---
kind: "section"
citation: "10 U.S.C. § 347"
title: "10"
title_heading: "Armed Forces"
number: "347"
heading: "International engagement authorities for service academies"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/10/347"
units:
  - "Subtitle A — General Military Law"
  - "Part I — Organization and General Military Powers"
  - "Chapter 16 — Security Cooperation"
  - "Subchapter V — Educational and Training Activities"
---

# §347. International engagement authorities for service academies

- (a) **Selection of Persons From Foreign Countries To Receive Instruction at Service Academies.—**
  - (1) **Attendance authorized.—**
    - (A) **In general.—** The [Secretary](/usc/10/4951.md?p=3) of each [military](/usc/10/801.md?p=8) [department](/usc/10/101.md?p=a-6) may permit [persons](/usc/10/2700.md?p=2) from foreign countries to receive instruction at the Service Academy under the jurisdiction of the [Secretary](/usc/10/4951.md?p=3). Such [persons](/usc/10/2700.md?p=2) shall be in addition to—
      - (i) in the case of the [United States](/usc/10/101.md?p=a-1) [Military](/usc/10/801.md?p=8) Academy, the [authorized strength](/usc/10/101.md?p=b-11) of the Corps of the [Cadets](/usc/10/801.md?p=6) of the Academy under [section 7442 of this title](/usc/10/7442.md);
      - (ii) in the case of the [United States](/usc/10/101.md?p=a-1) Naval Academy, the [authorized strength](/usc/10/101.md?p=b-11) of the Brigade of Midshipmen of the Academy under [section 8454 of this title](/usc/10/8454.md); and
      - (iii) in the case of the [United States](/usc/10/101.md?p=a-1) Air Force Academy, the [authorized strength](/usc/10/101.md?p=b-11) of the [Cadet](/usc/10/801.md?p=6) Wing of the Academy under [section 9442 of this title](/usc/10/9442.md).
    - (B) **Limitation on number.—** The number of [persons](/usc/10/2700.md?p=2) permitted to receive instruction at each Service Academy under this subsection may not be more than 80 at any one time.
  - (2) **Determination of foreign countries from which persons may be selected.—** The [Secretary](/usc/10/4951.md?p=3) of a [military](/usc/10/801.md?p=8) [department](/usc/10/101.md?p=a-6), upon approval by the [Secretary](/usc/10/4951.md?p=3) of Defense, shall determine—
    - (A) the countries from which [persons](/usc/10/2700.md?p=2) may be selected for appointment under this subsection to the Service Academy under the jurisdiction of that [Secretary](/usc/10/4951.md?p=3); and
    - (B) the number of [persons](/usc/10/2700.md?p=2) that may be selected from each country.
  - (3) **Qualifications and selection.—** The [Secretary](/usc/10/4951.md?p=3) of each [military](/usc/10/801.md?p=8) [department](/usc/10/101.md?p=a-6)—
    - (A) may establish entrance qualifications and methods of competition for selection among individual applicants under this subsection; and
    - (B) shall select those [persons](/usc/10/2700.md?p=2) who will be permitted to receive instruction at the Service Academy under the jurisdiction of the [Secretary](/usc/10/4951.md?p=3) under this subsection.
  - (4) **Selection priority to persons with national service obligation upon graduation.—** In selecting [persons](/usc/10/2700.md?p=2) to receive instruction under this subsection from among applicants from the countries approved under [paragraph (2)](#a-2), the [Secretary](/usc/10/4951.md?p=3) of the [military](/usc/10/801.md?p=8) [department](/usc/10/101.md?p=a-6) concerned shall give a priority to [persons](/usc/10/2700.md?p=2) who have a national service obligation to their countries upon graduation from the Service Academy concerned.
  - (5) **Pay, allowances, and emoluments of persons admitted.—** A [person](/usc/10/2700.md?p=2) receiving instruction under this subsection is entitled to the [pay](/usc/10/101.md?p=a-15), allowances, and emoluments of a [cadet](/usc/10/801.md?p=6) or [midshipman](/usc/10/801.md?p=7) appointed from the [United States](/usc/10/101.md?p=a-1), and from the same appropriations.
  - (6) **Reimbursement of costs by foreign countries from which persons are admitted.—**
    - (A) **Reimbursement required.—** Each foreign country from which a [cadet](/usc/10/801.md?p=6) or [midshipman](/usc/10/801.md?p=7) is permitted to receive instruction at one of the Service Academies under this subsection shall reimburse the [United States](/usc/10/101.md?p=a-1) for the cost of providing such instruction, including the cost of [pay](/usc/10/101.md?p=a-15), allowances, and emoluments provided under [paragraph (5)](#a-5). The [Secretaries](/usc/10/4951.md?p=3) of the [military departments](/usc/10/101.md?p=a-8) shall prescribe the [rates](/usc/10/101.md?p=b-9) for reimbursement under this paragraph, except that the reimbursement [rates](/usc/10/101.md?p=b-9) may not be less than the cost to the [United States](/usc/10/101.md?p=a-1) of providing such instruction, including [pay](/usc/10/101.md?p=a-15), allowances, and emoluments, to a [cadet](/usc/10/801.md?p=6) or [midshipman](/usc/10/801.md?p=7) appointed from the [United States](/usc/10/101.md?p=a-1).
