§ 324. Special pay: accession bonus for new officers in critical skills

Legislative history

Reconstructed from this section’s Code source credit and amendment notes, resolved against the local Statutes at Large. Editorial notes are evidence, not the law that made the change.

1. 2001

   National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2002

   Pub. L. 107–107 div. A title VI § 621(a) · 115 Stat. 1012

   Enacted · 37 U.S.C. § 324

   Added Pub. L. 107–107, div. A, title VI, § 621(a), Dec. 28, 2001, 115 Stat. 1139

   Source evidence

   Code source credit
   Added Pub. L. 107–107, div. A, title VI, § 621(a), Dec. 28, 2001, 115 Stat. 1139

   Enacted provision · exact public law section
   (a) Bonus Authorized.— Chapter 5 of title 37, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new section: “§ 324. Special pay: accession bonus for new officers in critical skills “(a) Accession Bonus Authorized.— Under regulations prescribed Regulations. by the Secretary concerned, a person who executes a written agreement to accept a commission as an officer of the armed forces and serve on active duty in a designated critical officer skill for the period specified in the agreement may, upon acceptance of the agreement by the Secretary concerned, be paid an accession bonus in an amount determined by the Secretary concerned. “(b) Designation of Critical Officer Skills.— (1) The Secretary concerned shall designate the critical officer skills for the purposes of this section. A skill may be designated as a critical officer skill for an armed force under this subsection if— “(1) in order to meet requirements of the armed force, it is critical for the armed force to have a sufficient number of officers who are qualified in that skill; and “(2) in order to mitigate a current or projected significant shortage of personnel in the armed force who are qualified in that skill, it is critical to access into that armed force in sufficient numbers persons who are qualified in that skill or are to be trained in that skill. “(c) Limitation on Amount of Bonus.— The amount of an accession bonus under subsection (a) may not exceed $60,000. “(d) Payment Method.— Upon acceptance of a written agreement under subsection (a) by the Secretary concerned, the total amount of the accession bonus payable under the agreement becomes fixed. The agreement shall specify whether the accession bonus will be paid by the Secretary in a lump sum or installments. “(e) Relation to Other Accession Bonus Authority.— An individual may not receive an accession bonus under this section and section 302d, 302h, 302j, or 312b Of this title for the same period of service. “(f) Repayment for Failure To Commence or Complete Obligated Service.— (1) An individual who, after having received all or part of the accession bonus under an agreement referred to in subsection (a), fails to accept a commission as an officer or to commence or complete the total period of active duty service specified in the agreement shall repay to the United States the amount that bears the same ratio to the total amount of the bonus authorized for such person as the unserved part of the period of agreed active duty service bears to the total period of the agreed active duty service. However, the amount required to be repaid by the individual may not exceed the amount of the accession bonus that was paid to the individual. “(2) Subject to paragraph (3), an obligation to repay the United States imposed under paragraph (1) is for all purposes a debt owed to the United States. A discharge in bankruptcy under title 11 that is entered less than five years after the termination of an agreement entered into under subsection (a) does not discharge the individual signing the agreement from a debt arising under such agreement or under paragraph (1). “(3) The Secretary concerned may waive, in whole or in part, the repayment requirement under paragraph (1) on a case-by-case basis if the Secretary concerned determines that repayment would be against equity and good conscience or would be contrary to the best interests of the United States. “(g) Termination of Authority.— No agreement under this section may be entered into after December 31, 2002.”.

2. 2002

   Pub. L. 107–314 § 1062(c)(2) · 116 Stat. 2458

   Struck · 37 U.S.C. § 324(b)

   Pub. L. 107–314, § 1062(c)(2), struck out par. (1) designation before “The Secretary”

   Source evidence

   Code amendment note
   Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 107–314, § 1062(c)(2), struck out par. (1) designation before “The Secretary”.

   Enacted provision · exact public law section
   (2) Section 324(b) is amended by striking “(1)” before “The Secretary”.

