,,ii  #aafth ,,congress  #ast ,session  
,s4 #aeee  ,,in ,,the ,,senate ,,of     
,,the ,,united ,,states  ,may #ba1      
#bjai,mr4 ,crapo 7for himself1 ,ms4     
,stabenow1 ,mrs4 ,shaheen1 and ,mr4     
,gardner7 introduced the following bill2
 which was read twice and referred to   
the ,committee on ,armed ,services  ,a  
,,bill  ,to amend title #aj1 ,united    
,states ,code1 to improve the           
,transition ,assistance ,program for    
members of the ,armed ,forces1 and for  
other purposes4  #a4 ,short title2 table
 of contents  7a7 ,short title ,this    
,act may be cited as the ,improving     
,preparation and ,resources for         
,occupational1 ,vocational1 and         
,educational ,transition for            
,servicemembers ,act or ,,improve       
,transition for ,servicemembers ,act4   
7b7 ,table of contents ,the table of    
contents for this ,act is as follows3   
,sec4 #a4 ,short title2 table of        
contents4,sec4 #b4 ,recodification1     
consolidation1 and improvement of       

certain transition-related counseling   
and assistance authorities4,sec4 #c4    
,connections of members retiring or     
separating from the ,armed ,forces with 
community-based organizations and       
related entities4,sec4 #d4 ,personnel   
matters in connection with ,transition  
,assistance ,program4,sec4 #e4 ,systems 
for tracking participation in           
,transition ,assistance ,program and    
related programs4,sec4 #f4 ,surveys on  
member experiences with ,transition     
,assistance ,program counseling and     
services and in transition to civilian  
life4,sec4 #g4 ,command matters in      
connection with transition assistance   
programs4,sec4 #h4 ,comptroller ,general
 of the ,united ,states report on       
participation in transition assistance  
programs at small and remote military   
installations4,sec4 #i4 ,education of   
members of the ,armed ,forces on career 
readiness and professional              
development4,sec4 #aj4 ,sense of        
,congress on ,transition ,assistance    

,program and other transition-related   
assistance for members of the ,armed    
,forces4  7c7 ,appropriate committees of
 ,congress defined ,in this ,act1 the   
term appropriate committees of ,congress
 means-- 7#a7 the ,committee on ,armed  
,services and the ,committee on         
,veterans' ,affairs of the ,senate2 and 
7#b7 the ,committee on ,armed ,services 
and the ,committee on ,veterans'        
,affairs of the ,house of               
,representatives4  #b4 ,recodification1 
consolidation1 and improvement of       
certain transition-related counseling   
and assistance authorities  7a7         
,recodification1 consolidation1 and     
improvement of authorities  7#a7 ,in    
general ,chapter #eh of title #aj1      
,united ,states ,code1 is amended by    
striking sections #aadb and #aadd and   
inserting after section #aada the       
following new section #aadb3  #aadb4    
,transition-related counseling and      
services3 ,transition ,assistance       
,program  7a7 ,program required  7#a7   

,in general ,the ,secretary of ,defense 
and the ,secretary of ,homeland         
,security with respect to the ,coast    
,guard when it is not operating as a    
service in the ,navy shall1 in          
cooperation with the ,secretary of      
,labor and the ,secretary of ,veterans  
,affairs1 carry out a program to furnish
 individual counseling1 information and 
services described in paragraph 7#b7 to 
members of the armed forces under the   
jurisdiction of the ,secretary of       
,defense or the ,secretary of ,homeland 
,security1 as applicable1 whose         
retirement1 separation1 or release from 
active duty is anticipated as of a      
specific date1 and to the spouses of    
such members4 ,the program shall be     
known as the ,transition ,assistance    
,program4  7#b7 ,counseling1            
information1 and services ,the          
counseling1 information1 and services   
furnished under the program 7in this    
section referred to as covered          
counseling1 information1 and services7  

shall include the following in          
connection with the transition from     
military life to civilian life3 7,a7    
,information on the topics described in 
subsection 7f74  7,b7 ,training1        
employment assistance1 and other related
 information and services1 including as 
described in subsection 7h74  7,c7 ,such
 other counseling1 information1 and     
services as the ,secretaries referred to
 in paragraph 7#a7 consider appropriate 
to assist members of the armed forces1  
and their spouses1 in the transition    
from military life to civilian life4    
7#c7 ,agreement ,the ,secretaries       
referred to in paragraph 7#a7 7in this  
section referred to as the administering
 ,secretaries7 shall enter into a       
detailed agreement to carry out this    
section4  7#d7 ,certain responsibilities
 ,in carrying out the program1 the      
administering ,secretaries shall do the 
following3 7,a7 ,work together to       
develop and revise necessary training   
documents1 resources1 and curriculum for

 the purposes of the program4  7,b7 ,in 
providing information in connection with
 preseparation counseling under         
subsection 7f77#d71 use experience      
obtained from implementation of the     
pilot program under section #djh of     
,public ,law #aja-bcg4  7,c7 ,work with 
military and veterans' service          
organizations and other appropriate     
organizations to promote and publicize  
job fairs for members furnished covered 
counseling1 information1 and services   
under the program4  7,d7 ,in the case of
 members furnished covered counseling1  
information1 and services under the     
program who have a spouse-- 7i7 include 
the spouse in such counseling1          
information1 and services1 at the       
election of the member and the spouse2  
and  7ii7 provide job placement         
counseling for the spouse in connection 
with the transition of the member from  
military life to civilian life4  7b7    
,participation of members required ,the 
,secretary of ,defense and the          

,secretary of ,homeland ,security shall 
require the participation in the program
 under this section of all members      
eligible for assistance under the       
program4  7c7 ,service required before  
furnishing of preseparation counseling  
7#a7 ,in general ,subject to paragraph  
7#b71 the ,secretary concerned shall not
 furnish preseparation counseling under 
the program under this section to a     
member who is being discharged or       
released before the completion of the   
first #ahj continuous days of active    
duty of the member4  7#b7 ,retirement or
 separation for disability ,paragraph   
7#a7 shall not apply in the case of a   
member who is being retired or separated
 for disability4  7#c7 ,determination of
 duration of service ,for purposes of   
calculating the days of active duty of a
 member under paragraph 7#a71 the       
,secretary concerned shall exclude any  
day as follows3 7,a7 ,any day on which  
the member performed full-time training 
duty or annual training duty4  7,b7 ,any

 day on which the member attended1 while
 in the active military service1 a      
school designated as a service school by
 law or by the ,secretary concerned4    
7d7 ,commencement and completion  7#a7  
,commencement  7,a7 ,retiring members   
,in the case of a member who is retiring
 from the armed forces1 the furnishing  
of covered counseling1 information1 and 
services to such member under the       
program under this section shall        
commence as early as possible during the
 #bd-month period preceding the         
anticipated retirement date4  7,b7      
,members separated or released ,in the  
case of a member who is being separated 
or released from the armed forces 7other
 than by retirement71 the furnishing of 
counseling1 information1 and services to
 such member under the program shall    
commence not later than #cfe days before
 the anticipated separation or release  
date4  7,c7 ,deadline for commencement  
,except as provided in paragraph 7#d71  
under no circumstances shall the        

