PROMOTION OF CAREER MILITARY PROFESSORS OF THE NAVY.

SEC. 508. PROMOTION OF CAREER MILITARY PROFESSORS OF THE NAVY.(a) Promotion.—122 STAT. 97(1) In general.—Chapter 603 of title 10, United States Code, is amended—(A) by redesignating section 6970 as section 6970a; and(B) by inserting after section 6969 the following new section 6970:“§ 6970. Permanent professors: promotion“(a) Promotion.—An officer serving as a permanent professor may be recommended for promotion to the grade of captain or colonel, as the case may be, under regulations prescribed by the Secretary of the Navy. The regulations shall include a competitive selection board process to identify those permanent professors best qualified for promotion. An officer so recommended shall be promoted by appointment to the higher grade by the President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate.“(b) Effective Date of Promotion.—If made, the promotion of an officer under subsection (a) shall be effective not earlier than three years after the selection of the officer as a permanent professor as described in that subsection.” .(2) Clerical amendment.—The table of sections at the beginning of such chapter is amended by striking the item relating to section 6970 and inserting the following new items: “6970. Permanent professors: promotion. “6970a. Permanent professors: retirement for years of service; authority for deferral.”. (b) Conforming Amendments.—Section 641(2) of such title is amended—(1) by striking “and the registrar” and inserting “, the registrar”; and(2) by inserting before the period at the end the following: “, and permanent professors of the Navy (as defined in regulations prescribed by the Secretary of the Navy)”.(c) Competitive Selection Assessment.—The Secretary of Defense shall conduct an assessment of the effectiveness of the promotion system established under section 6970 of title 10, United States Code, as added by subsection (a), for permanent professors of the United States Naval Academy, including an evaluation of the extent to which the implementation of the promotion system has resulted in a competitive environment for the selection of permanent professors and an evaluation of whether the goals of the permanent professor program have been achieved, including adequate career progression and promotion opportunities for participating officers. Not later than December 31, 2009, the Secretary shall submit to the congressional defense committees a report containing the results of the assessment.(d) Use of Exclusions From Authorized Officer Strengths.—Not later than March 31, 2008, the Secretary of the Navy shall submit to the congressional defense committees a report describing the plans of the Secretary for utilization of authorized exemptions under section 523(b)(8) of title 10, United States Code, and a discussion of the Navy’s requirement, if any, and projections for use of additional exemptions by grade.122 STAT. 98