§2015. Program to assist members in obtaining professional credentials
(a)
(b)
(2) The authority under paragraph (1) may not be used to pay the expenses of a member to obtain professional credentials that are a prerequisite for appointment in the armed forces.
(c)
(2) The requirements for a credentialing program specified in this paragraph are that the credentialing program-
(A) is accredited by a nationally-recognized, third-party personnel certification program accreditor;
(B)(i) is sought or accepted by employers within the industry or sector involved as a recognized, preferred, or required credential for recruitment, screening, hiring, retention, or advancement purposes; and
(ii) where appropriate, is endorsed by a nationally-recognized trade association or organization representing a significant part of the industry or sector;
(C) grants licenses that are recognized by the Federal Government or a State government; or
(D) meets credential standards of a Federal agency.
(d)
(2) The regulations shall apply uniformly to the armed forces to the extent practicable.
(3) The regulations shall include the following:
(A) Requirements for eligibility for participation in the program under this section.
(B) A description of the professional credentials and occupations covered by the program.
(C) Mechanisms for oversight of the payment of expenses and the provision of other benefits under the program.
(D) Such other matters in connection with the payment of expenses and the provision of other benefits under the program as the Secretaries consider appropriate.
(e)
(Added
Editorial Notes
References in Text
The date of the enactment of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2016, referred to in subsec. (c)(1), is the date of enactment of
Amendments
2018-Subsec. (a).
"(1) are acquired during service in the armed forces; and
"(2) translate into civilian occupations."
2016-Subsec. (a)(1).
Subsec. (c)(1).
Subsec. (c)(2).
"(A) be an independent body that has in place mechanisms to ensure objectivity and impartiality in its accreditation activities;
"(B) meet a recognized national or international standard that directs its policy and procedures regarding accreditation;
"(C) apply a recognized national or international certification standard in making its accreditation decisions regarding certification bodies and programs;
"(D) conduct on-site visits, as applicable, to verify the documents and records submitted by credentialing bodies for accreditation;
"(E) have in place policies and procedures to ensure due process when addressing complaints and appeals regarding its accreditation activities;
"(F) conduct regular training to ensure consistent and reliable decisions among reviewers conducting accreditations; and
"(G) meet such other criteria as the Secretary concerned considers appropriate in order to ensure quality in its accreditation activities."
2015-Subsecs. (c) to (e).
2014-
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Improvements to the Credentialing Opportunities On-Line Programs of the Armed Forces
"(a)
"(1) The percentage of members of the Armed Force concerned described in section 1142(a) of title 10, United States Code, who participate in a professional credential program through the COOL program of the Armed Force concerned.
"(2) The percentage of members of the Armed Force concerned described in paragraph (1) who have completed a professional credential program described in that paragraph.
"(3) The amount of funds obligated and expended to execute the COOL program of each Armed Force during the five fiscal years immediately preceding the date of the study.
"(4) Any other element determined by the Secretary of Defense.
"(b)
"(c)
"(d)
"(1) the study conducted under subsection (a); and
"(2) the process established under subsection (b), including a timeline to implement such process."
Programs To Facilitate the Award of Private Pilot's Certificates
"(a)
"(b)
"(1)
"(A) the standards to be met for participation in the program; and
"(B) the types of assistance, if any, to be provided to individuals who participate in the program.
"(2)
"(c)
"(1)
"(2)
"(d)
"(1)
"(2)
"(A) The total number of participants in the program.
"(B) The number of private pilot's certificates awarded to participants in the program.
"(C) The number of participants in the program who fully completed a ground school course of instruction in connection with obtaining a private pilot's certificate."
Pilot Program on Earning by Special Operations Forces Medics of Credit Toward a Physician Assistant Degree
"(a)
"(b)
"(c)
"(d)
"(e)
"(1)
"(A) A comprehensive framework for the military education to be provided to special operations forces medics under the pilot program, including courses of instruction at institutions of higher education and any health care systems participating in the pilot program.
"(B) Metrics to be used to assess the effectiveness of the pilot program.
"(C) A description of the mechanisms to be used by the Department, medics, or both to cover the costs of education received by medics under the pilot program through institutions of higher education or health care systems, including payment by the Department in return for a military service commitment, tuition or other educational assistance by the Department, use by medics of post-9/11 educational assistance available through the Department of Veterans Affairs, and any other mechanisms the Secretary considers appropriate for purposes of the pilot program.
"(2)
"(A) An evaluation of the pilot program using the metrics of assessment set forth pursuant to paragraph (1)(B).
"(B) An assessment of the utility of the funding mechanisms set forth pursuant to paragraph (1)(C).
"(C) An assessment of the effects of the pilot program on recruitment and retention of medics for special operations forces.
"(D) An assessment of the feasibility and advisability of extending one or more authorities for joint professional military education under chapter 107 of title 10, United States Code, to warrant officers or enlisted personnel, and if the Secretary considers the extension of any such authorities feasible and advisable, recommendations for legislative or administrative action to so extend such authorities.
"(f)
"(1) authorize an officer or employee of the Federal Government to create, endorse, or otherwise incentivize a particular curriculum or degree track; or
"(2) require, direct, review, or control a State or educational institution, or the instructional content, curriculum, and related activities of a State or educational institution."
