National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2025

In general

The Secretary shall select three installations of the Department of the Army to serve as centers for the program required under subsection (a).

Considerations

The centers selected under paragraph (1) shall—

Hosting of system

In carrying out the program required under subsection (a), the Secretary shall host centralized intrusion detection system monitoring, assessment, and dispatching at the centers selected under subsection (c)(1).

Force protection and asset monitoring

The centers selected under subsection (c)(1) shall maximize use of commercially available technology, automation, and industry best practices to modernize force protection and asset monitoring for the Department of the Army.

Networking of sites

The Secretary shall ensure that all installations and facilities of the Department of the Army in the United States are networked and that the centers selected under subsection (c)(1) are able to provide continuous and redundant monitoring, assessment, and dispatching services to those installations and facilities.

In general

Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to the Committees on Armed Services of the Senate and the House of Representatives a report that outlines the plans of the Secretary to implement the centralized security monitoring program required under subsection (a) and assesses the performance of such program.

Elements

The report required under paragraph (1) shall include an identification of the following:

The status of all active protection systems previously considered, tested, integrated, or procured by the Army.

The status of any Army projects to develop its own active protection system, including an explanation for the Army’s decision to compete with commercial alternatives.

The Army's plan to solicit bids for its modular vehicle base kit.

A plan to conduct operational testing of all active protection systems, including any system being developed by the Army, which shall assess—

The strategy of the Army to integrate, test, and achieve a program of record for active protection systems on current and future combat vehicle fleets.

The risks incurred by the Army in its current active protection system posture of limited integration onto ground vehicle fleets.

Lessons learned from active protection systems in ongoing armed conflicts.

The capabilities of active protection systems from foreign or domestic entities.

The acquisition and lifecycle costs of each active protection system identified under subsection (b)(1).

The Army's plan for modularity, including the ability to use the same active protection system across multiple platforms.

assess the Secretary's compliance with this section; and

submit to the congressional defense committees an evaluation of the completeness of the functional design drawings described in such subsection.

is capable of deploying 50 Marines and 648 short tons of cargo directly to a beach where the water depth increases a maximum of one foot for every 25 feet of horizontal distance;

can transit a minimum of 3,500 nautical miles; and

is derived from a parent design that has been demonstrated.

any obligation of the United States to make a payment under the contract or other agreement is subject to the availability of appropriations for that purpose; and

the total liability of the Federal Government for termination of the contract or other agreement shall be limited to the total amount of funding obligated to the contract or other agreement at the time of termination.

An assessment of the status of each supplier of surface ship components according to the evaluation tool used for Columbia-class submarine suppliers.

If the assessment described in paragraph (1) indicates that the supply base of any surface ship component is in an at-risk status, a plan for actions to stabilize that base.

In general

The Secretary of the Navy may enter into one or more block buy contracts, during fiscal years 2025 and 2026, for the procurement of not more than 37 airframes in support of the CH–53K heavy lift helicopter program.

Condition for out-year contract payments

Any block buy contract entered into under paragraph (1) 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.

Block buy contract defined

In this subsection, the term block buy contract means a contract for the procurement of CH–53K airframes—

In general

Subject to section 3501 of title 10, United States Code, the Secretary of the Navy may enter into one or more multiyear contracts for the procurement of not more than 350 T408 engines.

Authority for advance procurement and economic ordering quantity

The Secretary of the Navy may enter into one or more contracts, beginning in fiscal year 2025, for advance procurement associated with the engines (including economic ordering quantity) for which authorization to enter into a multiyear contract is provided under paragraph (1).

Condition for out-year contract payments

Any multiyear contract entered into under paragraph (1) 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.

any obligation of the United States to make a payment under the contract is subject to the availability of appropriations for that purpose; and

the total liability of the Government for the termination of the contract shall be limited to the total amount of funding obligated to the contract at the time of termination.

Increased funding

The amount authorized to be appropriated by section 101 and available for Shipbuilding and Conversion, Navy, Virginia Class Submarine, One Additional Ship, as specified in the funding table in section 4101, is hereby increased by $400,000,000.

Offset

The amount authorized to be appropriated by section 201 and available for Research, Development, Test & Evaluation, Navy, Line 164, Next Generation Fighter, as specified in the funding table in section 4201, is hereby reduced by $400,000,000.

The aircraft carriers of the Navy are a cornerstone of the United States' ability to project its power and strength.

Construction of Gerald R. Ford-class aircraft carriers represents a national effort that 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.

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.

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 United States.

Aircraft carrier procurement plans accompanying the President's budget request for fiscal years 2023 and 2024 forecast procurement of the CVN–82 carrier 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.

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;

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

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

identify each of the 25 fighter aircraft squadrons of the Air National Guard in existence on the date of the enactment of this Act;

provide a plan for recapitalization of all such squadrons at a similar rate as the fighter aircraft squadrons of the active components of the Armed Forces, with the same combination of legacy capability fighter aircraft and advanced capability fighter aircraft found in fighter aircraft squadrons of the active components of the Armed Forces; and

establish a timetable for a plan or actions for the recapitalization required under paragraph (2), disaggregated by fighter aircraft squadron and fiscal year, which shall identify funding required for each fiscal year.

In general

Not later than July 1, 2025, the Secretary of the Air Force shall submit to the congressional defense committees a report that includes the sustainment and recapitalization plan required under subsection (a).

Form

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

Advanced capability fighter aircraft

The term advanced capability fighter aircraft—

Fifth generation

The term fifth generation, with respect to fighter aircraft, means an F–22 or F–35 aircraft.

Fighter aircraft

The term fighter aircraft has the meaning given that term in section 9062(i)(2) of title 10, United States Code.

Legacy capability fighter aircraft

The term legacy capability fighter aircraft means pre-fifth generation fighter aircraft, including an F–16, both pre-block and post-block, F–15C/D, F–15E/EX, and A–10.

the Commander of the United States European Command;

the Commander of the United States Northern Command; and

the Commander of the United States Indo-Pacific Command.

