Kaine, Colleagues Introduce Bipartisan, Bicameral Bill to Strengthen Civilian Defense Workforce

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Tim Kaine (D-VA), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Mike Rounds (R-SD), Kevin Cramer (R-ND), and Angus King (I-ME), all members of the U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC), led the introduction of the Defense Workforce Integration Act, bipartisan, bicameral legislation that seeks to bolster the civilian defense and national security workforce. The bipartisan bill would leverage existing programs and best practices within the Department of Defense (DoD) to retain the talent and motivation of those who desire to serve in uniform but are found to be medically disqualified to address persistent workforce shortages. Companion legislation is being led in the U.S. House of Representatives by Jen Kiggans (R-VA-02), Joe Courtney (D-CT-02), Jimmy Panetta (D-CA-19), and Don Bacon (R-NE-02).

“I often hear from shipbuilders and other defense contractors in Virginia about how they need more skilled workers. That’s why I’ve been focused on expanding our national security and maritime industrial base workforce, including by helping talented young people who’ve been medically disqualified find other opportunities to serve their country,” said Kaine. “This bipartisan, bicameral legislation would encourage these individuals to enter alternative career pathways to support the defense industrial base and expand awareness of civilian defense roles for transitioning servicemembers. That’s a win-win for workers and our national security.”   

As defense workforce shortages grow in crucial areas like manufacturing, cybersecurity, and defense logistics, the Defense Workforce Integration Act would activate a pool of candidates who are ineligible for military service to fill vacant positions that contribute to America’s national security.  

For applicants who cannot join the military, the legislation directs DoD to enable military personnel managers to provide individuals that are medically disqualified with information about civilian employment opportunities in the following areas: the defense industrial base, cybersecurity, intelligence, research and development of defense technologies, national emergency and disaster preparedness and any other non-military role the Secretary of Defense considers in the national security interest. 

For servicemembers disqualified early in their careers, the legislation expands on existing Air Force best practices by establishing Army and Navy personnel management programs to execute “warm hand-offs” to DoD civilian hiring authorities for personnel who become medically disqualified during their initial accession and training pipelines. 

For personnel leaving the military after serving honorably, the legislation leverages existing Navy transition assistance programs to expand awareness of critical civilian roles at Military Sealift Command and workforce training programs for shipbuilders to enhance our civilian maritime workforce. 

Full text of the bill is available here.

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