Sec. 559. Establishment of program to promote participation of foreign students in the Senior Reserve Officers' Training Corps
651 words·~3 min read·
/bill/118/s/2226/es/section-559A research copy — for the controlling text, always check the official state or federal source. Not legal advice.
Not later than January 1, 2025, the Secretary of Defense shall establish a program using the authority provided under section 2103(b) of title 10, United States Code, to promote the participation of foreign students in the Senior Reserve Officers' Training Corps (in this section referred to as the Program ). The Secretary of Defense, in consultation with the Director of the Defense Security Cooperation Agency, the Secretaries of the military departments, the commanders of the combatant commands, the participant institutions in the Senior Reserve Officers' Training Corps program, and any other individual the Secretary of Defense considers appropriate, shall be responsible for, and shall oversee, the Program.
The objective of the Program is to promote the readiness and interoperability of the United States Armed Forces and the military forces of partner countries by providing a high-quality, cost effective military-based educational experience for foreign students in furtherance of the military-to-military program objectives of the Department of Defense and to enhance the educational experience and preparation of future United States military leaders through increased, extended interaction with highly qualified potential foreign military leaders.
Under the Program, the Secretary of Defense shall— identify to the military services’ Senior Reserve Officers' Training Corps program the foreign students who, based on criteria established by the Secretary, the Secretary recommends be considered for admission under the Program; coordinate with partner countries to evaluate interest in and promote awareness of the Program; establish a mechanism for tracking an alumni network of foreign students who participate in the Program; and to the extent practicable, work with the participant institutions in the Senior Reserve Officers' Training Corps program and partner countries to identify academic institutions and programs that— have specialized academic programs in areas of study of interest to participating countries; or have high participation from or significant diaspora populations from participating countries.
Not later than September 30, 2024, the Secretary of Defense shall submit to the Committee on Armed Services of the Senate and the Committee on Armed Services of the House of Representatives a strategy for the implementation of the Program. The strategy required by paragraph
(1)shall include the following elements: A governance structure for the Program, including— the officials tasked to oversee the Program; the format of the governing body of the Program; the functions and duties of such governing body with respect to establishing and maintaining the Program; and mechanisms for coordinating with partner countries whose students are selected to participate in the Program. A list of additional authorities, appropriations, or other congressional support necessary to ensure the success of the Program. A description of targeted partner countries and participant institutions in the Senior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps for the first three fiscal years of the Program, including a rationale for selecting such initial partners. A description of opportunities and potential timelines for future Program expansion, as appropriate. A description of the mechanism for tracking the alumni network of participants of the Program. Any other information the Secretary of Defense considers appropriate. Not later than September 20, 2025, and annually thereafter, the Secretary of Defense shall submit to the congressional defense committees (as defined in section 101 of title 10, United States Code) a report on the Program. Each report required by paragraph
(1)shall include the following elements: A narrative summary of activities conducted as part of the Program during the preceding fiscal year. An overview of participant Senior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps programs, individuals, and countries, to include a description of the areas of study entered into by the students participating in the Program. A description of opportunities and potential timelines for future Program expansion, as appropriate. Any other information the Secretary of Defense considers appropriate. The Secretary of Defense may not use the authority provided under this section to pay for tuition or room and board for foreign students who participate in the Program. The Program shall terminate on December 31, 2029.