[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 103 (Thursday, July 25, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1360]
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, July 24, 2002

  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 approximately $300,000 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 it is not 
unreasonable that in return 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 tuitions continue 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 in cosponsoring this 
legislation, and I look forward to working with them to protect the 
U.S. taxpayers' investment in our nation's future and ensure the 
integrity of one of our nation's most precious resources.

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