furnishing of covered counseling1       
information1 and services to a member   
under the program commence later than   
#cfe days before the date of retirement1
 separation1 or release of the member   
from the armed forces4  7#b7 ,completion
 ,except as provided in paragraph 7#d71 
the furnishing of covered counseling1   
information1 and services to a member   
under the program shall be completed as 
follows3 7,a7 ,in the case of a member  
retiring from the armed forces1 by not  
later than #abj days before the date of 
retirement4  7,b7 ,in the case of a     
member otherwise being separated or     
released from the armed forces1 by not  
later than #ij days before the date of  
separation or release4  7#c7            
,construction ,nothing in this          
subsection may be construed to prohibit 
the furnishing of covered counseling1   
information1 and services to a member   
under the program1 or other counseling1 
assistance1 and information and services
 similar to covered counseling1         

information1 and services1 at times     
other than the times provided for by    
paragraphs 7#a7 and 7#b74  7#d7         
,unanticipated retirement1 separation1  
or release in connection with           
preseparation counseling ,in the event  
that a retirement or other separation or
 released from the armed forces is      
unanticipated until there are #ij or    
fewer days before the anticipated       
retirement or separation or release     
date1 or in the event a member of a     
reserve component is being demobilized  
under circumstances in which 7as        
determined by the ,secretary concerned7 
operational requirements make the       
#abj-;day or #ij-;day requirement under 
paragraph 7#b7 unfeasible1 preseparation
 counseling under the program shall     
begin as soon as possible within the    
remaining period of service4  7e7       
,furnishing on in-,person basis  7#a7   
,in general ,except as provided in      
paragraph 7#b71 covered counseling1     
information1 and services under the     

program under this section shall be     
furnished to a member on an in-person   
basis4  7#b7 ,waiver ,the ,secretary of 
,defense and the ,secretary of ,homeland
 ,security1 as applicable1 may waive the
 requirement in paragraph 7#a7 with     
respect to a particular member if such  
,secretary determines1 using a system   
established by such ,secretary for      
purposes of this paragraph1 that the    
furnishing of covered counseling1       
information1 and services on an online1 
other electronic1 or other basis1 rather
 than on an in-person basis1 is         
necessary to avoid extraordinarily      
significant impediments to immediate    
mission needs4 ,in issuing any such     
waiver1 such ,secretary shall specify1  
in writing1 the grounds for such waiver4
  7f7 ,topics covered by program ,the   
preseparation counseling furnished a    
member under the program under this     
section shall include the following3    
7#a7 ,financial planning assistance1    
including information on budgeting1     

saving1 credit1 loans1 and taxes4  7#b7 
,an explanation of the procedures for   
and advantages of affiliating with the  
,selected ,reserve4  7#c7 ,information  
on programs and benefits related to     
veteran status1 including-- 7,a7 a      
description of health care and other    
benefits to which the member may be     
entitled under the laws administered by 
the ,secretary of ,veterans ,affairs1   
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 benefits2  7,b7 educational    
assistance benefits to which the member 
is entitled under the ,montgomery ,,gi  
,bill and other educational assistance  
programs because of the member's service
 in the armed forces2  7,c7 a           
description of the compensation and     
vocational rehabilitation benefits to   
which the member may be entitled under  
laws administered by the ,secretary of  
,veterans ,affairs1 if the member is    

being medically separated or is being   
retired under chapter #fa of this title2
  7,d7 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 
practices2  7,e7 a description1         
developed in consultation with the      
,secretary of ,veterans ,affairs1 of the
 assistance and support services for    
family caregivers of eligible veterans  
under the program conducted by the      
,secretary of ,veterans ,affairs        
pursuant to section #agbj;,g of title   
#ch1 including the veterans covered by  
the program1 the caregivers eligible for
 assistance and support through the     
program1 and the assistance and support 
available through the program2 and  7,f7
 information1 including appropriate     
training1 on eligibility for enrollment 
and disenrollment in the ,survivor      
,benefit ,plan under chapter #gc of this
 title and other survivor benefits      

available under the laws administered by
 the ,secretary of ,defense or the      
,secretary of ,veterans ,affairs4  7#d7 
,information on civilian employment1    
occupational requirements1 and related  
assistance1 including-- 7,a7 labor      
market information2  7,b7 instruction in
 resume preparation2  7,c7 job analysis 
techniques1 job search techniques1 job  
interview techniques1 and salary        
negotiation techniques2  7,d7           
certification and licensure requirements
 that are applicable to civilian        
occupations1 including ,state-submitted 
and approved lists of military training 
and skills that satisfy occupational    
certifications and licenses2  7,e7      
civilian occupations that correspond to 
military occupational specialties2  7,f7
 information on the requirements under  
section #aadc7;a7 of this title for the 
,department of ,defense and the         
,department of ,homeland ,security to   
provide proper certification or         
verification of job skills and          

experience acquired while on active duty
 that may have application to employment
 in the civilian sector for use in      
seeking civilian employment and in      
obtaining job search skills2  7,g7      
information on government and           
private-sector programs for job search  
and job placement assistance1 and       
information on the placement programs   
established under sections #aaeb and    
#aaec of this title and the             
,troops-to-,teachers ,program2  7,h7    
priority of service for veterans in the 
receipt of employment1 training1 and    
placement services provided under       
qualified job training programs of the  
,department of ,labor2  7,i7 veterans   
small business ownership and            
entrepreneurship programs of the ,small 
,business ,administration and assistance
 to members in their efforts to obtain  
loans and grants from the ,small        
,business ,administration and other     
,federal1 ,state1 and local agencies2   
7,j7 employment and reemployment rights 

and obligations under chapter #dc of    
title #ch2  7,k7 veterans preference in 
,federal employment and ,federal        
procurement opportunities2  7,l7        
disability-related employment and       
education protections2 and  7,m7 career 
and employment opportunities available  
to members with transportation security 
cards issued under section #gjaje of    
title #df4  7#e7 ,information related to
 transition and relocation1 including-- 
7,a7 information on the geographic areas
 in which such members will relocate    
after separation from the armed forces1 
including1 to the degree possible1      
information about employment            
opportunities1 the labor market1 and the
 cost of living in those areas          
7including1 to the extent practicable1  
the cost and availability of housing1   
child care1 education1 and medical and  
dental care72  7,b7 ,federal1 ,state1   
and local programs1 and programs of     
military and veterans' service          
organizations1 that may be of assistance

 to such members after separation from  
the armed forces2  7,c7 counseling 7for 
the member and dependents7 on the effect
 of career change on individuals and    
their families and the availability to  
the member and dependents of suicide    
prevention resources following          
separation from the armed forces2  7,d7 
the availability of mental health       
services and the treatment of           
post-traumatic stress disorder1 anxiety 
disorders1 depression1 suicidal         
ideations1 or other mental health       
conditions associated with service in   
the armed forces and information        
concerning the availability of treatment
 options and resources to address       
substance abuse1 including alcohol1     
prescription drug1 and opioid abuse2    
7,e7 the availability of medical and    
dental coverage following separation    
from active duty1 including the         
opportunity to elect into the conversion
 health policy provided under section   
#aade of this title2 and  7,f7          

