H.R. 9997: National Guard for National Service Act of 2026

This bill would create a pilot program aimed at linking National Guard and Reserve service with civilian national service opportunities, with the goal of improving workforce development and supporting national security-related needs.

What the bill would require

After a required study is completed, the Chief of the National Guard Bureau and the CEO of the Corporation for National and Community Service would set up a pilot program. That program would focus on several areas:

• Protecting critical infrastructure such as transportation, energy, communications, and water systems.
• Cybersecurity training and support for local and Tribal governments, schools, colleges, and nonprofits to help improve security and resilience.
• Disaster preparedness and community resilience to help communities better handle major emergencies and reduce risks to people and key infrastructure.
• Workforce development by creating a nationwide pipeline that connects part-time National Guard and Reserve members to training and career pathways through national service programs.

Study that must be completed first

Within 1 year of enactment, the two agencies would have to conduct a feasibility study. The study would look at:

• what rule or process changes would be needed to create a dedicated employment and training pipeline for reserve component members;
• what changes would be needed to national service program terms to fit military training and deployment schedules;
• what benefits such a pipeline might produce;
• the financial and administrative costs of running the pilot;
• how many reserve members lack stable full-time jobs;
• how many service members might participate;
• how the pipeline should be designed and operated; and
• whether it could also help military spouses and dependents build skills and find jobs.

In plain terms

The bill is mainly about testing whether National Guard and Reserve members can be better connected to civilian service programs that provide training, work experience, and support roles in areas like emergency readiness, infrastructure protection, and cybersecurity. It does not itself create a permanent nationwide program; instead, it directs the government to study the idea and then run a pilot program based on that study.

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