Enhancement of Mechanisms To Correlate Skills and Training for Military Occupational Specialties With Skills and Training Required for Civilian Certifications and Licenses
"(a)
"(1)
"(A) to evaluate the extent to which such training correlates with the skills and training required in connection with various civilian certifications and licenses; and
"(B) to assess the suitability of such training for obtaining or pursuing such civilian certifications and licenses.
"(2)
"(3)
"(A) Information on the civilian occupational equivalents of military occupational specialties (MOS).
"(B) Information on civilian license or certification requirements, including examination requirements.
"(C) Information on the availability and opportunities for use of educational benefits available to members of the Armed Forces, as appropriate, corresponding training, or continuing education that leads to a certification exam in order to provide a pathway to credentialing opportunities.
"(4)
"(b)
"(1)
"(2)
"(A) Civilian credentialing agencies.
"(B) Entities approved by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, or by State approving agencies, for purposes of the use of educational assistance benefits under the laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs.
"(3)
Pilot Program on Receipt of Civilian Credentialing for Skills Required for Military Occupational Specialties
"(a)
"(b)
"(1) designate not less than three military occupational specialities or duty speciality codes for coverage under the pilot program;
"(2) consider utilizing industry-recognized certifications or licensing standards for civilian occupational skills comparable to the specialties or codes so designated; and
"(3) permit enlisted members of the Armed Forces to obtain the credentials or licenses required for the specialities or codes so designated through civilian credentialing or licensing entities, institutions, or bodies selected by the Secretary for purposes of the pilot program, whether concurrently with military training, at the completion of military training, or both.
"(c)
"(d)
"(1) The number of enlisted members who participated in the pilot program.
"(2) A description of the costs incurred by the Department of Defense in connection with the receipt by members of credentialing or licensing under the pilot program.
"(3) A comparison of the cost associated with receipt by members of credentialing or licensing under the pilot program with the cost of receipt of similar credentialing or licensing by recently-discharged veterans of the Armed Forces under programs currently operated by the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Department of Labor.
"(4) The recommendation of the Secretary as to the feasibility and advisability of expanding the pilot program to additional military occupational specialties or duty specialty codes, and, if such expansion is considered feasible and advisable, a list of the military occupational specialties and duty specialty codes recommended for inclusion in the expansion."
Executive Documents
Ex. Ord. No. 13860. Supporting the Transition of Active Duty Service Members and Military Veterans Into the Merchant Marine
Ex. Ord. No. 13860, Mar. 4, 2019, 84 F.R. 8407, provided:
By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, and to promote employment opportunities for United States military veterans while growing the cadre of trained United States mariners available to meet United States requirements for national and economic security, it is hereby ordered as follows:
A robust merchant marine is vital to the national and economic security of the United States. Credentialed United States merchant mariners support domestic and international trade, are critical for strategic defensive and offensive military sealift operations, and bring added expertise to Federal vessel operations. Unfortunately, the United States faces a shortage of qualified merchant mariners. As our strategic competitors expand their global footprint, the United States must retain its ability to project and sustain forces globally. This capability requires a sufficient corps of credentialed merchant mariners available to crew the necessary sealift fleet. Attracting additional trained and credentialed mariners, particularly from active duty service members and military veterans, will support United States national security requirements and provide meaningful, well-paying jobs to United States veterans.
(i) Within 1 year from the date of this order [Mar. 4, 2019], identify all military training and experience within the applicable service that may qualify for merchant mariner credentialing, and submit a list of all identified military training and experience to the United States Coast Guard National Maritime Center for a determination of whether such training and experience counts for credentialing purposes;
(ii) With respect to National Maritime Center license evaluation, issuance, and examination, take all necessary and appropriate actions to provide for the waiver of fees for active duty service members, if a waiver is authorized and appropriate, and, if a waiver is not granted, take all necessary and appropriate actions to provide for the payment of fees for active duty service members by the applicable service to the fullest extent permitted by law;
(iii) Direct the applicable services to take all necessary and appropriate actions to pay for Transportation Worker Identification Credential cards for active duty service members pursuing or possessing a mariner credential;
(iv) Ensure that members of the applicable services who are to be discharged or released from active duty and who request certification or verification of sea service be provided such certification or verification no later than 1 month after discharge or release; and
(v) Ensure the applicable services have developed, or continue to operate, as appropriate, the online resource known as Credentialing Opportunities On-Line to support separating service members seeking information and assistance on merchant mariner credentialing.
(b) The United States Committee on the Marine Transportation System shall pursue innovative ways to support merchant mariner credentialing, including through continuation of the Military to Mariner Initiative as appropriate, and shall provide a yearly status report on its efforts under the provisions of this order to the President through the White House Office of Trade and Manufacturing Policy.
(i) the authority granted by law to an executive department or agency, or the head thereof; or
(ii) the functions of the Director of the Office of Management and Budget relating to budgetary, administrative, or legislative proposals.
(b) This order shall be implemented consistent with applicable law and subject to the availability of appropriations.
(c) This order is not intended to, and does not, create any right or benefit, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or in equity by any party against the United States, its departments, agencies, or entities, its officers, employees, or agents, or any other person.
Donald J. Trump.