information on the required deduction1  
pursuant to subsection 7h7 of section   
#aage;a of this title1 from disability  
compensation paid by the ,secretary of  
,veterans ,affairs of amounts equal to  
any voluntary separation pay received by
 the member under such section4  7g7    
,counseling pathways ,each ,secretary   
concerned shall1 in consultation with   
the ,secretary of ,labor and the        
,secretary of ,veterans ,affairs1       
establish at least three pathways for   
members of the armed forces under the   
jurisdiction of such ,secretary         
concerned to receive individualized     
counseling under this section4 ,the     
pathways shall address the needs of     
members based on the following factors3 
7#a7 ,rank4  7#b7 ,term of service4     
7#c7 ,gender4  7#d7 ,whether the member 
is a member of a regular or reserve     
component of an armed force4  7#e7      
,disability4  7#f7 ,anticipated         
characterization of retirement1         
separation1 or release from the armed   

forces 7including expedited discharge   
and discharge under conditions other    
than honorable74  7#g7 ,health          
7including mental health74  7#h7        
,military occupational specialty4  7#i7 
,whether the member intends1 after      
retirement1 separation1 or release1 to--
 7,a7 seek employment2  7,b7 enroll in a
 program of higher education2  7,c7     
enroll in a program of vocational       
training2 or  7,d7 become an            
entrepreneur4  7#aj7 ,the educational   
history of the member4  7#aa7 ,the      
employment history of the member4  7#ab7
 ,whether the member has secured-- 7,a7 
employment2  7,b7 enrollment in a       
program of education2 or  7,c7          
enrollment in a program of vocational   
training4  7#ac7 ,whether the member has
 a spouse or any dependents4  7#ad7     
,such other factors the ,secretary of   
,defense and the ,secretary of ,homeland
 ,security1 in consultation with the    
,secretary of ,labor and the ,secretary 
of ,veterans ,affairs1 consider         

appropriate4  7h7 ,specific components  
of covered counseling1 information1 and 
services ,the covered counseling1       
information1 and services furnished to a
 member under the program under this    
section shall include the following3    
7#a7 ,preliminary meeting ,before the   
commencement of the furnishing of such  
counseling1 information1 and services   
under the program to the member1 the    
member shall meet in person or by video 
conference with a counselor1 during     
which-- 7,a7 the counselor shall furnish
 to the member-- 7i7 a self-assessment  
jointly designed by the ,secretaries    
concerned 7in consultation with the     
,secretary of ,labor and the ,secretary 
of ,veterans ,affairs7 to ensure that   
the ,secretary concerned places the     
member in the appropriate counseling    
pathway under subsection 7g72  7ii7     
information regarding reenlistment in   
the armed forces2  7iii7 information    
regarding organizations1 entities1 and  
resources 7including resources regarding

 military sexual trauma7 for individuals
 who are retired1 separated1 or released
 from the armed forces that are located 
in the community in which the member    
will reside after retirement1           
separation1 or release1 including       
programs described in subsection        
7f77#e77;,b7 and resources through      
,state veterans agencies as described in
 section #c7;a7 of the ,improving       
,preseparation and ,resources for       
,occupational1 ,vocational1 and         
,educational ,transition for            
,servicemembers ,act2  7iv7 a           
military-civilian equivalency review    
designed to determine what licensing1   
credentialing1 and other requirements   
for occupations in the civilian sector  
align with or would be satisfied by the 
military occupational specialty 7,,mos7 
and other military skills and experience
 of the member2  7v7 an individualized1 
personality-based skills and career     
assessment designed to determine the    
individual and personal strengths and   

career interests of the member2 and     
7vi7 assistance in developing an        
individual transition plan for the      
member to attempt to achieve the        
educational1 training1 employment1 and  
financial objectives of the member and1 
if the member has a spouse1 the spouse  
of the member2 and  7,b7 the member may 
elect one or both of the following3 7i7 
,to have the ,secretary concerned 7in   
consultation with the ,secretary of     
,labor and the ,secretary of ,veterans  
,affairs7 provide the contact           
information of the member to the        
organizations1 entities1 and resources  
described in subparagraph 7,a77iii74    
7ii7 ,to have the ,secretary of ,defense
 and the ,secretary of ,veterans        
,affairs transmit information on the    
member from ,department of ,defense     
,form ,,dd-#bfdh to ,state veterans     
agencies for transmittal to             
community-based organizations and       
related entities that provide or connect
 veterans to benefits and services in   

accordance with section #c of the       
,improving ,preseparation and ,resources
 for ,occupational1 ,vocational1 and    
,educational ,transition for            
,servicemembers ,act4  7#b7 ,general    
instruction ,a course of general        
instruction1 of at least one day1 on    
such topics specified in subsection 7f71
 or otherwise specific to the armed     
force concerned1 as the administering   
,secretaries consider appropriate4  7#c7
 ,instruction on specific post-service  
pathways ,a course of instruction1 of   
not less than two consecutive days1 on  
one of the following matters1 as elected
 by the member3 7,a7 ,employment4  7,b7 
,education4  7,c7 ,entrepreneurship4    
7,d7 ,career and technical training4    
7,e7 ,such other matters as the         
administering ,secretaries consider     
appropriate4  7#d7 ,instruction on      
professional development and employment 
assistance ,a course of instruction1 of 
at least one day1 on general            
professional development and employment 

assistance1 including resume-writing1   
interviewing skills1 and such other     
matters as the administering            
,secretaries consider appropriate4  7#e7
 ,instruction on veterans benefits ,a   
course of instruction1 of at least one  
day1 on the benefits and services       
available under the law administered by 
the ,secretary of ,veterans ,affairs1   
including the manner of application for 
receipt of such benefits and services   
and such other matters in connection    
with such benefits and services as the  
,secretary of ,veterans ,affairs        
considers appropriate4  7#f7            
,participation in apprenticeship        
programs ,for a member otherwise        
eligible to participate in such a       
program1 participation in an            
apprenticeship program registered under 
the ,act of ,august #af1 #aicg 7commonly
 known as the ,national ,apprenticeship 
,act2 #ej ,stat4 #ffd1 chapter #ffc2 #bi
 ,u4,s4,c4 #ej et seq471 or a           
pre-apprenticeship program that provides

 credit toward a program registered     
under such ,act1 that provides          
education1 training1 and services       
necessary to transition to meaningful   
employment that leads to economic       
self-sufficiency4  7#g7 ,order of       
counseling and instruction ,a member    
shall receive the counseling and        
instruction required by paragraphs 7#b7 
and 7#c7 before any other instruction   
required by this subsection4 ,a member  
may undertake any other instruction     
required by this subsection at a pace   
and order satisfactory to the member1   
subject to the requirement to complete  
all such instruction by the deadline    
provided in subsection 7d77#b74  7#h7   
,frequency of training ,the ,secretary  
concerned shall ensure1 to the extent   
practicable and subject to urgent       
mission needs1 that members who elect to
 undergo additional training or         
counseling under this subsection are    
able to do so-- 7,a7 before the time    
periods established under subsection    

