware, software, and any existing or new F–35 capabilities.

(4) The Secretary has developed and will implement a plan of corrective actions and milestones to resolve all deficiencies and recommendations identified in the 2024 F–35 Initial Operational Testing and Evaluation report submitted to Congress by the Director of Operational Testing and Evaluation.

(5) The Secretary has developed and will implement a plan of corrective actions and milestones to minimize F–35 new aircraft production interruptions and resolve all programmatic deficiencies with F–35 APG–85 radar hardware and software related to the development, testing, acceptance, certification, production, and fielding of the radar as identified by the Director of the F–35 Joint Program Office.

(6) The Secretary has developed and will implement a plan of corrective actions and milestones to resolve all deficiencies and recommendations identified in the report of the F–35 software Independent Review Team commissioned by the Secretary of the Air Force and the Director of the F–35 Joint Program Office.

(7) The Secretary has developed and will implement a corrective action plan with appropriate actions, milestones, necessary technical data and other resources, and metrics for measuring improvements, to address long-standing sustainment challenges and improve fleetwide mission capable and full mission capable rates for F–35 aircraft. At a minimum, such plan shall provide for—

(A) completing the set-up of military service depots and attaining the required production capacity;

(B) addressing and mitigating corrosion, particularly in the F–35B and F–35C variants, including the necessary parts, equipment, technical data, and any necessary adjustments to squadron staffing to effectively conduct corrosion inspections and work;

(C) improving the visibility and availability of assets and parts that detract from mission capable rates; and

(D) developing mechanisms to surge supply support for the air vehicle and engine and ensure continuity of F–35 logistics and operations in contested environments.

(8) The Secretary has submitted all acquisition strategies and corrective action plans described in paragraphs (1) through (7) to the congressional defense committees as required under subsection (b).

(9) The Secretary has met the requirements of subsections (b)(5) and (c) of section 226 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2024 (Public Law 118–31; 137 Stat. 196).

The Secretary of Defense shall submit to the congressional defense committees all acquisition strategies and corrective action plans described in paragraphs (1) through (7) of subsection (a).

Each strategy and plan submitted under paragraph (1) shall include—

(A) an estimate of the total amount of funds required to complete implementation of the strategy or plan;

(B) realistic, event-driven schedules to achieve the objectives of the strategy or plan; and

(C) a schedule risk assessment to a minimum of 80 percent confidence level.

Each strategy and plan described in paragraph (1) shall be submitted in unclassified form, but may contain a classified annex.

The maximum quantities of covered F–35 aircraft specified in this subsection are the following:

(1) Thirty F–35A aircraft.

(2) Nine F–35B aircraft.

(3) Nine F–35C aircraft.

Not later than April 1, 2025, and on an annual basis thereafter for the following five years, the Secretary of Defense shall submit to the congressional defense committees a report that includes a comprehensive update on all corrective action plans and acquisition strategies that—

(A) were developed pursuant to paragraphs (1) through (7) of subsection (a); and

(B) are being implemented by the Secretary as of the date of the report.

Each report under paragraph (1) shall be submitted in unclassified form but may contain a classified annex.

In this section, the term covered F–35 aircraft means new production F–35 aircraft—

(1) that are authorized to be procured using funds authorized to be appropriated by this Act or otherwise made available for fiscal year 2025 for the Department of Defense; and

(2) the procurement of which is fully funded by the United States.

The Secretary of the Air Force and the Secretary of the Navy, in coordination with the commanders of the combatant commands, shall jointly conduct an assessment of the sufficiency of established inventory requirements for air-to-air missiles within the Armed Forces under the jurisdiction of such Secretaries.

In conducting the assessment required under paragraph (1), the Secretaries shall evaluate—

(A) for each year through the end of 2029—

(i) the numbers and types of air-to-air missiles expected to be delivered to the Department of the Air Force and the Department of the Navy in such year; and

(ii) the total inventory of air-to-air missiles expected to be available for use in such year, considered separately for each type of missile;

(B) the inventory levels of air-to-air missiles needed to support the operational plans of the United States Central Command, the United States Indo-Pacific Command, the United States Northern Command, and the United States European Command, assessed separately for each command at low, medium, and high risk levels;

(C) emerging requirements for surface-to-air defense and collaborative combat aircraft capabilities, and how such emerging requirements are expected to impact inventory requirements for air-to-air missiles;

(D) whether the numbers and types of missiles expected to be delivered through 2029, as determined under subparagraph (A), are sufficient to meet all testing, training, and operational requirements of the military departments and combatant commands;

(E) whether extending the AIM–120 Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missile program of record through 2029 would enhance available inventories of air-to-air missiles during such period; and

(F) recommendations to adjust the planned missile mix, to include development and fielding of an AIM–120D Extended Range missile and procurement quantities to support combined combatant command requirements at a medium-level of operational risk.

In conjunction with the assessment required under subsection (a), the Secretary of the Air Force shall conduct a cost-benefit and technical risk assessment of developing and procuring an extended range AIM–120D missile.

In conducting the assessment under paragraph (1), the Secretary of the Air Force shall—

(A) assess the costs, benefits, and technical risks presented by the potential development and procurement of an extended range AIM–120D missile as described in paragraph (1);

(B) evaluate how new propellants, binding agents, and other enhancements may increase the capabilities of such a missile;

(C) consider how the procurement of such a missile could hedge against current or future air-to-air missile inventory, capacity, capability or shortfall risks; and

(D) develop a budget profile and schedule that would support expedited fielding of such a missile.

Following the completion of the assessments required under subsections (a) and (b), but not later than April 1, 2025—

(1) the Secretary of the Air Force and the Secretary of the Navy shall jointly submit to the congressional defense committees a report on the results of the assessment conducted under subsection (a), which shall include a summary of the results of the assessment with respect to each element specified in subsection (a)(2); and

(2) the Secretary of the Air Force shall submit to the congressional defense committees a report on the results of the assessment conducted under subsection (b), which shall include a copy of the budget profile and schedule required under subsection (b)(2)(D).

Section 152 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2024 (Public Law 118–31; 137 Stat. 180; 50 U.S.C. 98e-2) is amended—

(1) in the heading, by inserting strategic and after domestically processed;

(2) in subsection (a), by striking the procurement of and all that follows and inserting the following: the procurement of strategic and critical materials that are mined, processed, or produced in the United States.;

(3) in subsection (c), by striking the domestically processed critical minerals and inserting the strategic and critical materials;

(4) by redesignating subsection (e) as subsection (f);

(5) by inserting after subsection (d) the following new subsection:

In carrying out the activities described in this section, the Secretary may give priority to the procurement of strategic and critical materials that are derived from recycled and reused minerals and metals to the maximum extent practicable, and from terrestrial mines that do not cause harm to the natural or cultural resources of Tribal communities or sovereign nations or result in degraded ground or surface water.

(5) ; and

(6) in subsection (f), as so redesignated—

(A) by amending paragraph (1) to read as follows:

(1) The term strategic and critical material means a material determined to be a strategic or critical material under section 3(a) of the Strategic and Critical Materials Stock Piling Act (50 U.S.C. 98b(a)).

(A) ; and

(B) by adding at the end the following new paragraph:

(4) The term produced means formed, assembled, manufactured, or systems integrated.

It is the sense of Congress that—

(1) researching, producing, and procuring defense articles for the AUKUS partnership from within the United States boosts local economies and improves national security by enhancing domestic defense article production capabilities; and

(2) therefore, the Secretary of Defense should promote and prioritize domestic manufacturing, supply chains, and research for defense articles intended for use by members of the AUKUS partnership.

In this section, the term AUKUS partnership means the enhanced trilateral security partnership between Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States announced in September 2021.

The Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment shall conduct a study to identify sources of secure parts for unmanned aircraft systems. For purposes of the study, a part shall be considered secure if it—

(1) is not produced or sold by a Chinese military company (as defined in section 1260H of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021 (Public Law 116–283; 10 U.S.C. 113 note));

(2) will not be used for a sensitive platform, such as the F–35 aircraft;

(3) does not connect to wireless or other data networks; and

(4) meets such other criteria as may be established by the Under Secretary.

Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment shall submit to the congressional defense committees a report on the results of the study conducted under subsection (a).

Funds are hereby authorized to be appropriated for fiscal year 2025 for the use of the Department of Defense for research, development, test, and evaluation, as specified in the funding table in section 4201.

Notwithstanding the amounts set forth in the funding tables in division D, the amount authorized to be appropriated in section 201 for research, development, test, and evaluation, Defense-wide, as specified in the corresponding funding table in section 4201, for basic research, National Defense Education Program, line 6, is hereby increased by $5,000,000.

Notwithstanding the amounts set forth in the funding tables in division D, the amount authorized to be appropriated in section 4301 for Operation and Maintenance, Defense-wide, for Washington Headquarters Services, line 480, as specified in the corresponding funding table in section 4301, is hereby reduced by $5,000,000.

Section 148 of title 10, United States Code, is amended—

(1) by redesignating subsection (e) as subsection (f); and

(2) by striking subsection (d) and inserting the following new subsections:

(1) The Secretary of Defense shall ensure that the Office is budgeted for and funded in a manner sufficient to ensure the Office has the staff and other resources necessary to effectively carry out the responsibilities specified in subsection (c).

(2) In the budget justification materials submitted to Congress in support of the Department of Defense budget for fiscal year 2027 and each fiscal year thereafter (as submitted with the budget of the President under section 1105(a) of title 31), the Secretary of Defense shall include a dedicated budget line item for the implementation of subsection (a) and for the testing and evaluation of energetic materials and technologies by the Office.

(1) The Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering, in coordination with the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment, shall include, within the program management and engineering curriculum of the Defense Acquisition University, instruction in standards and best practices for the development of energetic materials and ensuring the safety of explosives.

(2) In carrying out paragraph (1), the Under Secretaries shall consult with—

(A) the President of the Defense Acquisition University; and

(B) individuals and organizations in academia and industry with relevant expertise in the field of energetics.

The second section 222e of title 10, United States Code, is amended—

(1) in subsection (a), by striking the Secretary of Defense shall and inserting the Secretary of Defense, after coordinating with the Secretaries of the military departments, shall; and

(2) in subsection (e)—

(A) in paragraph (1), by striking and at the end;

(B) in paragraph (2), by striking the period at the end and inserting; and; and

(C) by adding at the end the following new paragraph:

(3) in the case of military construction project, has reached a stage of planning and design that is sufficient to support a reliable cost estimate.

Section 2194(b) of title 10, United States Code, is amended—

(1) in paragraph (6), by striking and at the end;

(2) in paragraph (7), by striking the period at the end and inserting; and; and

(3) by adding at the end the following new paragraph:

(8) entering into contracts or cooperative agreements with, or making grants to, the institution to provide financial assistance for activities conducted under such partnership agreement.

Chapter 303 of title 10, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new section:

Subject to the approval of the Secretary of Defense or the head of another department or agency of the Federal Government concerned, the head of a Federal laboratory or research center may—

(1) enter into a contract, memorandum of understanding, or other transaction with a partnership intermediary that provides for the partnership intermediary to perform services for the Department of Defense that increase the likelihood of success in the conduct of cooperative or joint activities of the laboratory or center with industry or academic institutions; and

(2) pay the Federal costs of such contract, memorandum or understanding, or other transaction out of funds made available for the support of the technology transfer function of the laboratory or center.

In this section:

(1) Term Federal laboratory or research center means—

(A) a Federal laboratory; or

(B) a federally funded research and development center that is not a laboratory.

(2) The term laboratory has the meaning given that term in section 12(d)(2) the Stevenson-Wydler Technology Innovation Act of 1980 (15 U.S.C. 3710a(d)(2)).

(3) The term partnership intermediary means an agency of a State or local government, or a nonprofit entity owned in whole or in part by, chartered by, funded in whole or in part by, or operated in whole or in part by or on behalf of a State or local government, that—

(A) assists, counsels, advises, evaluates, or otherwise cooperates with industry or academic institutions that need or can make demonstrably productive use of technology-related assistance from a Federal laboratory or research center;

(B) facilitates technology transfer or transition from industry or academic institutions to a Federal laboratory or research center;

(C) assists and facilitates workforce development in critical technology areas for prototyping or technology transition activities to fulfill unmet needs of a Federal laboratory or research center; or

(D) facilitates improvements to intellectual property owned by the Federal laboratory or research center, such as improvements to the quality, value, flexibility, utility, or complexity of such intellectual property.

Section 4124 of title 10, United States Code, is amended—

(1) by striking subsection (f); and

(2) by redesignating subsections (g) and (h) as subsections (f) and (g), respectively.

Section 4092 of title 10, United States Code, is amended—

(1) in subsection (a), by adding at the end the following new paragraph:

The Director of the Office of Strategic Capital may carry out a program of personnel management authority provided in subsection (b) in order to facilitate recruitment of eminent experts in science or engineering for the Unit.

(1) ; and

(2) in subsection (b)—

(A) in paragraph (1)—

(i) in subparagraph (D), by striking 5 scientific and engineering positions in the Office and inserting 20 scientific and engineering positions in the Office, of which not more than 5 such positions may be positions of administration or management of the Office;

(ii) in subparagraph (E) by striking 5 scientific and engineering positions in the Unit and inserting 35 scientific and engineering positions in the Unit, of which not more than 5 such positions may be positions of administration or management of the Unit ’’; and

(iii) in subparagraph (H), by striking 15 and inserting 25;

(iv) in subparagraph (I), by striking and at the end;

(v) in subparagraph (J), by adding and at the end; and

(vi) by adding at the end the following new subparagraph:

(K) in the case of the Office of Strategic Capital, appoint and rescind appointments of individuals to a total of not more than 30 positions in the Office;

(vi) ; and

(B) in paragraph (2), by amending subparagraph (A) to read as follows:

(A) in the case of employees appointed pursuant to subparagraphs (B), (D), (E), (H), and (K) of paragraph (1), at a rate to be determined by the head of the organization concerned up to the amount of annual compensation specified in section 102 of title 3;

Section 223(c) of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2024 (Public Law 118–31; 10 U.S.C. 4841 note) is amended—

(1) in paragraph (5), by striking and at the end;

(2) in paragraph (6), by striking the period at the end and inserting; and; and

(3) by adding at the end the following new paragraph:

(7) develop a rapidly deployable additive manufacturing system that is capable of fabricating replacement safety-critical parts for military aircraft and unmanned aerial vehicles in environments where access to traditionally manufactured replacement parts is severely restricted.

Section 225(b) of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2024 (Public Law 118–31; 137 Stat. 195) is amended—

(1) in paragraph (1), by striking designate two F–35A aircraft, two F–35B aircraft, and two F–35C aircraft and inserting designate a total of not fewer than nine F–35A, F–35B, or F–35C aircraft; and

(2) in paragraph (2)(A), by striking Lot 19 and inserting Lot 18.

Section 219 of the John S. McCain National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2019 (Public Law 115–232; 132 Stat. 1680) is amended by striking shall and all that follows and inserting shall modify the compartments and infrastructure of the aircraft carrier designated CVN–73 to support the fielding of the MQ–25 unmanned aerial vehicle before the planned deployment date of such vehicle..

Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of the Air Force, in coordination with the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment and the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering, shall establish a working group to be known as the Agility Prime Transition Working Group (referred to in this section as the Working Group).

The duties of the Working Group shall include the following:

(1) To develop and implement a strategy to transition capabilities developed under the Agility Prime program of the Air Force to program executive offices of the covered Armed Forces, as appropriate.

(2) To provide a forum for members of the Working Group to coordinate activities relating to hybrid and electric vertical takeoff and landing capabilities developed under the Agility Prime program, including—

(A) research, development, testing, and evaluation activities;

(B) demonstration activities; and

(C) activities to transition such capabilities from the research and development phase into operational use within the covered Armed Forces, as appropriate.

(3) To identify programs, projects, activities, and requirements of the covered Armed Forces that may be supported by technologies and capabilities developed under the Agility Prime program, including hybrid and electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft, advanced air mobility platforms, autonomous flight capabilities, test and evaluation software, and related technologies.

(4) To identify requirements of the combatant commands and the covered Armed Forces relating to distributed and contested logistics, mobility and sustainment, intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance, strike, and other operational use cases that align with previous, ongoing, or planned efforts under the Agility Prime program.

(5) To assess whether previous, ongoing, or planned efforts under the Agility Prime program and other vertical take off and landing aircraft capability development efforts align with other current, planned, or future acquisition programs of the covered Armed Forces.

(6) Identify any changes to doctrine, organization, training, materiel, leadership, personnel, facilities, and policy (commonly known as DOTMLPF–P) required to successfully integrate hybrid and electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft platforms into future force design.

(7) To assess how the authorities and resources of the Department of Defense may be used to support the advanced air mobility and hybrid and electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft industries, including support in the form of loans, loan guarantees, private investment matching programs, and other financial mechanisms.

(8) To assist the Secretary of the Air Force in preparing the briefing and reports required under subsection (g).

The Working Group shall be composed of the following members or their designees:

(1) The Secretary of the Air Force.

(2) Each Secretary of a military department.

(3) The Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

(4) The Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment.

(5) The Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering.

(6) The Director of the Defense Innovation Unit.

(7) The Director of the Office of Strategic Capital.

(8) A representative from the United States Special Operations Command.

(9) A representative from the United States Transportation Command.

(10) Representatives of such other organizations and elements of the Department of Defense as the Chairperson of the Working Group determines appropriate.

The Secretary of the Air Force, or the designee of the Secretary, shall serve as the Chairperson of the Working Group.

The Working Group shall meet not less frequently than twice each year at the call of the Chairperson.

The working group shall terminate on September 30, 2027.

Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of the Air Force shall provide to the congressional defense committees a briefing on the status of the Working Group, which shall include information on the organization, activities, plans, actions, and milestones of the Working Group as of the date of the briefing.

Not later than September 30, 2025, and not later than September 30 of each year thereafter through 2027, the Secretary of the Air Force shall submit to the congressional defense committees a report on the efforts of the Working Group. Each report shall include, with respect to the year covered by the report, information on—

(A) any funding under the categories of research, development, test, and evaluation, procurement, or operation and maintenance that is expected to be used for further development or procurement of hybrid and electric vertical takeoff and landing capabilities in the fiscal year of the report and the in the following fiscal year;

(B) any planned transitions of hybrid and electric vertical takeoff and landing technologies to—

(i) acqusition programs of the covered Armed Forces; or

(ii) research, development, test, and evaluation programs of the covered Armed Forces.

(C) any actions taken by the Working Group;

(D) any milestones achieved by the Working Group; and

(E) such other matters as the Secretary determines appropriate.

In this section:

(1) The term Agility Prime program means the program of the Air Force under which the Air Force is developing hybrid and electric vertical takeoff and landing capabilities in collaboration with partners in commercial industry and other sectors.

(2) The term covered Armed Forces means the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, and Space Force.

The Secretary of Defense shall develop a strategic plan to guide the research, development, test, and evaluation, procurement, and implementation of quantum information science (referred to in this section as QIS) technologies within the Department of Defense, including the covered Armed Forces, over the period of five years following the date of the enactment of this Act.

The plan required under paragraph (1) shall include the following:

(A) Identification of—

(i) QIS technologies that have the potential to solve operational challenges faced by the Department of Defense; and

(ii) the technology readiness levels of those QIS technologies.

(B) Plans to transition technologies identified under subparagraph (A) from the research, development, and prototyping phases into operational use within the Department.

(C) Plans for allocating the resources of the Department to ensure such resources are focused on QIS technologies with the potential to solve operational challenges as identified under subparagraph (A).

(D) Plans for the continuous evaluation, development, and implementation of QIS technology solutions within the Department.

(E) Plans for the development, review, performance evaluation, and adoption of a fault-tolerant, utility-scale quantum computer and the transition of that capability to appropriate organizations and elements of the Department of Defense and such other departments and agencies of the Federal Government as the Secretary determines appropriate.

Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense shall submit to the congressional defense committees a report that includes—

(A) the strategic plan developed under paragraph (1); and

(B) an assessment of whether the budgets proposed for QIS-related activities of the Department of Defense and each of the covered Armed Forces appropriately balance the use of research, development, test, and evaluation funds designated as budget activity 1 (basic research), budget activity 2 (applied research), and budget activity 3 (advanced technology development) (as those budget activity classifications are set forth in volume 2B, chapter 5 of the Department of Defense Financial Management Regulation (DOD 7000.14–R)) to achieve the objectives of the strategic plan over near-, mid-, and long-term timeframes.

The Secretary of Defense shall establish a Quantum Computing Center of Excellence (referred to in this subsection as the Center) at a research laboratory of a covered Armed Force with requisite experience in quantum computing, integrated photonics and photon qubits, superconducting and hybrid systems, and trapped ions.

The Center shall carry out the following activities:

(A) Accelerate the transition of advanced quantum and quantum hybrid computing technology from the research and development phase into operational use.

(B) Facilitate quantum computing workforce development.

(C) Conduct outreach to enhance government, industry, and academia’s understanding of—

(i) national security-related use cases for quantum computing and quantum hybrid technology; and

(ii) operational challenges faced by the Department of Defense that may be addressed using such technology.

(D) Conduct prototyping of quantum computing and quantum hybrid applications.

(E) Undertake efforts to advance the technology readiness levels of quantum computing technologies.

(F) Carry out such other activities relating to quantum computing as the Secretary determines appropriate.

For purposes of carrying out the activities of the Center under this subsection, the research laboratory selected under paragraph (1) may partner with one or more of the following:

(A) Other research laboratories of the covered Armed Forces.

(B) The Defense Innovation Unit.

(C) Federally funded research and development centers.

(D) University affiliated research centers.

(E) Private sector entities with expertise in quantum computing.

(F) Such other organizations as the Secretary of Defense determines appropriate.

Subject to availability of appropriations, Secretary of Defense may make grants and enter into contracts or other agreements, on a competitive basis, to support the activities of the Center.

The Center shall terminate on the date that is 10 years after the date of the enactment of this Act.

In this section:

(1) The term covered Armed Force means the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, or Space Force.

(2) The term quantum computing means computing algorithms and applications that use quantum mechanics through quantum processing units, including—

(A) quantum-classical hybrid applications which are applications that use both quantum computing and classical computing hardware systems;

(B) annealing and gate systems; and

(C) all qubit modalities (including superconducting, trapped-ion, neutral atom, and photonics).

(3) The term quantum information science means the use of the laws of quantum physics for the storage, transmission, manipulation, computing, or measurement of information.

Using the authority provided under section 1599g of title 10, United States Code, the Secretary of Defense, acting through the Director of the Office of Strategic capital, may carry out a program under which the Director arranges for the temporary assignment of an employee of the Office to a qualifying private-sector organization.

The objectives of the program under subsection (a) shall be—

(1) to enable the Office of Strategic Capital and other organizations and elements of the Department of Defense to rapidly acquire industry-specific context and technical competence across high priority technology and industrial focus areas through immersion in highly relevant emerging technology and business ecosystems across the United States; and

(2) to enhance, among personnel of the Department—

(A) understanding of, connectivity with, and access to knowledge about critical and emerging defense industrial base capabilities; and

(B) understanding of the strategic role that venture capital and private equity operations have in shaping future sustainment and modernization requirements for the defense industrial base.

In carrying out program under subsection (a), the Director of the Office of Strategic Capital shall—

(1) use an information technology system to optimize the identification, assessment, and placement of participants within the program, which shall include the use of such system to match private-sector organizations with employees of the Office participating in the program in a manner that aligns the priorities, needs, and expertise of such employees, organizations, and the Office; and

(2) establish a database or other capability that—

(A) enables the Office to identify and track current and former participants in the program;

(B) documents the nature of the experience such participants had while in the program; and

(C) is suitable for further development and expansion to other organizations of Department of Defense in the event the Secretary of Defense determines such expansion is appropriate.

In this section, the term qualifying private-sector organization means a private-sector organization within the defense industrial base that has functions and expertise relevant to the responsibilities of the Office of Strategic Capital, which may include organization such as a venture capital firm, private equity firm, emerging technology company, or other such organizations as determined appropriated by the Director.

The Director of the Defense Innovation Unit shall carry out a pilot program under which the Director—

(1) develops an alternative testing and evaluation pathway to accelerate the testing and evaluation of technologies that have the potential to provide warfighting capabilities to the Department of Defense in the near-term and mid-term timeframes; and

(2) establishes a cell of dedicated personnel within the Unit to manage and implement the alternative testing and evaluation pathway developed under paragraph (1).

In carrying out the pilot program under subsection (a), the Director of the Defense Innovation Unit shall—

(1) conduct continuous and iterative test and evaluation of technologies that have the potential to provide warfighting capabilities to the Department of Defense in the near-term and mid-term timeframes, including—

(A) commercial dual use technologies;

(B) technologies that are not integrated into an established program of record;

(C) technologies that have not been fully fielded;

(D) software-based technologies; and

(E) such other technologies as the Director determines appropriate;

(2) use tools and technologies to emulate operationally relevant threat scenarios and conditions; and

(3) integrate the development of concepts of operations and concepts of employment with testing and evaluation activities conducted under the program to ensure early alignment between capability development and future concepts of operations and concepts of employment.

The Director of the Defense Innovation Unit shall carry out the pilot program under subsection (a), in consultation with—

(1) service-level innovation organizations;

(2) research laboratories of the Armed Forces;

(3) the combatant commands;

(4) the Joint Staff;

(5) the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment;

(6) the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering;

(7) the Director of Operational Test and Evaluation;

(8) the Director of the Test Resource Management Center;

(9) industry partners; and

(10) Federal, State, local, and international partners with test and evaluation infrastructure.

Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, and on an annual basis thereafter through the termination date specified in subsection (e), the Director of the Defense Innovation Unit shall provide to the Committees on Armed Services of the Senate and the House of Representatives a briefing on the status of the pilot program under subsection (a).

The pilot program under subsection (a) shall terminate on December 31, 2028.

Not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense, acting through the head of the Defense Technology Security Administration and in coordination with the Director of the Defense Innovation Unit, shall—

(1) fully disassemble a drone aircraft made by the Chinese technology company Da Jiang Innovations (DJI); and

(2) determine the origin of each component of such drone aircraft.

After completing the actions required under subsection (a), the Secretary of Defense shall submit to the Committees on Armed Services of the Senate and the House of Representatives a report that includes—

(1) a list of each component found in the drone, including the origin of the component and manufacturer information;

(2) a description of any security vulnerabilities that were identified in the course of disassembling the drone.

The report required under subsection (b) shall be submitted in unclassified form, but may include a classified annex.

The Commander of the Air Force Research Laboratory, acting through a partnership intermediary, shall establish a program—

(1) to carry out limited objective experiments in operationally relevant environments;

(2) to develop persistent instrumentation and infrastructure for field experimentation and other innovation activities supporting the Air Force and joint service multi-domain mission set; and

(3) to identify capabilities for the Air Force multi-domain operations enterprise that have the potential to generate life-cycle cost savings and provide data-driven approaches to resource allocation.

In this section, term partnership intermediary has the meaning given that term in section 23(c) of the Stevenson-Wydler Technology Innovation Act of 1980 (15 U.S.C. 3715(c)).

None of the funds authorized to be appropriated or otherwise made available for any fiscal year for the Department of Defense may be provided to a covered institution of higher education that fails to comply with the prohibition under subsection (b).

Beginning on January 1, 2026, a covered institution of higher education may not enter into a contract with a covered nation or a foreign entity of concern.

A covered institution of higher education that desires to enter into a contract with a foreign entity of concern or a covered nation may submit to the Secretary of Defense, not later than 120 days before the institution enters into such a contract, a request to waive the prohibition under subsection (b) with respect to such contract.

A waiver request submitted by a covered institution of higher education under clause (i) shall include—

(I) the complete and unredacted text of the proposed contract for which the waiver is being requested, and if such original contract is not in English, a translated copy of the text into English (in a manner that complies with subsection (f)); and

(II) a statement that—

(aa) is signed by the President or compliance officer of the institution designated in accordance with subsection (g); and

(bb) includes information that demonstrates that such contract is for the benefit of the institution’s mission and students and will promote the security, stability, and economic vitality of the United States.

A covered institution of higher education that has entered into a contract pursuant to a waiver issued under this section, the term of which is longer than the 1-year waiver period and the terms and conditions of which remain the same as the proposed contract submitted as part of the request for such waiver, may submit, not later than 120 days before the expiration of such waiver period, a request for a renewal of such waiver for an additional 1-year period (which shall include any information requested by the Secretary).

If a covered institution of higher education fails to submit a request under clause (i) or is not granted a renewal under such clause, such institution shall terminate such contract on the last day of the original 1-year waiver period.

