Source: https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2015/12/31/2015-32926/service-academies
Timestamp: 2019-04-21 22:06:47
Document Index: 383044425

Matched Legal Cases: ['art 217', 'art 217', 'art 217', 'art 217', '§\u2009217', '§\u2009217', '§\u2009217']

A Rule by the Defense Department on 12/31/2015
81759-81767 (9 pages)
Docket ID: DOD-2007-OS-0001
Sec. 202, Public Law 104-4, “Unfunded Mandates Reform Act” (2 U.S.C. Chapter 25)
https://www.federalregister.gov/d/2015-32926 https://www.federalregister.gov/d/2015-32926
This rule establishes policy, assigns responsibilities, and prescribes procedures for DoD oversight of the Service academies (referred to in this rule as “the academies”). It implements the United States Code for the establishment and operation of the United States Military Academy, the United States Naval Academy, and the United States Air Force Academy.
Effective Date: This rule is effective December 31, 2015.
Lt. Col. Keithen Washington, 703 695-5529.
a. Purpose. This rule provides required updates to DoD policy and procedures because some policy changes and court decisions have had a great impact on the eligibility of potential applicants' entry into a military academy. All language addressing homosexuality, homosexual acts, homosexual statements and homosexual marriage has been removed in accordance with the December 22, 2010 repeal of Don't Ask, Don't Tell policy, which opened military service to homosexuals, and the subsequent United States v. Windsor decision (570 U.S. 12, 133 S. Ct. 2675 (2013), 1 U.S.C. 7; 28 U.S.C. 1738c) which found section 3 of the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) unconstitutional. By removing all references to homosexual conduct, acts or marriage as grounds for discharge, otherwise qualified applicants are now free to apply and enroll in a military academy without prejudice or fear of reprisal regardless of their sexual orientation. This rule is required immediately to remove any legal and policy restrictions which would prevent a potential applicant from entry into a military academy based solely on their sexual orientation.
Additionally, the academies must attract, recruit and retain high achieving citizens who are pursuing undergraduate degrees critical to the DoD's national security mission. A highly qualified and diverse pool of citizens is needed to replenish and fortify DoD's workforce. The academies finance higher education and provide opportunities to individuals who may not otherwise have the means nor the opportunity to pursue. Furthermore, because the Military Services provide critical national security, providing them with a skilled and talented workforce is vitally necessary to defend the United States. Updating these policies and procedures is vital to the DoD meeting its mission to man an all-volunteer force with qualified citizens.
b. Succinct statement of legal authority for the regulatory action.
The academies annually provide newly commissioned officers to each Service who have been immersed in the history, traditions, and professional values of the Military Services and developed to be leaders of character, dedicated to a career of professional excellence in service to the Nation. The accession of these officers generates a core group of innovative leaders capable of thinking critically who will exert positive peer influence to convey and sustain these traditions, attitudes, values, and beliefs essential to the long-term readiness and success of the Military Services.
Administrative costs are negligible and the benefits would be clear, concise rules that enable the Secretary of Defense to ensure that the Service Academies operate efficiently and meet the needs of the armed forces.
Notice and comment are not required for this rule under the Administrative Procedure Act because, as the rule establishes policy, assigns responsibility, and prescribes procedures for DoD oversight of the academies, it directly relates to a military function of the United States (See 5 U.S.C. 553(a)(1)). However, DoD previously published a proposed rule on October 18, 2007 (72 FR 59053-59064), but that version was never finalized. One public comment was received that was provided as a means for improvement.
Comment: The comment received concerned the protocol requiring that all new cadets and midshipmen to undergo Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), drug, and alcohol testing within 72 hours of reception, and the requirement that any appointment as a cadet or Start Printed Page 81760midshipman to any of the Service Academies will be terminated if and “when it is determined the individual is HIV positive or dependent on drugs or alcohol.” The individual who submitted the comment did not contest the justification for appointment termination if any of the mentioned conditions existed. Rather the individual took issue with the fact that HIV positive status was paired with drug and alcohol dependency and believes it implies a similarity between drug and alcohol dependency and affliction with HIV.
