10 U.S.C. § 8545: Officers of the other armed forces; enlisted members: admission

The Secretary of the Navy may permit officers of the Army, Air Force, Space Force, and Coast Guard to receive instruction at the Naval Postgraduate School. The numbers and grades of such officers shall be as agreed upon by the Secretary of the Navy with the Secretary of the Army, the Secretary of the Air Force, and the Secretary of Homeland Security, respectively. The Secretary may permit an enlisted member of the armed forces to receive instruction at the Naval Postgraduate School through attendance at an executive level seminar. The Secretary may permit an eligible enlisted member of the armed forces to receive instruction at the Postgraduate School in connection with pursuit of a program of education in a cyber discipline as a participant in the Cyber Scholarship program under chapter 112 of this title. To be eligible for instruction under this subparagraph, the enlisted member must have been awarded a baccalaureate degree by an institution of higher education. The Secretary may permit an eligible enlisted member of the armed forces to receive instruction from the Postgraduate School in certificate programs and courses required for the performance of the member’s duties. The Secretary may permit an eligible enlisted member of the armed forces to receive graduate-level instruction at the Naval Postgraduate School in a program leading to a master’s degree in a technical, analytical, or engineering curriculum. To be eligible to be provided instruction under this subparagraph, the enlisted member must have been awarded a baccalaureate degree by an institution of higher education. Instruction under this subparagraph may be provided. An enlisted member who successfully completes a course of instruction under this subparagraph may be awarded a master’s degree under section 8548 of this title . Instruction under this subparagraph shall be provided pursuant to regulations prescribed by the Secretary. Such regulations may include criteria for eligibility of enlisted members for instruction under this subparagraph and specification of obligations for further service in the armed forces relating to receipt of such instruction. In addition to instruction authorized under subparagraphs (A), (B), (C), and (D), the Secretary may, on a space-available basis, permit an enlisted member of the armed forces who is assigned permanently to the staff of the Postgraduate School or to a nearby command to receive instruction at the Postgraduate School. Except as provided under paragraph (3), the Department of the Army, the Department of the Air Force, and the Department of Homeland Security shall bear the cost of the instruction received by members detailed for that instruction by the Secretary of the Army, the Secretary of the Air Force, and the Secretary of Homeland Security, respectively. In the case of an enlisted member permitted under subsection (a)(2)(E) to receive instruction at the Postgraduate School on a space-available basis, the Secretary of the Navy shall charge that member only for such costs and fees as the Secretary considers appropriate. The requirements for payment of costs and fees under paragraph (1) shall be subject to such exceptions as the Secretary of Defense may prescribe for members of the armed forces who receive instruction at the Postgraduate School in connection with pursuit of a degree or certification as participants in the Cyber Scholarship program under chapter 112 of this title. While receiving instruction at the Postgraduate School, members of the Army, Air Force, Space Force, and Coast Guard are subject to such regulations, as determined appropriate by the Secretary of the Navy, as apply to students who are members of the naval service. The Secretary may not award a baccalaureate, masters, or doctorate degree to an enlisted member based upon instruction received at the Postgraduate School under subsection (a)(2)(C). The Secretary of the Navy and the Secretary of the Army may jointly conduct a pilot program (referred to in this section as the ‘Program’) under which certain enlisted personnel of the covered Armed Forces may enroll in a master’s degree program at the Naval Postgraduate School. in accordance with this section; in accordance with such regulations as may be prescribed by the Secretary of Defense for purposes of the Program; and in a manner consistent with the Graduate Education Program–Enlisted pilot program of the Marine Corps. The Secretaries concerned shall establish criteria for determining the eligibility of enlisted members of the covered Armed Forces for participation in the Program. the eligibility criteria established under subsection (c); professional performance; promotion potential; retention potential; academic background, capabilities, and accomplishments; the needs of the Navy and Army; and input from the component within each covered Armed Force with primary responsibility for determining the duty assignments of enlisted members. Subject to such terms, conditions, and exceptions as the Secretaries concerned may establish, an enlisted member who receives a master’s degree under the Program shall serve for a period of not less than two years in a duty assignment that is relevant to the degree obtained by the member under the Program. to fill the billets of the members participating in the Program while such members are completing a course of study at the Naval Postgraduate School; and to fill the billets of members who received a master’s degree under the Program while such members are engaged in post-participation service as described in subsection (e). the needs of the Navy and Army; the capacity of the Naval Postgraduate School; and the extent to which enrollment in a specific program is expected to have a positive effect on the career trajectories of participants. The Secretaries concerned shall take such actions as are necessary to notify and inform enlisted members about the Program. career trajectory, including potential pay increases; retention; recruitment; job performance; merit-based promotions and merit-based promotion reorder; and compatibility with the objectives outlined in the 2022 National Defense Strategy to modernize the Armed Services, spur innovation, and outpace and outthink adversaries of the United States; the recommendations of the Secretaries regarding whether the Program should be extended or made permanent; an assessment of the funding and capabilities that may be needed to make the Program permanent; and any other matters the Secretaries determine to be relevant. The Program shall terminate six years after the date on which the Program commences under this section. The term ‘covered Armed Force’ means the Army or Navy. the Secretary of the Army, with respect to matters concerning the Army; and the Secretary of the Navy, with respect to matters concerning the Navy.”