ETS Act

Key Points

• The bill extends the window for transition counseling from 365 days to 540 days before separation, giving service members nearly 18 months to prepare for civilian life instead of the current year.
• Service members without a job or school plan lined up would get at least five days of preseparation counseling, while those with employment or education arranged would get at least three days. At least one hour of professional financial counseling is also required.
• Transitional health care coverage for separating service members would be extended from 180 days to 270 days, giving veterans an extra three months of coverage as they shift to civilian health insurance.
• A new pilot program would offer transition classes specifically for military spouses, including nights and weekends, at no fewer than five installations per service branch. It would run for three years and include at least one overseas location.
• The VA would create a searchable website where veterans can look up local transition programs by ZIP code, and at-risk veterans would be contacted by VA and Labor Department staff within 60 days of leaving the military.
• The bill requires yearly unannounced audits of preseparation counseling by VA and Labor Department staff, plus annual reports tracking participation, referrals, and unemployment claims by separating service members.