Sens. Shaheen and Rounds, Reps. Kiggans and Courtney Introduce Bipartisan, Bicameral Bill to Strengthen Civilian Defense Workforce
**Bipartisan Defense Workforce Integration Act would streamline the hiring of individuals who are medically ineligible for military duty to civilian careers in the defense and national security workforce**
(Washington, DC) – U.S. Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) and Mike Rounds (R-SD), senior members of the U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC), alongside U.S. Representatives Jen Kiggans (R-VA-02) and Joe Courtney (D-CT-02), members of the U.S. House Armed Services Committee, today led the introduction of the Defense Workforce Integration Act – bipartisan, bicameral legislation that seeks to bolster the civilian defense and national security workforce. The bipartisan bill—which is co-sponsored in the Senate by SASC members Senators Tim Kaine (D-VA), Angus King (I-ME) and Kevin Cramer (R-ND) and in the House by U.S. Representatives Jimmy Panetta (D-CA-19) and Don Bacon (R-NE-02)—would leverage existing programs and best practices within the Department of Defense to retain the talent and motivation of those who desire to serve in uniform but are found to be medically disqualified to address persistent workforce shortages.
“Oftentimes, the U.S. Department of Defense will invest significant time and resources into military recruits’ training – only for those recruits to be taken out of consideration for medical reasons, many of which do not prohibit them from working to keep our nation safe and secure,” said Senator Shaheen. “Our bipartisan, bicameral bill provides opportunities for these individuals—who have already stepped up to serve their nation—to still contribute to America’s national security by increasing awareness and accessibility of careers in the civilian defense workforce. Especially as employers like the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard face recruitment and retention challenges for vital roles, we should be doing all we can to fill vacancies that bolster our national security.”
“Medical issues might prevent some patriotic Americans from active military service, but it doesn’t have to prevent them from finding other ways to serve our country,” said Senator Rounds. “The Defense Workforce Integration Act would help individuals who want to serve their country but are disqualified from military service for medical reasons transition into federal civilian roles within the Department of Defense.”
“Every year, tens of thousands of young Americans are turned away from military service – not because they aren’t willing to serve, but because of medical disqualifications that may have no bearing on their ability to contribute,” said Congresswoman Kiggans. “The Defense Workforce Integration Act ensures that these patriotic individuals still have a path to serve their country through meaningful civilian careers that support our national security. This bipartisan, bicameral bill strengthens our workforce, preserves talent, and reinforces our commitment to the defense industrial base at a time when global threats are growing by the day.”
“Hiring and retaining a skilled defense workforce is critical to our national security. From manufacturers in the defense industrial base to the Defense Department’s civilian workforce at military bases across the country and at the Pentagon, these are patriotic careers that make our national security mission possible,” said Congressman Courtney. “Creating pathways into those jobs for former servicemembers and individuals who want to serve but cannot is a smart way to grow our defense workforce with people committed to this mission. I’m glad to introduce this bipartisan, bicameral bill as a part of Congress’ continuing work to boost defense careers and maintain a strong industrial base.”
As defense workforce shortages grow in crucial areas like manufacturing, cybersecurity and defense logistics, the Defense Workforce Integration Act would activate a pool of candidates who are ineligible for military service to fill vacant positions that contribute to America’s national security.
For applicants who cannot join the military, the legislation directs DoD to enable military personnel managers to provide individuals that are medically disqualified with information about civilian employment opportunities in the following areas: the defense industrial base, cybersecurity, intelligence, research and development of defense technologies, national emergency and disaster preparedness and any other non-military role the Secretary of Defense considers in the national security interest.
For servicemembers disqualified early in their careers, the legislation expands on existing Air Force best practices by establishing Army and Navy personnel management programs to execute “warm hand-offs” to DoD civilian hiring authorities for personnel who become medically disqualified during their initial accession and training pipelines.
For personnel leaving the military after serving honorably, the legislation leverages existing Navy transition assistance programs to expand awareness of critical civilian roles at Military Sealift Command and workforce training programs for shipbuilders to enhance our civilian maritime workforce.
Click here for bill text.
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