Defense Workforce Integration Act of 2025
The Defense Workforce Integration Act of 2025 aims to better align military and civilian hiring, especially for service members who are medically disqualified from service. Within one year of enactment, the Department of Defense (DoD) would create a pathway for medically disqualified entry-level service members to enter civilian positions within DoD or its components. The Air Force DRIVE program is named as a sufficient model for this pathway, with other services encouraged to adopt similar approaches. In addition, the bill would create a new program (Section 996 of Title 10) to provide information and referrals about non-military career opportunities in the defense sector and related fields to individuals deemed medically unqualified for military service. The Navy would also expand its Transition Assistance Program to include information on opportunities at the Military Sealift Command and shipbuilding workforce training. Finally, the bill requires a report to Congress within one year detailing implementation.
Key Points
- 1Establishment of a civilian-hiring pathway for medically disqualified entry-level service members to work in DoD or its components within one year of enactment.
- 2The Air Force DRIVE program is recognized as a sufficient model and may serve as a baseline for other services’ programs.
- 3Creation of a new Section 996 in Title 10 to inform and refer medically disqualified individuals to jobs, apprenticeships, and training in the defense industrial base, cybersecurity/intelligence roles, defense R&D, national emergency preparedness, and other non-military opportunities.
- 4Requirement for collaboration with the defense industry, other federal agencies, and academic institutions to implement the Section 996 program.
- 5Navy-specific provision to include information on Military Sealift Command career opportunities and shipbuilding training as part of the Transition Assistance Program.
- 6Mandatory reporting to Congress within one year on implementation of sections 2 and 4 and the new Section 996 provisions.