Expeditionary mobile protection for dispersed air bases.

Fixed protection for primary air bases.

Layered kinetic and non-kinetic effects from the surface.

Counter-uncrewed aircraft systems.

Counter-fixed and rotary wing aircraft.

Counter-cruise missile.

Interoperability with joint command and control networks.

360-degree active and passive sensors.

Systems and software that enable reduced staffing.

not fewer than four sites for air base air defense are fielded by September 30, 2027;

not fewer than four sites for air base air defense are fielded each year through 2031; and

not fewer than two sites for air base air defense are sited in the United States each year.

not later than March 1, 2025, submit to the congressional defense committees a report on the plan developed under subsection (a), the capabilities described in subsection (c), a plan to meet the fielding requirement under subsection (e), and related acquisitions; and

ensure the fielding requirement under subsection (e) is fully resourced in the budget for fiscal year 2027 submitted by the President to Congress under section 1105(a) of title 31, United States Code.

in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by striking 2024 and inserting 2025;

in subparagraph (A), by striking more than 68 and inserting any;

in subparagraph (B), by striking retained; and

in subparagraph (C), by striking an F–15E aircraft (other than an aircraft identified for retirement under subparagraph (A)) and inserting any F–15E aircraft.

define the signals intelligence requirements for armed overwatch aircraft, including the required signals intelligence capabilities and the number of aircraft to be equipped with such capabilities;

articulate the resources necessary by fiscal year to fulfill the requirements described in paragraph (1); and

include any other matters the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Special Operations and Low Intensity Conflict and the Commander of the United States Special Operations Command consider relevant.

assess planned deliveries of air-to-air missiles through 2029 and the total available missiles by type in each year through 2029;

assess combined requirements for air-to-air missiles to support 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, at low, medium, and high risk;

consider emerging requirements for surface-to-air defense and collaborative combat aircraft and how those additional missions will affect inventory requirements for air-to-air missiles;

consider the sufficiency of planned acquisition for air-to-air missiles through 2029 to meet operational requirements;

consider whether continuing production of the advanced medium-range air-to-air missile program of record through 2029 would enhance available inventories of air-to-air missiles; and

develop recommendations to adjust the planned mix of missiles, including an assessment of whether extending the range or capability of existing air-to-air missiles would better support combined combatant command requirements at medium risk.

the Federal Government;

a university-affiliated research center; or

a defense contractor.

by redesignating paragraph (2) as paragraph (3);

by inserting after paragraph (1) the following new paragraph (2):

in paragraph (3), as so redesignated—

In general

The Assistant Secretary of Defense for Science and Technology may waive the limitation under subsection (a), on a case-by-case basis, with respect to an individual grant or contract for an institution of higher education, if the Assistant Secretary determines that such a waiver is in the national security interests of the United States.

Congressional notice

Not later than 30 days before the date on which an award is made by the Department involving an institution of higher education with respect to which a waiver is made under paragraph (1), the Assistant Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Armed Services of the Senate and the Committee on Armed Services of the House of Representatives notice of such waiver.

In general

On an annual basis, as a classified or controlled unclassified information annex to the annual report required by section 1286(e) of the John S McCain National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2019 (Public Law 115–232; 10 U.S.C. 4001 note), the Secretary of Defense shall submit to the Committee on Armed Services of the Senate and the Committee on Armed Services of the House of Representatives a report annex on the compliance of the Department and institutions of higher education with the requirements of this section.

Contents

Each report annex submitted pursuant to paragraph (1) shall include, for each waiver issued under subsection (b) during the period covered by the report—

Form; public availability

The unclassified portion of each report annex submitted pursuant to paragraph (1) shall be made available on a publicly accessible website of the Department.

The term collaboration means coordinated activity between an institution of higher education and an entity described in subsection (a) includes—

The term fundamental research has the meaning provided in National Security Decision Directive-189 (NSSD-189), National Policy on the Transfer of Scientific, Technical and Engineering Information, date September 21, 1985, or any successor document.

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—

In general

For purposes of subsection (a), a covered educational institution is an institution of higher education that, in carrying out a program or activity covered under title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (42 U.S.C. 2000d et seq.), is in violation of that title.

Rule of construction

An institution of higher education that, in carrying out a program or activity covered under title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (42 U.S.C. 2000d et seq.), was in violation of that title, but is determined to be no longer in violation of that title, shall not be considered a covered educational institution for purposes of subsection (a).

In general

The Secretary may waive the prohibition in subsection (a) on a case by case basis.

Congressional notification

Not later than 15 days before issuing a waiver under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Armed Services of the Senate and the Committee on Armed Services of the House of Representatives a notice of the intention of the Secretary to issue the waiver.

Effective date

Subsection (a) shall take effect on the date that is one year after the date of the enactment of this Act.

Applicability

Subsection (a) shall apply with respect to contracts entered into on or after the effective date set forth in paragraph (1), other agreements entered into on or after such date, and grants awarded on or after such date.

fully define and identify the Department of Defense artificial intelligence workforce, including—

update the Human Capital Operating Plan to be consistent with the Agency Strategic Plan and Annual Performance Plan relating to artificial intelligence workforce issues, including—

who is included in the artificial intelligence workforce of the Department;

who should be included in the artificial intelligence workforce of the Department;

which positions require Department personnel with artificial intelligence skills;

the current state of the artificial intelligence workforce of the Department; and

planned or proposed future requirements for the artificial intelligence workforce of the Department.

Arrangements to increase the number of Department personnel attending international engagements or fora on topics relating to electromagnetic spectrum, including all phases of the World Radiocommunication preparatory process.

Processes to increase coordination with other Federal agencies on matters relating to electromagnetic spectrum.

Preparations to increase cooperation activities with the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, other military alliances and organizations, and foreign military sales partners on matters relating to electromagnetic spectrum.

Strategies to increase coordination with the defense industrial base and industry partners at international engagements and fora.