The Secretary of Defense—

(A) not later than 60 days before a covered institution of higher education enters into a contract pursuant to a waiver request under paragraph (1)(A), or before a contract described in paragraph (1)(B)(i) is renewed pursuant to a renewal request under such paragraph, shall notify the institution—

(i) if the waiver or renewal will be issued by the Secretary; and

(ii) in a case in which the waiver or renewal will be issued, the date on which the 1-year waiver period starts; and

(B) may only issue a waiver under this section to an institution if the Secretary of Defense determines, in consultation with the Secretary of Education, that the contract for which the waiver is being requested is for the benefit of the institution’s mission and students and will promote the security, stability, and economic vitality of the United States.

Not later than 2 weeks prior to issuing a waiver under paragraph (2), the Secretary of Defense shall submit to the Committees on Armed Services of the Senate and the House of Representatives written notice of the intent of the Secretary to issue such waiver together with a justification for such waiver.

A waiver issued under this section to a covered institution of higher education with respect to a contract shall only—

(A) waive the prohibition under subsection (b) for a 1-year period; and

(B) apply to the terms and conditions of the proposed contract submitted as part of the request for such waiver.

In the case of a covered institution of higher education that entered into contract with a covered nation or foreign entity of concern prior to January 1, 2026, and which contract remains in effect on such date—

(A) the institution shall, not later than 120 days before such date, submit to the Secretary a waiver request in accordance with subsection (c)(1)(A)(ii); and

(B) the Secretary shall, upon receipt of the request submitted under subparagraph (A), immediately issue a waiver to the institution for a period beginning on the date on which the waiver is issued and ending on the sooner of—

(i) January 1, 2027; or

(ii) the date on which the contract terminates.

A covered institution of higher education that has entered into a contract described in paragraph (1), the term of which is longer than the waiver period described in subparagraph (B) of such paragraph and the terms and conditions of which remain the same as the contract submitted as part of the request required under subparagraph (A) of such paragraph, may submit a request for renewal of the waiver issued under such paragraph in accordance with subsection (c)(1)(B).

In the case of a covered institution of higher education that enters into a contract with a foreign source that is not a covered nation or a foreign entity of concern but which, during the term of such contract, is designated as a covered nation or foreign entity of concern, such institution shall terminate such contract not later than 60 days after the Secretary notifies the institution of such designation.

Any information required to be disclosed under this section with respect to a contract that is not in English shall be translated, for purposes of such disclosure, by a person that is not an affiliated entity or agent of the covered nation or foreign entity of concern involved with such contract.

Each covered institution of higher education applying for a waiver under subsection (c) or (d), shall identify a compliance officer, who shall—

(1) be a current employee or legally authorized agent of such institution; and

(2) be responsible, on behalf of such institution, for personally certifying—

(A) compliance with the prohibition under this section; and

(B) the truth and accuracy of any information contained in such a waiver request.

Not later than 90 days after issuing a waiver under subsection (c) or (d), the Secretary of Defense shall publish a copy of the order granting the waiver and the contents of the waiver request on a publicly available website of the Department of Defense. Such information shall be made available on such website in the form of a searchable database that includes links to the text of all contracts to which the waiver pertains.

Not later than June 1, 2026, and on an annual basis thereafter, the Secretary of Defense shall submit to the Committees on Armed Services of the Senate and the House of Representatives a report that includes a description of—

(1) the terms and contents of any waivers issued under this section in the period covered by the report;

(2) any trends in—

(A) the number of waivers issued under this section over time; and

(B) the types of contracts to which such waivers pertain; and

(3) the processes used by the Secretary to verify that covered institutions of higher education are in compliance with the requirements of this section.

In this section:

(1) The term contract means—

(A) any agreement or memorandum of understanding for the acquisition, by purchase, lease, or barter, of property or services by or from a covered nation or foreign entity of concern; or

(B) any affiliation, agreement, or similar transaction with a covered nation or foreign entity of concern that involves the use or exchange of the name, likeness, time, services, or resources of a covered institution of higher education.

(2) The term covered institution of higher education means an institution of higher education that conducts research funded by the Department of Defense.

(3) The term foreign entity of concern has the meaning given that term in section 10612(a) of the Research and Development, Competition, and Innovation Act (42 U.S.C. 19221(a)) and includes a foreign entity that is identified on the list published under section 1286(c)(9)(A) of the John S. McCain National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2019 (Public Law 115–232; 10 U.S.C. 4001 note).

(4) The term covered nation has the meaning given that term in section 4872(d) of title 10, United States Code.

(5) The term institution of higher education has the meaning given that term in section 102 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1002).

Except as provided in subsection (b), none of the funds authorized to be appropriated by this Act or otherwise made available for any fiscal year for the Department of Defense may be provided to an institution of higher education for any principal investigator who conducts fundamental research in collaboration directly or indirectly with a covered nation or foreign entity of concern.

The Secretary of Defense may waive the limitation under subsection (a), on a case-by-case basis, with respect to a principal investigator at an institution of higher education, if the Secretary of Defense determines that such a waiver is in the national security interests of the United States.

As a condition of receiving funds from the Department of Defense, an institution of higher education shall certify to the Secretary of Defense that the principal investigator of the project of the institution that is applying for funding from the Department of Defense—

(A) is not conducting fundamental research in collaboration with an entity described in subsection (a) as of the date of the certification; and

(B) will not conduct fundamental research in collaboration with such an entity during the period for which such funding is received.

As a condition of maintaining a contract with the Department of Defense, an institution of higher education shall—

(A) using publicly available information, perform due diligence on any academic institution or laboratory the institution is collaborating with, or intends to collaborate with, under the contract; and

(B) certify to the Secretary of Defense that the principal investigator of the project of the institution to which the contract pertains—

(i) has not conducted fundamental research in collaboration with an entity described in subsection (a) at any time during the period in which such contract was in effect, up to and including the date of the certification; and

(ii) will not conduct fundamental research in collaboration with such an entity during any period in which such contract is in effect.

An institution of higher education shall—

(A) submit the certification under paragraph (1) on an annual basis during each year in which the institution receives funds from the Department of Defense; and

(B) submit the certification under paragraph (2) on an annual basis during each year in which a contract is in effect between the institution and the Department.

On an annual basis, the Secretary of Defense shall submit to the appropriate congressional committees a report on the compliance of the Department of Defense and institutions of higher education with the requirements of this section. Each report shall include, for each waiver issued under subsection (b) in the period covered by the report—

(A) a justification for the waiver; and

(B) a detailed description of the type and extent of any collaboration between an institution of higher education and an entity described in subsection (a) allowed pursuant to the waiver, including identification of the institution and entities involved, the type of technology involved, the duration of the collaboration and terms and conditions on intellectual property assignment, as applicable, under the collaboration agreement.

Each report under paragraph (1) shall be submitted in unclassified form and shall be made available on a publicly accessible website of the Department of Defense.

The limitation under subsection (a) shall apply with respect to the first fiscal year that begins after the date that is one year after the date of the enactment of this Act and to any subsequent fiscal year.

In this section:

(1) The term foreign entity of concern has the meaning given that term in section 10612(a) of the Research and Development, Competition, and Innovation Act (42 U.S.C. 19221(a)) and includes a foreign entity that is identified on the list published under section 1286(c)(9)(A) of the John S. McCain National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2019 (Public Law 115–232; 10 U.S.C. 4001 note).

(2) The term institution of higher education has the meaning given that term in section 102 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1002) and includes—

(A) any department, program, project, faculty, researcher, or other individual, entity, or activity of such institution; and

(B) any branch of such institution within or outside the United States.

(3) The term fundamental research means basic and applied research in science and engineering, the results of which are expected to be published and shared broadly within the scientific community. Such term does not include research that is proprietary or classified and subject to access restrictions under other provisions of Federal law.

(4) The term collaboration means any level of coordinated activity between an institution of higher education and an entity described in subsection (a), whether direct or indirect, formal or informal, and includes—

(A) sharing of research facilities, resources, or data;

(B) transfer, sharing, or dissemination of technology, information, or any technical know-how;

(C) any financial or in-kind contribution intended to produce a research product;

(D) sponsorship or facilitation of research fellowships, visas, or residence permits;

(E) joint ventures, partnerships, or other formalized agreements for the purpose of conducting research or sharing resources, data, or technology;

(F) inclusion of researchers as consultants, advisors, or members of advisory or review boards; and

(G) such other activities as may be determined by the Secretary of Defense in consultation with the Secretary of State and Director of National Intelligence.

(5) The term appropriate congressional committees means—

(A) the Committee on Armed Services and the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology of the House of Representatives; and

(B) the Committee on Armed Services of the Senate and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate.

(6) The term covered nation has the meaning given that term in section 4872(d) of title 10, United States Code.

Section 4001 of title 10, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection:

Whenever issuing a statement, press release, request for proposals, bid solicitation, or other document describing a project or program that is funded in whole or in part with Federal funding, a person performing a research or development project under paragraph (1) or (5) of subsection (b) shall clearly state the following:

(1) The percentage of the total costs of the program or project financed with Federal funding.

(2) The dollar amount of Federal funds obligated for the project or program.

(3) The percentage and dollar amount of the total costs of the project or program that will be financed from nongovernmental sources.

Section 4026 of such title is amended—

(1) by striking The Secretary of Defense and inserting the following:

The Secretary of Defense

(2) in subsection (a), as designated by paragraph (1), in the second sentence, by striking Technology may and inserting the following:

Technology may

(2) ; and

(3) by adding at the end the following new subsection:

Whenever issuing a statement, press release, request for proposals, bid solicitation, or other document describing a project or program that is funded in whole or in part with Federal funding, a person performing a research or development project pursuant to a cooperative research and development agreement entered into under subsection (a) shall clearly state the following:

(1) The percentage of the total costs of the program or project financed with Federal funding.

(2) The dollar amount of Federal funds obligated for the project or program.

(3) The percentage and dollar amount of the total costs of the project or program that will be financed from nongovernmental sources.

It is the sense of Congress that the Secretary of Defense should direct the operating divisions of the Department of Defense to design and implement processes to manage and administer grantees’ compliance with the requirements added by this section, including determining to what extent to provide guidance to grantees on calculations.

Section 220 of the John S. McCain National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2019 (Public Law 115–232; 10 U.S.C. 2364 note) is amended—

(1) in subsection (a), by inserting Chief Digital and Artificial Intelligence Office, Defense Innovation Unit, and before Defense Technical Information Center;

(2) in subsection (b), by inserting in accordance with subsection (e) before the period at the end;

(3) in subsection (c)—

(A) by amending paragraph (1) to read as follows:

(1) be coordinated across the Department of Defense enterprise to focus on small business innovators that are small, independent United States businesses, including—

(A) those participating in the Small Business Innovation Research program or the Small Business Technology Transfer program;

(B) those participating in the Pilot Program to Accelerate the Procurement and Fielding of Innovative Technologies and the Rapid Defense Enterprise Research program; and

(C) nontraditional defense companies that are working with research, innovation, and advanced project entities;

(A) ; and

(B) in paragraph (2)—

(i) in subparagraph (C), by striking and at the end;

(ii) in subparagraph (D), by striking and at the end; and

(iii) by adding at the end the following new subparagraphs:

(E) the date of the initial award to the participant from the Department of Defense; and

(F) the dates of any additional awards made to the participant, including the dates of any contracts or other agreements entered into between the participant the Department of Defense; and

(iii) ; and

(4) by adding at the end the following new subsection:

Not less frequently than once each fiscal quarter, the head of the Defense Technical Information Center, in coordination with the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering, shall update the innovators information repository established under this section.

Not later than 30 days after making an update to the innovators information repository under paragraph (1), the head of the Defense Technical Information Center shall submit to the congressional defense committees notice of such update together with instructions for electronically accessing the updated repository.

None of the funds authorized to be appropriated by this Act or otherwise made available for the Department of Defense may be obligated or expended to conduct biomedical research or testing using canines or felines.

The Secretary of Defense may waive the prohibition under subsection (a) if the Secretary—

(1) determines that the waiver is in the national security interest of the United States; and

(2) not later than the date on which the waiver is invoked, submits a notification of the waiver and a justification of the reason for seeking the waiver to the Committees on Armed Services of the Senate and the House of Representatives.

The Secretary of Defense shall take such steps as may be necessary—

(1) to expand participation in the Digital On-Demand Program to—

(A) all organizations and elements of the Department of Defense; and

(B) all members of the Armed Forces and civilian employees of the Department; and

(2) to actively promote the Program throughout the Department.

Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, and on an annual basis thereafter through 2029, the Secretary of Defense shall submit to the Committees on Armed Services of the Senate and the House of Representatives a report on the progress of the Secretary in expanding and promoting the Digital On-Demand Program as described in subsection (a).

In this section, the term Digital On-Demand Program means the program overseen by the Chief Digital and Artificial Intelligence Officer pursuant to which educational resources on artificial intelligence, emerging technologies, data literacy, and related topics are made available to personnel of the Department of Defense through a digital platform on an on-demand basis.

The Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering, in coordination with the Chief Digital and Artificial Intelligence Officer, shall develop a plan for the establishment of a secure computing and data storage environment to facilitate—

(1) the testing of artificial intelligence models trained on biological data; and

(2) the development and testing of products generated by such models.

The plan under subsection (a) shall provide as follows:

The secure computing and data storage environment described in subsection (a) shall be known as the AIxBio sandbox.

The AIxBio sandbox shall consist of a secure computing and data storage infrastructure to be used for the testing and development activities described in subsection (a). To the extent feasible, such infrastructure shall be assembled from the existing computing and data storage infrastructure organizations and elements of the Department of Defense with relevant capabilities, such as the Test Resource Management Center and the AI Accelerator of the Department of the Air Force.

The Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering shall be responsible for—

(A) managing and overseeing the activities of the sandbox;

(B) coordinating the efforts of the organizations of the Department involved in the activities of the sandbox;

(C) selecting projects for development and testing using the sandbox in accordance with paragraph (4); and

(D) arranging partnerships in accordance paragraph (5).

The Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering shall—

(A) identify projects funded, in whole or in part, by the Department of Defense that—

(i) have demonstrated a proof-of-concept or another similar indicator of early success or feasibility; and

(ii) involve the development of a model, technology, or product at the intersection of artificial intelligence and biotechnology that has potential defense applications, such as a project using artificial intelligence and biological data—

(I) to direct and produce medical countermeasures;

(II) to predict and produce new or enhanced biological materials for military purposes; or

(III) to analyze how biology could fulfill different components of the supply chain, including by improving the domestic supply chain through the use of biomanufacturing; and

(B) from projects identified under subparagraph (A), select projects for further development and testing using the AIxBio sandbox.

The Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering shall establish mechanisms through which organizations and entities involved in projects of the AIxBio sandbox may work with Department of Defense laboratories and Department-funded laboratories of academic institutions to carry out activities in support of such projects, including biological testing and experimentation and testing and experimentation to validate artificial intelligence models in development.

In carrying out subparagraph (A), the Under Secretary shall establish streamlined processes to facilitate efficient collaboration between laboratories, organizations of the Department of Defense, and private entities for purposes of developing products for national security purposes and carrying out activities in support of projects under AIxBio sandbox, including testing and experimentation.

The plan shall address—

(A) the manner in which existing computing and data storage infrastructure of the Department of Defense shall be made available for the AIxBio sandbox in accordance with paragraph (2);

(B) the development of any mechanisms needed to facilitate collaboration among individuals and organizations involved in projects under the AIxBio sandbox, including any necessary agreements concerning intellectual property, funding, and the transfer of materials or other resources;

(C) the process for selecting projects for development and testing using the sandbox in accordance with paragraph (4); and

(D) the process for determining the amount of funding needed for projects under the sandbox, including the length of time each project is expected to receive such funding.

Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering shall—

(1) submit to the Committees on Armed Services of the Senate and the House of Representatives a report that includes the plan developed under subsection (a); and

(2) provide to the Committees a briefing on the plan.

Not later than 60 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense shall seek to enter into a contract or other agreement with a federally funded research and development center to conduct an independent study on the foreign capital disclosure requirements of organizations of the Department of Defense that routinely engage with commercial entities backed by private equity or venture capital funds.

The study under subsection (a) shall include the following:

(1) A comparative analysis of current foreign capital disclosure requirements used by organizations within the Department of Defense that engage with commercial entities backed by private equity or venture capital funds, including the Defense Innovation Unit, National Security Innovation Capital, and other such organizations within the Department.

(2) An assessment of any business intelligence, due diligence information, classified information, and other information sources available to such organizations to assist the organizations in formulating and executing foreign capital disclosure requirements.

(3) An assessment of the extent to which such foreign capital disclosure requirements are shared with commercial entities.

(4) An assessment of best practices for foreign capital disclosure requirements across the Department of Defense, including best practices for flexibly implementing such requirements based upon real or perceived risks.

(5) An assessment of the feasibility of harmonizing the best practices as described in paragraph (4) across the Department of Defense in a responsive manner.

(6) An analysis of foreign capital disclosure requirements that are used elsewhere within the Federal Government and in the Governments of international allies and partners of the United States.

(7) An assessment of such other factors as may be relevant to inform the implementation of coordinated, effective foreign capital disclosure requirements across the Department of Defense and the Governments of international allies and partners of the United States.

Not later than 270 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense shall submit to the congressional defense committees a report on the results of the study conducted under subsection (a).

The report required under paragraph (1) shall be submitted in unclassified form, but may include a classified annex.

The Secretary of Defense shall develop a biotechnology roadmap to guide the efforts of the Department of Defense relating to biotechnology.

In the roadmap required by subsection (a), the Secretary of Defense shall—

(1) clearly articulate the strategic objectives of the Department of Defense relating to biotechnology;

(2) for each strategic objective, establish specific goals and milestones for the achievement of such objective, including timelines for meeting such goals and milestones;

(3) in the case of each updated version of the roadmap following submittal of the initial roadmap under subsection (d)(1), include—

(A) a review of the goals and milestones established under paragraph (2) to ensure such goals and milestones continue to align with strategic objectives under paragraph (1); and

(B) a description of any goals and milestones that changed as a result of such review;

(4) separately identify each biotechnology effort covered by the strategy, including any programs, projects, or other activities associated with such effort within the Office of the Secretary of Defense, the Armed Forces, and other organizations of the Department, and for each such effort provide—

(A) a description of the effort;

(B) an estimate of the funding dedicated to the effort;

(C) a timeline for carrying out the effort; and

(D) an explanation of how the effort aligns with the strategic objectives under paragraph (1);

(5) identify and describe the role of each organization of the Department with responsibilities relating to biotechnology under the strategy;

(6) establish metrics to measure the progress of the Department in meeting the objectives, goals, and milestones under the strategy;

(7) based on such metrics, assess the progress of the Department in meeting such objectives, goals, and milestones;

(8) based on the results of such assessment, make any necessary adjustments to the planning and execution of the roadmap to ensure the Department makes continuous progress toward achieving the objectives under paragraph (1);

(9) assess the overall risk to the security of the United States of the biotechnology efforts covered by the strategy;

(10) analyze any requirements of the Federal Government that hinder the ability of the Department to advance and use biotechnology;

(11) provide for the development and support of the biotechnology workforce of the Department, including personnel with responsibilities relating directly to biotechnology and personnel who indirectly support the biotechnology efforts of the Department such as personnel involved program management, acquisition, investment, and legal matters;

(12) with respect to the biotechnology workforce described in paragraph (11)—

(A) identify the total number of biotechnology positions required to support the objectives of the roadmap—

(i) as of the date of the road map; and

(ii) over the periods of five and 10 years following such date;

(B) indicate the number of such positions that have been filled as of the date of the roadmap;

(C) describe the positions included in the biotechnology workforce, including a description of—

(i) the role of each position in supporting the objectives under paragraph (1); and

(ii) the qualifications required for each position, including any qualifications relating to seniority level, education, training, and security clearances;

(D) identify any challenges affecting the ability of the Department to develop the biotechnology workforce and propose solutions to those challenges;

(E) assess whether the codes used to define positions and roles within the workforce of the Department adequately cover the range of positions and personnel that comprise the biotechnology workforce, such as personnel in research, engineering, and testing;

(F) identify mechanisms to enable the Department to access outside expertise relating to biotechnology, including mechanisms to assemble a pool of outside experts who have been prequalified (including by obtaining any necessary security clearances) to provide advice and assistance to the Department on matters relating to biotechnology on an as-needed basis;

(G) assess whether personnel occupying existing positions in the Department could be used to meet biotechnology workforce needs with additional training and, if so, the nature and scope of the training required;

(13) address collaboration between the Department and international partners to advance research on biotechnology, which shall include—

(A) a description of any international partnerships under which the United States is collaborating with partners to conduct biotechnology research and development for defense purposes;

(B) a description of any new international partnerships that may be entered into, or existing partnerships that may be modified, to provide for such collaboration; and

(C) identification of any challenges affecting the ability of the Department engage in such collaboration with international partners, including—

(i) any limitations on co-investments within international partnerships;

(ii) any United States export controls or other technology protections that hinder information sharing within such partnerships; and

(iii) any other challenges that may prevent the full utilization of such partnerships for such collaboration.

In preparing the roadmap required under subsection (a), the Secretary of Defense shall consult with—

(1) the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering;

(2) the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment;

(3) the Secretaries of the military departments; and

(4) such other officials of the Department of Defense as the Secretary determines appropriate.

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 the roadmap developed under subsection (a).

Not less frequently than once every two years following the submittal of the initial roadmap under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall—

(A) review and update the roadmap; and

(B) submit an updated version of the roadmap to the congressional defense committees.

Each version of the roadmap required to be submitted under this subsection may be submitted in classified form, but if so submitted, shall include an unclassified executive summary.

On annual basis, the Secretary shall make an unclassified version of the most recent roadmap submitted under subsection (d) available on a publicly accessible website of the Department of Defense.

In this section, the term biotechnology means the application of science and technology to living organisms and to parts, products and models of such organisms to alter living or non-living materials for the production of knowledge, goods, or services.

Not later than 120 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense shall seek to enter into an agreement with a federally funded research and development center to conduct an assessment related to biotechnology and provide recommendations to the Secretary.

Under an agreement between the Secretary and a federally funded research and development center under this section, the center shall agree to—

(1) conduct an assessment of—

(A) scientific topics related to biotechnology;

(B) scientific capabilities of potential adversaries of the United States, such as China, Iran, and the Russian Federation, related to biotechnology; and

(C) the current gaps and future scientific and technological needs for adversaries of the United States to be successful with respect to biotechnology capabilities; and

(2) develop recommendations with respect to useful indications of any advancement of such adversaries regarding such capabilities.

Under an agreement between the Secretary and a federally funded research and development center under this section, the Secretary shall agree to—

(1) appoint appropriate Department of Defense employees as liaisons to the center to support the timely conduct of the assessment described in subsection (b)(1);

(2) provide the center with access to materials relevant to the conduct of such assessment, consistent with the protection of sources and methods and other critically sensitive information; and

(3) ensure that appropriate members and staff of the center have the necessary clearances, obtained in an expedited manner, to conduct such assessment.

If the Secretary enters into an agreement with a federally funded research and development center under this section, not later than October 1, 2025, the Secretary shall submit to the congressional defense committees and the National Security Commission on Emerging Biotechnology a report that includes the findings and recommendations of the center developed pursuant to the assessment described in subsection (b)(1).

The report under paragraph (1) shall be submitted in unclassified form, but may contain a classified annex.

The Secretary shall transmit to relevant offices of the Department of Defense, including the offices of the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment, the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering, the Under Secretary of Defense for Policy, the Under Secretary of Defense for Intelligence and Security, and the Office of Net Assessment, a copy of the report under paragraph (1).

Congress finds the following:

(1) Domestic production capabilities for solid rocket motors have inherent limitations due to the mixing technology that is currently in use, a technology that hasn’t changed for over 60 years, for which there is a single supplier, and which is particularly vulnerable to foreign object debris.

(2) New, efficient, and ecologically friendly solid rocket motor mixing technologies have the potential to assist in ramping-up tactical missile production in anticipation of increased global instability.

It is the sense of Congress that the Secretary of the Air Force should pursue efforts to research, develop, and demonstrate advanced propellant mixing technologies for solid rocket motor propulsion systems that can be inserted into current or planned production facilities in order to provide additional surge capabilities to meet near-term supply needs.

Notwithstanding the amounts set forth in the funding tables in division D, the amount authorized to be appropriated in section 201 for research, development, test and evaluation, Army, as specified in the corresponding funding table in section 4201, for advanced component development and prototypes, environmental quality technology—DEM/VAL, line 060 (PE 0603779A) is hereby increased by $5,000,000 (to be available for the demonstration of high-pressure waterjet cut and capture system to demilitarize underwater munitions).

Notwithstanding the amounts set forth in the funding tables in division D, the amount authorized to be appropriated in section 201 for research, development, test and evaluation, Defense-wide, as specified in the corresponding funding table in section 4201, for basic research, defense research sciences, line 002 (PE 0601101E) is hereby reduced by $5,000,000.

Section 256 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2020 (Public Law 116–92; 133 Stat. 1290) is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection:

Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2025, each Secretary of a military department shall provide personnel in that Secretary’s department with distance education courses on—

(A) the foundational concepts of artificial intelligence and machine learning; and

(B) the responsible and ethical use of artificial intelligence and machine learning applications.

Not later than 270 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense shall submit to the congressional defense committees a report on the progress of the Secretaries of the military departments in implementing paragraph (1).

Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense shall submit to the congressional defense committees a report that includes—

(1) an assessment of the effectiveness of the artificial intelligence workforce of the Department of Defense;

(2) identification of any gaps in the skills and training of such workforce; and

(3) a description of any actions that may be carried out to preserve and enhance such workforce to ensure the global technological competitiveness of the United States.

In this section, the term artificial intelligence workforce means members of the Armed Forces and civilian personnel of the Department Defense with responsibilities relating to the research, development, procurement, or operational use of artificial intelligence technology.

Notwithstanding the amounts set forth in the funding tables in division D, the amount authorized to be appropriated in section 201 for RDT&E, Air Force for Aerospace Propulsion, line 008 as specified in the corresponding funding table in section 4201, for high-hypersonic detonation propulsion research and technology is hereby increased by $5,000,000; and

Notwithstanding the amounts set forth in the funding tables in division D, the amount authorized to be appropriated in section 301 for O&M, Air Force for Administration, line 410, as specified in the corresponding funding table in section 4301, for program decrease is hereby reduced by $5,000,000.

Notwithstanding the amounts set forth in the funding tables in division D, the amount authorized to be appropriated in section 201 for RDT&E, Army for Soldier Lethality Technology, line 010 as specified in the corresponding funding table in section 4201, for adaptive and intelligent adversary-threat models is hereby increased by $5,000,000.

Notwithstanding the amounts set forth in the funding tables in division D, the amount authorized to be appropriated in section 301 for O&M, Army for Other Personnel Support, line 470 as specified in the corresponding funding table in section 4301, for program decrease is hereby reduced by $5,000,000.

Notwithstanding the amounts set forth in the funding tables in division D, the amount authorized to be appropriated in section 201 for research, development, test and evaluation, Navy, as specified in the corresponding funding table in section 4201, for advanced component development and prototypes, surface and shallow water mine countermeasures, line 035 (PE 0603502N), is hereby increased by $9,000,000.

Notwithstanding the amounts set forth in the funding tables in division D, the amount authorized to be appropriated in section 201 for research, development, test and evaluation, Navy, as specified in the corresponding funding table in section 4201, for advanced component development and prototypes, chalk coral, line 063 (PE 0603734N), is hereby reduced by $9,000,000.

The Secretary of Defense shall assess the feasibility and advisability of including Israel in the national technology and industrial base.

The assessment under subsection (a) shall include the following:

(1) A detailed assessment of the potential benefit to the national security of the United States of including Israel in the national technology and industrial base.

(2) An assessment of how Israel’s inclusion in the national technology and industrial base may affect research and development projects on which Israel and the United States are collaborating.

(3) Detailed delineation of the specific steps Israel must take to facilitate eligibility for inclusion in the national technology and industrial base.

(4) An analysis of the progress Israel has made, as of the date of the assessment, with respect to the steps described in paragraph (3).

(5) Analysis of how Israel's potential inclusion in the national technology and industrial base could aid United States strategic competitiveness with China.

(6) An assessment of any barriers—

(A) to expansion of the national technology and industrial base generally; and

(B) to Israel's inclusion in the national technology and industrial base specifically.

Not later than 30 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense shall submit to the congressional defense committees a report on the results of the assessment conducted under subsection (a).

The report required under subsection (c) shall be submitted in unclassified form, but may include a classified annex.

In this section, the term national technology and industrial base has the meaning given that term in section 4801 of title 10, United States Code.

Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense shall submit to the congressional defense committees a plan for the expansion of the Hacking for Defense program of the Department of Defense over the period of three fiscal years following the date of the plan.

