Integration of small unmanned aircraft systems and counter-unmanned aircraft systems training into initial, officer, and joint collective training

(a) In general The relevant service secretary shall integrate foundational small unmanned aircraft systems (sUAS) operation and counter-UAS (C-UAS) recognition and defeat protocols into the program of instruction for all initial entry and officer ascension training pipelines. To ensure institutional integration, sUAS and C-UAS training shall follow the historic, tiered progression of established combat marksmanship training. (b) Joint integration in service-level and large-scale combat exercises The Secretary of Defense, in coordination with the Secretaries of the military departments, shall ensure that no service-level training exercise or Joint-Force large-scale combat simulation may be certified as combat-ready or complete unless the exercise incorporates realistic, adversarial UAS threat simulation. (c) Applicability The requirements under section (a) and (b) shall apply to the below military department training maneuvers: (1) United States Marine Corps Marine Air-Ground Task Force Warfighting Exercises and Integrated Training Exercises conducted at Marine Corps Air-Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms, California. (2) United States Army exercises at the National Training Center and the Joint Readiness Training Center. (3) United States Air Force and United States Navy Red Flag and large-scale Fleet Exercises. (d) Establishment of a matrixed skill line The Secretary of the Defense shall designate basic sUAS operation and C-UAS tactical defense as Core Warrior Tasks.