Strategies to increase engagement with military partners from developing countries, including regular engagements with the United States Telecommunications Training Institute to enhance international partnerships for enduring electromagnetic spectrum military advantage.

Table top exercises for Department electromagnetic spectrum bands being considered at international engagements or fora.

Processes to hire, identify, develop, and train personnel from across the Department to support its role and responsibilities in international fora related to electromagnetic spectrum.

The current geographic distribution of the personnel and offices of the Defense Innovation Unit, including identification of the number of full-time equivalent civilians and contractors associated with each location.

An assessment of opportunities to leverage other entities to expand geographic presence through current or planned partnerships that can support missions of the Defense Innovation Unit based on the existing geographic and functional footprint of those entities, such as Department of Defense laboratories, program intermediaries, or university affiliated research centers.

A gap analysis between planned expansion of the geographic presence of the Defense Innovation Unit and use of partnerships to achieve nationwide geographic coverage for activities of the Defense Innovation Unit.

The current plan of the Director to expand the geographic presence of the Defense Innovation Unit during the next 5-year period to address the gaps analyzed pursuant to paragraph (3), including resources required and any other policy or regulatory challenges.

the month of obligations and expenditures for basic and applied research conducted at institutions of higher education; and

funds realigned from basic or applied research budget lines due to not meeting obligations or expenditures benchmarks throughout the fiscal year and made available for other purposes.

does not produce harmful interference;

significantly reduces electromagnetic spectrum guard bands;

maintains signal quality with respect to latency and throughput; and

increases electromagnetic spectrum access within the frequency band.

The Joint Staff.

The military departments and their associated research labs.

Other Department of Defense organizations and agencies.

The Federal Communications Commission.

The National Telecommunications and Information Administration.

Other Federal agencies.

Industry and nongovernmental entities.

In general

Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act and not less frequently than once each year thereafter for the duration of the pilot program required by subsection (a), the Secretary shall submit to the congressional defense committees an annual report on the pilot program.

Contents

Each report submitted pursuant to paragraph (1) shall include, for the period covered by the report, the following:

Identification of biotechnology development needs and priorities for national security applications.

An assessment of the technology maturity of each priority identified pursuant to paragraph (1).

A description of funding sources for each priority identified pursuant to paragraph (1), including both current sources and sources covered by the future-years defense program submitted to Congress under section 221 of title 10, United States Code.

A description of how the Office of Strategic Capital and the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency plan to invest in each priority pursuant to paragraph (1), including plans to incorporate the investment of international partners.

A plan, timeline, and metrics to research, development, testing, and evaluation activities for the priorities identified pursuant to paragraph (1).

An assessment of opportunities for rapid acquisition and fielding of biotechnology in support of the priorities identified pursuant to paragraph (1).

Identification of opportunities for international cooperation in biotechnology research or testing, including potential regulatory impediments to cooperation.

An analysis of Department and Federal governance structures or regulatory processes that may hinder the ability of the Department to carry out the roadmap.

An assessment of the needs for the Department biotech workforce in the near, mid, and far terms. Such assessment shall cover sufficiency of numbers and types of biotechnology workers (including skilled technicians), workforce training and certification needs, and whether current occupational series adequately cover identified workforce skill needs of the Department.

address emergent requirements within the year of execution;

focus and prioritize resources to rapidly address Department of Defense user requirements;

coordinate efforts with the Office of Acquisition, Technology, and Logistics of United States Special Operations Command;

maximize contributions from foreign and non-Department of Defense partners; and

address other matters deemed relevant by the Secretary.

In general

Not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense shall establish a council to identify, evaluate, and coordinate existing research efforts, or propose new research topics, relating to economic competition activities, such as economic coercion, manipulation, or other uses of economic power to undermine the national defense strategy of the United States and the partners and allies of the United States.

Designation

The council established pursuant to paragraph (1) shall be known as the National Defense Economic Competition Research Council (in this section the Council).

Conducting analysis of ongoing or proposed government and academic research relating to economic competition.

Making proposals for new areas of research to increase understanding of adversarial uses of economic tools in support of military objectives to improve understanding of threats, vulnerabilities, and defensive options to mitigate such threats and vulnerabilities.

Informing the tools available to the Department of Defense to defend against such economic competition, coercion and manipulation activities, including the use of adversarial capital to acquire technology, real estate, or other infrastructure, or to preemptively deny access by the United States.

Assess current data needs or shortfalls impairing understanding of threats and vulnerabilities relating to economic competition.

Convene groups, which may include academic, United States Government, nonprofit, commercial, or other international partners, to better understand regional requirements or inform the understanding of regional partners on the threats and vulnerabilities relating to military objectives as a result of increasing economic competition.

Such other activities as the Secretary deems appropriate.

In general

The co-chairs of the Council shall ensure that the Council includes participation from each of the following:

Co-chairs

The co-chairs of the Council shall be the Under Secretary of Defense for Policy, the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering, and the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment.

The history and rationale for the split funding of the United States facilities and capabilities on Kwajalein Atoll between an Army Garrison and a Major Range and Test Facility Base and whether those objectives have been achieved, and if not why.

The status of the garrison infrastructure and operations.

The status of the test asset operability, usage, and maintainability.

the interrelationship between garrison infrastructure and test asset operability.

The status of the supported or supporting relationship between United States Army Garrison Kwajalein Atoll, Ronald Reagan Ballistic Missile Defense Test Site, and the Lincoln Laboratory of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and the long-term outlook for this partnership.

The overall future of the Kwajalein Atoll satisfying Department of Defense current and future missions.

Such other matters as the Under Secretary or the Defense Science Board consider appropriate.

depots, shipyards, or other manufacturing facilities run by the Department of Defense; and

contract administration for the Department, including the adjudication and review of contracts managed by the Defense Contract Management Agency.

use best in breed software platforms;

consider industry best practices in the selection of software programs;

be implemented based on human centered design practices to best identify the business needs for improvement; and

demonstrate connection to enterprise platforms of record with relevant data sources.

An evaluation of each software platform used in the pilot program.