The plan required under subsection (a) shall include measures—

(1) to increase the number of institutions of higher education participating in Hacking for Defense programs;

(2) to expand support for certain elite teams after Hacking for Defense course completion;

(3) to expand opportunities after Hacking for Defense course completion in countries that are members of—

(A) the AUKUS partnership;

(B) the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue; or

(C) the North Atlantic Treaty Organization;

(4) to partner with other organizations and elements of the Department of Defense to expand the Hacking for Defense curriculum to a second semester prototyping course; and

(5) to support the development of professional military education programs in the National Defense University system that are similar to the Hacking for Defense program.

In this section:

(1) The term AUKUS partnership means the enhanced trilateral security partnership between Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States announced in September 2021.

(2) The term Quadrilateral Security Dialogue means the strategic security dialogue between—

(A) India;

(B) Japan;

(C) Australia; and

(D) the United States.

The Secretary of Defense shall assess the feasibility and advisability of establishing a strategic partnership between the Defense Innovation Unit and the Taiwan Ministry of National Defense, pursuant to which the Unit and the Ministry would—

(1) coordinate on defense industrial priorities;

(2) collaborate on the development of dual-use defense capabilities.

(3) establish mechanisms to streamline emerging defense technology research and development and microchip supply chain security;

(4) create additional pathways to market for relevant defense technology startups; and

(5) carry out other activities to—

(A) enhance market opportunities for United States-based and Taiwan-based defense technology companies;

(B) bolster Taiwan’s defense industrial base;

(C) harmonize global security posture through emerging technology; and

(D) counter the development of dual-use defense technologies by the Chinese Communist Party.

Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense shall submit to the congressional defense committees a report on the results of the assessment conducted under subsection (a).

It is the sense of Congress that Congress encourages the Armed Forces to continue innovating, including by using technological methods that incorporate artificial intelligence, quantum information science, advanced air mobility, and counter-UAS systems to ultimately maintain, bolster, and augment military readiness, wartime preparedness, and ensure the overall national security of the United States.

In this section:

(1) The term advanced air mobility means a transportation system that transports people and property by air between two points in the United States using aircraft with advanced technologies, including electric aircraft or electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft, in both controlled and uncontrolled airspace.

(2) The term artificial intelligence has the meaning given such term in section 5002 of the National Artificial Intelligence Initiative Act of 2020 (15 U.S.C. 9401).

(3) The term counter-UAS system has the meaning given such term in section 44801(5) of title 49, United States Code.

(4) The term quantum information science has the meaning given such term in section 2 of the National Quantum Initiative Act (15 U.S.C. 8801).

Notwithstanding the amounts set forth in the funding tables in division D, the amount authorized to be appropriated in section 201 for research, development, test, and evaluation, Defense-wide, as specified in the corresponding funding table in section 4201, for operational system development, Aviation Systems, line 281 (PE 1160403BB) is hereby increased by $6,000,000 (with the amount of such increase to be made available for Alternative Domestic Source C–130J IRSS).

Notwithstanding the amounts set forth in the funding tables in division D, the amount authorized to be appropriated in section 201 for research, development, test, and evaluation, Defense-wide, as specified in the corresponding funding table in section 4201, for operational system development, industrial base analysis and sustainment support, line 214 (PE 0607210D8Z) is hereby reduced by $6,000,000.

Notwithstanding the amounts set forth in the funding tables in division D, the amount authorized to be appropriated in section 201 for Research, Development, Test and Evaluation, Next-Generation Combat Vehicle Advanced Technology, line 43, as specified in the corresponding funding table in section 4201, for Virtual Engineering for Army Readiness and Sustainment, is hereby increased by $7,000,000.

Notwithstanding the amounts set forth in the funding tables in division D, the amount authorized to be appropriated in section 301 for Operations and Maintenance, Defense-Wide, for the office of the Secretary of Defense, line 470, as specified in the corresponding funding table in section 4301, is hereby reduced by $7,000,000.

Notwithstanding the amounts set forth in the funding tables in division D, the amount authorized to be appropriated in section 201 for Research, Development, Test and Evaluation, Army for Ground Advanced Technology, line 38, as specified in the corresponding funding table in section 4201, for Humanitarian Airborne Mobile Infrastructure Capability, is hereby increased by $4,200,000.

Notwithstanding the amounts set forth in the funding tables in division D, the amount authorized to be appropriated in section 301 for Operations and Maintenance, Defense-Wide, for the office of the Secretary of Defense, line 470, as specified in the corresponding funding table in section 4301, is hereby reduced by $4,200,000.

Notwithstanding the amounts set forth in the funding tables in division D, the amount authorized to be appropriated in section 201 for Research, Development, Test and Evaluation, Army for Ground Advanced Technology, line 38, as specified in the corresponding funding table in section 4201, for Fuel Cell Multi-Modular Use (FC-MMU) Utilizing Hydrogen, is hereby increased by $10,000,000.

Notwithstanding the amounts set forth in the funding tables in division D, the amount authorized to be appropriated in section 301 for Operation and Maintenance, Defense-Wide, for the office of the Secretary of Defense, line 470, as specified in the corresponding funding table in section 4301, is hereby reduced by $10,000,000.

Funds are hereby authorized to be appropriated for fiscal year 2025 for the use of the Armed Forces and other activities and agencies of the Department of Defense for expenses, not otherwise provided for, for operation and maintenance, as specified in the funding table in section 4301.

Section 2920(d)(2)(C)(ii) of title 10, United States Code, is amended by striking 2027 and inserting 2032.

Section 318(a)(2) of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2024 (Public Law 118–31) is amended by striking one-year period and inserting five-year period.

Section 324(g) of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2023 is amended by striking paragraph (2) and inserting the following new paragraphs:

(2) The term applicable material means the following:

(A) Monoglycerides, diglycerides, and triglycerides.

(B) Free fatty acids.

(C) Fatty acid esters.

(D) Municipal solid waste.

(E) Renewable natural gas.

(3) The term biomass has the meaning given such term in section 45K(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.

(4) The term lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions reduction percentage means, with respect to non-petroleum-based jet fuel, the percentage reduction in lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions achieved by such fuel as compared with petroleum-based jet fuel, as determined using the following:

(A) The most up-to-date Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation which has been adopted by the International Civil Aviation Organization with the agreement of the United States.

(B) The most up-to-date determinations under the model known as the Greenhouse gases, Regulated Emissions, and Energy use in Technologies model developed by Argonne National Laboratory.

(5) The term sustainable aviation fuel means the portion of liquid fuel that is not kerosene and that—

(A) meets the requirements of—

(i) ASTM International Standard D7566; or

(ii) the Fischer Tropsch provisions of ASTM International Standard D1655, Annex A1;

(B) is not derived from coprocessing an applicable material (or materials derived from an applicable material) with a feedstock which is not biomass;

(C) is not derived from palm fatty acid distillates or petroleum; and

(D) has a lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions reduction percentage of at least 50 percent.

Section 343(a)(2) of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2022 (Public Law 117–81; 10 U.S.C. 2701 note) is amended by inserting before the period at the end the following: or issues an interim guidance on the destruction and disposal of PFAS substances and materials containing PFAS substances.

The Secretary of Defense shall enhance efforts to manage, control, and interdict the coconut rhinoceros beetle on military installations in Hawaii.

The efforts required under subsection (a) shall include the following:

(1) Carrying out science-based management and control programs to reduce the effect of the coconut rhinoceros beetle on military installations and to prevent the introduction or spread of the coconut rhinoceros beetle to areas where such beetle has not yet been established.

(2) Providing support for interagency and intergovernmental response efforts to control, interdict, monitor, and eradicate the coconut rhinoceros beetle.

(3) Pursuing chemical, biological, and other control techniques, technology transfer, and best practices to support management, control, interdiction and, where possible, eradication of the coconut rhinoceros beetle from Hawaii.

(4) Establishing an early detection and rapid response mechanism to monitor and deploy coordinated efforts if the coconut rhinoceros beetle, or another newly detected invasive alien species, is detected at new sites on military installations in Hawaii.

(5) Carrying out such other activities as the Secretary determines appropriate to manage, control, and interdict the coconut rhinoceros beetle on military installations in Hawaii.

Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, and annually thereafter for each of the next three years, the Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Energy, Installations, and Environment shall provide to the Committees on Armed Services of the House of Representatives and the Senate a briefing on the implementation of this section, which shall include detailed information about the efforts of the Secretary to manage, control, and interdict the coconut rhinoceros beetle on military installations in Hawaii.

Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense, in consultation with each Secretary of a military department, the commanders of United States Indo-Pacific Command and its component commands, and State, local, and non-governmental organizations, shall submit to the congressional defense committees a report on biosecurity protocols and procedures to prevent the introduction and spread of invasive species to the State of Hawaii.

The report required under subsection (a) shall include each of the following:

(1) A review of current Department of Defense protocols and procedures, including gaps and differences between military installations, for biosecurity and to prevent the introduction and spread of invasive species in the State of Hawaii.

(2) A review of the efforts and progress of the Department of Defense in implementing the relevant recommendations of the 2015 Regional Biosecurity Plan for Micronesia and Hawaii.

(3) A plan to—

(A) improve coordination and alignment between Department of Defense components in Hawaii to prevent the introduction and spread of invasive species, including through early detection on Department of Defense assets;

(B) develop and implement best practices to improve biosecurity protocols while minimizing the effects on military operations, including during military exercises; and

(C) improve coordination with State and local government entities and non-governmental organizations to enhance biosecurity and to prevent the introduction and spread of invasive species.

Not later than five years after the date of the submission of the report required under subsection (a), the Secretary of Defense shall provide to the congressional defense committees an update on the progress of the Department of Defense in implementing the plan referred to in subsection (b)(3).

In this section:

(1) The term invasive species has the meaning given such term in section 10(a)(4) of the Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act (16 U.S.C. 666c-1(a)(4)).

(2) The term biosecurity means measures taken to protect against biological agents that pose a threat to public health, plant or animal health, or the environment.

Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Energy, Installations, and the Environment shall carry out a pilot program under which the Assistant Secretary shall install propane-powered generators at an organic industrial base facility. Under the pilot program, such generators shall—

(1) be used in tandem with an on-site microgrid in order to improve the resiliency and redundancy of power generation at the facility; and

(2) be powered by conventional or renewable propane.

In this section:

(1) The term microgrid has the meaning given such term in section 641(b)(6) of the United States Energy Storage Competitiveness Act of 2007 (42 U.S.C. 17231(b)(6)).

(2) The term propane has the meaning given such term in section 3(6) of the Propane Education and Research Act of 1006 (15 U.S.C. 6402(6)).

The authority to carry out the pilot program under this section shall terminate on the date that is five years after the date of the enactment of this Act.

None of the funds authorized to be appropriated by this Act or otherwise made available for the Department of Defense for fiscal year 2025 may be used to finalize or implement any rule based on the advanced notice of proposed rulemaking titled Federal Acquisition Regulation: Minimizing the Risk of Climate Change in Federal Acquisitions (October 15, 2021; 86 Fed. Reg. 57404).

Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, with respect to each permit under section 402(p) of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (33 U.S.C. 1342(p)) that applies to a Department of Defense facility, the Secretary of Defense shall request from the State that issued the permit, or the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, as applicable, approval of a modification to such permit, or a revision to an applicable stormwater management plan, to require—

(1) monitoring of discharges of perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances not less frequently than quarterly; and

(2) implementation of appropriate best management practices or control technologies to reduce such discharges consistent with the requirements of such Act.

Section 2713(c)(3) of title 10, United States Code, is amended by striking two calendar years and inserting five calendar years.

Not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of the Navy, the Secretary of the Air Force, and the Commandant of the Marine Corps shall each develop a plan to—

(1) improve the required inspection procedures for the prepositioned stockpiles of the Armed Force concerned, for the purpose of identifying deficiencies and conducting maintenance repairs at levels necessary to ensure such prepositioned stockpiles are mission capable; and

(2) with respect to the Navy and Marine Corps, provide an analysis of the readiness of ships that hold or facilitate the off-loading of prepositioned stocks and suggestions for improving inspection procedures of such ships.

Not later than 30 days after the date on which the Secretary or the Commandant completes the development of a plan under subsection (a), and not less frequently than twice each year thereafter for the three-year period beginning on the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary or the Commandant shall inspect the prepositioned stockpiles of the Armed Force concerned in accordance with the procedures under such plan.

Not later than 120 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretaries and the Commandant shall each provide to the congressional defense committees a briefing on the plan developed under subsection (a).

Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, and every 180 days thereafter for the three-year period beginning on the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretaries and the Commandant shall each provide to the congressional defense committees a briefing on the status and condition of the prepositioned stockpiles of the Armed Force concerned.

In this section, the term Armed Force concerned means—

(1) the Navy, with respect to the Secretary of the Navy;

(2) the Marine Corps with respect to the Commandant of the Marine Corps; and

(3) the Air Force, with respect to the Secretary of the Air Force.

Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, and subject to the availability of appropriations, the Commandant of the Marine Corps may select a unit within the Marine Corps to carry out a pilot program to improve military supply chain readiness, budget efficiency, and logistics productivity through the integration and use of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning software solutions.

The Commandant of the Marine Corps shall seek to carry out the pilot program under subsection (a) in partnership with a federally funded research and development center, a University Affiliated Research Center, a center of excellence, a military service laboratory, or 1 or more private-sector entities with experience in machine learning-driven logistics planning and decision support tools in an effort to streamline and modernize the Marine Corps logistics operations and any other partners the commandant deems necessary.

The goals of the pilot program are to leverage AI solutions to—

(1) optimize logistics operations and inventory management, specifically within the United States Indo-Pacific Command Area of Responsibility;

(2) improve military force readiness;

(3) streamline materiel distribution and logistics optimization;

(4) improve situational awareness by providing predictions driven by a modular, probabilistic simulation of logistics processes in the face of uncertainty;

(5) enhance productivity by minimizing and, where possible, automating reporting and inter- actions with data systems; and

(6) scale Marine Corps integration of AI-enhanced logistics and supply chain solutions to solve operational challenges.

By December 1 of each year in which the pilot program is carried out, the Commandant of the Marine Corps shall provide to the congressional defense committees a report that includes—

(1) a description of the logistics and supply chain problem sets that were evaluated by the pilot program;

(2) an assessment of the impact of using AI to solve supply chain and logistics challenges, including any changes to readiness, budget efficiency, and productivity of military equipment and materiel;

(3) any barriers identified to using AI to solve supply chain and logistics challenges;

(4) recommendations regarding how the Department of Defense can better leverage artificial intelligence to address supply chain and logistics challenges in a contested environment;

(5) an assessment of the impact of AI software solutions on visibility of materiel at different levels of command within the Marine Corps; and

(6) the viability of expanding these software solutions to other units and areas of responsibility.

The pilot program under this section shall terminate on the date that is 3 years after the date on which the Marine Corps enters into the first agreement with a qualified entity under subsection (b).

The Director of the Defense Logistics Agency shall modify Defense Logistics Agency Instructions 5025.03 and 3110.01—

(1) to require Defense Logistics Agency Troop Support to coordinate annually with customers in the military departments to conduct responsiveness testing of the Defense Logistics Agency’s contingency contracts for pharmaceuticals; and

(2) to include the results of such testing, as reported by customers in the military departments, in the annual reports of the Warstopper Program.

It is the sense of Congress that—

(1) the current state of Department of Defense depots and industrial facilities is concerning;

(2) charged with maintaining critical equipment and complex weapons systems, these Government-owned, Government-operated installations are vital to supporting military readiness and conflict deterrence;

(3) robust funding should be provided for sustained facilities modernization; and

(4) facilities and equipment modernization will cost hundreds of billions and require sustained management attention over many years.

Not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense, in coordination with the Secretary of each of the military departments, shall submit to the congressional defense committees an investment plan that includes detailed information about the minimum annual investment in Department of Defense depots and industrial facilities that is needed to prevent further infrastructure deterioration. The minimum investment level included in the plan shall reflect a percentage of the 3-year rolling average of maintenance, repair, and overhaul workload funded at all Department depots and industrial facilities. Modernization efforts addressed in the plan shall account for future technological demands, labor needs, and threats to facility security including those posed by extreme weather and natural disasters.

Section 185 of title 10, United States Code, is amended—

(1) in subsection (k)—

(A) in paragraph (1)—

(i) by striking Chair and inserting Chairperson; and

(ii) by striking semi-annual and inserting biannual; and

(B) in paragraph (2)—

(i) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A)—

(I) by striking, 2023, and not later than and inserting and;

(II) by striking thereafter; and

(III) by inserting biannual before report;

(ii) in subparagraph (A), by striking and after the semicolon;

(iii) in subparagraph (B), by striking the period and inserting; and; and

(iv) by adding at the end the following new subparagraph:

(C) for the year covered by the report—

(i) releasable information regarding any mishap that occurred during such year; and

(ii) an identification of any corrective or preventative action implemented pursuant to a recommendation made in a safety or legal investigation report of such a mishap.

(iv) ; and

(2) by adding at the end the following new subsection:

Not later than March 31 and December 31 of each year, the Chairperson of the Joint Council shall provide to the congressional defense committees a briefing on the contents of the report required under subsection (k) for the corresponding date.

Section 2920(g) of title 10, United States Code, is amended by striking 2029 and inserting 2027.

Not later than June 30, 2025, the Secretary of Defense shall provide to the congressional defense committees a briefing on the progress of the Secretary in meeting the requirements under section 2920(a) of title 10, United States Code.

Section 357 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2022 (Public Law 117–81) is amended—

(1) in subsection (a)—

(A) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by striking 2022, 2023, 2024, and 2025 and inserting 2025, 2026, and 2027;

(B) in paragraph (1)—

(i) by striking (including and inserting, which may include; and

(ii) by striking the closing parenthesis; and

(C) in paragraph (2), by striking as a result of such review; and

(2) in subsection (b) by striking of the following: and all that follows through the period at the end of paragraph (4) and inserting of matters regarding the sustainment or affordability of the F–35 Lighting II aircraft program that the Comptroller General, after consulting with staff from the Committees on Armed Services of the House of Representatives and the Senate, determines to be of critical importance to the long-term viability of such program..

The Secretary of Defense shall conduct a study of the training standards for firefighter rapid intervention teams and the use of equipment by such teams at Department of Defense facilities. Such study shall include—

(1) an identification of such training standards and equipment that, as of the date of the enactment of this Act, are in use by such teams and the extent to which such training and equipment is standard across firefighter rapid intervention teams located at different Department facilities;

(2) an identification of such training standards and equipment that, as of the date of the enactment of this Act, are in use by such teams at Department naval and port facilities and a determination by the Secretary of whether such training and equipment is sufficient to prepare such teams for fires on the various ships that dock at such facilities; and

(3) a description of any incident that—

(A) occurred during the ten-year period preceding the date of the enactment of this Act in which a firefighter was injured or killed at a Department facility; and

(B) the Secretary finds could have been prevented if the firefighters involved had received different training or equipment; and

Not later than September 30, 2025, the Secretary of Defense shall submit to the Committees on Armed Services of the Senate and House of Representatives a report containing the results of the study required under subsection (a).

In this section, the term firefighter rapid intervention team means a designated firefighting crew that serves as a stand-by rescue team at the scenes of fires and other emergencies and is available for the immediate search and rescue of missing, trapped, or injured firefighters if required.

Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Joint Safety Council established under section 185 of title 10, United States Code, shall review the issues identified in the report of the Comptroller General of the United States titled Military Readiness: Comprehensive Approach Needed to Address Service Member Fatigue and Manage Related Efforts (GAO-24-105917), including—

(1) insufficient oversight authority at the Department of Defense level;

(2) a lack of assigned leadership on fatigue-related matters within the Armed Forces; and

(3) fragmented fatigue-related research efforts across the Department;

Not later than September 1, 2025, the Joint Safety Council shall provide to the congressional defense committees a briefing on the steps the Council is taking to address the findings of the Comptroller General and to reinvigorate efforts to limit the fatigue of members of the Armed Forces.

Not later than December 31, 2025, the Armed Forces Pest Management Board shall conduct a study on the use and presence of herbicide agents and toxic chemicals by the Department in the Panama Canal Zone during the period beginning on January 1, 1958, and ending on December 31, 1999.

The study conducted under subsection (a) shall include the following:

(1) An assessment to determine the degree to which herbicide agents, including those known as rainbow herbicides, and other toxic chemicals were used, tested, stored, or otherwise dispensed within the Panama Canal Zone while members of the United States Armed Forces were stationed there.

(2) An assessment of how many members of the United States Armed Forces may have been affected by the usage of herbicide agents and other toxic chemicals.

In this section:

(1) The term herbicide agent means a chemical in an herbicide.

(2) The term rainbow herbicide means herbicides known as Agent Pink, Agent Purple, Agent Blue, Agent Green, Agent White, and Agent Orange.

(3) The term toxic chemicals means persistent organic pollutants, as defined by the Environmental Protection Agency.

Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense shall submit to Congress a report that contains—

(1) an assessment of the wildfire fighting capabilities of the Department of Defense in Hawaii, including any shortfalls in firefighting equipment, facilities, training, plans, or personnel;

(2) a determination of the feasibility of establishing a wildfire training institute on O‘ahu;

(3) an identification of any additional authorities or resources required to integrate the capabilities of the Department of Defense with the capabilities of other Federal, State, and local emergency responders; and

(4) an identification of any memoranda or other agreements between the Department and State, local, Federal, or other disaster response organizations regarding wildland fire mitigation, prevention, response, and recovery.

Not later than March 31, 2025, the Secretary of the Army shall provide to the Committees on Armed Services of the Senate and the House of Representatives a briefing on the modernization and sustainment plans of the Army for organizational clothing and equipment used in cold and extreme cold weather environments. The briefing shall include the following topics:

(1) The planned requirement of the Army for organizational clothing and equipment used in cold and extreme cold weather environments.

(2) The current inventory of the Army of such clothing and equipment.

(3) The modernization plan of the Army with respect to such clothing and equipment.

(4) Any relevant investments currently programmed for such clothing and equipment in the Future Years Defense Program.

(5) The cost and timeline associated with implementing such plan, including any additional outlays by Congress necessary to fulfil the plan.

(6) Such other matters as the Secretary finds appropriate.

In this section, the term organizational clothing and equipment used in cold and extreme cold weather environments includes extreme cold weather clothing, footwear, handwear, shelters, sleep systems, sleep mats, snowshoes, and skis.

Section 1060c of title 10, United States Code, is amended—

(1) in the section heading, by striking in emergencies;

(2) in subsection (a), by striking for the purposes described in subsection (c); and

(3) by striking subsection (c).

The Secretary of Defense may use amounts authorized to be appropriated to the Department of Defense for Operation and Maintenance for the procurement of sports foods and third-party certified dietary supplements and the distribution of such foods and supplements to members of the Armed Forces.

The Secretary shall authorize registered dietitians and health care providers of the Department at the operational unit level to acquire sports foods and third-party certified dietary supplements and to distribute such foods and supplements to members of the Armed Forces.

Nothing in this subsection shall be construed to—

(A) augment morale, welfare, and recreation funds or activities; or

(B) augment or replace the budget or services of dining facilities of the Department.

The Secretary shall require that any dietary supplements and sports foods procured under this section are tested by an appropriate non-Department of Defense entity to ensure that product labels for content type and amount are accurate and that the product is free of substances banned by the Department.

In this section:

(1) The term dietary supplement has the meaning given that term in section 201(ff) of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (21 U.S.C. 321(ff)).

(2) The term sports food means a product with a nutrition facts label that is meant to support daily macronutrient and caloric needs in support of fueling and hydration of members of the Armed Forces to enhance combat readiness, which may be used to improve physical performance and long-term cognitive health and optimize recovery.

Notwithstanding the amounts set forth in the funding tables in division D, the amount authorized to be appropriated in section 301 for operating forces, line 090 as specified in the corresponding funding table in section 4301 for Operations and Maintenance, for base support, is hereby increased by $5,000,000.

Notwithstanding the amounts set forth in the funding tables in division D, the amount authorized to be appropriated in section 301 for Administration and Service-Wide Activities for line 410 as specified in the corresponding funding table in section 4301, for Administration is hereby reduced by $5,000,000.

Section 2241(a) of title 10, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph:

(8) Acquisition, development, modification, and sustainment of software.

The Armed Forces are authorized strengths for active duty personnel as of September 30, 2025, as follows:

(1) The Army, 442,300.

(2) The Navy, 332,300.

(3) The Marine Corps, 172,300.

(4) The Air Force, 320,000.

(5) The Space Force, 9,800.

The Armed Forces are authorized strengths for Selected Reserve personnel of the reserve components as of September 30, 2025, as follows:

(1) The Army National Guard of the United States, 325,000.

(2) The Army Reserve, 175,800.

(3) The Navy Reserve, 57,700.

(4) The Marine Corps Reserve, 32,500.

(5) The Air National Guard of the United States, 107,700.

(6) The Air Force Reserve, 67,000.

(7) The Coast Guard Reserve, 7,000.

The end strengths prescribed by subsection (a) for the Selected Reserve of any reserve component shall be proportionately reduced by—

(1) the total authorized strength of units organized to serve as units of the Selected Reserve of such component which are on active duty (other than for training) at the end of the fiscal year; and

(2) the total number of individual members not in units organized to serve as units of the Selected Reserve of such component who are on active duty (other than for training or for unsatisfactory participation in training) without their consent at the end of the fiscal year.

Whenever units or individual members of the Selected Reserve of any reserve component are released from active duty during any fiscal year, the end strength prescribed for such fiscal year for the Selected Reserve of such reserve component shall be increased proportionately by the total authorized strengths of such units and by the total number of such individual members.

Within the end strengths prescribed in section 411(a), the reserve components of the Armed Forces are authorized, as of September 30, 2025, the following number of Reserves to be serving on full-time active duty or full-time duty, in the case of members of the National Guard, for the purpose of organizing, administering, recruiting, instructing, or training the reserve components:

(1) The Army National Guard of the United States, 30,845.

(2) The Army Reserve, 16,511.

(3) The Navy Reserve, 10,132.

(4) The Marine Corps Reserve, 2,400.

(5) The Air National Guard of the United States, 25,736.

(6) The Air Force Reserve, 6,311.

The minimum number of military technicians (dual status) as of the last day of fiscal year 2025 for the reserve components of the Army and the Air Force (notwithstanding section 129 of title 10, United States Code) shall be the following:

(1) For the Army National Guard of the United States, 22,294.

(2) For the Army Reserve, 6,492.

(3) For the Air National Guard of the United States, 10,744.

(4) For the Air Force Reserve, 6,697.

During fiscal year 2025, the maximum number of members of the reserve components of the Armed Forces who may be serving at any time on full-time operational support duty under section 115(b) of title 10, United States Code, is the following:

(1) The Army National Guard of the United States, 17,000.

(2) The Army Reserve, 13,000.

(3) The Navy Reserve, 6,200.

(4) The Marine Corps Reserve, 3,000.

(5) The Air National Guard of the United States, 16,000.

(6) The Air Force Reserve, 14,000.

Funds are hereby authorized to be appropriated for fiscal year 2025 for the use of the Armed Forces and other activities and agencies of the Department of Defense for expenses, not otherwise provided for, for military personnel, as specified in the funding table in section 4401.

The authorization of appropriations in the subsection (a) supersedes any other authorization of appropriations (definite or indefinite) for such purpose for fiscal year 2025.

Section 115a of title 10, United States Code, is amended—

(1) in subsection (a), by striking Congress and inserting to the Committees on Armed Services of the Senate and the House of Representatives, and furnish to any Member of Congress upon request,; and

(2) in subsection (b)—

(A) by inserting (1) before The Secretary; and

(B) by adding at the end the following new paragraph:

(2) The justification and explanation required by paragraph (1) shall include the following:

(A) An assessment of the most important threats facing the United States, disaggregated by geographic combatant command.

(B) An explanation of how personnel end strength level requests address threats described in subparagraph (A).

(C) The rationale for recommended increases or decreases in active, reserve, and civilian personnel for each component of the Department of Defense.

(D) The rationale for recommended increases or decreases in active, reserve, and civilian personnel for each of the geographic combatant commands.

(E) The primary functions or missions of active, reserve, and civilian personnel in each geographic combatant command.

(F) An assessment of any areas in which decreases in active, reserve, or civilian personnel would not result in a decrease in readiness.

(G) The actual end strength number for each armed force for the prior fiscal year, compared to authorized end strength levels.

(H) The shortfall in recruiting by each armed force as a percentage, as the Secretary determines appropriate.

(I) The number of applicants who were found to be ineligible for service in the Department of Defense during the prior fiscal year as a result of current enlistment standards, disaggregated by armed force and reason for disqualification.

Section 525 of title 10, United States Code, is amended—

(1) in subsection (a)(3)(B) by striking 34 and inserting 35; and

(2) in subsection (a)(3)(C) by striking 49 and inserting 48.

Section 8077 of title 10, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection:

The Surgeon General, while so serving, shall hold the grade of O–9.

