H.R. 9165: Diplomatic Reserve Corps Pilot Program Act of 2026

This bill, known as the Diplomatic Reserve Corps Pilot Program Act of 2026, aims to create a temporary program within the U.S. Department of State to evaluate the effectiveness of a group of trained personnel, referred to as the Diplomatic Reserve Corps. Here is a breakdown of what the bill proposes:

Program Establishment

Within nine months of the bill's enactment, the Secretary of State is required to establish the Diplomatic Reserve Corps Pilot Program. This program will focus on maintaining a reserve of skilled personnel who can be called upon for temporary service regarding foreign affairs emergencies.

Program Purpose

The Pilot Program has several main objectives:

• To provide additional workforce support for diplomatic missions during crises, such as evacuations, armed conflicts, natural disasters, and other situations that affect U.S. interests globally.
• To evaluate the necessary processes for recruiting, training, and retaining personnel for a potential permanent Diplomatic Reserve Corps.
• To identify the authorities, resources, and organizational frameworks needed to sustain such a reserve corps effectively.

Membership

The Pilot Program will allow the Secretary of State to appoint retired Foreign Service members as participants in the program. Initially, the program is mandated to recruit at least 250 members and can add up to 250 more annually for the next three years.

Corps Structure

Of the appointed members, not more than 30% may hold higher ranks that align with the first two salary classes of the Foreign Service. The remaining members will be appointed at the third and fourth salary classes.

Training Requirements

Members of the Pilot Program are required to undergo various types of training, including but not limited to:

• Orientation training
• Security training
• Medical training
• Readiness training

This training will be provided through various Department of State facilities, including the National Foreign Affairs Training Center and the Foreign Affairs Security Training Center.

Activation of Members

The Secretary of State is authorized to activate members of the program for temporary assignments in response to different diplomatic operational needs, such as crisis responses or disaster management.

Evaluations

There will be annual evaluations of each member’s training and readiness for deployment, which will be conducted according to standards set by the Secretary of State.

Reporting Requirements

Within six months of the bill's enactment, the Secretary of State must submit an initial plan to Congress regarding the establishment and structure of the program. A final report is required three years after the Pilot Program begins, summarizing its effectiveness and recommending whether a permanent reserve corps should be established.

Future Recommendations

The final report will also consider expanding membership eligibility to include:

• Retired Civil Service employees from the Department of State.
• Retired employees from other federal agencies with relevant skills.
• Qualified individuals from outside the federal government who have expertise in vital areas such as language, security, management, and diplomacy.

Program Duration

The Pilot Program is set to last for three years after the enactment of the bill unless Congress decides to reauthorize it.

Relevant Companies

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