Next Mission Act

The "Next Mission Act" directs the Secretary of Defense to establish a grant program within one year, awarding multiyear grants to eligible nonprofit organizations. These grants will fund services that supplement the Department of Defense's Transition Assistance Program (TAP) , providing comprehensive career support to transitioning service members and their spouses. Eligible entities must be private, nonprofit organizations with a proven record in career services, rigorous evaluation, and partnerships, offering free services like assessments, civilian employment preparation, and industry-specific learning pathways . These pathways focus on stable, high-demand fields, helping individuals apply military skills to civilian careers, providing one-on-one assistance, support for industry-recognized credentials, and job placement. The Secretary of Defense will prioritize entities with independently verified program outcomes, establish performance metrics, and report to Congress on the program's effectiveness and potential expansion before the grant authority terminates after three years.