Section 525(a)(4) of title 10, United States Code, is amended—

(1) in subparagraph (B), by striking 17 and inserting 18; and

(2) in subparagraph (C), by striking 22 and replacing with 21.

Section 525 of title 10, United States Code, is amended—

(1) by striking subsection (f); and

(2) by redesignating subsection (g) as subsection (f).

Section 526 of title 10, United States Code, is amended—

(1) by redesignating subsections (g) through (j) as subsections (h) through (k), respectively; and

(2) by inserting, after subsection (f), the following new subsection (g):

The Secretary of Defense may designate up to 45 general officer and flag officer positions for exclusion from the limitations in subsection (a) and in section 525(a) of this title.

Paragraph (3) of subsection (a) of section 501 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2017 (Public Law 114–328; 10 U.S.C. 525 note) is hereby repealed.

Section 715 of title 10, United States Code, is amended to read as follows:

An officer serving as Attending Physician to the Congress, while so serving, holds the grade of O–6.

Section 1182(d)(1) of title 10, United States Code, is amended—

(1) by striking If and inserting (A) Subject to subparagraph (B), if; and

(2) by adding at the end the following new subparagraphs:

(B) If the board determines that there is a substantiated basis for separating the officer and the Chief of the armed force concerned recommends separation, the Secretary of the military department concerned may determine, pursuant to the process under subparagraph (C), whether to involuntarily separate the officer under subparagraph (D).

(C) The process under this subparagraph shall include the following:

(i) The provision of notice to the officer regarding such process.

(ii) An opportunity for the officer to present evidence to the Secretary of the military department concerned.

(D) Subject to subparagraph (E), the Secretary of the military department concerned may involuntarily separate the officer if, after reviewing all the evidence in the record, such Secretary determines that—

(i) the recommendation of the board is clearly contrary to the substantial weight of such evidence;

(ii) the officer’s conduct—

(I) discredits the armed force concerned;

(II) adversely affects good order and discipline; or

(III) adversely affects the officer’s performance of duty; and

(iii) separation is essential to the interests of justice, discipline, and proper administration of the armed force concerned.

(i) The least favorable characterization of a separation under subparagraph (D) shall be general (under honorable conditions).

(ii) The Secretary of the military department concerned may delegate the authority to make a determination under subparagraph (D) only to a civilian official of such military department who was appointed by the President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate.

Subsection (c) of section 2106 of title 10, United States Code, is amended—

(1) by striking August 1, 1979, as a member of the Selected Reserve and inserting an em dash; and

(2) by adding at the end the following new paragraphs:

(1) August 1, 1979, as a member of the Selected Reserve; or

(2) the date of the enactment of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2025, regardless of the component in which the officer performed such enlisted service.

Chapter 806 of title 10, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new section:

(a) There is a Medical Officer of the Marine Corps who shall be appointed from among flag officers of the Navy.

(b) The Medical Officer of the Marine Corps, while so serving, shall hold the grade of rear admiral (lower half).

Section 525 of such title is amended—

(1) by redesignating subsection (g) as subsection (h); and

(2) by inserting after subsection (f) the following new subsection (g):

(g) A naval officer while serving as the Medical Officer of the Marine Corps is in addition to the number that would otherwise be permitted for the Navy for officers serving on active duty in the grade of rear admiral (lower half) under subsection (a).

Section 526 of such title is amended—

(1) by redesignating subsections (g) through (j) as subsections (h) through (k), respectively; and

(2) by inserting after subsection (f) the following new subsection (g):

The limitations of this section do not apply to the flag officer who is serving as the Medical Officer of the Marine Corps.

Section 9160 of title 10, United States Code, is repealed.

Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary concerned shall implement, in an Armed Force, a five-year pilot program, pursuant to which—

(1) an officer described in subsection (b) shall be anonymously evaluated by peers and subordinates; and

(2) the results of such evaluations shall be furnished to a command selection or command qualification board concerned; and

(3) the command selection or command qualification board shall consider such results in determining whether to recommend such officer for such selection or qualification.

An officer described in this subsection is a regular officer—

(1) eligible for consideration for command;

(2) in grade O-5 or O-6; and

(3) in a career field—

(A) specified in subsection (c); or

(B) determined by the Secretary concerned.

The career fields specified in this subsection are the following:

(1) In the Navy, surface warfare, submarine warfare, special warfare, or explosive ordnance disposal.

(2) In the Marine Corps, infantry, logistics, or field artillery.

(3) In the Air Force, operations or logistics.

(4) In the Space Force, space operations.

(5) In the Coast Guard, afloat or engineering and command, control, communications, computers, cyber, and intelligence.

The Secretary concerned may select an individual to evaluate an officer under the pilot program if the Secretary determines such individual has worked with the officer closely enough to have an informed opinion regarding the officer’s leadership abilities. An officer may not have any input regarding the selection of an individual who shall evaluate such officer.

Not later than three months after the termination of a pilot program, a Secretary concerned shall submit to the appropriate congressional committees a report regarding the pilot program. Elements of each such report shall include the following:

(1) The determination of the Secretary concerned whether the pilot program improved the command selection or command qualification process of the Armed Force.

(2) The determination of the Secretary concerned whether to continue to use peer or subordinate evaluations in the command selection or command qualification process of such Armed Force.

In this section:

(1) The term appropriate congressional committees means—

(A) the Committee on Armed Services of the House of Representatives;

(B) the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives;

(C) the Committee on Armed Services of the Senate; and

(D) the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate.

(2) The terms regular and Secretary concerned have the meanings given such term in section 101 of title 10, United States Code.

Section 7038(b) of title 10, United States Code, is amended by striking paragraph (4) and inserting the following:

(4) The Chief of Army Reserve, while so serving, holds the grade of lieutenant general.

Section 8083(b) of such title is amended by striking paragraph (4) and inserting the following:

(4) The Chief of Navy Reserve, while so serving, holds the grade of vice admiral.

Section 8084(b) of such title is amended by striking paragraph (4) and inserting the following:

(4) The Commander, Marine Forces Reserve, while so serving, holds the grade of lieutenant general.

Section 9038(b) of such title is amended by striking paragraph (4) and inserting the following:

(4) The Chief of Air Force Reserve, while so serving, holds the grade of lieutenant general.

The amendments made by subsection (a) shall take effect on the day that is one year after the date of the enactment of this Act and shall apply to appointments made after such date.

Section 14701(a) of title 10, United States Code, is amended—

(1) in paragraph (1)—

(A) in subparagraph (A), by inserting (including an officer described in subparagraph (C)) after or a reserve officer;

(B) by redesignating subparagraph (C) as subparagraph (D); and

(C) by inserting, after subparagraph (B), the following new subparagraph (C):

(C) An officer described in this subparagraph is a reserve officer in a grade above O-2 who has a military occupational specialty, rating, or specialty code in a military specialty designated, in regulations prescribed by the Secretary of the military department concerned, as subject to a shortage of personnel.

(C) ; and

(2) by redesignating paragraphs (6) and (7) as paragraphs (7) and (8), respectively; and

(3) by inserting, after paragraph (5), the following new paragraph (6):

(6) A reserve officer described in paragraph (1)(C) and continued on the reserve active-status list pursuant to this section shall, if not earlier retired, transferred to the Retired Reserve, or discharged, be separated in accordance with section 14513 or 14514, as applicable, on the first day of the month after the month in which the officer completes 40 years of commissioned service.

The Secretary of Defense shall determine the feasibility of establishing—

(1) a unit of the National Guard in American Samoa; and

(2) a unit of the National Guard in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.

In making the feasibility determination under subsection (a), the Secretary of Defense shall consider the following:

(1) The allocation of National Guard force structure and manpower to American Samoa and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands in the event of the establishment of a unit of the National Guard in American Samoa and in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, and the impact of this allocation on existing National Guard units in the 50 States, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, Guam, and the District of Columbia.

(2) The Federal funding that would be required to support pay, benefits, training operations, and missions of members of a unit of the National Guard in American Samoa and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, based on the allocation derived from paragraph (1), and the equipment, including maintenance, required to support such force structure.

(3) The presence of existing infrastructure to support a unit of the National Guard in American Samoa and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, and the requirement for additional infrastructure, including information technology infrastructure, to support such force structure, based on the allocation derived from paragraph (1).

(4) How a unit of the National Guard in American Samoa and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Island would accommodate the National Guard Bureau’s Essential Ten homeland defense capabilities (i.e., aviation, engineering, civil support teams, security, medical, transportation, maintenance, logistics, joint force headquarters, and communications) and reflect regional needs.

(5) The manpower cadre, both military personnel and fulltime support, including National Guard technicians, required to establish, maintain, and sustain a unit of the National Guard in American Samoa and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, and the ability of American Samoa and of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands to support demographically a unit of the National Guard at each location.

(6) The ability of a unit of the National Guard in American Samoa and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands to maintain unit readiness and the logistical challenges associated with transportation, communications, supply/ resupply, and training operations and missions.

Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense shall notify the congressional defense committees of the results of the feasibility determination made under subsection (a). If the Secretary determines that establishment of a unit of the National Guard in American Samoa or the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (or both) is feasible, the Secretary shall include in the notification the following:

(1) A determination of whether the executive branch of American Samoa and of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands has enacted and implemented statutory authorization for an organized militia as a prerequisite for establishing a unit of the National Guard, and a description of any other steps that such executive branches must take to request and carry out the establishment of a National Guard unit.

(2) A list of any amendments to titles 10, 32, and 37, United States Code, that would have to be enacted by Congress to provide for the establishment of a unit of the National Guard in American Samoa and in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.

(3) A description of any required Department of Defense actions to establish a unit of the National Guard in American Samoa and in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.

(4) A suggested timeline for completion of the steps and actions described in the preceding paragraphs.

Section 14314 of title 10, United States Code, is amended—

(1) in subsection (a)—

(A) by redesignating paragraphs (1), (2), (3), and (4) as subparagraphs (A), (B), (C), and (D), respectively;

(B) by striking Within and inserting (1) Except as provided in paragraph (2), within; and

(C) by inserting at the end the following new paragraph (2):

(2) For any general officer covered by paragraph (1) who is released from a joint duty assignment or other non-joint active-duty assignment, the Secretary concerned shall complete the transfer or discharge required by paragraph (1) not later than 60 days after the officer’s release.

(C) ; and

(2) in subsection (c), by striking subsection (a)(3) and inserting subsection (a)(1)(C).

During the transition period, the Secretary of the Air Force may transfer to the Space Force the covered space functions of the Air National Guard of the United States. Any such transfer shall occur subject to section 104 of title 32, United States Code, and section 18238 of title 10, United States Code.

Upon the transfer to the Space Force of the covered space functions of a unit of the Air National Guard of the United States, the Secretary of the Air Force may change the status of the unit from a unit of the Air National Guard of the United States to a unit of the United States Space Force;

During the transition period, the Secretary of Defense may, with the officer’s consent, transfer a covered officer of the Air National Guard of the United States to, and appoint the officer in, the Space Force.

During the transition period, the Secretary of the Air Force may transfer each covered enlisted member of the Air National Guard of the United States to the Space Force, other than those covered enlisted members who do not consent to transfer. Upon such a transfer, the covered enlisted member so transferred ceases to be a member of the Air National Guard of the United States and is discharged from the enlistment of such covered enlisted member as a Reserve of the Air Force.

Each transfer under this subsection shall be effective on the date specified by the Secretary of Defense, in the case of an officer, or the Secretary of the Air Force, in the case of an enlisted member, but not later than the last day of the transition period.

Not more than 580 members of the Air National Guard may be transferred under this subsection.

Transfers under subsection (c) shall be carried out under regulations prescribed by the Secretary of Defense. In the case of an officer, applicable regulations shall include those prescribed pursuant to section 716 of title 10, United States Code.

In the case of a covered enlisted member who is transferred to the Space Force in accordance with subsection (c), the Secretary of the Air Force may accept the initial enlistment of the enlisted member in the Space Force for a period of less than two years, but only if the period of enlistment in the Space Force is not less than the period remaining, as of the date of the transfer, in the enlisted member’s term of enlistment in a reserve component of the Air Force.

During the transition period, upon the transfer to the Space Force of a covered space function of the Air National Guard of the United States—

(1) the end strength authorized for the Space Force pursuant to section 115(a)(1)(A) of title 10, United States Code, for the fiscal year during which the transfer occurs shall be increased by the number of billets associated with that mission; and

(2) the end strength authorized for the Air National Guard of the United States pursuant to section 115(a)(2) of such title for such fiscal year shall be decreased by the same number.

For purposes of the transfer of covered members of the Air National Guard of the United States in accordance with subsection (c)—

(1) the Air National Guard of the United States and the Space Force shall be considered to be components of the same Armed Force; and

(2) the Space Force officer list shall be considered to be an active-duty list of an Armed Force.

If a covered member of the Air National Guard of the United States does not consent to transfer to the Space Force in accordance with subsection (a), the Secretary of the Air Force shall provide the covered member retraining and reassignment within a reserve component of the Air Force.

In order to reduce the cost of transferring to the Space Force the covered space functions of the Air National Guard of the United States, and to reduce the impact of such transfer on the affected State, the following provisions apply:

(1) After a covered space function is transferred to the Space Force from the Air National Guard of the United States, the Space Force shall continue to perform the covered space function within the affected State;

(2) Except when the Secretary of the Air Force determines that it would not be in the best interests of the United States, the Secretary shall seek to enter into an agreement with the Governor of an affected State, to provide for the Space Force to become a tenant organization on an installation of the National Guard of the affected State at which a covered space function was executed.

Not later than January 31 of each year during the transition period, the Secretary of Defense shall submit to the Committees on Armed Services of the Senate and House of Representatives a report on the progress of the transfer of covered space functions of the Air National Guard of the United States to the Space Force. Each such report shall include the following elements with respect to the year preceding the date of the report:

(1) A detailed description of actions taken to transfer the covered space functions to the Space Force.

(2) An assessment of the effect of the transfers on the readiness and capabilities of the Space Force and the Air National Guard.

(3) A summary of any challenge encountered during the transfer and steps taken to overcome such challenge.

(4) The number of officers and enlisted members transferred to the Space Force.

(5) Any recommendation of the Secretary, including additional legislation, to improve such transfer.

In this section:

(1) The term covered space functions of the Air National Guard of the United States means all Federal missions, units, personnel billets, equipment, and resources of the Air National Guard of the United States associated with the performance of a space-related function that is (as determined by the Secretary of the Air Force, in consultation with the Chief of Space Operations)—

(A) a core space-related function of the Space Force; or

(B) otherwise integral to the mission of the Space Force.

(2) The term affected State means a State or territory the National Guard of that would be affected by the transfer of covered space functions to the Space Force.

(3) The term covered, with respect to a member of the Air National Guard of the United States, has the meaning provided in section 1733(g) of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2024 (Public Law 118–31; 137 Stat. 676).

(4) The term transition period means the period beginning on the date of the enactment of this Act and ending on the last day of the fourth fiscal year beginning after the date of the enactment of this Act.

Chapter 933 of title 10, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new section:

The Secretary of the Air Force may prescribe regulations that authorize an eligible individual to be designated as an honorary separated member of the Space Force. An eligible individual so designated may be referred to as a Legacy Guardian.

Regulations prescribed under this section may include the following elements:

(1) Eligibility criteria, including applicable dates of service and constructive service credit, for designation under this section.

(2) An application process through which an eligible individual, or a survivor of a deceased eligible individual, may apply for such designation of such eligible individual.

(3) A certificate, approved device, or other insignia of such designation.

Designation of an eligible individual under this section shall not be construed to entitle such eligible individual to any benefit in addition to those established by this section or pursuant to regulations prescribed under this section.

In this section, the term eligible individual means an individual—

(1) whom the Secretary of the Air Force determines served in support of space operations as a member of the Air Force; and

(2) who separates (or previously separated) from the armed forces as a member of the Air Force.

The Secretary of Defense shall ensure that each personnel decision regarding a covered member, including military accession, promotion, and command selection, is—

(1) based on the individual merit and demonstrated performance of the covered member;

(2) without regard to the political affiliation, race, color, religion, national origin, sex, or marital status, of the covered member; and

(3) with proper regard for the privacy and constitutional rights of the covered member.

The Secretary shall protect a covered member against—

(1) arbitrary action, personal favoritism, and coercion for partisan political purposes; and

(2) reprisal for the lawful disclosure of information by a covered member that the covered member reasonably believes to evince—

(A) a violation of any law, rule, or regulation; or

(B) mismanagement, a gross waste of funds, or an abuse of authority.

The Secretary of Defense shall prescribe new regulations to carry out this section not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act.

In this section, the term covered member means—

(1) a member of the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, or Space Force; or

(2) an individual who has an active application to be a member described in paragraph (1).

Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense shall prescribe regulations that establish and maintain a database of the Department of Defense that contains up-to-date contact information for the next of kin of members of the covered Armed Forces. Such regulations shall ensure that—

(1) a commander in a grade higher than O-5 may access the contact information for the next of kin of a member who died while a member of the unit under the command of such commander, regardless of whether such member served under such commander; and

(2) an individual named in such database may—

(A) elect to not be contacted by an officer described in paragraph (1); and

(B) change such election at any time.

Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense shall ensure that the DD Form 93 (Record of Emergency Data) used in a covered Armed Force complies with the terms of section 552a of title 5, United States Code.

In this section, the term covered Armed Force means the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, or Space Force.

The Commandant of the Marine Corps (hereinafter Commandant) may carry out a pilot program under which a member may move between the active component and reserve components of the Marine Corps more easily, in accordance with the following:

(1) Up to 50 officers and 200 enlisted members of the regular component of the Marine Corps may be transferred to the Selected Reserve of the Marine Corps and returned to active duty at the end of the period of transfer under subsection (b).

(2) An officer in a grade below O-6 who returns to active duty at the end of such period of transfer shall be reappointed as a regular officer by the President.

(3) The Commandant may not approve a transfer under the pilot program after September 30, 2028.

The period of transfer from active duty under a pilot program under this section shall be such period as the Commandant shall specify in the agreement of the member under subsection (c), except that such period may not exceed three years.

Any service by a transferred reserve officer while participating in a pilot program under this section shall be included in computation of the total years of service of such officer pursuant to section 14706(a) of title 10, United States Code.

Any period of participation of a transferred member in a program under this section shall count toward—

(A) eligibility for retirement or transfer to the Ready Reserve under chapter 841 or 1223 of title 10, United States Code; or

(B) computation of retired or retainer pay under chapter 841 or 1223 of title 10, United States Code.

Each member of the Marine Corps who participates in a pilot program under this section shall enter into a written agreement with the Commandant, under which the member shall agree to terms including the following:

(1) To undergo, during a period of transfer under subsection (b), such training as the Commandant shall require, including requirements under section 10147 of title 10, United States Code.

(2) Following completion of a period of transfer under subsection (b), to serve up to two months as a member of the Marine Corps on active duty for each month of such period of transfer. Following completion of an initial period of transfer, a member may request a waiver of the period of obligated service under this paragraph. If the Commandant waives such period of obligated service, the member shall remain in the Selected Reserve, entitled to pay, allowances, and benefits of a member of the uniformed services in the grade and years of service of such member.

During a period of transfer under subsection (b), a member shall receive any applicable pay or allowance other than a travel and transportation allowance under title 37, United States Code, for a reserve member of the uniformed services in the grade and years of service of the member.

A member who participates in a pilot program under this section shall not be determined to violate an existing agreement to remain on active duty relating to special or incentive pay under chapter 5 of title 37, United States Code, solely on the basis of such participation. The period of such agreement shall be suspended for the period of transfer under subsection (b), resume at the end of such period of transfer, and be in addition to any period of obligated service under subsection (c).

If, at the end of a period of transfer under subsection (b), the special or incentive pay relating to an existing agreement to remain on active duty described in subparagraph (A) is no longer authorized by law, the member shall not be entitled to such special or incentive pay.

A member who is ineligible for payment of a special or incentive pay described in subparagraph (B) shall be subject to the requirements for repayment of such pay or bonus in accordance with the terms of the applicable agreement of the member under chapter 5 of title 37, United States Code.

A member who participates in a pilot program under this section is entitled to travel and transportation allowances under section 452 of title 37, United States Code, to relocate—

(A) from the residence of the member at the beginning of a period of transfer under subsection (b), to the location in the United States designated by the member as the residence of such member during such period of transfer; and

(B) from the residence designated under subparagraph (A) to the residence of the member after the end of such period of transfer.

A member who participates in a pilot program is entitled to carry, in accordance with section 701 of title 10, United States Code, the leave accrued by such member until the day before the beginning of a period of transfer under subsection (b).

An officer participating in a pilot program under this section may be eligible for consideration for promotion as a member of the reserve component in accordance with section 14005 and 14305 of title 10, United States Code, during the period of transfer under subsection (b). Upon the return of an officer to active duty after completion of a period transfer under subsection (b)—

(A) the Commandant may adjust the date of rank of the officer to a date as appropriate in accordance with the standards prescribed by the Secretary of Defense; and

(B) the officer shall be eligible for consideration for promotion when officers of the same competitive category, grade, and seniority are eligible for consideration for promotion.

An enlisted member participating in a pilot program under this section may be eligible for consideration for promotion as a member of the reserve component during the period of transfer under subsection (b).

A member participating in a pilot program under this section shall, while participating in the pilot program, be treated as a member of the Marine Corps on active duty for a period of more than 30 days for purposes of—

(1) the entitlement of the member and of the dependents of the member to medical and dental care under the provisions of chapter 55 of title 10, United States Code;

(2) retirement or separation for physical disability under the provisions of chapters 55 and 61 of title 10, United States Code;

(3) the entitlement of the member and of the survivors of the member to all death benefits under the provisions of chapter 75 of title 10, United States Code;

(4) the provision of all travel and transportation allowances for the survivors of deceased members to attend burial ceremonies under section 453(f) of title 37, United States Code; and

(5) the eligibility of the member for general benefits as provided in part II of title 38, United States Code.

Before carrying out a pilot program under this section, the Commandant shall prescribe regulations under this section. Such regulations shall include additional terms of an agreement under subsection (c), including instructions to a member regarding the obligations of a member during a period of transfer under subsection (b).

Under regulations prescribed by the Commandant, a member of the Marine Corps participating in a pilot program under this section may, at the discretion of the Commandant, be required to terminate participation in the pilot program and return to active duty.

Not later than December 31, 2024, the Secretary of Defense shall issue a recommendation to the President and the Senate regarding the restoration of the retired rank of General John D. Lavelle based on recently declassified records and the most recent recommendation of the Air Force Board for Correction of Military Records.

The Secretary of Defense may not require an individual to wear a mask while on a military installation in the United States to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Every office of the Armed Forces and of the Department of Defense established to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion is eliminated and the employment of all personnel of each such office is terminated.

Milton Holland, who, while sergeant major of the 5th Regiment, United States Colored Infantry, was awarded the Medal of Honor in recognition of his action on September 29, 1864, during the Battle of Chapin’s Farm, Virginia, when, as the citation for the medal states, he took command of Company C, after all the officers had been killed or wounded, and gallantly led it, shall be deemed for all purposes to have held the grade of captain in the regular Army, effective as of that date and continuing until his separation from the Army.

Section 1523 of title 10, United States Code, applies in the case of the posthumous commission described in subsection (a).

Section 772 of title 10, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection:

(1) A member awarded a decoration specified in paragraph (2) may wear the uniform prescribed by the Secretary concerned on the same basis as a retired officer under subsection (c) while such member attends a special event (including a wedding).

(2) The decorations specified in this paragraph are the following:

(A) The Purple Heart.

(B) The Medal of Honor.

(C) The Distinguished Service Cross.

(D) The Navy Cross.

(E) The Air Force Cross.

(F) The Coast Guard Cross.

(G) The Bronze Star.

Not later than six months after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary concerned shall establish a board under section 1552 or 1553 of title 10, United States Code, as applicable, to review the military personnel record, or the characterization of a discharge or dismissal, of a current or former chaplain in an Armed Force who suffered an adverse personnel action as a result of, arising from, or in conjunction with, requesting a religious exemption from the COVID-19 vaccination mandate.

A review under this section shall cover all adverse personnel actions against a chaplain on or after August 24, 2021.

A board established under this section shall consider any adverse personnel action against a chaplain to be the result of such request. unless there is evidence such chaplain—

(1) was disciplined for a reason other than a request described in subsection (a); or

(2) breached good order and discipline.

A board shall consider a request under this section before any other request on the docket of such board.

No later than one year after enactment of this Act, the Inspector General of the Department of Defense shall submit to the congressional defense committees a report setting forth the results of an investigation by the Inspector General during that one-year period regarding the compliance of the Secretaries concerned with the terms of this section.

In this section:

(1) The term adverse personnel action includes—

(A) discrimination;

(B) a denial of promotion, schooling, training, or assignment;

(C) discharge;

(D) dismissal;

(E) separation;

(F) a lowered or noncompetitive performance report;

(G) revocation of permanent change of station;

(H) revocation of temporary duty travel orders; and

(I) any other restriction or negative consequence.

(2) The term performance report means a report of an Armed Force (including an officer efficiency report)—

(A) that measures the efficiency, leadership, and effectiveness of an officer; and

(B) is used as a basis for promotion selections.

The Military Selective Service Act (50 U.S.C. 3801 et seq.) is amended by striking section 3 (50 U.S.C. 3802) and inserting the following new section 3:

(1) Except as otherwise provided in this title, every male citizen of the United States, and every other male person residing in the United States, between the ages of eighteen and twenty-six, shall be automatically registered under this Act by the Director of the Selective Service System.

(2) This section shall not apply to any alien lawfully admitted to the United States as a nonimmigrant under section 101(a)(15) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1101) for so long as he continues to maintain a lawful nonimmigrant status in the United States.

(b) Regulations prescribed pursuant to this section (a) may require—

(1) a person subject to registration under this section to provide, to the Director, information (including date of birth, address, social security account number, phone number, and email address) regarding such person;

(2) a Federal entity to provide, to the Director, information described in paragraph (1) that the Director determines necessary to identify or register a person subject to registration under this section; and

(3) the Director to provide, to a person registered under this section, written notification that—

(A) such person has been so registered; and

(B) if such person is not required to be so registered, the procedure by which such person may correct such registration.

The Military Selective Service Act is further amended—

(1) in section 4 (50 U.S.C. 3803)—

(A) in subsection (a)—

(i) by striking required to register each place it appears and inserting registered;

(ii) by striking at the time fixed for his registration,; and

(iii) by striking who is required to register and inserting registered;

(B) in subsection (k)(2), in the matter following subparagraph(B), by striking liable for registration and inserting registered;

(2) in section 6(a) (50 U.S.C. 3806(a))—

(A) in paragraph (1)—

(i) by striking required to be;

(ii) by striking subject to registration and inserting registered; and

(iii) by striking liable for registration and training and inserting registered and liable for training;

(B) in paragraph (2), by striking required to be each place it appears;

(3) in section 10(b)(3) (50 U.S.C. 3809(b)(3)) by striking registration,;

(4) in section 12 (50 U.S.C. 3811)—

(A) in subsection (d)—

(i) by striking, neglecting, or refusing to perform the duty of registering imposed by and inserting registration under; and

(ii) by striking, or within five years next after the last day before such person does perform his duty to register, whichever shall first occur;

(B) in subsection (e)—

(i) by striking the Secretary of Health and Human Services and inserting Federal agencies;

(ii) by striking by a proclamation of the President and inserting to be registered;

(iii) by striking to present themselves for and submit to registration under such section; and

(iv) by striking by the Secretary; and

(C) by striking subsection (g) (50 U.S.C. 3811(g)); and

(5) in section 15(a) (50 U.S.C. 3813(a)), by striking upon publication by the President of a proclamation or other public notice fixing a time for any registration under section 3.

The amendments made by this section shall take effect one year after the date of the enactment of this Act.

Subject to subsection (a) of section 504 of chapter 31 of title 10, United States Code, the Secretary of the military department concerned may not require an individual to submit to a test for cannabis as a condition of enlistment of such individual as a member, or the commission of such individual as an officer, of an Armed Force.

The Secretary of Defense may reimburse an individual who applies to join a covered Armed Force for costs incurred by such individual for a medical appointment required for military entrance processing.

The maximum amount an individual may be reimbursed under this section is $100.

In this section, the term covered Armed Force means the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, or Space Force.

Not later than September 30, 2025, the Secretary of the Army shall modernize recruitment for the Army in order to attract and retain fit and ready individuals to serve as members of the Army. To carry out such modernization, the Secretary shall take steps including the following:

(1) Establish a military occupational specialty for enlisted members who specialize in talent acquisition.

(2) Establish a professional recruiting force of warrant officers who specialize in talent acquisition, data analytics, and other human resource functions necessary to develop expertise in recruiting and military accessions.

(3) Routinely determining which areas of the United States yield greater-than-average numbers of recruits and, with regard to each such area—

(A) build relationships with sources of such recruits, including schools; and

(B) assign additional recruiting personnel.

