Sec. 596. Support for members who perform duties regarding remotely piloted aircraft: study; report
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/bill/117/hr/7900/eh/section-596A research copy — for the controlling text, always check the official state or federal source. Not legal advice.
The Secretary of Defense (in consultation with the Secretary of Transportation and Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration) shall conduct a study to identify opportunities to provide more support services to, and greater recognition of combat accomplishments of, RPA crew. Such study shall identify the following with respect to each covered Armed Force: Safety policies applicable to crew of traditional aircraft that apply to RPA crew. Personnel policies, including crew staffing and training practices, applicable to crew of traditional aircraft that apply to RPA crew.
Metrics the Secretaries of the military departments use to evaluate the health of RPA crew. Incentive pay, retention bonuses, promotion rates, and career advancement opportunities for RPA crew. Combat zone compensation available to RPA crew. Decorations and awards for combat available to RPA crew. Mental health care available to crew of traditional aircraft and RPA crew who conduct combat operations. Whether RPA crew receive post-separation health (including mental health) care equivalent to crew of traditional aircraft.
An explanation of any difference under paragraph (8). Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense shall submit to the appropriate congressional committees a report containing the results of the study conducted under this section, including any policy recommendations of the Secretary regarding such results. In this section: In this section, the term appropriate congressional committees means the following: The Committees on Armed Services of the Senate and House of Representatives.
The Committees on Appropriations of the Senate and House of Representatives. The Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate. The Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives. The term covered Armed Force means an Armed Force under the jurisdiction of the Secretary of a military department. The term RPA crew means members of covered Armed Forces who perform duties relating to remotely piloted aircraft. The term traditional aircraft means fixed or rotary wing aircraft operated by an onboard pilot.