Bill Overview
Title: To direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to report on the Warrior Training Advancement Course of the Veterans Benefits Administration.
Description: This bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs to annually report to Congress on the Warrior Training Advancement Course (WARTAC) of the Veterans Benefits Administration. The report must include specified elements, including information regarding the Transition Assistance Program practices of WARTAC and the hiring of members of the Armed Forces who complete WARTAC.
Sponsors: Rep. Carter, Troy [D-LA-2]
Target Audience
Population: Individuals transitioning from military service who are eligible for or participants of WARTAC
Estimated Size: 300000
- The bill focuses on the Warrior Training Advancement Course, which is a program under the Veterans Benefits Administration.
- WARTAC is associated with the Transition Assistance Program, which helps military personnel transition to civilian life.
- The bill impacts members of the Armed Forces who are eligible for the Transition Assistance Program and are potential participants of WARTAC.
- The key stakeholders are those directly involved with or benefitting from the program, including armed forces personnel transitioning to civilian employment.
- The requirement for reporting on the hiring of WARTAC participants indicates a direct impact on their post-military employment opportunities.
Reasoning
- The target population for this policy consists of U.S. military personnel who are transitioning to civilian life through the WARTAC program.
- The budgetary constraints imply a focus on efficient data collection and reporting rather than direct service expansion.
- The policy primarily affects a subset of the larger population of transitioning service members, those who opt for WARTAC.
- The potential for this policy to impact individual well-being is tied to improved employment outcomes post-service.
- The costs are likely tied to administrative tasks and necessary technology for data collection.
Simulated Interviews
Transitioning Marine (San Diego, CA)
Age: 32 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I think the focus on tracking WARTAC outcomes is really needed.
- It'll be great to have better job prospects after leaving the service.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
Navy Veteran in WARTAC (Norfolk, VA)
Age: 28 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Reporting means accountability, which should improve the program.
- Hopefully, there will be more job openings targeted towards vets like us.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 6 |
Army National Guard Member (Austin, TX)
Age: 40 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This could really push better employment rates among veterans.
- I hope these reports lead to real change, not just paperwork.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 6 |
Recently Discharged Air Force Personnel (Colorado Springs, CO)
Age: 26 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The WARTAC program sounds promising, but we'll have to see how helpful it becomes.
- If the policy leads to actual job placements, that will be a win.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
Veteran Advocate (Fayetteville, NC)
Age: 35 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 9/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The changes promise more effectiveness reported annually.
- Hoping these changes sustain veterans' hope during transitional phases.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 7 |
Ex-Marine, Bootcamp Instructor (Boulder, CO)
Age: 30 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 2.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This could create a productive discussion about job readiness among vets.
- Annual reports will help us understand the program's impact better.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
Veteran Affairs Consultant (Chicago, IL)
Age: 45 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Increased transparency will enhance program structure.
- I advocate for expanded program awareness to truly serve vets.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 8 |
Policy Analyst, Retired Lt. Colonel (Arlington, VA)
Age: 48 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 4.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Policy seems to be a step forward into ensuring effective resources allocation.
- Success depends largely on follow-through post-report submission.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 7 |
Navy Recruit (Jacksonville, FL)
Age: 23 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 6.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This could give us the insight needed to improve our transmission cycle.
- I hope data from these reports lead to actual enhancements.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
Human Resources, Tech Firm (Seattle, WA)
Age: 37 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 2.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Knowing transitions are tracked can improve vet hiring strategies.
- The program’s effectiveness is crucial for refining the hiring decisions.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $700000 (Low: $500000, High: $1000000)
Year 2: $700000 (Low: $500000, High: $1000000)
Year 3: $700000 (Low: $500000, High: $1000000)
Year 5: $700000 (Low: $500000, High: $1000000)
Year 10: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Year 100: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Key Considerations
- The primary impact is administrative, focusing on reporting and evaluation.
- There are minimal to no direct economic impacts associated with this bill.
- Costs are low and pertain mostly to the logistics of compiling and analyzing data for reports.