PUBLIC LAW 105-85—NOV. 18, 1997 111 STAT. 1765 for consideration by a selection board (including a promotion board, command selection board, or any other kind of selection board) evidence of the member's participation in the provision of support and services to non-Department of Defense organizations and activities under this section or the member's involvement in, or support of, other community relations and public affairs activities of the armed forces. "(2) Paragraph (1) does not prevent a selection board from considering material submitted voluntarily by a member of the armed forces which provides evidence of the participation of that member or another member in activities described in that paragraph.". SEC. 595. COMPTROLLER GENERAL STUDY OF DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE CIVIL MILITARY PROGRAMS. (a) STUDY REQUIRED. —The Comptroller General shall conduct a study to evaluate the following: (1) The nature, extent, and cost to the Department of Defense of the support and services being provided by units and members of the Armed Forces to non-Department of Defense organizations and activities under the authority of section 2012 of title 10, United States Code. (2) The degree to which the Armed Forces are in compliance with the requirements of such section in the provision of such support and services, especially the requirements that the assistance meet specific requirements relative to military training and that the assistsince provided be incidental to military training. (3) The degree to which the regulations and procedures for implementing such section, as required by subsection (f) of such section, are consistent with the requirements of such section. (4) The effectiveness of the Secretary of Defense and the Secretaries of the military departments in conducting oversight of the implementation of such section, and the provision of such support and services under such section, to ensure compliance with the requirements of such section. (b) SUBMISSION OF REPORT. —Not later than March 31, 1998, the Comptroller General shall submit to Congress a report containing the results of the study required by subsection (a). SEC. 596. ESTABLISHMENT OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS SPECIALTY IN THE ARMY. (a) NEW SPECIALTY. —Chapter 307 of title 10, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new section: "§ 3083. Public Affairs Specialty "There is a career field in the Army known as the Public Affairs Specialty. Members of the Army with the Public Affairs Specialty are— "(1) the Chief of Public Affairs; "(2) commissioned officers of the Army in the grade of major or above who are selected and specifically educated, trained, and experienced to perform as professional public affairs officers for the remainder of their careers; and "(3) other members qf the Army assigned to public affairs positions by the Secretary of the Army.".
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