10 U.S.C. § 1601: Civilian intelligence personnel: general authority to establish excepted positions, appoint personnel, and fix rates of pay

Intelligence Senior Level positions designated under section 1607 of this title ; and positions in the Defense Intelligence Senior Executive Service; appoint individuals to those positions (after taking into consideration the availability of preference eligibles for appointment to those positions); and fix the compensation of such individuals for service in those positions. The authority of the Secretary of Defense under subsection (a) applies without regard to the provisions of any other law relating to the appointment, number, classification, or compensation of employees. may not be fixed under the Defense Civilian Intelligence Personnel System; and shall instead be fixed in accordance with the provisions of law that (disregarding DCIPS) would then otherwise apply. Not later than 3 months after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense shall submit to the congressional oversight committees a written description of any actions taken or proposed to be taken by such Secretary in response to the review and recommendations of the Government Accountability Office regarding the Defense Civilian Intelligence Personnel System. its impact on career progression; its appropriateness or inappropriateness in light of the complexities of the workforce affected; its sufficiency in terms of providing protections for diversity in promotion and retention of personnel; and the adequacy of the training, policy guidelines, and other preparations afforded in connection with transitioning to that system. The independent organization shall, after appropriate consultation with employees and employee organizations, submit its findings and recommendations under this section to the Secretary of Defense and the congressional oversight committees, in a written report, not later than June 1, 2010 . Not later than 60 days after receiving the report of the independent organization under subsection (c), the Secretary of Defense, in coordination with the Director of the Office of Personnel Management and the Director of National Intelligence, shall submit to the congressional oversight committees a written report describing any actions that the Secretary has taken or proposes to take in response to such report. No employee shall suffer any loss of or decrease in pay as a result of being converted from DCIPS in compliance with subsection (a). prescribed pursuant to sections 1601 through 1614 of title 10, United States Code; and taking effect in September 2008 or thereafter; and the Committee on Armed Services and the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence of the House of Representatives; and the Committee on Armed Services and the Select Committee on Intelligence of the Senate.”