United States Code

2019—Pub. L. 116–92, div. A, title V, §§551(b)(2), 553(b)(2), Dec. 20, 2019, 133 Stat. 1386, 1387, substituted "Detail as students at law schools; commissioned officers; certain enlisted members" for "Detail of commissioned officers as students at law schools" in item 2004 and added item 2017.

2016—Pub. L. 114–328, div. A, title XII, §1244(d), Dec. 23, 2016, 130 Stat. 2518, struck out items 2010 "Participation of developing countries in combined exercises: payment of incremental expenses" and 2011 "Special operations forces: training with friendly foreign forces".

2014—Pub. L. 113–291, div. A, title V, §551(b), Dec. 19, 2014, 128 Stat. 3377, substituted "Program to assist members in obtaining professional credentials" for "Payment of expenses to obtain professional credentials" in item 2015.

2013—Pub. L. 113–66, div. A, title V, §541(b), Dec. 26, 2013, 127 Stat. 762, added item 2006a.

2009—Pub. L. 111–84, div. A, title V, §§521(b), 525(b)(2), Oct. 28, 2009, 123 Stat. 2285, 2287, added items 2004b and 2016.

2006—Pub. L. 109–364, div. A, title V, §536(b), Oct. 17, 2006, 120 Stat. 2209, added item 2004a.

Pub. L. 109–163, div. A, title V, §538(b), Jan. 6, 2006, 119 Stat. 3250, added item 2015.

1997—Pub. L. 105–85, div. A, title III, §325(b), Nov. 18, 1997, 111 Stat. 1679, added item 2014.

1996—Pub. L. 104–201, div. A, title III, §362(a)(2), Sept. 23, 1996, 110 Stat. 2493, added item 2013.

Pub. L. 104–106, div. A, title V, §572(b), Feb. 10, 1996, 110 Stat. 355, added item 2012.

1994—Pub. L. 103–337, div. A, title XVI, §1671(b)(12), Oct. 5, 1994, 108 Stat. 3014, struck out item 2001 "Reserve components".

1991—Pub. L. 102–190, div. A, title X, §1052(a)(2), Dec. 5, 1991, 105 Stat. 1471, added item 2011.

1990—Pub. L. 101–510, div. A, title XIV, §1484(i)(3)(B), (4)(B), Nov. 5, 1990, 104 Stat. 1718, struck out "of the military departments" after "officers" in item 2004 and substituted "Payment" for "Limitation on payment" in item 2007.

1986—Pub. L. 99–661, div. A, title XIII, §1321(a)(2), Nov. 14, 1986, 100 Stat. 3988, added item 2010.

1984—Pub. L. 98–525, title VII, §706(a)(2), title XIV, §§1401(g)(2), 1405(31), Oct. 19, 1984, 98 Stat. 2570, 2619, 2624, substituted a colon for a semicolon in item 2003 and added items 2006 to 2009.

1980—Pub. L. 96–357, §2(b), Sept. 24, 1980, 94 Stat. 1182, added item 2005.

1973—Pub. L. 93–155, title VIII, §817(b), Nov. 16, 1973, 87 Stat. 622, added item 2004.

1971—Pub. L. 92–168, §4(2), Nov. 24, 1971, 85 Stat. 489, added item 2003.

1970—Pub. L. 91–278, §2(3), June 12, 1970, 84 Stat. 306, substituted "armed forces" for "Army, Navy, Air Force, or Marine Corps" in item 2002.

1965—Pub. L. 89–160, §1(2), Sept. 1, 1965, 79 Stat. 615, added item 2002.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Protection and Legal Preparedness for Members of the Armed Forces Abroad

Pub. L. 118–31, div. A, title XII, §1229, Dec. 22, 2023, 137 Stat. 456, provided that:

"(a) Review and Briefing Required.—

"(1) In general.—Not later than December 31, 2024, the Secretary of State, in coordination with the Secretary of Defense, shall—

"(A) review the legal protections afforded by bilateral agreements between the United States and the countries listed in paragraph (2), and how the rights and privileges afforded under such agreements may differ from United States law; and

"(B) brief the appropriate congressional committees on the findings of the review.

"(2) Countries listed.—The countries listed in this paragraph are the following:

"(A) Australia.

"(B) Bahrain.

"(C) Germany.

"(D) Italy.

"(E) Japan.

"(F) Kuwait.

"(G) Qatar.

"(H) South Korea.

"(I) Spain.

"(J) Turkey.

"(K) The United Kingdom.

"(L) Any other country the Secretary of Defense determines to be appropriate.

"(3) Matters to be included.—The review required by paragraph (1)(A) shall address whether the legal protections afforded by bilateral agreements between the United States and the countries listed in paragraph (2) provide members of the Armed Forces who are stationed in the country, and the spouses and dependents of such members who are covered by the agreements, with the right to legal counsel, access to competent language translation services, a prompt and speedy trial, the right to be confronted with witnesses against the member, spouse, or dependent, and a compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in favor of the member, spouse, or dependent if the witness is located in the jurisdiction of the country.

