S 1632119th CongressIn Committee

Defense Workforce Integration Act of 2025

Introduced: May 7, 2025

Defense & National SecurityLabor & EmploymentTechnology & Innovation

Standard Summary

Comprehensive overview in 1-2 paragraphs

The Defense Workforce Integration Act of 2025 aims to improve how the Department of Defense (DoD) and its components hire and support people who are medically disqualified from military service. Within one year of enactment, the Act requires the DoD Secretary, working with other service Secretaries, to establish a pathway allowing medically disqualified entry-level service members to move into civilian positions for which they are qualified within DoD. It recognizes the Air Force DRIVE program as a sufficient model for this transition framework and allows other services to adapt or design their own programs. In addition, the Act creates a new program (Sec. 996) to inform and refer individuals who are not medically qualified for military service to opportunities in the defense industrial base and related non-military roles (e.g., cybersecurity, defense R&D, national emergency and disaster preparedness). It also requires the Navy to provide Navy personnel with information on career opportunities at Military Sealift Command and shipbuilding training as part of the Transition Assistance Program. A final provision requires a Senate/House report within one year detailing implementation of these sections.

Key Points

1Establishment of a civilian hiring pathway for medically disqualified entry-level service members to DoD civilian positions for which they are qualified, within one year of enactment.
2The Air Force DRIVE program is recognized as a sufficient basis for meeting the new pathway requirements, with other services able to model their programs on it.
3Creation of Sec. 996 (new in Title 10) to provide information and referrals to defense industry jobs and related non-military opportunities for individuals medically disqualified from military service, including cybersecurity, defense tech R&D, and national emergency roles.
4DoD collaboration with defense industry entities, other federal agencies, and academic institutions to implement Sec. 996.
5Navy-specific requirement to include information on Military Sealift Command career opportunities and shipbuilding workforce training in the Transition Assistance Program for all Navy personnel.
6Annual reporting requirement: the Secretary of Defense must brief Congress within one year on implementation of the new pathways and informational programs.

Impact Areas

Primary group/area affected: Medically disqualified entry-level service members, who will gain civilian employment pathways within DoD and related sectors.Secondary group/area affected: DoD components and civilian DoD workforce, which will be involved in implementing the new hiring pathways; the defense industrial base (industry partners) that will receive referrals and information about qualified candidates.Additional impacts: Navy personnel and transition programs (TAP) will include defense-sector opportunities (Military Sealift Command and shipbuilding training); broader interagency and academic collaboration to support Sec. 996; potential changes in recruitment and retention narratives, workforce planning, and funding/administrative requirements to establish and operate these new pathways. A reporting requirement will help track progress and accountability.

Generated by gpt-5-nano on Oct 7, 2025