7d72 and  7,b7 in addition to such      
training and instruction required during
 such time periods4  7i7 ,record of     
receipt of covered counseling1          
information1 and services in service    
records ,a notation on the receipt of   
counseling and instruction on each      
matter specified in subsections 7f7 and 
7h7 in connection with the furnishing of
 covered counseling1 information1 and   
services under the program under this   
section1 signed by the member concerned1
 shall be placed in the service record  
of each member receiving such counseling
 and instruction4  7j7 ,use of personnel
 and organizations ,in carrying out the 
program under this section1 the         
administering ,secretaries may-- 7#a7   
provide for the use of disabled veterans
 outreach program specialists1 local    
veterans' employment representatives1   
and other employment service personnel  
funded by the ,department of ,labor to  
the extent that the ,secretary of ,labor
 determines that such use will not      

significantly interfere with the        
provision of services or other benefits 
to eligible veterans and other eligible 
recipients of such services or benefits2
  7#b7 use military and civilian        
personnel of the ,department of ,defense
 and the ,department of ,homeland       
,security2  7#c7 use personnel of the   
,veterans ,benefits ,administration of  
the ,department of ,veterans ,affairs   
and other appropriate personnel of that 
,department2  7#d7 use representatives  
of military and veterans' service       
organizations2  7#e7 enter into         
contracts with public entities2  7#f7   
enter into contracts with private       
entities1 particularly with qualified   
private entities that have experience   
with instructing members of the armed   
forces eligible for covered counseling1 
information1 and services under the     
program on-- 7,a7 private sector        
culture1 resume writing1 career         
networking1 and training on job search  
technologies2  7,b7 academic readiness  

and educational opportunities2 and  7,c7
 such other matters in connection with  
the program as the administering        
,secretaries consider appropriate2 and  
7#g7 take such other actions to develop 
and furnish information and services to 
be provided under the program as the    
administering ,secretaries consider     
appropriate4  7k7 ,reports and notice in
 connection with participation of       
members  7#a7 ,information within       
executive branch ,the ,secretary of     
,defense and the ,secretary of ,homeland
 ,security shall each ensure that       
information on participation in the     
program under this section by members   
under the jurisdiction of such          
,secretary 7including timeliness of     
receipt of covered counseling1          
information1 and services1 rates of     
participation on an in-person basis and 
an online or other electronic basis1 and
 number of waivers 7if any7 issued      
pursuant to subsection 7e77#b77 is made 
available by electronic means to the    

following3 7,a7 ,commanders at all      
levels of command at the installations  
concerned4  7,b7 ,all counselors and    
managers of counseling under the        
program4  7,c7 ,the ,secretary of       
,labor1 the ,secretary of ,veterans     
,affairs1 and the heads of any other    
departments and agencies of the ,federal
 ,government involved in the furnishing 
of counseling and other assistance under
 the program4  7#b7 ,annual report to   
congress  7,a7 ,in general ,the         
,secretary of ,defense and the          
,secretary of ,homeland ,security shall 
each submit to ,congress each year a    
report on the furnishing of covered     
counseling1 information1 and services   
under the program to members of the     
armed forces under the jurisdiction of  
such ,secretary during the preceding    
year4 ,each report shall include1 for   
the year covered by such report1 the    
following3 7i7 ,the number of members   
eligible for covered counseling1        
information1 and services under the     

program4  7ii7 ,the number of members   
furnished covered counseling1           
information1 and services under the     
program4  7iii7 ,the number of members  
eligible for covered counseling1        
information1 and services under the     
program who did not participate in the  
program4  7iv7 ,an assessment of the    
extent to which such counseling1        
information1 and services were furnished
 within the times provided for by       
paragraphs 7#a7 and 7#b7 of subsection  
7d74  7v7 ,rates of participation on an 
in-person basis and an online or other  
electronic basis1 and number of waivers 
7if any7 issued pursuant to subsection  
7e77#b74  7vi7 ,the number of members   
placed into each counseling pathway     
established under subsection 7g74  7vii7
 ,the number of members who received    
instruction in each of the post-service 
pathways described in subsection        
7h77#c74  7viii7 ,the number of members 
who participated in an apprenticeship or
 pre-apprenticeship program described in

 subsection 7h77#f74  7ix7 ,the number  
of participants in the programs under   
subsection 7e7 of section #aadc of this 
title 7commonly referred to as ,job     
,training1 ,employment ,skills1         
,apprenticeships and ,internships       
7,,jtest-,,ai7 or ,skill ,bridge74  7x7 
,such other information as is required  
to provide ,congress with a             
comprehensive description of the        
participation of members in the program4
  7,b7 ,presentation of information     
,information in each report under       
subparagraph 7,a7 shall be broken out-- 
7i7 by armed force1 and by component of 
the armed forces2  7ii7 by basis of     
separation from the armed forces        
7whether retirement or other separation 
and whether voluntary or involuntary72  
and  7iii7 by characterization of       
discharge from the armed forces4  7l7   
,transmittal of medical information to  
,department of ,veterans ,affairs ,in   
the case of a member being medically    
separated or being retired under chapter

 #fa of this title1 the ,secretary      
concerned shall ensure 7subject to the  
consent of the member7 that a copy of   
the member's service medical record     
7including any results of a ,physical   
,evaluation ,board7 is transmitted to   
the ,secretary of ,veterans ,affairs    
within #fj days of the separation or    
retirement4  7m7 ,joint service         
transcript ,the ,secretary concerned    
shall provide a copy of the joint       
service transcript of a member of the   
armed forces to the following3 7#a7 ,the
 member-- 7,a7 at the preliminary       
meeting with a counselor under the      
program under this section pursuant to  
subsection 7h77#a72 and  7,b7 on the day
 the member retires1 separates1 or is   
released from the armed forces4  7#b7   
,the ,secretary of ,veterans ,affairs on
 the day the member retirees1 separates1
 or is released from the armed forces4  
4  7#b7 ,clerical amendments ,the table 
of sections at the beginning of chapter 
#eh of such title is amended-- 7,a7 by  

striking the item relating to section   
#aadb and inserting the following new   
item3  #aadb4 ,transition-related       
counseling and services3 ,transition    
,assistance ,program4  2 and  7,b7 by   
striking the item relating to section   
#aadd4  7b7 ,deadline for implementation
 of revised program  7#a7 ,in general   
,the administering ,secretaries shall   
take appropriate actions to carry out   
any modifications to the ,transition    
,assistance ,program under section #aadb
 of title #aj1 ,united ,states ,code1   
that are required by reason of the      
amendments made by subsection 7a7 by not
 later than the date that is one year   
after the date of the enactment of this 
,act in order to ensure that the        
furnishing of covered counseling1       
information1 and services to members of 
the ,armed ,forces under the ,program is
 fully implemented as of such date4     
7#b7 ,report ,not later than #abj days  
after the date of the enactment of this 
,act1 the administering ,secretaries    

shall submit to the appropriate         
committees of ,congress a report on     
specific actions to be taken to         
implement any modifications to the      
,transition ,assistance ,program under  
section #aadb of title #aj1 ,united     
,states ,code1 that are required by     
reason of the amendments made by        
subsection 7a74  7#c7 ,definitions ,in  
this subsection1 the terms administering
 ,secretaries and covered counseling1   
information1 and services have the      
meanings given such terms for purposes  
of section #aadb of title #aj1 ,united  
,states ,code1 as amended by subsection 
7a74  #c4 ,connections of members       
retiring or separating from the ,armed  
,forces with community-based            
organizations and related entities  7a7 
,in general ,the ,secretary of ,defense 
and the ,secretary of ,veterans ,affairs
 shall jointly seek to enter into       
memoranda of understanding 7,m,o,us7 or 
other agreements with ,state veterans   
agencies under which information from   