An analysis of how workflows and operations were modified as part of the pilot program.

A quantitative assessment of the impact the software had at each of the locations in which the pilot program was carried out.

In general

The Director of the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) shall establish an initiative to rapidly expand and support the development of fault-tolerant utility-scale quantum computing capability available to the Department of Defense.

Designation

The initiative established pursuant to paragraph (1) shall be known as the Quantum Scaling Initiative (in this section the Initiative).

Activities to broaden existing Department efforts to verify and validate commercial efforts to design and build utility-scale quantum computers, including through increased collaboration with key partners in the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL), the Office of Strategic Capital (OSC), and the Defense Innovation Unit (DIU).

Working with the Office of Strategic Capital, establish regular interactions with the venture capital and finance community to help accelerate commercial efforts to design and build viable utility-scale quantum computers.

Working with the office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Industrial Base Policy to connect key performers in fault-tolerant utility-scale quantum computing with support for industrial bases analysis, manufacturing support, and other analysis support to help foster and grow the broader industrial base supporting fault-tolerant utility-scale quantum computing.

Working with the military departments and other Department components to refine use cases for militarily relevant applications of utility-scale quantum computers.

shall conduct a review of technical standard 400-2021 of the American National Standards Institute and the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society; and

may consult with subject matter experts affiliated with the authorizing organization behind such a technical standard.

require development of a strategy to invest in advanced technologies, including automated systems and artificial intelligence, to streamline the process of organizing, indexing, and categorizing data;

require work with vendors to address and resolve limitations imposed by proprietary information and data, including through the adoption of open data and open mission systems approaches;

address data transmission capabilities, such as—

require central compilation of maintenance data and creation of user interfaces, prioritizing analysis of long-lead components;

require that, unless a compelling reason is identified, use of vendor-agnostic, government-owned tagging and interoperable systems;

require review of classification policies relating to digital data to ensure that data is appropriately classified without unnecessarily restricting its usability; and

establish protocols for detecting unauthorized access or intrusion into vehicle or platform systems.

In general

Not later than June 1, 2025, and not later than June 1 of each year thereafter through 2031, the Secretary of Defense shall submit to the congressional defense committees and the legislative research agencies a report that describes the plans and objectives of the Department of Defense with respect to the directed energy roadmap of the Department for the next 10 years and the associated funding profile through the Future Years Defense Program (FYDP) for directed energy systems at all classification levels, including funding needed for development, delivery, integration on platforms, and system sustainment.

Designation

A report submitted pursuant to paragraph (1) shall be known as the Directed Energy Roadmap and Activity Funding Report.

The funding and investments of the Department relating to directed energy weapon capabilities, including any funding or investments with respect to the procurement, research, development, test and evaluation, and operation and maintenance of offensive and defensive directed energy weapons.

An assessment of the intelligence community (as defined in section 3 of the National Security Act of 1947 (50 U.S.C. 3003)) of the threat environment that drives requirements for directed energy investments by the Department.

The strategic vision of the Department with respect to directed energy.

A description of the operational context for directed energy weapons.

A description of the approach of the Department to matters relating to directed energy weapons.

A roadmap for research, development, testing, evaluation, deployment, operation, and maintenance of directed energy weapons by the Department that covers the following:

Deployed directed energy weapon systems to date.

Technology and transition focus areas.

Science and technology focus areas.

Previous fiscal year activities.

Prototyping and fielding by each military department and Department component.

Collaboration on directed energy technologies and capabilities with allies and partners of the United States.

Industrial base challenges, including workforce challenges and critical path items in the supply chain.

Department governance.

Recommendations to accelerate fielding.

include cost data for the fiscal year and future years defense program on the directed energy capabilities of the Department, including vehicles, developmental and operational testing, sensors, command and control architectures, infrastructure, testing infrastructure, software, workforce, training, ranges, integration costs, and such other items as the Secretary of Defense considers appropriate;

to the extent applicable, for each item included in the report, identify whether such item relates to an offensive or defensive directed energy capability;

with respect to any research and development activities covered by the report, identify—

to the extent applicable, with respect to any developmental ground and flight testing and operational test and evaluation activities covered by the report, identify—

an unclassified form that may be made available to the public; and

an unclassified form that may include a classified annex.

The Congressional Research Services.

The Congressional Budget Office.

The Governmental Accountability Office.

the readiness of the Armed Forces; and

the health and safety of members of the Armed Forces, their families, and the surrounding communities.

science-based management and control programs to reduce the presence or spread of invasive species on military installations and to prevent the introduction or spread of such species to areas where such species are not established;

support for interagency and intergovernmental response efforts to control, interdict, monitor, and eradicate invasive species;

pursuit of chemical, biological, and beneficial fire use, other fire control techniques, technology transfer, and best practices to support management, control, interdiction, and where possible, eradication of invasive vegetation;

establishment of an early detection and rapid response mechanism to monitor and deploy coordinated interdiction efforts for any invasive species newly detected at a particular site at a military installation; and

post-fire land rehabilitation using native vegetation and other methods to preclude the reestablishment of invasive species.

the estimated reduction in carbon emissions associated with the adoption of electric vehicles across the non-tactical vehicle fleet;

a comparative analysis of non-tactical efficiency, maintenance costs, and lifecycle emissions of electric vehicles versus traditional combustion engine vehicles; and

a cost-benefit analysis of investing in electric vehicle infrastructure versus the fully burdened costs, advantages, and disadvantages of internal combustion engines for non-tactical use by the Department of Defense.

an assessment of non-tactical capabilities to determine different mission profiles and scenarios, including deployment in combat zones, logistic support, and personnel and equipment transportation by electric vehicles;

an estimation of the expected lifespan and durability of electric vehicles under non-tactical conditions by assessing the reliability of key components such as batteries, electric motors, and powertrains and an evaluation of maintenance requirements and costs;

an evaluation of the logistical implications of integrating electric vehicles into the non-tactical vehicle fleet, including infrastructure requirements for charging or refueling, compatibility with existing supply chains, and potential challenges relating to spare parts availability and maintenance support; and

an identification of risks and challenges associated with the procurement and deployment of electric vehicles, such as technological obsolescence, cybersecurity vulnerabilities, and geopolitical dependencies on critical components.