Response: It is recognized that HIV affliction and drug and alcohol abuse are very different issues. Accordingly, the three are no longer linked. Additionally, due to comments received during interagency coordination of this rule, language addressing HIV affliction as well as language addressing drug and alcohol abuse have been removed from this rule. A reference to the appropriate DoD Instructions that address these conditions has been included in the rule.
(1) Language addressing foreign students has been included and/or clarified.
(2) Language addressing homosexuality, homosexual acts, homosexual statements and homosexual marriage has been removed.
(3) For additional understanding and clarity, added a definition for excess leave.
(4) Reworded some language for clarity based on additional internal comments received.
It has been determined that 32 CFR part 217 does not contain a Federal mandate that may result in expenditure by State, local and tribal governments, in aggregate, or by the private sector, of $100 million or more in any one year.
It has been certified that 32 CFR part 217 is not subject to the Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601) because it would not, if promulgated, have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities.
This rule does not add any new information or reporting requirements. Existing collections approved under OMB Control Number 0701-0026, “Nomination for Appointment to the United States Military Academy, Naval Academy, and Air Force Academy,” will be used. The Department will continue to review its processes to identify additional collection instruments and consider how these collection tools may be improved and make revisions accordingly. We welcome your comments on how you think we can improve on our information collection activities that are expiring and scheduled for extension and/or revision.
It has been determined that 32 CFR part 217 does not have federalism implications, as set forth in Executive Order 13132. This rule does not have substantial direct effects on:
Accordingly 32 CFR part 217 is added to read as follows:
Boards of Visitors. Boards that visit the academies annually and provide a Start Printed Page 81761report to the President of their views and recommendations about the academies. 10 U.S.C. chapters 403, 603, and 903 define the composition and purpose of those boards.
(5) Approves or disapproves requests to exceed the foreign student limitation from a single country provision in § 217.6(d)(2).
(c) Under the authority, direction, and control of the USD(P&R), the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs (ASD(HA)) establishes medical standards for applicants to the academies that are applied through the DoD Medical Examination Review Board, according to DoD Directive 5154.25E, “DoD Medical Examination Review Board” (available at http://www.dtic.mil/​whs/​directives/​corres/​pdf/​515425e.pdf).
(g) The IG DoD evaluates programs, as set forth in DoD Directive 5106.01, “Inspector General of the Department of Defense” (available at http://www.dtic.mil/​whs/​directives/​corres/​pdf/​510601p.pdf) and 5 U.S.C. Appendix (also known as and referred to in this part as the “Inspector General Act of 1978,” as amended).
(2) Ensure appropriate oversight and management of the academies.Start Printed Page 81762
(4) Prescribe a written agreement when providing an academy appointment to U.S. candidates who agree to conditions in § 217.6(f) and are otherwise qualified.
(iii) Standards for determining the period of time for which a person may be ordered to serve on active duty according to § 217.6(j). (See also 10 U.S.C. 4348(c), 6959(c), and 9348(c).
(6) Work with the Director, DFAS, to establish and maintain jointly developed, uniform accounting procedures for determining the cost of education at their respective academies. These procedures must be consistent with Chapter 6 of Volume 11A of DoD 7000.14-R, “Department of Defense Financial Management Regulation” (available at http://comptroller.defense.gov/​Portals/​45/​documents/​fmr/​Volume_​11a.pdf) and DoD Instruction 5010.40, “Managers' Internal Control (MIC) Program Procedures” (available at http://www.dtic.mil/​whs/​directives/​corres/​pdf/​501040p.pdf). A standard method for computing reimbursement of the cost of education will be in these procedures and accounts receivable will be recorded as follows:
(8) Ensure that proper credit management and debt collection procedures are followed pursuant to chapters 28-32 of Volume 5, and chapters 38 and 50 of Volume 7A of DoD 7000.14-R (available at http://comptroller.defense.gov/​Portals/​45/​documents/​fmr/​Volume_​05.pdf and http://comptroller.defense.gov/​Portals/​45/​documents/​fmr/​Volume_​07a.pdf), to include prescribing repayment procedures of an individual's outstanding academy financial obligation.
