[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 44 (Wednesday, April 20, 1994)]
[Senate]
[Page S]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: April 20, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
                     RETIREMENT OF ADM. FRANK KELSO

 Mr. BROWN. Mr. President, Frank Kelso has served the United 
States as an officer in the U.S. Navy. While he has held the permanent 
rank of two-star admiral since 1980, since 1986 he has continuously 
been in positions which carry the rank of four-star admiral. Under 
statute, persons who retire while holding positions with four-star rank 
may retire at that rank upon the recommendation of the President and 
the consent of the Senate. Prior to the Tailhook scandal, Admiral Kelso 
could have voluntarily retired and would almost certainly have done so 
at the four-star admiral level given his performance and 
accomplishments in three and a half decades of military service.
  In regard to Tailhook, there are established proceedings for officers 
to be removed because of substandard performance of duty or to be 
court-martialled for violation of laws and military standards of 
conduct. No removal proceedings or charges triggering a court-martial 
were ever instituted against Admiral Kelso in regard to Tailhook or the 
subsequent investigation or legal proceedings arising from it.
  Statute provides that no officer can be retired for misconduct for 
which court martial proceedings would be appropriate. Officers 
considered for removal may choose to voluntarily retire at the rank and 
with the pay for which they are otherwise eligible. If removal 
proceedings has been instituted, Admiral Kelso could have chosen the 
same course he has pursued--to voluntarily retire at the rank and 
eligible for retirement benefits of his last position, four-star 
admiral.
  Denying Admiral Kelso the rank and benefits in retirement to which he 
was otherwise entitled, without a trial or due process is not 
appropriate.

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