Faster transfer of military records and stronger job support for separating service members

What this does

• Requires the Department of War and the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to permanently, prospectively, and continuously share Official Military Personnel Files and Service Treatment Records from the moment someone enters service until they no longer need VA benefits.
• Orders immediate sharing of current service members' personnel and health records at discharge (within 30 days of the order).

Deadlines and tech changes

• Within 180 days: establish updated IT systems and policy guidance; deploy new digital tools using artificial intelligence to create a single source for veterans’ benefits and Department of Labor job/training info; and update Transition Assistance Program and related workforce programs to connect separating service members to jobs or training.
• Within 120 days: review and, as consistent with law and procurement rules, modify relevant IT contracts to require interoperability across military and VA personnel and health record systems.

Who must act

• Secretary of War and Secretary of Veterans Affairs lead implementation, consulting with HHS (including the Office of the National Coordinator for Health IT), OMB (including the Federal CIO and Administrator for Federal Procurement Policy), and the Secretary of Labor where noted.

Limits and funding

• Implementation must comply with applicable law and federal procurement policy and is subject to the availability of appropriations.
• The order does not create enforceable private legal rights and directs the VA to pay the order’s publication costs.