(a) Authority.—The Secretary of Defense, under the sole and exclusive discretion of the Secretary, may pay special pay under this section to an employee of the Department of Defense who—(1) has been certified by the Secretary to be proficient in a computer or digital programming language identified by the Secretary as being a language in which proficiency by civilian personnel of the Department is necessary because of national security interests; and
(2) is assigned duties requiring proficiency in that programming language.
(b) Rate.—The rate of special pay for an employee under this section shall be prescribed by the Secretary, but may not exceed 20 percent of the employee’s rate of basic pay.
(c) Relationship to Other Pay and Allowances.—Special pay under this section is in addition to any other pay or allowances to which the employee is entitled.
(d) Regulations.—The Secretary of Defense shall prescribe regulations to carry out this section.
Structure US Code
Subtitle A— General Military Law
CHAPTER 81— CIVILIAN EMPLOYEES
§ 1580. Emergency essential employees: designation
§ 1581. Foreign National Employees Separation Pay Account
§ 1582. Assistive technology, assistive technology devices, and assistive technology services
§ 1583. Employment of certain persons without pay
§ 1584. Employment of non-citizens
§ 1587. Employees of nonappropriated fund instrumentalities: reprisals
§ 1587a. Employees of nonappropriated fund instrumentalities: senior executive pay levels
§ 1588. Authority to accept certain voluntary services
§ 1589. Participation in management of specified non-Federal entities: authorized activities
§ 1591. Reimbursement for travel and transportation expenses when accompanying Members of Congress
§ 1593. Uniform allowance: civilian employees
§ 1596b. Foreign language proficiency: National Foreign Language Skills Registry
§ 1597. Civilian positions: guidelines for reductions
§ 1599a. Financial assistance to certain employees in acquisition of critical skills
§ 1599b. Employees abroad: travel expenses; health care
§ 1599f. United States Cyber Command recruitment and retention
§ 1599g. Public-private talent exchange
§ 1599i. Recruitment incentives for placement at remote locations
§ 1599j. Restricted reports of incidents of adult sexual assault