Collapse to view only § 3008. Cooperative aviation centers
- § 3001. Commissioned officer corps
- § 3002. Definitions
- § 3003. Authorized number on the active list
- § 3004. Strength and distribution in grade
- § 3005. Number of authorized commissioned officers
- § 3006. Obligated service requirement
- § 3007. Training and physical fitness
- § 3008. Cooperative aviation centers
- § 3009. Use of recruiting materials for public relations
- § 3010. Awards and decorations
§ 3001. Commissioned officer corps
There shall be in the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration a commissioned officer corps.
(Pub. L. 107–372, title II, § 211, Dec. 19, 2002, 116 Stat. 3082.)
§ 3002. Definitions
(a) Applicability of definitions in title 10
(b) Additional definitions
In this chapter:
(1) Active duty
(2) Grade
(3) Officer
(4) Officer candidate
(5) Flag officer
(6) Secretary
(7) Administration
(8) Under Secretary
(Pub. L. 107–372, title II, § 212, Dec. 19, 2002, 116 Stat. 3082; Pub. L. 116–259, title III, § 305(c), Dec. 23, 2020, 134 Stat. 1173; Pub. L. 117–263, div. K, title CXVII, § 11701, Dec. 23, 2022, 136 Stat. 4156.)
§ 3003. Authorized number on the active list
(a) Annual strength on active list
(b) Lineal list
(Pub. L. 107–372, title II, § 213, Dec. 19, 2002, 116 Stat. 3083.)
§ 3004. Strength and distribution in grade
(a) Grades
The commissioned grades in the commissioned officer corps of the Administration are the following, in relative rank with officers of the Navy:
(1) Vice admiral.
(2) Rear admiral.
(3) Rear admiral (lower half).
(4) Captain.
(5) Commander.
(6) Lieutenant commander.
(7) Lieutenant.
(8) Lieutenant (junior grade).
(9) Ensign.
(b) Grade distribution
(c) Annual computation of number in grade
(1) In general
(2) Method of computation
(3) Fractions
(d) Temporary increase in numbers
(e) Positions of importance and responsibility
(f) Preservation of grade and pay
(Pub. L. 107–372, title II, § 214, Dec. 19, 2002, 116 Stat. 3083; Pub. L. 116–259, title I, § 101, Dec. 23, 2020, 134 Stat. 1154.)
§ 3005. Number of authorized commissioned officers
(a) In general
(b) Positions of importance and responsibility
Officers serving in positions designated under section 3028 of this title and officers recalled from retired status or detailed to an agency other than the Administration—
(1) may not be counted in determining the total number of authorized officers on the lineal list under this section; and
(2) may not count against such number.
(Pub. L. 107–372, title II, § 215, Dec. 19, 2002, 116 Stat. 3084; Pub. L. 110–386, § 6, Oct. 10, 2008, 122 Stat. 4108; Pub. L. 116–259, title I, § 102(a), Dec. 23, 2020, 134 Stat. 1155.)
§ 3006. Obligated service requirement
(a) In general
(1) Regulations
(2) Written agreements
(b) Repayment for failure to satisfy requirements
(1) In general
(2) Obligation as debt to United States
(3) Discharge in bankruptcy
(c) Waiver or suspension of complianceThe Secretary may waive the service obligation of an officer who—
(1) becomes unqualified to serve on active duty in the commissioned officer corps of the Administration because of a circumstance not within the control of that officer; or
(2) is—
(A) not physically qualified for appointment; and
(B) determined to be unqualified for service in the commissioned officer corps of the Administration because of a physical or medical condition that was not the result of the officer’s own willful misconduct.
(Pub. L. 107–372, title II, § 216, as added Pub. L. 116–259, title I, § 103(a), Dec. 23, 2020, 134 Stat. 1155; Pub. L. 119–60, div. H, title LXXXIV, § 8405, Dec. 18, 2025, 139 Stat. 1913.)
§ 3007. Training and physical fitness
(a) Training
The Secretary may take such measures as may be necessary to ensure that officers are prepared to carry out their duties in the commissioned officer corps of the Administration and proficient in the skills necessary to carry out such duties. Such measures may include the following:
(1) Carrying out training programs and correspondence courses, including establishing and operating a basic officer training program to provide initial indoctrination and maritime vocational training for officer candidates as well as refresher training, mid-career training, aviation training, and such other training as the Secretary considers necessary for officer development and proficiency.
(2) Providing officers and officer candidates with educational materials.
(3) Acquiring such equipment as may be necessary for training and instructional purposes.
(b) Physical fitness
(Pub. L. 107–372, title II, § 217, as added Pub. L. 116–259, title I, § 104(a), Dec. 23, 2020, 134 Stat. 1156.)
§ 3008. Cooperative aviation centers
(a) Definitions
In this section:
(1) Administrator
(2) Cooperative Aviation Center
(b) Cooperative Aviation Centers
(1) Designation required
(2) Purpose
(3) Institutions described
An institution described in this paragraph is an educational institution that—
(A) applies to enter into an agreement with the Administrator providing for the establishment of the program at the institution;
(B) has, as a part of its curriculum, a four-year baccalaureate program of professional flight and piloting instruction that is accredited by the Aviation Accreditation Board International; and
(C) is located in a geographic area that experiences a wide variation in climate-related activity, including frequent high winds, convective activity (including tornadoes), periods of low visibility, heat, and snow and ice episodes, to provide opportunities for pilots to demonstrate skill in all weather conditions compatible with future encounters during their service in the commissioned officer corps of the Administration.
(c) Cooperative Aviation Centers Advisor
(1) Assignment
(2) Duties
The Cooperative Aviation Centers Advisor shall—
(A) coordinate all engagement of the Administration with Cooperative Aviation Centers, including assistance with curriculum development; and
(B) serve as the chief aviation recruiting officer for the commissioned officer corps of the Administration.
(Pub. L. 107–372, title II, § 218, as added Pub. L. 116–259, title I, § 105(a), Dec. 23, 2020, 134 Stat. 1157; amended Pub. L. 119–60, div. H, title LXXXIV, § 8403(a), Dec. 18, 2025, 139 Stat. 1910.)
§ 3009. Use of recruiting materials for public relations
The Secretary may use for public relations purposes of the Department of Commerce any advertising materials developed for use for recruitment and retention of personnel for the commissioned officer corps of the Administration. Any such use shall be under such conditions and subject to such restrictions as the Secretary shall prescribe.
(Pub. L. 107–372, title II, § 219, as added Pub. L. 116–259, title I, § 106(a), Dec. 23, 2020, 134 Stat. 1159.)
§ 3010. Awards and decorations
The Under Secretary may provide ribbons, medals, badges, trophies, and similar devices to members of the commissioned officer corps of the Administration and to members of other uniformed services for service and achievement in support of the missions of the Administration.
(Pub. L. 107–372, title II, § 220, as added Pub. L. 117–263, div. K, title CXVII, § 11704(a), Dec. 23, 2022, 136 Stat. 4156.)