U.S. Senators Mitt Romney (R-UT), Jerry Moran (R-KS), Chris Murphy (D-CT), and Jacky Rosen (D-NV) have introduced the Military and Educational Data Integration Act, bipartisan legislation to help states access military enlistment data to better inform students on military careers.
The Military and Educational Data Integration Act would require the Department of Defense to create a data-sharing program to enable state education systems to access military enlistment data. This would allow high schools to more accurately track the outcomes of students who choose a career in the military after graduation.
“As high school students are making decisions about what to do after graduation, it is important for them know about the opportunities and benefits that serving in the military can provide,” Senator Romney said. “By giving states easier access to military enlistment data, schools and students will be better informed about the wide array of career paths in the military.”
“The military offers a wide array of career options from combat medics, to chefs, to engineers and much more,” said Senator Moran. “Accurate, current and readily available information on career opportunities and outcomes will better enable state education systems to inform students of military career options post high school. This legislation will open doors for students to pursue their interests through well-paid, meaningful careers in the military.”
“Joining the military is one of the most honorable and selfless decisions anyone can make, and it opens the door to a wide variety of fields and career paths,” said Senator Rosen. “I’m proud to introduce this bipartisan bill to better inform students about their military career options.”
Background:
In FY 2023, the Army, Navy, and Air Force failed to meet recruiting goals—U.S. military services collectively missed recruiting goals by about 41,000 recruits. Earlier this year, Senator Romney joined a group of colleagues, led by Senator Jerry Moran (R-KS), in urging Acting Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness Ashish Vazirani to encourage collaboration between the Department of Defense and the Departments of Education and Labor to better recognize military service and enlistment as rewarding and successful career options.
Previously, Senator Romney, along with Senators Angus King (I-ME) and Tom Cotton (R-AR), introduced the Military Service Promotion Act of 2023, legislation aimed at addressing the current military recruitment crisis by enhancing military recruiter access to high schools and colleges. A version of this bill became law in December 2023 with the passage of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2024 (NDAA).
