SERVE Act
- Bill Number
- H.R. 3107
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Armed Forces and National Security
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-04-30: Referred to the Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation.
- Last Updated
- 2025-12-19T09:08:12Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose of the Legislation
The SERVE Act (H.R. 3107) aims to strengthen U.S. military recruitment by expanding access for recruiters to high school students and postsecondary institutions. It addresses recruitment challenges, such as a shrinking eligible youth population and low awareness of military benefits (e.g., competitive pay, education, and career training), to help the Department of Defense meet national security needs and maintain force levels.
Key Provisions
- Expanded Access for Military Recruiters (Section 3): Requires high schools to provide "meaningful access" to recruiters, including at least four visits per academic year during peak hours, lunch, or events like sports, without disrupting classes. Institutions must share student directory information (names, addresses, phone numbers) by the 60th day of the school year and update it every 30 days thereafter. This also includes academic grades and genders. For postsecondary schools, similar access is mandated for ROTC recruiters, plus data on students aged 17+ who do not return after a semester (including reasons why) and those who apply for federal student aid (FAFSA).
- JROTC Program Enhancements (Section 4): Establishes two affiliation types for the Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps (JROTC), a high school leadership program: "host units" (full-time staffed programs at a school) and "cross-town" affiliations (allowing students from nearby schools without JROTC to join a host unit's program). The Department of Defense must issue guidance on implementation, roles, and requirements.
- Pilot Program for "HERO Schools" (Section 5): A two-year pilot to designate high schools as "HERO schools" (Honoring Excellence and Recruitment Opportunities) if they exceed their state's average military enlistment rate and support military pathways (e.g., recruiter access, JROTC, or related courses). Eligible schools receive a formal letter from the Secretary of Defense. The program includes a mid-pilot review.
- Priority for Service Academy Admissions (Section 6): Graduates from high schools with above-average enlistment rates and demonstrated military support get priority consideration for admission to U.S. military academies (Army, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard). This applies to nominations and appointments.
- National Week of Military Recruitment (Section 7): Designates a annual "National Week of Military Recruitment" and requests the President to issue a proclamation encouraging ceremonies and activities to promote service.
- Reporting Requirements (Section 8): Mandates reports to Congress, including: a 180-day update on JROTC policy (e.g., new units, enrollment); a post-pilot analysis of HERO schools (e.g., impact on enlistments); and initial/annual reports on academy priority policy (e.g., applicant numbers, outcomes).
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- Amends Section 503(c) of Title 10 U.S. Code (military recruitment access) to replace "equal access" standards with specific requirements for frequency, timing, and locations of recruiter visits, and expands shared student data to include grades and genders (previously limited to basic contact info).
- Amends Section 983(b) of Title 10 U.S. Code (ROTC access at colleges) to mandate at least four annual visits, add grades/genders to directory info, and introduce new data sharing for non-returning students and FAFSA applicants (previously, access was tied to "equal quality" without these specifics).
- Adds a new section (149) to Title 36 U.S. Code for the National Week designation.
- Introduces entirely new policies for JROTC affiliations, HERO school recognition, and academy admission priorities, which did not exist before.
These changes build on the Solomon Amendment (a 2000 law requiring institutions to provide military recruiters access or risk losing federal funding) but make access more prescriptive and data sharing more comprehensive.
Potential Impacts
- On Government Agencies: The Department of Defense and military branches will gain better tools for recruitment, potentially easing challenges in meeting enlistment goals and supporting national security strategies. This may increase administrative workload for tracking data, implementing pilots, and issuing reports. Congressional committees (Armed Services, Transportation and Infrastructure, Oversight and Government Reform) will oversee compliance.
- On Citizens: High school and college students (especially ages 17+) will have increased exposure to military recruiters and information on service benefits, which could raise awareness but also concerns about privacy (e.g., sharing personal data like grades without opt-out details specified). Schools may foster more "service-oriented" cultures, benefiting students interested in military paths while potentially pressuring others.
- On International Relations: Minimal direct impact, though improved recruitment could strengthen U.S. military readiness, indirectly supporting global commitments and combatant commander needs.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Department of Defense and Military Services: Primary implementers, benefiting from enhanced recruitment but responsible for new policies and reporting.
- High Schools and Postsecondary Institutions: Must provide expanded access and data, facing potential funding risks if non-compliant; some may gain recognition as HERO schools.
- Students and Youth (Especially Generation Z): Increased recruitment outreach could influence career choices, with JROTC expansions offering more leadership opportunities.
- Parents and Educators: Affected by changes in school-military interactions and data sharing; parents of veterans (now a smaller group) may see renewed emphasis on service.
- Congress and Taxpayers: Oversee via reports; funds recruitment efforts without new appropriations specified.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: Expands data-sharing requirements under federal law, potentially intersecting with privacy laws like the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), which allows military access to student records but requires opt-out options (not altered here). Institutions risk losing federal aid for non-compliance, enforcing the changes.
- Constitutional: Relies on Congress's Article I power "to raise and support Armies," justifying recruitment mandates as tied to national defense. No direct First Amendment issues, though expanded access could spark debates on school neutrality.
- Political: Addresses bipartisan concerns over recruitment shortfalls (introduced by a mix of Republicans and Democrats), promoting a "national call to service" amid declining youth interest. The pilot and priority programs incentivize schools to support enlistment, potentially shifting educational priorities toward military readiness without mandating it.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Rep. Kiggans, Jennifer A. [R-VA-2]
Cosponsors (17)
Rep. Gooden, Lance [R-TX-5], Rep. Panetta, Jimmy [D-CA-19], Rep. Houlahan, Chrissy [D-PA-6], Rep. McCormick, Richard [R-GA-7], Rep. Wittman, Robert J. [R-VA-1], Rep. Davis, Donald G. [D-NC-1], Rep. McGuire, John J. [R-VA-5], Rep. Bishop, Sanford D. [D-GA-2], Rep. Ryan, Patrick [D-NY-18], Rep. Sherrill, Mikie [D-NJ-11], Rep. Crow, Jason [D-CO-6], Rep. Bergman, Jack [R-MI-1], Rep. Golden, Jared F. [D-ME-2], Rep. Cisneros, Gilbert Ray [D-CA-31], Rep. Fitzpatrick, Brian K. [R-PA-1], Rep. Vindman, Eugene Simon [D-VA-7], Rep. Goodlander, Maggie [D-NH-2]
Recent Actions
- 2025-04-30: Referred to the Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation.
- 2025-04-30: Referred to the Committee on Armed Services, and in addition to the Committees on Transportation and Infrastructure, and Oversight and Government Reform, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- 2025-04-30: Referred to the Committee on Armed Services, and in addition to the Committees on Transportation and Infrastructure, and Oversight and Government Reform, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- 2025-04-30: Referred to the Committee on Armed Services, and in addition to the Committees on Transportation and Infrastructure, and Oversight and Government Reform, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- 2025-04-30: Introduced in House
- 2025-04-30: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Service Enlistment and Recruitment of Valuable Engagement Act — issued 2025-04-30 — PDF (12 pages)