(4) Consider using a commercially available, off-the-shelf, recruiting platform.

Not later than the last day of each quarter of fiscal year 2025, the Secretary of the Army shall submit to the Committees on Armed Services of the Senate and House of Representatives a briefing on the implementation of this section. Each such briefing shall include the following:

(1) An up-to-date timeline, milestones, resources used, and resources needed for such implementation.

(2) The number of enlisted members, officers, and civilian employees of the Army required to carry out this section.

(3) Policies altered or prescribed by the Secretary to carry out this section and recruit a capable and ready all-volunteer force.

(4) Related legislative recommendations of the Secretary.

Not later than six months after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense, in coordination with the Secretaries of the military departments or, with respect the Coast Guard, the Secretary of the department in which the Secretary is operating when the Coast Guard is not operating as a service in the Navy, shall develop and implement a strategy to specifically recruit covered individuals to be reinstated in the Armed Force concerned.

In this section, the term covered individual means an individual discharged or dismissed from an Armed Force on the sole basis of failure to obey a lawful order to receive a vaccine for COVID-19.

Not later than September 30, 2025, the Secretary of Defense shall seek to enter into an agreement with the entity that operates the National September 11 Memorial and Museum (in this section referred to as the Museum) under which the Secretary and such entity shall carry out a program at the Museum to promote military recruitment and education.

A program under subsection (a) shall include the following:

(1) Provision of informational materials to promote enlistment in the covered Armed Forces, by the Secretary to such entity, for distribution at the Museum.

(2) Education and exhibits, developed jointly by the Secretary and such entity, and provided to the public by employees of the Museum, to—

(A) enhance understanding of the military response to the attacks on September 11, 2001; and

(B) encourage enlistment and re-enlistment in the covered Armed Forces.

In this section, the term covered Armed Force means the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, or Space Force.

Subpart 2 of Part F of title VIII of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7901 et seq.) is amended by inserting after section 8528 the following:

Each local educational agency receiving assistance under this Act shall provide military recruiters the same access to the campus of each secondary school served by the local educational agency for the purpose of recruiting students who are at least 17 years of age that is provided to any prospective employer, institution of higher education, or other recruiter.

The amendment made by subsection (a) shall take effect one year after the date of the enactment of this Act.

On an annual basis, the Secretary of Defense shall—

(1) collect information from military recruiters regarding the compliance of local educational agencies with the requirements of section 8528A of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (as added by subsection (a)); and

(2) based on such information, prepare and submit to the Secretary of Education a report that—

(A) identifies each local educational agency that the Secretary of Defense determines to be in violation of such section; and

(B) explains the reasons for such determination.

The Secretary of Defense shall submit to the congressional defense committees an annual report on military recruitment practices in public secondary schools during calendar year 2024 and each subsequent calendar year. Each such report shall include, for the year covered by the report—

(1) the zip codes of public secondary schools visited by military recruiters;

(2) the number of recruits from public secondary schools by zip code and local education agency; and

(3) a demographic analysis, including race, ethnicity, and gender, of recruits from public secondary schools by zip code.

Section 546(d) of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2024 (Public Law 118–31; 10 U.S.C. 520 note) is amended—

(1) by redesignating paragraph (4) as paragraph (6); and

(2) by inserting, after paragraph (3), the following new paragraphs:

(4) The determination of the Secretary regarding the effectiveness of the preparatory course.

(5) Recommendations of the Secretary regarding—

(A) how to improve the preparatory course;

(B) whether to expand the preparatory course.

Section 345(d) of title 10, United States Code, is amended by striking $35,000,000 and inserting $50,000,000.

Section 347 of title 10, United States Code, is amended, in subsection (a)(1)(B), by striking 60 and inserting 80.

Section 2031(b)(1)(A) of title 10, United States Code, is amended by striking 100 and inserting 50.

Section 2114(f)(2) of title 10, United States Code, is amended by striking 40 persons and inserting 50 persons.

Section 2151 of title 10, United States Code, is amended, in subsection (b)(3), by striking National Defense Intelligence College and inserting National Intelligence University.

Section 2601(a)(2)(A) of title 10, United States Code, is amended by inserting or a professional military education institution after museum program each place it appears.

Section 7442 of title 10, United States Code, is amended—

(A) in subsection (a)—

(i) by striking subsection (j) and inserting subsection (k);

(ii) in paragraph (1), by striking as established by competitive examinations and inserting as determined by candidate composite score rank; and

(iii) in the matter following paragraph (10)—

(I) in the second sentence, by inserting (in which event selection shall be in order of merit as determined by candidate composite score rank) after without ranking; and

(II) in the third sentence, by inserting, including qualified alternates and additional appointees before the period at the end;

(B) by redesignating subsections (b) through (j) as subsections (c) through (k), respectively;

(C) by inserting after subsection (a) the following new subsection:

(b) There shall be appointed each year at the Academy 275 cadets selected in order of merit as determined by candidate composite score rank by the Secretary of the Army from qualified alternates nominated pursuant to paragraphs (3) through (10) of subsection (a) and all other qualified, non-selected candidates holding nominations from any other source pursuant to this chapter.

(D) in subsection (c), as redesignated by subparagraph (B)—

(i) in paragraph (1), by striking one hundred selected by the President and inserting up to one hundred selected by the President in order of merit as determined by candidate composite score rank;

(ii) in paragraph (2)—

(I) by inserting up to before 85 nominated; and

(II) by inserting, selected in order of merit as determined by candidate composite score rank before the period at the end;

(iii) in paragraph (3)—

(I) by inserting up to before 85 nominated; and

(II) by inserting, selected in order of merit as determined by candidate composite score rank before the period at the end;

(iv) in paragraph (4)—

(I) by inserting up to before 20 nominated; and

(II) by inserting, selected in order of merit as determined by candidate composite score rank before the period at the end; and

(v) by striking paragraph (5);

(E) in subsection (f), as redesignated by subparagraph (B), by striking subsection (b) and inserting subsection (c);

(F) in subsection (h), as so redesignated—

(i) by striking subsection (b) each place it appears and inserting subsection (c); and

(ii) in paragraph (4), by striking subsection (e) and inserting subsection (f); and

(G) by adding at the end the following new subsections:

(l) Qualifications of candidates for admission shall be determined by use of, among others, a candidate composite score uniformly calculated for each applicant. Components of such composite score shall include the candidate’s standardized test scores, weighted at not less than 30 percent of the overall composite score. Any subjective component of such composite score shall be weighted at not more than 10 percent of the overall composite score. Candidates’ composite scores shall be used to determine order of merit. Race and ethnicity shall not be considered in any component of the candidate composite score, evaluation of candidates or selection for appointment.

(m) Not later than October 1 of each year, the Secretary of the Army shall submit to the Committees on Armed Services of the Senate and the House of Representatives a report including—

(1) with respect to the preceding admissions cycle—

(A) the established minimum candidate composite score and college entrance examination rank (CEER) score used in such cycle; and

(B) the total number of waivers of such minimum candidate composite score, including the candidate composite score and CEER score of each cadet to whom the waiver relates, a brief explanation of the reasons for such waiver, and the category of appointment under which each such cadet was appointed (and if congressional, the type of slate that nominated the waived appointee); and

(2) for each cadet who, during the four-year period preceding the date of the report, received a waiver for the established minimum candidate composite score, the status of each such cadet, including whether the cadet still at the Academy, the circumstances of such cadet’s departure (if applicable), the cumulative academic GPA, cumulative military GPA, any major conduct or honor violations, any remedial measures undertaken, and any other noteworthy information concerning such cadet.

Section 7443 of title 10, United States Code, is amended—

(A) in the section heading, by striking appointment and inserting additional appointments;

(B) in the first sentence—

(i) by inserting (a) before If it is determined; and

(ii) by striking from other qualified candidates who competed for nomination and inserting from other qualified candidates who hold a nomination;

(C) in the second sentence, by striking (8) and inserting (10);

(D) by inserting after the second sentence the following: Subject to the preceding sentence, the first 100 such vacancies shall be filled with candidates who are selected in order of merit as determined by candidate composite score rank (as described in section 7442 of this title), after which all remaining vacancies may be filled with candidates who are selected out of merit rank order.; and

(E) by adding at the end the following:

(b) Not later than October 1 of each year, the Secretary of the Army shall submit to the congressional defense committees a report that includes, with respect to the preceding admissions cycle—

(1) the composite scores and college entrance examination rank scores of the ten candidates nominated under this section with the lowest combined scores that were selected;

(2) the total number of qualified and not selected candidates nominated under this section; and

(3) the composite scores and college entrance examination rank scores of the ten candidates nominated under this section with the highest combined scores that were qualified and not selected.

Section 8454 of title 10, United States Code, is amended—

(A) in subsection (a)—

(i) by striking subsection (h) and inserting subsection (i);

(ii) in paragraph (1), by striking as established by competitive examination and inserting as determined by candidate composite score rank; and

(iii) in the matter following paragraph (10)—

(I) in the second sentence, by inserting (in which event selection shall be in order of merit as determined by candidate composite score rank) after without ranking; and

(II) in the third sentence, by inserting, including qualified alternates and additional appointees before the period at the end;

(B) by redesignating subsections (b) through (h) as subsections (c) through (i), respectively;

(C) by inserting after subsection (a) the following new subsection:

(b) There shall be appointed each year at the Academy 275 midshipmen selected in order of merit as determined by candidate composite score rank by the Secretary of the Navy from qualified alternates nominated pursuant to paragraphs (3) through (10) of subsection (a) and all other qualified, non-selected candidates holding nominations from any other source pursuant to this chapter.

(D) in subsection (c), as redesignated by subparagraph (B)—

(i) in paragraph (1), by striking one hundred selected by the President and inserting up to one hundred selected by the President in order of merit as determined by candidate composite score rank;

(ii) in paragraph (2)—

(I) by inserting up to before 85 nominated; and

(II) by inserting, selected in order of merit as determined by candidate composite score rank before the period at the end;

(iii) in paragraph (3)—

(I) by inserting up to before 85 nominated; and

(II) by inserting, selected in order of merit as determined by candidate composite score rank before the period at the end;

(iv) in paragraph (4)—

(I) by inserting up to before 20 nominated; and

(II) by inserting, selected in order of merit as determined by candidate composite score rank before the period at the end; and

(v) by striking paragraph (5);

(E) in subsection (f), as redesignated by subparagraph (B), by striking subsection (b) and inserting subsection (c) both places it appears; and

(F) by adding at the end the following new subsections:

(j) Qualifications of candidates for admission shall be determined by use of, among others, a candidate composite score uniformly calculated for each applicant. Components of such composite score shall include the candidate’s standardized test scores, weighted at not less than 30 percent of the overall composite score. Any subjective component of such composite score shall be weighted at not more than 10 percent of the overall composite score. Candidates’ composite scores shall be used to determine order of merit. Race and ethnicity shall not be considered in any component of the candidate composite score, evaluation of candidates, or selection for appointment.

(k) Not later than October 1 of each year, the Secretary of the Navy shall submit to the Committees on Armed Services of the Senate and the House of Representatives a report including—

(1) with respect to the preceding admissions cycle—

(A) the established minimum candidate composite score and college entrance examination rank (CEER) score used in such cycle; and

(B) the total number of waivers of such minimum candidate composite score, including the candidate composite score and CEER score of each midshipman to whom the waiver relates, a brief explanation of the reasons for such waiver, and the category of appointment under which each such midshipman was appointed (and if congressional, the type of slate that nominated the waived appointee); and

(2) for each midshipman who, during the four-year period preceding the date of the report, received a waiver for the established minimum candidate composite score, the status of each such midshipman, including whether the midshipman is still at the Academy, the circumstances of such midshipman’s departure (if applicable), the cumulative academic GPA, cumulative military GPA, any major conduct or honor violations, any remedial measures undertaken, and any other noteworthy information concerning such midshipman.

Section 8456 of title 10, United States Code, is amended—

(A) in the section heading, by inserting additional appointments after Midshipmen;

(B) in subsection (b)—

(i) in the first sentence, by striking from other qualified candidates who competed for nomination and inserting from other qualified candidates who hold a nomination;

(ii) in the second sentence, by striking (8) and inserting (10); and

(iii) by inserting after the second sentence the following: Subject to the preceding sentence, the first 100 such vacancies shall be filled with candidates who are selected in order of merit as determined by candidate composite score rank (as described in section 8454 of this title), after which all remaining vacancies may be filled with candidates who are selected out of merit rank order.; and

(C) by adding at the end the following:

(c) Not later than October 1 of each year, the Secretary of the Navy shall submit to the congressional defense committees a report that includes, with respect to the preceding admissions cycle—

(1) the composite scores and college entrance examination rank scores of the ten candidates nominated under this section with the lowest combined scores that were selected;

(2) the total number of qualified and not selected candidates nominated under this section; and

(3) the composite scores and college entrance examination rank scores of the ten candidates nominated under this section with the highest combined scores that were qualified and not selected.

Section 9442 of title 10, United States Code, is amended—

(A) in subsection (a)—

(i) by striking subsection (j) and inserting subsection (k);

(ii) in paragraph (1), by striking as established by competitive examination and inserting as determined by candidate composite score rank; and

(iii) in the matter following paragraph (10)—

(I) in the second sentence, by inserting (in which event selection shall be in order of merit as determined by candidate composite score rank) after without ranking; and

(II) in the third sentence, by inserting, including qualified alternates and additional appointees before the period at the end;

(B) by redesignating subsections (b) through (j) as subsections (c) through (k), respectively;

(C) by inserting after subsection (a) the following new subsection:

(b) There shall be appointed each year at the Academy 275 cadets selected in order of merit as determined by candidate composite score rank by the Secretary of the Air Force from qualified alternates nominated pursuant to paragraphs (3) through (10) of subsection (a) and all other qualified, non-selected candidates holding nominations from any other source pursuant to this chapter.

(D) in subsection (c), as redesignated by subparagraph (B)—

(i) in paragraph (1), by striking one hundred selected by the President and inserting up to one hundred selected by the President in order of merit as determined by candidate composite score rank;

(ii) in paragraph (2)—

(I) by inserting up to before 85 nominated; and

(II) by inserting, selected in order of merit as determined by candidate composite score rank before the period at the end;

(iii) in paragraph (3)—

(I) by inserting up to before 85 nominated; and

(II) by inserting, selected in order of merit as determined by candidate composite score rank before the period at the end;

(iv) in paragraph (4)—

(I) by inserting up to before 20 nominated; and

(II) by inserting, selected in order of merit as determined by candidate composite score rank before the period at the end; and

(v) by striking paragraph (5);

(E) in subsection (f), as redesignated by subparagraph (B), by striking subsection (b) and inserting subsection (c);

(F) in subsection (h), as so redesignated—

(i) by striking subsection (b) each place it appears and inserting subsection (c); and

(ii) in paragraph (4), by striking subsection (e) and inserting subsection (f); and

(G) by adding at the end the following new subsections:

(l) Qualifications of candidates for admission shall be determined by use of, among others, a candidate composite score uniformly calculated for each applicant. Components of such composite score shall include the candidate’s standardized test scores, weighted at not less than 30 percent of the overall composite score. Any subjective component of such composite score shall be weighted at not more than 10 percent of the overall composite score. Candidates’ composite scores shall be used to determine order of merit rank order. Race and ethnicity shall not be considered in any component of the candidate composite score, evaluation of candidates, or selection for appointment.

(m) Not later than October 1 of each year, the Secretary of the Air Force shall submit to the Committees on Armed Services of the Senate and the House of Representatives a report including—

(1) with respect to the preceding admissions cycle—

(A) the established minimum candidate composite score and college entrance examination rank (CEER) score used in such cycle; and

(B) the total number of waivers of such minimum candidate composite score, including the candidate composite score and CEER score of each cadet to whom the waiver relates, a brief explanation of the reasons for such waiver, and the category of appointment under which each such cadet was appointed (and if congressional, the type of slate that nominated the waived appointee); and

(2) for each cadet who, during the four-year period preceding the date of the report, received a waiver for the established minimum candidate composite score, the status of each such cadet, including whether the cadet still at the Academy, the circumstances of such cadet’s departure (if applicable), the cumulative academic GPA, cumulative military GPA, any major conduct or honor violations, any remedial measures undertaken, and any other noteworthy information concerning such cadet.

Section 9443 of title 10, United States Code, is amended—

(A) in the section heading, by striking appointment and inserting additional appointments;

(B) in the first sentence—

(i) by inserting (a) before If it is determined; and

(ii) by striking from other qualified candidates who competed for nomination and inserting from other qualified candidates who hold a nomination;

(C) in the second sentence, by striking (8) and inserting (10);

(D) by inserting after the second sentence the following: Subject to the preceding sentence, the first 100 such vacancies shall be filled with candidates who are selected in order of merit as determined by candidate composite score rank (as described in section 9442 of this title), after which all remaining vacancies may be filled with candidates who are selected out of merit rank order.; and

(E) by adding at the end the following:

(b) Not later than October 1 of each year, the Secretary of the Navy shall submit to the congressional defense committees a report that includes, with respect to the preceding admissions cycle—

(1) the composite scores and college entrance examination rank scores of the ten candidates nominated under this section with the lowest combined scores that were selected;

(2) the total number of qualified and not selected candidates nominated under this section; and

(3) the composite scores and college entrance examination rank scores of the ten candidates nominated under this section with the highest combined scores that were qualified and not selected.

Section 7448 of title 10, United States Code, is amended as follows:

(1) Paragraph (5) of subsection (a) is amended to read as follows: That if the cadet obtains employment as a professional athlete before completing the commissioned service obligation of such cadet, the cadet shall be subject to the alternative obligation under subsection (b)(4).

(2) Subsection (b) is amended—

(A) in paragraph (1), by striking The Secretary of the Army and inserting Subject to paragraph (4), the Secretary of the Army; and

(B) by striking paragraph (4) and inserting the following:

(4) The Secretary of the Army may transfer a cadet who violates paragraph (5) of subsection (a) to the Selected Reserve of the Army—

(A) as a commissioned officer in an appropriate grade or rating, as determined by the Secretary of the Army; and

(B) for a period not to exceed 10 years.

(3) Paragraph (2) of subsection (c) is amended to read as follows:

(2) that a cadet transferred under subsection (b)(4) shall, as part of the alternative obligation under such subsection, participate in efforts to recruit and retain members of the Army.

(4) Subsection (f) is amended by striking the alternative obligation and inserting an alternative obligation.

Section 8459 of title 10, United States Code, is amended as follows:

(1) Paragraph (5) of subsection (a) is amended to read as follows: That if the midshipman obtains employment as a professional athlete before completing the commissioned service obligation of such cadet, the midshipman shall be subject to the alternative obligation under subsection (b)(4).

(2) Subsection (b) is amended—

(A) in paragraph (1), by striking The Secretary of the Navy and inserting Subject to paragraph (4), the Secretary of the Navy; and

(B) by striking paragraph (4) and inserting the following:

(4) The Secretary of the Navy may transfer a midshipman who violates paragraph (5) of subsection (a) to the Selected Reserve of the Navy or the Marine Corps—

(A) as a commissioned officer in an appropriate grade or rating, as determined by the Secretary of the Navy; and

(B) for a period not to exceed 10 years.

(3) Paragraph (2) of subsection (c) is amended to read as follows:

(2) that a midshipman transferred under subsection (b)(4) shall, as part of the alternative obligation under such subsection, participate in efforts to recruit and retain members of the Navy and Marine Corps.

(4) Subsection (f) is amended by striking the alternative obligation and inserting an alternative obligation.

Section 9448 of title 10, United States Code, is amended as follows:

(1) Paragraph (5) of subsection (a) is amended to read as follows: That if the cadet obtains employment as a professional athlete before completing the commissioned service obligation of such cadet, the cadet shall be subject to the alternative obligation under subsection (b)(4).

(2) Subsection (b) is amended—

(A) in paragraph (1), by striking The Secretary of the Air Force and inserting Subject to paragraph (4), the Secretary of the Air Force; and

(B) by striking paragraph (4) and inserting the following:

(4) The Secretary of the Army may transfer a cadet who violates paragraph (5) of subsection (a) to the Selected Reserve of the Air Force or Space Force—

(A) as a commissioned officer in an appropriate grade or rating, as determined by the Secretary of the Air Force; and

(B) for a period not to exceed 10 years.

(3) Paragraph (2) of subsection (c) is amended to read as follows:

(2) that a cadet transferred under subsection (b)(4) shall, as part of the alternative obligation under such subsection, participate in efforts to recruit and retain members of the Air Force and Space Force.

(4) Subsection (f) is amended by striking the alternative obligation and inserting an alternative obligation.

Section 7455 of title 10, United States Code, is amended, in subsection (a)—

(A) in paragraph (2), by striking Vice President or the President pro tempore of the Senate, two of whom are members of the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate and inserting Majority Leader of the Senate (one of whom shall be a member of the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate) and three other members designated by the Minority Leader of the Senate (one of whom shall be a member of the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate);

(B) in paragraph (4), striking, two of whom are members of the Committee on Appropriations of the House of Representatives and inserting (one of whom shall be a member of the Committee on Appropriations of the House of Representatives) and three other members designated by the Minority Leader of the House of Representatives (one of whom shall be a member of the Committee on Appropriations of the House of Representatives);

(C) by striking paragraph (5);

(D) by redesignating paragraphs (1) through (4) as subparagraphs (A) through (D), respectively;

(E) by inserting (1) before A Board; and

(F) by adding at the end the following new paragraph:

(2) At least one member designated by each Member of Congress specified in subparagraph (B) or (D) shall be a graduate of the Academy.

Such section is further amended, in subsection (b)—

(A) by striking designated by the President and inserting designated under subsection (a);

(B) by striking appointed by the President and inserting appointed under subsection (a); and

(C) by striking the second sentence.

Such section is further amended, in subsection (c)—

(A) by inserting (1) before If;

(B) by inserting or is terminated under paragraph (2) after resigns; and

(C) by adding at the end the following new paragraph:

(A) If a member of the Board designated under subsection (a) fails to attend two consecutive meetings of the Board, unless such absence is approved in advance and for good cause by the Board chairman, shall be subject to termination from the Board.

(B) A member of the Board who is not a Member of Congress may be made terminated only by the chairman of the Board, as determined by the chairman.

(C) A member of the Board who is a Member of Congress may be made terminated only by the official who designated such member, as determined by such official.

(D) A member designated under subsection (a) shall be provided notice of the provisions of this paragraph at the time of such designation.

Such section is further amended, in subsection (d)—

(A) by inserting twice before annually;

(B) by striking With the approval and inserting After consultation with; and

(C) by inserting or other personnel after Superintendent.

Such section is further amended, in subsection (e)—

(A) by inserting, and make recommendations regarding, after inquire into; and

(B) by adding In accordance with any applicable law regarding the disclosure of information, the Superintendent shall provide information the Board requests. at the end.

Such section is further amended, in subsection (f)—

(A) by striking its annual and inserting a;

(B) by striking report to the President and inserting report to the Secretary of Defense and the Committees on Armed Services of the Senate and House of Representatives;

(C) by striking submitted to the President and inserting submitted;

(D) by inserting (1) before Within; and

(E) by adding at the end the following new paragraph:

(2) The Board shall publish a report under paragraph (1) on the same day it submits such a report.

(3) A member of the Board or a minority of the Board may elect to submit a report to the recipients under paragraph (1).

Such section is further amended, in subsection (g), by striking Upon approval by the Secretary, the and inserting The.

Such section is further amended by adding at the end the following new subsections:

(j) Subject to subsections (a) through (d) of section 1009 of title 5, the Board shall adopt rules and procedures.

(k) The Chairman shall be elected by the members of the Board to serve a one-year term.

Section 8468 of such title is amended to read identically to 7455 of such title, as amended by subsection (a).

Section 9455 of such title is amended to read identically to 7455 of such title, as amended by subsection (a).

Section 7461(d)(2) of title 10, United States Code, is amended—

(1) by redesignating subparagraphs (B) and (C) as subparagraphs (C) and (D), respectively; and

(2) by inserting after subparagraph (A) the following new subparagraph (B):

(B) The number of such substantiated cases for which there is a reason to believe that the victim was targeted, or discriminated against, or both, for status in a group.

Section 8480(d)(2) of such title is amended—

(1) by redesignating subparagraphs (B) and (C) as subparagraphs (C) and (D), respectively; and

(2) by inserting after subparagraph (A) the following new subparagraph (B):

(B) The number of such substantiated cases for which there is a reason to believe that the victim was targeted, or discriminated against, or both, for status in a group.

Section 9461(d)(2) of such title is amended—

(1) by redesignating subparagraphs (B) and (C) as subparagraphs (C) and (D), respectively; and

(2) by inserting after subparagraph (A) the following new subparagraph (B):

(B) The number of such substantiated cases for which there is a reason to believe that the victim was targeted, or discriminated against, or both, for status in a group.

Section 8541 of title 10, United States Code, is amended, in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by striking to provide advanced instruction and professional and technical education and research opportunities for commissioned officers of the naval service and inserting to conduct research, to conduct wargaming, to conduct innovation, and to provide advanced instruction, professional, technical, and research and education, and innovation opportunities for commissioned and noncommissioned officers of the naval service.

Section 8542(b)(1) of title 10, United States Code, is amended—

(1) by striking professional and technical education and inserting professional, technical, and research and education; and

(2) by striking research opportunities and inserting research and innovation opportunities.

The Secretary of Defense shall ensure that all commissioned officers of the Armed Forces receive training on the Constitution of the United States prior to commissioning. The training shall include—

(1) education on the centrality of the Constitution to the commitment officers make to serve in the Armed Forces;

(2) emphasis on the loyalty of officers to the Constitution; and

(3) instruction on certain aspects of the Constitution relevant to military service, including—

(A) civil-military relations;

(B) separation of powers; and

(C) domestic use of military force.

Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of Education shall jointly complete a data matching process—

(1) to identify each individual who, while serving as a covered employee of the Department of Defense, made one or more student loan payments eligible to be counted for purposes of the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program under section 455(m) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1087e(m)); and

(2) without requiring further information or action from such individual—

(A) to certify the total period of such employment for purposes of such program; and

(B) to count the total number of qualifying payments made by the individual for purposes of such program during such period.

In this section, the term covered employee means an individual who, at any time beginning on or after October 1, 2007, was—

(1) a member of the Armed Forces serving on active duty for a period of more than 30 consecutive days; or

(2) a civilian employee of the Department of Defense.

Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act the Secretary of Defense shall establish a system whereby a covered individual may elect to have the Secretary share information regarding such covered individual with a senior military college.

In this section:

(1) The term covered individual means an individual whose application for an appointment as a cadet or midshipman at a Service Academy is denied.

(2) The term senior military college means a school specified in section 2111a of title 10, United States Code.

(3) The term Service Academy has the meaning given such term in section 347 of title 10, United States Code.

The Secretary of the Navy and the Secretary of the Army shall jointly conduct a pilot program (referred to in this section as the Program) under which certain enlisted personnel of the covered Armed Forces may enroll in a master’s degree program at the Naval Postgraduate School.

The Secretaries concerned shall carry out the Program—

(1) in accordance with such regulations as may be prescribed by the Secretary of Defense for purposes of the Program; and

(2) in a manner consistent with the Graduate Education Program–Enlisted pilot program of the Marine Corps.

The Secretaries concerned shall establish criteria for determining the eligibility of enlisted members of the covered Armed Forces for participation in the Program. In establishing such criteria, the Secretaries concerned may consider the following criteria used under the Graduate Education Program–Enlisted pilot program of the Marine Corps:

(1) Eligibility may be limited to active duty members of the covered Armed Forces with no more than 16 years of service by end of degree completion and prior to being assigned to duties that use such degree.

(2) A member should not have been passed over for selection to the next higher grade.

(3) A member should meet reenlistment requirements established by the component of the Armed Force responsible for such requirements to ensure four years of service are attainable after degree completion.

(4) Any Primary Military Occupational Specialty may be eligible to apply.

(5) A minimum of four years should remain on the member’s contract at the time of completion of the degree program. A member should be willing to re-enlist or extend a contract to meet the requirements under this paragraph.

(6) A minimum of 24 months on station is recommended for applicants in assignments within the continental United States or 24 months for applicants in assignments outside the continental United States prior to the commencement studies at the Naval Postgraduate School, with the potential for exceptions.

(7) All applicants should possess an institutionally accredited baccalaureate degree and should have the Academic Profile Code prescribed for the requested curricula. The Naval Postgraduate School should determine the official Academic Profile Code for each applicant and such official Academic Profile Code should be used as the basis in determining academic eligibility for participation in the Program. The application criteria for the Naval Postgraduate School may be further described, promulgated, and updated on the website of the School’s admissions office.

(8) The member should hold, or be eligible for, a security clearance if required for—

(A) placement in a course of study under the Program; or

(B) the member’s duty assignment after completion of such Program.

