§ 1142 — Preseparation Counseling; Transmittal Of Certain Records To Department Of Veterans Affairs

(1) Within the time periods specified in paragraph (3), the Secretary concerned shall (except as provided in paragraph (4)) provide for individual preseparation counseling of each member of the armed forces whose discharge (regardless of character of discharge) or release from active duty is anticipated as of a specific date. A notation of the provision of such counseling with respect to each matter specified in subsection (b), signed by the member, shall be placed in the service record of each member receiving such counseling. (2) In carrying out this section, the Secretary concerned shall use the services available under section 1144 of this title. (A) In the case of an anticipated retirement, preseparation counseling shall commence as soon as possible during the 24-month period preceding the anticipated retirement date. In the case of a separation other than a retirement, preseparation counseling shall commence not later than 365 days before the anticipated date. Except as provided in subparagraph (B), in no event shall preseparation counseling commence later than 365 days before the date of retirement or other separation. (B) In the event that a retirement or other separation is unanticipated until there are 365 or fewer days before the anticipated retirement or separation date, or in the event a member of a reserve component is being demobilized under circumstances in which (as determined by the Secretary concerned) operational requirements make the 365-day requirement under subparagraph (A) unfeasible, preseparation counseling shall begin as soon as possible within the remaining period of service. (A) Subject to subparagraph (B), the Secretary concerned shall not provide preseparation counseling to a member who is being discharged or released before the completion of the first 180 continuous days of active duty of the member. (B) Subparagraph (A) shall not apply in the case of a member who is being retired or separated for disability. (C) For purposes of calculating the days of active duty of a member under subparagraph (A), the Secretary concerned shall exclude any day on which— (i) the member performed full-time training duty or annual training duty; and (ii) the member attended, while in the active military service, a school designated as a service school by law or by the Secretary concerned. (b) Counseling under this section shall include the following: (1) A discussion of the educational assistance benefits to which the member is entitled under the Montgomery GI Bill and other educational assistance programs because of the member’s service in the armed forces. (2) A description (to be developed with the assistance of the Secretary of Veterans Affairs) of the compensation and vocational rehabilitation benefits to which the member may be entitled under laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, if the member is being medically separated or is being retired under chapter 61 of this title. (3) An explanation of the procedures for and advantages of affiliating with the Selected Reserve. (4) Provision of information on civilian occupations and related assistance programs, including information concerning— (A) certification and licensure requirements that are applicable to civilian occupations, including State-submitted and approved lists of military training and skills that satisfy occupational certifications and licenses; (B) civilian occupations that correspond to military occupational specialties; and (C) Government and private-sector programs for job search and job placement assistance, including information regarding the placement programs established under sections 1152 and 1153 of this title and the Troops-to-Teachers Program. (5) If the member has a spouse, inclusion of the spouse, at the discretion of the member and the spouse, when counseling regarding the matters covered by paragraphs (9), (10), and (16) is provided, job placement counseling for the spouse, and the provision of information on survivor benefits available under the laws administered by the Secretary of Defense or the Secretary of Veterans Affairs. (6) Information concerning the availability of relocation assistance services and other benefits and services available to persons leaving military service, as provided under section 1144 of this title. (7) Information concerning the availability of medical and dental coverage following separation from active duty, including the opportunity to elect into the conversion health policy provided under section 1145 of this title. (8) Counseling (for the member and dependents) on the effect of career change on individuals and their families and the availability to the member and dependents of suicide prevention resources following separation from the armed forces. (9) Financial planning assistance, including information on budgeting, saving, credit, loans, and taxes. (10) The creation of a transition plan for the member to attempt to achieve the educational, training, employment, and financial objectives of the member and, if the member has a spouse, the spouse of the member. (11) Information concerning the availability of mental health services and the treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety disorders, depression, suicidal ideations, or other mental health conditions associated with service in the armed forces and information concerning the availability of treatment options and resources to address substance abuse, including alcohol, prescription drug, and opioid abuse. (12) Information concerning the priority of service for veterans in the receipt of employment, training, and placement services provided under qualified job training programs of the Department of Labor. (13) Information concerning veterans small business ownership and entrepreneurship programs of the Small Business Administration. (14) Information concerning employment and reemployment rights and obligations under chapter 43 of title 38. (15) Information concerning veterans preference in Federal employment and Federal procurement opportunities. (16) Information on home loan services and housing assistance benefits available under the laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs and counseling on responsible borrowing practices. (17) A description, developed in consultation with the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, of health care and other benefits to which the member may be entitled under the laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, and information regarding the means by which the member can receive additional counseling regarding the member’s actual entitlement to such benefits and apply for such benefits. (18) A description, developed in consultation with the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, of the assistance and support services for family caregivers of eligible veterans under the program conducted by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs pursuant to section 1720G of title 38, including the veterans covered by the program, the caregivers eligible for assistance and support through the program, and the assistance and support available through the program. (19) Information regarding how to file claims for benefits available to the member under laws administered by the Secretaries of Defense and Veterans Affairs. (1) Each Secretary concerned, in consultation with the Secretaries of Labor and Veterans Affairs, shall establish at least three pathways for members of the military department concerned (including one pathway for members of the reserve components) receiving individualized counseling under this section. The Secretaries shall design the pathways to address the needs of members, based on the following factors: (A) Rank. (B) Term of service. (C) Gender. (D) Whether the member was a member of a regular or reserve component of an armed force. (E) Potential or confirmed disability. (F) Potential or confirmed character of discharge (including expedited discharge and discharge under conditions other than honorable). (G) Health (including mental health). (H) Military occupational specialty. (I) Whether the member intends, after separation, retirement, or discharge, to— (i) seek employment; (ii) enroll in a program of higher education; (iii) enroll in a program of vocational training; or (iv) become an entrepreneur. (J) The educational history of the member. (K) The employment history of the member. (L) Whether the member has secured— (i) employment; (ii) enrollment in a program of education; or (iii) enrollment in a program of vocational training. (M) Other factors the Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of Homeland Security, in consultation with the Secretaries of Labor and Veterans Affairs, determine appropriate. (2) Each member described in subsection (a) shall meet in person or by video conference with a counselor before beginning counseling under this section to— (A) take a self-assessment designed by the Secretary concerned (in consultation with the Secretaries of Labor and Veterans Affairs) to ensure that the Secretary concerned places the member in the appropriate pathway under this subsection; (B) receive information from the counselor regarding reenlistment in the armed forces; and (C) receive information from the counselor regarding resources (including resources regarding military sexual trauma)— (i) for members of the armed forces separated, retired, or discharged; (ii) located in the community in which the member will reside after separation, retirement, or discharge. (3) At the meeting under paragraph (2), the member may elect to have the Secretary concerned (in consultation with the Secretaries of Labor and Veterans Affairs) provide the contact information of the member to the resources described in paragraph (2)(C). (d) In the case of a member being medically separated or being retired under chapter 61 of this title, the Secretary concerned shall ensure (subject to the consent of the member) that a copy of the member’s service medical record (including any results of a Physical Evaluation Board) is transmitted to the Secretary of Veterans Affairs within 60 days of the separation or retirement. (e) The Secretary concerned shall provide a copy of the joint service transcript of a member described in subsection (a) to— (1) that member— (A) at the meeting with a counselor under subsection (c)(2); and (B) on the day the member separates, retires, or is discharged; and (2) the Secretary of Veterans Affairs on the day the member separates, retires, or is discharged.