Section 1
SECTION 1. Sections thirty-nine and forty of the National Defense Act are hereby amended to read as follows: "SEC. 39. The President shall appoint and commission, upon the recommendation of the Chief of Staff, such reserve officers as shall in his opinion be needed. If deemed necessary, candidates may be required to undergo training as probationary third lieutenants, before being appointed and commissioned in the reserves. "SEC. 40. In so far as may be practicable, original appointments by the President in grades above third lieutenant shall be made from among those holding Reserve Commissions in the United States Army, from among former officers of the Philippine Scouts and Constabulary, from among former officers of the National Guard and from among those probationary third lieutenants who possess exceptional ability or special training and skill."