To require a pilot program on enhanced quality of life for members of the Army Reserve and their families.

1. Adds SEC. 538. PILOT PROGRAM ON ENHANCED QUALITY OF LIFE FOR MEMBERS OF THE ARMY RESERVE AND THEIR FAMILIES at the end of subtitle C of title V

   Adds a section

   In S. 1042 · Placed on Calendar Senate

   (3) any recommendations for legislative or administrative action that the Secretary considers appropriate in light of the pilot program.

   Inserted: SEC. 538. PILOT PROGRAM ON ENHANCED QUALITY OF LIFE FOR MEMBERS OF THE ARMY RESERVE AND THEIR FAMILIES.

   Inserted: (a) Pilot Program Required.--

   Inserted: (1) In general.--The Secretary of the Army shall carry out a pilot program to assess the feasability and advisability of utilizing a coalition of military and civilian community personnel at military installations in order to enhance the quality of life for members of the Army Reserve who serve at such installations and their families.

   Inserted: (2) Locations.--The Secretary shall carry out the pilot program at a military installation selected by the Secretary for purposes of the pilot program in each State as follows:

   Inserted: (A) The State of Hawaii.

   Inserted: (B) The State of Utah.

   Inserted: (b) Participating Personnel.--A coalition of personnel under the pilot program shall consist of--

   Inserted: (1) such command personnel at the installation concerned as the commander of such installation considers appropriate;

   Inserted: (2) such other military personnel at such installation as the commander of such installation considers appropriate; and

   Inserted: (3) appropriate members of the civilian community of installation, such as clinicians and teachers, who volunteer for participation in the coalition.

   Inserted: (c) Objectives.--

   Inserted: (1) Principle objective.--The principle objective of the pilot program shall be to enhance the quality of life for members of the Army Reserve and their families in order to enhance the mission readiness of such members, to facilitate the transition of such members to and from deployment, and to enhance the retention of such members.

   Show 15 more inserted paragraphsShow less

   Inserted: (2) Objectives relating to deployment.--In seeking to achieve the principle objective under paragraph (1) with respect to the deployment of members of the Army Reserve, each coalition under the pilot program shall seek to assist members of the Army Reserve and their families in--

   Inserted: (A) successfully coping with the absence of such members from their families during deployment; and

   Inserted: (B) successfully addressing other difficulties associated with extended deployments, including difficulties of members on deployment and difficulties of family members at home.

   Inserted: (3) Methods to achieve objectives.--The methods selected by each coalition under the pilot program to achieve the objectives specified in this subsection shall include methods as follows:

   Inserted: (A) Methods that promote a balance of work and family responsibilities through a principle-centered approach to such matters.

   Inserted: (B) Methods that promote the establishment of appropriate priorities for family matters, such as the allocation of time and attention to finances, within the context of meeting military responsibilities.

   Inserted: (C) Methods that promote the development of meaningful family relationships.

   Inserted: (D) Methods that promote the development of parenting skills intended to raise emotionally healthy and empowered children.

   Inserted: (d) Report.--Not later than April 1, 2007, the Secretary shall submit to the congressional defense committees a report on the pilot program carried out under this section. The report shall include--

   Inserted: (1) a description of the pilot program;

   Inserted: (2) an assessment of the benefits of utilizing a coalition of military and civilian community personnel on military installations in order to enhance the quality of life for members of the Army Reserve and their families; and

   Inserted: (3) such recommendations for legislative or administrative action as the Secretary considers appropriate in light of the pilot program.

   Inserted: (e) Funding.--

   Inserted: (1) In general.--The amount authorized to be appropriated by section 301(6) for operation and maintenance for the Army Reserve is hereby increased by $160,000, with the amount of the increase to be available to carry out the pilot program required by this section.

   Inserted: (2) Offset.--The amount authorized to be appropriated by section 201(2) for research, development, test, and evaluation for the Navy and available for Ship Self Defense (Detect and Control) (PE #0604775N) is hereby reduced by $160,000, with the amount of the reduction to be allocated to amounts for Autonomous Unmanned Surface Vessel.

   Original wording

   At the end of subtitle C of title V, add the following:

Read automatically from the Congressional Record. Check the original before relying on it.

As printed