An amendment comprised of the following amendments offered en bloc: amendments nos. 29, 34, 40, 46, 48, 52 and 54 printed in House Report 111-498.

1. 1

   Change 1: Adds SEC. 1648. EXPEDITED CONSIDERATION AND PRIORITY FOR APPLICATION FOR CONSIDERATION OF A PERMANENT CHANGE OF STATION OR UNIT TRANSFER BASED ON HUMANITARIAN CONDITIONS FOR VICTIM OF SEXUAL ASSAULT at the end of subtitle C of title XVI

   Adds a section

   Inserted: SEC. 1648. EXPEDITED CONSIDERATION AND PRIORITY FOR APPLICATION FOR CONSIDERATION OF A PERMANENT CHANGE OF STATION OR UNIT TRANSFER BASED ON HUMANITARIAN CONDITIONS FOR VICTIM OF SEXUAL ASSAULT.

   Inserted: (a) In General.--Chapter 39 of title 10, United States Code, is amended by inserting after section 672 the following new section:

   Inserted: "Sec. 673. Consideration of application for permanent change of station or unit transfer for members on active duty who are the victim of a sexual assault

   Inserted: "(a) Expedited Consideration and Priority for Approval.--To the maximum extent practicable, the Secretary concerned shall provide for the expedited consideration and approval of an application for consideration of a permanent change of station or unit transfer submitted by a member of the armed forces serving on active duty who was a victim of a sexual assault or other offense covered by section 920 of this title (article 120) so as to reduce the possibility of retaliation against the member for reporting the sexual assault.

   Inserted: "(b) Regulations.--The Secretaries of the military departments shall issue regulations to carry out this section, within guidelines provided by the Secretary of Defense.".

   Inserted: (b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of sections at the beginning of such chapter is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 672 the following new item:

   Inserted: "673. Consideration of application for permanent change of station or unit transfer for members on active duty who are the victim of a sexual assault".

   Inserted: Amendment No. 40 Offered by Ms. Ginny Brown-Waite of Florida

   Original wording

   At the end of subtitle C of title XVI, add the following new section:

2. 2

   Change 2: Adds SEC. 579. RETROACTIVE AWARD OF ARMY COMBAT ACTION BADGE at the end of subtitle H of title V

   Adds a section

   Inserted: SEC. 579. RETROACTIVE AWARD OF ARMY COMBAT ACTION BADGE.

   Inserted: (a) Authority To Award.--The Secretary of the Army may award the Army Combat Action Badge (established by order of the Secretary of the Army through Headquarters, Department of the Army Letter 600-05-1, dated June 3, 2005) to a person who, while a member of the Army, participated in combat during which the person personally engaged, or was personally engaged by, the enemy at any time during the period beginning on December 7, 1941, and ending on September 18, 2001 (the date of the otherwise applicable limitation on retroactivity for the award of such decoration), if the Secretary determines that the person has not been previously recognized in an appropriate manner for such participation.

   Inserted: (b) Procurement of Badge.--The Secretary of the Army may make arrangements with suppliers of the Army Combat Action Badge so that eligible recipients of the Army Combat Action Badge pursuant to subsection (a) may procure the badge directly from suppliers, thereby eliminating or at least substantially reducing administrative costs for the Army to carry out this section.

   Inserted: Amendment No. 46 Offered by Mr. Space of Ohio

   Original wording

   At the end of subtitle H of title V, add the following new section:

3. 3

   Change 3: Adds SEC. 523. SECURE ELECTRONIC DELIVERY OF CERTIFICATE OF RELEASE OR DISCHARGE FROM ACTIVE DUTY (DD FORM 214) at the end of subtitle C of title V

   Adds a section

   Inserted: SEC. 523. SECURE ELECTRONIC DELIVERY OF CERTIFICATE OF RELEASE OR DISCHARGE FROM ACTIVE DUTY (DD FORM 214).

   Inserted: Section 596 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2008 (Public Law 110-181; 10 U.S.C. 1168 note) is amended--

   Inserted: (1) by inserting "(a) Election to Forward Certificate to VA Offices--" before "The Secretary of Defense"; and

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

   Inserted: "(b) Secure Method of Electronic Delivery.--

   Inserted: "(1) Development and implementation.--The Secretary of Veterans Affairs, in consultation with the Secretary of Defense, shall develop and implement a secure electronic method of forwarding the DD Form 214 to the appropriate office specified in subsection (a)(2). The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall ensure that the method permits such offices to access the forms electronically using current computer operating systems.

   Inserted: "(2) Authority to cease delivery.--In developing the secure electronic method of forwarding DD Forms 214, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall ensure that the information provided is not disclosed or used for unauthorized purposes and may cease forwarding the forms electronically to an office specified in subsection (a)(2) if demonstrated problems arise.".

