[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 2 (Thursday, January 7, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E35]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   EXCELLENCE IN MILITARY SERVICE ACT

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. HOWARD COBLE

                           of north carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, January 6, 1999

  Mr. COBLE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to introduce the ``Excellence in 
Military Service Act.''
  This legislation would increase the active duty service obligation 
(ADSO) of Military Service Academy graduates from five to eight years. 
Many Americans do not realize that this free and highly competitive 
college education costs the average taxpayer over $270,000 per cadet/
midshipman. While I believe that investing in our military is critical 
to the future stability of our nation, I do not think it is fair to 
burden the taxpayer with this expense without requiring academy 
graduates to exhibit a similar commitment in their ADSO. I maintain 
that it is not unreasonable that for a free education, with a monetary 
allowance, that a graduating cadet/midshipman be required to commit to 
a longer period of obligated service upon commissioning.
  As college tuition continues to skyrocket, I believe our U.S. 
military academies will become even more attractive to prospective 
college students. In light of this fact, we need to ensure that a free 
education does not become a primary motivation for future applicants. I 
maintain that increasing the ADSO is an effective way to accomplish 
this without jeopardizing the viability of these historic institutions.
  I hope my colleagues will join with me to protect the U.S. taxpayers' 
investment in one of our nation's most precious resources.

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