"(4) Appropriate congressional committees defined.—In this subsection, the term 'appropriate congressional committees' means—

"(A) the Committee on Armed Services and the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of Representatives; and

"(B) the Committee on Armed Services and the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate.

"(b) Training Required.—The Secretary of Defense shall review and improve as necessary training and educational materials for members of the Armed Forces who are stationed in a country reviewed pursuant to subsection (a)(1)(A), and the spouses and dependents of such members who are covered by the agreements, regarding relevant foreign laws, how such foreign laws may differ from the laws of the United States, and the rights of accused in common scenarios under such foreign laws.

"(c) Translation Standards and Readiness.—The Secretary of Defense shall review foreign language standards for members of the Armed Forces and employees of the Department of Defense who are responsible for providing foreign language translation services in situations involving foreign law enforcement where such a member or employee may be being detained, to ensure such members and employees maintain an appropriate proficiency in the legal terminology and meaning of essential terms in a relevant language."

Course of Education and Pilot Program on Authentication of Digital Content Provenance for Certain Department of Defense Media Content

Pub. L. 118–31, div. A, title XV, §1524, Dec. 22, 2023, 137 Stat. 554, provided that:

"(a) Course of Education.—

"(1) In general.—Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act [Dec. 22, 2023], the Secretary of Defense, acting through the Director of the Defense Media Activity, shall establish a course of education at the Defense Information School, the purpose of which shall be to provide instruction on the practical concepts and skills needed by public affairs, audiovisual, visual information, and records management specialists to understand the following:

"(A) Digital content provenance for applicable Department media content.

"(B) The challenges posed to missions and operations of the Department by a digital content forgery.

"(C) How industry open technical standards may be used to authenticate the digital content provenance of applicable Department media content.

"(2) Matters.—The course of education under paragraph (1) shall cover the following matters:

"(A) The challenges to missions and operations of the Department posed by a digital content forgery.

"(B) The development of industry open technical standards for authenticating the digital content provenance of applicable Department media content.

"(C) Hands-on training on techniques to record secure and authenticated digital content to document and communicate relevant themes and messages of the Department.

"(D) Training on—

"(i) the use of industry open technical standards for authenticating digital content provenance in the completion of post-production tasks; and

"(ii) the transmission of applicable Department media content in both operational and nonoperational environments.

"(E) Such other matters as the Director of the Defense Media Activity considers appropriate.

"(3) Report.—Not later than one year after the date of the establishment of the course of education under paragraph (1), the Director of the Defense Media Activity shall submit to the Committees on Armed Services of the House of Representatives and the Senate a report on the following:

"(A) The status of the development of a curriculum for such course of education.

"(B) The implementation plan of the Director for such course of education, including the following:

"(i) The expertise and qualifications of the personnel of the Department responsible for teaching such course of education.

"(ii) The list of sources consulted or otherwise used to develop the curriculum for such course of education.

"(iii) A description of the industry open technical standards referred to in paragraph (1)(C).

"(iv) The status of the implementation of such course of education.

"(C) The resources available to the Director to carry out this subsection and whether the Director requires any additional resources to carry out this subsection.

"(b) Pilot Program on Implementing Digital Content Provenance Standards.—

"(1) Pilot program.—Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Director of the Defense Media Activity shall carry out a pilot program to assess the feasibility and advisability of implementing industry open technical standards for digital content provenance for official photographs and videos of the Department of Defense publicly released by the Defense Visual Information Distribution Service, or any successor operation, and other distribution platforms, systems, and services used by the Department of Defense (in this subsection referred to as the 'pilot program').

"(2) Elements.—In carrying out the pilot program, the Director of the Defense Media Activity shall—

"(A) establish a process for using industry open technical standards to verify the digital content provenance of applicable Department media content;

"(B) apply technology solutions that comport with industry open technical standard for digital content provenance to photographs and videos of the Department publicly released as described in paragraph (1) after the date of the enactment of this Act;

"(C) assess the feasibility and advisability of applying an industry open technical standard for digital content provenance to historical visual information records of the Department stored at the Defense Visual Information Records Center; and

"(D) develop and apply measure of effectiveness for the implementation of the pilot program.

"(3) Consultation.—In carrying out the pilot program, the Director of the Defense Media Activity may consult with federally funded research and development centers, entities within private industry, institutions of higher education, and such other entities as the Director considers appropriate.

"(4) Termination.—The pilot program shall terminate on January 1, 2027.

"(5) Report.—

"(A) In general.—Not later than January 1, 2026, the Director of the Defense Media Activity shall submit to the Committees on Armed Services of the House of Representatives and the Senate a report on the pilot program.

"(B) Elements.—The report under subparagraph (A) shall include the following:

"(i) The findings of the Director with respect to the pilot program.

"(ii) The name of each entity the Director consulted with pursuant to paragraph (3) in carrying out the pilot program.

"(iii) An assessment by the Director of the effectiveness of the pilot program.

"(iv) A recommendation by the Director as to whether the pilot program should be made permanent.

