118 HR 9947 IH: Learning Integrated National Knowledge for the Abraham Accords Act of 2024” or the “LINK Act of 2024
U.S. House of Representatives
2024-10-08
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I
118th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. R. 9947
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
October 8, 2024
Mr. Panetta (for himself, Mr. Nunn of Iowa, Mr. Schneider, Mr. Trone, Mrs. Wagner, and Mrs. Rodgers of Washington) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Armed Services
A BILL
To direct the Secretary of Defense to design and implement a foreign military officer subject matter expert exchange program.
1.

Short title
This Act may be cited as the “Learning Integrated National Knowledge for the Abraham Accords Act of 2024” or the “LINK Act of 2024”.
2.

Key partners for Middle East Regional Integration Military Subject Matter Expert Exchange Program
(a)

In general
The Secretary of Defense, using existing authorities, including section 311 of title 10, United States Code, as applicable, and in consultation with the head of any other Federal agency, as appropriate, shall design and implement a foreign military officer subject matter expert exchange program to be known as the “Middle East Regional Integration Military Subject Matter Expert Exchange Program” (referred to in this section as the “exchange program”).
(b)

Purpose
The purpose of the exchange program shall be to facilitate interaction, cultural exchange, and mutual learning of members of participating militaries in support of Middle East regional integration in order to deepen and expand such integration.
(c)

Membership
(1)

Composition
The exchange program shall be composed of members of the Armed Forces of participating militaries in support of Middle East regional integration and members of the Armed Forces of the United States.
(2)

Subject matter
(A)

In general
The Secretary of Defense shall select exchange program participants with a wide range of experiences collectively covering the tactical, operational, and strategic levels.
(B)

Participant pay grade levels
The Secretary of Defense shall include in the exchange program participants at each of the following military pay grades, or equivalent foreign military pay grades:
(i)
E–7 through E–9.
(ii)
CW–3 through CW–5.
(iii)
O–3 through O–9.
(iv)
Such other pay grade levels at the discretion of the Secretary of Defense.
(C)

Expertise
A participant in the exchange program shall have expertise in one or more of the following subject matter areas:
(i)
Strategic doctrine.
(ii)
Defense planning.
(iii)
Civilian and military relations.
(iv)
Military law.
(v)
Public affairs.
(vi)
Civil affairs.
(vii)
Military budgeting and acquisition.
(viii)
Integrated air and missile defense.
(ix)
Integrated maritime domain awareness and interdiction.
(x)
Cyber resilience and defense.
(xi)
Counterterrorism.
(xii)
Defense information sharing.
(xiii)
Any other subject matter area that the Secretary of Defense determines to be appropriate.
(d)

Exchange program content
The exchange program—
(1)
shall include learning modalities and methods, as determined by the Exchange Program Coordinator;
(2)
may include separate agendas and experiences for participants in order to—
(A)
facilitate interaction on particular topics;
(B)
cater to participant backgrounds or rank levels; or
(C)
achieve other pedagogical ends as determined by the Exchange Program Coordinator; and
(3)
may include discussion, comparison, and information regarding the development of—
(A)
defense doctrine;
(B)
exercise development;
(C)
budget planning;
(D)
military law and law of armed conflict;
(E)
military cooperation with civilian agencies;
(F)
standard operating procedures;
(G)
operational plans and the operational art;
(H)
gaps and opportunities for improvement in existing procedures and plans;
(I)
existing technical challenges;
(J)
emerging technical challenges;
(K)
the current and future threat environment;
(L)
trust and capacity for multilateral sharing of information;
(M)
additional mechanisms and ideas for integrated cooperation;
(N)
ways to promote the meaningful participation of women in matters of peace and security; and
(O)
other content, as appropriate, developed to advance integration and tactical, operational, and strategic proficiency.
(e)

Meetings
Participants in the exchange program shall meet in-person not less frequently than quarterly.
(f)

Exchange Program Coordinator
(1)

In general
The Secretary of Defense shall designate an Exchange Program Coordinator, who shall be assigned to a Department of Defense School, to oversee the exchange program.
(2)

Duties
(2) The Exchange Program Coordinator shall—
(A)
design the exchange program;
(B)
ensure that the exchange program complies with the requirements of this section;
(C)
provide to the Secretary of Defense reports on developments, insights, and progress of the exchange program; and
(D)
notify the Secretary of Defense of any failures of the exchange program to comply with the in-person requirements of subsection (e).
(3)

Notification to Congress
Not later than 15 days after receiving a notification under paragraph (2)(D), the Secretary of Defense shall submit to the Committee on Armed Services of the Senate and the Committee on Armed Services of the House of Representatives a report describing—
(A)
the reasons an in-person meeting did not occur during such quarter; and
(B)
any measures taken to ensure that an in-person meeting occurs during the following quarter.
(g)

Report
(1)

In general
Not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of this Act, and annually thereafter for 5 years, the Secretary of Defense shall submit to the Committee on Armed Services of the Senate and the Committee on Armed Services of the House of Representatives a report that includes—
(A)
a summary of the activities of the exchange program during the prior year, including—
(i)
the countries participating;
(ii)
the subject matter covered;
(iii)
developments, insights, and progress achieved through the program; and
(iv)
any new topics added to the exchange as well as a justification for adding the new topic;
(B)
an assessment of the effectiveness of the exchange program; and
(C)
recommendations on further improvements to the exchange program.
(2)

Form
The report required by paragraph (1) shall be submitted in unclassified form but may include a classified annex.
(h)

Definitions
In this section:
(1)

Department of Defense school
The term Department of Defense school means any institution listed in section 1595(c) or section 2162(d) of title 10, United States Code.
(2)

Participating militaries in support of Middle East regional integration
The term participating militaries in support of Middle East regional integration means military allies and partner forces of the United States working to advance regional integration in the Middle East.