Report on options for establishing a digital engagement framework for addressing recruitment, retention, and readiness challenges

(a) Report required Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense shall submit to the Committees on Armed Services of the House of Representatives and the Senate a report on options for establishing a digital engagement framework for the purpose of addressing recruitment, retention, and readiness challenges facing the Armed Forces by— (1) leveraging community-driven digital platforms available to members of the Armed Forces and the family members and caregivers of such members; (2) improving the use and awareness of benefits or services available under the Transition Assistance Program and other programs of the Department of Defense; and (3) positioning service in the Armed Forces as a premier pathway for achieving full human potential. (b) Elements The report under subsection (a) shall include the following: (1) With respect to any benefit, service, or program of the Department for members of the Armed Forces (including members of the Armed Forces participating in the Transition Assistance Program), or family members or caregivers of such members, the following: (A) an assessment of digital engagement capabilities, including— (i) survey design, implementation, or analysis capabilities to identify any such benefit, service, or program that is underused by such individuals; (ii) internal marketing capabilities to promote such benefits, services, or programs; (iii) strategic content development highlighting available opportunities with respect to such benefits, services, or programs; (iv) collaborative networks with subject matter experts relating to the subject matter of such benefits, services, or programs; and (v) advanced data management capabilities (including geolocation, demographic, and segment analytics) to ensure targeted outreach connects such individuals with such benefits, services, or programs; (B) an identification of any such capabilities that have a demonstrated history of high user engagement, involve real-time responsiveness features, and provide resource-agnostic connectivity to any such benefit, service, or program; and (C) an evaluation of how comprehensive community management across digital platforms that are geographically diverse but interconnected can improve the use and awareness of such benefits, services, or programs, by such individuals. (2) An assessment of potential partnerships with nonprofit organizations under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 that the Secretary determines have a demonstrated history of— (A) managing large-scale digital communities serving the individuals specified in paragraph (1), including across multiple time zones; and (B) funding health and wellness initiatives for such individuals and improving retention in health care services and reduced rates of relapse among such individuals. (3) Recommendations by the Secretary for the potential establishment of one or more pilot programs to test digital engagement solutions for the purpose specified in paragraph (1), measure the effects of such solutions with respect to the challenges specified in such paragraph, and evaluate the cost-effectiveness of such solutions, including recommendations on— (A) potential actions under the pilot program to stress-test digital platforms under mobilization surge conditions to simulate the rapid onboarding of large numbers of members of the Armed Forces and family members of such members during contingency operations; and (B) the potential use of funds appropriated to the Department or other funding mechanisms available to the Department to carry out such pilot program.