In general

Section 2922h of title 10, United States Code, is repealed.

Clerical amendment

The table of sections at the beginning of subchapter II of chapter 173 of such title is amended by striking the item relating to section 2922h.

In general

Subchapter II of chapter 173 of title 10, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new section:

Clerical amendment

The table of sections at the beginning of subchapter II of chapter 173 of such title is amended by adding at the end the following new item:

Conduct of preliminary assessment and site inspection

Consideration of interim response actions

Review

Expedited implementation

The Secretary of Defense shall expedite the implementation of any interim response actions selected by the Secretary for implementation pursuant to the consideration conducted under paragraph (2) and the review under paragraph (3).

Initial report

Not later than 270 days 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 the House of Representatives a report containing an identification of the following:

Final report

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 the House of Representatives a report on—

Covered facility

The term covered facility means a facility subject to section 2701(c) of title 10, United States Code.

PFAS

The term PFAS means perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances.

Release; response

The terms release and response have the meanings given those terms in section 101 of the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 (42 U.S.C. 9601 et seq.).

effectively exercising the Ship Wartime Repair and Maintenance program of the Navy;

impacting the workforce at shipyards in the United States;

impacting the workforce at the Naval Ship Repair Facility and Japan Regional Maintenance Center; and

impacting quality of life for sailors assigned to forward-deployed naval force ships.

identifies the designated organization or command that will serve as the global integrator of that military department or agency and assume responsibilities as the manager of the storage network of that military department or agency; and

sets forth a comprehensive plan of the Secretary concerned or the Director of the Defense Logistics Agency, as the case may be—

Plans for reconstituting commercially-stored inventory of the Department of Defense into the warehouses of the Department on military installations.

Information on barriers to reconstituting such inventory from commercial storage locations.

In general

The Secretary of the Army shall develop a plan providing options to establish secondary domestic production sources at existing arsenals, depots, and ammunition plants of the Army to address munitions supply chain chokepoints.

Existing mapping and studies

In developing the plan required under paragraph (1), the Secretary of the Army shall draw on existing supply chain mapping conducted by the Department of Defense and other studies conducted by the Army.

An assessment of the feasibility and advisability of expanding the scope of activities at all existing depots, arsenals, and ammunition plants of the Army to serve as secondary sources for single points of supply chain failure.

An assessment of the feasibility and advisability of reopening any previously closed depots, arsenals, and ammunition plants of the Army.

components of the supply chain, including all elements of the supply chain such as chemicals, casings, or other materials, are produced by only one domestic source; or

the increased production of a component would significantly increase total munitions output.

classified and unclassified information relating to known or suspected threats from unmanned aircraft systems;

proposed solutions for countering such known threats; and

a comprehensive listing of global incursions from unmanned aircraft systems at installations of the Department of Defense.

the amount of fees collected;

the account to which those fees are deposited; and

the annual sustainment funds required for use of the runway concerned for commercial purposes.

In general

The Secretary of the Army shall develop a plan to ensure the requirement under subsection (a) will be met.

Elements of plan

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

Submission of plan

Not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of the Army shall submit to the congressional defense committees the plan required by paragraph (1).

Notwithstanding the requirements of the joint strategic capabilities plan or any other strategic planning document of the Department of Defense, whether existing total force stockpiles of basic life sustaining and personnel items and equipment are sufficient in the event of direct involvement by the United States in a protracted conflict or in more than one large-scale conflict taking place simultaneously in more than one theater.

The likely impact on supply chains of procurement by the Department of basic life sustaining and personnel items and equipment in a situation described in paragraph (1) and possible alternative sources of production and procurement of such items.

Whether current operational plans of the Armed Forces can be executed in two separate theaters simultaneously without drawing on the same stockpiles of basic life sustaining and personnel items and equipment, or whether those plans rely on the same stockpiles being available notwithstanding other operational plans of the Armed Forces.

In general

Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff shall submit to the congressional defense committees a report containing the findings and determinations made under subsection (a).

Stockpiles relating to vehicles

The report required under paragraph (1) shall include an assessment of the availability of stockpiles of—

Basic life sustaining and personnel items and equipment

The term basic life sustaining and personnel items and equipment includes the following:

Protracted conflict

The term protracted conflict means any armed conflict that extends beyond anticipated timelines set forth or implied in strategic planning documents or operational plans, such that the cumulative effects of hostilities result in the military goals set forth in strategic plans no longer being sufficient to end the conflict.

establishes a public-private partnership to develop an advanced manufacturing facility on or near a military installation within the area of responsibility of the United States Indo-Pacific Command capable of meeting flexible manufacturing requirements to support the submarine and shipbuilding industrial base and related emerging needs of the commanders of the combatant commands and the commanders of other components of the Armed Forces;

fosters partnerships between industry, local universities, and workforce training programs to develop a local workforce in the vicinity of such facility capable of meeting advanced manufacturing demands;

coordinates requirements from the Submarine Industrial Base Task Force, the United States Indo-Pacific Command, the Innovation Capability and Modernization Office of the Department of Defense, and the Industrial Base Analysis and Sustainment program of the Department;

manufactures unmanned vehicles, including surface and underwater vehicles, and develops ship maintenance capabilities; and

is responsive to needs across the uniformed services and the defense industrial base.

be capable of additively manufacturing metal structures at least 10 feet in diameter and 50 feet long;

be able to manufacture systems and components that—

be able to maintain a production capability across the six critical materials of the Navy in order to respond to emerging repair and production requirements during conflict; and

ensure broad participation in the workforce training program by establishing the facility either outside of a military installation (but very close to a military installation) or onboard a military installation with readily available access to a civilian trainee workforce.

Additive manufacturing.

Wire-arc additive manufacturing.

