REMOVAL OF ARTIFICIAL BARRIERS TO THE SERVICE OF WOMEN IN THE ARMED FORCES.

SEC. 524. REMOVAL OF ARTIFICIAL BARRIERS TO THE SERVICE OF WOMEN IN THE ARMED FORCES. (a) [10 U.S.C. 113 note] Role of Secretary of Defense in Development of Gender-neutral Occupational Standards.—The Secretary of Defense shall ensure that the gender-neutral occupational standards being developed by the Secretaries of the military departments pursuant to section 543 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1994 (Public Law 103-160; 10 U.S.C. 113 note), as amended by section 523 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2014 (Public Law 113-66; 127 Stat. 756)— (1) accurately predict performance of actual, regular, and recurring duties of a military occupation; (2) are applied equitably to measure individual capabilities; and (3) measure the combat readiness of combat units, including special operations forces. (b) [10 U.S.C. 113 note] Female Personal Protection Gear.—The Secretary of Defense shall direct each Secretary of a military department to take immediate steps to ensure that combat equipment distributed to female members of the Armed Forces— (1) is properly designed and fitted; and (2) meets required standards for wear and survivability. (c) Review of Outreach and Recruitment Efforts Focused on Officers.— (1) Review required.—The Comptroller General of the United States shall conduct a review of Services’ Outreach and Recruitment Efforts gauged toward women representation in the officer corps. (2) Elements of review.—In conducting the review under this subsection, the Comptroller General shall— (A) identify and evaluate current initiatives the Armed Forces are using to increase accession of women into the officer corps; (B) identify new recruiting efforts to increase accessions of women into the officer corps specifically at the military service academies, Officer Candidate Schools, Officer Training Schools, the Academy of Military Science, and Reserve Officer Training Corps; and (C) identify efforts, resources, and funding required to increase military service academy accessions by women. (3) Submission of results.—Not later than October 1, 2015, the Comptroller General shall submit to the Committees on Armed Services of the Senate and the House of Representatives a report containing the results of the review under this subsection.