PUBLIC LAW 104-106—FEB. 10, 1996 110 STAT. 309 retary) are essential for the execution of the National Military Strategy be associated with active-duty units.", (b) RESPONSIBILITIES.— Subsection (b) of such section is amended— (1) by striking out "National Guard combat unit" in the matter preceding paragraph (1) and inserting in lieu thereof "National Guard unit or Army Selected Reserve unit that (as determined by the Secretary under subsection (a)) is essential for the execution of the National Military Strategy"; and (2) by striking out "of the National Guard unit" in paragraphs (1), (2), (3), and (4) and inserting in lieu thereof "of that unit". SEC. 516. LEAVE FOR MEMBERS OF RESERVE COMPONENTS PERFORMING PUBLIC SAFETY DUTY. (a) ELECTION OF LEAVE TO BE CHARGED. —Subsection (b) of section 6323 of title 5, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following: "Upon the request of an employee, the period for which an employee is absent to perform service described in paragraph (2) may be charged to the employee's accrued annual leave or to compensatory time available to the employee instead of being charged as leave to which the employee is entitled under this subsection. The period of absence may not be charged to sick leave.". (b) PAY FOR PERIOD OF ABSENCE.—Section 5519 of such title is amended by striking out "entitled to leave" and inserting in lieu thereof "granted military leave". SEC. 517. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE FUNDING FOR NATIONAL GUARD PARTICIPATION IN JOINT DISASTER AND EMER- GENCY ASSISTANCE EXERCISES. Section 503(a) of title 32, United States Code, is amended— (1) by inserting "(1)" after "(a)"; and (2) by adding at the end the following: "(2) Paragraph (1) includes authority to provide for participation of the National Guard in conjunction with the Army or the Air Force, or both, in joint exercises for instruction to prepare the National Guard for response to civil emergencies and disasters.". Subtitle C—Decorations and Awards SEC. 521. AWARD OF PURPLE HEART TO PERSONS WOUNDED WHILE 10 USC 1129 HELD AS PRISONERS OF WAR BEFORE APRIL 25, 1962. note. (a) AWARD OF PURPLE HEART. —For purposes of the award of the Purple Heart, the Secretary concerned (as defined in section 101 of title 10, United States Code) shall treat a former prisoner of war who was wounded before April 25, 1962, while held as a prisoner of war (or- while being taken captive) in the same manner as a former prisoner of war who is wounded on or after that date while held as a prisoner of war (or while being taken captive). (b) STANDARDS FOR AWARD. —An award of the Purple Heart under subsection (a) shall be made in accordance with the standards in effect on the date of the enactment of this Act for the award of the Purple Heart to persons wounded on or after April 25, 1962. (c) ELIGIBLE FORMER PRISONERS OF WAR.—^A person shall be considered to be a former prisoner of war for purposes of this
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