Bipartisan bill would promote defense industrial base careers to medically ineligible prospective service members

A bipartisan group of lawmakers today introduced a bicameral bill intended to strengthen and expand the defense industrial base workforce via initiatives to recruit individuals who want to serve in the military but are medically ineligible to do so.

The Defense Workforce Integration Act was introduced today by Senate Armed Services Committee members Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) and Mike Rounds (R-SD) and House Armed Services Committee members Jen Kiggans (R-VA) and Joe Courtney (D-CT). Additional co-sponsors include Sens. Tim Kaine (D-VA), Angus King (I-ME) and Kevin Cramer (R-ND) as well as Reps. Jimmy Panetta (D-CA) and Don Bacon (R-NE).

According to a statement from these co-sponsors, the bill would “leverage existing programs and best practices within the Department of Defense to retain the talent and motivation of those who desire to serve in uniform but are found to be medically disqualified to address persistent workforce shortages.”

If enacted, the legislation would direct the Pentagon to provide medically disqualified applicants with information on civilian employment opportunities in national security-related fields, including the defense industrial base; cybersecurity, intelligence, research and development of defense technologies; national emergency and disaster preparedness; and any other non-military roles the Defense Secretary considers important for national security.

For servicemembers who are medically disqualified early in their military careers, the bill would extend an existing Air Force practice to the Navy and Army by establishing personnel management programs in both services to perform “warm hand-offs” to DOD civilian hiring authorities.

The legislation also looks to expand existing Navy transition assistance programs to increase awareness of civilian roles within Military Sealift Command and workforce training programs for the shipbuilding industrial base.

“Every year, tens of thousands of young Americans are turned away from military service -- not because they aren’t willing to serve, but because of medical disqualifications that may have no bearing on their ability to contribute,” Rep. Jen Kiggans (R-VA) said in a statement. “The Defense Workforce Integration Act ensures that these patriotic individuals still have a path to serve their country through meaningful civilian careers that support our national security.”

Kaine, the ranking member on the Senate Armed Services seapower subcommittee who has previously raised this workforce pipeline idea, said the bill will help shipbuilding companies attract and retain talent. The shipbuilding industry is facing hiring and retention challenges that have contributed to delays and cost growth for the Navy’s surface and undersea fleet.

“I often hear from shipbuilders and other defense contractors in Virginia about how they need more skilled workers,” Kaine said in a separate statement. “That’s why I’ve been focused on expanding our national security and maritime industrial base workforce, including by helping talented young people who’ve been medically disqualified find other opportunities to serve their country.”