NEED FOR LEGISLATION Students from other foreign countries have been admitted from time to time by virtue of special legislation enacted by the Congress. The most recent enactments were two such measures approved in 1962 authorizing a citizen of the kingdom of Thailand to receive instruction at the Air Force Academy and a special measure authorizing the appointment of two citizens of the kingdom of Belgium to receive instruction at the Naval Academy. General authority in the form of permanent legislation is much more preferable than special bills since the permanent authority provides an orderly means for dealing with this matter. This bill would provide permanent authority which will permit up to four persons at any one time to receive instruction at each of the three service academies. The persons eligible to receive instruction would be persons from any friendly countries other than those already covered under existing law. It is considered that the admission of citizens of friendly foreign nations to the service academies is a very sound measure to pursue in the national interests of the United States. The goodwill and the fellowship created among all the cadets and midshipmen is deep and abiding and, although difficult to measure, undoubtedly is cumulative, favorable, and enduring. The military expertise instilled in foreign cadets and midshipmen, coupled with their exposure to American. ideals and principles, provides a much needed asset, particularly in those less developed countries where the United States is seeking to encourage stability, meaningful progress, and responsible leadership. The U.S. alliance system, and the military assistance programs underscore the extent to which U.S. politicomilitary relations are conducted in an allied environment. Academy educations for selected foreign cadets and midshipmen from Europe, the Middle East, Asia, and Africa, could contribute to a better understanding of military concepts, standardized procedures, logistics, strategy and tactics, and even democratic ideals and goals. Given the influence of military officers in the domestic and foreign affairs of many countries, it is felt that a U.S. service academy education for a potential leadership group would redound to the U.S. benefit. COST AND BUDGET DATA At such time as the proposed legislation would be fully implemented with four persons at each of the three military academies as authorized by the bill, it could be anticipated that the total additional cost for all three academies would be approximately $25,000 per year. DEPARTMENTAL POSITION This legislation is supported by the Department of Defense as indicated by the attached letter which is hereby made a part of this report. It should be observed that the departmental proposal recommended that not more than 12 students be permitted to receive instruction at any one time at each of the 3 academies. The committee, however, felt that an authorization of four for each academy should be sufficient to meet this problem. Hon. HUBERT H. HUMPHREY, Washington, D.C. DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY, OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY, MY DEAR MR. PRESIDENT: There is forwarded herewith a draft of proposed legislation to amend title 10, United States Code, to permit persons from countries friendly to the United States to receive instruction at the U.S. Military Academy, the U.S. Naval Academy, and the U.S. Air Force Academy, and for other purposes. This proposal is a part of the Department of Defense legislative program for the 89th Congress. The Bureau of the Budget advises that, from the standpoint of the administration's program, there is no objection to the presentation of this proposal for the consideration of the Congress. The Department of the Navy has been designated as the representative of the Department of Defense for this legislation. It is recommended that this proposal be enacted by the Congress. PURPOSE OF THE LEGISLATION The purpose of the proposed legislation is to permit not more than 12 persons at any one time from countries friendly to the United States (other than Canada, the American Republics, and the Republic of the Philippines) to receive instruction at each of the U.S. Military, Naval, and Air Force Academies. Present law (10 U.S.C. 4344, 4345, 6957, 9344, and 9345) provides permanent authorization for each Academy to admit 20 students from the American Republics, including Canada, and 4 additional students each from the Republic of the Philippines. Students from other foreign countries have been admitted from time to time, but each case required the special authorization of the Congress. The piecemeal approach to this problem is obviously unsatisfactory in a number of respects and general legislation is necessary which will not only make enactment of special bills unnecessary but will also provide an orderly means for dealing with the problem. It is considered that the admission of citizens of friendly foreign nations to the service academies is a very sound measure to pursue in the