Bill Overview
Title: Service Academies District of Columbia Equality Act
Description: This bill increases from 5 to 15 the number of individuals from the District of Columbia who may be appointed to the U.S. Military Academy, U.S. Naval Academy, and U.S. Air Force Academy.
Sponsors: Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large]
Target Audience
Population: Individuals from the District of Columbia who aspire to attend U.S. service academies
Estimated Size: 1000
- The bill directly impacts individuals from the District of Columbia who aspire to attend U.S. service academies.
- Increasing the number of appointees from the District of Columbia from 5 to 15 expands opportunities for DC residents.
- In any given year, this change directly impacts at least 10 additional potential or prospective candidates from the District of Columbia.
- U.S. service academies such as the U.S. Military Academy, U.S. Naval Academy, and U.S. Air Force Academy train individuals who can become future military officers or leaders.
Reasoning
- The policy primarily impacts prospective service academy students from the District of Columbia, a subset of the overall U.S. population.
- The budget constraints imply a limit on administrative costs or additional resources needed for selection processes and any associated programs.
- Not everyone interviewed will be directly affected, as the policy's direct beneficiaries are potential academy appointees.
- Including perspectives from different occupations and backgrounds in D.C., alongside those indirectly affected through community and regional benefits, provides a comprehensive view.
Simulated Interviews
High school student (District of Columbia)
Age: 17 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I feel like this policy gives me and many others a better chance to serve the country.
- It's a tough competition but having more seats makes it feel more attainable.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 8 |
High school counselor (District of Columbia)
Age: 45 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The increase in slots will allow more of our talented students the opportunity they deserve.
- It helps motivate more students to push for excellence.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 7 |
U.S. Air Force Academy alum (District of Columbia)
Age: 27 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 2/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm thrilled because it's about time D.C. gets more representation in these prestigious academies.
- More slots mean more diversity and opportunity.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 8 |
Teacher (District of Columbia)
Age: 34 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy will inspire students to aim higher and consider the military as a viable career path.
- It aligns well with our goals to increase student opportunities.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
College student (Maryland)
Age: 22 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Increased D.C. slots are good for those students but it doesn't affect me directly.
- Hope it means more awareness and support for neighboring areas like ours too.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 6 |
Veteran (District of Columbia)
Age: 52 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This is great news and a long overdue change for our area.
- Hopefully more D.C. youth see the military as a career path now.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 6 |
High school senior (District of Columbia)
Age: 18 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- It's exciting to know there are more opportunities to get into these schools now.
- I'm glad they're expanding the availability for D.C. students.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 7 |
Community leader (District of Columbia)
Age: 60 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- More academy spots might lead to more youth choosing discipline-focused careers.
- This change is a positive message for our community's future.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
Unemployed (District of Columbia)
Age: 23 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 2/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Maybe if these options were available when I applied, things would be different.
- It may inspire me to reconsider and apply.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
Parent (California)
Age: 40 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- While it doesn't affect us directly, more opportunities for others can lead to a stronger military overall.
- I hope similar opportunities can be spread across more regions.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 6 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $3000000 (Low: $2500000, High: $3500000)
Year 2: $3000000 (Low: $2500000, High: $3500000)
Year 3: $3000000 (Low: $2500000, High: $3500000)
Year 5: $3000000 (Low: $2500000, High: $3500000)
Year 10: $3000000 (Low: $2500000, High: $3500000)
Year 100: $3000000 (Low: $2500000, High: $3500000)
Key Considerations
- This policy affects federally funded military service academies, which have fixed capacities for new cadets or midshipmen each year.
- While this bill allows more representation from the District of Columbia, it may displace some candidates from other regions without increasing total enrollment capacities.
- Consider long-term implications on military leadership diversity.