§ 1596c. Programming language proficiency: special pay for proficiency beneficial for national security interests

• (a) The Secretary of Defense, under the sole and exclusive discretion of the Secretary, may pay special pay under this section to an employee of the Department of Defense who—
  • (1) has been certified by the Secretary to be proficient in a computer or digital programming language identified by the Secretary as being a language in which proficiency by civilian personnel of the Department is necessary because of national security interests; and
  • (2) is assigned duties requiring proficiency in that programming language.
• (b) The rate of special pay for an employee under this section shall be prescribed by the Secretary, but may not exceed 20 percent of the employee’s rate of basic pay.
• (c) Special pay under this section is in addition to any other pay or allowances to which the employee is entitled.
• (d) The Secretary of Defense shall prescribe regulations to carry out this section.