Report on educational partnerships to support military recruitment, readiness, and end strength requirements

(a) Report required Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense, in consultation with the Secretary of Education, shall submit to the congressional defense committees, the Committee on Education and Workforce of the House of Representatives, and the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions of the Senate a report on opportunities to strengthen military recruitment and support the readiness and end strength requirements of the Armed Forces through partnerships with secondary schools, institutions of higher education, and career and technical education programs. (b) Matters included The report required under subsection (a) shall include the following: (1) An assessment of current and projected recruiting challenges affecting the Armed Forces and the ability of the military departments to meet authorized end strength requirements. (2) An assessment of the extent to which academic preparedness, physical fitness, workforce readiness, and awareness of military service opportunities impact the pool of qualified applicants available to the Armed Forces. (3) An evaluation of existing Department of Defense engagement with secondary schools, institutions of higher education, and career and technical education programs and the effectiveness of such engagement in supporting recruiting objectives and military readiness. (4) An assessment of the Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps program and the Senior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps program, including— (A) participation levels and recent enrollment trends; (B) geographic distribution and accessibility of those programs; (C) barriers to program expansion, including in areas experiencing recruiting shortfalls; and (D) opportunities to increase participation, improve awareness of military service pathways, and strengthen leadership development among participants. (5) An assessment of opportunities to expand partnerships between the Department of Defense and educational institutions to support recruitment into mission-critical military career fields, including science, technology, engineering, mathematics, cybersecurity, aviation, logistics, healthcare, artificial intelligence, and other fields identified by the Secretary of Defense. (6) Recommendations for improving coordination between the Department of Defense and the Department of Education to increase awareness of military service opportunities, scholarships, service academies, Senior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps scholarships, military career pathways, and other programs that support military recruiting and readiness. (7) An assessment of opportunities to align existing educational, workforce development, and career readiness programs with current and projected Armed Forces personnel requirements. (8) Recommendations for legislative or administrative actions to strengthen the pipeline of qualified applicants for military service and support long-term military readiness and end strength requirements. (9) Recommendations to increase the attractiveness of military service as a career path and form of public service, including recommendations to improve awareness of military career opportunities, expand pathways to service through the Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps and Senior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps programs, strengthen educational and workforce development partnerships, and increase the pool of qualified applicants available to meet military readiness and end strength requirements. (c) Briefing Not later than 30 days after submitting the report required under subsection (a), the Secretary of Defense shall provide a briefing to the congressional defense committees on the findings and recommendations contained in the report. (d) Form The report required under subsection (a) shall be submitted in unclassified form, but may include a classified annex.