Kiggans Introduces Bipartisan, Bicameral Bill to Strengthen Civilian Defense Workforce

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congresswoman Jen Kiggans (VA-02) introduced the Defense Workforce Integration Act, a bipartisan, bicameral bill to create new civilian service pathways for individuals who are unable to serve in the military due to medical disqualifications. This bill was introduced alongside Representatives Joe Courtney (CT-02), Don Bacon (NE-02), and Jimmy Panetta (CA-19) in the House, and a companion bill has been introduced by Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) and Mike Rounds (R-SD) in the Senate.

Each year, a significant number of young Americans are ruled out from military service—not because they lack dedication or patriotism, but due to medical disqualifications that often have little relevance to their ability to contribute meaningfully to our national defense. The Defense Workforce Integration Act aims to bolster the civilian defense workforce by creating new opportunities for these individuals to continue serving their country in civilian roles that are vital to strengthening our national security.

“Every year, tens of thousands of young Americans are turned away from military service – not because they aren’t willing to serve, but because of medical disqualifications that may have no bearing on their ability to contribute,” said Congresswoman Kiggans. “The Defense Workforce Integration Act ensures that these patriotic individuals still have a path to serve their country through meaningful civilian careers that support our national security. This bipartisan, bicameral bill strengthens our workforce, preserves talent, and reinforces our commitment to the defense industrial base at a time when global threats are growing by the day.”

“Oftentimes, the U.S. Department of Defense will invest significant time and resources into military recruits’ training – only for those recruits to be taken out of consideration for medical reasons, many of which do not prohibit them from working to keep our nation safe and secure,” said Senator Shaheen. “Our bipartisan, bicameral bill provides opportunities for these individuals—who have already stepped up to serve their nation—to still contribute to America’s national security by increasing awareness and accessibility of careers in the civilian defense workforce. Especially as employers like the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard face recruitment and retention challenges for vital roles, we should be doing all we can to fill vacancies that bolster our national security.” 

“Medical issues might prevent some patriotic Americans from active military service, but it doesn’t have to prevent them from finding other ways to serve our country,” said Senator Rounds. “The Defense Workforce Integration Act would help individuals who want to serve their country but are disqualified from military service for medical reasons transition into federal civilian roles within the Department of Defense.”

“Strengthening our national defense requires every American who wants to serve, even if they are not medically qualified to serve in uniform,” said Congressman Bacon. “I am excited to team with Rep. Kiggans on this significant legislation that opens up new recruiting and apprenticeship pathways for civilian careers in critical fields like defense manufacturing, cyber operations and other critical sectors.”

“Hiring and retaining a skilled defense workforce is critical to our national security. From manufacturers in the defense industrial base to the Defense Department’s civilian workforce at military bases across the country and at the Pentagon, these are patriotic careers that make our national security mission possible,” said Congressman Courtney. “Creating pathways into those jobs for former servicemembers and individuals who want to serve but cannot is a smart way to grow our defense workforce with people committed to this mission. I’m glad to introduce this bipartisan, bicameral bill as a part of Congress’ continuing work to boost defense careers and maintain a strong industrial base.”

“Every year, tens of thousands of young Americans who want to serve our country are medically disqualified from military service, leaving too much talent on the sidelines,” said Congressman Panetta. “The Defense Workforce Integration Act would ensure those individuals are informed, referred, and connected to civilian careers that support our national defense, from cybersecurity to advanced manufacturing.  By opening these new pathways, we can strengthen our defense workforce, bolster our national security, and enhance that American desire to serve.”

“The American Legion has long advocated for robust public-private partnerships in the defense industry to accomplish our nation’s national security objectives,” said James A. LaCoursiere Jr., National Commander of The American Legion. “Our nation must leverage the desire to serve by connecting medically disqualified military applicants to other defense-related jobs. This is why, on behalf of our 1.5 million dues-paying members, The American Legion is proud to support the Defense Workforce Integration Act which would establish a unique new program to refer medically disqualified military applicants to civilian jobs supporting national security. We commend the work of Representative Kiggans and Senator Shaheen for bringing this legislation forward, and for providing more opportunities to serve this great nation.”

You can find the full bill text here.

You can find a one pager about this bill here.

Background:

• As defense workforce shortages rise in fields like manufacturing and cybersecurity, many young Americans—especially those ineligible for military service—are unaware of civilian roles supporting national security.

• According to recent data, approximately 77% of Americans aged 17 to 24 are ineligible for military service, and more than 62,000 were medically disqualified in 2024 alone. At the same time, critical national security sectors—such as advanced manufacturing, cybersecurity, and shipbuilding—face urgent workforce shortages.

• The Defense Workforce Integration Act aims to close that gap by unlocking the potential of Americans eager to serve, while supporting readiness and resilience across the defense ecosystem.

Specifically, this legislation would:

• Direct the U.S. Department of Defense to establish a program that informs and refers medically disqualified individuals to civilian employment, apprenticeship, or training opportunities supporting national security.
  
• Codify and expand efforts like the Air Force’s DRIVE program, which redirects disqualified recruits into defense-related roles.

• Require the Navy to provide information on Military Sealift Command careers as part of the Transition Assistance Program.

• Mandate collaboration with defense contractors, federal agencies, and academic institutions to broaden access to defense workforce pipelines.

• Require a report to Congress within one year outlining implementation progress.

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