Powder bed fusion manufacturing.

Other similar manufacturing capabilities.

Requirement

Subsection (a) of section 115 of title 10, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph:

Conforming amendments

Such subsection is further amended—

in paragraph (2), by striking ; or and inserting a semicolon;

by redesignating paragraph (3) as paragraph (4); and

by inserting after paragraph (2) the following new paragraph:

Secretary of Defense

Subsection (f) of such section is amended—

Secretary of the Air Force

Subsection (g) of such section is amended—

Effective date

The amendments made by paragraphs (1) and (2) shall take effect upon the date specified under paragraph (2) of section 1736(a) of the Space Force Personnel Management Act (title XVII of Public Law 118–31; 137 Stat. 677) for the expiration of the authority provided by paragraph (1) of that section.

Conforming cross-reference amendments to SFPMA

Section 1736(a)(1) of the Space Force Personnel Management Act (title XVII of Public Law 118–31) is amended by striking section 115(a)(1)(A) both places it appears and inserting section 115(a)(3).

The Army National Guard of the United States, 325,000.

The Army Reserve, 175,800.

The Navy Reserve, 57,700.

The Marine Corps Reserve, 32,500.

The Air National Guard of the United States, 108,300.

The Air Force Reserve, 67,000.

The Coast Guard Reserve, 7,000.

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

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.

For the Army National Guard of the United States, 22,294.

For the Army Reserve, 6,492.

For the Air National Guard of the United States, 10,744.

For the Air Force Reserve, 6,697.

Regular officers

Section 619(e)(2)(A) of title 10, United States Code, is amended—

Reserve officers

Section 14301(j)(2)(A) of title 10, United States Code, is amended—

First lieutenants and lieutenants (junior grade)

Section 631(a) of title 10, United States Code, is amended—

Captains and majors of the Army, Air Force, and Marine Corps and lieutenants and lieutenant commanders of the Navy

Section 632(a)(2) of such title is amended by striking the President approves the report of the board which considered him for the second time and inserting the Secretary concerned releases the promotion results of the board which considered the officer for the second time to the public.

Regular Navy and regular Marine Corps officers designated for limited duty

Section 8372 of such title is amended—

Reserve first lieutenants of the Army, Air Force, and Marine Corps and reserve lieutenants (junior grade) of the Navy

Section 14504 of such title is amended—

Reserve captains of the Army, Air Force, and Marine Corps and reserve lieutenants of the Navy

Section 14505 of such title is amended by striking the President approves the report of the board which considered the officer for the second time and inserting the Secretary concerned releases the promotion results of the board which considered the officer for the second time to the public.

Reserve majors of the Army, Air Force, and Marine Corps and reserve lieutenant commanders of the Navy

Section 14506 of such title is amended by striking the President approves the report of the board which considered the officer for the second time and inserting the Secretary concerned releases the promotion results of the board which considered the officer for the second time to the public.

by redesignating sections 9083, 9084, 9085, and 9086 as sections 9084, 9085, 9086, and 9087, respectively; and

by inserting after section 9082 the following new section 9083:

In general

Chapter 806 of title 10, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new section:

Clerical amendment

The table of sections at the beginning of chapter 806 of title 10, United States Code, is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 8047 the following new item:

by redesignating subsection (g) as subsection (h); and

by inserting after subsection (f) the following new subsection:

by redesignating subsections (g) through (j) as subsections (h) through (k), respectively; and

by inserting after subsection (f) the following new subsection:

by striking In the administration and inserting (1) Except as provided in paragraph (2), in the administration; and

by adding at the end the following new paragraph:

in section 1558(b)(2)(A), by inserting 14701a, after 14701,;

in section 14505, by inserting or 14701a after 14701;

in section 14506, by inserting 14701a, after 14701,; and

in section 14507, by inserting , 14701a, after 14701 both places it appears.

In general

During the transition period, the Secretary of the Air Force shall transfer to the Space Force the covered space functions of the Air National Guard of the United States. The transfer shall occur without regard to section 104 of title 32, United States Code, or section 18238 of title 10, United States Code.

Personnel billets limitations

With regard to personnel billets, the statutory waiver under paragraph (1) is limited to 578 personnel billets from across the Air National Guard to the Space Force as follows:

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;

deactivate the unit; or

assign the unit a new Federal mission.

Officers

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.

Enlisted members

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 members who do not consent to transfer. Upon such a transfer, the transferred member ceases to be a member of the Air National Guard of the United States and is discharged from the member’s enlistment as a Reserve of the Air Force.

Effective date of transfers

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.

Limitations

For any covered officer or covered enlisted member affected by paragraphs (1) or (2), each officer or member shall have—

the Air National Guard of the United States and the Space Force shall be considered to be components of the same Armed Force; and

the Space Force officer list shall be considered to be an active-duty list of an Armed Force.

Except as provided in paragraph (2), 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 for a period of not less than 10 years following the effective date of such transfer.

Except when the Secretary of the Air Force determines that it would not be in the best interests of the United States, the Secretary may not move the Space Force unit, equipment, or billets associated with the covered space function out of the affected State during the 10-year period following the transfer of such unit, equipment, or billets into the Space Force until—

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.

Affected State

The term affected State means the States of Alaska, California, Colorado, Florida, Hawaii, and Ohio;

Covered member

The term covered member, with respect to a member of the Air National Guard of the United States, has the meaning given the term in section 1733(g) of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2024 (Public Law 118–31; 137 Stat. 676);

Covered space functions of the Air National Guard of the United States

The term covered space functions of the Air National Guard of the United States means the following units of the Air National Guard of the United States associated with the performance of a space-related function, including their personnel, equipment, and resources:

Transition period

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 eighth fiscal year beginning after the date of the enactment of this Act.

A description of projected changes to the unit, including number of status conversions and changes to personnel numbers.

A description of the operational impact of the State's Guard mission.

A description of the end strength requirements that justify such an initiative.