3. 2002

   Pub. L. 107–314 § 614(e) · 116 Stat. 2458

   Substituted · 37 U.S.C. § 324(g)

   Pub. L. 107–314, § 614(e), substituted “December 31, 2003” for “December 31, 2002”

   Source evidence

   Code amendment note
   Subsec. (g). Pub. L. 107–314, § 614(e), substituted “December 31, 2003” for “December 31, 2002”.

   Enacted provision · exact public law section
   (e) Accession Bonus for New Officers in Critical Skills.— Section 324(g) of such title is amended by striking “December 31, 2002” and inserting “December 31, 2003”.

4. 2003

   National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2004

   Pub. L. 108–136 § 623 · 117 Stat. 1392

   Inserted · 37 U.S.C. § 324(a); 37 U.S.C. § 324(f)(1)

   Pub. L. 108–136, § 623, inserted “or an appointment” after “commission”

   Source evidence

   Code amendment note
   Subsecs. (a), (f)(1). Pub. L. 108–136, § 623, inserted “or an appointment” after “commission”.

   Enacted provision · exact public law section
   SEC. 623. ELIGIBILITY OF WARRANT OFFICERS FOR ACCESSION BONUS FOR NEW OFFICERS IN CRITICAL SKILLS.   Section 324 of title 37, United States Code, is amended in subsections (a) and (f)(1) by inserting “or an appointment” after “commission”.

5. 2003

   National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2004

   Pub. L. 108–136 § 614(e) · 117 Stat. 1392

   Substituted · 37 U.S.C. § 324(g)

   Pub. L. 108–136, § 614(e), substituted “December 31, 2004” for “December 31, 2003”

   Source evidence

   Code amendment note
   Subsec. (g). Pub. L. 108–136, § 614(e), substituted “December 31, 2004” for “December 31, 2003”.

   Enacted provision · exact public law section
   (e) Accession Bonus for New Officers in Critical Skills.— Section 324(g) of such title is amended by striking “December 31, 2003” and inserting “December 31, 2004”.

6. 2004

   Ronald W. Reagan National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2005

   Pub. L. 108–375 div. A title VI § 614(f) · 118 Stat. 1811

   Substituted · 37 U.S.C. § 324(g)

   Pub. L. 108–375 substituted “December 31, 2005” for “December 31, 2004”

   Source evidence

   Code amendment note
   Subsec. (g). Pub. L. 108–375 substituted “December 31, 2005” for “December 31, 2004”.

   Enacted provision · exact public law section
   (f) Accession Bonus for New Officers in Critical Skills.— Section 324(g) of such title is amended by striking “December 31, 2004” and inserting “December 31, 2005”.

7. 2006

   National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2006

   Pub. L. 109–163 § 687(b)(32) · 119 Stat. 3136

   1. Amended · 37 U.S.C. § 324(f)

      Pub. L. 109–163, § 687(b)(32), amended heading and text of subsec. (f) generally

   2. Substituted · 37 U.S.C. § 324(f)

      Pub. L. 109–163, § 687(b)(32), substituting provisions referring to repayment provisions of section 303a(e) for specific provisions relating to repayment required when individual receives accession bonus payment but fails to accept commission or appointment as officer or to commence or complete agreed upon period of active duty

   Source evidence

   Code amendment note
   Subsec. (f). Pub. L. 109–163, § 687(b)(32), amended heading and text of subsec. (f) generally, substituting provisions referring to repayment provisions of section 303a(e) for specific provisions relating to repayment required when individual receives accession bonus payment but fails to accept commission or appointment as officer or to commence or complete agreed upon period of active duty.

   Enacted provision · exact public law section
   (32) Accession bonus for new officers in critical skills.— Subsection (f) of section 324 of such title is amended to read as follows: “(f) Repayment.— An individual who, having received all or part of the bonus under an agreement referred to in subsection (a), is not thereafter commissioned as an officer or does not commence or complete the total period of active duty service specified in the agreement shall be subject to the repayment provisions of section 303a(e) of this title.” .

