[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 112 (Wednesday, July 12, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1414]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


           DUTY COMMISSIONS UPON SERVICE ACADEMY GRADUATIONS

                                 ______


                        HON. ROBERT A. UNDERWOOD

                                of guam

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, July 11, 1995
  Mr. UNDERWOOD. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to join my distinguished 
colleagues, Congressman Jack Reed of Rhode Island and Congressman Bob 
Dornan of California, as original cosponsors to introduce a bill to 
restore regular, active duty commissions upon graduation to members of 
the service academies. Beginning with the class of 1997, academy 
graduates will receive the same reserve commission that ROTC and OCS 
graduates receive. These young men and women work too hard and 
sacrifice too much not to be given the proper reward for their 
dedication.
  There are those that would argue that it is fair to give the same 
commission to all officers regardless of their commissioning source. 
However, some comparisons shed light on the different nature of the 
commissioning sources and highlight why it is fair to give regular 
commissions to academy graduates. I will use the Army as an example for 
these comparisons.
  Graduates of the U.S. Military Academy now have a 6 year active duty 
obligation to the Army after graduation. ROTC graduates have, at the 
most, a 4 year active duty requirement; nonscholarship and partial 
scholarship ROTC graduates only have 3 years. OCS graduates also only 
have a 3 year obligation.
  Cadets at West Point also give up a lot more personal freedom. 
Underclassmen are restricted to the post limits every day during the 
week and are further restricted to the cadet area and academic 
buildings during the evening study periods. Privileges on weekends are 
also limited. Even at times when cadets are authorized by regulations 
to leave, they must obtain final permission from their tactical 
officers. ROTC cadets do not have to live under such strict standards.
  In today's Army, there is very little difference, some would say 
none, between regular and reserve commissions, so service academy 
graduates are not and would not be given any real advantage. What they 
would be given is recognition for their devotion to serve their country 
and their willingness to sacrifice so much.
  The academies play a vital role in providing quality officers who 
will lead the military for our Nation. This country can not afford to 
lose these institutions. By taking away the regular commissions from 
the academy graduates, Congress takes away just one more thing that 
distinguishes them from other programs and risks the eventual closing 
of the academies. If that were to happen, this seemingly minor event 
will be considered the first step toward the demise of the academies.
  For the past two summers, I have had West Point cadets interning in 
my office. I have seen first hand the professionalism and ability they 
possess. Because of his tremendous pride in and concern for the U.S. 
Military Academy, Cadet Christopher S. Kinney, one of the cadets I have 
had assisting in my office, brought this issue to my attention. If he 
is any indication of the type of officers West Point develops, then I 
know this bill is the right thing to do.
  This is not a contest to determine which program trains better 
officers; it is an effort to let the young men and women who attend the 
academies, like Chris, know that we appreciate what they are doing for 
this great country.


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