,department of ,defense ,form ,,dd-#bfdh
 on individuals undergoing retirement1  
discharge1 or release from the ,armed   
,forces is transmitted to one or more   
,state veterans agencies1 as elected by 
such individuals1 to provide or connect 
veterans to benefits or services as     
follows3 7#a7 ,assistance in preparation
 of resumes4  7#b7 ,training for        
employment interviews4  7#c7 ,employment
 recruitment training4  7#d7 ,other     
services leading directly to a          
successful transition from military life
 to civilian life4  7#e7 ,healthcare1   
including care for mental health4  7#f7 
,transportation or                      
transportation-related services4  7#g7  
,housing4  7#h7 ,such other benefits or 
services as the ,secretaries jointly    
consider appropriate for purposes of    
this section4  7b7 ,information         
transmitted ,the information transmitted
 on individuals as described in         
subsection 7a7 shall be such information
 on ,form ,,dd-#bfdh as the ,secretaries

 jointly consider appropriate to        
facilitate community-based organizations
 and related entities in providing or   
connecting such individuals to benefits 
and services as described in subsection 
7a74  7c7 ,modification of ,form        
,,dd-#bfdh ,the ,secretary of ,defense  
shall make such modifications to ,form  
,,dd-#bfdh as the ,secretary considers  
appropriate to allow an individual      
filling out the form to indicate an     
email address at which the individual   
may be contacted to receive or be       
connected to benefits or services       
described in subsection 7a74  7d7       
,voluntary participation ,information on
 an individual may be transmitted to and
 through a ,state veterans agency as    
described in subsection 7a7 only with   
the consent of the individual4 ,in      
giving such consent1 an individual shall
 specify the following3 7#a7 ,the ,state
 veterans agency or agencies elected by 
the individual to transmit such         
information as described in subsection  

7a74  7#b7 ,the benefits and services   
for which contact information shall be  
so transmitted4  7#c7 ,such other       
information on the individual as the    
individual considers appropriate in     
connection with the transmittal4  7e7   
,database on organizations and entities 
7#a7 ,in general ,the ,secretary of     
,veterans ,affairs shall1 in            
coordination with the ,secretary of     
,defense and ,state veterans agencies1  
establish and maintain a database of    
community-based programs and related    
entities that ,state veterans agencies  
may provide or connect veterans to      
benefits and services described in      
subsection 7a74  7#b7 ,access ,access to
 the database shall be provided to the  
following3 7,a7 ,members of the ,armed  
,forces who are retiring1 separating1 or
 being released from the ,armed ,forces4
  7,b7 ,veterans4  7#c7 ,information for
 database ,in developing the database   
required by paragraph 7#a71 the         
,secretary of ,veterans ,affairs shall  

use information obtained by the         
,secretary pursuant to section #dja of  
the ,veterans ,benefits and ,transition 
,act of #bjah 7,public ,law #aae-djg74  
#d4 ,personnel matters in connection    
with ,transition ,assistance ,program   
7a7 ,minimum number of dedicated        
personnel  7#a7 ,in general ,the        
,secretary of ,defense shall take       
appropriate actions to ensure that the  
minimum number of full-time equivalent  
personnel of the ,department of ,defense
 dedicated to counseling and other      
activities under the ,transition        
,assistance ,program at each military   
installation each year is not less than 
one for every #bej members of the ,armed
 ,forces generally projected to be      
eligible for participation in the       
,transition ,assistance ,program and    
their spouses at such military          
installation in such year4 ,the         
,secretary may not satisfy the          
requirement in this paragraph through   
the use of contractor personnel4  7#b7  

,applicability ,the ,secretary shall    
comply with the requirement in paragraph
 7#a7 commencing not later than one year
 after the date of the enactment of this
 ,act4  7b7 ,minimum civilian workplace 
requirement  7#a7 ,in general ,for      
purposes of providing counseling under  
and otherwise administering the         
,transition ,assistance ,program1 the   
,secretary of ,defense shall take       
appropriate actions to ensure that1 to  
the maximum extent practicable1 each    
individual employed by the ,department  
of ,defense to provide counseling under 
the ,transition ,assistance ,program has
 both prior military experience and not 
less than two years of experience in    
civilian employment at the time of      
employment by the ,department for such  
purposes4  7#b7 ,sense of ,congress ,it 
is the sense of ,congress that1 in      
employing individuals to provide        
counseling under the ,transition        
,assistance ,program1 the ,secretary    
should consider affording a preference  

to individuals with longevity of        
experience in civilian employment at the
 time of employment by the ,department  
for that purpose4  7#c7 ,applicability  
,the ,secretary shall comply with the   
requirement in paragraph 7#a7 commencing
 not later than #ij days after the date 
of the enactment of this ,act4  7c7     
,report on implementation ,not later    
than one year after the date of the     
enactment of this ,act1 the ,secretary  
of ,defense shall submit to ,congress a 
report on the actions taken to implement
 this section1 including-- 7#a7 the     
actions taken to implement subsection   
7b72  7#b7 the number of individuals    
employed by the ,department under       
subsection 7b72  7#c7 the percentage of 
individuals employed in connection with 
the ,transition ,assistance ,program who
 meet the requirement in subsection     
7b77#a72 and  7#d7 such other           
information as the ,secretary considers 
appropriate4  7d7 ,transition           
,assistance ,program defined ,in this   

section1 the term ,transition           
,assistance ,program means the program  
of counseling1 information1 and services
 under section #aadb of title #aj1      
,united ,states ,code 7as amended by    
section #b of this ,act74  #e4 ,systems 
for tracking participation in           
,transition ,assistance ,program and    
related programs  7a7 ,systems for      
tracking participation  7#a7 ,in general
 ,commencing not later than one year    
after the date of the enactment of this 
,act1 the ,secretary of ,defense and the
 ,secretary of ,homeland ,security shall
 each establish and maintain an         
electronic tracking system and database1
 applicable across the ,armed ,forces1  
in order to collect1 assemble1 and make 
available as described in paragraph 7#b7
 information on the participation and   
progress of members of the ,armed       
,forces under the jurisdiction of such  
,secretary in the ,transition           
,assistance ,program at the individual1 
installation1 and total forces levels1  