"(c) Definitions.—In this section:

"(1) The term 'applicable Department media content' means any media holding generated, stored, or controlled by the Defense Media Activity.

"(2) The term 'digital content forgery' means the use of emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence and machine learning techniques, to fabricate or manipulate audio, visual, or text content with the intent to mislead.

"(3) The term 'digital content provenance' means the verifiable chronology of the origin and history of an image, video, audio recording, electronic document, or other form of digital content."

Continuing Education Curriculum on Use of Innovative Products for Military Construction Projects

Pub. L. 118–31, div. B, title XXVIII, §2886, Dec. 22, 2023, 137 Stat. 783, provided that:

"(a) Curriculum Required.—Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act [Dec. 22, 2023], the Commander of the Naval Facilities Systems Engineering Command and the Deputy Commanding General for Military and International Operations for the Army Corps of Engineers, shall establish a joint continuing education curriculum for the following individuals responsible for managing military construction projects and planning and design projects within the Department of Defense:

"(1) Project managers.

"(2) Program managers.

"(3) Design professionals.

"(4) Contracting officers.

"(5) Representatives of such contracting officers.

"(b) Elements.—The curriculum under subsection (a) shall include training on—

"(1) cost estimating and cost control mechanisms, including analyses of contract types;

"(2) standards relating to antiterrorism force protection, lateral wind, seismic activity, and fire performance;

"(3) life-cycle sustainability and renewability;

"(4) use of innovative building materials (including sustainable materials) and innovative construction methods; and

"(5) designs to improve the resilience of military installations.

"(c) Provision of Training; Curriculum Updates.—The Secretary of Defense shall ensure that—

"(1) not later than 180 days after the date of the completion of the curriculum under subsection (a), such curriculum is made available to the contracting officers and program managers described in such subsection;

"(2) by not later than January 1, 2025—

"(A) not less than 75 percent of the individuals described in paragraphs (1) through (5) of such subsection have completed the continuing education curriculum required under such subsection in effect as of such date; and

"(B) such individuals are provided updated information on innovative construction techniques on a continuous basis; and

"(3) such curriculum is updated each time an innovative product or construction method is included in the Unified Facilities Criteria/DoD Building Code (UFC 1–200–01).

"(d) Report.—Not later than June 1, 2025, the Secretary of Defense shall submit to Committees on Armed Services of the House of Representatives and the Senate a report that includes—

"(1) an update on the status of the curriculum under subsection (a); and

"(2) a plan for administering such curriculum to the individuals described in paragraphs (1) through (5) of such subsection.

"(e) Definitions.—In this section, the terms 'military construction project' and 'military installation' have the meanings given in section 2801 of title 10, United States Code."

Pilot Program on Scholarship-For-Service for Civilian Behavioral Health Providers

Pub. L. 117–263, div. A, title VII, §737(b), (e), Dec. 23, 2022, 136 Stat. 2671, 2674, provided that:

"(b) Pilot Program on Scholarship-for-service for Civilian Behavioral Health Providers.—

"(1) Pilot program.—Not later than two years after the date of the enactment of this Act [Dec. 23, 2022], the Secretary of Defense shall commence the conduct of a pilot program under which—

"(A) the Secretary may provide—

"(i) scholarships to cover tuition and related fees at an institution of higher education to an individual enrolled in a program of study leading to a graduate degree in clinical psychology, social work, counseling, or a related field (as determined by the Secretary); and

"(ii) student loan repayment assistance to a credentialed behavioral health provider who has a graduate degree in clinical psychology, social work, counseling, or a related field (as determined by the Secretary); and

"(B) in exchange for such assistance, the recipient shall commit to work as a covered civilian behavioral health provider in accordance with paragraph (2).

"(2) Post-award employment obligations.—

"(A) In general.—Subject to subparagraph (B), as a condition of receiving assistance under paragraph (1), the recipient of such assistance shall enter into an agreement with the Secretary of Defense pursuant to which the recipient agrees to work on a full-time basis as a covered civilian behavioral health provider for a period of a duration that is at least equivalent to the period during which the recipient received assistance under such paragraph.

"(B) Other terms and conditions.—An agreement entered into pursuant to subparagraph (A) may include such other terms and conditions as the Secretary of Defense may determine necessary to protect the interests of the United States or otherwise appropriate for purposes of this section, including terms and conditions providing for limited exceptions from the post-award employment obligation specified in such subparagraph.

"(3) Repayment.—

"(A) In general.—An individual who receives assistance under paragraph (1) and does not complete the employment obligation required under the agreement entered into pursuant to paragraph (2) shall repay to the Secretary of Defense a prorated portion of the financial assistance received by the individual under paragraph (1).

"(B) Determination of amount.—The amount of any repayment required under subparagraph (A) shall be determined by the Secretary.

"(4) Duration.—The authority to carry out the pilot program under paragraph (1) shall terminate on the date that is 10 years after the date on which such pilot program commences.

"(5) Implementation plan.—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 House of Representatives and the Senate a plan for the implementation of this section.