(9) Applicants should have completed all necessary professional military education for their current rank prior to executing orders.

The number of enlisted members selected for participation in the Program from each covered Armed Force shall be equal to the number of officers from that Armed Force who are enrolled in the Naval Postgraduate school at the time the selection is made.

Such selection hall be based on consideration of—

(A) the eligibility criteria established under subsection (c);

(B) professional performance;

(C) promotion potential;

(D) retention potential;

(E) academic background, capabilities, and accomplishments;

(F) the needs of the Navy and Army;

(G) input from the admissions office of the Naval Postgraduate School; and

(H) input from the component within each Armed Force with primary responsibility for determining the duty assignments of enlisted members.

Subject to such terms, conditions, and exceptions as the Secretaries concerned may establish, an enlisted member who receives a master’s degree under the Program, shall serve for a period of not less than two years in a duty assignment that is relevant to the degree obtained by the member under the Program.

In conjunction with selecting enlisted members for participation in the Program as described in subsection (d), the Secretaries concerned shall establish a framework for assigning enlisted personnel who are not participating in the Program—

(1) to fill the billets of the members participating in the Program while such members are completing a course of study at the Naval Postgraduate School; and

(2) to fill the billets of members who received a master’s degree under the Program while such members are engaged in post-participation service as described in subsection (e).

The Secretaries concerned shall coordinate with the President of the Naval Postgraduate School to identify specific master’s degree programs offered by the School in which Program participants may enroll. In identifying such programs, the Secretaries shall consider—

(1) the needs of the Navy and Army;

(2) the capacity of the Naval Postgraduate School; and

(3) the extent to which enrollment in a specific program is expected to have a positive effect on the career trajectories of participants.

The Secretaries concerned shall take such actions as are necessary to notify and inform enlisted members about the Program.

Before the expiration of the six-year period described in subsection (i)(1), the Secretaries concerned, in coordination with the Secretary of Defense, shall submit to the Committees on Armed Services of the Senate and the House of Representatives a report that includes—

(1) an assessment of whether and to what extent the Program has met the needs of the covered Armed Forces and had positive effects on participating enlisted members, including with respect to—

(A) career trajectory, including potential pay increases;

(B) retention;

(C) recruitment;

(D) job performance;

(E) merit-based promotions and merit-based promotion reorder; and

(F) compatibility with the objectives outlined in the 2022 National Defense Strategy to modernize the Armed Services, spur innovation, and outpace and outthink adversaries of the United States;

(2) the recommendations of the Secretaries regarding whether the Program should be extended or made permanent;

(3) an assessment of the funding and capabilities that may be needed to make the Program permanent; and

(4) any other matters the Secretaries determine to be relevant.

Subject to paragraph (2), the Program shall terminate six years after the date on which the Program commences under this section.

The Secretaries concerned may extend the Program beyond the six-year period specified in paragraph (1) if, not later than 30 days before the expiration of such period, the Secretaries, in consultation with the President of the Naval Postgraduate School, submit to the Committees on Armed Services of the Senate and the House of Representatives—

(A) notice of the intent of the Secretaries to extend the Program; and

(B) an explanation of the reasons for extending the Program.

In this section:

(1) The term covered Armed Forces means the Army and the Navy.

(2) The term Secretary concerned means—

(A) the Secretary of the Army, with respect to matters concerning the Army; and

(B) the Secretary of the Navy, with respect to matters concerning the Navy.

Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of the Air Force shall establish a pilot program to enable—

(1) agile response to sudden requirements for skills in new languages where capability is limited or non-existent;

(2) agile response to surge for any language required due to responses to conflict, humanitarian disaster, or other military requirements; and

(3) development of innovative language learning technologies for delivering synchronous and asynchronous language training for Air Force linguists and other Air Force language enabled personnel.

Not later than 2 years after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Armed Services of the Senate and the Committee on Armed Services of the House of Representatives, on the results of the pilot program, including the number of courses developed, the number of personnel trained, the languages taught, the proficiency levels attained, response time to develop courses and train personnel, and availability for training personnel while on the job.

Not later than July 1, 2025, the Secretary shall brief the Committees on Armed Services of the Senate and House of Representatives on implementation of this section and plans regarding continuing language education described in subsection (a).

The authority under this section shall expire on September 30, 2028.

The Secretary of Defense shall establish—

(A) a centralized database, to be known as the Military Training and Competency Database (referred to in this section as the Database), to record and maintain information relating to training performed by members of the Armed Forces; and

(B) a process to make the information in the database available to States and potential employers to assist in determining if the training provided to a member or former member of the Armed Forces satisfies civilian licensing and certification requirements.

The Database shall include following information for each member of the Armed Forces:

(A) Name, rank, and military service identification number.

(B) Branch of service and specialty.

(C) Details of completed training courses, certifications, and qualifications.

(D) Any other information the Secretary determines appropriate.

The Secretary of Defense shall establish a process to make the information contained in the Database available to States and other employers upon request to assist such States and employers in verifying whether the training and qualifications of a member or former member of the Armed Forces satisfies relevant civilian licensing or certification requirements.

The Secretary of Defense shall ensure that the Database is secure, easily accessible, and regularly updated to reflect the training and qualifications acquired by members of the Armed Forces.

Based on the information in the Database the Secretary of Defense shall provide to each member of the Armed Forces a document that outlines the training and qualifications acquired by a member while serving in the Armed Forces. Such document shall be known as a competency report.

The Secretary of Defense shall develop a standardized format for competency reports, which shall include, at a minimum, the following information:

(A) Relevant personal details about the member.

(B) Description of training courses, certifications, and qualifications obtained.

(C) Date and duration of each completed training.

(D) Authorized signatures and other necessary authentication.

Competency reports shall be provided to members of the Armed Forces upon their separation or retirement from the Armed Forces.

Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense shall establish the necessary regulations, procedures, and timelines for the implementation of this section.

The Secretary of Defense shall allocate sufficient resources to ensure the effective establishment, maintenance, and accessibility of the Database and the development and distribution of competency reports to members of the Armed Forces.

Not later than two years after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense shall submit to the congressional defense committees a report on the implementation and effectiveness of the Database and any recommendations of the Secretary for improving the Database. The report shall include feedback and recommendations from States and other employers regarding the usability and accuracy of the Database and the competency reports described in subsection (b).

Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense shall establish a standardized training curriculum for military vehicle operations, encompassing both classroom and practical training components.

The training curriculum under paragraph (1) shall be developed in collaboration with subject matter experts, experienced members of the Armed Forces, and relevant stakeholders, and shall cover essential topics such as vehicle dynamics, safety procedures, hazard recognition and avoidance, defensive driving techniques, and vehicle recovery methods.

The Secretary of Defense shall ensure that the training curriculum under paragraph (1) is regularly updated to incorporate emerging best practices and technological advancements in military vehicle operations.

The Secretary of Defense shall establish a certification program to validate the proficiency of members of the Armed Forces in military vehicle operations.

The certification program shall be designed to ensure that all members of the Armed Forces, regardless of deployment status, receive adequate training in military vehicle operations before being assigned to operational duty.

The certification program shall include written exams, practical assessments, and evaluations of demonstrated competence.

Notice shall be issued to members of the Armed Forces who successfully complete the training program and meet the established proficiency criteria.

Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense shall commence the development and implementation of the training curriculum under subsection (a) and the certification program under subsection (b).

Not later than three years after the date of the enactment of this Act, the training curriculum under subsection (a) and the certification program under subsection (b) shall be fully integrated into military training programs.

In carrying out this section, the Secretary of Defense shall—

(1) develop a comprehensive and interactive training methodology that combines traditional classroom instruction with hands-on, practical training exercises:

(2) encourage the use of modern training technologies, simulators, and realistic training environments to enhance effectiveness of the training program; and

(3) ensure that training materials are up-to-date, accessible, and tailored to the specific vehicle types and operational environments members of the Armed Forces are likely to encounter.

In carrying out this section, the Secretary of Defense shall—

(1) update reporting mechanisms used to collect and analyze data related to military vehicle incidents, including vehicle rollovers, and the causes of such incidents;

(2) conduct regular evaluations of the effectiveness of the training under this section in reducing incidents and improving the proficiency of military vehicle operators; and

(3) promptly implement any recommendations for program improvements based on the results of such data and evaluations.

The Superintendent of a military service academy shall provide testing for speech disorders to incoming cadets or midshipmen under the jurisdiction of that Superintendent.

The testing under subsection (a) may not have any affect on admission to a military service academy.

The Superintendent shall provide each cadet or midshipman under the jurisdiction of that Superintendent the result of the testing under subsection (a) and a list of warfare unrestricted line officer positions and occupation specialists that require successful performance on the speech test.

The Superintendent shall furnish speech therapy to a cadet or midshipman under the jurisdiction of that Superintendent at the election of the cadet or midshipman.

A cadet or midshipman whose testing indicate a speech disorder or impediment may elect to retake the testing once each academic year while enrolled at the military service academy.

Chapter 102 of title 10, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new section:

The Secretary of Defense, acting through the Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness, shall establish training for students enrolled in the Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps regarding prevention of sexual abuse.

The training established under this section shall—

(1) be age-appropriate;

(2) be evidence-based in polyvictimization research;

(3) be comprehensive, including elements regarding—

(A) grooming;

(B) bullying, including cyberbullying;

(C) appropriate relationships and interactions between such students and instructors;

(D) signs of inappropriate behavior between adults and adolescents; and

(E) digital abuse; and

(4) provide such students with the contact information of local resources through which a student may report alleged sexual abuse or receive treatment and support for such abuse.

The Secretary shall ensure that each such student receives training established under this section—

(1) from an entity other than an administrator or instructor of the Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps; and

(2) once each year.

The Secretary shall establish and maintain metrics regarding the effectiveness of the training established under this section.

In this section, the term sexual abuse means an offense covered by section 920, 920b, 920c, or 930 of this title (article 120, 120b, 120c, or 130 of the Uniform Code of Military Justice).

Section 2004 of title 10, United States Code, is amended—

(1) in subsection (a)—

(A) by inserting (1) before The Secretary;

(B) by striking the second sentence; and

(C) by adding at the end the following new paragraphs:

(A) The Secretary of the military department concerned may pay expenses incident to the detail, under this subsection, of an officer or enlisted member for a period of training described in paragraph (1).

(B) Not more than 25 officers and enlisted members from each military department may, in any single fiscal year, begin a period of training described in paragraph (1) for which the Secretary of the military department concerned pays expenses under this paragraph.

(3) The Secretary of the military department concerned may detail an officer or enlisted member under paragraph (1) without paying expenses under paragraph (2).

(2) in subsection (b)—

(A) in paragraph (1), by striking either and inserting in the case of a member for whose training the Secretary of the military department concerned pays expenses under subsection (a)(2), either;

(B) in subparagraph (C) of paragraph (3)—

(i) by striking period of two years and all that follows and inserting an em dash; and

(ii) by adding at the end the following new clauses:

(i) in the case of a member for whose training the Secretary of the military department concerned pays expenses under subsection (a)(2), two years; or

(ii) in the case of a member described in subsection (a)(3), one year for each year or part thereof of legal training under subsection (a).

(C) by redesignating paragraphs (2) and (3) as paragraphs (3) and (4), respectively;

(D) by inserting after paragraph (1) the following new paragraph (2):

(2) in the case of a member described in subsection (a)(3), either—

(A) have served on active duty for a period of not less than two years nor more than eight years and be an officer in the grade of O–3 or below as of the time the training is to begin; or

(B) have served on active duty for a period of not less than four years nor more than ten years and be an enlisted member in the grade of E–5, E–6, or E–7 as of the time the training is to begin;

(D) ; and

(E) in subsection (d), by striking under this section and inserting paid under subsection (a)(2) of.

Section 403 of title 37, United States Code, is amended—

(A) by redesignating subsection (q) as subsection (r); and

(B) by inserting after subsection (p) the following new subsection (q):

A member of the armed forces may not be denied an allowance under this section solely on the basis that such member has been detailed for a period of training under section 2004 of title 10.

A member of the Armed Forces who, on or after August 1, 2023, the Secretary of the military department concerned determined, under section 502 of title 37, United States Code, was absent for a period that is longer than the leave authorized by section 701 of title 10, United States Code, because the member was detailed or assigned by the Secretary of the military department concerned as a full-time student to a civilian institution to pursue a program of education, is entitled to the basic allowance for housing under section 403 of title 37, United States Code, to which the member would have been entitled if the member were not so absent.

The Secretary of the Air Force shall require that training to qualify as a combat controller of the Air Force includes dive school.

Section 824a(d) of title 10, United States Code, as added by section 531 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2024 (Public Law 118–31; 137 Stat. 258), is amended—

(1) in paragraph (1)(A), by striking section 920 (article 120), and inserting section 919a (article 119a), section 920 (article 120), section 920a (article 120a),;

(2) by redesignating paragraph (2) as paragraph (3);

(3) by inserting after paragraph (2) the following new paragraph:

After January 1, 2025, a special trial counsel may, at the sole and exclusive discretion of the special trial counsel, exercise authority over the following offenses:

(A) The standalone offense of sexual harassment punishable under section 934 of this title (article 134) in each instance in which—

(i) the offense occurs after January 26, 2022, and on or before January 1, 2025; and

(ii) a formal complaint is substantiated in accordance with regulations prescribed by the Secretary concerned.

(B) A conspiracy to commit an offense specified in subparagraph (A) as punishable under section 881 of this title (article 81).

(C) A solicitation to commit an offense specified in subparagraph (A) as punishable under section 882 of this title (article 82).

(D) An attempt to commit an offense specified in subparagraph (A), (B), or (C) as punishable under section 880 of this title (article 80).

(3) ; and

(4) in paragraph (3), as so redesignated—

(A) in subparagraph (A), by inserting or (2) after paragraph (1); and

(B) in subparagraph (B), by striking paragraph (1) and inserting subsection (c)(2)(A) or paragraph (1) or (2) of this subsection.

Subsection (b) of section 865 of title 10, United States Code (article 65 of the Uniform Code of Military Justice), is amended—

(1) in paragraph (1)—

(A) by striking the Judge Advocate General shall forward the record and inserting the following:

(A) the Judge Advocate General shall forward—

(A) the record

(B) in subparagraph (A), as designated by subparagraph (A) of this paragraph, by striking the period and inserting; and; and

(C) by adding at the end the following new subparagraph:

(B) a copy of the record of trial to an appellate defense counsel who shall be detailed to review the case and, upon request of the accused, to represent the accused before the Court of Criminal Appeals.

(C) ; and

(2) in paragraph (2)—

(A) in subparagraph (A)—

(i) in the matter preceding clause (i), by striking shall and inserting shall, upon written request of the accused;

(ii) in clause (i), by striking, upon request of the accused,; and

(iii) in clause (ii), by striking upon written request of the accused,; and

(B) in subparagraph (B)—

(i) by striking accused and all that follows through waives and inserting accused waives;

(ii) by striking; or and inserting a period; and

(iii) by striking clause (ii).

Section 903b(2) of title 10, United States Code (article 103b(2) of the Uniform Code of Military Justice), is amended by inserting provides military education, military training, or tactical advice to, after gives intelligence to,.

Section 536(c)(3) of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2024 (Public Law 118–31; 137 Stat. 263) is amended by striking 2027 and inserting 2025.

Section 549 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2020 (Public Law 116–92; 10 U.S.C. 806b note) is amended—

(1) in the first sentence—

(A) by inserting, or a case of an alleged domestic violence-related offense (as defined by the Secretary), after of title 10, United States Code); and

(B) by striking periodically notify the victim and inserting periodically notify the victim (or the victim’s legal counsel if so requested by the victim); and

(2) in the last sentence, by striking notify the victim and inserting notify the victim (or the victim’s legal counsel if so requested by the victim).

The Joint Service Committee on Military Justice shall develop recommendations for modifying the offense of indecent viewing, visual recording, or broadcasting under section 920c of title 10, United States Code (article 120c of the Uniform Code of Military Justice) to clarify its applicability to the broadcasting and distribution of digitally manipulated intimate images.

In developing recommendations under subsection (a), the Joint Service Committee on Military Justice shall consider—

(1) the advisability of modifying section 920c of title 10, United States Code (article 120c of the Uniform Code of Military Justice)—

(A) to prohibit the broadcasting or distribution of an intimate digital depiction of another person that the offender knew or reasonably should have known was made without the other person’s consent and under circumstances in which that person has a reasonable expectation of privacy; and

(B) to define the term intimate digital depiction (as used in subparagraph (A)) as a digital depiction of an individual that has been created or altered using digital manipulation and that depicts—

(i) the private area of an identifiable individual; or

(ii) an identifiable individual engaging in sexually explicit conduct (as defined in section 917a(b) of title 10, United States Code (article 117a(b)(4) of the Uniform Code of Military Justice)); and

(2) such other approaches to the modification of such section 920c (article 120c) as the Committee considers appropriate to address digitally manipulated intimate images.

Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Joint Service Committee on Military Justice shall submit to the Committees on Armed Services of the Senate and the House of Representatives a report that includes—

(1) the recommendations developed under subsection (a); and

(2) draft legislative text that sets forth all amendments and modifications to law that may be needed to effectively implement such recommendations.

Chapter 79 of title 10, United States Code, is amended by inserting after section 1552 the following new section:

The Secretary of Defense shall develop and implement uniform guidance providing for the modification of titling and indexing systems to ensure that a record identifying a member or former member of the Armed Forces as the subject of a criminal investigation is removed from such system if that member or former member is cleared of wrongdoing as described in subsection (b).

A member or former member of the Armed Forces who is the subject of a criminal investigation shall be considered to have been cleared of wrongdoing for purposes of subsection (a) if—

(1) an investigation conducted by a defense criminal investigative organization or another Federal or civilian law enforcement agency determines that—

(A) no probable cause exists to support that the member or former member is responsible for the alleged offense; or

(B) the member or former member was mistakenly identified as a subject; or

(2) the reasons specified for the charges for which the member or former member was under investigation are unsupported by probable cause as determined by—

(A) a court-martial or other proceeding brought under chapter 47 of this title; or

(B) a civilian court.

No member of an Armed Force may be involuntarily separated solely for an offense for which the member is cleared of wrongdoing as described in subsection (b).

In this section:

(1) The term defense criminal investigative organization means—

(A) the Army Criminal Investigation Command;

(B) the Naval Criminal Investigative Service;

(C) the Air Force Office of Special Investigations;

(D) the Coast Guard Investigative Service;

(E) the Defense Criminal Investigative Service; and

(F) any other organization or element of the Department of Defense or an Armed Force that is responsible for conducting criminal investigations.

(2) The term indexing means the practice of submitting an individual’s name or other personally identifiable information to the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Interstate Identification Index, or any successor system.

(3) The term titling means the practice of identifying an individual as the subject of a criminal investigation in the records of a military criminal investigative organization and storing such information in a database or other records system.

(4) The term titling and indexing system means any database or other records system used by a defense criminal investigative organization for purposes of titling and indexing, including the Defense Central Index of Investigations (commonly known as DCII).

Not later than 60 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, each Secretary concerned, pursuant to the guidance issued by the Secretary of Defense under section 1552a of title 10, United States Code (as added by subsection (a)), and in consultation with the appropriate Judge Advocate General, shall—

(1) review the titling and indexing systems of the defense criminal investigative organizations under the jurisdiction of such Secretary to identify each record in such system that pertains to a member or former member of the Armed Forces who has been cleared of wrongdoing as described in subsection (b) of such section 1552a;

(2) notify the defense criminal investigative organization involved of each record identified under paragraph (1); and

(3) direct the head of the organization to remove the record in accordance with subsection (c).

The head of a defense criminal investigative organization that receives a notice under subsection (b)(2) with respect to a record in a titling or indexing system shall ensure that the record is removed from such system by not later than 30 days after the date on which the notice is received.

The requirements of this section and the amendments made by this section are in addition to any requirements imposed under section 549 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2023 (Public Law 117–263; 10 U.S.C. 1552 note). This section and the amendments made by this section shall supersede any provision of section 549 of that Act that is inconsistent with this section or such amendments, but only to the extent of the inconsistency.

In this section:

(1) The terms defense criminal investigative organization, indexing, titling, and titling and indexing system have the meanings given those terms in section 1552a(d) of title 10, United States Code (as added by subsection (a)).

(2) The term Secretary concerned has the meaning given that term in section 101(a) of title 10, United States Code.

The Joint Service Committee on Military Justice shall develop recommendations for modifying rule 513 of the Military Rules of Evidence (as set forth in part III of the Manual for Courts-Martial) to include diagnoses of a patient and treatments prescribed to a patient as confidential communications subject to the psychotherapist-patient privilege.

In developing recommendations under subsection (a), the Joint Service Committee on Military Justice shall consider—

(1) the advisability of modifying Military Rule of Evidence 513 to cover psychotherapy diagnoses and treatments; and

(2) such other approaches to the modification of Military Rule of Evidence 513 as the Committee considers appropriate to address victim privacy rights.

Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Joint Service Committee on Military Justice shall submit to the Committees on Armed Services of the Senate and the House of Representatives a report that includes—

(1) the recommendations developed under subsection (a); and

(2) draft legislative text that sets forth all amendments and modifications to law that may be needed to effectively implement such recommendations.

Part I of title 18, United States Code, is amended—

(1) in section 2241(c)—

(A) in the second sentence, by inserting or an offense under the Uniform Code of Military Justice after State offense; and

(B) by striking either such provision and inserting any such provision;

(2) in section 2251(e), by striking section 920 of title 10 (article 120 of the Uniform Code of Military Justice), or under each place it appears and inserting the Uniform Code of Military Justice or;

(3) in section 2252(b)—

(A) in paragraph (1), by striking section 920 of title 10 (article 120 of the Uniform Code of Military Justice), or under and inserting the Uniform Code of Military Justice or; and

(B) in paragraph (2), by striking section 920 of title 10 (article 120 of the Uniform Code of Military Justice), or under and inserting the Uniform Code of Military Justice or;

(4) in section 2252A(b)—

(A) in paragraph (1), by striking section 920 of title 10 (article 120 of the Uniform Code of Military Justice), or under and inserting the Uniform Code of Military Justice or; and

(B) in paragraph (2), by striking section 920 of title 10 (article 120 of the Uniform Code of Military Justice), or under and inserting the Uniform Code of Military Justice or;

(5) in section 2426(b)(1)(B), by inserting or the Uniform Code of Military Justice after State law; and

(6) in section 3559(e)(2)—

(A) in subparagraph (B)—

(i) by striking State sex offense and inserting State or Military sex offense; and

(ii) by inserting or the Uniform Code of Military Justice after State law; and

(B) in subparagraph (C), by inserting or Military after State.

Paragraph (4) of subsection (a) of section 1142 of title 10, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new subparagraph:

(D) The Secretary concerned may waive the requirement for preseparation counseling under paragraph (1) in the case of a member of a reserve component if—

(i) the member requests such a waiver;

(ii) the member received preseparation counseling during the three-year period preceding the date of such request; and

(iii) the matters covered by such counseling, as specified in subsection (b), have not changed since the member last received such counseling.

Such subsection is further amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph:

(5) The commanding officer of a member of the armed forces whose discharge (regardless of character of discharge) or release from active duty is anticipated as of a specific date may, on a space available basis, authorize such member to receive preseparation counseling, regardless of whether such member reenlists or agrees to a new period of obligated service.

Section 1142(b)(9) of title 10, United States Code, is amended—

(1) by inserting and counseling after assistance; and

(2) by inserting, which counseling shall be for a period not shorter than one hour after taxes.

Section 1142(b) of title 10, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph:

(20) A presentation that promotes the benefits available to veterans under the laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs. Such presentation—

(A) shall be standardized;

(B) shall, before implementation, be reviewed and approved by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs in collaboration with veterans service organizations that provide claims assistance under the benefits delivery at discharge program of the Department of Veterans Affairs;

(C) shall be submitted by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to the Committees on Veterans’ Affairs of the Senate and the House of Representatives for review at least 90 days before implementation;

(D) where available, shall be presented with the participation of—

(i) a representative of a veterans service organization recognized under section 5902 of title 38; or

(ii) an individual—

(I) recognized under section 5903 of such title; and

(II) authorized by the Secretary concerned to so participate;

(E) shall include information on how a veterans service organization may assist the member in filing a claim described in paragraph (19);

(F) may not encourage the member to join a particular veterans service organization; and

(G) may not be longer than one hour.

Not less than frequently than once each year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall submit, to the Committees on Armed Services of the Senate and House of Representatives, and to the Committees on Veterans’ Affairs of the Senate and House of Representatives, a report that—

(1) identifies each veterans service organization that participated in a presentation under paragraph (20) of section 1142(b) of title 10, United States Code, as added by subsection (a);

(2) contains the number of members of the Armed Forces who attended such presentations; and

(3) includes any recommendations of the Secretary regarding changes to such presentation or to such paragraph.

Section 1142(c)(1) of title 10, United States Code, is amended, in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by inserting (including one pathway for members of the reserve components of the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, or Space Force) after military department concerned.

Section 1142(c)(1) of title 10, United States Code, is amended, in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by inserting (including one pathway for members of the reserve components) after military department concerned.

Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Labor, in consultation with the Secretary of Defense, the Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating when it is not operating as a service in the Navy, and the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, shall carry out a pilot program to be known as the Employment Navigator and Partnership Pilot Program. The pilot program shall supplement the program under section 1144 of title 10, United States Code.

In carrying out the pilot program under this section, the Secretary of Labor, in consultation with the Secretary of Defense, the Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating when it is not operating as a service in the Navy, and the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, shall—

(1) seek to enter into contracts with public, private, and nonprofit entities under which such entities provide individualized employment counseling for members of the Armed Forces and their spouses;

(2) prioritize entering into contracts with qualified private entities that have experience providing instruction to members of the Armed Forces eligible for assistance under the pilot program carried out under this section on—

(A) private sector culture, resume writing, career networking, and training on job search technologies;

(B) academic readiness and educational opportunities; or

(C) other relevant topics, as determined by the Secretary;

(3) prioritize entering into a contract with a qualified private entity that is an existing Employment Navigator and Partnership Pilot Program partner with experience integrating members of the Armed Forces into local communities across the entire nation, to:

(A) Lead the program in clause (2) and, following person-to-person interactions and discussions with the individuals seeking assistance, provide referrals to the organizations under contract with the Secretary based on the Armed Forces member or veterans preferences, geographic location, and other factors;

(B) Provide comprehensive wrap-around services to the those individuals receiving assistance under this title, to include services with other matters related to transition, and remain in contact with the individuals through person-to-person engagements throughout the process;

(iii) Provide close coordination with contracted organizations and follow-up communications with those enrolled in the Employment Navigator and Partnership Pilot Program to ensure a smooth transition;

(iv) Ensure the Secretary is provided with appropriate data on referrals, outcomes, and issues that arise to enable proper oversight of the program;

(4) give a preference to any private entity that—

(A) has a national or international geographical area of service;

(B) provides multiple forms of career assistance and placement services to—

(i) active duty members of the Armed Forces;

(ii) spouses of active duty members of the Armed Forces;

(iii) veterans; and

(iv) spouses of veterans;

(C) provides services to at least 1,000 individuals who are—

(i) active duty members of the Armed Forces;

(ii) spouses of active duty members of the Armed Forces;

(iii) veterans; or

(iv) spouses of veterans;

(D) has continuously, for at least the three-year period immediately preceding the date of the contract, provided services to individuals who are—

(i) active duty members of the Armed Forces;

(ii) spouses of active duty members of the Armed Forces;

(iii) veterans; and

(iv) spouses of veterans; and

(E) has a demonstrated record of success in providing assistance with employment services, as indicated by—

(i) the average wages or earnings of people who receive employment services provided by the entity;

(ii) prior completion of Federal grants or contracts;

(iii) having at least 75 percent of its participants find full-time employment within six months of initially receiving employment services provided by the entity; and

(iv) other employment performance indicators, as determined by the Secretary; and

(5) seek to enter into contracts with not fewer than 10, but not more than 60, private entities under which each such entity is compensated at a rate agreed upon between the Secretary and the entity for each individual who receives employment services provided by the entity and is in unsubsidized employment during the second quarter after exit from the program; and

(6) conduct such other activities as may be necessary for the delivery of individualized employment counseling and other employment services under this section.

Not later than October 1 of each year during the term of the pilot program, the Secretary of Labor, in consultation with the Secretary of Defense, the Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating when it is not operating as a service in the Navy, and the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, shall submit to the Committees on Armed Services, the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives, and the Committees on Veterans’ Affairs of the Senate and House of Representatives a report on the pilot program under this section, including the employment outcomes for members of the Armed Forces and their spouses who receive employment services under the program on the following indicators of performance—

(1) the percentage of program participants who are in unsubsidized employment during the second quarter after exit from the program;

(2) the percentage of program participants who are in unsubsidized employment during the fourth quarter after exit from the program; and

(3) the median earnings of program participants who are in unsubsidized employment during the second quarter after exit from the program.