(3) Appointments will be offered on a competitive basis to nominated Start Printed Page 81763candidates having the strongest potential for success as cadets or midshipmen, and ultimately as commissioned officers. The nominating sources will be notified of candidates selected for appointment.
(iv) Medical qualification for appointments to the academies and for commissioning as required in 10 U.S.C. chapter 33 and further delineated through examination procedures defined in DoD Directive 5154.25E and medical standards defined in DoD Instruction 6130.03, “Physical Standards for Appointment, Enlistment, or Induction in the Military Services” (available at http://www.dtic.mil/​whs/​directives/​corres/​pdf/​613003p.pdf), DoD Instruction 6485.01, “Human Immunodeficiency Virus in Military Service Members” (available at http://www.dtic.mil/​whs/​directives/​corres/​pdf/​648501p.pdf), and DoD Instruction 1010.16, “Technical Procedures for the Military Personnel Drug Abuse Testing Program” (available at http://www.dtic.mil/​whs/​directives/​corres/​pdf/​101016p.pdf).
(ii) Elimination of dysfunctional stress. The Secretaries of the Military Departments concerned and superintendents determine knowledge requirements and procedures for the development and indoctrination of cadets and midshipmen. Memorization Start Printed Page 81764of trivia, such as complete menus for meals, is generally inappropriate. Establishment of such requirements will be closely monitored by the academies.
(f) Management of cadets and midshipmen. (1) A U.S. cadet or midshipman entering an academy directly from civilian status assumes a Military Service obligation (MSO) of 8 years, under 10 U.S.C. 651 and DoD Instruction 1304.25, “Fulfilling the Military Service Obligation” (available at http://www.dtic.mil/​whs/​directives/​corres/​pdf/​130425p.pdf).
(D) First Classman (Declining Appointment). Any first classman completing the course of instruction and declining to accept an appointment as a commissioned officer may be transferred to the respective Reserve Component in an enlisted status and ordered to active duty for 4 years and incurs a MSO in accordance with 10 U.S.C. 4348(b), 6959(b), and 9348(b) and DoD Directive 1235.10, “Activation, Mobilization, and Demobilization of the Ready Reserve” (available at http://www.dtic.mil/​whs/​directives/​corres/​pdf/​123510p.pdf).
(A) Fourth and Third Classmen (First and Second Years). If disenrolled during the fourth or third class year, the cadet's or midshipman's Military Service commitment will be equal to the time Start Printed Page 81765not served on the original enlistment contract, with all service as a cadet or midshipman counted as service under that contract. Those individuals with less than 1 year remaining in the original enlistment contract may be discharged on approval of the disenrollment by the Military Department concerned.
(D) Disenrolled Cadets or Midshipmen not Suited for Enlisted Military Service. A cadet or midshipman who entered into an academy from the Regular or Reserve Component of a Military Service who is subsequently disenrolled from an academy and is not suited for enlisted Military Service because of demonstrated unsuitability, unfitness, or physical disqualification, will be discharged in accordance with DoD Instruction 1332.14, “Enlisted Administrative Separations” (available at http://www.dtic.mil/​whs/​directives/​corres/​pdf/​133214p.pdf) and Military Department regulations that specifically address the disenrollment of cadets or midshipmen.
(3) Officers appointed from cadet or midshipman status will not be voluntarily released from active duty principally to pursue a professional sports activity with the potential of public affairs or recruiting benefit to the DoD during the initial 2 years of active commissioned service. A waiver to release a cadet or midshipman prior to the completion of 2 years of active service must be approved by the ASD(M&RA). Exceptional personnel with unique talents and abilities may be authorized excess leave or be released from active duty and transferred to the Selective Reserve after completing 2 years of active commissioned service Start Printed Page 81766when there is a strong expectation their professional sports activity will provide the DoD with significant favorable media exposure likely to enhance national recruiting or public affairs.
(i) Academy preparatory school to academy entrance ratio. The ratio of the number of preparatory school students entering the academy to the number that entered prep school should be 70 percent or greater.Start Printed Page 81767
[FR Doc. 2015-32926 Filed 12-30-15; 8:45 am]