President orders faster veterans' records sharing and job connections for service members leaving the military
As of our last check on November 3, 2026, this has been signed by the President. It may need agency action before it affects employers.
We check the Federal Register daily for later actions. We check federal court opinions for rulings on published rules weekly, on Mondays. A ruling can take time to reach us, so not finding one here does not mean there is none.
In short
- What changed
- The President signed an executive order directing the Department of War and the Department of Veterans Affairs to share service members' personnel and medical records automatically and quickly. It also directs a job-connection push for service members leaving active duty and changes to certain federal technology contracts.
- Who's affected
- The order directs federal agencies. Companies that supply information technology systems for personnel or medical records to the Department of War or the Department of Veterans Affairs may see their contracts reviewed and modified, and employers hiring veterans may see more job connections for departing service members.
- What to do
- The order creates no new duties for employers. Technology contractors to these two departments should watch for contract changes adding an interoperability requirement, and employers recruiting veterans may want to follow updates to the Transition Assistance Program.
What changed
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From the sourceSec. 2(a)(i)
(i) within 180 days of the date of this order, establish updated
Also: Sec. 2(a)
Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall:
Within 180 days of the date of the order, the Secretary of War and the Secretary of Veterans Affairs are directed to set up updated systems and guidance for the permanent, ongoing sharing of Official Military Personnel Files and Service Treatment Records between their departments.
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From the sourceSec. 2(a)(iii)
(iii) within 30 days of the date of this order and at all times thereafter,
Within 30 days of the date of the order, the Department of War is directed to share current service members' personnel files, health records and Service Treatment Records with the Department of Veterans Affairs immediately when a service member is discharged or released.
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From the sourceSec. 2(a)(ii)
to streamline veterans' applications for and access to benefits earned
Within 180 days, the two departments are directed to deploy new digital tools, including artificial intelligence, to streamline veterans' access to benefits in a single source that includes Department of Labor job training and opportunities.
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From the sourceSec. 2(b)
(b) Within 120 days of the date of this order, the
Also: Sec. 2(b)
adding a requirement that such systems be interoperable
Also: Sec. 2(b)
and shall ensure that all future contracts for medical ... software include this requirement.
Within 120 days, the two departments are directed to review and modify existing information technology contracts relevant to the order, adding a requirement that systems be interoperable, and to include that requirement in future contracts for medical and personnel systems.
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From the sourceSec. 3
update the Transition Assistance Program and other
Also: Sec. 3(a)(i)
connected to specific, open jobs in fields related to their skills
Within 180 days, the Secretary of War, consulting the Secretary of Labor and the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, is directed to update the Transition Assistance Program so departing service members are, as far as practicable, connected to specific open jobs before separation or enrolled in education, training or a registered apprenticeship.
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From the sourceSec. 4(c)
This order is not intended to, and does not, ... create any right or benefit, substantive or procedural,
The order states that it does not create any right or benefit enforceable at law by any party.
Who is affected
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From the sourceSec. 2(a)
Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall:
Also: Sec. 3
Secretary of War, in consultation with the Secretary of
The order directs the Secretary of War and the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, with the Secretary of Labor consulted on the Transition Assistance Program updates.
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Our analysisSec. 2(b)
review and modify, to the extent consistent with law
Also: Sec. 2(b)
adding a requirement that such systems be interoperable
Companies holding contracts with the Department of War or the Department of Veterans Affairs for information technology systems relevant to the order are the private parties most directly touched, because those contracts are to be reviewed and modified.
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Our analysisSec. 3(a)(i)
connected to specific, open jobs in fields related to their skills
Employers with open jobs may be indirectly affected, since departing service members are to be connected to specific open jobs before separation, but the order sets no role or duty for employers.
What it means in practice
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Our analysisSec. 2(b)
adding a requirement that such systems be interoperable
Technology contractors to these two departments could face new contract terms requiring their personnel, health or Service Treatment Records systems to work with the departments' other records systems, which may require system changes.
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Our analysisSec. 3
update the Transition Assistance Program and other
Also: Sec. 3(a)(i)
connected to specific, open jobs in fields related to their skills
Employers recruiting veterans may see more candidates referred through the updated Transition Assistance Program, though the order does not say how employers would take part.
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From the sourceSec. 4(b)
This order shall be implemented consistent with
The order is to be carried out consistent with applicable law and subject to available funding.
What to do
Required
There is no employer obligation yet. The order directs federal agencies. Watch for the Department of War and the Department of Veterans Affairs to review and modify information technology contracts (within 120 days of the order) and for the updated Transition Assistance Program (within 180 days).
Worth considering
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Our suggestionSec. 2(b)
review and modify, to the extent consistent with law
Also: Sec. 2(b)
adding a requirement that such systems be interoperable
If you supply personnel or medical records systems to the Department of War or the Department of Veterans Affairs, consider reviewing those contracts and preparing for a possible interoperability requirement.
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Our suggestionSec. 3
update the Transition Assistance Program and other
If you recruit veterans, consider following the Transition Assistance Program updates to learn how departing service members will be connected to open jobs.
Open questions
The source leaves these open. We'll update this record if a later document answers them.
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Which existing information technology contracts will be modified, and will the change go beyond adding an interoperability requirement?
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Will private employers have a way to list open jobs for service members leaving active duty under the updated Transition Assistance Program?
History
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Accelerating Access to Veterans' Benefits and Employment Opportunities Source (opens in a new tab)