Department of Defense
INSTRUCTION
NUMBER 1342.29
January 31, 2017
USD(P&R)
SUBJECT: Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military Children
References: See Enclosure 1
1. PURPOSE. In accordance with the sense of Congress as set forth in section 539 of Public
Law 111-84 (Reference (a)), the authority in DoD Directive (DoDD) 5124.02 (Reference (b)),
and the guidance in DoDD 5400.11 (Reference (c)), DoD 5400.11-R (Reference (d)), and DoD
5500.07-R (Reference (e)), this instruction establishes policy, assigns responsibilities, and
provides procedures to implement the Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for
Military Children (referred to in this instruction as the “Compact”) within the DoD.
2. APPLICABILITY. This instruction applies to OSD, the Military Departments, the Office of
the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and the Joint Staff, the Combatant Commands, the
Office of the Inspector General of the Department of Defense, the Defense Agencies, the DoD
Field Activities, and all other organizational entities within the DoD.
3. POLICY. In accordance with References (a) and (e), it is DoD policy to support the intent of
the Compact by reducing the difficulty children of military families (referred to in this
instruction as “children” or “the child”) have in transferring between school systems because of
frequent moves and deployment of their parents. The DoD will support the Compact by:
a. Designating military liaisons, by position, to State Councils of member States, the DoD
Education Activity (DoDEA) Committee, and the Military Interstate Children’s Compact
Commission (MIC3).
b. Implementing the intent of the Compact in the DoDEA to ensure:
(1) Timely enrollment of children in school so they are not penalized due to:
(a) Late or delayed transfers of education records from the previous school
district(s); or
(b) Differences in entrance or age requirements.
