This bill establishes a three-year pilot program within the State Department to test whether a reserve corps of trained diplomatic personnel can effectively respond to foreign crises, evacuations, conflicts, and natural disasters. The program will recruit retired Foreign Service officers, starting with at least 250 members in the first year with potential to grow by up to 250 members annually, with most members at mid-level ranks and no more than 30 percent at senior levels. The Secretary of State must submit a detailed implementation plan to Congress within six months and conduct annual readiness evaluations of pilot members, who will receive training through State Department facilities and can be activated for temporary diplomatic missions as needed. Within three years, the Secretary must report to Congress on the pilot's effectiveness and recommend whether to establish a permanent Diplomatic Reserve Corps, including whether to expand eligibility to retired civil servants, other federal employees, and outside experts with relevant expertise. The pilot program automatically terminates after three years unless Congress votes to extend it.
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