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B-163443 1 (1978-03-29)

handle is hein.gao/gaobachkl0001 and id is 1 raw text is: 




                                                                   1022
                COMPTROLLER GENERAL OF THE UNITED STATES
                          WASHINGTON, D.C. 20348

                                  '29


B-163443                                              ,,. 2 -



The Honorable Melvin Price
Chairman, Ceiiittee on Armed Services
House of Repreaentatives

Dear Mr. Chairman:

     Turther reference is made to your letter dated January 17,
1978, vith enclosures, concerning the propriety of the Navy's
action in extending the term of enlistment of
beyond his 21st birthday to make up periods of tine lost from
his enlistmett due to hig absetoes from duty.

     On May 24, 1965, at age 17 vith the written consent of his
father, W ,     enlisted in the United States Navy obligating
himself to serve for the period during minority until 11 May 1969,
the day preceding his 21st birthday. His enlistment was involuntar-
ily extended on several occasions by the Navy pursuant to 10 O.$.C.
1 9724 (1970) as adjustmts for periods of time lost, Mr,
service was terminated on July 9, 1971, with a bad conduct discharge
awarded as a result of a court-martial conviction for absence
without leave (AWOL) offenses committed subsequent to his 21st birth-
day while he was serving on the extension of his enlistment making
up time lost. Mr.      and his parents have asserted that the
extension of his anlistment-beyand -the period .nf his ainority
exceeded the Navy's authority because the Navy was allegedly with-
out jurisdiction over him after Kay 11, 1969, upon his reaching his
majority.  They contend, in effect, that 10 U.S.C. i 9724does not
authorize the military to extend its jarisdiction over a minority
enlist** beyond his 21st birthday by extending his enlistment
beyond that age.

     In this regard you ask our opinion as to whether the Navy
was acting wit'6 'ts authority under 10 U.S.C. I 971'in
extendin4 Mr.       enlitent, taking particular note of the
parental consent zorm signed by Mr.       father, which provided
eonsent only for enlistment for the period of minority, and the
language of section 97lwhich makes an individual liable for
time lost only in asunts equaling the term for which he enlisted.

     The question presented is essentially one involving the
Jurisdiction of the service concerned over an individual for

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