New Bill Gives Combat Credit to Female Cultural Support Teams, Fixing Records From 2010-2021

This legislation aims to fix a long-standing issue in military records by officially recognizing service in specific Female Cultural Support Teams (CSTs) between January 1, 2010, and August 31, 2021. Essentially, the bill ensures that service members who performed this “covered service”—defined by the personnel development skill identifiers R2J or 5DK—get proper credit for their time, particularly when it comes to retirement pay and veterans benefits.

The Long-Overdue Record Update

Within one year of the bill becoming law, the relevant military Secretary must update the service records for every individual who performed this specific CST service. Why does this matter? Because accurate records are the backbone of military careers and retirement. This update ensures that when calculating retired pay, this critical, often high-risk service is properly factored in. For those who served in these teams, often deployed alongside special operations forces, this rectifies an omission that has affected their official history and financial future.

Combat Status for Benefits Claims

The biggest change for veterans seeking care is how the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) must handle disability and death claims related to this service. The bill mandates that the VA must treat this “covered service” as if the individual engaged in combat with the enemy. This is a huge deal. For a veteran filing a claim for a service-connected disability, establishing a direct link to combat exposure can significantly simplify the process, shifting the burden of proof in their favor. It acknowledges the inherent risk of the roles these women filled on the battlefield.

To ensure this change is handled correctly, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs must improve training and guidance for VA employees processing these specific claims. Furthermore, the VA is required to conduct outreach—including publishing notices online and notifying veterans service organizations—to inform veterans who performed this service that they can now file supplemental claims for conditions linked to their CST duty.

Looking Beyond the CSTs

This legislation isn't just about the CSTs. It also requires the Department of Defense (DoD), working with the VA, to study and identify other groups whose service was substantially similar to the CSTs but whose records don't currently reflect that unique role. This study, due to Congress within one year, suggests a broader effort to ensure that other service members who performed critical, high-risk duties outside of traditional roles also receive the recognition they deserve. For veterans who have long felt their service was undervalued or misclassified, this requirement offers hope for future record corrections.

Reporting and a Technical Tweak

In a move toward greater transparency, the VA must also submit a report to Congress detailing the outcomes of specific disability claims—those related to PTSD or TBI submitted since 1990. This report must break down the numbers of claims approved, rejected, and pending, separating the data by gender and whether the claimant’s record included a combat identifier. This data will provide crucial insight into how the VA currently handles these complex claims.

Finally, the bill includes a small, technical provision that extends the expiration date for the VA housing loan fee schedule from November 15, 2031, to December 3, 2031. While this is likely just a housekeeping measure to align with broader budget or legislative timelines, it ensures continuity for the popular VA home loan program.