((a)) ** .—** An aviation officer described in subsection (b) who, during the period beginning on , and ending on , executes a written agreement to remain on active duty in aviation service 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)) ** .—** An aviation officer referred to in subsection (a) is an officer of a uniformed service who—
((1)) is entitled to aviation career incentive pay under ;
((2)) is in a pay grade below pay grade O–7;
((3)) is qualified to perform operational flying duty; and
((4)) has completed any active duty service commitment incurred for undergraduate aviator training or is within one year of completing such commitment.
((c)) ** .—** The amount of a retention bonus paid under this section may not be more than $25,000 for each year covered by the written agreement to remain on active duty.
((d)) ** .—** The term of an agreement under subsection (a) and the amount of the bonus under subsection (c) may be prorated as long as such agreement does not extend beyond the date on which the officer making such agreement would complete 25 years of aviation service.
((e)) ** .—** 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.
((f)) ** .—** A retention bonus paid under this section is in addition to any other pay and allowances to which an officer is entitled.
((g)) ** .—** An officer who does not complete the period of active duty specified in the agreement entered into under subsection (a) shall be subject to the repayment provisions of .
((h)) ** .—** 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.
((i)) ** .—**
((1)) Not later than February 15 of each year, the Secretaries concerned shall submit to the Secretary of Defense a report analyzing the effect of the provision of retention bonuses to aviation officers during the preceding fiscal year on the retention of qualified aviators.
((2)) Not later than March 15 of each year, the Secretary of Defense shall submit to the Committee on Armed Services of the Senate and the Committee on Armed Services of the House of Representatives copies of the reports submitted to the Secretary under paragraph (1) with regard to the preceding fiscal year, together with such comments and recommendations as the Secretary considers appropriate.
((j)) ** .—** In this section:
((1)) The term “aviation service” means service performed by an officer (except a flight surgeon or other medical officer) while holding an aeronautical rating or designation or while in training to receive an aeronautical rating or designation.
((2)) The term “operational flying duty” has the meaning given such term in .