Recommendations for any increase to end strength necessary to offset this requirement.

in the third sentence, by inserting an officer of the Space Force not serving on sustained duty pursuant to section 20105 of title 10, after of the Armed Forces,; and

in the fourth and fifth sentences, by striking A Reserve and all that follows through who is and inserting Such an officer who is.

by striking general, in the case and inserting general or, in the case; and

by striking or, in the case of an officer of the Space Force, the equivalent grade,.

Appointments

.Section 531(a) of such title is amended—

Service credit upon original appointment as a commissioned officer

Section 533(b)(2) of such title is amended—

Convening of selection boards

Section 611(a) of such title is amended by striking or Marine Corps and inserting Marine Corps, or Space Force.

JQO member required for boards to consider officers who are joint qualified officers

Subsection (c)(3)(A) of section 612 of such title is amended by inserting or the Space Force after of the Marine Corps.

Special selection review boards

Section 628a(a)(1)(A) of such title is amended by striking or rear admiral in the Navy and inserting , rear admiral in the Navy, or an equivalent grade in the Space Force.

Regular commissioned officers

Section 1370 of such title is amended in subsection (g) by striking or Marine Corps, rear admiral in the Navy, or an equivalent grade in the Space Force and inserting Marine Corps, or Space Force, or rear admiral in the Navy.

Officers entitled to retired pay for non-regular service

Section 1370a of such title is amended—

in subsection (a) by striking Marine Corps, as the case may be and inserting Marine Corps, or Space Force, as the case may be; and

in subsection (d) by striking lieutenant, ensign, or an equivalent grade in the Space Force, and inserting lieutenant or ensign,.

in subsection (a), by striking , flag, or equivalent each place it appears; and

in subsection (b), by striking grade in the Space Force equivalent to the grade of general in the Army, Air Force, and Marine Corps, or admiral in the Navy and inserting grade of general.

Distinguished flying cross

Section 9279(a) of such title is amended–

Airman’s medal

Section 9280(a)(1) of such title is amended by adding or Space Force after Air Force.

Retired base pay

Section 1406(i)(3)(B)(v) of title 10, United States Code, is amended by striking The senior enlisted advisor of the Space Force and inserting Chief Master Sergeant of the Space Force.

Basic pay rate

Footnote 2 of the table titled ENLISTED MEMBERS in section 601(c) of the John Warner National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2007 (Public Law 109–364; 37 U.S.C. 1009 note) is amended by striking the senior enlisted advisor of the Space Force and inserting Chief Master Sergeant of the Space Force.

Pay of senior enlisted members

Section 210(c)(5) of title 37, United States Code, is amended by striking The senior enlisted advisor of the Space Force and inserting The Chief Master Sergeant of the Space Force.

Personal money allowance

Section 414(b) of title 37, United States Code, is amended by striking the senior enlisted advisor of the Space Force and inserting the Chief Master Sergeant of the Space Force.

in subsection (b)—

in subsection (c)(2)(E), by striking Secretary Air Force and inserting Secretary of the Air Force.

in subsection (c)(2) by striking subparagraph (A) and inserting paragraph (1); and

in subsection (d)(2) by striking subparagraph (C)(ii) of such section and inserting section 741(d)(4)(C)(ii).

in subsection (a) by striking section 631 and inserting sections 631;

in subsection (a)(2) by striking section 14201 and inserting sections 14101; and

in subsection (d)(1) by striking 14502(b) and inserting “14501(b).

in subsection (b)—

in subsection (f)(2) by striking which of officer and inserting which an officer.

in subsection (c), in the subsection heading, by striking than and inserting that; and

in subsection (d), in the subsection heading, by striking than and inserting that.

in the section heading, by striking within the United States;

in subsection (a), by striking within the United States; and

in subsection (b)(1), by striking within the United States.

In general

The Secretaries of the military departments 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 record.

Format and contents

The Secretary of Defense shall develop a standardized format for competency records, which shall include, at a minimum, the following information:

Availability

Competency records shall be provided to members of the Armed Forces upon their separation or retirement from the Armed Forces.

by redesignating paragraphs (2) through (5) as paragraphs (3) through (6), respectively; and

by inserting after paragraph (1), the following new paragraph:

Title 10, United States Code

Section 486 of title 10, United Sates Code, is repealed.

John S. McCain National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2019

Section 547 of the John S. McCain National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2019 (Public Law 115–232; 10 U.S.C. 1561 note) is repealed.

by redesignating subparagraphs (A) and (B) as clauses (i) and (ii), respectively;

by striking The term and all that follows through paragraph (3) and inserting the following: (A) The term of an appellate military judge assigned or appointed to the Court under this subsection ; and

by adding at the end the following new subparagraph:

In general

The amendments made by subsection (a) shall take effect on the date that is 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act.

Applicability to existing civilian judges

The term of any appellate civilian judge of the United States Court of Military Commission Review who will have served as such a judge for a period of 10 or more years as of the effective date described in paragraph (1) shall expire on such effective date.

in subparagraph (B), by striking ; and and inserting a semicolon;

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

by adding at the end the following new subparagraph:

in subsection (a)(3), by striking shall be and inserting subject to subsection (c), shall be; and

by adding at the end the following new subsection:

in subsection (a)(3), by striking shall be and inserting subject to subsection (c), shall be; and

by adding at the end the following new subsection:

In general

Chapter 53 of title 10, United States Code, is amended by inserting after section 1044f the following new section:

Clerical amendment

The table of sections at the beginning of chapter 53 of title 10, United States Code, is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 1044f the following new item:

are victims of designated offenses that occur on or after the effective date of the regulations prescribed under subsection (b) of such section 1044g; and

apply for payment after such effective date.

In general

Not later than February 28, 2026, the Defense Advisory Committee on Investigation, Prosecution, and Defense of Sexual Assault in the Armed Forces shall conduct a study and submit to the Committees on Armed Services of the Senate and the House of Representatives a report, including recommendations, on the investigation and reporting of sexual assault in the National Guard.

