[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 1530 Introduced in Senate (IS)]
<DOC>
119th CONGRESS
1st Session
S. 1530
To enhance military recruitment by improving access to student
directory information, enabling the military to inform prospective
applicants about service options and the benefits of military service,
such as competitive pay, education, and valuable experience, which is
crucial for meeting National Security Strategy requirements and
supporting combatant commander demand.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
April 30, 2025
Ms. Ernst introduced the following bill; which was read twice and
referred to the Committee on Armed Services
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To enhance military recruitment by improving access to student
directory information, enabling the military to inform prospective
applicants about service options and the benefits of military service,
such as competitive pay, education, and valuable experience, which is
crucial for meeting National Security Strategy requirements and
supporting combatant commander demand.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Service Enlistment and Recruitment
of Valuable Engagement Act'' or the ``SERVE Act''.
SEC. 2. FINDINGS.
Congress makes the following findings:
(1) Ensuring that the United States has a sufficient number
of qualified active duty military personnel is a matter of
national security. To maintain force levels, the Department of
Defense must balance recruiting new members with retaining
trained servicemembers. However, the current recruitment
environment is the most challenging it has been in 50 years. A
combination of factors, including a strong economy, a shrinking
eligible population, and declining trust in institutions among
Generation Z, has significantly impacted the Department's
ability to recruit. As of 2022, only 12 percent of youth had a
parent who served in the military, down from 40 percent in
1995.
(2) The disconnect between today's youth and the military
has led to a lack of awareness regarding the benefits of
military service, such as competitive pay, career training, and
a meaningful mission. Research indicates that over half of
youth have never considered military service, underscoring the
urgent need for a renewed national call to service.
(3) The Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps (JROTC)
program offers essential leadership training and character
development for high school students. By establishing
formalized authorization for students without a JROTC unit at
their school to utilize JROTC units at other school within
their school district, we will improve access and opportunities
for students.
SEC. 3. IMPROVEMENTS ON ACCESS TO POTENTIAL APPLICANTS.
(a) Meaningful Access to High Schools.--
(1) Recruiting.--Section 503(c)(1)(A) of chapter 31 of
title 10, United States Code, is amended--
(A) in clause (i), by striking ``the same access to
secondary school students as is provided generally to
postsecondary educational institutions or to
prospective employers of those students'' and inserting
``meaningful access to secondary schools, including
monthly visits or at a minimum no fewer than 4 times
per academic year spread across the school year, in
high traffic areas during peak school hours, lunch
periods, between classes in a manner that does not
interfere with class attendance, and with reasonable
notice, in auditoriums and other meeting spaces, at
athletic functions and other group or social
activities''; and
(B) in clause (iii)--
(i) by striking ``60 days'' and inserting
``the 60th day after the start of the school
year, and thereafter, not later than 30 days'';
and
(ii) by inserting ``academic grades,''
after ``student names,''.
(2) ROTC access.--Section 983(b) of title 10, United States
Code, is amended--
(A) in paragraph (1), by striking ``in a manner
that is at least equal in quality and scope to the
access to campuses and to students that is provided to
any other employer'' and inserting ``that, at a
minimum, includes no fewer than 4 times per academic
year spread across the school year during peak school
hours, while classes are in session, in high-traffic
areas, and with reasonable notice, in auditoriums and
other meeting spaces, and during athletic functions and
other group or social activities''; and
(B) in paragraph (2)--
(i) in subparagraph (A)--
(I) by inserting ``academic
grades,'' after ``names,''; and
(II) by striking ``60th day'' and
inserting ``60th day after the start of
the school year and thereafter not
later than 30 days''; and
(ii) in subparagraph (B), by striking the
period at the end and inserting a semicolon;
and
(C) by adding at the end the following new
paragraphs:
``(3) access by military recruiters for purposes of
military recruiting, with respect to students (who are 17 years
of age or older) not returning to the institution after having
been enrolled during the previous semester--
``(A) the information required under subparagraphs
(A) and (B); and
``(B) the reason for failure to return, if
collected by the institution; and
``(4) access by military recruiters for purposes of
military recruiting to lists of students (who are 17 years of
age or older) enrolled at that institution (or any subelement
of that institution) who have submitted a Free Application for
Federal Student Aid, together with the listed information
required under subparagraphs (A) and (B), if collected by the
institution.''.
(b) Improving Opportunities Through Enhanced Prospecting.--Section
15(e) of the Selective Service Act (50 U.S.C. 3813(e)) is amended--
(1) in the subsection heading, by striking ``Names and
Addresses'' and inserting ``Selective Service System
Registration Information'';
(2) by striking ``to assist the Armed Forces in recruiting
individuals for voluntary service in the Armed Forces'' and
inserting ``to enable opportunities and enhance recruitment
efforts for voluntary service within the Armed Forces of the
United States'';
(3) by striking ``, upon the request of the Secretary of
Defense or the Secretary of Homeland Security,'' and inserting
``furnish on an annual basis to the Secretary of Defense or the
Secretary of Homeland Security'';
(4) by inserting ``, date of birth, phone number,
electronic mail address,'' after ``names'';
(5) by striking ``Names and addresses'' and inserting ``The
listed information''; and
(6) by striking ``or Secretary of Homeland Security'' and
inserting ``, the military services, or the Secretary of
Homeland Security''.
SEC. 4. ESTABLISHMENT OF AFFILIATION TYPES FOR JROTC.
(a) Policy.--The Department of Defense shall establish policy to
create two types of affiliation within the Junior Reserve Officers'
Training Corps (JROTC) program, as follows:
(1) Host unit.--A JROTC unit located at a high school that
has a Memorandum of Agreement with a military department to
maintain a JROTC program on its campus, staffed full-time.
