H.R. 5153 directs the Veterans Affairs Secretary to create a two-year pilot program employing veterans in wildland firefighting positions with the Department of Agriculture and the Department of the Interior. The program would be jointly administered by the VA, Agriculture, and Interior departments, with VA managing recruitment and the other agencies identifying and filling vacant firefighting positions with participating veterans. The legislation requires three reports to Congress: an initial plan within 60 days, an implementation update one year after the program launches, and a final report within 30 days of program conclusion that tracks how many veterans applied, were hired, and transitioned to permanent federal positions. The bill also directs the VA to develop guidelines based on lessons learned from existing veteran employment programs to help other federal agencies hire transitioning service members more effectively.
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