   Inserted: Amendment No. 48 Offered by Mr. Walz of Minnesota Strike subtitle F of title VI and insert the following new subtitle:

   Inserted: Subtitle F--Alternative Career Track Pilot Program SEC. 661. PILOT PROGRAM TO EVALUATE ALTERNATIVE CAREER TRACK FOR COMMISSIONED OFFICERS TO FACILITATE AN INCREASED COMMITMENT TO ACADEMIC AND PROFESSIONAL EDUCATION AND CAREER-BROADENING ASSIGNMENTS.

   Inserted: (a) Program Authorized.--Chapter 39 of title 10, United States Code, is amended by inserting after section 672 the following new section:

   Inserted: "Sec. 673. Alternative career track for commissioned officers pilot program

   Inserted: "(a) Program Authorized.--(1) Under regulations prescribed pursuant to subsection (g) and approved by the Secretary of Defense, the Secretary of a military department may establish a pilot program for an armed force under the jurisdiction of the Secretary under which an eligible commissioned officer, while on active duty--

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   Inserted: "(A) participates in a separate career track characterized by expanded career opportunities extending over a longer career;

   Inserted: "(B) agrees to an additional active duty service obligation of at least five years to be served concurrently with other active duty service obligations; and

   Inserted: "(C) would be required to accept further active duty service obligations, as determined by the Secretary, to be served concurrently with other active duty service obligations, including the active duty service obligation accepted under subparagraph (B), in connection with the officer's entry into education programs, selection for career broadening assignments, acceptance of additional special and incentive pays, or selection for promotion.

   Inserted: "(2) The Secretary of the military department concerned may waive an active duty service obligation accepted under subparagraph (B) or (C) of paragraph (1) to facilitate the separation or retirement of a participant in the program.

   Inserted: "(3) The program shall be known as the 'Alternative Career Track Pilot Program' (in this section referred to as the 'program').

   Inserted: "(b) Eligible Officers.--Commissioned officers with between 13 and 18 years of service are eligible to volunteer to participate in the program.

   Inserted: "(c) Number of Participants.--No more than 50 officers of each armed force may be selected per year to participate in the program.

   Inserted: "(d) Alternative Career Elements of Program.--(1) The Secretaries of the military departments may establish separate basic pay and special and incentive pay and promotion systems unique to the officers participating in the program, without regard to the requirements of this title, title 37, or administrative year group cohort designation..

   Inserted: "(2) The Secretaries of the military departments may establish separation and retirement policies for officers participating in the program without regard to grade and years of service requirements established under this title.

   Inserted: "(3) Participants serving in a grade below brigadier general or rear admiral (lower half) may serve in the grade without regard to the limits on the number of officers in the grade established under this title.

   Inserted: "(e) Treatment of General and Flag Officer Participants.--(1) A participant serving in a grade above colonel, or captain in the Navy, but below lieutenant general or vice admiral, shall be--

   Inserted: "(A) counted for purposes of general officer and flag officer limits on grade and the total number serving as general officers and flag officers, if the participant is serving in a position requiring the assignment of a military officer; but

   Inserted: "(B) excluded from limits on grade and the total number serving as general officers and flag officers, if the participant is serving in a position not typically occupied by a military officer.

   Inserted: "(2) A participant serving in the grade of lieutenant general, vice admiral, general, or admiral shall be counted for purposes of general officer and flag officer limits on grade and the total number serving as general officers and flag officers.

   Inserted: "(f) Return to Standard Career Path; Effect.--(1) The Secretaries of the military departments retain the authority to involuntarily return an officer to the standard career path.

   Inserted: "(2) The Secretary of the military department concerned may return an officer to the standard career path at the request of the officer.

   Inserted: "(3) If the program is terminated pursuant to paragraph (4) or (5) of subsection (i), officers participating in the program at the time of the termination shall be returned to the standard career path with appropriate adjustments to their administrative record to ensure they are not penalized for participating in the pilot program.

   Inserted: "(4) An officer returned to the standard career path under paragraph (1), (2), or (3) shall retain the grade, date-of-rank, and basic pay level earned while a participant in the program but shall revert to the special and incentive pay authorities established in title 37 upon the expiration of the agreement between the Secretary and the officer providing any special and incentive pays under the program. Subsequent increases in the officer's rate of monthly basic pay shall conform to the annual percentage increases in basic pay rates provided in the basic pay table.

   Inserted: "(5) Services will adjust the participating officer's cohort year group to the appropriate year to ensure the officer remains competitive for all promotions and command opportunities in their standard career path.

   Inserted: "(g) Annual Report.--(1) The Secretaries of the military departments, in cooperation with the Secretary of Defense, shall submit to the Committees on Armed Services of the Senate and House of Representatives an annual report containing the findings and recommendations of the Secretary of Defense and the Secretaries of the military departments concerning the progress of the program for each armed force.

