(a) In General.—In the event of an unfilled vacancy for any critical position at the United States Merchant Marine Academy, the Secretary of Transportation may appoint, without regard to the provisions of subchapter I of chapter 33 of title 5, other than sections 3303 and 3328 of that title, a qualified candidate for the purposes of filling up to 20 of such positions.
(b) Critical Position Defined.—In this section, the term “critical position” means a position that contributes to the improvement of—(1) the culture or infrastructure of the Academy;
(2) student health and well being;
(3) Academy governance; or
(4) any other priority areas identified by the Council.
Structure US Code
Part B— Merchant Marine Service
CHAPTER 513— UNITED STATES MERCHANT MARINE ACADEMY
§ 51301. Maintenance of the Academy
§ 51302. Nomination and competitive appointment of cadets
§ 51303. Non-competitive appointments
§ 51304. Additional appointments from particular areas
§ 51305. Prohibited basis for appointment
§ 51306. Cadet commitment agreements
§ 51308. Uniforms, textbooks, and transportation allowances
§ 51310. Deferment of service obligation under cadet commitment agreements
§ 51311. Midshipman status in the Navy Reserve
§ 51314. Limitation on charges and fees for attendance
§ 51315. Gifts to the Merchant Marine Academy
§ 51316. Temporary appointments to the Academy
§ 51319. Sexual assault response coordinators and sexual assault victim advocates
§ 51320. Acceptance of guarantees with gifts for major projects
§ 51321. Grants for scientific and educational research
§ 51322. Protection of cadets from sexual assault onboard vessels
§ 51323. United States Merchant Marine Academy Advisory Council
§ 51325. Sexual assault and sexual harassment prevention information management system
§ 51326. Student advisory board at the United States Merchant Marine Academy