    - (B) **Waiver authority.—** The [Secretary](/usc/10/4951.md?p=3) of Defense may waive, in whole or in part, the requirement for reimbursement of the cost of instruction for a [cadet](/usc/10/801.md?p=6) or [midshipman](/usc/10/801.md?p=7) under [subparagraph (A)](#a-6-A). In the case of a partial waiver, the [Secretary](/usc/10/4951.md?p=3) of Defense shall establish the amount waived.
  - (7) **Applicability of academy regulations, etc.—**
    - (A) **In general.—** Except as the [Secretary](/usc/10/4951.md?p=3) of the [military](/usc/10/801.md?p=8) [department](/usc/10/101.md?p=a-6) concerned determines, a [person](/usc/10/2700.md?p=2) receiving instruction under this subsection at the Service Academy under the jurisdiction of that [Secretary](/usc/10/4951.md?p=3) is subject to the same regulations governing admission, attendance, discipline, resignation, discharge, dismissal, and graduation as a [cadet](/usc/10/801.md?p=6) or [midshipman](/usc/10/801.md?p=7) at that Academy appointed from the [United States](/usc/10/101.md?p=a-1).
    - (B) **Classified information.—** The [Secretary](/usc/10/4951.md?p=3) of the [military](/usc/10/801.md?p=8) [department](/usc/10/101.md?p=a-6) concerned may prescribe regulations with respect to access to [classified information](/usc/10/801.md?p=15) by a [person](/usc/10/2700.md?p=2) receiving instruction under this subsection at the Service Academy under the jurisdiction of that [Secretary](/usc/10/4951.md?p=3) that differ from the regulations that apply to a [cadet](/usc/10/801.md?p=6) or [midshipman](/usc/10/801.md?p=7) at that Academy appointed from the [United States](/usc/10/101.md?p=a-1).
  - (8) **Ineligibility for appointment in the united states armed forces.—** A [person](/usc/10/2700.md?p=2) receiving instruction at a Service Academy under this subsection is not entitled to an appointment in an armed force of the [United States](/usc/10/101.md?p=a-1) by reason of graduation from the Academy.
  - (9) **Inapplicability of requirement for taking oath of admission.—** A [person](/usc/10/2700.md?p=2) receiving instruction under this subsection is not subject to section [7446(d)](/usc/10/7446.md?p=d), [8458(d)](/usc/10/8458.md?p=d), or [9446(d)](/usc/10/9446.md?p=d) of this title, as the case may be.
- (b) **Exchange Programs With Foreign Military Academies.—**
  - (1) **Exchange programs authorized.—** The [Secretary](/usc/10/4951.md?p=3) of a [military](/usc/10/801.md?p=8) [department](/usc/10/101.md?p=a-6) may permit a student enrolled at a [military](/usc/10/801.md?p=8) academy of a foreign country to receive instruction at the Service Academy under the jurisdiction of that [Secretary](/usc/10/4951.md?p=3) in exchange for a [cadet](/usc/10/801.md?p=6) or [midshipman](/usc/10/801.md?p=7) receiving instruction at that foreign [military](/usc/10/801.md?p=8) academy pursuant to an exchange agreement entered into between the [Secretary](/usc/10/4951.md?p=3) and appropriate officials of the foreign country. A student receiving instruction at a Service Academy under the exchange [program](/usc/10/2101.md?p=1) under this subsection shall be in addition to [persons](/usc/10/2700.md?p=2) receiving instruction at the Academy under [subsection (a)](#a).
  - (2) **Limitations on number and duration of exchanges.—** An exchange agreement under this subsection between the [Secretary](/usc/10/4951.md?p=3) and a foreign country shall provide for the exchange of students on a one-for-one basis each fiscal year. Not more than 100 [cadets](/usc/10/801.md?p=6) or midshipmen from each Service Academy and a comparable number of students from foreign [military](/usc/10/801.md?p=8) academies participating in the exchange [program](/usc/10/2101.md?p=1) may be exchanged during any fiscal year. The duration of an exchange may not exceed the equivalent of one academic semester at a Service Academy.
  - (3) **Costs and expenses.—**
    - (A) **No pay and allowances.—** A student from a [military](/usc/10/801.md?p=8) academy of a foreign country is not entitled to the [pay](/usc/10/101.md?p=a-15), allowances, and emoluments of a [cadet](/usc/10/801.md?p=6) or [midshipman](/usc/10/801.md?p=7) by reason of attendance at a Service Academy under the exchange [program](/usc/10/2101.md?p=1), and the [Department](/usc/10/101.md?p=a-6) of Defense may not incur any cost of international travel required for transportation of such a student to and from the sponsoring foreign country.
