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119-hr-3107119th CongressWALLET

SERVE Act

Sponsored By: Representative Kiggans, Jennifer A. [R-VA-2]

In Committee

Summary

Expands high-school access and creates priority pathways to boost military recruitment. The SERVE Act would require more regular recruiter presence in secondary schools, restructure JROTC so students can attend cross-town units, pilot HERO high schools with above-average enlistment, and set an annual National Week of Military Recruitment.

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  • Students and families would see increased recruiter contact, with visits required at least four times per academic year during peak school hours and access to lists of students age 17 and older who filed the FAFSA, including names, grades, and gender when collected.
  • High schools and JROTC programs would get two affiliation models: a full-time "host" unit on campus and a "cross-town" option that lets students enroll at a nearby host school. The Department of Defense would issue guidance on roles, staffing, and enrollment for those models.
  • Service academies, recruiters, and communities would be affected by a two-year HERO pilot recognizing schools with above-state-average enlistment and by a priority admissions pathway for applicants from those schools. The bill also requires reports on JROTC implementation, HERO pilot outcomes, and annual tracking of priority applicants, and it establishes a Presidential National Week of Military Recruitment.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

3 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.

Easier JROTC access through host schools

If enacted, the Defense Department would define two JROTC setups. A host unit would be a full-time JROTC at one school. A cross‑town school could let its students enroll at that host unit without its own staff. This would help students join JROTC even if their school does not have a unit.

Priority academy consideration for HERO schools

If enacted, DoD would run a two‑year HERO pilot to label high schools with above‑average enlistment. Graduates from HERO schools could get priority consideration when applying to military service academies. The pilot would be reviewed after year one.

More recruiter access and student data in schools

If enacted, schools would need to give military recruiters and ROTC more access. They could visit at least four times each school year during peak hours and at events. Schools would need to give student lists by the 60th day of school, then every 30 days, including grades and gender. For students 17 or older, recruiters could also get lists of those who filed FAFSA and info on students who did not return, if the school collects it.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Kiggans, Jennifer A. [R-VA-2]

VA • R

Cosponsors

  • Rep. Gooden, Lance [R-TX-5]

    TX • R

    Sponsored 4/30/2025

  • Rep. Panetta, Jimmy [D-CA-19]

    CA • D

    Sponsored 4/30/2025

  • Rep. Houlahan, Chrissy [D-PA-6]

    PA • D

    Sponsored 4/30/2025

  • Rep. McCormick, Richard [R-GA-7]

    GA • R

    Sponsored 5/5/2025

  • Rep. Wittman, Robert J. [R-VA-1]

    VA • R

    Sponsored 5/5/2025

  • Rep. Davis, Donald G. [D-NC-1]

    NC • D

    Sponsored 5/5/2025

  • Rep. McGuire, John J. [R-VA-5]

    VA • R

    Sponsored 5/5/2025

  • Rep. Bishop, Sanford D. [D-GA-2]

    GA • D

    Sponsored 5/6/2025

  • Rep. Ryan, Patrick [D-NY-18]

    NY • D

    Sponsored 5/7/2025

  • Rep. Sherrill, Mikie [D-NJ-11]

    NJ • D

    Sponsored 5/7/2025

  • Rep. Crow, Jason [D-CO-6]

    CO • D

    Sponsored 5/13/2025

  • Rep. Bergman, Jack [R-MI-1]

    MI • R

    Sponsored 5/13/2025

  • Rep. Golden, Jared F. [D-ME-2]

    ME • D

    Sponsored 5/19/2025

  • Rep. Cisneros, Gilbert Ray [D-CA-31]

    CA • D

    Sponsored 6/3/2025

  • Rep. Fitzpatrick, Brian K. [R-PA-1]

    PA • R

    Sponsored 6/4/2025

  • Rep. Vindman, Eugene Simon [D-VA-7]

    VA • D

    Sponsored 9/15/2025

  • Rep. Goodlander, Maggie [D-NH-2]

    NH • D

    Sponsored 12/18/2025

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

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