including information on the following3 
7,a7 ,compliance with the commencement  
and completion timeframes of the        
,transition ,assistance ,program        
required by subsection 7d7 of section   
#aadb of title #aj1 ,united ,states     
,code 7as amended by section #b of this 
,act74  7,b7 ,participation and         
completion by members of the specific   
elements of the ,transition ,assistance 
,program described in subsection 7h7 of 
such section #aadb4  7,c7 ,notes made by
 counselors in connection with the      
provision of casework and other services
 under the ,transition ,assistance      
,program4  7,d7 ,such other matters in  
connection with participation and       
progress of members in the ,transition  
,assistance ,program as such ,secretary 
considers appropriate4  7#b7            
,availability of information            
,information in the tracking systems and
 databases required by paragraph 7#a71  
other than information described in     
paragraph 7#a77;,c71 shall be available 

as follows3 7,a7 ,to members of the     
,armed ,forces undergoing the transition
 from military life to civilian life1   
for the personal information of members4
  7,b7 ,to commanders of members of the 
,armed ,forces at all levels of command 
for members under their command4  7,c7  
,to all counselors and managers of      
counseling under the ,transition        
,assistance ,program for members they   
serve4  7,d7 ,to the ,secretary of      
,labor1 the ,secretary of ,veterans     
,affairs1 and the heads of any other    
departments and agencies of the ,federal
 ,government involved in the furnishing 
of counseling and services under the    
,transition ,assistance ,program4  7b7  
,digital portal  7#a7 ,in general       
,commencing not later than two years    
after the date of the enactment of this 
,act1 each ,secretary concerned shall   
establish and maintain an interactive1  
,internet-based platform for members of 
the ,armed ,forces under the            
jurisdiction of such ,secretary to act  

as a portal for members undergoing      
counseling under the ,transition        
,assistance ,program in order to permit 
such members to do the following3 7,a7  
,view information on and track progress 
of the member concerned in the required 
instruction and counseling of the       
,transition ,assistance ,program4  7,b7 
,view the individual assessments of the 
member concerned taken pursuant to      
clauses 7i7 and 7v7 of subsection       
7h77#a77;,a7 of section #aadb of title  
#aj1 ,united ,states ,code 7as amended  
by section #b of this ,act74  7,c7 ,view
 and make changes to the transition plan
 of the member concerned as described in
 subsection 7h77#a77;,a77vi7 of such    
section #aadb4  7,d7 ,access information
 on the programs and resources available
 to members of the ,armed ,forces and   
their spouses at the military           
installation concerned in connection    
with the ,transition ,assistance        
,program4  7,e7 ,access information and 
resources related to the topics under   

subsection 7f7 of such section #aadb4   
7,f7 ,access the online version of the  
curriculum of instruction under the     
,transition ,assistance ,program4  7,g7 
,access and download a digital copy of  
the ,joint ,service ,transcript of the  
member concerned4  7,h7 ,schedule1 view1
 or change appointments with counselors 
in connection with the ,transition      
,assistance ,program4  7,i7 ,access the 
database maintained pursuant under      
section #c7;d74  7,j7 ,take the surveys 
conducted pursuant to section #f7;a74   
7,k7 ,access such other digital         
information and resources in connection 
with the ,transition ,assistance        
,program as the ,secretaries concerned  
and the administering ,secretaries      
jointly consider appropriate4  7#b7     
,protection of privacy ,in carrying out 
this subsection1 the ,secretaries       
concerned shall take all necessary and  
appropriate actions to protect the      
personal privacy of individual members  
of the ,armed ,forces as required by    

law4  7c7 ,definitions ,in this section3
 7#a7 ,the term ,transition ,assistance 
,program means the program of           
counseling1 information1 and services   
under section #aadb of title #aj1       
,united ,states ,code 7as amended by    
section #b of this ,act74  7#b7 ,the    
term ,secretary concerned has the       
meaning given that term in section      
#aja7;a77#i7 of title #aj1 ,united      
,states ,code4  7#c7 ,the term          
administering ,secretaries has the      
meaning given that term for purposes of 
section #aadb of title #aj1 ,united     
,states ,code 7as so amended74  #f4     
,surveys on member experiences with     
,transition ,assistance ,program        
counseling and services and in          
transition to civilian life  7a7        
,surveys on member experiences with     
,transition ,assistance ,program        
counseling1 information1 and services   
7#a7 ,in general ,each ,secretary       
concerned shall conduct surveys of      
members of the ,armed ,forces under the 

jurisdiction of such ,secretary at the  
conclusion of the receipt by such       
members of counseling1 information1 and 
services under the ,transition          
,assistance ,program in order to assess 
the experiences of such members1 and    
their spouses 7if applicable71 in the   
receipt of such counseling1 information1
 and services4  7#b7 ,elements ,the     
surveys under paragraph 7#a7 shall be   
designed to obtain information on the   
,transition ,assistance ,program as     
follows3 7,a7 ,member assessments of the
 quality of instruction4  7,b7 ,member  
satisfaction with the scope and quality 
of courses and services1 including      
courses under paragraphs 7#b71 7#c71 and
 7#d7 of subsection 7h7 of section #aadb
 of title #aj1 ,united ,states ,code 7as
 amended by section #b of this ,act74   
7,c7 ,member assessments of the adequacy
 of courses and services to meet member 
transition needs4  7,d7 ,obstacles or   
barriers confronted by members in       
accessing counseling and services4  7,e7

 ,whether members participated in the   
curriculum of the ,transition           
,assistance ,program on an in-person    
basis or an online1 other electronic1 or
 other basis4  7,f7 ,such other matters 
as the administering ,secretaries shall 
specify for purposes of this subsection4
  7#c7 ,commencement ,each ,secretary   
concerned shall commence the conduct of 
surveys pursuant to paragraph 7#a7 by   
not later than #abj days after the date 
of the enactment of this ,act4  7b7     
,pilot program on surveys on member     
experiences in transition to civilian   
life  7#a7 ,in general ,the ,secretary  
of ,veterans ,affairs shall1 in         
consultation with the ,secretary of     
,defense1 the ,secretary of ,homeland   
,security1 the ,secretary of ,education1
 and the ,secretary of ,labor1 conduct a
 pilot program to assess the feasibility
 and advisability of surveying veterans 
who have been retired1 discharged1 or   
released from the ,armed ,forces for at 
least one year1 and not longer than four

 years1 at the time of a survey in order
 to assess the experiences of such      
veterans in the transition from military
 life to civilian life4  7#b7 ,manner of
 conduct ,the ,secretary of ,veterans   
,affairs may conduct the survey under   
the pilot program through a contract    
with a qualified non-governmental       
organization selected by the ,secretary 
for purposes of the pilot program4  7#c7
 ,elements ,the survey under the pilot  
program shall be designed to obtain the 
information on the following3 7,a7      
,current employment status1 and         
employment history since retirement or  
separation4  7,b7 ,receipt1 whether     
currently or in the past1 of            
unemployment benefits4  7,c7            
,educational attainment after military  
service4  7,d7 ,participation of or     
membership in a veterans' service       
organization or other support or other  
group oriented towards veterans4  7,e7  
,satisfaction with transition1 including
 satisfaction with counseling and       