"(6) Reports.—

"(A) In general.—Not later than each of one year and five years after the commencement of the pilot program under paragraph (1), the Secretary of Defense shall submit to the Committees on Armed Services of the House of Representative and the Senate a report on the pilot program.

"(B) Elements.—Each report under subparagraph (A) shall include, with respect to the pilot program under subsection (1), the following:

"(i) The number of students receiving scholarships under the pilot program.

"(ii) The institutions of higher education at which such students are enrolled.

"(iii) The total amount of financial assistance expended under the pilot program per academic year.

"(iv) The average scholarship amount per student under the pilot program.

"(v) The number of students hired as covered behavioral health providers pursuant to the pilot program.

"(vi) Any recommendations for terminating the pilot program, extending the pilot program, or making the pilot program permanent.

"(e) Definitions.—In this section:

"(1) The term 'behavioral health' includes psychiatry, clinical psychology, social work, counseling, and related fields.

"(2) The term 'civilian behavioral health provider' means a behavioral health provider who is a civilian employee of the Department of Defense.

"(3) The term 'counselor' means an individual who holds—

"(A) a master's or doctoral degree from an accredited graduate program in—

"(i) marriage and family therapy; or

"(ii) clinical mental health counseling; and

"(B) a current license or certification from a State that grants the individual the authority to provide counseling services as an independent practitioner in the respective field of the individual.

"(4) The term 'covered civilian behavioral health provider' means a civilian behavioral health provider whose employment by the Secretary of Defense involves the provision of behavioral health services at a military medical treatment facility.

"(5) The term 'institution of higher education' has the meaning given that term in section 101 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1001).

"(6) The term 'military behavioral health provider' means a behavioral health provider who is a member of the Armed Forces.

"(7) The term 'military installation' has the meaning given that term in section 2801 of title 10, United States Code.

"(8) The term 'military medical treatment facility' means a facility specified in section 1073d of such title.

"(9) The term 'remote installation' means a military installation that the Secretary determines to be in a remote location.

"(10) The term 'State' means each of the several States, the District of Columbia, and each commonwealth, territory or possession of the United States."

Joint Information Operations Course

Pub. L. 117–263, div. A, title XV, §1523, Dec. 23, 2022, 136 Stat. 2898, provided that:

"(a) Joint Information Operations Course.—The Secretary of Defense shall develop and provide to members of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, and Space Force a course to prepare the members to plan and conduct information operations in a joint environment pursuant to title 10, United States Code. Such course shall include—

"(1) standardized qualifications and procedures to enable the joint and synchronized employment of information-related capabilities in the information environment;

"(2) joint methods to implement information operations in a battlefield environment under any ground force chain of command; and

"(3) a curriculum covering applicable assets, core information operations concepts, integration of effects with a specific focus on information-related effects, operational methodology, multi-dimensional targeting space, other information-related capabilities defined by governing policy, instruction, publications, and doctrine, and any other topics or areas determined necessary by the Secretary.

"(b) Consideration of Ongoing Efforts.—The Secretary shall ensure that the course under subsection (a) is developed in light of the information operations posture review, gap analysis, strategy update, and designation of a Joint Force Trainer, occurring as of the date of the enactment of this Act [Dec. 23, 2022].

"(c) Semiannual Reports.—Subsequent to the development of the course under subsection (a), on a semiannual basis through January 1, 2028, the Secretary shall submit to the congressional defense committees [Committees on Armed Services and Appropriations of the Senate and the House of Representatives] a report on the course. Each report shall include, with respect to the period covered by the report—

"(1) the number of members described in subsection (a) who attended the course; and

"(2) an assessment of the value of the course in—

"(A) conducting joint operations in the information environment; and

"(B) the synchronized employment of information-related capabilities in the information environment."

Lease or Use Agreement for Category 3 Subterranean Training Facility

Pub. L. 117–263, div. B, title XXVIII, §2869(a)–(d), Dec. 23, 2022, 136 Stat. 3012, 3013, provided that:

"(a) In General.—The Secretary of Defense may seek to enter into a lease or use agreement with a category 3 subterranean training facility that—

"(1) is located in close proximity (as determined by the Secretary of Defense) to the home station of an air assault unit or a special operations force; and

"(2) has the capacity to—

"(A) provide brigade or large full-mission profile training;

"(B) rapidly replicate full-scale underground venues;

"(C) support helicopter landing zones; and

"(D) support underground live fire.

"(b) Use of Facility.—A lease or use agreement entered into pursuant to subsection (a) shall provide that the category 3 subterranean training facility shall be made available for—

"(1) hosting of training and testing exercises for—

"(A) members of the Armed Forces, including members a special operations force;

"(B) personnel of combat support agencies, including the Defense Threat Reduction Agency; and

"(C) such other personnel as the Secretary of Defense determines appropriate; and

"(2) such other purposes as the Secretary of Defense determines appropriate.

"(c) Duration.—The duration of any lease or use agreement entered into pursuant to subsection (a) shall be for a period of not less than 5 years.

