Legal Document

417 U.S. 72 94 Supreme Court Reporter 2167. 40 United States Reports Lawyer’s Edition 2d Series KF101.8 U54 668 Donald C. CASS, Petitioner,v.UNITED STATES. Francis Atlantic ADAMS et al., Petitioners, versus SECRETARY OF the NAVY al. Nos. 73—604, 73—5661. Argued April 16, 1974. Decided May 28, 1974.** Syllabus Title 10 Code KF62 § 687(a) provides for readjustment pay an Armed Forces Reservist who is involuntarily released from active duty and has completed, immediately before his release, 'at least five years of continuous duty,' computed by multiplying service two months' basic grade at time further that '(f)or purposes this subsection—. . (2) a part year six months or more counted as whole year, less than disregarded ..' Held: 'rounding' provision, clear statute's legislative history, applies only in computing amount pay, not determining eligibility therefor; hence, reservist must serve minimum full involuntary release order to qualify benefits. Pp. 75—84. 483 Federal Reporter, 2nd 220, affirmed. Arthur baron Hanson, Washington, D.C., petitioner Number 73 604. William Dougherty, Tustin, Cal., petitioners 5661. L. Patton, Boston, Mass., respondents. Mr. Justice WHITE delivered opinion Court. 1 Congress provided 687(a)1 otherwise eligible member reserve component Forces, duty, 'and entitled payment which he serving release.' It We decide whether provision set forth 687(a)(2) be applied well entitled, so reservists have completed four more, but years, prior their are nonetheless payment. The Appeals held rounding clause computation payments, 220 (CA9 1973), contrary earlier decision Claims applicable for, of, payments under 687, Schmid States, 436 987, 193 Ct.Cl. 780, cert. denied, 404 951, 92 283, 30 268 (1971). granted certiorari resolve conflict, 414 1128, 864, 38 752 (1974), now affirm judgment Appeals. 2 Each had served continuously months, when notified would honorably Reserves. In Cass, captain Army Reserve, was fact completing service, denied request brought suit District Montana, relief on authority Claims' Schmid, supra. 73—5661, Adams, Steneman, Youngquist, captains Marine Corps separate actions Central California, seeking modification orders provide pay. subsequently they were based one-half years.2 Government's appeals decisions Courts consolidated, reversed each, holding statute its history make with service.3 3 Petitioners assert language unambiguously establishes qualifies benefits, should therefore considered resolving issue, even if considered, it supports construction urged much contended Government. unpersuaded these arguments, however. 4 sets out both requirements entitlement method same sentence. Entitlement based, part, completion, reservist, reservist's 'years service' released. Because expressly 'purposes subsection,' contend modifies term 'year' whenever appears subsection, i.e., determine number use multiplier owed. This plainly true, contend, resort unnecessary improper.4 5 Our view contrary. arguably subject interpretation given petitioners, did intend override explicit requirement least' service? think answer question sufficiently doubtful warrant our extrinsic aids intent Congress, which, course, controlling consideration issue us.5 Moreover, previously stated '(w)hen aid meaning words, used statute, available, there certainly can no 'rule law' forbids use, however words may appear 'superficial examination," American Trucking Assns., Inc., 310 534, 543—544, 60 1059, 1064, 84 L.Ed. 1345 (1940); Harrison Northern Trust Co., 317 476, 479, 63 361, 362, 87 407 (1943). Such available case we decline ignore clearly relevant 687(a). 6 Certain lump-sum help them readjust civilian life encourage qualified remain extended periods. Readjustment first Act July 9, 1956, 70 Statutes-at-Large 517, conditioned completion duty.' also (1) whoe Ibid. As introduced passed House, however, bill provided, codified version does now, subsection' six-month apply. H.R.Rep.No.1960, 84th Cong., Sess., 9 (1956); 102 Cong.Rec. 10120 (June 12, 1956). made debate House passage requirement.6 Senate, focusing letter Comptroller General Chairman Services Committee suggesting clarified ensure period necessary payment, amended reflect clearly,7 id., 11333 11334 29, 1956), readily concurred day Senate amendments final 1956 Act, 11503—11504. 7 June 1962, primarily raise benefits paid equal severance regular officers,8 retained specifying payment,' 76 120, discussion congressional reports9 any language. Less three later, present adopted measure codifying 'recent military laws.' Sept. 7, 506. committee reports accompanying codification proposal plain change intended enacted phraseology.10 Judiciary Report explained purpose follows: 8 'This bill, amended, substantive existing law. Its bring up date title Code, incorporating provisions public laws while enact into law still pending Contress, transfer 10, other parts code.' S.Rep.No. 1876, 87th (1962), U.S.Code Cong. & Admin.News, Page 2456. limited expressed Committee, '(s)ome changes style form been conform do affect substance.' H.R.Rep.No.1401, (1962). These comments, combined standards either cited proceedings leading adoption 108 4435—4441 17088—17089 conclusively demonstrate reduce qualifying substituted unambiguous enactments. petitioners' claim nevertheless accepted correctly expressing will mere unexplained law, see Continental Casualty company 314 527, 529—530, 62 393, 394—395, 86 426 (1942); Bowen, 100 508, 513, 25 631 (1880). Here predecessor quite different ascribe law; revisers resulting effect. Fourco Glass Transmirra Products Corp., 353 222, 227—228, 77 787, 790—791, 786 (1957); Cook, 384 257, 260, 1412, 1413, 16 516 (1966); City Greenwood Peacock, 808, 815—816, 1800, 1805—1806, 944 (1966). 11 case, 780 (1971), thought 687(a), restored original knew interpreted reducing months. Id., 991, Ct.Cl., 787. But accompanied reference legislation views then General.11 What itself years.12 codification, construed it, represent 'return' Congress. significant hint what such cost how goals provisions, careful attention matters received raised 1962. Judge Nichols commented dissenting Schmid: 'In ambiguity, allow ourselves some recognition existence sheer inadvertence process.' 992, 789. Finally, cannot agree contention 'substantive change' because once re-enlist beyond initial enlistment benefit scheme inducement satisfied. Not selection particular peculiarly task dependent upon judgment, very involves substantially greater expenditure funds places sort revision realm. 12 thus conclude determination authorized, 13 Affirmed. 14 DOUGLAS, agreeing reverse ** Together Adams Secretary Navy court. full, provides: 687. Non-Regulars: duty. '(a) Except members covered subsection (b), Air Force without involuntarily, additional tour volunteered after (other war national emergency declared 1962), eighteen, release. However, performance fallen below prescribed concerned, retention consistent interests security, basis one month's A person years' $15,000, whichever lesser. For subsection— '(1) interrupted break days; '(2) disregarded; '(3) concerned another included.' motion preliminary injunction prohibiting result, each awarding rendered. deciding disclaimed reliance actually since permitted compulsion court's injunction. dissolved moot wake award favor n. 2, supra, improperly issued could relied support 222 1973). That ruling challenged rely cases recourse materials unwarranted statutory unequivocal. E.g., Oregon, 366 643, 648, 81 1278, 1280, 575 (1961); Ex parte Collett, 337 55, 61, 69 944, 947, 93 1207 (1949); Helvering Bank Farmers 296 85, 89, 56 70, 72, 80 (1935); Shreveport Grain Elevator 287 77, 83, 53 42, 44, 175 (1932). cases, though finding clear, look interpreted. majority examined found apply determinations, whereas five-year 'not court Schmid.' F.2d, 222. Obviously room reasonable dispute over alone. tender apart founded word 'years,' that, read context, establish none overcomes ambiguity created direct establishment qualification Thus, argued 687(a)(3) excludes payable 'a law,' grammatical structure 1, rule 'prior exclusion' (3). Government asserts underlying premise (3) erroneous. text infra, exclusion payment.' 120. Furthermore, current Department Defense Military Pay Allowances Entitlements Manual 40414(b) (Jan. 1967) due, entitlement. suggests, therefore, §§ purpose, computation. Manifestly, parties' applicability apply; merely restates problem. 6330, like Fleet Reserve and, thereby, retainer enlisted Corps, compute due. pertinent portions 6330 6330. Enlisted members: Reserve; '(b) An Regular Naval 20 armed forces may, request, transferred Reserve. '(c) section rate 1/2 percent multiplied .. '(d) subsections (b) (c), disregarded. minority terminated within end term.' apparent 687(a)(2), contains 6330(d). Nor indicate custom context control At most, indicates proffered fit construed. sponsor legislation, Representative Brooks, engaged following dialogue explanation: 'Mr. BROOKS Louisiana. started estimate average individual stays making career service. After gone long way toward take opportunity away him turn back life, feel readjustment. GROSS. minimum, then, years; correct? correct. reason 3-year require reenlistment, man reenlist period. completes N Dec. Immigration Nationality Decisions intends stay encourages needs him.' 10118—10119 (1956). General's contained 'Although (a) seems officer last sentence Presumably authorizing counting quantum If so, clarified, perhaps somewhat "For fractional amounting (or 183 days) shall shorter disregarded." S.Rep.No.2288, explains designed limit application formula 'to 5-year required payments.' 2. See H.R.Rep.No.1007, 1st Sess. S.Rep.No.1096, (1961). N. 8, referred Committees, unlike bills establishing amending Committees respective chambers 6,

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