   Inserted: "(2) The Secretary of a military department, with the consent of the Secretary of Defense, may include in the report for a year a recommendation that the program be made permanent for an armed force under the jurisdiction of that Secretary.

   Inserted: "(h) Regulations.--The Secretary of each military department shall prescribe regulations to carry out the program. The regulations shall be subject to the approval of the Secretary of Defense.

   Inserted: "(i) Commencement; Duration.--(1) Before authorizing the commencement of the program for an armed force, the Secretary of the military department concerned, with the consent of the Secretary of Defense, shall submit to the Committees on Armed Services of the Senate and House of Representatives a report containing the detailed program structure of the alternative career track, associated personnel and compensation policies, implementing instructions and regulations, and a summary of the specific provisions of this title and title 37 to be waived under the program. The authority to conduct the program for that armed force commences 120 days after the date of the submission of the report.

   Inserted: "(2) The Secretary of the military department concerned, with the consent of the Secretary of Defense, may authorize revision of the program structure, associated personnel and compensation policies, implementing instructions and regulations, or laws waived, as submitted by the Secretary under paragraph (1). The Secretary of the military department concerned, with the consent of the Secretary of Defense, shall submit the proposed revisions to the Committees on Armed Services of the Senate and House of Representatives. The revisions shall take effect 120 days after the date of their submission.

   Inserted: "(3) If the program for an armed force has not commenced before December 31, 2015, as provided in paragraph (1), the authority to commence the program for that armed force terminates.

   Inserted: "(4) No officer may be accepted to participate in the program after December 31, 2026.

   Inserted: "(5) The Secretary of the military department concerned, with the consent of the Secretary of Defense, may terminate the pilot program for an armed force before the date specified in paragraph (4). Not later than 90 days after terminating the pilot program, the Secretary of the military department concerned, in cooperation with the Secretary of Defense, shall submit to the Committees on Armed Services of the Senate and House of Representatives a report containing the reasons for the termination.".

   Inserted: (b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of sections at the beginning of such chapter is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 672 the following new item:

   Inserted: "673. Alternative career track for commissioned officers pilot program.".

   Inserted: Amendment No. 52 Offered by Mr. Carson of Indiana

   Original wording

   At the end of subtitle C of title V (page 151, after line 12), add the following new section:

4. 4

   Change 4: Adds SEC. 5__. MATTERS COVERED BY PRESEPARATION COUNSELING FOR MEMBERS OF THE ARMED FORCES AND THEIR SPOUSES at the end of subtitle D of title V

   Adds a section

   Inserted: SEC. 5__. MATTERS COVERED BY PRESEPARATION COUNSELING FOR MEMBERS OF THE ARMED FORCES AND THEIR SPOUSES.

   Inserted: Section 1142(b) of title 10, United States Code, is amended--

   Inserted: (1) in paragraph (5), by striking "job placement counseling for the spouse" and inserting "inclusion of the spouse when counseling regarding the matters covered by paragraphs (9), (10), and (16) is provided, job placement counseling for the spouse, and the provision of information on survivor benefits available under the laws administered by the Secretary of Defense or the Secretary of Veterans Affairs";

   Inserted: (2) in paragraph (9), by inserting before the period the following: ", including information on budgeting, saving, credit, loans, and taxes";

   Inserted: (3) in paragraph (10), by striking "and employment" and inserting ", employment, and financial";

   Inserted: (4) by striking paragraph (16) and inserting the following new paragraph:

   Inserted: "(16) Information on home loan services and housing assistance benefits available under the laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs and counseling on responsible borrowing practices."; and

   Inserted: (5) in paragraph (17), by inserting before the period the following: ", and information regarding the means by which the member can receive additional counseling regarding the member's actual entitlement to such benefits and apply for such benefits".

   Inserted: Amendment No. 54 Offered by Mr. Hare of Illinois

   Original wording

   At the end of subtitle D of title V, add the following new section:

5. 5

   Change 5: Adds SEC. 599. REPORT ON EXPANSION OF NUMBER OF HEIRLOOM CHEST AWARDED TO SURVIVING FAMILIES on page 219, line 5

   Adds a sectionPrinted page

   Inserted: SEC. 599. REPORT ON EXPANSION OF NUMBER OF HEIRLOOM CHEST AWARDED TO SURVIVING FAMILIES.

   Inserted: The Secretary of the Army shall submit to the congressional defense committees a report on the heirloom chest policy of the Army, including--

   Inserted: (1) a detailed explanation of such policy;

   Inserted: (2) the plans of the Secretary to continue the heirloom chest program; and

   Inserted: (3) an estimate of the procurement costs to expand the number of such chests to additional family members.

   Original wording

   Page 219, after line 5, insert the following:

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As printed