Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 118.djvu/3634

 118 STAT. 3604 PUBLIC LAW 108–454—DEC. 10, 2004 the period of active duty service of the servicemember. The Sec- retary, in conjunction with the Secretary of Labor, shall encourage and assist States and private organizations to give credit to servicemembers for the registered apprenticeship program so pur- sued in the case of any related apprenticeship program the servicemember may pursue as a civilian.’’. SEC. 108. PILOT PROGRAM TO PROVIDE ON-JOB BENEFITS TO TRAIN DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS’ CLAIMS ADJUDICA- TORS. Section 3677 is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection: ‘‘(d)(1) The Secretary may conduct a pilot program under which the Secretary operates a program of training on the job under this section for a period (notwithstanding subsection (c)(2)) of up to three years in duration to train employees of the Department to become qualified adjudicators of claims for compensation, depend- ency and indemnity compensation, and pension. ‘‘(2)(A) Not later than three years after the implementation of the pilot project, the Secretary shall submit to Congress an initial report on the pilot project. The report shall include an assessment of the usefulness of the program in recruiting and retaining of personnel of the Department as well as an assessment of the value of the program as a training program. ‘‘(B) Not later than 18 months after the date on which the initial report under subparagraph (A) is submitted, the Secretary shall submit to Congress a final report on the pilot project. The final report shall include recommendations of the Secretary with respect to continuation of the pilot project and with respect to expansion of the types of claims for which the extended period of on the job training is available to train such employees.’’. SEC. 109. COLLECTION OF PAYMENT FOR EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE UNDER MONTGOMERY GI BILL FROM MEMBERS OF THE SELECTED RESERVE CALLED TO ACTIVE DUTY. (a) ACTIVE DUTY PROGRAM.—Section 3011(b) is amended— (1) by striking ‘‘The basic pay’’ and inserting ‘‘(1) Except as provided in paragraph (2), the basic pay’’; (2) by designating the second sentence as paragraph (3) and in that paragraph by striking ‘‘this chapter’’ and inserting ‘‘this subsection’’; and (3) by inserting after paragraph (1), as so designated, the following new paragraph: ‘‘(2) In the case of an individual covered by paragraph (1) who is a member of the Selected Reserve, the Secretary of Defense shall collect from the individual an amount equal to $1,200 not later than one year after completion by the individual of the two years of service on active duty providing the basis for such entitle- ment. The Secretary of Defense may collect such amount through reductions in basic pay in accordance with paragraph (1) or through such other method as the Secretary of Defense considers appro- priate.’’. (b) SELECTED RESERVE PROGRAM.—Section 3012(c) is amended— (1) by striking ‘‘The basic pay’’ and inserting ‘‘(1) Except as provided in paragraph (2), the basic pay’’; Deadlines. Reports. VerDate 11-MAY-2000 13:54 Nov 10, 2005 Jkt 029194 PO 00000 Frm 00138 Fmt 6580 Sfmt 6581 C:\STATUTES\2004\29194PT4.001 APPS10 PsN: 29194PT4

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