8. 2006

   National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2006

   Pub. L. 109–163 § 624(f) · 119 Stat. 3136

   Substituted · 37 U.S.C. § 324(g)

   Pub. L. 109–163, § 624(f), substituted “December 31, 2006” for “December 31, 2005”

   Target inherited from the preceding amendment note.

   Source evidence

   Code amendment note
   Pub. L. 109–163, § 624(f), substituted “December 31, 2006” for “December 31, 2005”.

   Enacted provision · exact public law section
   (f) Accession Bonus for New Officers in Critical Skills.— Section 324(g) of such title is amended by striking “December 31, 2005” and inserting “December 31, 2006”.

9. 2006

   John Warner National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2007

   Pub. L. 109–364 div. A title VI § 614(f) · 120 Stat. 2083

   Substituted · 37 U.S.C. § 324(g)

   Pub. L. 109–364 substituted “December 31, 2007” for “December 31, 2006”

   Source evidence

   Code amendment note
   Subsec. (g). Pub. L. 109–364 substituted “December 31, 2007” for “December 31, 2006”.

   Enacted provision · exact public law section
   (f) Accession Bonus for New Officers in Critical Skills.— Section 324(g) of such title is amended by striking “December 31, 2006” and inserting “December 31, 2007”.

10. 2008

    National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2008

    Pub. L. 110–181 div. A title VI § 614(e) · 122 Stat. 3

    Substituted · 37 U.S.C. § 324(g)

    Pub. L. 110–181 substituted “December 31, 2008” for “December 31, 2007”

    Target inherited from the preceding amendment note.

    Source evidence

    Code amendment note
    Pub. L. 110–181 substituted “December 31, 2008” for “December 31, 2007”.

    Enacted provision · exact public law section
    (e) Accession Bonus for New Officers in Critical Skills.— Section 324(g) of such title is amended by striking “December 31, 2007” and inserting “December 31, 2008”.

    Effective date note
    Amendment by Pub. L. 110–181 effective as of Dec. 31, 2007, and subject to various special provisions, see section 610 of Pub. L. 110–181, set out as a Correction of Lapsed Authorities for Payment of Bonuses, Special Pays, and Similar Benefits for Members of the Uniformed Services note under section 2130a of Title 10, Armed Forces.

11. 2008

    Duncan Hunter National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2009

    Pub. L. 110–417 · 122 Stat. 4356

    Substituted · 37 U.S.C. § 324(g)

    Pub. L. 110–417 substituted “December 31, 2009” for “December 31, 2008”

    Source evidence

    Code amendment note
    Subsec. (g). Pub. L. 110–417 substituted “December 31, 2009” for “December 31, 2008”.

12. 2009

    National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2010

    Pub. L. 111–84 div. A title VI § 615(5) · 123 Stat. 2190

    Substituted · 37 U.S.C. § 324(g)

    Pub. L. 111–84 substituted “December 31, 2010” for “December 31, 2009”

    Source evidence

    Code amendment note
    Subsec. (g). Pub. L. 111–84 substituted “December 31, 2010” for “December 31, 2009”.

    Enacted provision · exact public law section
    (5) Section 324(g), relating to accession bonus for new officers in critical skills.

13. 2011

    Ike Skelton National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2011

    Pub. L. 111–383 div. A title VI § 615(5) · 124 Stat. 4137

    Substituted · 37 U.S.C. § 324(g)

    Pub. L. 111–383 substituted “December 31, 2011” for “December 31, 2010”

    Target inherited from the preceding amendment note.

    Source evidence

    Code amendment note
    Pub. L. 111–383 substituted “December 31, 2011” for “December 31, 2010”.