"(d) Category 3 Subterranean Training Facility Defined.—In this section, the term 'category 3 subterranean training facility' means an underground structure designed and built—

"(1) to be unobserved and to provide maximum protection; and

"(2) to serve as a command and control, operations, storage, production, and protection facility."

Executive Education on Emerging Technologies for Senior Civilian and Military Leaders

Pub. L. 117–81, div. A, title II, §228, Dec. 27, 2021, 135 Stat. 1609, provided that:

"(a) Establishment of Course.—Not later than two years after the date of the enactment of this Act [Dec. 27, 2021], the Secretary of Defense shall establish executive education activities on emerging technologies for appropriate general and flag officers and senior executive-level civilian leaders that are designed specifically to prepare new general and flag officers and senior executive-level civilian leaders on relevant technologies and how these technologies may be applied to military and business activities in the Department of Defense.

"(b) Plan for Participation.—

"(1) In general.—The Secretary of Defense shall develop a plan for participation in executive education activities established under subsection (a).

"(2) Requirements.—As part of such plan, the Secretary shall ensure that, not later than five years after the date of the establishment of the activities under subsection (a), all appropriate general flag officers and senior executive-level civilian leaders are—

"(A) required to complete the executive education activities under such subsection; and

"(B) certified as having successfully completed the executive education activities.

"(c) Report.—

"(1) In general.—Not later than the date that is three years after the date of the enactment of this Act, 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 on the status of the implementation of the activities required by subsection (a).

"(2) Contents.—The report submitted under paragraph (1) shall include the following:

"(A) A description of the new general and flag officers and senior executive-level civilian leaders for whom the education activities have been designated.

"(B) A recommendation with respect to continuing or expanding the activities required under subsection (a)."

Authority To Maintain Access to Category 3 Subterranean Training Facility

Pub. L. 117–81, div. A, title III, §375, Dec. 27, 2021, 135 Stat. 1667, which provided for authority to maintain access to category 3 subterranean training facility, was repealed by Pub. L. 117–263, div. B, title XXVIII, §2869(e), Dec. 23, 2022, 136 Stat. 3013.

Implementation of Comptroller General Recommendations on Preventing Tactical Vehicle Training Accidents

Pub. L. 117–81, div. A, title III, §377, Dec. 27, 2021, 135 Stat. 1668, provided that:

"(a) Plan Required.—Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act [Dec. 27, 2021], each Secretary concerned shall submit to the congressional defense committees [Committees on Armed Services and Appropriations of the Senate and the House of Representatives] and to the Comptroller General of the United States a plan to address the recommendations in the report of the Government Accountability Office entitled 'Army and Marine Corps Should Take Additional Actions to Mitigate and Prevent Training Accidents' (GAO–21–361). Each such plan shall include, with respect to each recommendation in such report that the Secretary concerned has implemented or intends to implement—

"(1) a summary of actions that have been or will be taken to implement the recommendation; and

"(2) a schedule, with specific milestones, for completing implementation of the recommendation.

"(b) Deadline for Implementation.—

"(1) In general.—Except as provided in paragraph (2), not later than 18 months after the date of the enactment of this Act, each Secretary concerned shall carry out activities to implement the plan of the Secretary developed under subsection (a).

"(2) Exception for implementation of certain recommendations.—

"(A) Delayed implementation.—A Secretary concerned may initiate implementation of a recommendation in the report referred to in subsection (a) after the date specified in paragraph (1) if, on or before such date, the Secretary provides to the congressional defense committees a specific justification for the delay in implementation of such recommendation.

"(B) Nonimplementation.—A Secretary concerned may decide not to implement a recommendation in the report referred to in subsection (a) if, on or before the date specified in paragraph (1), the Secretary provides to the congressional defense committees—

"(i) a specific justification for the decision not to implement the recommendation; and

"(ii) a summary of alternative actions the Secretary plans to take to address the conditions underlying the recommendation.

"(c) Secretary Concerned.—In this section, the term 'Secretary concerned' means—

"(1) the Secretary of the Army, with respect to the Army; and

"(2) the Secretary of the Navy, with respect to the Navy."

Defense Language Continuing Education Program

Pub. L. 117–81, div. A, title V, §559B, Dec. 27, 2021, 135 Stat. 1743, provided that:

"(a) In General.—Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act [Dec. 27, 2021], the Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness shall establish policies and procedures to provide, to linguists of the covered Armed Forces who have made the transition from formal training programs to operational and staff assignments, continuing language education to maintain their respective language proficiencies.

"(b) Reimbursement Authority.—

"(1) In general.—Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Under Secretary, in coordination with the chief of each covered Armed Force, shall establish a procedure by which the covered Armed Force concerned may reimburse an organization of the Department of Defense that provides, to members of such covered Armed Force, continuing language education, described in subsection (a), for the costs of such education.

"(2) Sunset.—The authority under this subsection shall expire on September 30, 2025.