    - (B) **Subsistence, transportation, etc.—** The [Secretary](/usc/10/4951.md?p=3) of the [military](/usc/10/801.md?p=8) [department](/usc/10/101.md?p=a-6) concerned may provide a student from a foreign country under the exchange [program](/usc/10/2101.md?p=1), during the period of the exchange, with subsistence, transportation within the continental [United States](/usc/10/101.md?p=a-1), clothing, [health care](/usc/10/1072.md?p=10), and other services to the same extent that the foreign country provides comparable support and services to the exchanged [cadet](/usc/10/801.md?p=6) or [midshipman](/usc/10/801.md?p=7) in that foreign country.
    - (C) **Source of funds.—** A Service Academy shall bear all costs of the exchange [program](/usc/10/2101.md?p=1) from funds appropriated for that Academy and from such additional funds as may be available to that Academy from a source, other than appropriated funds, to support cultural immersion, regional awareness, or foreign language [training](/usc/10/301.md?p=9) activities in connection with the exchange [program](/usc/10/2101.md?p=1).
    - (D) **Limitation on expenditures.—** Expenditures in support of the exchange [program](/usc/10/2101.md?p=1) from funds appropriated for each Academy may not exceed $1,000,000 during any fiscal year.
  - (4) **Application of other laws.—** Paragraphs [(7)](#a-7), [(8)](#a-8), and [(9)](#a-9) of subsection (a) shall apply with respect to a student enrolled at a [military](/usc/10/801.md?p=8) academy of a foreign country while attending a Service Academy under the exchange [program](/usc/10/2101.md?p=1).
  - (5) **Regulations.—** The [Secretary](/usc/10/4951.md?p=3) of the [military](/usc/10/801.md?p=8) [department](/usc/10/101.md?p=a-6) concerned shall prescribe regulations to implement this subsection. Such regulations may include qualification criteria and methods of selection for students of foreign [military](/usc/10/801.md?p=8) academies to participate in the exchange [program](/usc/10/2101.md?p=1).
- (c) **Foreign and Cultural Exchange Activities.—**
  - (1) **Attendance authorized.—** The [Secretary](/usc/10/4951.md?p=3) of a [military](/usc/10/801.md?p=8) [department](/usc/10/101.md?p=a-6) may authorize the Service Academy under the jurisdiction of that [Secretary](/usc/10/4951.md?p=3) to permit students, [officers](/usc/10/101.md?p=b-1), and other representatives of a foreign country to attend that Academy for periods of not more than four weeks if the [Secretary](/usc/10/4951.md?p=3) determines that the attendance of such [persons](/usc/10/2700.md?p=2) contributes significantly to the development of foreign language, cross-cultural interactions and understanding, and cultural immersion of [cadets](/usc/10/801.md?p=6) or midshipmen, as the case may be.
  - (2) **Effect of attendance.—** [Persons](/usc/10/2700.md?p=2) attending a Service Academy under [paragraph (1)](#c-1) are not considered to be students enrolled at that Academy and are in addition to [persons](/usc/10/2700.md?p=2) receiving instruction at that Academy under subsection [(a)](#a) or [(b)](#b).
  - (3) **Financial matters.—**
    - (A) **Costs and expenses.—** The [Secretary](/usc/10/4951.md?p=3) of a [military](/usc/10/801.md?p=8) [department](/usc/10/101.md?p=a-6) may [pay](/usc/10/101.md?p=a-15) the travel, subsistence, and similar personal expenses of [persons](/usc/10/2700.md?p=2) incurred to attend the Service Academy under the jurisdiction of that [Secretary](/usc/10/4951.md?p=3) under [paragraph (1)](#c-1).
    - (B) **Source of funds.—** Each Service Academy shall bear the costs of the attendance of [persons](/usc/10/2700.md?p=2) at that Academy under [paragraph (1)](#c-1) from funds appropriated for that Academy and from such additional funds as may be available to that Academy from a source, other than appropriated funds, to support cultural immersion, regional awareness, or foreign language [training](/usc/10/301.md?p=9) activities in connection with their attendance.
    - (C) **Limitation on expenditures.—** Expenditures from appropriated funds in support of activities under this subsection for any Service Academy may not exceed $40,000 during any fiscal year.
- (d) **Service Academy Defined.—** In this section, the term “Service Academy” means the following:
  - (1) The [United States](/usc/10/101.md?p=a-1) [Military](/usc/10/801.md?p=8) Academy.
  - (2) The [United States](/usc/10/101.md?p=a-1) Naval Academy.
  - (3) The [United States](/usc/10/101.md?p=a-1) Air Force Academy.

