Active Forces.—

Sec. 703. Active Forces.—(a) For the period beginning July 1, 1976, and ending September 30, 1976, each component of the Armed Forces is authorized an end strength for active duty personnel as follows: (1) The Army, 793,000; (2) The Navy, 535,860; (3) The Marine Corps, 196,498; (4) The Air Force, 590,000. (b) The end strength for active duty personnel prescribed in subsection (a) of this section shall be reduced by 9,000. Such reduction shall be apportioned among the Army, Navy, including the Marine Corps, and Air Force in such numbers as the Secretary of Defense shall prescribe. The Secretary of Defense shall report to Congress within 60 days after the date of enactment of this Act on the manner in which this reduction is to be apportioned among the Armed Forces and shall include the rationale for each reduction.