Rosen Introduces Bipartisan Bill to Assist Servicemembers Transitioning to Civilian Life

Press Release

Today, Congresswoman Jacky Rosen (NV-03), a member of the House Armed Services Committee's Military Personnel Subcommittee, announced the introduction of the bipartisan and bicameral H.R. 7025, Improving Preparation and Resources for Occupational, Vocational, and Educational (IMPROVE) Transition for Servicemembers Act with Reps. Walter Jones (R-NC), Ron Kind (D-WI) and Carlos Curbelo (R-FL). Senator Mike Crapo (R-ID) has introduced a companion bill in the Senate along with Senator Debbie Stabenow (D-MI).

This bill would reform the existing Transition Assistance Program (TAP) for transitioning servicemembers by increasing access to information, resources, tools, and support services to ensure servicemembers have the support they need to succeed in their transition to civilian life.

"Our servicemembers gain invaluable skills during their service to our nation," said Rosen. "This bipartisan legislation would help servicemembers transition into civilian life, giving them the tools they need to develop professionally and build their careers. I will continue to listen to the needs of our veteran community to ensure that their needs and voices are heard in Washington."

"The Transition Assistance Program needs reform," said Jones. "Veterans could benefit from improved vocational education programs, increased instructor-service member ratios in trainings, and more support services in their new communities. Together, we can help men and women in uniform achieve the highest level of success after leaving the military."

"The transition from military life back into the civilian world is understandably challenging for many Servicemembers and military families. We need to do everything we can to ease this transition, and ensure every agency that helps in this process is working together seamlessly," said Kind. "I am proud to introduce the IMPROVE Act, so our servicemembers and their families get the best transition assistance possible after courageously serving our nation."

"We are thankful every day to our brave servicemembers who have dedicated their lives to protect our nation. As they begin to transition away from their military careers, we must ensure they have the necessary resources for productive and prosperous civilian careers. I am proud to join my colleagues in supporting this bipartisan, bicameral legislation," said Curbelo.

BACKGROUND: This bill would specifically reform the existing Transition Assistance Program (TAP) for transitioning servicemembers in the following ways:

Entrepreneurship, Technical, & Employment Training: Makes mandatory two-day specialized courses in entrepreneurship, career technical training, and higher education, that are currently optional, adding in advanced employment assistance. This will increase participation in those valuable courses.

Better Instructor-Servicemember Ratio: Requires a ratio of at least one TAP employee per 250 transitioning servicemembers, ensuring that full-time personnel are available to meet our troops' needs.

Starting Earlier: Sets earlier commencement and completion deadlines for TAP. Servicemembers must begin TAP no later than one year before separating from the military and complete TAP at least 90 days before separation, to ensure servicemembers have adequate time to maximize available services.

Supportive Services for Vets: Asks VA and DOD to form agreements with state veteran services agencies in order to create a database of supportive services and organizations for new veterans and to connect servicemembers to such organizations in the communities to which they are relocating.

Tracking Progress: Requires DOD to establish an electronic database to track servicemembers' progress through TAP and create an online portal for transitioning servicemembers to access information and resources.

Servicemember Feedback: Creates servicemember surveys to be filled out before and after TAP and post-transition, in order to examine the effectiveness of TAP.

Resources for Servicemembers: Requires the education of servicemembers and military leadership on programs and resources for professional development, academic advancement, and post-service career preparation available to them during service.

Program Evaluation: Directs the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to evaluate TAP reform implementation and access to TAP and other programs at small and remote military installations, with a focus on assessing disparities compared to larger bases.

Earlier this year, Rosen introduced the Solar VETS Act, which would direct the U.S. Department of Energy to implement a workforce training program to help prepare our nation's transitioning military personnel for careers in the solar energy industry.

Rosen also introduced the Hire Student Veterans Act, which will allow employers who hire student veterans using their GI Bill benefits to qualify for the Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC).