Brady’s Effort to Defend A&M Cadet Corps Status Nearing Final Approval
Conference report on H.R. 1119 sent to Senate; then to president

Congressman Kevin Brady today urged President Bill Clinton to sign Congress’ final version of the 1998 National Defense Authorization bill which contains language to protect the preferred status of the Texas A&M University Corps of Cadets in seeking active duty officer slots. Texas A&M is the largest senior military college and provides more officers to the armed forces than any of the other five senior military colleges. The annual authorization bill for the military’s funding cleared the House last night by a vote of 286-123.

Brady hailed the vote as a victory for both the future of American military leadership and the A&M Cadet Corps. "It is vital that we reward excellence in military education and prevent the ‘dumbing-down’ of our standards. The cadets of A&M work very hard and sacrifice a routine college experience to receive extensive military training. It would be wrong to ignore their commitment to excellence and place them on par with part-time R.O.T.C. programs," said Brady. "In April I stood before the A&M Corps of Cadets with Major General Hopgood and Senator Phil Gramm and promised to fight any effort to reduce the importance of senior military colleges as the armed forces adjust to the end of the Cold War. Today, I am proud to announce that we are fulfilling this commitment with the passage of this conference report."

The status of senior military colleges came into doubt earlier this year when Assistant Secretary of the Army for Manpower Sara Lister proposed changing the commissioning process for students who attend the six senior military colleges. The change would have placed these students in the same category with students who attend Reserve Officer Training courses available at almost every major college or university. The 2,034 members of the A&M Corps of Cadets are immersed in a 24-hour, 7-day a week military regimen very similar to traditional service academies. Currently, graduates of the cadet corps who desire active service are granted preference in competing for active duty slots.

Brady predicted that the Senate will pass the defense authorization bill later this week. The legislation will then be sent to President Clinton for his signature.