Legislation introduced to support service members transitioning to civilian life

By Steve Ranson

Nevada News Group

Nevada’s senior U.S. senator has introduced legislation to support service members transitioning from active duty to the civilian workforce, reports Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto’s Washington, D.C. office.

The senator’s Transition Improvement by Estimating Risk (TIER) act will improve the Transitional Assistance Program (TAP) that helps men and women prepare for civilian careers after they leave military service. Cortez Masto, D-Nev., said the bill adds new screening criteria which includes child care needs and spousal employment status.

According to a Thursday media release, Cortez Masto said TAP assists service members with individuated counseling pathways or tiers. Furthermore, the senator’s TIER Act would clarify and update the TAP’s screening criteria based on factors to help the service members identify the best job opportunities that match their skills and interests.

“The Transition Assistance Program already provides individualized support to help servicemembers find jobs that best match their skills and interests, and my bill would improve the program to set more Nevada veterans and their families up for success,” Cortez Masto said.

The senator’s bill now heads to the Senate Armed Services Committee where Cortez Masto will push for the legislation to be considered by the full senate in the FY 2025 National Defense Authorization Act . The senator’s Washington, D.C. office said she’s currently having conversations with her Senate colleagues about adding co-sponsors.

Over in the House of Representatives, Congressmen Mike Levin, D-Calif., and Jodey Arrington, R-Texas, have introduced companion bipartisan legislation.

Cortez Masto said having military service and returning to civilian life is one of the largest challenges military service men and women face, and this is a commonsense bill that would improve that transition.

The senator said current law mandates each military branch establish at least three individualized TAP counseling pathways for every member separating from service. Cortez Masto added these pathways or tiers will assess a service member's transition risk and the support they’ll need based on factors such as rank, service length, disability, health, occupation specialty and education and employment history.