The pilot program shall terminate five years after the date on which the Secretary of Labor begins to carry out the pilot program.

Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense shall commence a pilot program under which active duty members of the Armed Forces who are enrolled in the Transition Assistance Program use a covered health record platform to collect their records before separating from active duty.

The Secretary shall select not less than one Armed Force in which to carry out the pilot program under subsection (a).

The Secretary shall seek to enter into a contract using competitive procedures with an appropriate entity for the provision of the covered health record platform under the pilot program under subsection (a).

Not later than 60 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall issue a request for proposals for the contract described in paragraph (1).

A request under subparagraph (A) shall be full and open to any contractor that has an existing covered health record platform.

Not later than 120 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall award a contract to an appropriate entity pursuant to the request for proposals under paragraph (2) if at least one acceptable offer is submitted.

The Secretary shall carry out the pilot program under subsection (a) for a period of not less than one year.

At the end of the one-year period specified in paragraph (1), the Secretary may—

(A) terminate the pilot program under subsection (a);

(B) continue the pilot program;

(C) expand the pilot program; or

(D) implement the use of a covered health record platform in the Transition Assistance Program throughout the Armed Forces.

No additional funds are authorized to be appropriated to carry out the requirements of this section. Such requirements shall be carried out using amounts otherwise authorized to be appropriated for the Department of Defense.

In this section:

The term covered health record platform means a secure personal health record platform that meets the following requirements:

(A) Has web-based capabilities.

(B) Has the capability to store and share records with the Department of Veterans Affairs or any other designated care provider.

(C) Has the capability to store records in the cloud.

(D) Does not have a requirement for integration to receive or share records.

(E) Has the capability to instantly share data based on a combination of access key and personal identifier.

(F) Has the capability to provide secure data storage and records transfer upon separation of a member of the Armed Forces from active duty.

(G) Does not require a business associate agreement with any parties.

(H) Has secure data isolation with access controls.

(I) Has, at a minimum, data security that would require separate encryption for each document, relying on AES256 algorithm with keys encryption using RSA2048 algorithm, or any successor similar algorithm.

The term Transition Assistance Program means the program of the Department of Defense for preseparation counseling, employment assistance, and other transitional services provided under sections 1142 and 1144 of title 10, United States Code.

Not later than September 30, 2025, the Secretary of Defense, in consultation with the Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating when not operating as a service in the Department of the Navy, shall conduct a study to identify the private entities participating in Skillbridge that offer positions in registered apprenticeship programs to covered members.

The Secretary of Defense shall consult with officials and employees of the Department of Labor who have experience with registered apprenticeship programs to facilitate the Secretary entering into agreements with entities that offer positions described in subsection (a) in areas where the Secretary determines few such positions are available to covered members.

In this section:

(1) The term covered member means a member of the Armed Forces eligible for Skillbridge.

(2) The term registered apprenticeship program means an apprenticeship program registered under the Act of August 16, 1937 (commonly known as the National Apprenticeship Act; 50 Stat. 664, chapter 663; 29 U.S.C. 50 et seq.).

(3) The term Skillbridge means an employment skills training program under section 1143(e) of title 10, United States Code.

Section 1142(d) of title 10, United States Code, is amended—

(1) in the heading, by striking Transmittal and inserting Transmission;

(2) by inserting (1) before In the case; and

(3) by adding at the end the following new paragraph:

(2) In the case of a member whom the Secretary concerned knows has a history of opioid use disorder, such Secretary concerned shall notify the Secretary of Veterans Affairs of such history within 60 days of the separation. retirement, or discharge of such member.

Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this section, the Secretary of Defense, in consultation with the Secretary of Veterans Affairs and the Secretary of Labor, shall submit to Congress a report that builds on the data reported in the DoD Credentialing Utilization report from 2018 (3-BB02A16) to better assess the effectiveness of the Credentialing Programs for post-military civilian employment.

The report under subsection (a) shall include the following:

(1) An assessment of the number of veterans who successfully transfer their eligible professional credentials to civilian jobs.

(2) An assessment of which certifications were most commonly used for post-military civilian employment, such as airplane mechanics.

(3) An assessment on any other barriers veterans face to transferring military mechanical skills to State certifications.

In this section:

(1) The term applicable licensing authority means the licensing authority by a State for a given vocation in which the veteran works or would like to work.

(2) The term eligible professional credential means a professional credential, including a professional credential in the field of airplane mechanics, obtained using expenses paid pursuant to the program under section 2015 of title 10, United States Code.

(3) The term expenses has the meaning given such term in such section.

(4) The term State means each of the several States and territories and the District of Columbia.

The Secretary of Defense may conduct outreach to institutions of higher education in order to enter into more agreements with such institutions of higher education that may provide training or internships to members of the Armed Forces pursuant to the Skillbridge program established under section 1143(e) of title 10, United States Code.

In this section, the term institution of higher education has the meaning given such term in section 101 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1001).

Section 570F of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2020 (Public Law 116–92; 10 U.S.C. 1142 note) is amended—

(1) in subsection (c)—

(A) by striking out the form to indicate an email address and inserting the following: “out the form to indicate—

(1) an email address; and

(A) ; and

(B) by adding at the end the following new paragraph:

(2) if the individual would like to opt-out of the transmittal of the individual’s information to and through a State veterans agency as described in subsection (a).

(B) ; and

(2) by amending subsection (d) to read as follows:

Information on an individual shall be transmitted to and through a State veterans agency as described in subsection (a) unless the individual indicates pursuant to subsection (c)(2) that the individual would like to opt out of such transmittal.

Section 1142(b) of title 10, United States Code, is amended—

(1) in paragraph (5), by inserting (11), before and (16); and

(2) by striking paragraph (11) and inserting the following:

(11) Information concerning mental health, including—

(A) the availability of mental health services furnished by the Secretary concerned, the Secretary of Defense, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, or a non-profit entity;

(B) the treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder, traumatic brain injury, anxiety disorders, depression, chronic pain, sleep disorders, suicidal ideation, or other mental health conditions associated with service in the armed forces;

(C) the risk of suicide, including signs, symptoms, and risk factors (including adverse childhood experiences, depression, bipolar disorder, homelessness, unemployment, and relationship strain);

(D) the availability of treatment options and resources to address substance abuse, including alcohol, prescription drug, and opioid abuse;

(E) the potential effects of the loss of community and support systems experienced by a member separating from the armed forces;

(F) isolation from family, friends, or society; and

(G) the potential stressors associated with separation from the armed forces.

Section 6320(b)(1) of title 38, United States Code, is amended—

(1) by redesignating subparagraphs (G) and (H) as subparagraphs (I) and (J), respectively; and

(2) by inserting after subparagraph (F) the following new subparagraphs:

(G) assisting eligible veterans who elect to enroll in the system of patient enrollment under section 1705(a) of this title;

(H) educating veterans about mental health and counseling services available through the Veterans Health Administration;

Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall jointly submit to the appropriate congressional committees a report on the information and materials developed pursuant to the amendments made by this section.

In this section, the term appropriate congressional committees means—

(1) the Committee on Armed Services and the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs of the Senate; and

(2) the Committee on Armed Services and the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs of the House of Representatives.

Section 1142(c)(1) of title 10, United States Code, is amended—

(1) by redesignating subparagraph (M) as subparagraph (R); and

(2) by inserting after subparagraph (L) the following:

(M) Child care requirements of the member (including whether a dependent of the member is enrolled in the Exceptional Family Member Program).

(N) The employment status of other adults in the household of the member.

(O) The location of the duty station of the member (including whether the member was separated from family while on duty).

(P) The effects of operating tempo and personnel tempo on the member and the household of the member.

(Q) Whether the member is an Indian or urban Indian, as those terms are defined in section 4 of the Indian Health Care Improvement Act (Public Law 94–437; 25 U.S.C. 1603).

Section 1142 of title 10, United States Code, is amended—

(1) in subsection (d)—

(A) by inserting (1) before In the case; and

(B) by adding at the end the following new paragraph:

(2) The Secretary concerned shall provide to a member described in subsection (a) an electronic copy of the member's service medical record not later than 30 days before the member separates, retires, or is discharged.

(B) ; and

(2) by adding at the end the following new subsection:

The Secretary concerned shall provide to a member described in subsection (a) an electronic copy of the member’s separation documents (including a Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty (DD Form 214)) not later than 15 days after such member separates, retires, or is discharged.

Not later than September 30, 2025, the Secretary concerned shall—

(1) conduct a survey to determine which such employers in the submarine industrial base are experiencing workforce shortages; and

(2) use the Skillbridge program to provide members training under such program with such employers.

In selecting an employer under subsection (a), the Secretary concerned shall give preference to smaller employers.

Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense shall submit to the Committees on Armed Services of the Senate and House of Representatives a report on implementation of this section.

Section 589B(c) of the William M. (Mac) Thornberry National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021 (Public Law 116–283; 134 Stat. 3659) is amended by striking 2023-2024 academic year and inserting 2029-2030 academic year.

The Secretary of Defense, acting through the Director of the Department of Defense Education Activity, shall require each teacher in a 21st century school to undergo training in accordance with this subsection.

The training required under paragraph (1) shall consist of specialized instruction to provide teachers with the skills necessary to effectively teach in a 21st century school environment, including instruction in—

(A) understanding and using the physical space of a 21st century school classroom;

(B) building the relationships necessary to succeed, including relationships with students and other teachers;

(C) the curriculum and level of academic rigor necessary to increase student learning;

(D) other skills necessary to support the academic achievement and social and emotional well being of students; and

(E) such other topics as the Secretary and the Director determine appropriate.

The training required under paragraph (1) shall be provided as follows:

(A) In the case of a teacher who has been assigned to a 21st century school, but has not commenced teaching in such school, the training shall be provided before the teacher commences teaching in such school.

(B) In the case of a teacher who previously taught in a 21st century school, but subsequently taught in a school that is not a 21st century school for one or more school years, such training shall be provided before the teacher resumes teaching in a 21st Century School.

(C) In the case of a teacher who is teaching in a 21st century school as of the date of the enactment of this Act, such training shall be provided not later than 180 days after such date of enactment.

(D) In the case of a teacher who teaches in a 21st century school on an ongoing basis, and who previously received training under this subsection, such training shall be provided not less frequently than once every three years.

The Secretary of Defense, acting through the Director of the Department of Defense Education Activity, is authorized to pay a bonus to an individual who—

(A) meets the eligibility requirements under paragraph (2); and

(B) enters into a service agreement under paragraph (3) pursuant to which the individual agrees to serve as a teacher in a high-need school.

The Secretary may pay a bonus under this subsection to an individual only if the individual—

(A) is newly appointed as an employee of the Department of Defense Education Activity; or

(i) is currently employed by the Activity; and

(ii) accepts an Activity teaching position in a high-need school.

To be eligible to receive a bonus under this subsection, an individual shall enter into a contract or other agreement with the Secretary of Defense pursuant to which the individual agrees to serve as a teacher in a high-need school. Such contract or other agreement shall specify—

(A) the commencement and termination dates of the required service period;

(B) the location of the service;

(C) the amount of the bonus; and

(D) the terms of repayment, in accordance with paragraph (6), if the employee fails to complete the required service period.

The amount of each bonus under this subsection shall be determined by the Secretary of Defense.

Each bonus under this subsection shall be disbursed as a lump sum payment made at or before the commencement of an individual’s required service period as set forth in the agreement under paragraph (3).

Except as provided in subparagraph (B), an individual who receives a bonus under this subsection and who does not complete the term of the required service period specified in the agreement under paragraph (3) shall repay such bonus to the Secretary of Defense in a pro rata manner.

The Secretary of Defense may waive the requirement to repay a bonus under subparagraph (A) on a case-by-case basis.

A bonus under this subsection is not part of the basic pay of an employee for any purpose.

The authority of the Secretary of Defense to pay bonuses under this subsection shall terminate five years after the date of the enactment of this Act.

The Secretary of Defense, acting through the Director of the Department of Defense Education Activity, shall carry out a pilot program under which a qualified individual may receive and use the Department of State Standardized Regulations education allowance to pay for a dependent child of such individual to attend a non-DODEA school in Bahrain for the applicable school year.

Participation in the pilot program under this subsection shall be limited to—

(A) not more than 15 qualified individuals; and

(B) a total of not more than 30 dependent children of such individuals.

Any prohibition on the use of the Department of State Standardized Regulations education allowance in an area served by a school operated by the Department of Defense Education Activity shall not apply to a qualified individual participating in the pilot program under this subsection.

The authority of the Secretary of Defense to carry out the pilot program under this subsection shall terminate at the conclusion of the applicable school year.

In this section:

(1) The term 21st century school means a school facility operated by the Department of Defense Education Activity that has been constructed or modernized pursuant to the 21st Century Schools Program of the Activity.

(2) The term applicable school year means the first school year beginning after the date of the enactment of this Act.

(3) The term high-need school means a school operated by the Department of Defense Education Activity that—

(A) is located outside the United States; and

(B) has difficulty in recruiting or retaining teachers, as determined by the Secretary of Defense.

(4) The term non-DODEA school means a school that is not operated by the Department of Defense Education Activity.

(5) The term qualified individual means an individual who—

(i) is a member of the Armed Forces serving on active duty and stationed in Bahrain pursuant to a permanent change of station order; or

(ii) is a civilian employee of the Department of Defense who—

(I) is employed on a permanent full-time basis;

(II) is stationed in Bahrain; and

(III) is a citizen or a national of the United States;

(B) is authorized to transport the dependent child of such individual to and from Bahrain at the expense of the Federal Government; and

(C) receives a housing allowance for living quarters in Bahrain.

(6) The term United States means each of the several States and the District of Columbia.

The Secretary of Defense may not establish or maintain any committee, panel, office, or other organization with responsibility for matters relating to diversity, equity, and inclusion in schools operated by the Department of Defense Education Activity.

Not later than April 1, 2025, the Secretary of Defense, in coordination with the Director of Department of Defense Education Activity (in this section referred to as DoDEA), shall develop and implement a transfer program under which DoDEA educators may transfer to DoDEA overseas locations.

The program established under this section—

(1) shall not require a DoDEA educator to teach in the United States prior to transfer;

(2) shall be subject to collective bargaining agreements between DoDEA and their employees; and

(3) shall be carried out subject to current law.

The Secretary of Defense shall brief the congressional defense committees on the transfer program established under this section not later than January 31, 2025, and, after implementing such program, not later than April 1, 2025.

Of the amount authorized to be appropriated for fiscal year 2025 by section 301 and available for operation and maintenance for Defense-wide activities as specified in the funding table in section 4301, $50,000,000 shall be available only for the purpose of providing assistance to local educational agencies under subsection (a) of section 572 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2006 (Public Law 109–163; 20 U.S.C. 7703b).

Of the amount authorized to be appropriated for fiscal year 2025 pursuant to section 301 and available for operation and maintenance for Defense-wide activities as specified in the funding table in section 4301, $20,000,000 shall be available for payments under section 363 of the Floyd D. Spence National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2001 (as enacted into law by Public Law 106–398; 114 Stat. 1654A–77; 20 U.S.C. 7703a).

In this section, the term local educational agency has the meaning given that term in section 7013(9) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7713(9)).

On an annual basis, each commander of a military installation under the jurisdiction of the Secretary of a military department shall submit to such Secretary a written certification verifying whether the commander has confirmed the information contained in all impact aid source check forms received from local educational agencies as of the date of such certification.

Not later June 30 of each year, each Secretary of a military department shall submit to the congressional defense committees a report, based on the information received under subsection (a), that identifies—

(1) each military installation under the jurisdiction of such Secretary that has confirmed the information contained in all impact aid source check forms received from local educational agencies as of the date of the report; and

(2) each military installation that has not confirmed the information contained in such forms as of such date.

In this section:

(1) The term impact aid source check form means a form submitted to a military installation by a local educational agency to confirm the number and identity of children eligible to be counted for purposes of the Federal impact aid program under section 7003(a) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7703(a)).

(2) The term local educational agency has the meaning given that term in section 8101 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7801).

Not later than January 1, 2026, the Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness (in this section referred to as the Under Secretary) shall establish a military families playground pilot program (in this section referred to as the Program) to design, develop, and construct playgrounds that directly support families enrolled in the Exceptional Family Member Program to increase the accessibility and inclusivity of access to playgrounds on military installations.

The Under Secretary of Defense, the Secretaries of the military departments, and any other individual that the Secretary of Defense considers appropriate, shall form a governing body to oversee and be responsible for administration of the Program.

The governing body required by subparagraph (A) shall, at a minimum, include one representative of families enrolled in the Exceptional Family Member Program.

The objective of the Program is to create a more accessible and inclusive environment for military families, especially families enrolled in the Exceptional Family Member Program, by designing, developing, and constructing inclusive playgrounds that—

(A) incorporate the principles of universal access and design;

(B) welcome children and families to develop physically, cognitively, socially, and emotionally;

(C) are accessible and ensure all children, including children with visible and non-visible disabilities (as defined in section 3 of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 12102)), have play options to help such children grow and learn; and

(D) balance a play experience that is beneficial to all children, including children with visible and non-visible disabilities, at all stages of development and at all levels of sensory engagement.

In carrying out the Program, the Under Secretary shall—

(A) select not fewer than 6 military installations located within a State, the District of Columbia, or a territory or possession of the United States that have the largest communities of families enrolled in the Exceptional Family Member Program;

(B) design, develop, and construct one inclusive playground at each military installation selected under subparagraph (A); and

(C) establish policies, procedures, and standards for developing and constructing inclusive playgrounds under the Program.

The Under Secretary may carry out the requirement under paragraph (4)(B) to construct an inclusive playground at each military installation selected under paragraph (4)(A) by upgrading an existing playground at the installation to meet the requirements of the Program.

Not later than March 28, 2025, the Under Secretary shall submit to the Committees on Armed Services of the Senate and the House of Representatives a strategy for the implementation of the Program.

The strategy required by paragraph (1) shall include the following:

(A) A governance structure for the Program, including—

(i) the officials tasked with oversight of the Program;

(ii) the format of the governing body of the Program established under subsection (a)(2);

(iii) the functions and duties of the governing body with respect to establishing and maintaining the Program; and

(iv) mechanisms for coordinating with the military departments.

(B) With respect to the selection of military installations under subsection (a)(4)—

(i) an identification of each military installation;

(ii) the rationale for selecting each military installation; and

(iii) any other information the Under Secretary considers appropriate.

(C) A description of objectives for the first 3 fiscal years of the Program, including—

(i) a description of, and a rational for selecting, those objectives;

(ii) an identification of milestones toward achieving those objectives; and

(iii) metrics for evaluating success in achieving those objectives.

(D) A description of opportunities and potential timelines for future expansion of the Program, as appropriate.

(E) A list of additional authorities, appropriations, or other support from Congress necessary to ensure the success of the Program.

(F) Any other information the Under Secretary considers appropriate.

The Secretary of Defense shall ensure that each elementary school operated by the Department of Defense Education Activity notifies the parents of any student enrolled in such school when the student does not score as grade-level proficient in reading or language arts at the end of the third grade based on the reading or language arts assessments administered under section 1111(b)(2)(B)(v)(I)(aa) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6311(b)(2)(B)(v)(I)(aa)) or another assessment administered to all third grade students by such school.

The Secretary of Defense, acting through the Director of the Department of Defense Education Activity, shall require that each student of a high school operated by the Activity receives instruction in artificial intelligence and machine learning, including instruction in—

(1) the foundational concepts of artificial intelligence and machine learning;

(2) definitions of artificial intelligence and machine learning;

(3) the responsible and ethical use of artificial intelligence and machine learning applications; and

(4) such other topics relating to artificial intelligence and machine learning as the Secretary determines appropriate.

The instruction required under subsection (a) may be incorporated into one or more existing courses taught at high schools operated by the Department of Defense Education Activity.

The requirement to provide the instruction described in subsection (a) shall apply beginning with the first school year that begins after the date of the enactment of this Act.

In this section, the term high school has the meaning given that term in section 8101 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7801).

The Comptroller General of the United States shall carry out a study to assess the child care programs of the Department of Defense, including military child development centers, family home day care, Military Child Care in Your Neighborhood, and Child Care in Your Home.

Not later than six months after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General shall submit to the congressional defense committees a report regarding the results of the study under subsection (a). Such report shall include the following information, disaggregated by covered Armed Force:

(1) The period of time military families in each priority category are on a waiting list from the time of submitting a request on militarychildcare.com until the time of final approval.

(2) The percentage of military families that submitted a request for child care services through militarychildcare.com and did not receive an offer within three months of the date requested.

(3) The average percentage of annual income a military family spends on child care per child.

(4) The percentage of military families that require more than one such child care program to meet child care needs.

(5) The current amount allocated to each covered Armed Force for the Military Child Care in Your Neighborhood and Child Care in Your Home programs.

(6) How much of the amount described in paragraph (5) is spent on—

(A) administration;

(B) child care services for military families.

In this section:

(1) The term covered Armed Force means the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, or Space Force.

(2) The terms military child development center and family home day care have the meanings given such terms in section 1800 of title 10, United States Code.

None of the funds authorized to be appropriated by this Act or otherwise mad available for fiscal year 2025 or any fiscal year thereafter for the Department of Defense Education Activity may be obligated or expended to purchase, maintain, or display in a school library or classroom—

(1) any material that contains, depicts, or otherwise includes pornographic content; or

(2) any material that espouses, advocates, or promotes radical gender ideology.

The Director of the Department of Defense Education Activity shall ensure that any material described in subsection (a) that this is in a library or classroom of a school operated by the Activity is removed not later than 30 days after the date of the enactment of this Act.

In this section:

(1) The term pornographic content means any virtual-reality technology, video, image, drawing, sound, instruction, reading material, writing material, presented via any medium in a classroom, school library, on school grounds, or as part of a school-sponsored or school-affiliated event that depicts, describes, or presents, in whole or in part—

(A) nudity, sex organs, or sexual acts;

(B) obscenity;

(C) indecent material (as defined by the Secretary of Defense taking into consideration applicable Federal regulations); or

(D) lewd or sexual acts in a manner intended to cause sexual arousal.

(2) The term radical gender ideology means any concept, teaching, instruction, or curriculum that—

(A) states or suggests biological sex is a social construct;

(B) states or suggests biological sex is fluid, interchangeable, or exists beyond the binary of male and female;

(C) states or suggests that an individual can be trapped in the wrong body or have a different identity than that of their biological sex;

(D) encourages, promotes, or advocates the use of personal pronouns unaligned with an individual’s biological sex; or

(E) encourages, promotes, or advocates hormone replacement, puberty blockers, or gender reassignment surgery as a safe, necessary, or optional treatment for an individual.

No gender transition procedures, including surgery or medication, may be provided to a minor dependent child through an EFMP.

No referral for procedures described in subsection (a) may be provided to a minor dependent child through an EFMP.

No change of duty station may be approved through an EFMP for the purpose of providing a minor dependent child with access to procedures described in subsection (a).

In this section, the term EFMP means the program referred to as the Exceptional Family Member Program under section 1781c(d)(4)(I) of title 10, United States Code.

By not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense, in consultation with the Secretary of Health and Human Services, shall submit to the Committees on Armed Services of the Senate and House of Representatives a report on the process by which members of the Armed Forces with health care experience transition to civilian life and the number such members who join the Medical Reserve Corps.

The Director of the Department of Defense Education Activity shall publish guidance prohibiting the use of TikTok for instructional purposes at schools operated by the Department of Defense Education Activity.

Not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General of the United States shall submit to Congress a report that includes—

(1) the results of a study of the effectiveness of the Exceptional Family Member program authorized under section 1781c(e) of title 10, United States Code, with respect to the manner by which it currently supports individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities; and

(2) recommendations to improve the program.

Not later than September 30, 2025, the Secretary of Defense shall submit to the Committees on Armed Services of the Senate and House of Representatives a report containing the results of a study on—

(1) the current usage of tutoring programs in Department of Defense Education Activity elementary and secondary schools;

(2) the extent to which current tutoring programs in Department of Defense Education Activity elementary and secondary schools incorporate elements of high-impact tutoring, including tutoring that—

(A) is in math, reading, or both subjects for at least 30 minutes during the school day and for at least 3 days per week during the school year;

(B) is taught by a licensed Department of Defense Education Activity elementary or secondary school teacher or paraprofessional with a student-to-tutor ratio of no more than 3-to-1;

(C) is on a set schedule and with the same tutor each week;

(D) in the case of tutoring that takes place during a regular class, occurs in a classroom or area that is separate from such regular class; and

(E) with respect to a student, is related to and aligned with the classwork in the student’s regular classes;

(3) how to increase the participation of students enrolled in Department of Defense Education Activity elementary and secondary schools in tutoring programs, particularly those tutoring programs with the elements described in paragraph (2), while not reducing funds available for existing Department of Defense Education Activity programs and teacher and staff compensation; and

(4) how to develop a licensed tutoring workforce for Department of Defense Education Activity elementary and secondary schools.

Notwithstanding the time limitations specified in section 8298 of title 10, United States Code, or any other time limitation with respect to the awarding of certain medals to persons who served in the Armed Forces, the President may award the Medal of Honor under section 8291 of such title to E. Royce Williams for the acts of valor described in subsection (b).

The acts of valor described in this subsection are the actions of E. Royce Williams,—

(1) as a lieutenant in the Navy, on November 18, 1952, for which he was previously awarded the Navy Cross and the Taegeuk Order of Military Merit of South Korea; and

(2) as an Ace fighter pilot who shot down multiple MiG aircraft.

Congress recognizes the following acts of valor by Thomas Helmut Griffin:

(1) Thomas Helmut Griffin distinguished himself by valorous actions against overwhelming odds while serving as a captain in the Army, Senior Advisor, 4/5 Infantry Battalion, 2nd Infantry Division, Army of the Republic of Vietnam.

(2) From March 1, 1969 through March 3, 1969, during the Vietnam War, such battalion was ordered to forestall an imminent attack on Quang Ngai City threatened by units of the North Vietnamese Army (hereinafter, NVA). The 4/5 Battalion engaged unabatedly with an entrenched NVA regiment over the course of three days. Captain Griffin (hereinafter, CPT Griffin) risked his life and disregarded his personal safety, all above and beyond his duty, on some 20 occasions, to lead his battalion in the fight as well as direct gunships, air, and artillery strikes on the enemy positions.

(3) During the initial phase of battle, CPT Griffin made numerous trips across 50 meters of open ground, while under heavy automatic weapon, rocket, and small arms fire, to advise on the conduct of the battle and better direct strikes against enemy forces. Fearing slaughter of his soldiers, CPT Griffin, with one of his counterparts from the Army of the Republic of Vietnam (hereinafter, ARVN), charged directly into heavy enemy fire and assaulted a machine gun bunker. CPT Griffin continued these runs, despite the enemy shooting the heels off CPT Griffin’s boots.

(4) After taking out the NVA bunker, CPT Griffin brandished the captured machine gun and rocket launcher to exhort his battalion out of the kill zone and continue the assault into the enemy entrenchments while remaining exposed to heavy fire. CPT Griffin’s raw and intense close combat leadership galvanized his battalion to move out of the kill zone and continue their mission.

(5) CPT Griffin’s ARVN counterpart was struck by close fire, and CPT Griffin unhesitatingly carried the wounded commander to safety while shielding him with his own body against rocket and artillery fire. CPT Griffin proceeded to carry four more wounded soldiers to safety while protecting them with his own body, returning each time against devastating enemy fire. While leading the final attack, CPT Griffin was hit three times in the chest by enemy small arms fire, yet continued to lead at the forefront of his battalion until the mission was completed. Under CPT Griffin’s command and leadership, the 4/5 Battalion continued to reduce the enemy regiment’s fighting capacity.

(6) CPT Griffin’s personal leadership in intense close combat resulted in a major win for his battalion against overwhelming odds, killing 93 enemy soldiers and saving the lives of over 300 allied soldiers by galvanizing and leading them out of the kill zone.

(7) CPT Griffin’s selfless devotion to duty, his extraordinary heroism, conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity, and numerous risks of his life above and beyond the call of duty, are all in keeping with the highest traditions of the Army, and reflect great credit on himself, the Armed Forces, and the United States.

Congress finds the following with regards to the original decision to award a Silver Star to Thomas Helmut Griffin:

(1) When awarding him the Silver Star, CPT Griffin’s chain of command was unaware of the full extent of his valorous actions and the numerous risks he took for his soldiers, all above and beyond the call of duty.

(2) Congress notes that although CPT Griffin was struck three times by enemy fire, and at one point was completely surrounded by the enemy, he continued to fight and lead his battalion against devastating and overwhelming enemy fire.