## Source credit

(Added Pub. L. 114–328, div. A, title XII, § 1248(a), Dec. 23, 2016, 130 Stat. 2522; amended Pub. L. 115–91, div. A, title X, § 1081(a)(18), Dec. 12, 2017, 131 Stat. 1595; Pub. L. 115–232, div. A, title VIII, § 809(a), title XII, § 1204(c)(1)(D), Aug. 13, 2018, 132 Stat. 1840, 2017; Pub. L. 118–159, div. A, title V, § 551, Dec. 23, 2024, 138 Stat. 1893.)

## Notes

### Editorial Notes

### Prior Provisions

Provisions similar to those in this section were contained in sections 4344 to 4345a, 6957 to 6957b, and 9344 to 9345a, prior to repeal by Pub. L. 114–328.

### Amendments

2024—Subsec. (a)(1)(B). Pub. L. 118–159 substituted “80” for “60”.

2018—Subsec. (a)(1)(A)(i). Pub. L. 115–232, § 809(a), substituted “section 7442” for “section 4342”.

Subsec. (a)(1)(A)(ii). Pub. L. 115–232, § 809(a), substituted “section 8454” for “section 6954”.

Subsec. (a)(1)(A)(iii). Pub. L. 115–232, § 809(a), substituted “section 9442” for “section 9342”.

Subsec. (a)(7). Pub. L. 115–232, § 1204(c)(1)(D)(i), substituted “etc.” for “etc..” in heading.

Subsec. (a)(9). Pub. L. 115–232, § 809(a), substituted “section 7446(d), 8458(d), or 9446(d)” for “section 4346(d), 6958(d), or 9346(d)”.

Subsec. (b)(3)(B). Pub. L. 115–232, § 1204(c)(1)(D)(ii), substituted “etc” for “etc.” in heading.

2017—Subsec. (a)(1)(A)(i), (iii). Pub. L. 115–91 inserted “section” after “Academy under”.

### Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

### Effective Date of 2018 Amendment

Amendment by section 809(a) of Pub. L. 115–232 effective Feb. 1, 2019, with provision for the coordination of amendments and special rule for certain redesignations, see section 800 of Pub. L. 115–232, set out as a note preceding section 3001 of this title.