May 22, 2025
Mr. Blumenthal introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation
To amend title 14, United States Code, to require the retention of certain enlisted members of the Coast Guard who have completed 18 or more, but less than 20, years of service, and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,
Section 1. Retention of enlisted members of the Coast Guard after completion of 18 or more, but less than 20, years of service
(a) In general
Subchapter I of chapter 25 of title 14, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new section:
2517. Retention of enlisted members after completion of 18 or more, but less than 20, years of service
(a) Regular members
An enlisted member of the regular component of the Coast Guard who is selected to be involuntarily separated, or whose term of enlistment expires and who is denied reenlistment, and who, on the date on which the member is to be discharged, is within two years of qualifying for retirement under section 2306 of this title shall be retained on active duty until the member is qualified for retirement, unless the member is sooner retired or discharged under any other provision of law.
(b) Reserve members in active status
An enlisted member of the Coast Guard Reserve serving in an active status who is selected to be involuntarily separated (other than for physical disability or for cause), or whose term of enlistment expires and who is denied reenlistment (other than for physical disability or for cause), and who, on the date on which the member is to be discharged or transferred from an active status, is entitled to be credited with at least 18, but less than 20, years of service, may not be discharged, denied reenlistment, or transferred from an active status without the consent of the member before the earlier of the following:
(1)
If, as of the date on which the member is to be discharged or transferred from an active status, the member has at least 18, but less than 19, years of service—
(A)
the date on which the member is entitled to be credited with 20 years of service; or
(B)
the third anniversary of the date on which the member would otherwise be discharged or transferred from an active status.
(2)
If, as of the date on which the member is to be discharged or transferred from an active status, the member has at least 19, but less than 20, years of service—
(A)
the date on which the member is entitled to be credited with 20 years of service; or
(B)
the second anniversary of the date on which the member would otherwise be discharged or transferred from an active status.
(b) Clerical amendment
The analysis for chapter 25 of title 14, United States Code, is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 2516 the following: