JROTC POWER Act
- Bill Number
- H.R. 9403
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 2
- Policy Area
- Armed Forces and National Security
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2026-06-23: Referred to the House Committee on Armed Services.
- Last Updated
- 2026-07-01T20:03:54Z
AI-Generated Summary
Summary of H.R. 9403
Purpose
This legislation aims to improve oversight of pay for instructors in the Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps (JROTC) program by requiring the Department of Defense to study how the current pay system affects the ability to hire and keep qualified instructors.
Key Provisions
- Update to Guidance: Within 270 days of enactment, the Secretary of Defense must revise Department of Defense rules for the JROTC program. The update must include:
- A plan to evaluate how the JROTC Standardized Instructor Pay Scale (JSIPS) or any similar system impacts instructor hiring and retention.
- Standard ways to measure hiring success and retention rates across all military services.
- Required Evaluation Metrics: The plan must track at least these factors:
- How many instructor positions are empty and how long it takes to fill them.
- How long instructors stay in their roles.
- Differences in hiring and retention based on location, such as high-cost areas or rural spots.
- Comparisons between the old pay system and the current one.
- Methods used to find applicants and how applicants learned about jobs.
- Numbers of people who start, finish, or drop out of the hiring process, including interviews and background checks.
- Numbers of applicants who accept or reject job offers, and reasons for rejections where possible.
- Any other relevant issues.
- Reporting Requirement: Within one year after the guidance update, and for the next two years, the Secretary of Defense must send reports to the House and Senate Armed Services Committees. Each report must cover the guidance update, collected data, an assessment of pay scale effects, and any suggested changes to laws or policies.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
This bill adds a new requirement for the Department of Defense to create and use an evaluation system for JROTC instructor pay. It does not alter the pay scale itself but mandates data collection and regular reporting to Congress on its effects, which was not previously required in law.
Potential Impacts
- On Government Agencies: The Department of Defense and military services (such as the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marine Corps) must develop new tracking systems and submit reports, which could increase administrative workload.
- On Citizens: Current and potential JROTC instructors may see future adjustments to pay or hiring practices based on the evaluation results. Schools and students in the program could indirectly benefit from better instructor stability.
- On International Relations: No direct effects are outlined.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- The Secretary of Defense and military service secretaries.
- JROTC instructors and applicants.
- High schools and educational institutions that host JROTC units.
- Members of Congress, who will receive the required reports.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
The bill strengthens congressional oversight of a military education program by requiring detailed data and recommendations. It does not raise constitutional issues or alter the balance of powers between branches of government.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Rep. Escobar, Veronica [D-TX-16]
Cosponsors (1)
Recent Actions
- 2026-06-23: Referred to the House Committee on Armed Services.
- 2026-06-23: Introduced in House
- 2026-06-23: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps Pay Oversight for Workforce Evaluation and Retention Act — issued 2026-06-23 — PDF (4 pages)