PARTICIPATION OF MEMBERS OF THE ARMED FORCES IN PEER SUPPORT COUNSELING PROGRAMS OF THE DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS.

SEC. 724. [38 U.S.C. 1712A note] PARTICIPATION OF MEMBERS OF THE ARMED FORCES IN PEER SUPPORT COUNSELING PROGRAMS OF THE DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS. (a) Participation.— (1) In general.—The Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall jointly enter into a memorandum of understanding providing for members of the Armed Forces described in subsection (b) to volunteer or be considered for employment as peer counselors under the following: (A) The peer support counseling program carried out by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs under subsection (j) of section 1720F of title 38, United States Code, as part of the comprehensive program for suicide prevention among veterans under subsection (a) of such section. (B) The peer support counseling program carried out by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs under section 304(a)(1) of the Caregivers and Veterans Omnibus Health Services Act of 2010 (Public Law 111-163; 124 Stat. 1150; 38 U.S.C. 1712A note). (2) Training.—Any member participating in a peer support counseling program under paragraph (1) shall receive the training for peer counselors under section 1720F(j)(2) of title 38, United States Code, or section 304(c) of the Caregivers and Veterans Omnibus Health Services Act of 2010, as applicable, before performing peer support counseling duties under such program. (b) Covered Members.—Members of the Armed Forces described in this subsection are the following: (1) Members of the reserve components of the Armed Forces who are demobilizing after deployment in a theater of combat operations, including, in particular, members who participated in combat against the enemy while so deployed. (2) Members of the regular components of the Armed Forces separating from active duty who have been deployed in a theater of combat operations in which such members participated in combat against the enemy.