assistance received in connection with  
transition 7whether pursuant to the     
,transition ,assistance ,program or a   
program under any other provision of    
law74  7,f7 ,whether veterans           
participated in the curriculum of the   
,transition ,assistance ,program on an  
in-person basis or an online1 other     
electronic1 or other basis4  7,g7       
,challenges faced during transition4    
7,h7 ,if married at the time of         
transition-- 7i7 participation of spouse
 in the counseling and assistance       
described in subparagraph 7,e72 and     
7ii7 satisfaction of spouse with the    
counseling and assistance described in  
subparagraph 7,e71 if any1 participated 
in by the spouse4  7,i7 ,whether        
veterans felt sufficiently prepared for 
a career1 education1 or other           
advancement after military service as a 
result of participation in the          
,transition ,assistance ,program4  7,j7 
,recommendations for improvements to the
 counseling and assistance furnished in 

connection with transition1 or for other
 mechanisms to ease and facilitate      
transition4  7,k7 ,such other matters as
 the ,secretary of ,veterans ,affairs1  
in consultation with the other          
,secretaries referred to in paragraph   
7#a71 considers appropriate4  7#d7      
,survey results ,the results of the     
survey under the pilot program shall be 
broken out by number of years           
post-separation of the veterans covered 
by the survey4  7#e7 ,report ,not later 
than two years after the date of the    
enactment of this ,act1 the ,secretary  
of ,veterans ,affairs shall submit to   
the appropriate committees of ,congress 
a report on the pilot program4 ,the     
report shall set forth the following3   
7,a7 ,the results of the survey         
conducted under the pilot program4  7,b7
 ,an assessment by the ,secretary of the
 feasibility and advisability of        
continuing surveys such as the survey   
under the pilot program on a permanent  
basis1 as frequently as once every two  

years or such other frequency as the    
,secretary considers appropriate4  7c7  
,protection of privacy ,in carrying out 
this section1 the administering         
,secretaries1 the ,secretary of         
,education1 and the ,secretaries        
concerned shall take all necessary and  
appropriate actions to protect the      
personal privacy of individual members  
of the ,armed ,forces and veterans as   
required by law4  7d7 ,definitions ,in  
this section3 7#a7 ,the term ,transition
 ,assistance ,program means the program 
of counseling1 information1 and services
 under section #aadb of title #aj1      
,united ,states ,code 7as amended by    
section #b of this ,act74  7#b7 ,the    
term ,secretary concerned has the       
meaning given that term in section      
#aja7;a77#i7 of title #aj1 ,united      
,states ,code4  7#c7 ,the term          
administering ,secretaries has the      
meaning given that term for purposes of 
section #aadb of title #aj1 ,united     
,states ,code 7as so amended74  #g4     

,command matters in connection with     
transition assistance programs  7a7     
,inclusion of support for participation 
in programs in command climate          
assessments ,each command climate       
assessment for the commander of a       
military installation shall include an  
assessment of the extent to which the   
commander and other command personnel at
 the installation encourage and support 
the participation in covered transition 
assistance programs of members of the   
,armed ,forces at the installation who  
are eligible for participation in such  
programs4  7b7 ,training on programs    
,the training provided a commander of a 
military installation in connection with
 the commencement of assignment to the  
installation shall include a module on  
the covered transition assistance       
programs available for members of the   
,armed ,forces assigned to the          
installation4  7c7 ,covered transition  
assistance programs defined ,in this    
section1 the term covered transition    

assistance programs means the following3
 7#a7 ,the program of counseling1       
information1 and services under section 
#aadb of title #aj1 ,united ,states     
,code1 as amended by section #b of this 
,act 7commonly referred to as the       
,transition ,assistance ,program74  7#b7
 ,the programs under section #aadc7;e7  
of title #aj1 ,united ,states ,code     
7commonly referred to as ,job ,training1
 ,employment ,skills1 ,apprenticeships  
and ,internships 7,,jtest-,,ai7 or      
,skill ,bridge74  7#c7 ,any other       
program of apprenticeship1 on-the-job   
training1 internship1 or transition     
assistance specified by the ,secretary  
of ,defense for purposes of this        
section4  #h4 ,comptroller ,general of  
the ,united ,states report on           
participation in transition assistance  
programs at small and remote military   
installations  7a7 ,report required ,not
 later than #ah months after the date of
 the enactment of this ,act1 the        
,comptroller ,general of the ,united    

,states shall submit to the appropriate 
committees of ,congress a report on a   
review1 conducted by the ,comptroller   
,general for purposes of the report1 on 
the participation in covered transition 
assistance programs of members of the   
,armed ,forces assigned to small        
military installations and remote       
military installations in the ,united   
,states4  7b7 ,covered transition       
assistance programs ,for purposes of    
this section1 covered transition        
assistance programs are the following3  
7#a7 ,the ,transition ,assistance       
,program4  7#b7 ,the programs under     
section #aadc7;e7 of title #aj1 ,united 
,states ,code 7commonly referred to as  
,job ,training1 ,employment ,skills1    
,apprenticeships and ,internships       
7,,jtest-,,ai7 or ,skill ,bridge74  7#c7
 ,any other program of apprenticeship1  
on-the-job training1 or internship      
offered at a small military installation
 or remote installation that the        
,comptroller ,general considers         

appropriate for inclusion in the review 
under this section4  7c7 ,small military
 installations2 remote military         
installations ,for purposes of this     
section3 7#a7 ,a small military         
installation is an installation at which
 are assigned not more than #aj1jjj     
members of the ,armed ,forces4  7#b7 ,a 
remote military installation is an      
installation that is located more than  
#ej miles from any city with a          
population of #ej1jjj people or more 7as
 determined by the ,office of           
,management and ,budget74  7d7 ,scope of
 review ,in conducting the review1 the  
,comptroller ,general shall evaluate    
participation in covered transition     
assistance programs at a number of small
 military installations and remote      
military installations that is          
sufficient to provide a complete        
understanding of the participation in   
such programs of members of the ,armed  
,forces at such installations throughout
 the ,united ,states4  7e7 ,elements    

