Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senator Jon Ossoff is introducing legislation to strengthen support for servicemembers as they transition out of the Armed Forces.
Today, Sens. Ossoff and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) are introducing the Servicemember Civilian Transition Support Actto smooth servicemembers’ transition into civilian life, or the reserves, and ensure they get the support they and their families need.
Congresswoman Chrissy Houlahan (PA-06) introduced the companion bill in the U.S. House of Representatives.
The new bill would designate a senior Department of Defense (DoD) official to serve as the principal advisor to the Secretary of Defense overseeing all programs and activities related to transitioning servicemembers. The official would also work in close coordination with the Secretaries of Veterans Affairs (VA), Labor, and Education, as well as state and local governments, and nongovernmental organizations to improve transition programs and support services.
“Our servicemembers make tremendous sacrifices to keep our families safe. We owe it to them to ensure they are well-equipped and supported as they transition back to civilian life,” Sen. Ossoff said. “My new legislation with Senator Duckworth will help servicemembers access resources they’ve earned and help make their transition smoother for themselves and their families.”
“As our servicemembers hang up their uniform, they deserve comprehensive support in helping them transition back into civilian life,” said Duckworth. “Too often, DoD’s transition programs fall short of the standard our Veterans deserve before they are handed off to the VA. Our commonsense bill would make necessary improvements and streamline coordination within DoD of these critical services. It’s the least we can do to help our heroes when they return home.”
“As our men and women in uniform reenter civilian life and try to secure housing, find work, and get the healthcare they need, we owe them our support. But too often, servicemembers are falling through the gaps,” said Rep. Houlahan. “I’m proud to introduce the Servicemember Civilian Transition Support Act to bridge these gaps, making VA transition support services more effective and easier for servicemembers to access.”
Sens. Ossoff and Duckworth’s bill is backed by the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Fleet Reserve Association, Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America, Military Officers Association of America, Veterans Education Success, Vietnam Veterans of America, and With Honor Action.
“Each year, approximately 200,000 service members transition to civilian life—a critical juncture that can shape their future success or lead to serious challenges if not properly managed. Transition is the final warfighting mission, and like any successful operation, it demands unity of command and strategic coordination. The VFW strongly supports the Servicemember Civilian Transition Support Act, which would designate a senior DOD official to oversee all transition programs, including the Transition Assistance Program (TAP), and provide essential support to our reserve components. This role is vital to improving TAP attendance accountability, strengthening interagency coordination, and ensuring that transitioning service members and their families receive the support they’ve earned. We thank Senators Ossoff and Duckworth for introducing this important legislation and urge its swift passage,” said Carol Whitmore, Commander-in-Chief of the Veterans of Foreign Wars.
“On behalf of the Fleet Reserve Association, we proudly endorse the Servicemember Civilian Transition Support Act, introduced by Senators Jon Ossoff and Tammy Duckworth, and express our deep gratitude for their leadership in championing this critical legislation. The transition from military to civilian life is a defining moment for servicemembers, often fraught with challenges due to the lack of structure in the civilian world. This bill’s provisions, designating a Senior DoD Official to oversee all military-to-civilian transition programs, including for the reserve component, ensuring centralized accountability for initiatives like TAP and SkillBridge, fostering enhanced coordination with agencies such as the VA, Department of Labor, Education, and SBA, and mandating a congressional briefing within 90 days to detail implementation, provide vital support during the critical early days, weeks, and months of this transition. These measures strengthen the foundation for the Department of Veterans Affairs’ ongoing efforts, ensuring our servicemembers receive the comprehensive assistance they need to succeed in civilian life,” said the Fleet Reserve Association.
“IAVA strongly supports the Servicemember Civilian Transition Support Act. This is an essential piece of legislation that will help to ensure a smooth transition from active-duty service into the civilian world. By designating a senior official to oversee and strengthen transition programs, this bill ensures accountability, coordination, and a higher standard of care for those who have served. Too often, servicemembers and their families face unnecessary challenges as they move from military service into civilian life or the reserve force. Our veterans deserve a seamless and well-supported transition, and this legislation is a critical step toward making that a reality,” said Dr. Kyleanne Hunter, CEO of the Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America.
“Vietnam veterans were forced to navigate a system that was unprepared, fragmented, and at times indifferent to their needs. We learned the hard way what happens when a nation fails to properly receive its warriors. This legislation is about correcting those failures ensuring that today’s and future veterans are met with dignity, structure, and real support. Honoring Vietnam veterans is not just about remembering their service; it is about building a system worthy of every generation that follows. Never again shall one generation of veterans abandon another,” said James L. McCormick II, Captain, USA (Ret.), Executive Director of Government Affairs at Vietnam Veterans of America.
“The transition from military to civilian life is a critical point in a service member’s journey. Centralizing oversight of transition programs and streamlining collaboration between agencies and departments ensures that service members enter their next chapter with the essential tools to succeed. With Honor Action is proud to endorse this legislation that elevates the importance of the military-to-civilian transition and puts our veterans first,” said Rye Barcott, Co-Founder and CEO of With Honor Action.
Sen. Ossoff continues working to support Georgia’s servicemembers and military families as they transition into civilian life.
This year, Sens. Ossoff and Rev. Warnock brought Republicans and Democrats together to deliver $520,000 in Federal funding to help Hire Heroes USA expand their efforts to provide in-person employment support to transitioning servicemembers, veterans, and military spouses throughout the State of Georgia.
Sen. Ossoff also brought Republicans and Democrats to deliver Federal funding to the Central Georgia Technical College Foundation and the Georgia VECTR Center to help support veterans, active-duty servicemembers, and their families through workforce development training and supportive services at the Georgia VECTR Center; to ATLVets Inc. to help provide training and support for veterans transitioning from service to running businesses; and to the Library Foundation of Clayton County to help provide training sessions to veterans looking to start and grow small businesses.
In 2024, Sens. Ossoff and John Cornyn (R-TX) introduced the bipartisan Veteran Transition Support Act to help veterans file post-discharge disability claims and more quickly establish contact with accredited VA representatives.
Also in 2024, Sen. Ossoff cosponsored the bipartisan TAP Promotion Act to help servicemembers more easily access VA benefits as they transition to civilian life.
In 2022, Sens. Ossoff and Warnock announced over $1.3 million in Federal funding through the Homeless Veterans’ Reintegration Program for Veterans Empowerment Organization of Georgia Inc., Recovery Consultants of Atlanta Inc., and Mary Hall Freedom House Inc., three Georgia organizations that work to help veterans access job training and get the support they need return to the workforce.
Click here to read the Servicemember Civilian Transition Support Act.
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