"(c) Briefing.—Not later than July 1, 2022, the Under Secretary shall brief the Committees on Armed Services of the Senate and House of Representatives on implementation of this section and plans regarding continuing language education described in subsection (a).

"(d) Covered Armed Force Defined.—In this section, the term 'covered Armed Force' means the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, or Space Force."

Training Program for Human Resources Personnel in Best Practices for Technical Workforce

Pub. L. 116–283, div. A, title II, §246, Jan. 1, 2021, 134 Stat. 3490, provided that:

"(a) Pilot Training Program.—

"(1) In general.—Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act [Jan. 1, 2021], the Secretary of Defense, acting through the Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness and the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering, shall develop and implement a pilot program to provide covered human resources personnel with training in public and private sector best practices for attracting and retaining technical talent.

"(2) Training areas.—The pilot program shall include training in the authorities and procedures that may be used to recruit technical personnel for positions in the Department of Defense, including—

"(A) appropriate direct hiring authorities;

"(B) excepted service authorities;

"(C) personnel exchange authorities;

"(D) authorities for hiring special government employees and highly qualified experts;

"(E) special pay authorities; and

"(F) private sector best practices to attract and retain technical talent.

"(3) Metrics.—The Secretary of Defense shall develop metrics to evaluate the effectiveness of the pilot program in contributing to the ability of the Department of Defense to attract and retain technical talent.

"(4) Plan required.—The Secretary of Defense shall develop a plan for the implementation of the pilot program.

"(b) Reports.—

"(1) Report on plan.—Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense shall submit to the congressional defense committees [Committees on Armed Services and Appropriations of the Senate and the House of Representatives] a report that sets forth the plan required under subsection (a)(4).

"(2) Report on pilot program.—Not later than three years after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense shall submit to the congressional defense committees a report on the results of the pilot program.

"(c) Definitions.—In this section:

"(1) The term 'covered human resources personnel' means members of the Armed Forces and civilian employees of the Department of Defense, including human resources professionals, hiring managers, and recruiters, who are responsible for hiring technical talent.

"(2) The term 'technical talent' means individuals with expertise in high priority technical disciplines.

"(d) Termination.—The requirement to carry out the pilot program under this section shall terminate five years after the date of the enactment of this Act."

Pilot Program on Self-Directed Training in Advanced Technologies

Pub. L. 116–283, div. A, title II, §248, Jan. 1, 2021, 134 Stat. 3492, provided that:

"(a) Online Courses.—The Secretary of Defense shall carry out a pilot program under which the Secretary makes available a list of approved online courses relating to advanced technologies that may be taken by civilian employees of the Department of Defense and members of the Armed Forces on a voluntary basis while not engaged in the performance of their duties.

"(b) Procedures.—The Secretary shall establish procedures for the development, selection, approval, adoption, and evaluation of online courses under subsection (a) to ensure that such courses are supportive of the goals of this section and overall goals for the training and education of the civilian and military workforce of the Department of Defense.

"(c) Documentation of Completion.—The Secretary of Defense shall develop and implement a system—

"(1) to confirm whether a civilian employee of the Department of Defense or member of the Armed Forces has completed an online course approved by the Secretary under subsection (a); and

"(2) to document the completion of such course by such employee or member.

"(d) Incentives.—The Secretary of Defense shall develop and implement incentives to encourage civilian employees of the Department of Defense and members of the Armed Forces to complete online courses approved by the Secretary under subsection (a).

"(e) Metrics.—The Secretary of Defense shall develop metrics to evaluate whether, and to what extent, the pilot program under this section improves the ability of participants—

"(1) to perform job-related functions; and

"(2) to execute relevant missions of the Department of Defense.

"(f) Advanced Technologies Defined.—In this section, the term 'advanced technologies' means technologies that the Secretary of Defense determines to be in high-demand within the Department of Defense and to which significant research and development efforts are devoted, including technologies such as artificial intelligence, data science, machine learning, fifth-generation telecommunications technology, and biotechnology.

"(g) Deadline.—The Secretary of Defense shall carry out the activities described in subsections (a) through (e) not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act [Jan. 1, 2021].

"(h) Sunset.—This section shall terminate on October 1, 2024."

Training Program Regarding Foreign Malign Influence Campaigns

Pub. L. 116–283, div. A, title V, §589E, Jan. 1, 2021, 134 Stat. 3661, as amended by Pub. L. 117–81, div. A, title V, §549N, Dec. 27, 2021, 135 Stat. 1733; Pub. L. 117–263, div. F, title LXIII, §6307(a)(3), Dec. 23, 2022, 136 Stat. 3505, provided that:

"(a) Establishment.—Not later than September 30, 2021, the Secretary of Defense shall establish a program for training members of the Armed Forces and civilian employees of the Department of Defense regarding the threat of foreign malign influence campaigns targeted at such individuals and the families of such individuals, including such campaigns carried out through social media.

"(b) Designation of Official to Coordinate and Integrate.—Not later than 30 days after the date of enactment of this Act [Jan. 1, 2021], the Secretary shall designate an official of the Department who shall be responsible for coordinating and integrating the training program under this section.

