Lamb Cosponsors Bipartisan Legislation to Encourage Cyber Training in Jrotc Programs

Press Release

Representative Conor Lamb (PA-17) joined Representative Lizzie Fletcher (TX-07), the bill's sponsor, as well as Rob Bishop (UT-01), Jackie Speier (CA-14), and Michael Waltz (FL-06) in the introduction of H.R. 3266, the JROTC Cyber Training Act. This bipartisan legislation directs the Secretary of Defense to carry out a program to enhance the preparation of students in the Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps (JROTC) for careers in computer science and cybersecurity.

"Pittsburgh has long sent more than our fair share of young people to defend this country, and our universities are already building the cyber-security workforce of the future. But the training can start earlier, and there is no better group of young people to help us get there than the students who choose JROTC," said Lamb. "JROTC students make a commitment to serve their communities at an early age, and they learn the discipline and habits to be future leaders. We must provide them with the technical skills to lead in a changing world, both on and off the battlefield, and that's what our bill will do."

The National Defense Act of 1916 established organized JROTC programs at public and private educational institutions, and today's programs operate through cooperative agreements between the armed services and schools, serving approximately 500,000 cadets annually. Core training for the program includes courses in leadership, civics, U.S. history, geography and global awareness. The JROTC Cyber Training Act would leverage the existing program, while adding in preparations for JROTC cadets in computing, cyber security, and related technical skills during high school, creating an opportunity to increase and diversify these workforce pipelines.

"The JROTC program prepares young students for a future career in defense through relevant classes and extracurricular activities. It makes clear sense that with the changing needs of the armed services, we provide training in the technical skills that will best serve both the students and our military," Congresswoman Fletcher said. "These skills will not only help our armed forces, but diversify the field of future military and civilian personnel who can leverage their skills even beyond our nation's frontlines. I am proud to support this legislation and introduce it today."

JROTC programs have also been identified as a crucial vehicle for increasing diversity in our military and defense sector, by reaching higher numbers of women, minorities, and low-income students. 30% of JROTC cadets join the military after high school or college, and the remaining cadets often serve in civilian roles within the DOD or growing defense and cyber security industries.

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