To Mark Veteran’s Day, Reps. Carter, Luttrell Re-Introduce Bipartisan Warrior Training Advancement Course (WARTAC) Act to Support Veterans Transitioning into Civilian Life

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today on Veteran's Day, Congressman Troy A. Carter, Sr. (D-LA) and Congressman Morgan Luttrell (R-TX) announced the reintroduction of the Warrior Training Advancement Course (WARTAC) Act to help raise awareness about and bring improvements to the Warrior Training Advancement Course of the Veterans Benefit Administration (WARTAC). This is a program within the Department of Veteran's Affairs that helps veterans re-enter the civilian workforce into meaningful roles that also support their fellow veterans.

"Our veterans sacrifice so much to serve our country, and we owe it to them when they transition to civilian life to provide services that help them lead healthy, productive, and meaningful lives," said Congressman Carter. "This Veterans Day, I'm excited to announce the introduction of Rep. Luttrell's and my bipartisan Warrior Training Advancement Course Act, which will improve job opportunities and services for veterans re-entering civilian life. By connecting returning service members with critical jobs at the Department of Veterans Affairs, the WARTAC Act can be a win-win for veterans and communities across the country."

"The WARTAC Act ensures Congress has oversight of the Warrior Training Advancement Course's effectiveness for our veterans as they begin their transition to civilian life," said Congressman Luttrell. "I applaud Congressman Troy Carter for his efforts on behalf of the veteran community, and I am proud to join him in leading this bill."

Background

Every year, over 200,000 brave service members transition out of the Armed Forces and back into civilian life. Due to the unique nature of life in the military, this transition can be daunting and difficult for many.

While the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and its partners have worked to bring the veteran unemployment rate down, there are still a significant number of unemployed veterans nationwide. With the Veteran's Benefit Administration (VBA) dealing with a severe backlog in cases, it's in dire need of qualified Veteran Service Representatives and Rating Veteran Service Representatives to process these claims.

This bipartisan legislation would direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to report to the bicameral Committees on Veterans Affairs annually on the Warrior Training Advancement Course of the Veterans Benefit Administration, create a structural opportunity to process feedback, and analyze the program for effectiveness and opportunities to grow and improve.

More specifically, the WARTAC Act would:

• Include recommendations for best practices and data sets on the number of eligible participants, enrolled participants, participants who successfully complete the program, information on how the Secretary provides the training, and other information deemed relevant.
• Require that the Secretary report on hiring information and the cost savings of the program including the determination of the Secretary whether other federal agencies may also save money by establishing a program like WARTAC.
• Help veterans receive their benefits more efficiently by increasing the VBA's hiring capacity.

Read the full bill text here.

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