"(c) Best Practices.—In coordinating and integrating the training program under this section, the official designated under subsection (b) shall review best practices of existing training programs across the Department.

"(d) Establishment of Working Group.—(1) Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this subsection [Dec. 27, 2021], the Secretary of Defense shall establish a working group to assist the official designated under subsection (b), as follows:

"(A) In the identification of mediums used by covered foreign countries to identify, access, and endeavor to influence servicemembers and Department of Defense civilian employees through foreign malign influence campaigns and the themes conveyed through such mediums.

"(B) In coordinating and integrating the training program under this subsection in order to enhance and strengthen servicemember and Department of Defense civilian employee awareness of and defenses against foreign malign influence, including by bolstering information literacy.

"(C) In such other tasks deemed appropriate by the Secretary of Defense or the official designated under subsection (b).

"(2) The official designed under subsection (b) and the working group established under this subsection shall consult with the Foreign Malign Influence Center established pursuant to section 3059 of title 50, United States Code.

"(e) Report Required.—Not later than 18 months after the establishment of the working group, the Secretary shall submit to the Committees on Armed Services of the Senate and the House of Representatives a report on the results of the working group, its activities, the effectiveness of the counter foreign malign influence activities carried out under this section, the metrics applied to determined effectiveness, and the actual costs associated with actions undertaken pursuant to this section.

"(f) Definitions.—In this section:

"(1) Foreign malign influence.—The term 'foreign malign influence' has the meaning given that term in section 119C of the National Security Act of 1947 (50 U.S.C. 3059).

"(2) Covered foreign country.—The term 'covered foreign country' has the meaning given that term in section 119C of the National Security Act of 1947 (50 U.S.C. 3059)

"(3) Information literacy.—The term 'information literacy' means the set of skills needed to find, retrieve, understand, evaluate, analyze, and effectively use information (which encompasses spoken and broadcast words and videos, printed materials, and digital content, data, and images)."

Collection of Blast Exposure Information

Pub. L. 116–92, div. A, title VII, §742(b), Dec. 20, 2019, 133 Stat. 1469, provided that: "The Secretary of Defense shall collect blast exposure information with respect to a member of the Armed Forces in a manner—

"(1) consistent with blast exposure measurement training guidance of the Department of Defense, including any guidance developed pursuant to—

"(A) the longitudinal medical study on blast pressure exposure required by section 734 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2018 (Public Law 115–91; 131 Stat. 1444); and

"(B) the review of guidance on blast exposure during training required by section 253 of the John S. McCain National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2019 (Public Law 115–232; 10 U.S.C. 2001 note prec.);

"(2) compatible with training and operational objectives of the Department; and

"(3) that is automated, to the extent practicable, to minimize the reporting burden of unit commanders."

Review of Guidance on Blast Exposure During Training

Pub. L. 115–232, div. A, title II, §253, Aug. 13, 2018, 132 Stat. 1704, provided that:

"(a) Initial Review.—Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act [Aug. 13, 2018], the Secretary of Defense shall review the decibel level exposure, concussive effects exposure, and the frequency of exposure to heavy weapons fire of an individual during training exercises to establish appropriate limitations on such exposures.

"(b) Elements.—The review required by subsection (a) shall take into account current data and evidence on the cognitive effects of blast exposure and shall include consideration of the following:

"(1) The impact of exposure over multiple successive days of training.

"(2) The impact of multiple types of heavy weapons being fired in close succession.

"(3) The feasibility of cumulative annual or lifetime exposure limits.

"(4) The minimum safe distance for observers and instructors.

"(c) Updated Training Guidance.—Not later than 180 days after the date of the completion of the review under subsection (a), each Secretary of a military department shall update any relevant training guidance to account for the conclusions of the review.

"(d) Updated Review.—

"(1) In general.—Not later than two years after the initial review conducted under subsection (a), and not later than two years thereafter, the Secretary of Defense shall conduct an updated review under such subsection, including consideration of the matters set forth under subsection (b), and update training guidance under subsection (c).

"(2) Consideration of new research and evidence.—Each updated review conducted under paragraph (1) shall take into account new research and evidence that has emerged since the previous review.

"(e) Briefing Required.—The Secretary of Defense shall brief the Committees on Armed Services of the Senate and the House of Representatives on a summary of the results of the initial review under subsection (a), each updated review conducted under subsection (d), and any updates to training guidance and procedures resulting from any such review or updated review."

Annual Training Regarding the Influence Campaign of the Russian Federation

Pub. L. 115–91, div. A, title X, §1048, Dec. 12, 2017, 131 Stat. 1558, provided that: "In addition to any currently mandated training, the Secretary of Defense may furnish annual training to all members of the Armed Forces and all civilian employees of the Department of Defense, regarding attempts by the Russian Federation and its proxies and agents to influence and recruit members of the Armed Forces as part of its influence campaign."