    Enacted provision · exact public law section
    (5) Section 324(g), relating to accession bonus for new officers in critical skills.

14. 2011

    National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2012

    Pub. L. 112–81 div. A title VI § 615(5) · 125 Stat. 1298

    Substituted · 37 U.S.C. § 324(g)

    Pub. L. 112–81 substituted “December 31, 2012” for “December 31, 2011”

    Source evidence

    Code amendment note
    Subsec. (g). Pub. L. 112–81 substituted “December 31, 2012” for “December 31, 2011”.

    Enacted provision · exact public law section
    (5) Section 324(g), relating to accession bonus for new officers in critical skills.

15. 2013

    National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2013

    Pub. L. 112–239 div. A title VI § 615(5) · 126 Stat. 1632

    Substituted · 37 U.S.C. § 324(g)

    Pub. L. 112–239 substituted “December 31, 2013” for “December 31, 2012”

    Target inherited from the preceding amendment note.

    Source evidence

    Code amendment note
    Pub. L. 112–239 substituted “December 31, 2013” for “December 31, 2012”.

    Enacted provision · exact public law section
    (5) Section 324(g), relating to accession bonus for new officers in critical skills.

16. 2013

    National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2014

    Pub. L. 113–66 div. A title VI § 615(5) · 127 Stat. 672

    Substituted · 37 U.S.C. § 324(g)

    Pub. L. 113–66 substituted “December 31, 2014” for “December 31, 2013”

    Source evidence

    Code amendment note
    Subsec. (g). Pub. L. 113–66 substituted “December 31, 2014” for “December 31, 2013”.

    Enacted provision · exact public law section
    (5) Section 324(g), relating to accession bonus for new officers in critical skills.

17. 2014

    Carl Levin and Howard P. ‘Buck’ McKeon National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2015

    Pub. L. 113–291 div. A title VI § 615(6) · 128 Stat. 3292

    Substituted · 37 U.S.C. § 324(g)

    Pub. L. 113–291 substituted “December 31, 2015” for “December 31, 2014”

    Source evidence

    Code amendment note
    Subsec. (g). Pub. L. 113–291 substituted “December 31, 2015” for “December 31, 2014”.

    Enacted provision · exact public law section
    (6) Section 324(g), relating to accession bonus for new officers in critical skills.

18. 2015

    National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2016

    Pub. L. 114–92 div. A title VI § 615(6) · 129 Stat. 726

    Substituted · 37 U.S.C. § 324(g)

    Pub. L. 114–92 substituted “December 31, 2016” for “December 31, 2015”

    Source evidence

    Code amendment note
    Subsec. (g). Pub. L. 114–92 substituted “December 31, 2016” for “December 31, 2015”.

    Enacted provision · exact public law section
    (6) Section 324(g), relating to accession bonus for new officers in critical skills.

19. 2016

    National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2017

    Pub. L. 114–328 div. A title VI § 615(6) · 130 Stat. 2000

    Substituted · 37 U.S.C. § 324(g)

    Pub. L. 114–328 substituted “December 31, 2017” for “December 31, 2016”

    Source evidence

    Code amendment note
    Subsec. (g). Pub. L. 114–328 substituted “December 31, 2017” for “December 31, 2016”.

    Enacted provision · exact public law section
    (6) Section 324(g), relating to accession bonus for new officers in critical skills.

20. 2017

    National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2018

    Pub. L. 115–91 div. A title VI § 615(6) · 131 Stat. 1283

    Substituted · 37 U.S.C. § 324(g)

    Pub. L. 115–91 substituted “December 31, 2018” for “December 31, 2017”

    Source evidence

    Code amendment note
    Subsec. (g). Pub. L. 115–91 substituted “December 31, 2018” for “December 31, 2017”.

    Enacted provision · exact public law section
    (6) Section 324(g), relating to accession bonus for new officers in critical skills.

20 of 21 references resolved to an enrolled provision · 1 partial