As I stated over a year ago, the Department of 

 Defense has an obligation to serve the national Interest 

 in any area where the Department's capabilities and the 

 national needs are closely matched. The Department of 

 Defense has accepted the national responsibility in 

 ocean technology. It can also accept the national 

 mission in ocean environmental prediction and ocean test 

 facilities. 



But this is only the beginning. Dr. Poster, DDR&E, 

 speaking for the Defense Department, recently said that 

 "If national oceanographic objectives require it, the 

 Department of Defense is willing to request funds from 

 Congress for work only marginally related to defense 

 needs, but for which the Department of Defense is in the 

 best position to manage because of technical skills, 

 facilities or organization. The direction for utiliza- 

 tion of these funds could come from a non-Department of 

 Defense organization if this is judged to be the best 

 course. " 



This is a major and significant commitment by the 

 Defense Department to contribute in manpower, dollars, 

 skills and facilities to our national objectives in the 

 ocean which are determined to be the proper role of the 

 Federal Government. The Navy concurs wholeheartedly. 



First of all, our own oceanographic house is now 

 in pretty good order. Dr. Prosch described to you 

 yesterday the new responsibility of the Oceanographer 

 of the Navy. The point I want to emphasize is that 

 Admiral "Muddy" Waters administers all personnel 

 facilities, centers and missions of our oceanographic 

 program and is responsible for all oceanographic efforts 

 from basic research through ocean engineering to support 

 of the Fleet. 



We recognize that without qualified people, we 

 would not have a program. Ten years ago, we were send- 

 ing only one or two Naval officers for post-graduate 

 study in oceanography. This year we have allotted 

 billets for 50 Naval officers to pursue post-graduate 

 study in oceanography. 



Secondly, the overall Federal oceanographic program 

 will soon have an integrated and permanent administra- 

 tive authority. 



XV 