Policy on Active Shooter Training for Certain Law Enforcement Personnel

Pub. L. 112–81, div. A, title III, §367, Dec. 31, 2011, 125 Stat. 1381, provided that: "The Secretary of Defense shall establish policy and promulgate guidelines to ensure civilian and military law enforcement personnel charged with security functions on military installations shall receive Active Shooter Training as described in finding 4.3 of the document entitled 'Protecting the Force: Lessons From Fort Hood'."

Language Training Centers for Members of the Armed Forces and Civilian Employees of the Department of Defense

Pub. L. 111–84, div. A, title V, §529, Oct. 28, 2009, 123 Stat. 2290, as amended by Pub. L. 118–31, div. A, title V, §575, Dec. 22, 2023, 137 Stat. 277, provided that:

"(a) Program Authorized.—The Secretary of Defense shall carry out a program to establish language training centers at accredited universities, senior military colleges, or other similar institutions of higher education for purposes of accelerating the development of foundational expertise in critical and strategic languages and regional area studies (as defined by the Secretary of Defense for purposes of this section) for members of the Armed Forces, including members of the reserve components and candidates of the Reserve Officers' Training Corps programs, and civilian employees of the Department of Defense.

"(b) Elements.—Each language training center established under the program authorized by subsection (a) shall include the following:

"(1) Programs to provide that members of the Armed Forces or civilian employees of the Department of Defense who graduate from the institution of higher education concerned include members or employees, as the case may be, who are skilled in the languages and area studies covered by the program from beginning through advanced skill levels.

"(2) Programs of language proficiency training for such members and civilian employees at the institution of higher education concerned in critical and strategic languages tailored to meet operational readiness requirements.

"(3) Alternative language training delivery systems and modalities to meet language and regional area study requirements for such members and employees whether prior to deployment, during deployment, or post-deployment.

"(4) Programs on critical and strategic languages under the program that can be incorporated into Reserve Officers' Training Corps programs to facilitate the development of language skills in such languages among future officers of the Armed Forces.

"(5) Training and education programs to expand the pool of qualified instructors and educators on critical and strategic languages and regional area studies under the program for the Armed Forces.

"(6) Programs to facilitate and encourage the recruitment of native and heritage speakers of critical and strategic languages under the program into the Armed Forces and the civilian workforce of the Department of Defense and to support the Civilian Linguist Reserve Corps.

"(c) Partnerships With Other Schools.—Any language training center established under the program authorized by subsection (a) may enter into a partnership with one or more local educational agencies to facilitate the development of skills in critical and strategic languages under the program among students attending the elementary and secondary schools of such agencies who may pursue a military career.

"(d) Coordination.—The Secretary of Defense shall ensure that the language training centers established under the program authorized by subsection (a) are aligned with those of the National Security Education Program, the Defense Language Institute, and other appropriate Department of Defense programs to facilitate and encourage the recruitment of native and heritage speakers of critical and strategic languages under the program into the Armed Forces and the civilian workforce of the Department of Defense and to support the Civilian Linguist Reserve Corps.

"(e) Contract Authority.—The Secretary of Defense may enter into one or more contracts, cooperative agreements, or grants with private national organizations having an expertise in foreign languages, area studies, and other international fields, for the awarding of grants to accredited universities, senior military colleges, or other similar institutions of higher education to establish and maintain language training centers authorized by subsection (a).

"(f) Report.—Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2024 [Dec. 22, 2023], the Secretary of Defense shall submit to the congressional defense committees [Committees on Armed Services and Appropriations of the Senate and the House of Representatives] a report on the Language Training Center program. The report shall include the following:

"(1) A description of each language training center established under the program.

"(2) An assessment of the cost-effectiveness of the program in providing foundational expertise in critical and strategic languages and regional area studies in support of the Defense Language Transformation Roadmap.

"(3) An assessment of the progress made by each language training center in providing capabilities in critical and strategic languages under the program to members of the Armed Forces and Department of Defense employees.

"(4) An assessment of the resources required to carry out the Language Training Center program by year through fiscal year 2027.

"(5) Recommendations as to any modifications to the Language Training Center program that the Secretary considers appropriate."

Enhancing Education Partnerships To Improve Accessibility and Flexibility for Members of the Armed Forces

Pub. L. 110–417, [div. A], title V, §550, Oct. 14, 2008, 122 Stat. 4468, provided that:

"(a) Authority.—The Secretary of a military department may enter into one or more education partnership agreements with educational institutions in the United States for the purpose of—

"(1) developing plans to improve the accessibility and flexibility of college courses available to eligible members of the Armed Forces;

"(2) improving the application process for the Armed Forces tuition assistance programs and raising awareness regarding educational opportunities available to such members;

"(3) developing curriculum, distance education programs, and career counseling designed to meet the professional, financial, academic, and social needs of such members; and

"(4) assessing how resources may be applied more effectively to meet the educational needs of such members.

"(b) Cost.—Except as provided in this section, execution of an education partnership agreement with an educational institution shall be at no cost to the Government.

"(c) Educational Institution Defined.—In this section, the term 'educational institution' means an accredited college, university, or technical school in the United States."