Sec. 303. Pilot program on technical civilian professional credentials
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The Secretary of Defense shall carry out, through the Secretary of one of the military departments, a pilot program, for a period of not more than 2 years, to assess the feasibility and advisability of establishing partnerships with community colleges and vocational schools to create technical education programs through which members of the Armed Forces may earn professional credentials in areas of critical need in the Armed Forces. The pilot program shall be comprised of such partnerships with up to 3 community colleges and vocational schools.
The educational programs created through the pilot program shall be open to participation by members of the Armed Forces (including recruits) and any other students at the selected community colleges and vocational schools. The military department selected under subsection
(a)shall bear at least 50 percent of the costs of the pilot program authorized under such subsection, and the community colleges and vocational schools in the pilot program shall bear the remaining costs, including providing the staff and facilities for the pilot program. Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense shall submit to the Committees on Armed Services of the Senate and the House of Representatives a report on the pilot program under this section. The report shall include— a comprehensive framework for the education and credentials to be provided under the pilot program; metrics to be used to assess the effectiveness of the pilot program; and a description of mechanisms to be used to cover the costs of the technical education programs created under the pilot program. Not later than 180 days after completion of the pilot program, the Secretary shall submit to the committees of Congress referred to in paragraph
(1)a final report on the pilot program. The report shall include— an evaluation of the pilot program using the metrics of assessment set forth in the initial report; an assessment of the effects of the pilot program on recruitment and retention of military personnel; and an assessment on the feasibility and advisability of extending the term of the pilot program, expanding its scope, or both. There are authorized to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary to carry out this section.