United States Cadet Nurse Corps Service Recognition Act of 2025

This bill would recognize service in the U.S. Cadet Nurse Corps between July 1, 1943, and December 31, 1948, as active duty service for the purpose of certain federal benefits. Qualifying individuals would be eligible for honorary veteran status and burial benefits, though they would not be entitled to most other Department of Veterans Affairs benefits or interment at Arlington National Cemetery. Additionally, the Department of Defense would be required to issue honorable discharges to eligible members and would be authorized to produce service medals or other commemorative items in their honor.

This bill directly affects individuals who served as members of the U.S. Cadet Nurse Corps between July 1, 1943, and December 31, 1948, by recognizing their service as active duty. These individuals would become eligible for honorary veteran status and specific benefits, including burial and memorial benefits, provided they receive a discharge under honorable conditions. Additionally, the Department of Defense and the Department of Veterans Affairs are affected as they are tasked with issuing discharges, providing burial benefits, and potentially producing commendations or grave markers.

• Recognition of active duty service. Designates service in the U.S. Cadet Nurse Corps between July 1, 1943, and December 31, 1948, as active duty service for the purpose of federal benefits.
• Provision of veteran burial and memorial benefits. Entitles qualifying former corps members to honorary veteran status and specific benefits such as burial honors and grave markers, though it excludes interment at Arlington National Cemetery.
• Issuance of honorable discharges. Directs the Department of Defense to provide discharges under honorable conditions to individuals whose duration and nature of service in the corps meet the necessary requirements.
• Authorization of service commendations. Permits the Department of Defense to create and distribute service medals, memorial plaques, or other honors to recognize the service of corps members.
• Limitation on veterans' benefits. Specifies that recognized individuals are not eligible for Department of Veterans Affairs benefits beyond those related to burials and memorials.

The bill reclassifies service in the U.S. Cadet Nurse Corps between 1943 and 1948 as active duty service, granting qualifying members honorary veteran status and access to specific burial and memorial benefits managed by the Department of Defense and the Department of Veterans Affairs.

The bill aims to provide formal recognition and veteran status to individuals who served in the United States Cadet Nurse Corps between 1943 and 1948 by designating their work as active duty service. This designation is intended to grant qualifying members specific honors and benefits, including honorary veteran status, burial and memorial benefits, and eligibility for service commendations.