TEST PROGRAM TO EVALUATE USE OF PRIVATE PREPARATORY SCHOOLS FOR SERVICE ACADEMY PREPARATORY SCHOOL MISSION.

SEC. 538. TEST PROGRAM TO EVALUATE USE OF PRIVATE PREPARATORY SCHOOLS FOR SERVICE ACADEMY PREPARATORY SCHOOL MISSION. (a) Test Program.—The Secretary of Defense shall conduct a test program to determine the efficiency and cost effectiveness of using schools in the private sector as an alternative to the existing schools used for the mission of operating a military preparatory school program for one or more of the service academies. The Secretary snail carry out the test program through the Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness. (b) Priority.—The test program shall be carried out so as to give priority to the goal of enhancing opportunities for minorities, women, and prior enlisted personnel to attend service academies. (c) Exclusion From Academy Strength Limitations.—Any individual who is admitted to one of the three service academies following completion of a program of instruction at a private sector preparatory school under the test program shall be excluded from the computation of the size of the corps of cadets or brigade of midshipmen, as the case may be, for purposes of strength ceilings imposed by law.