AUTHORITY FOR CIVILIAN EMPLOYEES OF DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE TO PARTICIPATE VOLUNTARILY IN REDUCTIONS IN FORCE.

SEC. 1034. AUTHORITY FOR CIVILIAN EMPLOYEES OF DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE TO PARTICIPATE VOLUNTARILY IN REDUCTIONS IN FORCE. Section 3502 of title 5, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following: “(f) (1) The Secretary of Defense or the Secretary of a military department may— “(A) release in a reduction in force an employee who volunteers for the release even though the employee is not otherwise subject to release in the reduction in force under the criteria applicable under the other provisions of this section; and “(B) for each employee voluntarily released in the reduction in force under subparagraph (A), retain an employee in a similar position who would otherwise be released in the reduction in force under such criteria. “(2) A voluntary release of an employee in a reduction in force pursuant to paragraph (1) shall be treated as an involuntary release in the reduction in force. “(3) An employee with critical knowledge and skills (as defined by the Secretary concerned) may not participate in a voluntary release under paragraph (1) if the Secretary concerned determines that such participation would impair the performance of the mission of the Department of Defense or the military department concerned. “(4) The regulations prescribed under this section shall incorporate the authority provided in this subsection. “(5) The authority under paragraph (1) may not be exercised after September 30, 1996.”.