(3) Congress notes that CPT Griffin’s Commanding Officer, Colonel Dean E. Hutter (ret.), sent a letter to the Department of the Army dated November 6, 2013, in which he accounts for the revelation of additional, substantive and material evidence not known at the time of the decision to award the Silver Star, and in which he describes as compelling the justice of upgrading CPT Griffin’s sustained and varied acts of combat valor to their rightful level of recognition, the Medal of Honor.

(4) Congress further notes that Colonel Hutter issued a letter to former United States Representative Sam Farr on September 15, 2011, noting his support for an upgrade from a Silver Star to a Medal of Honor, having recognized CPT Griffin’s acts of valor as, numerous, selfless demonstrations of personal risk in pressing a close-combat attack against a well-entrenched element of a battalion-size enemy formation.

Notwithstanding the time limitations specified in section 7274 of title 10, United States Code, or any other time limitation with respect to the awarding of certain medals to persons who served in the Armed Forces, the President is authorized to award the Medal of Honor, under section 7271 of such title, to Thomas Helmut Griffin for the acts of valor described in subsection (b).

The acts of valor described in this subsection are the actions of Thomas H. Griffin during the period of March 1 through March 3, 1969, while serving as a captain in the Army during the Vietnam War, for which he was previously awarded the Silver Star.

Notwithstanding the time limitations specified in sections 8298(a) and 8300 of title 10, United States Code, or any other time limitation with respect to the awarding of certain medals to persons who served in the Armed Forces, the President is authorized to award the Medal of Honor, under section 8291 of such title, to James Capers, Jr. for the acts of valor described in subsection (b).

The acts of valor described in this subsection are the actions of James Capers, Jr., as a member of the Marine Corps, during the period of March 31 through April 3, 1967, during the Vietnam War, for which he was previously awarded the Silver Star.

Notwithstanding the time limitations specified in section 7274 of title 10, United States Code, or any other time limitation with respect to the awarding of certain medals to persons who served in the Armed Forces, the President is authorized to award the Medal of Honor, under section 7271 of such title, to Gregory McManus for the acts of valor described in subsection (b).

The acts of valor described in this subsection are the following:

(1) Chief Warrant Officer Gregory McManus distinguished himself for his brave acts of valor while serving in the United States Army by risking his life to save the lives of his fellow servicemembers.

(2) Chief Warrant Officer McManus deserves recognition for his acts of valor while serving as the commander of a single helicopter gunship on an important mission north of Chai Duc.

(3) Discovering an envoy of hundreds of enemy troops along the Cambodian border, Chief Warrant Officer McManus attacked the enemy without hesitation.

(4) Chief Warrant Officer McManus disregarded the tracers that rose to meet him, firing rockets the entire length of the convoy, confusing the enemy, and scattering the troop column.

(5) Chief Warrant Officer McManus then attacked an armored vehicle with a mounted machine gun, destroying it and a large artillery piece which it was towing.

(6) Over and over, Chief Warrant Officer McManus flew through heavy automatic weapons and machine gun fire to attack the enemy, only deciding to return when his ordinance was expended, and his ship had taken so much damage that further flight was inadvisable.

(7) With this noble deed, Chief Warrant Officer McManus was able to destroy the enemy unit and scattered the rest in disorder with a single ship.

(8) Disregarding the size and scope of the enemy troop’s convoy, Chief Warrant Officer McManus put his own life in danger, all in the service of his country and members of the Armed Forces.

(9) Because of the heroic actions of Chief Warrant Officer McManus, countless American soldier’s lives were saved.

(10) These actions of heroism by Chief Warrant Officer McManus deserves recognition and demonstrates this hero of the United States more than deserve the medal of honor.

Chapter 57 of title 10, United States Code, is amended—

(1) by redesignating sections 1135 and 1136 as sections 1136 and section 1137, respectively; and

(2) by inserting after section 1134 the following new section:

The Secretary concerned may issue a service medal, to be known as the Last Servicemember Standing medal, to persons eligible under subsection (c).

The Last Servicemember Standing medal shall be of an appropriate design approved by the Secretary of Defense, with ribbons, lapel pins, and other appurtenances.

Subject to subsection (d), a person eligible to be issued the Last Servicemember Standing medal is any member who—

(1) served on active duty;

(2) was deployed during war or overseas contingency operation;

(3) as a result of a combat instance during such war or overseas contingency, was the last surviving member of a unit;

(4) demonstrated extraordinary heroism in defense of the United States during such combat instance; and

(5) whose character is recommended for recognition by their commanding officer and at least two peers.

Not more than one Last Servicemember Standing medal may be issued to any person.

If a person described in subsection (c) is deceased, the Secretary concerned may provide for issuance of the Last Servicemember Standing medal to the next-of-kin of the person.

The issuance of a Last Servicemember Standing medal shall be subject to such regulations as the Secretaries concerned shall prescribe for purposes of this section. The Secretary of Defense shall ensure that any regulations prescribed under this subsection are uniform to the extent practicable.

It is the sense of Congress that the Secretary of Defense should take appropriate actions to expedite—

(1) the design of the Last Servicemember Standing medal provided for by section 1136 of title 10, United States Code, as added by subsection (a); and

(2) the establishment and implementation of mechanisms to facilitate the issuance of the Last Servicemember Standing Medal to persons eligible for the issuance of the medal under such section.

The Secretary of the military department concerned may, upon the application of an individual who is a veteran who participated in Operation End Sweep, award that individual the Vietnam Service Medal.

Congress recognizes the following acts of valor by Joseph M. Perez:

(1) Joseph M. Perez distinguished himself by valorous actions against overwhelming odds while serving as a Sergeant in the Army, with Company C, 3rd Battalion, 8th Infantry Regiment, 4th Infantry Division, in South Vietnam.

(2) On May 26, 1967, during the Vietnam War, Sergeant Perez acted as the fire team leader with the Commanding Officer of Company C and led an infantry unit conducting a search and destroy task near the Cambodian border. When the unit reached the top of a hill, they were suddenly under attack from a concealed sniper.

(3) During the initial phase of battle, Sergeant Perez and the unit took cover to assess and decide the strength of the enemy and determine the direction of where the attack was coming from. When the enemy launched a hand-grenade, the fire team returned fire. Without hesitation or concern for his personal safety, Sergeant Perez absorbed the full lethal explosion of the grenade and shielded his fellow soldiers from the blast. The explosion caused Sergeant Perez to lose his right eye and severed his right hand.

(4) The fire team moved to relocate to a safer area, leaving Sergeant Perez alone. Once Sergeant Perez regained consciousness, he crawled twenty meters to safe ground to be treated by medics.

(5) Sergeant Perez’s personal leadership in intense close combat resulted in a major win for his battalion against overwhelming odds, though he lost his eye and hand and nearly lost his life, he saved the lives of three of his fire team members from death and serious injuries from the explosion.

(6) Sergeant Perez’s selfless devotion to duty, his extraordinary heroism, conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity, and numerous risks of his life above and beyond the call of duty are all in keeping with the highest traditions of the Army, and reflect great credit on himself, the Armed Forces, and the United States.

Congress makes the following findings:

(1) When awarding him the distinguished-service cross, Sergeant Perez’s chain of command was unaware of the full extent of his valorous actions and the numerous risks he took for his soldiers, all above and beyond the call of duty.

(2) Although Sergeant Perez absorbed the lethal explosion of a hand grenade, once he regained consciousness, he continued to move with his battalion against devastating and overwhelming enemy fire.

Notwithstanding the time limitations specified in section 7274 of title 10, United States Code, or any other time limitation with respect to the awarding of certain medals to persons who served in the Armed Forces, the President is authorized to award the Medal of Honor, under section 7271 of such title, to Joseph M. Perez for the acts of valor described in subsection (d).

The acts of valor described in this subsection are the actions of Joseph M. Perez on May 26, 1967, while serving as a member of the Army during the Vietnam War, for which he was previously awarded the distinguished-service cross.

Notwithstanding the time limitations specified in section 7274 of title 10, United States Code, or any other time limitation with respect to the awarding of certain medals to persons who served in the Armed Forces, the President is authorized to award the Medal of Honor, under section 7271 of such title, to Juan Ogo Blaz for the acts of valor described in subsection (b).

The acts of valor described in this subsection are the actions of Juan Ogo Blaz on January 18, 1969, while serving as a member of the Army during the Vietnam War, for which he was previously awarded the Distinguished Service Cross.

Notwithstanding the time limitations specified in section 7274 of title 10, United States Code, or any other time limitation with respect to the awarding of certain medals to persons who served in the Armed Forces, the President is authorized to award the Medal of Honor, under section 7271 of such title, toMartin A. Maglona for the acts of valor described in subsection (b).

The acts of valor described in this subsection are the actions of Martin A. Maglona on February 23, 1969, while serving as a member of the Army during the Vietnam War, for which he was previously awarded the Distinguished Service Cross.

Section 486 of title 10, United States Code, is amended—

(1) by redesignating subsection (c) as subsection (d); and

(2) by inserting after subsection (b) the following new subsection:

In addition to the information described in subsection (b), the report of a Secretary of a military department for an armed force under subsection (a) shall contain statistics and other information on administrative separations and other administrative sanctions issued during the year covered by the report, including—

(1) the number of administrative separations and other administrative sanctions issued, disaggregated by—

(A) statistical category as related to the individual subject to separation or sanction;

(B) the active and reserve components; and

(C) the category of conduct that gave rise to the separation or sanction;

(2) of the separations and sanctions included under paragraph (1), the number of cases in which the individual subject to separation or sanction made a claim against the Department of Defense (including any claims of sexual harassment or sexual assault) before the separation or other sanction was imposed;

(3) identification of each administrative case that extended beyond 90 days and an explanation for the delay; and

(4) based on all sources of information available to the Secretary, including any information available from inspectors general or equal opportunity offices, the number of complaints filed by individuals who were subjects of an administrative investigation, disaggregated by statistical category.

The Comptroller General of the United States shall conduct a review of all reports submitted under section 486 of title 10, United States Code. In conducting such review, the Comptroller General shall—

(A) evaluate the sufficiency of the information contained in the reports;

(B) analyze trends based on such information;

(C) analyze the effects of disparities and other challenges revealed in such reports, including effects on—

(i) recruiting and retention;

(ii) readiness; and

(iii) the national security of the United States; and

(D) evaluate the progress of the Armed Forces in addressing such disparities and challenges.

Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General shall provide to the Committees on Armed Services of the Senate and the House of Representatives a briefing on the results of the review conducted under paragraph (1).

Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense shall develop and implement a training program to ensure that personnel of the Department of Defense responsible for conducting administrative investigations have the knowledge necessary to properly conduct such investigations and to ensure the fair treatment of complainants and individuals subject to investigation.

The training program under paragraph (1) shall incorporate objective testing to measure the knowledge and abilities of personnel who receive the training.

Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense shall provide to the Committees on Armed Services of the Senate and the House of Representatives a briefing on the training program under paragraph (1), which shall include—

(A) a description of the training program; and

(B) an evaluation of the results achieved by the training program as of the date of the briefing.

The Secretary of Defense shall issue regulations establishing due process protections for members of the Armed Forces subject to administrative investigations and related disciplinary proceedings. In issuing such regulations, the Secretary shall—

(1) establish a standard of proof that must be met before administrative discipline may be imposed on a member;

(2) ensure that a member has the opportunity to respond during each phase of an administrative investigation and disciplinary proceeding; and

(3) ensure that a member serving on a part-time basis will be placed in an appropriate duty status and fully compensated for any time spent participating or responding to the investigative or disciplinary process.

On an annual basis, the head of each board for correction of military records (as described in section 1552 of title 10 United States Code) and discharge review board (as described in section 1553 of such title) shall submit to the Committees on Armed Services of the Senate and the House of Representatives a report that includes, with respect to to the year covered by the report—

(1) the number of cases considered by the board, disaggregated by race, sex, ethnicity, and rank as related to the member of the Armed Forces subject to the review of the board;

(2) of such cases, the number that resulted in an adverse determination against a member, disaggregated as described in paragraph (1);

(3) the reasons for such adverse determinations.

Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense shall prescribe regulations directing the Secretary of a military department to provide, to a person described in subsection (b), information regarding opportunities for Federal service for which the person may be qualified.

A person described in this subsection is a person determined not qualified to enlist in a covered Armed Force on the basis that the person—

(1) has a disqualifying medical condition for which the Secretary of the military department concerned may not issue a waiver; or

(2) enrolled in, but failed to graduate from, a future member preparatory course of such covered Armed Force.

In this section, the term covered Armed Force means the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, or Space Force.

Not later than June 1, 2025, the Secretary of each of the military departments shall issue guidance to commanders of installations under the jurisdiction of the Secretary to require the modernization of dress codes or policies for members of the Armed Forces during non-working and non-duty status hours, while on military installations, and for all military dependents on military installations at any time.

In this section, the term modernization means, with respect to a dress code or policy, the changing of such code or policy to the least restrictive version such code or policy, including by not requiring or restricting any generally accepted item of clothing.

Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of the Air Force shall establish a pilot program to allow members of the Air Force and Space Force to grow beards.

The Secretary shall select units from such Armed Forces to participate in the pilot program to ensure that the such units—

(1) are located in geographically diverse areas;

(2) operate in diverse environments; and

(3) perform various missions.

Not later than one year after the initiation of the pilot program, the Secretary shall submit to the Committees on Armed Services of the Senate and House of Representatives a report on the interim findings of the pilot program.

Not later than 90 days after the termination completion of the pilot program, the Secretary shall submit to the Committees on Armed Services of the Senate and House of Representatives a briefing on the pilot program. Such briefing shall include the recommendation of the Secretary whether to expand the pilot program or make it permanent.

A report or briefing under this subsection shall include the following elements:

(A) The evaluation of the Secretary of the compatibility of beards with military equipment that requires an airtight seal, such as a gas mask.

(B) An assessment of the effect of beard growth on discipline, morale, and unity within the ranks.

(C) A determination whether allowing members to grow beards improves inclusivity, including for members with conditions like pseudofolliculitis barbae or who wish to grow beards for religious purposes.

(D) Identifications of any negative perception or bias towards members with beards.

(E) Strategies to mitigate such negative perceptions or bias.

The pilot program under this section shall terminate three years after the date of the enactment of this Act.

Not later than September 30, 2025, the Secretary of Defense shall submit to the Committees on Armed Services of the Senate and House of Representatives a report containing the results of a study on how to—

(1) increase participation of covered individuals in positions in the covered Armed Forces or Department of Defense and related to STEM; and

(2) change Skillbridge to help covered individuals eligible for Skillbridge find civilian employment in positions related to STEM.

In this section:

(1) The term covered Armed Force means the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, or Space Force.

(2) The term covered individual means a female—

(A) member of a covered Armed Force; or

(B) civilian employee of the Department of Defense.

(3) The term Skillbridge means an employment skills training program under section 1143(e) of title 10, United States Code.

(4) The term STEM means science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.

The Secretary of Defense, in coordination with the Secretary concerned, shall carry out a study on the policies regarding basic allowance for housing and family housing eligibility for members of the Armed Forces serving on active duty who are unaccompanied and who become pregnant while residing in unaccompanied housing. The study shall include the identification of—

(1) for each of the Armed Forces, the current policy regarding when unaccompanied pregnant members of the Armed Forces who reside in unaccompanied housing are eligible to receive basic allowance for housing;

(2) for each of the Armed Forces, the current policy regarding when unaccompanied pregnant members of the Armed Forces who reside in unaccompanied housing are eligible for admittance to the wait list for family housing and assignment of family housing;

(3) any disparities between written policies and the implementation of such policies;

(4) recommendations to standardize such policies across the Armed Forces; and

(5) any costs associated with the standardization of such policies, including with respect to any infrastructure improvements that may be needed.

Not later than one year after completing the study required under subsection (a), the Secretary of Defense shall submit to Congress a report containing the results of the study.

Not later than 90 days after the date of the completion of the study under subsection (a), the Secretary of Defense, in coordination with the Secretary concerned, shall take such actions as may be necessary to provide for a uniform policy across the Armed Forces with respect to basic allowance for housing and family housing eligibility for members of the Armed Forces serving on active duty who are unaccompanied and who become pregnant while residing in unaccompanied housing. Such policies shall include that upon providing medical certification of pregnancy and medical certification of predicted due date, an unaccompanied member of the Armed Force residing in unaccompanied housing shall be eligible to receive basic allowance for housing beginning not later than three months prior to such predicted due date.

The Undersecretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness shall conduct a comprehensive study on military grace period reforms, specifically focusing on the impact of unit tasking during TAP on the ability of servicemembers to transition to civilian life. The study shall include the following elements:

(1) A review of the current practices within the military branches regarding unit tasking during TAP ans its effect on service members’ transition process.

(2) An analysis of the challenges faced by service members when balancing their primary duties with the demands of TAP including the impact on their mental health, family life, and overall preparedness for civilian life.

(3) An assessment of current military grace periods that allow for unplanned periods of leave, temporary duty, deployments, or other unplanned periods of non-availability, and an evaluation of the effectiveness of the such current military grace periods.

(4) Recommendations for the creation of a code or policy that allows servicemembers who are currently enrolled in TAP to report in only to their respective command, ensuring that such servicemembers can fully focus on the transition process.

(5) A description of any necessary resources, support systems, or additional training required to implement the proposed reforms effectively.

(6) Any other relevant information or recommendations deemed necessary by the Undersecretary of Defense to improve TAP and facilitate a successful transition for servicemembers.

Not later than one year after the date of the study, the Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness shall submit to the Committees on Armed Services of the House of Representative and the Senate a report that includes—

(1) the findings, conclusions, and recommendations resulting from the study under subsection (a); and

(2) a comprehensive plan of action, including proposed timelines, milestones, and resource requirements, for the implementation of the recommended military grace period reforms under such subsection.

The Undersecretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness may request and utilize the support of other relevant government agencies, as appropriate, in conducting such study.

In this section:

(1) The term military grace period reforms refers to a set of changes or amendments made to existing laws or policies that establish a designated period of time, commonly known as a grace period, during certain administrative processes or restrictions that may apply to service members in transition.

(2) The term TAP means the Transition Assistance Program of the Department of Defense under sections 1142 and 1144, of title 10, United States Code.

It is the sense of Congress that increasing geopolitical threats, combined with recruitment challenges experienced by the Armed Forces, are a threat to the national security interests of the United States, therefore, the Secretary of Defense should issue medical waivers to an individual seeking to serve in the Armed Forces who is precluded from serving solely because of a non-service-connected amputation.

The Chief of the National Guard Bureau shall submit a report to the Committees on Armed Services of the Senate and House of Representatives containing the number of national guard members, aggregated by State, that received sexual assault and response prevention training in the preceding calendar year—

(1) not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act; and

(2) annually, beginning in 2026, by not later than March 30 of each year.

The Secretary of Defense shall create a strategy to support the transition of military aviation mechanics to commercial aviation mechanics after active duty service.

The Secretary of Defense shall study the feasibility of establishing a mentoring program for members of the Armed Forces who are interested in becoming entrepreneurs or founding start-up businesses after their active duty service.

Not later than October 1, 2024, the Secretary of Defense shall submit to the Committees on Armed Services of the Senate and House of Representatives a report regarding the Defense Advisory Committee on Diversity and Inclusion (DACODAI). The report shall contain the following items:

(1) An overview of the appointment process used to select individuals currently serving as members of the DACODAI, including the nominating source for each individual currently serving as a DACODAI member.

(2) An explanation of how the Department ensures individuals selected to serve as members of DACODAI comprise points of view that are fairly balanced as required by the Federal Advisory Committee Act.

(3) A complete listing of all recommendations made by the DACODAI since September 23, 2022.

(4) A complete listing of all studies initiated by the DACODAI since September 23, 2022.

(5) The cost associated with operating the DACODAI since September 23, 2022.

Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense shall submit to the congressional defense committees a report assessing the use of chaplains and the Chaplain Corps during campaigning efforts in the Indo-Pacific, that also includes the following:

(1) A summary of the manner and extent to which chaplains are deliberately integrated into campaigning events in the Indo-Pacific to build relationships and partnerships with partners and host countries.

(2) A description of the deployment and exercise events chaplains are integrated into.

(3) A list of host country or partner outreach events that chaplains hosted or supported.

(4) An assessment of future integration planned for chaplains in the Indo-Pacific area of responsibility.

Section 701(k) of title 10, United States Code, is amended, in the matter preceding paragraph (1)—

(1) by striking gives birth and inserting is pregnant; and

(2) by striking such birth and inserting birth, loss of pregnancy, or stillbirth.

Section 711 of chapter 40 of title 10, United States Code, is amended, in subsection (b), in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by striking is a member of the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, or Space Force who.

Such section is redesignated as section 710a of such title.

The amendments made by this section shall take effect on October 1, 2025.

Section 211 of title 37, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:

A member of the armed forces may not participate or invest in the Thrift Savings Plan mutual fund window pursuant to section 8438(b)(5) of title 5 if that window includes a mutual fund that holds a Chinese military company (as that term is defined in section 1260H of Public Law 116–283) as determined by the mutual fund’s most recent quarterly filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

The amendment made by subsection (a) shall not be construed to limit access of members of the Armed Forces to Thrift Savings Plan mutual funds that do not include any Chinese military company (as defined in section 1260H of Public Law 116–283).

Title 10, United States Code, is amended—

(1) in section 1402(f)(2), by striking The amount and inserting Except in the case of a member who served during the Vietnam Era (as that term is defined in section 12731 of this title), the amount;

(2) in section 7361(a)(2), by inserting (except in the case of a member who served during the Vietnam Era, as that term is defined in section 12731 of this title) after based; and

(3) in section 9361(a)(2), by inserting (except in the case of a member who served during the Vietnam Era, as that term is defined in section 12731 of this title) after based.

Section 701(l)(1)(A) of title 10, United States Code, is amended by striking two weeks and inserting 12 weeks.

Not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense, in consultation with the Director of the Defense Health Agency, shall develop and implement a centralized program to monitor and provide assistance to members of the Armed Forces at risk of suicide who have been recently discharged from health care, as outlined in Recommendation 6.29 of the final report issued by the Suicide Prevention and Response Independent Review Committee.

The centralized program referred to in subsection (a) shall specify the following:

(1) The individual and agency responsible for conducting service member follow up.

(2) The time when initial follow-up will occur.

(3) The times when subsequent follow-ups will occur.

(4) The manner in which patients will be contacted.

(5) The process for documentation of follow-up attempts.

(6) The procedures for ensuring patient safety where patient is unreachable.

(7) The processes for medical treatment facilities to link mortality data to health care delivery data in order to better identify settings and patients at higher risk of suicide, further inform local suicide prevention strategies for targeted high-risk groups, and ensure compliance with reporting and investigating suicides occurring within 72 hours of discharge from a hospital.

For purposes of this section, the term members of the Armed Forces at risk of suicide includes members of the Armed Forces who have attempted suicide and members of the Armed Forces who have been discharged as patients and who have been clinically assessed as benefitting from follow-up support related to suicide prevention.

Subchapter I of Chapter 5 of title 37, United States Code, is amended by inserting, after section 301e, the following new section:

(1) Subject to regulations prescribed by the Secretary of Defense, a regular member of a covered armed force is entitled to continuous monthly explosive ordnance disposal duty incentive pay in the amount specified in subsection (b)(1) if the member—

(A) is entitled to basic pay;

(B) holds (or is in training leading to) an explosive ordnance disposal duty designator; and

(C) is in and remains in explosive ordnance disposal duty on a career basis.

(2) Subject to regulations prescribed by the Secretary of Defense, a member of a covered armed force who is entitled to basic pay but is not entitled to continuous monthly explosive ordnance disposal duty incentive pay under paragraph (1) is entitled to explosive ordnance disposal duty incentive pay in the amount prescribed pursuant to subsection (b)(2) for any period during which such member performs explosive ordnance disposal duty under orders.

(1) Continuous monthly explosive ordnance disposal duty incentive pay under subsection (a)(1) shall be in the following amounts:

(1) Years of explosive ordnance disposal duty (including training): Monthly Rate 2 or fewer $125 Over 2 $156 Over 3 $188 Over 4 $206 Over 6 $650 Over 8 $800 Over 10 $1,000 Over 17 $840 Over 22 $585 Over 24 $385 Over 25 $250

(2) Explosive ordnance disposal duty incentive pay under subsection (a)(2)—

(A) shall be in amounts prescribed by the Secretary of Defense;

(B) may not, for any month, exceed the maximum amount specified in paragraph (1); and

(C) may not be less per day than the amount under subsection (d).

Years of explosive ordnance disposal duty by a member shall be computed beginning with the effective date of the initial order to such member to perform explosive ordnance disposal duty.

Under regulations prescribed by the Secretary of Defense and to the extent provided for by appropriations, for each day that a member of the reserve component of a covered armed force who is entitled to compensation under section 206 of this title, performs, under orders, explosive ordnance disposal duty, such member is eligible for an increase in compensation equal to one-thirtieth of the continuous monthly incentive pay under subsection (b)(1) for a member of corresponding years of service entitled to basic pay.

In this section:

(1) The term covered armed force means the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, or Space Force.

(2) The term explosive ordnance disposal has the meaning given such term in section 2284 of title 10.

(3) The term explosive ordnance disposal duty means duty performed by a member of a covered armed force, under regulations prescribed by the Secretary of Defense, in explosive ordnance disposal.

Section 301f of title 37, United States Code, added by this section, shall take effect on the day that is six months after the date of the enactment of this Act and apply to explosive ordnance disposal duty performed on or after such day.

Section 910(g) of title 37, United States Code, relating to income replacement payments for reserve component members experiencing extended and frequent mobilization for active duty service, is amended by striking December 31, 2024 and inserting December 31, 2025.

The following sections of title 10, United States Code, are amended by striking December 31, 2024 and inserting December 31, 2025 :

(1) Section 2130a(a)(1), relating to nurse officer candidate accession program.

(2) Section 16302(d), relating to repayment of education loans for certain health professionals who serve in the Selected Reserve.

Section 333(i) of title 37, United States Code, is amended by striking December 31, 2024 and inserting December 31, 2025.

The following sections of title 37, United States Code, are amended by striking December 31, 2024 and inserting December 31, 2025 :

(1) Section 331(h), relating to general bonus authority for enlisted members.

(2) Section 332(g), relating to general bonus authority for officers.

(3) Section 334(i), relating to special aviation incentive pay and bonus authorities for officers.

(4) Section 335(k), relating to special bonus and incentive pay authorities for officers in health professions.

(5) Section 336(g), relating to contracting bonus for cadets and midshipmen enrolled in the Senior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps.

(6) Section 351(h), relating to hazardous duty pay.

(7) Section 352(g), relating to assignment pay or special duty pay.

(8) Section 353(i), relating to skill incentive pay or proficiency bonus.

(9) Section 355(h), relating to retention incentives for members qualified in critical military skills or assigned to high priority units.

Section 403(b) of title 37, United States Code, is amended—

(1) in paragraph (7)(E), relating to an area covered by a major disaster declaration or containing an installation experiencing an influx of military personnel, by striking December 31, 2024 and inserting December 31, 2025; and

(2) in paragraph (8)(C), relating to an area where actual housing costs differ from current rates by more than 20 percent, by striking September 30, 2024 and inserting December 31, 2025.

The Secretary concerned may designate the assignment of a member of the Armed Forces to Creech Air Force Base, Nevada, or Naval Air Station Fallon, Nevada, as an assignment that makes the member eligible for assignment incentive pay under section 307a of title 37, United States Code.

In this section, the term Secretary concerned has the meaning given that term in section 101 of title 37, United States Code.

Section 402b(k)(1)(B) of title 37, United States Code, is amended—

(1) by striking in and all that follows through portion of; and

(2) by striking that the Secretary concerned elects to exclude and inserting paid to such member.

Not later than September 30, 2025, the Secretary of Defense shall seek to enter into an agreement with a covered entity pursuant to which the covered entity shall calculate, using industry-standard machine learning and artificial intelligence algorithms, the monthly rates of BAH for not fewer than 15 MHAs.

Not later than two years after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to the Committees on Armed Services of the Senate and House of Representatives a report containing the evaluation of the Secretary of the rates calculated by a covered entity pursuant to an agreement under subsection (a).

In this section

(1) The term BAH means the basic allowance for housing for members of the uniformed services under section 403 of title 37, United States Code.

(2) The term covered entity means a nationally recognized entity in the field of single-family housing that has data on local rental rates in real estate markets across the United States.

(3) The term MHA means military housing area.

An travel or transportation allowance paid pursuant to the Joint Travel Regulations for the Uniformed Services may not require that such travel or transportation be in a zero-emission vehicle.

It is the sense of Congress that the Secretary of Defense should raise the family separation allowance to the maximum allowable amount of $400 per month as authorized under section 427 of title 37, United States Code (as amended by section 626 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2024 (Public Law 118–31; 137 Stat. 294)).

Section 1475(a)(4) of title 10, United States Code, is amended by striking for a period of more than 13 days.