HR 1815, Section 522 - Recruitment and Enlistment in the Armed Forces

HR 1815, Section 522

Recruitment and Enlistment of Homeschooled Students

in the Armed Forces

If you want to let your elected representatives know how you feel about the federal government identifying your child for the purposes of Recruitment and Enlistment in the Armed Forces the following information is very important!

The Advisory Board for the Pennsylvania Home Educators Association (PHEA) believes that each branch of the military should be allowed to determine the policies that recruit the candidates most likely to succeed in it's unique mission. Therefore we oppose this section, specifically subsection (c), that would authorize the Department of Defense to determine who qualifies as a homeschool graduate and permit them to recruit homeschoolers only on that basis.

First, familiarize yourself with Section 522 (see below or link here). The amendment number is the same in both the House version - HR. 1815, and the Senate Version - S. 1042, of the National Defense Authorization Act for fiscal year 2006. A good suggestion is to compose a short paragraph about your position on this legislation before you call. Since this bill has already passed both chambers and is now in the resolution committee, it is imperative to voice your concerns quickly!

Senator John Warner (R-VA) introduced the amendment into the Senate version on behalf of Senator Rick Santorum (R-PA). They should both be telephoned.

Senator John Warner - 202-224-2023

You can also write Senator Warner at:
225 Russell Senate Office Building, Washington, DC 20510;

or email the Senator:

http://warner.senate.gov/contact/contactme.cfm

Senator Rick Santorum - 202-224-6324

You can also write Senator Santorum at:
511 Dirksen Senate Office Building, Washington, DC 20510;

or email the Senator:

http://santorum.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=ContactInformation.ContactForm

It is also advised to call your own Senators and Representative.

To locate your Senators visit http://www.senate.gov/. Enter your State and it will take you to the names and contact information for your two Senators.

To locate your Representative visit http://www.house.gov and enter your zip code. Click on your Representative's name and it will take you directly to their website where you will find their contact information.

Of course faxing is acceptable, too!

H.R.1815
National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2006 (Engrossed Amendment as Agreed to by Senate)

SEC. 522. RECRUITMENT AND ENLISTMENT OF HOME SCHOOLED STUDENTS IN THE ARMED FORCES.

(a) Policy on Recruitment and Enlistment-

(1) POLICY REQUIRED- The Secretary of Defense shall prescribe a policy on the recruitment and enlistment of home schooled students in the Armed Forces.

(2) UNIFORMITY ACROSS THE ARMED FORCES- The Secretary shall ensure that the policy prescribed under paragraph (1) applies, to the extent practicable, uniformly across the Armed Forces.

(b) Elements- The policy under subsection (a) shall include the following:

(1) An identification of a graduate of home schooling for purposes of recruitment and enlistment in the Armed Forces that is in accordance with the requirements described in subsection (c).

(2) Provision for the treatment of graduates of home schooling with no practical limit with regard to enlistment eligibility.

(3) An exemption of graduates of home schooling from the requirement for a secondary school diploma or an equivalent (GED) as a precondition for enlistment in the Armed Forces.

(c) Home School Graduates- In prescribing the policy, the Secretary of Defense shall prescribe a single set of criteria to be utilized by the Armed Forces in determining whether an individual is a graduate of home schooling. The Secretary concerned shall ensure compliance with education credential coding requirements.

(d) Secretary Concerned Defined- In this section, the term `Secretary concerned' has the meaning given such term in section 101(a)(9) of title 10, United States Code.