Us Code § 317 - Special pay: officers in critical acquisition positions extending period of active duty

Full text of Us Code United States Code § 317 — Special pay: officers in critical acquisition positions extending period of active duty, with citation guidance and answers to common questions.

§ 317. Special pay: officers in critical acquisition positions extending period of active duty

(a) Bonus Authorized.—An officer described in subsection (b) who executes a written agreement to remain on active duty in a critical acquisition position for at least one year may, upon the acceptance of the agreement by the Secretary concerned, be paid a retention bonus as provided in this section.

(b) Covered Officers.—An officer referred to in subsection (a) is an officer of the Army, Navy, Air Force, or Marine Corps who—

(1) is a member of the acquisition workforce selected to serve in, or serving in, a critical acquisition position designated under section 1731 of title 10.1

(2) is eligible to retire, or is assigned to such position for a period that will extend beyond the date on which the officer will be eligible to retire, under any provision of law.


(c) Amount of Bonus.—The amount of a bonus paid under this section for each year a member agrees to remain on active duty may not be more than 15 percent of the annual rate of basic pay paid to the member at the time the member executes a written agreement under this section.

(d) Payment of Bonus.—Upon the acceptance of a written agreement under subsection (a) by the Secretary concerned, the total amount payable pursuant to the agreement becomes fixed and may be paid by the Secretary in either a lump sum or installments.

(e) Additional Pay.—A bonus paid under this section is in addition to other pay and allowances to which an officer is entitled.

(f) Repayment.—An officer who, having entered into a written agreement under subsection (a) and having received all or part of a bonus under this section, does not complete the period of active duty as specified in the agreement shall be subject to the repayment provisions of section 303a(e) of this title.

(g) Period of Commitment.—The period of active duty agreed upon by an officer in a written agreement under this section is in addition to any other service commitment of the officer, except that any period of active duty agreed upon in a written agreement under subsection (a)(2) or (b)(2) of section 1734 of title 10 by the officer may be counted concurrently with the commitment under this section.

(h) Regulations.—The Secretaries concerned shall prescribe regulations to carry out this section. Regulations prescribed by the Secretary of a military department shall be subject to the approval of the Secretary of Defense.

(Added Pub. L. 101–510, div. A, title XII, §1203(a)(1), Nov. 5, 1990, 104 Stat. 1656; amended Pub. L. 109–163, div. A, title VI, §687(b)(26), Jan. 6, 2006, 119 Stat. 3331; Pub. L. 116–92, div. A, title VIII, §861(j)(17), Dec. 20, 2019, 133 Stat. 1520.)


Editorial Notes

Amendments

2019—Subsec. (b)(1). Pub. L. 116–92, which directed the general amendment of par. (1) of section 317 of this title, was executed by making the amendment to par. (1) of subsec. (b) of this section to reflect the probable intent of Congress. Prior to amendment, subsec. (b)(1) read as follows: "is a member of an Acquisition Corps selected to serve in, or serving in, a critical acquisition position designated under section 1733 of title 10; and".

2006—Subsec. (f). Pub. L. 109–163 amended heading and text of subsec. (f) generally, substituting provisions referring to repayment provisions of section 303a(e) for specific provisions relating to repayment of bonus required when officer fails to complete total period of agreed upon active duty.


Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date

Pub. L. 101–510, div. A, title XII, §1203(b), Nov. 5, 1990, 104 Stat. 1658, provided that: "Section 317 of title 37, United States Code, as added by subsection (a), shall take effect as of October 1, 1991."

Savings Provision

For savings provision relating to payment or repayment of any bonus, incentive pay, special pay, or similar pay obligated to be paid before Apr. 1, 2006, under a provision of this section amended by section 687(b) of Pub. L. 109–163, see section 687(f) of Pub. L. 109–163, set out as a note under section 510 of Title 10, Armed Forces.

1 So in original. The period probably should be "; and".

About This Section

37 U.S.C. § 317 is part of Title 37 of the United States Code. The United States Code is the official codification of federal statutes maintained by the Office of the Law Revision Counsel of the U.S. House of Representatives. Congress amends the Code through new public laws, which are eventually incorporated into the relevant title.

This section may be cited in legal writing as 37 U.S.C. § 317. For the most current official text, including any recent amendments, use the official source links below. Do not rely on this page as the sole authority for legal citation or litigation.

How to Read This Statute

Statutes are organized by title, chapter, section, and subsection. Pay attention to words like "shall," "may," "and," and "or," because they determine whether a requirement is mandatory or permissive and whether multiple conditions must all be met. Historical notes and amendments often appear at the end of a section.

Using This Page

This page is intended for research and educational use. Lawyers, students, journalists, and compliance professionals can use it as a starting point, but should always verify the current text through an official government source before relying on it for legal advice, filings, or compliance decisions.

Sources

Source: official Us Code text · Last verified 2026-08-27

Related Us Code Legal Topics

Frequently Asked Questions About Us Code § 317

What does United States Code § 317 cover?

Section 317 ("Special pay: officers in critical acquisition positions extending period of active duty") is part of the United States Code, the codified statutory law of Us Code. It sets out the legal rule or procedure described in the text above. Statutes are amended regularly, so always verify against the official source.

How do I cite Us Code § 317?

A common citation format is "United States Code § 317" (Us Code). Legal writing may require the code abbreviation, section number, and year or edition. Match the style required by your court, professor, or publisher.

Is this the official text of Us Code law?

No. This page is for research and education and may not include the most recent amendments. For official current law, check the Us Code official source linked on this page or consult a licensed Us Code attorney.

How does Us Code § 317 apply to my situation?

Statutes are interpreted in context, and application depends on your specific facts. Only a licensed attorney in Us Code can advise on how this section applies to you. Contact your state or local bar association for a referral.

Sources & Verification

Not legal advice. Verify against the official source and consult a licensed attorney in Us Code.