national interests of the United States. The good will and the fellowship created among all the cadets and midshipmen is deep and abiding and, although difficult to measure, undoubtedly is cumulative, favorable, and enduring. The military expertise instilled in foreign cadets and midshipmen, coupled with their exposure to American ideals and principles, provides a much-needed asset, particularly in those less developed countries where the United States is seeking to encourage stability, meaningful progress, and responsible leadership. The U.S. alliance system and the military assistance programs underscore the extent to which U.S. politicomilitary relations are conducted in an allied environment. Academy education for selected foreign cadets and midshipmen from Europe, the Middle East, Asia, and Africa could contribute to a better understanding of military concepts, standardized procedures, logistics, strategy and tactics, and even democratic ideals and goals. Given the influence of military officers in the domestic and foreign affairs of many countries, it is felt that a U.S. service academy education for a potential leadership group would redound to the U.S. benefit. COST AND BUDGET DATA Enactment of this proposed legislation would result in the following annual increases in budgetary requirements for pay, subsistence, initial travel and expenses related to field training: No provision has been made in the President's fiscal year 1966 budget for the costs of the legislation. Sincerely yours, 89TH CONGRESS 2d Session } SENATE { REPORT No. 1691 SPECIAL LEAVE FOR A MEMBER OF UNIFORMED SERVICE WHO VOLUNTARILY EXTENDS TOUR OF DUTY IN HOSTILE FIRE AREA OCTOBER 6, 1966.-Ordered to be printed Mr. CANNON, from the Committee on Armed Services, submitted the following REPORT [To accompany H.R. 15748] The Committee on Armed Services, to which was referred the bill (H.R. 15748) to amend title 10, United States Code, to authorize a special 30-day period of leave for a member of a uniformed service who voluntarily extends his tour of duty in a hostile fire area, having considered the same, reports favorably thereon with an amendment and recommends that the bill as amended do pass. NATURE OF THE AMENDMENT The committee recommends amendatory language providing that the proposed authority would expire on June 30, 1968. The committee was of the opinion that while the legislation appears needed and desirable at the present time, the authority should not be in the form of permanent legislation. The temporary authority is sufficient to meet the present problem. If circumstances later necessitate, the authority could be extended. PURPOSE OF THE BILL The purpose of H.R. 15748 is to provide persons currently serving in Vietnam an incentive to voluntarily extend their tour of duty. The proposed legislation would provide, for individuals committing their services for at least 6 additional months in a hostile fire area, a net period of 30 days of leave, not chargeable to any other leave account, at a selected location, which in most cases could be expected to be in the United States, with transportation at Government expense. Under present law, any leave granted under such a program would be chargeable to the individual's leave account, including all travel time. Additionally, transportation could be furnished only on a space-available basis. BACKGROUND The normal duration of duty assignments in Vietnam for Armed Forces personnel is 12 months. From the point of view of effectiveness of the individual, the 12-month tour is less than ideal, according to departmental witnesses. Experience in the environment and in the special conditions of warfare that exist in the area has cumulative value, particularly among those individuals in positions of leadership, positions involving close liaison with Vietnamese or other forces, and assignments involving civic actions in the civilian community. For different reasons, it is said that a longer tour for individuals possessing critical skills in short supply would be highly advantageous. However, an increase in the 12-month tour, despite the clear advantage in effectiveness, would not be equitable, except on a voluntary basis. Accordingly, the intent of H.R. 15748 is to provide persons currently serving in Vietnam an incentive to voluntarily extend their tour of duty. FISCAL DATA The number of individuals who might volunteer for extended tours in the program is speculative, but it is not expected to constitute more than a small percentage of the numbers whose normal tours are expiring. One cost element can be identified in approximate dollar figures: The average transportation cost per individual is estimated at $570. DEPARTMENTAL POSITION This proposal is a part of the Department of Defense legislative program for the 89th Congress, and the Bureau of the Budget advises that, from the standpoint of the administration's program, there is no objection to the presentation of this proposal for the consideration of the Congress. It is recommended that the proposal be enacted by the Congress. |