Navy SEAL Chief Petty Officer William 'Bill' Mulder (Ret.) Transition Improvement Act of 2019 - Summary
Navy SEAL Chief Petty Officer William 'Bill' Mulder (Ret.) Transition Improvement Act of 2019
Bill Number: H.R. 2326 (116th Congress, 1st Session)
What is this bill about?
This bill aims to improve support for members of the Armed Forces who are leaving military service, whether they separate, retire, or are discharged. It focuses on making their transition back to civilian life easier, especially when it comes to finding jobs and accessing training and resources.
Key Points Explained Simply
- Improving Access to Veteran Employment Data: The Secretaries of Labor and Veterans Affairs will be able to access a federal database to track the employment status of veterans. This helps ensure veterans are finding jobs after leaving the military.
- Expanding Transition Training for Veterans and Their Families: A pilot program that offers transition assistance training off military bases will be extended from 2 years to 5 years, and the number of training locations will be greatly increased (to at least 50 locations across the U.S.). This helps veterans and their spouses get ready for civilian life in places closer to home.
- Grants to Help with Job Transition: The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) will provide up to $10 million in grants to organizations that assist veterans and their spouses with practical help — like resume writing, interview preparation, and job search training. These grants will encourage organizations that offer multiple types of services.
- Independent Review of the Transition Assistance Program (TAP): An outside expert will do a 1-year study to evaluate how well the military’s Transition Assistance Program is working. They will look at things like whether TAP helps veterans get jobs and deal with challenges in civilian life, including support for veterans’ families.
- Long-Term Study on Transition Outcomes: A 5-year study will follow different groups of service members — those who attended TAP before and after changes are made, and those who did not attend — to measure how successful they are in things like employment, education, income, home ownership, and family life.
Why is this important?
Transitioning from military to civilian life can be challenging. This bill seeks to provide veterans and their families with better tools, training, and support to help them succeed in the workforce and adjust to civilian life. By expanding programs, studying their effectiveness, and funding helpful organizations, the government aims to make this period smoother and more successful for veterans.
Summary of Main Actions the Bill Requires
- Allow better tracking of veteran employment by government officials.
- Extend and expand off-base training programs helping veterans and spouses.
- Provide grants for organizations offering job skills and transition help.
- Conduct a thorough, independent 1-year review of TAP’s effectiveness.
- Carry out and report on a 5-year study following veterans’ post-service outcomes.
Additional Details
The bill was passed by the House of Representatives on May 21, 2019. It is named in honor of Navy SEAL Chief Petty Officer William "Bill" Mulder (Ret.), reflecting a commitment to improving the support system for service members during a critical time in their lives.