,the review under this section shall    
include the following3 7#a7 ,rates of   
participation of members of the ,armed  
,forces in covered transition assistance
 programs at small military             
installations and remote military       
installations in the ,united ,states4   
7#b7 ,in the case of the ,transition    
,assistance ,program1 the following3    
7,a7 ,compliance with the deadlines for 
participation provided for in subsection
 7d7 of section #aadb of title #aj1     
,united ,states ,code 7as amended by    
section #b of this ,act74  7,b7 ,a      
comparison between rates of             
participation in person and rates of    
participation on line4  7,c7 ,the       
average ratio of permanent1 full-time   
equivalent program staff to             
participating members at small military 
installations and at remote military    
installations4  7,d7 ,the average number
 of program staff 7including full-time  
equivalent staff and contractor staff7  
physically and permanently located on   

installation at small military          
installations and at remote military    
installations4  7#c7 ,such other matters
 with respect to participation in       
covered transition assistance programs  
of members assigned to small military   
installations and remote military       
installations as the ,comptroller       
,general considers appropriate4  7f7    
,transition ,assistance ,program defined
 ,in this section1 the term ,transition 
,assistance ,program means the program  
of counseling1 information1 and services
 under section #aadb of title #aj1      
,united ,states ,code 7as amended by    
section #b of this ,act74  #i4          
,education of members of the ,armed     
,forces on career readiness and         
professional development  7a7 ,programs 
of education required  7#a7 ,in general 
,chapter #aja of title #aj1 ,united     
,states ,code1 is amended by inserting  
after section #bjae the following new   
section3  #bjae;a4 ,education of members
 on career readiness and professional   

development  7a7 ,program of education  
required ,the ,secretary of ,defense    
shall carry out a program to provide    
education on career readiness and       
professional development to members of  
the armed forces4  7b7 ,elements ,the   
program under this section shall provide
 members with the following3 7#a7       
,information on the transition plan as  
described in section                    
#aadb7;h77#a77;,a77vi7 of this title4   
7#b7 ,information on opportunities      
available to members during military    
service for professional development and
 preparation for a career after military
 service1 including-- 7,a7 programs of  
education1 certification1 training1 and 
employment assistance 7including        
programs under sections #aadc7;e71      
#bjjg1 and #bjae of this title72 and    
7,b7 programs and resources available to
 members in communities in the vicinity 
of military installations4  7#c7        
,instruction on the use of online and   
other electronic mechanisms in order to 

access the education1 training1 and     
assistance and resources described in   
paragraph 7#b74  7#d7 ,such other       
information1 instruction1 and matters as
 the ,secretary shall specify for       
purposes of this section4  7c7 ,timing  
of provision of information ,subject to 
subsection 7d71 information1            
instruction1 and other matters under the
 program under this section shall be    
provided to members at the times as     
follows3 7#a7 ,upon arrival at first    
duty station4  7#b7 ,upon arrival at any
 subsequent duty station4  7#c7 ,upon   
deployment4  7#d7 ,upon promotion4  7#e7
 ,upon reenlistment4  7#f7 ,at any other
 point in a military career specified by
 the ,secretary for purposes of this    
section4  7d7 ,single provision of      
information in a year with multiple     
events ,a member who has received       
information and instruction under the   
program under this section in connection
 with an event specified in subsection  
7c7 in a year may elect not to undergo  

additional receipt of information and   
instruction under the program in        
connection with another such event in   
the year1 unless such other event is    
arrival at a new duty station4  4  7#b7 
,clerical amendment ,the table of       
sections at the beginning of chapter    
#aja of such title is amended by        
inserting after the item relating to    
section #bjae the following new item3   
#bjae;a4 ,education of members on career
 readiness and professional development4
  4  7b7 ,report on implementation ,not 
later than one year after the date of   
the enactment of this ,act1 the         
,secretary of ,defense shall submit to  
the appropriate committees of ,congress 
a report on the program of education    
required by section #bjae;a of title    
#aj1 ,united ,states ,code 7as added by 
subsection 7a771 including the          
following3 7#a7 ,a comprehensive        
description of the actions taken to     
implement the program of education4     
7#b7 ,a comprehensive description of the

 program of education4  #aj4 ,sense of  
,congress on ,transition ,assistance    
,program and other transition-related   
assistance for members of the ,armed    
,forces ,it is the sense of ,congress-- 
7#a7 to acknowledge that the ,armed     
,forces face significant and often      
competing pressures in carrying out its 
essential and fundamental mission to    
defend the nation2  7#b7 that ensuring  
the effective transition of members of  
the ,armed ,forces from military life to
 civilian life represents an essential  
component of this mission1 contributing 
directly to the long-term success of the
 ,united ,states military and its       
missions through its effects on-- 7,a7  
the long-term success and well-being of 
current and former members of the ,armed
 ,forces and their families2  7,b7 the  
perception of the ,armed ,forces by the 
,american public2 and  7,c7 the         
civilian-military partnership integral  
to the ,united ,states military2  7#c7  
that the program of counseling1         

information1 and services under section 
#aadb of title #aj1 ,united ,states     
,code 7as amended by section #b of this 
,act71 while effective in the worthy    
goal of reducing the need for           
unemployment assistance among former    
members of the ,armed ,forces1 should be
 designed and carried out for the       
holistic benefit1 in both good and bad  
economic climates1 of members of the    
,armed ,forces participating in the     
program1 and not simply as a metric or  
tool for employment2  7#d7 to support   
and commend efforts by the ,department  
of ,defense1 the ,department of ,labor1 
and other agencies of the ,federal      
,government in coordinating ,federal and
 ,state efforts to assist members of the
 ,armed ,forces in identifying civilian 
equivalences for military occupational  
skills1 but also to urge the ,department
 of ,defense to ensure that the         
,transition ,assistance ,program also   
provides members the tools and          
assistance for reinventing themselves   

during the transition from military life
 to civilian life1 even when their new  
personal and professional goals do not  
align with their military occupations2  
7#e7 to commend and further encourage   
efforts to incorporate metrics for      
compliance with ,transition ,assistance 
,program requirements into leadership   
assessments and criteria for promotion  
of commanding officers in the ,armed    
,forces2  7#f7 to encourage the         
,secretary of ,defense to assign        
accountability and responsibility for   
compliance with ,transition ,assistance 
,program requirements to the lowest     
level of command appropriate and to     
establish uniform1 ,armed ,forces-wide  
policy on the individuals at unit level 
who are responsible for monitoring      
compliance of members of the ,armed     
,forces with such requirements2  7#g7   
that the ,secretary of ,defense should  
seek to enhance collaboration and access
 to transition-related services by      
members of the ,armed ,forces by seeking

 to co-locate ,federal1 ,state1 and     
local officials and contractors who     
administer the ,transition ,assistance  
,program and ,state and local officials 
and partner1 non-governmental entities  
associated with the ,transition         
,assistance ,program or who offer       
transition-related services in the same 
or proximate physical locations1 when   
possible2  7#h7 that the ,secretary of  
,defense and the ,secretary of ,labor   
should seek to minimize subjectivity in 
career readiness metrics under the      
,transition ,assistance ,program in     
accordance with recommendations of the  
,comptroller ,general of the ,united    
,states2 and  7#i7 to encourage the     
,department of ,defense1 the ,department
 of ,labor1 the ,department of ,veterans
 ,affairs and appropriate ,state        
agencies to work together1 and with     
veterans service organizations1 to      
establish in ,states or locales1 as     
appropriate1 local points of contact    
responsible for-- 7,a7 at the election  

of members of the ,armed ,forces        
relocating to such ,state or locale     
after military service1 contacting the  
members before separation from the      
,armed ,forces2  7,b7 providing members 
of the ,armed ,force with employment1   
education1 and other appropriate        
information about the ,state or locale  
to assist in relocation2 and  7,c7      
coordinating services for members of the
 ,armed ,forces and the spouses who     
relocate to the ,state or locale after  
military service4