No Work with Adversaries Act of 2023

The No Work with Adversaries Act of 2023 prohibits current and former U.S. military personnel who held specialized defense roles - such as in cyber operations, military equipment maintenance, or intelligence - from accepting employment with the governments of China or Russia. It targets positions involving critical military skills gained through U.S. service, including aviation, weapon systems, and defense acquisitions. The Secretary of Defense may grant temporary 5-year waivers for former service members if the employment won’t harm U.S. defense operations, but violations carry criminal penalties under federal law. The law requires written notice to affected individuals and applies to all such roles regardless of notice timing.