Bill Summary
The proposed legislation aims to amend Title 14 of the United States Code concerning the retention of enlisted members of the Coast Guard who have served between 18 and 20 years. Specifically, it stipulates that enlisted members selected for involuntary separation or denied reenlistment, while having completed 18 or more but less than 20 years of service, must be retained on active duty until they qualify for retirement, unless they are discharged under other legal provisions.
For Coast Guard Reserve members in active status, the bill protects those with 18 to 20 years of service from being involuntarily discharged or denied reenlistment without their consent until they reach 20 years of service or a specified period after the discharge date. This legislation is designed to provide job security and benefits to enlisted members approaching retirement eligibility, ensuring they can complete their service without premature separation.
Possible Impacts
Here are three examples of how the proposed legislation could affect individuals:
1. **Enhanced Job Security for Coast Guard Members**: The legislation would provide job security for enlisted members of the Coast Guard who are within two years of qualifying for retirement. Members who have completed 18 to 20 years of service would be protected from involuntary separation during this critical period, allowing them to complete their service and qualify for retirement benefits. This would lead to increased morale and stability for those nearing retirement, as they would have assurance in their employment status.
2. **Impact on Career Planning**: Enlisted members who find themselves facing involuntary separation or denial of reenlistment would benefit from the legislation, as it allows them to remain on active duty until they reach the 20-year mark, provided they meet the criteria. This could significantly impact their career planning and financial stability, allowing them to plan for retirement with a clearer timeline and ensuring they are able to maximize their retirement benefits.
3. **Effects on Coast Guard Personnel Management**: The legislation may influence the overall management of the Coast Guard personnel system by potentially limiting the ability of the service to reduce its numbers in certain situations. This could lead to challenges in personnel management and resource allocation, as the Coast Guard would need to consider the retention of members who are close to retirement, possibly affecting recruitment and promotion opportunities for younger enlisted members.
[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 1857 Introduced in Senate (IS)]
<DOC>
119th CONGRESS
1st Session
S. 1857
To amend title 14, United States Code, to require the retention of
certain enlisted members of the Coast Guard who have completed 18 or
more, but less than 20, years of service, and for other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
May 22, 2025
Mr. Blumenthal introduced the following bill; which was read twice and
referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To amend title 14, United States Code, to require the retention of
certain enlisted members of the Coast Guard who have completed 18 or
more, but less than 20, years of service, and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. RETENTION OF ENLISTED MEMBERS OF THE COAST GUARD AFTER
COMPLETION OF 18 OR MORE, BUT LESS THAN 20, YEARS OF
SERVICE.
(a) In General.--Subchapter I of chapter 25 of title 14, United
States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new section:
``Sec. 2517. Retention of enlisted members after completion of 18 or
more, but less than 20, years of service
``(a) Regular Members.--An enlisted member of the regular component
of the Coast Guard who is selected to be involuntarily separated, or
whose term of enlistment expires and who is denied reenlistment, and
who, on the date on which the member is to be discharged, is within two
years of qualifying for retirement under section 2306 of this title
shall be retained on active duty until the member is qualified for
retirement, unless the member is sooner retired or discharged under any
other provision of law.
``(b) Reserve Members in Active Status.--An enlisted member of the
Coast Guard Reserve serving in an active status who is selected to be
involuntarily separated (other than for physical disability or for
cause), or whose term of enlistment expires and who is denied
reenlistment (other than for physical disability or for cause), and
who, on the date on which the member is to be discharged or transferred
from an active status, is entitled to be credited with at least 18, but
less than 20, years of service, may not be discharged, denied
reenlistment, or transferred from an active status without the consent
of the member before the earlier of the following:
``(1) If, as of the date on which the member is to be
discharged or transferred from an active status, the member has
at least 18, but less than 19, years of service--
``(A) the date on which the member is entitled to
be credited with 20 years of service; or
``(B) the third anniversary of the date on which
the member would otherwise be discharged or transferred
from an active status.
``(2) If, as of the date on which the member is to be
discharged or transferred from an active status, the member has
at least 19, but less than 20, years of service--
``(A) the date on which the member is entitled to
be credited with 20 years of service; or
``(B) the second anniversary of the date on which
the member would otherwise be discharged or transferred
from an active status.''.
(b) Clerical Amendment.--The analysis for chapter 25 of title 14,
United States Code, is amended by inserting after the item relating to
section 2516 the following:
``2517. Retention of enlisted members after completion of 18 or more,
but less than 20, years of service.''.
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