(2) Cross-town.--A high school that has an agreement with a
host JROTC unit's institution, allowing its students to enroll
in the JROTC program of the host unit and participate in
activities at both campuses, without dedicated staff.
(b) Guidance.--The Department of Defense shall issue guidance to
implement these affiliation types within the JROTC program, ensuring
clarity on the roles, responsibilities, and requirements for each
affiliation type.
SEC. 5. ESTABLISHMENT OF PILOT PROGRAM TO RECOGNIZE MILITARY-FRIENDLY
SCHOOLS.
(a) Establishment of Pilot Program.--The Secretary of Defense shall
establish a two-year pilot program to recognize high schools that
demonstrate military enlistment rates above the State average. The
program shall aim to highlight and support schools that foster a
culture of service and commitment to national defense by encouraging
military enlistment among their students.
(b) Designation of Schools.--
(1) In general.--As part of the pilot program, the
Secretary of Defense shall designate eligible high schools as
``HERO schools'' (Honoring Excellence and Recruitment
Opportunities) based on their military enlistment rates and
demonstrated support for students interested in serving in the
Armed Forces.
(2) Designation.--The designation shall be made in a formal
letter from the Secretary of Defense, which shall be sent to
each school that meets the criteria outlined in subsection (c).
(c) Eligibility Criteria.--To be eligible for the designation, a
school must meet the following criteria:
(1) The school must have a military enlistment rate that
exceeds the State average for high schools in the same grade
band (9th through 12th grade).
(2) The school must have programs, activities, or
partnerships in place that support students' aspirations for
military service, including access to military recruiters,
Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (JROTC) programs, and
military preparation coursework.
(3) The school must demonstrate a commitment to fostering a
positive relationship with military services via the local
recruiting stations and an understanding of the opportunities
available through military enlistment.
(d) Pilot Program Duration.--The pilot program shall last for two
years, with a review of its effectiveness and impact at the end of the
first year.
SEC. 6. PRIORITY CONSIDERATION FOR APPLICANTS FROM HIGH SCHOOLS WITH
ABOVE-AVERAGE MILITARY ENLISTMENT RATES.
(a) Priority Consideration for Military Service Academy
Applicants.--The Secretary of Defense, in coordination with the
Secretary of the Army, the Secretary of the Navy, and the Secretary of
the Air Force, shall establish a policy to provide priority
consideration for admission to the military service academies (the
United States Military Academy, the United States Naval Academy, the
United States Air Force Academy, and the United States Coast Guard
Academy) for applicants who are graduates of high schools with military
enlistment rates above the State average.
(b) Eligibility Criteria for Priority Consideration.--
(1) In general.--To be eligible for priority consideration,
a high school must meet the following criteria:
(A) The high school's military enlistment rate
exceeds the State average for high schools in the same
grade band (9th through 12th grade).
(B) The high school demonstrates ongoing support
for military service and provide resources for students
interested in military careers, including access to
recruiters, Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps
(JROTC) programs, and military preparatory coursework.
(C) The school has a documented history of
encouraging students to pursue military service as a
viable post-graduation option.
(2) Priority status.--Applicants from eligible high schools
shall receive priority status in the admissions process for
each respective military service academy, including
consideration for appointments and appointments from
congressional nominations.
SEC. 7. NATIONAL WEEK OF MILITARY RECRUITMENT.
(a) Designation.--Chapter 1 of title 36, United States Code, is
amended by adding at the end the following new section:
``Sec. 149. National Week of Military Recruitment
``(a) Designation.--The first week of April is the National Week of
Military Recruitment.
``(b) Proclamation.--The President is requested to issue each year
a proclamation calling on the people of the United States to observe
the National Week of Military Recruitment with appropriate ceremonies
and activities.''.
(b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of sections for chapter 1 of
title 36, United States Code, is amended by inserting after the item
relating to section 148 the following new item:
``149. National Week of Military Recruitment.''.
SEC. 8. REPORTING REQUIREMENTS.
(a) Report on JROTC Policy.--
(1) In general.--Not later than 180 days after the date of
the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense shall
submit a report to the congressional defense committees on the
status of the policy established under section 4(a).
(2) Elements.--The report required under paragraph (1)
shall include the following elements:
(A) The number and locations of cross-town units
established under the new policy.
(B) Total enrollment numbers for each cross-town
institution.
(C) Recommendations for further improvements or
changes to enhance the effectiveness of the JROTC
program.
(b) Report on Pilot Program To Recognize Military-Friendly
Schools.--The Secretary of Defense shall submit a report to Congress
not later than 90 days after the conclusion of the two-year pilot
program established under section 5. The report shall include--
(1) a list of schools designated as HERO schools;
(2) an analysis of the impact of the designation on
military enlistment rates and school culture; and
(3) recommendations for the expansion or continuation of
the program beyond the pilot phase.
(c) Reports on Policy To Provide Priority Consideration for
Applicants From High Schools With Above-Average Military Enlistment
Rates.--
(1) Implementation report.--Not later than 180 days after
the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense
shall submit to Congress a report outlining the process for
identifying eligible high schools under section 6, the criteria
used for determining military enlistment rates, and a timeline
for the implementation of the priority consideration policy
under such section.
(2) Annual report.--The Secretary of Defense shall submit
to Congress an annual report on the number of applicants
receiving priority consideration under section 6, the cities
and States where the applicants attended high school, the
outcomes of their applications, and any impacts on military
service academy enrollment patterns.
<all>