United States Cadet Nurse Corps Service Recognition Act of 2025

Summary

Treats honorable discharge from service in the United States Cadet Nurse Corps between July 1, 1943 and December 31, 1948 as active duty for eligibility for certain VA benefits, including headstones and markers, while excluding benefits that relate only to interment in Arlington National Cemetery. Requires the Department of Defense to review records and issue honorable discharges within one year for those whose service warrants it, and allows the Secretary of Defense to create a medal, commendation, or memorial item to honor recipients. Recipients of these discharges are to be honored as veterans but are not otherwise made eligible for VA-administered benefits by reason of that service except as specifically provided in the active-duty treatment. The law sets administrative duties for DoD and creates a pathway for recognition and certain benefits for surviving family members and eligible former Cadet Nurse Corps members.

• Cadet Nurse Corps service from 7/1/1943–12/31/1948 treated as active duty for certain VA benefits, including headstones and markers.
• Arlington National Cemetery interment benefits remain excluded from this treatment.
• Secretary of Defense must review records and, within one year, issue honorable discharges where service warrants it.
• Recipients of these discharges are honored as veterans but generally are not made eligible for other VA-administered benefits solely by this service.
• DoD may create a service medal, commendation, or memorial plaque or grave marker to honor recipients.
• Implementation requires DoD administrative action to locate records and set discharge dates.
• No explicit appropriation is included; implementation may incur administrative costs for DoD and VA.
• Provides a route for surviving family members to receive certain burial-related benefits tied to the active-duty treatment.