Report on reserve component integration into cyber mission force and cyberspace operations

(a) Report required Not later than August 1, 2026, the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Cyber Policy and the Commander of United States Cyber Command shall jointly, in coordination with the Chief of the National Guard Bureau, the principal cyber advisors of each of the military departments, the chief of each reserve component, and the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness, submit to the congressional defense committees a report on the integration of the reserve components into the cyber mission force in support of cyberspace operations. (b) Contents The report required under subsection (a) shall include the following: (1) An assessment of the different authorities available within each status of the reserve components, with particular focus on the National Guard and authorities under title 32, United States Code, and how the Department of Defense can use personnel of the reserve components in such statuses within the cyber mission force and in support of cyberspace operations. (2) An analysis of current and planned efforts to work with the military departments, the National Guard, and the adjutants general of each State to develop unique cyber capabilities that address identified operational requirements and that maximize use of local industry expertise and academic partnerships. (3) A description of methods to work with the military departments, the National Guard Bureau, and the adjutants general of each State to track and identify key skills and competencies that are not part of primary military occupational specialties of members of the military departments, but are developed through their civilian career experience. (4) An identification of the billets, resources, and support infrastructure needed to maximize the unique expertise, capabilities, and authorities of the reserve components in support of the cyber mission of the Department. (5) An evaluation of what types of authorities would be most beneficial to maximize the activation and support of the reserve components to cyberspace operations, including any legislative action that may be required. (6) An evaluation of the existing barriers to or impediments for integration of the reserve components into the cyber mission force in support of cyberspace operations and an assessment of mitigation initiatives with respect to paragraphs (1) through (5). (7) Such other matters as the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Cyber Policy and the Commander of United States Cyber Command consider appropriate. (8) The implementation plan required by subsection (c). (c) Implementation plan (1) Plan required The implementation plan required by subsection (b)(6) shall detail how the Department should better integrate the reserve components into cyber mission forces and cyberspace operations of the Department. (2) Elements The implementation plan required by subsection (b)(6) shall include the following: (A) Clearly defined roles and responsibilities for the Department of Defense, the military departments, United States Cyber Command, and the National Guard Bureau. (B) Timelines and milestones for implementation of the recommended actions. (C) Metrics to measure progress and effectiveness of integration efforts. (D) Resource requirements, including personnel, equipment, and funding necessary to implement the plan. (E) Recommendations for policy changes and, if appropriate, legislative proposals to improve integration. (F) A strategy for continuous assessment and improvement of reserve component integration. (G) A detailed analysis of force structure requirements and optimal reserve component organization, including the appropriate balance between traditional aligned reserve component units and individual mobilization augmentees for cyber mission force requirements. (H) A comprehensive assessment regarding funding for the activation of reserve component personnel possessing critical, low-density, and high-demand cyber skills, and an evaluation of readiness impacts resulting from insufficient dedicated funding for such activations. (I) An evaluation of operational impacts to cyber mission force readiness when reserve component personnel and units with cyber capabilities are activated for missions outside the cyber domain. (d) Briefings required (1) Interim briefing Not later than April 1, 2026, the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Cyber Policy and the Commander of United States Cyber Command shall jointly provide to the congressional defense committees an interim briefing on the report required by subsection (a). (2) Final briefing Not later than August 1, 2026, the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Cyber Policy and the Commander of United States Cyber Command shall jointly provide a final briefing to the congressional defense committees on the findings contained in the report submitted pursuant to subsection (a). (e) Form The report required under subsection (a) shall be submitted in unclassified form, but may include a classified annex. (f) Definition of reserve component In this section, the term reserve component means a reserve component of the military departments named under section 10101 of title 10, United States Code.