§2131 College student pre-commissioning initiative

Summary

Creates a Coast Guard program that lets eligible undergraduates enlist and get a guaranteed officer commission after they finish college and Officer Candidate School. Program — a Coast Guard plan for college students to enlist and become officers. To apply, students must be at least 19 and at most 27 years old on September 30 of the fiscal year when the selection panel meets. They must be U.S. citizens, able to get a secret security clearance, and of good moral character. Applicants may have no more than 2 dependents, and single applicants cannot have sole or primary custody of dependents. Students must be sophomores or juniors at certain eligible colleges (including HBCUs or schools with at least 50% minority undergraduate enrollment for 3 years) and attend a school within 100 miles of a Coast Guard unit or recruiting office unless approved otherwise. They must meet credit, GPA, medical, and other rules set by the Commandant. Those who join enter at pay grade E-3 and accept a 4-year active duty obligation plus a 4-year inactive Reserve obligation. While enrolled they must do monthly military activities as required and then attend the next Officer Candidate School after they graduate college. After finishing Officer Candidate School they are discharged from enlisted status and commissioned as O-1 officers with a 3-year initial duty obligation. By August 15 each year the Commandant must brief the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation about outreach, recruitment, and enrollee demographics (race, ethnicity, gender, geographic origin, and school).