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On Thursday, legislation Congressman Jodey Arrington (TX-19) introduced to reform and improve the Transition Assistance Program (TAP), helping servicemembers transition from active duty service to civilian life, passed the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee, moving it one step closer to a vote on the House floor. The Navy SEAL Chief Petty Officer William "Bill" Mulder (Ret.) Transition Improvement Act of 2018, named in memory of a Plainview High School graduate and decorated Navy Seal, would represent the largest reorganization of TAP since 2011.

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“Our country makes a tremendous investment in our military to transform civilians into the most formidable freedom fighters on the face of the earth, but when our soldiers transition out of the military, we spend a fraction of the time and resources to make sure they are equally purposeful and productive as civilians. Bill Mulder was a true American hero and highly decorated combat veteran who, like many of our men and women in uniform, returned after his service to an internal struggle with scars you couldn’t see,” said Arrington. “When it comes to reducing the number of veterans who struggle with unemployment, homelessness and suicide, I have often said an ounce of prevention is better than a pound of intervention. Named in his honor, my legislation would improve a servicemember’s transition from active duty service to civilian life by engaging them earlier in the process, providing them with a more comprehensive assessment that includes mental health, customizing support services rather than taking a one-size-fits-all approach, strengthening their connection to community organizations, and tracking and measuring success so Congress can make further improvements in the future.” Specifically, the bill would reform the TAP program to focus more on career opportunities and entrepreneurship by requiring servicemembers to seek counseling a year prior to separation to evaluate which career-oriented track best suits their post-service plans. “While there have been improvements over the years to the Transition Assistance Program, more needs to be done to engage the servicemember earlier on prior to their separation and make the transition from active-duty to civilian life more seamless and successful,” said Arrington. “This bill is another step towards reducing the struggles of unemployment, homelessness and suicide when those who have worn the uniform return home. We owe it to Bill and to all ‘who have borne the battle’ to do everything we can to prepare them for civilian life just as we have equipped them for their military careers.” During Thursday’s markup, House Veterans’ Affairs Committee Chairman Phil Roe said, “I think that this is an incredibly important piece of legislation, and I hope that the President signs this into law. I think you can save lives with this bill and I appreciate all the work Congressman Arrington has done.”

Arrington and Chairman Roe hold the legislation signed with a note to Bill Mulder’s wife

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Click here for more information. Read the bill here. Last year, Arrington honored Bill’s life on the House floor. You can view his speech here.