Elements

The study and report required under paragraph (1) shall—

the advisability of modifying Military Rule of Evidence 513 to cover psychotherapy diagnoses and treatments; and

such other approaches to the modification of Military Rule of Evidence 513 as the Committee considers appropriate to address victim privacy rights balanced against the rights of the accused and the best interests of justice.

the analysis conducted under subsection (a); and

any recommended draft legislative text that sets forth all amendments and modifications to law that may be needed to effectively implement such recommendations.

in subsection (a)—

in subsection (b)—

in subsection (e)(3)(C)—

in subsection (k), by striking 2027 and inserting 2029.

by adding at the end of paragraph (1) the following new subparagraph:

by adding at the end of paragraph (2) the following new subparagraph:

Inclusion of Space Force education programs in coverage of civilian faculty of Department of Defense educational institutions

Section 105 (d) (2) of title 17, United States Code, is amended—

Conforming and clarifying amendments

Subsection (c) of such section is amended—

Repeal of unused definition

Subsection (d) of such section is further amended—

education on the centrality of the Constitution to the commitment officers make to serve in the Armed Forces;

emphasis on the loyalty of officers to the Constitution; and

instruction on the importance of, and basis for, civilian control over the military.

in paragraph (2)—

by adding at the end the following new paragraph:

by redesignating subsections (d) and (e) as subsections (e) and (f), respectively; and

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

In general

Not later than 3 years after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense shall submit to the congressional defense committees a report on financial literacy training and financial services counseling provided under section 992 of title 10, United States Code, as amended by this section, that assesses—

Follow-on report

Not later than 6 years after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to the congressional defense committees a report on the efforts of the Department of Defense to address any concerns raised in the report required by paragraph (1).

in the first subsection designated subsection (i), by striking support not fewer than 3,400, and not more than 4,000, units and inserting support not fewer than 3,500, and not more than 4,100, units; and

by redesignating the second subsection designated subsection (i) as subsection (j).

in the section heading, by inserting and award or presentation after for review;

by redesignating subsection (d) as subsection (e); and

by inserting after subsection (c) the following:

in paragraph (2), by redesignating subparagraphs (A) and (B) as clauses (i) and (ii), respectively;

by redesignating paragraphs (1) and (2) as subparagraphs (A) and (B), respectively;

in the matter preceding subparagraph (A) (as so redesignated), by striking No funds and inserting (1) No funds;

in subparagraph (B), as redesignated by paragraph (2)—

by adding at the end the following new paragraph:

by amending subsection (a) to read as follows:

by striking subsection (c).

In general

There is established an independent commission in the legislative branch to be known as the Commission on Quality of Life for the All-Volunteer Armed Force (in this section referred to as the Commission).

Duties of Commission

The Commission shall carry out the following duties:

Powers of Commission

Report required

Not later than December 31, 2025, the Commission shall submit to the Committees on Armed Services of the Senate and House of Representatives an unclassified report, with classified annexes if necessary, that includes the initial findings and any preliminary recommendations of the Commission as a result of the studies required under this section, with a final report, recommendations, and any legislative proposals as the Commission considers appropriate in light of the results of the studies to be submitted at a time agreed subsequent to the submission if the initial report.

Composition

The Commission shall be composed of 8 members, of whom—

Co-Chairs

There shall be two Co-Chairs of the Commission. The Republican leadership of the Senate and House of Representatives shall jointly select one Co-Chair, and the Democratic leadership of the Senate and House of Representatives shall jointly select the other.

Appointment date; notifications

Qualifications and expertise

Period of appointment; vacancies; removal of members

Status as Federal employees

Notwithstanding the requirements of section 2105 of title 5, United States Code, including the required supervision under subsection (a)(3) of such section, members of the Commission shall be deemed to be Federal employees in the legislative branch subject to all the laws and policies applicable to legislative branch employees.

Oath of office

Notwithstanding the provision of section 2903(b) of title 5, United States Code, an employee of an executive branch agency, otherwise authorized to administer oaths under section 2903 of title 5, United States Code, may administer the oath of office to Commissioners for the purpose of their service to the Commission.

Security clearances

The appropriate Federal departments or agencies shall cooperate with the Commission in expeditiously providing to the Commission members and staff appropriate security clearances to the extent possible pursuant to existing procedures and requirements, except that no person may be provided with access to classified information under this Act without the appropriate security clearances.

Pay for members

Each member of the Commission may be compensated at a rate not to exceed the daily equivalent of the annual rate of basic pay payable for level IV of the Executive Schedule under section 5315 of title 5, United States Code, for each day (including travel time) during which such member is engaged in the performance of the duties of the Commission.

Staff

Assistance from Department of Defense

Liaison

The Secretary shall designate at least one officer or employee of the Department of Defense to serve as a liaison officer between the Department and the Commission.

Additional support

To the extent that funds are available for such purpose, or on a reimbursable basis, the Secretary may, at the request of the Co-Chairs of the Commission—

Preliminary administrative support authorized

Upon the appointment of the Co-Chairs under subsection (b), the Secretary may provide administrative support authorized under this section necessary to facilitate the standing up of the Commission.

an explanation of medical standard modifications made to date through the Medical Accession Records Pilot (MARP) and the number of recruits allowed in as a result of the pilot program;

recommendations and plans to make permanent modifications to standards made under the MARP program;

a plan to expand the MARP program to examine additional medical accession standards that can be modified to accelerate the medical waiver process without lowering standards for entry into the Armed Forces;

an assessment of whether any disqualifying conditions outlined in DoD Instruction 6130.03 should be modified based on a recruit’s intended military occupational specialty and likelihood of deployment into combat; and

an assessment the advisability of updating DoD Instruction 6130.03 to include service-specific medical standards.

by amending subsection (a) to read as follows:

by amending subsection (b) to read as follows:

by adding at the end the following new subsections:

In general

Subchapter I of chapter 33 of title 5, United States Code, is amended by striking section 3328.

Clerical amendment

The table of sections at the beginning of such subchapter is amended by striking the item relating to section 3328.